Are you struggling to acquire the resources, souls, and rare items you need to conquer the treacherous world of Dark Souls 3? Look no further! Our comprehensive “Dark Souls 3: Farming and Grinding Guide” is designed to equip you with essential tips and strategies for maximizing your in-game gains. Discover the Best Farming Locations to optimize your time, master Efficient Grinding techniques for rapid level-ups, learn the secrets to Finding Rare Items, and achieve the perfect balance between Balancing Farming and Progression. Plus, get invaluable advice on Safe Grinding to avoid unnecessary risks. Whether you’re a seasoned warrior or a fledgling undead, this guide will become your ultimate companion on the path to greatness. Ready to turn the tides in your favor? Dive into our guide now and become an unstoppable force in Dark Souls 3!
Best Farming Locations
In Dark Souls 3, sometimes you just need to grind. Whether it’s souls for leveling up or specific items for upgrades, knowing the best places to farm can save you loads of time. Here are some of the top farming spots in the game:
High Wall of Lothric - Knights
- Location: First Bonfire
- What to Farm: Souls, Titanite Shards, Raw Gems
Right after you defeat Vordt of the Boreal Valley, head back to the High Wall of Lothric. Specifically, the area near the first bonfire is crawling with Lothric Knights. These knights drop decent-sized chunks of souls and can drop Titanite Shards and even Raw Gems. Just be mindful of their aggressive fighting style.
- Use the bonfire at the High Wall to reset the enemies.
- Take down the knights, focusing on parrying and backstabs.
- Repeat until satisfied.
This area is great when you’re at a lower level and want to gather some basic upgrade materials without too much hassle.
Farron Keep - Ghru
- Location: Keep Ruins Bonfire
- What to Farm: Souls, Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass, Titanite Shards
Once you’re strong enough to brave the poisonous swamp, Farron Keep is a fantastic spot. The Gru enemies in this area drop plenty of useful items, plus they aren’t too tough to handle.
- From the Keep Ruins bonfire, head out and circle the area.
- Engage the Ghrus using ranged attacks if possible to keep safe.
- Go back to the bonfire and repeat the loop.
It’s also worth noting that you can get Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass here, which is needed if you’re working on leveling up the Watchdogs of Farron covenant.
Anor Londo - Silver Knights
- Location: Anor Londo Bonfire
- What to Farm: Souls, Large Titanite Shards, Proof of a Concord Kept
Silver Knights in Anor Londo are another solid farming choice, particularly once you’ve progressed a bit further into the game. Anor Londo is packed with these formidable foes.
- Spawn at the Anor Londo bonfire.
- Take the elevator up and start methodically taking down the Silver Knights with your best strategies.
- Drop back to the bonfire to reset and keep farming.
Their drops, such as Large Titanite Shards, are especially great for mid-to-late game equipment upgrading.
Grand Archives - Scholars
- Location: Grand Archives Bonfire
- What to Farm: Souls, Titanite Chunks, Crystal Gems
The Grand Archives, with its maze-like corridors and magical enemies, is a treasure trove for farming. While challenging, it’s unbeatable for late-game farming.
- Begin at the Grand Archives bonfire.
- Work your way through the scholars, using spells or high-resistant armor to counter their magic.
- Make your way back to the bonfire to reset and continue.
This area is excellent for gathering souls but be prepared to face some tougher enemies.
Lothric Castle - Lothric Knights
- Location: Lothric Castle Bonfire
- What to Farm: Souls, Large Titanite Shards, Titanite Chunks
Finally, Lothric Castle is another high-reward farming location filled with Lothric Knights. This area is excellent for players who need lots of souls and upgrade materials.
- Teleport to the Lothric Castle bonfire.
- Engage the knights, employing hit-and-run tactics if needed.
- Return to the bonfire and go again.
These knights drop a considerable number of souls and provide Titanite Chunks fairly frequently, making it a top farming spot.
Tips for Efficient Farming
- Equip the Symbol of Avarice: If you can stand the health drain, this headpiece significantly boosts soul and item drops.
- Use Gold Serpent Ring: This ring also increases item discovery, boosting the chance of getting rare drops.
- Rusted Coins: Consume these items to temporarily increase item discovery, perfect for those long farming sessions.
Remember, patience is key. Farming can be repetitive, but the rewards are well worth it for upgrading your gear and preparing for the next big challenge in Dark Souls 3. Happy grinding, Unkindled!
