Starting The Ringed City DLC

To begin your journey into The Ringed City DLC, you must first meet specific in-game prerequisites. The primary requirement is to have defeated the final boss of the main Dark Souls III game, the Soul of Cinder. Upon defeating him, you will gain access to the Kiln of the First Flame. Interacting with the bonfire in this area will trigger the transition to the DLC's starting zone, the Dreg Heap.

Alternatively, if you have already defeated the Soul of Cinder and possess the 'Dark Soul of the Lord of Cinder' item, you can also access the DLC by interacting with the bonfire in the Untended Graves, specifically near the boss arena of Champion Gundyr. This provides a secondary entry point. Regardless of the method, once you arrive in the Dreg Heap, you will be immediately thrust into the challenging new environment. Be prepared for a significant difficulty spike compared to the latter parts of the base game, as The Ringed City is designed to test even seasoned players.

Accessing The Ringed City:

1. Defeat the Soul of Cinder: This is the standard progression path. After his defeat, interact with the bonfire in the Kiln of the First Flame.
2. Untended Graves Method: If you have the 'Dark Soul of the Lord of Cinder' and have reached the Untended Graves, interact with the bonfire near Champion Gundyr's arena.

Upon arrival in the Dreg Heap, you will find yourself in a desolate, ash-covered landscape filled with new enemies and environmental hazards. It is highly recommended to have a character at a reasonably high level, ideally having completed the main game, before attempting this DLC.