Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III

Unkindled Ash

Guide the Unkindled Ash through the Cemetery of Ash in Dark Souls III, covering character creation, starting classes, and basic combat.

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Unkindled Ash

As you awaken in the Cemetery of Ash, you embody the Unkindled Ash, a being chosen to link the fire or let it fade. Your journey begins with understanding your character and the immediate threats. This section will guide you through the very first steps, from character creation implications to your initial encounters.

Character Creation & Starting Class

Before you even step foot into the Cemetery, your choice of starting class significantly impacts your early game experience. While all classes are viable, some offer a smoother introduction to Dark Souls III's unforgiving combat. Consider the following:

  • Knight: Excellent starting armor and a 100% physical block shield make the Knight a forgiving choice for newcomers. High Vigor and Strength allow for early tanking and powerful melee.
  • Warrior: Focuses on Strength and Vigor, similar to the Knight but with a two-handed axe. Less defensive initially but can deal significant damage.
  • Mercenary: Starts with twinblades, offering fast attacks and good Dexterity scaling. A more aggressive, skill-based option.
  • Pyromancer: A balanced build with early access to powerful fire spells. Requires careful management of FP (Focus Points) and positioning.
  • Sorcerer/Cleric: These magic-focused classes can be challenging for beginners due to lower starting health and reliance on spell casting, which requires understanding enemy attack patterns and spacing.

Your starting gift also plays a minor role. The Life Ring provides a small health boost, while the Sovereless Soul offers a few extra souls for early leveling. The Black Firebomb can be surprisingly useful against the first boss.

First Steps & Basic Combat

Upon gaining control, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the controls. The tutorial messages on the ground are invaluable. Your first enemies are hollows, easily dispatched with basic attacks. Practice locking on (R3/RS), rolling (Circle/B), and blocking (L1/LB). Remember to manage your stamina; running out leaves you vulnerable. Don't be afraid to experiment with your weapon's light (R1/RB) and heavy (R2/RT) attacks, and its weapon art (L2/LT).

As you progress, you'll encounter a few more hollows and a crystal lizard. The crystal lizard drops a Titanite Scale, a valuable upgrade material for special weapons. It will attempt to flee, so be quick!