Dark Souls 3 Summary
Dark Souls 3 is the third and final installment in From Software’s hugely influential action RPG series. Refining the foundation made by series mastermind Hidetake Miyazaki in 2009’s Demon’s Souls and correcting some of the missteps of Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3 is arguably the best entry in the entire Souls series. While all of the From Software Soulsborne titles are notorious for their difficulty, Dark Souls 3 is perhaps the hardest game in the developer’s library. Since its release in 2016, there have been no updates regarding a future Dark Souls title, and developer From Software has gone on to release the critically acclaimed Elden Ring.
Dark Souls 3 DLC – Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City
Differentiating itself from its predecessor’s DLC model (with the original Dark Souls having one DLC expansion and Dark Souls 2 having three), Dark Souls 3 features two separate DLC campaigns. The first of these is the Ashes of Ariandel expansion. Released roughly 6 months after Dark Souls 3 in October 2016, it contains the snow-covered world of Ariandel along with a massive slate of new items, NPCs, and bosses. Ashes of Ariandel retails for $14.99 USD but is also part of the Season Pass and Dark Souls 3 GOTY Edition (The Fire Fades Edition).
The second expansion for Dark Souls 3, The Ringed City DLC, arrived almost a year to the date following Dark Souls 3‘s initial release. The Ringed City transports players into its titular new region, which is a harrowing new location and one of the best arenas From Software has created. In addition to the new area of The Ringed City, the expansion also includes new items, NPCs, and some of the hardest bosses in the entire Souls canon. The Ringed City also retails for $14.99 USD and is part of the Season Pass as well as the Dark Souls 3 GOTY Edition.
Dark Souls 3 DLC Checklist
In what has become a tradition for the developer, Dark Souls 3‘s DLC expansions are massive new additions to the base game. Not only do these expansions introduce whole new areas for players to explore, but there’s also a slew of new items and weapons to collect. Additionally, each of the DLC expansions features some series-best boss encounters that are not to be missed for any Souls fans.
Ashes of Ariandel DLC Additions
Location
- Painted World of Ariandel
Bosses
- Champion’s Gravetender & Gravetender Greatwolf
- Sister Friede
Weapons and Shields
- Crow Quills
- Crow Talons
- Earth Seeker
- Follower Javelin
- Follower Sabre
- Follower Torch
- Friede’s Great Scythe
- Millwood Battle Axe
- Onyx Blade
- Pyromancer’s Parting Flame
- Quakestone Hammer
- Rose of Ariandel
- Valorheart
- Millwood Greatbow
- Ethereal Oak Shield
- Follower Shield
Spells
- Floating Chaos
- Frozen Weapon
- Snap Freeze
- Way of White Corona
Armor
- Follower Set
- Millwood Set
- Ordained Set
- Slave Set
- Vilhelm’s Set
Items
- Captain’s Ashes
- Champion’s Bones
- Millwood Greatarrow
- Chillbite Ring
- Soul of Sister Friede
NPCs
- Corvian Settler
- The Painter
- Sir Vilhelm
- Sister Friede
- Slave Knight Gael
The Ringed City DLC Additions
Location
- The Dreg Heap
- The Ringed City
Bosses
- Demon in Pain & Demon from Below
- Demon Prince
- Halflight, Spear of the Church
- Darkeater Midir
- Slave Knight Gael
Weapons and Shields
- Aquamarine Dagger
- Crucifix of the Mad King
- Demon’s Scar
- Dragonhead Greatshield
- Dragonhead Shield
- Frayed Blade
- Gael’s Greatsword
- Giant Door Shield
- Harald Curved Greatsword
- Ledo’s Great Hammer
- Lothric War Banner
- Murky Hand Scythe
- Murky Longstaff
- Preacher’s Right Arm
- Repeating Crossbow
- Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords
- Ringed Knight Spear
- Ringed Knight Straight Sword
- Sacred Chime of Filianore
