Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin

Summoning the Derelict Ship

Learn to summon the derelict ship in Dark Souls II's No-man's Wharf. Navigate treacherous docks, defeat enemies, and find the mechanism for transport.

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Summoning the Derelict Ship

The journey through No-man's Wharf culminates in the need to summon a derelict ship to transport you to the next area. This process involves navigating treacherous docks, dealing with numerous enemies, and locating a specific mechanism. Prepare for a challenging encounter, as the area is designed to punish carelessness.

Navigating the Docks

Your primary objective is to reach the far end of the wharf, where the ship is docked. This path is fraught with danger:

  • Hollow Infantry and Varangian Sailors: These are your most common foes. Varangian Sailors are particularly aggressive and can inflict significant damage. Use the environment to your advantage, luring them into chokepoints or using ranged attacks from a safe distance.
  • Darkdwellers: These creatures emerge from the water and dark corners, especially when the area is plunged into darkness. They are fast and can apply the "Poison" status effect. Be vigilant and carry some Poison Moss or Poison Resin if you anticipate a struggle.
  • Exploding Barrels: Many areas feature explosive barrels. While dangerous if you're caught in their blast, they can also be used strategically to clear groups of enemies. A well-placed arrow or firebomb can detonate them.
  • Phantoms: Be aware of potential invader phantoms if you are playing online, or NPC phantoms like the Flexile Sentry that guards the ship itself.

Locating the Bell

To summon the ship, you must ring a large bell located high above the main dock area. Here's how to reach it:

  1. From the initial bonfire, proceed through the winding paths of the wharf, dealing with the enemies as you go.
  2. You'll eventually reach a large, open area with several buildings and a central plaza. Look for a building with a set of stairs leading upwards.
  3. Ascend these stairs. You'll likely encounter more Varangian Sailors and possibly a Darkdweller or two.
  4. Continue upwards, following the path along the rooftops and wooden walkways. This elevated route offers a good vantage point for ranged attacks but also exposes you to potential ambushes.
  5. You will eventually arrive at a small platform overlooking the main dock. Here, you'll find a large, rusty bell.

Ringing the Bell and its Consequences

Interacting with the bell will cause it to ring, signaling the ship to approach. However, this action has immediate and significant consequences:

  • Darkness Descends: The entire No-man's Wharf area will be plunged into near-total darkness. This dramatically reduces visibility and makes navigating and fighting much more challenging.
  • Increased Darkdweller Activity: The darkness causes a significant increase in the number of Darkdwellers that emerge from the water and hidden crevices. They are much harder to spot in the low light.
  • Light Source Recommended: It is highly recommended to have a light source equipped before ringing the bell. Options include the Torch (found in various locations, such as the Forest of Fallen Giants), the Cast Light sorcery, or the Skull Lantern (dropped by certain enemies or found in specific areas). The Torch is generally the most accessible option for most players.

Reaching the Ship

Once the bell is rung and darkness falls, you must make your way back down to the main dock where the ship will now be present:

  1. Carefully descend from the bell platform, being mindful of the increased Darkdweller presence.
  2. Navigate back through the now-darkened streets and docks. Use your light source to spot enemies and avoid falling into the water.
  3. The ship will be docked at the furthest point of the wharf, past the area where you likely fought the majority of the Varangian Sailors.
  4. Approach the gangplank leading onto the ship. Be prepared for a final encounter before boarding.

The Flexile Sentry

As you attempt to board the ship, you will be confronted by the area's boss, the Flexile Sentry. This dual-wielding monstrosity is a formidable foe, especially in the confined space of the ship's deck. For a detailed strategy on defeating the Flexile Sentry, please refer to our dedicated boss guide.

Once the Flexile Sentry is defeated, you can safely proceed to the ship's hold and interact with the mechanism to initiate your journey to the next challenging area.