How to Use This Guide
Welcome, Unkindled One, to the definitive guide for navigating the treacherous lands of Drangleic in Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin. This guide is meticulously crafted to assist both new adventurers and seasoned veterans seeking to uncover every secret and overcome every challenge this unforgiving world presents.
Navigating the Walkthrough
Our walkthrough is structured to provide a clear, linear progression through the main story, while also highlighting crucial optional content. Each major area of Drangleic is broken down into chapters, typically corresponding to the Great Souls you must acquire or significant boss encounters. For instance, you'll find dedicated chapters like "Chapter 1: The Lost Sinner" or "Chapter 3: The Duke's Dear Freja."
- Sequential Progression: Follow the chapters in order for a guided journey through the game's narrative.
- Area Overviews: Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the area, including potential threats and key objectives.
- Detailed Directions: We provide step-by-step instructions on where to go, which paths to take, and how to navigate complex environments. Look for specific landmarks and enemy placements to orient yourself.
Key Information and Callouts
Throughout the guide, we emphasize critical details to ensure you don't miss anything important. Pay close attention to:
- Item Locations: We pinpoint the exact locations of valuable items, including weapons (e.g., Fire Longsword in Forest of Fallen Giants), armor sets (e.g., Drangleic Set after the Pursuer), rings (e.g., Ring of Blades +1), and consumables (e.g., Estus Flask Shards, Sublime Bone Dust). Missing these can significantly impact your playthrough.
- NPC Interactions: Crucial non-player characters (NPCs) and their questlines are detailed. This includes when and where to find them (e.g., Cale the Cartographer in Forest of Fallen Giants, Lucatiel of Mirrah in No-Man's Wharf), what dialogue options to choose, and what rewards you can expect (e.g., equipment, spells, or covenant access).
- Bonfire Locations: Every bonfire is noted, along with strategies for safely reaching them. Activating bonfires is paramount for progression and as checkpoints.
- Enemy Strategies: For challenging enemies and especially bosses, we offer tactical advice, including their attack patterns, weaknesses, and recommended equipment or spells to use. For example, facing the Last Giant, consider using ranged attacks or staying close to his feet.
- Missable Content: Certain items, events, or NPC interactions can be permanently missed if not addressed at the right time. These are clearly marked with a "Missable" tag to ensure you don't overlook them.
Missable Content: Don't Leave Drangleic Without It!
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is notorious for its missable content, which can range from unique equipment to entire NPC questlines and even achievements. This section details common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
NPC Questlines and Rewards
Many NPCs require specific interactions across multiple locations to progress their stories. Failing to speak to them at the right time, or in the correct order, can prematurely end their questlines, locking you out of valuable rewards or even trophies.
- Lucatiel of Mirrah:
- Requirements: Speak to her in No-Man's Wharf, Lost Bastille, Earthen Peak, and Aldia's Keep. You must also summon her and ensure she survives at least three boss fights (Flexile Sentry, Smelter Demon, Lost Sinner, The Rotten, or Velstadt, the Royal Aegis).
- Reward: If successful, she will give you her equipment, the Mirrah Greatsword, and the Lucatiel's Mask, Vest, Gauntlets, and Trousers. This is also required for the "Lucatiel" trophy/achievement.
- Pitfall: Failing to speak to her in all locations before defeating certain bosses, or not having her survive enough encounters.
- Benhart of Jugo:
- Requirements: Similar to Lucatiel, speak to him in Majula (after defeating the Prowling Magus & Congregation), Doors of Pharros, Brightstone Cove Tseldora, and Memory of Orro. Summon him and ensure he survives at least three boss fights (Prowling Magus & Congregation, Looking Glass Knight, Giant Lord).
- Reward: If successful, he will give you his equipment, the Bluemoon Greatsword, and the Benhart's Greatsword, Helm, Armor, Gauntlets, and Boots. This is also required for the "Benhart of Jugo" trophy/achievement.
- Pitfall: Missing dialogue options or not ensuring his survival in boss battles.
- Navlaan the Assassin:
- Requirements: Found in a cell in Aldia's Keep. Do NOT free him if you want to complete his questline. Instead, speak to him while he is imprisoned and complete his assassination requests (killing specific NPCs or acquiring certain items as proof).
- Reward: Unique spells (e.g., Forbidden Sun, Dark Greatsword) and items.
- Pitfall: Accidentally pulling the lever to free him, which makes him hostile and ends his questline.
Unique Items and Equipment
Some powerful items are only available at specific points or under particular conditions. Missing these can mean a less optimized build or a missed opportunity for a rare collectible.
- Estus Flask Shards & Sublime Bone Dust: These are crucial for increasing your Estus Flask uses and healing potency. Many are hidden or found in areas that become inaccessible or difficult to revisit later.
- Example: The Estus Flask Shard in Forest of Fallen Giants, accessible only by jumping across a gap near the Cardinal Tower bonfire.
- Example: The Sublime Bone Dust in Undead Purgatory, dropped by the Executioner's Chariot boss. collect it before moving on.
- Boss Soul Weapons/Spells: Many unique weapons, spells, and rings are crafted from boss souls by Straid of Olaphis or Ornifex the Crow. Ensure you collect all boss souls and trade them before entering New Game+ if you want to acquire everything in a single playthrough.
- Covenant Rewards: Joining and ranking up in certain covenants (e.g., Brotherhood of Blood, Blue Sentinels, Bell Keepers) grants access to unique spells, rings, and equipment. Some covenant areas are optional and easily overlooked.
Areas and Bosses
A few areas and bosses are entirely optional or require specific actions to access, making them easy to miss for players focused solely on the main path.
- Darklurker Boss: This optional boss is accessed by progressing the Pilgrims of Dark covenant questline with Grandahl. You must find him in all three of his locations (Shaded Ruins, Black Gulch, Drangleic Castle) and offer a Human Effigy to enter each of the three Dark Chasm of Old areas. Defeating all three chasms and then speaking to Grandahl will open the path to the Darklurker.
- Memory of the Giants: These areas are crucial for lore and contain important items, including the Giant's Kinship required to access the final boss. They are accessed by interacting with the petrified giants in the Forest of Fallen Giants after acquiring the Ashen Mist Heart from the Ancient Dragon in Dragon Shrine. Ensure you visit all three memories (Memory of Jeigh, Memory of Orro, Memory of Vammar) before the endgame.
- Shrine of Amana & Undead Crypt: While part of the main progression, these areas contain numerous hidden paths and items that are easily missed due to their complex layouts and challenging enemies. Take your time to explore thoroughly.
Structure and Formatting
To make this guide as user-friendly as possible, we employ a consistent structure:
- Headings and Subheadings: Clearly delineate different sections and areas.
- Bullet Points and Numbered Lists: Used for quick reference and actionable steps.
- Bold Text: Highlights important item names, locations, and key terms for easy scanning.
- Italic Text: Denotes specific game mechanics or contextual information.
Whether you're aiming for 100% completion, struggling with a particular boss, or simply seeking to enhance your journey through Drangleic, this guide is your steadfast companion. Prepare yourself, for the path ahead is fraught with peril, but with this guide, you shall prevail!