Efficient Grinding in Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 3 is well-known for its challenging combat and deep lore. However, sometimes what you really need is to grind for souls, weapons, or other valuable items to make your journey a bit more manageable. Here, we’ll break down efficient ways to get the most out of your farming sessions.
Best Grinding Spots
Lothric Castle
Location: Dancer of the Boreal Valley Bonfire
Enemies: Lothric Knights
Lothric Castle is a goldmine for soul farming. Start at the Dancer of the Boreal Valley bonfire and head up to where the Lothric Knights are patrolling. These knights are tough but they drop decent soul amounts and, with some luck, Titanite Chunks and good weapons like the Lothric Knight Sword. Equip the Symbol of Avarice and Covetous Silver Serpent Ring to maximize soul gains.
Grand Archives
Location: Grand Archives Bonfire
Enemies: Scholars and Crystal Sage Clones
The Grand Archives is another superb spot. The scholars here may be frail, but their sheer numbers mean plenty of souls. Additionally, the Crystal Sage clones respawn and drop souls and Titanite. Be sure to wear your soul-boosting gear here, too.
Anor Londo
Location: Anor Londo Bonfire
Enemies: Silver Knights
Starting from the Anor Londo bonfire, the two Silver Knights in the nearby hallway are close, making for a quick grind loop. These knights drop Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, and the occasional weapon or piece of armor. This spot is exceptionally good because it’s relatively close to a bonfire, allowing for swift farming.
Gear for Efficient Grinding
To make your grinding sessions more efficient, having the right gear is essential:
Symbol of Avarice: This headpiece increases soul drop but drains HP over time. Make sure you can handle the HP drain or use healing items to keep up.
Covetous Silver Serpent Ring: This ring boosts the amount of souls dropped by enemies. Combine it with the Symbol of Avarice for maximum soul gain.
Shield of Want: Equip this weapon for an extra 20% soul boost. This shield’s effect stacks with the Symbol of Avarice and Covetous Silver Serpent Ring.
Mendicant’s Staff: Though not frequently used in combat, this staff provides an additional 20% soul gain while equipped.
Farming Efficiently
Efficient farming isn’t just about where you farm; it’s also about how you farm. Follow these tips to make your sessions smoother:
Clear a Path
Focus on finding a path in each area that allows you to kill many enemies quickly. Memorize enemy patterns and focus on minimizing the damage you take to avoid wasting resources on healing.
Optimal Loadout
Ensure your character is optimized for dealing large amounts of damage quickly. Equip fast weapons or powerful spells, and make use of any buffs or rings that increase your damage output.
Resting and Resetting
Don’t forget to regularly return to a bonfire to reset enemies. This allows you to continue your grind without having to traverse long distances.
Taking Breaks
Farming can be tedious, so don’t burn yourself out. Take breaks to ensure you stay efficient and enjoy the game without turning it into a chore.
Conclusion
Grinding in Dark Souls 3 can be incredibly rewarding if done efficiently. By selecting optimal locations, equipping the right gear, and following the best practices, you can maximize your soul intake and improve your character swiftly. Use these tips and gear recommendations to make your grinding sessions as productive as possible. Happy farming, Ashen One!
Finding Rare Items
Dark Souls 3 is known for its challenging fights and obscure items tucked away in dark corners. Rare items can give you a leg up in combat, so it’s worth knowing where to look. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you find some of the most coveted treasures in the game.
Covetous Gold Serpent Ring
The Covetous Gold Serpent Ring boosts item discovery, making it essential for farming rare items. To find it, follow these steps:
- Progress to Irithyll Dungeon: You will need to reach Irithyll Dungeon, a late-game area filled with traps and enemies.
- Get the Jailer’s Key Ring: In the dungeon, find the Jailer’s Key Ring, which is located behind a locked door near the giant’s cell.
- Unlock The Door: Use the key to unlock a gate that leads to a room with several Mimics. Defeat these chests, but be cautious—they’re tough foes.
- Find the Ring: In one of these Mimics, you’ll find the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring.
Symbol of Avarice
The Symbol of Avarice is a helm that looks like a Mimic’s head and increases item discovery. However, it continuously drains your health when worn. Here’s how to get it:
- Defeat Mimics: You’ll need to find and kill as many Mimics as possible. They are scattered across various locations, including High Wall of Lothric, Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, and Lothric Castle.
