The first batch of Dark Souls 3 DLC is now available on PC and consoles and, while it’s not the biggest batch of post-launch content we’ve ever seen, there are still plenty of players struggling to uncover all of the expansion’s secrets. As such, we’re putting together guides to help you get the most out of Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel.
Warning: Stop reading now if you don’t want to be told how to reach the optional second boss featured in the first Dark Souls 3 expansion.
We’ve already shown you how to get started with the new Dark Souls 3 DLC and how to recover the Captain’s Ashes found early in the expansion. The expansion’s “real” boss might not require a lengthy guide -- since the best advice anyone could offer is to summon help -- but we’re breaking down the final fight that stands between the Dark Souls 3 PvP community and hours of combat against fellow Ashen Ones. Truth be told, you might actually have a harder time reaching the duo guarding the Champion’s Bones, the item that unlocks Undead Matches, than actually defeating the boss in question. We didn’t find the journey especially rough, but others around the web have suggested they struggled with portions of the trek to the final bonfires in Ashes of Ariandel.
Return to the bonfire inside of Ariandel Chapel. Leave the church and head back down the path to the rope bridge that leads up to the building. Instead of crossing back over to the mainland, attack the ropes securing the bridge to the ground and wait for it to fall. Once the bridge is down, you should be able to descend what’s left just like a ladder, granting access to the valley players have avoided falling into for most of the expansion. You’ll have to carefully navigate a series of massive roots to reach the bottom, while simultaneously dodging arrows and other attacks along the way, but a bonfire is waiting for those who successfully reach the Depths of the Painting.
From the bonfire, head right to reach a flower-covered field with the remains of another tower nearby. Once you get close to the tower, you should be able to see the game’s next boss. We’ll save the written instructions, just in case you’d like to figure out a winning strategy for yourself, but we’ve included a video explainer at the top of the post for those who’d like help. Once the battle is over, collect the Champion’s Bones then head back to the Firelink Shrine and burn them to unlock Undead Matches and the Hollow Arena.
Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel is now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Be sure to check back with iDigitalTimes.com and follow Scott on Twitter for more Dark Souls 3 news throughout 2016 and as long as Bandai Namco supports Dark Souls 3 in months ahead.
