In the desolate world of Dark Souls III, you are rarely truly alone. The game offers various ways to connect with other players, whether for aid in your struggles or to test your mettle against them. Understanding NPC summons and co-op partners is crucial for navigating the game's challenges.
NPC Summons:
Throughout your journey, you will encounter various NPCs who can be summoned to assist you in specific boss fights or challenging areas. These summons are typically indicated by a golden s on the ground near their location. Interacting with the s will make them appear in your world.
- Siegward of Catarina: A loyal knight who can aid in several key boss battles, most notably against the Demon Prince.
- Sirris of the Sunless Realms: A knight dedicated to her family's honor, she can be summoned for specific encounters, including the fight against the Twin Princes.
- Eygon of Carim: A devoted protector who can be summoned to aid in the fight against the Dragon-Slayer Armour.
- Gael: A seasoned warrior who can be summoned for the challenging battle against Sister Friede in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC.
Note: Summoning NPCs often requires you to be in human form (or embered). Their availability is usually tied to specific questlines or story progression.
Player Co-op Partners:
The most common form of multiplayer interaction is through co-op. You can use the White S Soapstone to place their summon s, allowing other players to summon them into their world as allies. Conversely, using a Red S Soapstone allows for player-versus-player duels.
- Summoning: If you are embered, you will see summon ss from other players. Interacting with these ss will bring them into your world to help you.
- Being Summoned: Placing your White S Soapstone allows you to be summoned by other players. You will be returned to your world after the boss is defeated or you die.
- Password Matching: The game allows you to set a password, which significantly narrows down who you can connect with, making it easier to play with friends.
Covenants and PvP:
Several covenants are centered around player interaction, both cooperative and adversarial.
- Covenant of the Blade: Players who join this covenant can invade other players' worlds as hostile phantoms.
- Way of Blue/Blue Sentinels/Blade of the Darkmoon: These covenants are designed to protect players from invaders by automatically summoning members to defend them.
Leveraging both NPC allies and the assistance of fellow You can significantly alter the difficulty of Dark Souls III, turning seemingly insurmountable challenges into manageable encounters.