- Use Undead Hunter Charms: Mimics are vulnerable to these charms, which can put them to sleep. Throw a charm at a Mimic to safely loot it without combat.
- Repeat if Necessary: Sometimes the Symbol of Avarice won’t drop on the first go. Continue defeating Mimics until you get the helm.
Crystal Lizard Items
Crystal Lizards drop valuable Titanite Shards and rare upgrade materials. These skittish creatures are found throughout the game and disappear quickly, so be ready to chase them. Here are a few key locations:
- High Wall of Lothric: Early in the game, you can find a couple of Crystal Lizards. Listen for their distinctive tinkling sound.
- Smouldering Lake: This area has several lizards; however, dangerous enemies and hazards abound, so be careful.
- Archdragon Peak: Near the boss arena and along the main paths, you will find multiple lizards. This area is loaded with tough enemies but offers rich rewards.
Item-Specific Enemies
Certain enemies have higher chances of dropping rare items. Equip the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring and farm these foes:
- Silver Knights in Anor Londo: They drop the Silver Knight Shield and weapons, which have decent stats and resistances.
- Deep Accursed: These spider-like enemies drop the Aldrich’s Sapphire and Aldrich’s Ruby rings, offering useful health-related benefits.
- Darkwraiths: Found in Farron Keep and Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, these enemies have a chance to drop Dark Sword and Cracked Red Eye Orbs, valuable for PvP.
Co-Op and PvP Rewards
Engaging in online play can also net you rare items:
- Pale Tongues: Earn these by invading and defeating other players. Trade them for rank-up rewards in the Rosaria’s Fingers covenant.
- Sunlight Medals: Help other players with bosses to earn these. Trade them with the Warrior of Sunlight covenant for reward items like the Sacred Oath miracle.
Final Thoughts
Hunting for rare items in Dark Souls 3 takes patience and persistence, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Equip the right gear, target the right enemies, and don’t be afraid to seek out online resources or partners to help you on your quest. Every little bit helps in Lordran, and these treasures will give you the edge you need to conquer the darkness. Happy hunting!
Balancing Farming and Progression
Dark Souls 3 is a game that can be both punishing and rewarding. It’s crucial to find the right balance between farming enemies for souls and items, and progressing through the story. Here are some tips to help you find that sweet spot.
Why Farm?
Farming can seem tedious, but it’s an essential part of Dark Souls 3. Here are some reasons to farm:
- Leveling Up: Farming souls to level up makes the game easier. More health, stamina, and damage output can be the difference between life and death.
- Upgrading Gear: Collecting upgrade materials like Titanite Shards and Large Titanite Shards is important for improving your weapons and armor.
- Consumables and Covenant Items: Certain items can only be obtained through repetitive farming, especially ones related to Covenants.
Zones Worth the Grind
High Wall of Lothric
- Why Here?: This area is great for beginners. Enemies are relatively easy, and you can farm for souls with minimal risk.
- What to Do: Focus on killing Lothric Knights for a good amount of souls. They also drop useful upgrade materials.
Farron Keep
- Why Here?: Ideal for mid-game farming. Enemies drop decent souls, and you can gather Purple Moss Clumps and the valuable Wolf’s Blood Swordgrass.
- What to Do: Kill the Ghru enemies near the bonfire. They are easy to backstab and drop useful items.
Anor Londo
- Why Here?: This area offers rich rewards. Enemies drop more souls, making it an excellent spot for endgame farming.
- What to Do: Kill the Silver Knights patrolling the area. They drop good gear and lots of souls.
When to Farm
Early Game: Don’t worry too much about farming early on. Focus on exploring, learning enemy patterns, and leveling up naturally as you progress.
Mid-Game: Start farming a bit more to keep up with the game’s increasing difficulty. Upgrade your equipment and enough levels to face tougher enemies.
Late Game: Endgame farming can help you max out your character and gear. This is especially useful before heading into NG+ (New Game Plus).
Balancing Farming with Progression
Set Goals
- Short Sessions: Dedicate short sessions (15-30 minutes) to farming. This way, it won’t feel like a grind and you’ll still make steady progress.
- Split Your Time: Spend time farming after every few boss kills or major milestones.
Use Efficient Routes
- Bonfire Proximity: Choose farming spots close to bonfires for quick restarts.
- Avoid Unnecessary Deaths: Stick to areas where you are confident to avoid losing souls.