- Splitleaf Greatsword
- White Birch Bow
Spells
- Flame Fan
- Great Soul Dregs
- Lightning Arrow
- Old Moonlight
- Projected Heal
- Seething Chaos
Armor
- Antiquated Plain Set
- Black Witch Set
- Blindfold Mask
- Desert Pyromancer Set
- Harald Set
- Iron Dragonslayer Set
- Lapp’s Set
- Loincloth
- Ringed Knight Set
- Ruin Set
- Shira’s Set
- White Preacher Head
Rings
- Chloranthy Ring +3
- Ring of Steel Protection+3
- Wolf Ring+3
- Ring of Favor+3
- Covetous Gold Serpent Ring+3
- Covetous Silver Serpent Ring+3
- Havel’s Ring+3
- Ring of the Evil Eye+3
Items
- Old Woman’s Ashes
- Church Guardian Shiv
- Filianore’s Spear Ornament
- Young Grass Dew
- Ritual Spear Fragment
- Divine Spear Fragment
- Small Envoy Banner
- Blood of the Dark Soul
- Soul of Darkeater Midir
- Soul of Slave Knight Gael
- Soul of the Demon Prince
NPCs
- Judicator Argo
- Amnesiac Lapp
- Shira, Knight of Filianore
- Stone-humped Hag
- Desert Pyromancer Zoey
- Locust Preacher
- Silver Knight Ledo
- Moaning Knight
- Seeker of the Spurned
Enemies
- Murkman
- Angel
- Angel Pilgrim
- Overgrown Lothric Knight
- Desert Pyromancer Zoey
- Judicator
- Undead Cleric
- Hollow Cleric
- Ringed Knight
- Harald Knight
- Iron Dragonslayer
Covenants
- Spears of the Church
Is Dark Souls 3 DLC Worth the Money?
If there’s one word that’s synonymous with DLC for From Software games, it’s “quality”. The DLC for Dark Souls 3 is no different, with both expansions being well worth the time and money for fans of the series. In particular, The Ringed City is one of the best pieces of DLC that From Software has ever released and is essential content for the Dark Souls 3 experience. Ashes of Ariandel is also a quality expansion, although it does not feature nearly as many new additions as The Ringed City.
Both expansions can be purchased for $14.99 USD and are also packaged together as part of the Season Pass content for Dark Souls 3. In terms of which one is more worth your time, the definitive answer is The Ringed City. Not only are the new locations on offer some of the best arenas in the entire series, but the new boss fights are also worth the price of admission alone. Now that we are more than 6 years out from the final DLC’s release, both expansions or the Season Pass frequently go on sale. If you can’t wait for a sale and want to get just one expansion right now instead of both, the recommended choice is The Ringed City.
Dark Souls 3 DLC Tips and Tricks
Purchasing and downloading the DLC for Dark Souls 3 is just half the battle, as there are some conditions to meet before you can access the content for these expansions. Additionally, it is recommended to be in the endgame or post-game/New Game + before tackling some of the challenges these expansions include.
Accessing Ashes of Ariandel
After purchasing and downloading the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, travel to the Cathedral of the Deep. There, speak to an NPC within the Cleansing Chapel. If you agree to accept the rotten scrap of painting the NPC offers you will be transported to the Painted World of Ariandel and begin the DLC content. Note that if you complete The Ringed City content before accessing the Ashes of Ariandel DLC the painting will simply be in the corner of the Cleansing Chapel.
Accessing The Ringed City
After purchasing and downloading The Ringed City DLC, travel to the Kiln of the First Flame bonfire. Outside the arena for the Soul of Cinder boss fight will be a new bonfire that transports you directly into the DLC. Additionally, there is a bonfire in the Painted World of Ariandel after beating Sister Friede that will transport you to The Ringed City. Note that the developers recommend being at least Soul Level 100+ before attempting The Ringed City.