Know When to Move On
- Level Cap: Don’t get stuck farming for souls if you’re high enough level for your current area. Move forward with the story and tackle new challenges.
- Story Progression: Make sure you are making progress in the game’s story. Unlocking new areas and bosses can open up better farming opportunities.
Practical Tips
- Equip Items: Use gear that boosts soul acquisition, like the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring.
- Manage Your Time: Set a timer so you don’t end up farming for too long and burning out.
- Change it Up: If farming gets boring, mix activities. Try PvP or co-op play to break the monotony.
Balancing farming and progressing through Dark Souls 3 is all about knowing what you need and when to focus on it. With these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer Lothric one soul at a time. Happy hunting!
Dark Souls 3: Farming and Grinding Guide
Safe Grinding
If you’re planning to thrive in the harsh world of Dark Souls 3, you’ll need souls. Lots of them. Grinding, or farming, is a great way to stockpile souls, upgrade materials, and more. But how do you do it safely and efficiently? Let’s dive into some of the best spots and strategies to help you farm like a pro without getting yourself fried, stabbed, or cursed.
Firelink Shrine: Your Safe Haven
Firelink Shrine isn’t just a base of operations—it’s the perfect place to return to after a farming session. Level up with your hard-earned souls, reinforce your Estus Flask, and take on new quests. If things get too hairy while you’re farming, a Homeward Bone or the Coiled Sword Fragment can whisk you back here in a jiffy.
High Wall of Lothric: Knight Farm
Location: Right after the Tower on the Wall bonfire
Target: Lothric Knights
Lothric Knights are formidable, but they’re also chunky sacks of souls. From the Tower on the Wall bonfire, head down the ladder and you’ll find three knights patrolling the area. Take them out one by one, retreat to the bonfire, rinse and repeat. They drop Titanite Shards and Ember occasionally, adding more value to your efforts.
Tips
- Backstabs are your best friend here.
- Bring a shield with high stability to block incoming attacks.
- Don’t get greedy and overcommit to attacks; patience pays off.
Cathedral of the Deep: Deacons of the Deep
Location: Cleansing Chapel bonfire
Target: Deacons
Deacons aren’t just easy pickings—they’re soul-pinatas waiting to be cracked open. From the Cleansing Chapel bonfire, venture into the graveyard filled with these cloak-wearing baddies. They’re squishy and drop decent soul amounts. Plus, if you’re lucky, they might drop Deep Gems which are great for infusing weapons.
Tips
- Use weapons with wide swings to hit multiple deacons at once.
- Equip items that boost soul acquisition like the Symbol of Avarice or the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring.
Grand Archives: Crystal Sage Loop
Location: Grand Archives bonfire
Target: Crystal Sage and Scholars
In the Grand Archives, you’ll encounter scholars and the mighty Crystal Sage mini-boss. The sage drops a bunch of souls, and the scholars are relatively easy to take down while offering a nice chunk of change. Start from the Grand Archives bonfire, lure enemies out in manageable clumps, and cycle back to reset.
Tips
- Be wary of spellcasters; they can chip away at your health if ignored.
- Utilize quick attacks and dodge rolls to avoid arcane projectiles.
Farron Keep: Ghru and Darkwraiths
Location: Keep Ruins bonfire
Target: Ghrus and Darkwraiths
Head to Farron Keep’s swampy terrain, where you’ll encounter Ghrus and Darkwraiths. The latter are especially lucrative, offering a meaty number of souls and occasionally dropping Dark Sword and Cracked Red Eye Orbs. Start from the Keep Ruins bonfire, clear out the area, and head back to repeat.
Tips
- Poison and toxic resistances are crucial here.
- The Darkwraiths hit hard, so consider luring them into encounters with other enemies to let them thin the herd for you.
General Farming Strategies
- Equip Items for Extra Souls: Gear like the Symbol of Avarice and the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring can significantly boost your soul intake.
- Know When to Run: No need to be a hero. If you’re low on health and healing items, it’s wiser to teleport back to a bonfire than to risk losing your progress.
- Explore Alternative Routes: Sometimes, detouring from your usual farming route can uncover new enemies or items to farm, enriching your experience.
Grinding souls in Dark Souls 3 doesn’t have to be a treacherous slog. Armed with these tips and spots, you can farm efficiently and, most importantly, safely. Happy hunting, Ashen One!