Dark Souls III
Dark Souls III

World Tendency / Progression Events — Dark Souls III Guide

Understand progression events in Dark Souls III. Unlike Demon's Souls, this game does not feature World Tendency but offers dynamic NPC questlines.

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World Tendency / Progression Events

Unlike its spiritual predecessor, Demon's Souls, Dark Souls III does not feature a "World Tendency" mechanic that directly alters the difficulty or available events within specific areas based on player actions. However, the game does feature a robust system of progression-based events and NPC questlines that are heavily influenced by the order in which you defeat bosses, discover key items, and interact with various characters. Understanding these triggers is crucial for unlocking secret areas, obtaining unique equipment, and experiencing the full narrative of Lothric.

Key Progression Triggers

Many events in Dark Souls III are tied to specific milestones. Missing these can lead to locked-out questlines or missed opportunities.

  • Boss Defeat: The defeat of certain Lords of Cinder and other significant bosses often triggers changes in the world, opens new paths, or advances NPC storylines. For example, defeating the Abyss Watchers is necessary to access the Catacombs of Carthus.
  • Key Item Acquisition: Picking up specific items, such as the Small Doll from the Deacons of the Deep or the Transposing Kiln from Curse-Rotted Greatwood, can unlock new dialogue options, merchant inventories, or even entire areas.
  • Bonfire Activation: Simply lighting a new bonfire can sometimes be enough to advance an NPC's location or trigger an event, especially for characters who move between areas.
  • Dialogue Exhaustion: Always speak to NPCs until they repeat their dialogue. This is a common trigger for them to move to a new location or offer new services.

Critical Path Progression Events

Follow these steps to ensure you don't miss crucial story beats and unlock all major areas:

  1. High Wall of Lothric:
    • Defeat Iudex Gundyr.
    • Reach the Firelink Shrine. Speak with all NPCs: Fire Keeper, Hawkwood, Ludleth, and the Shrine Handmaid.
    • Defeat Vordt of the Boreal Valley. This opens the path to the Undead Settlement.
  2. Undead Settlement:
    • Rescue Cornyx of the Great Swamp from his cage. He will then appear in Firelink Shrine, offering Pyromancy.
    • Find Yoel of Londor near the Foot of the High Wall bonfire. Accept his service to gain access to the Hollow ending questline.
    • Defeat the Curse-Rotted Greatwood to obtain the Transposing Kiln, allowing Ludleth to transpose Boss Souls.
  3. Road of Sacrifices / Farron Keep:
    • Defeat the Crystal Sage to open the path to the Cathedral of the Deep and Farron Keep.
    • Extinguish the three flames in Farron Keep and defeat the Abyss Watchers. This grants access to the Catacombs of Carthus.
  4. Cathedral of the Deep:
    • Defeat the Deacons of the Deep to obtain the Small Doll, a key item for accessing Irithyll of the Boreal Valley.
  5. Catacombs of Carthus / Smouldering Lake:
    • Defeat High Lord Wolnir. This opens the path to Irithyll of the Boreal Valley.
    • (Optional but recommended) Destroy the rope bridge after Wolnir to access the Smouldering Lake. Defeat the Old Demon King for a valuable Soul.
  6. Irithyll of the Boreal Valley / Anor Londo:
    • Present the Small Doll to the barrier to enter Irithyll.
    • Defeat Pontiff Sulyvahn. This is a major progression point, opening paths to Anor Londo and the Irithyll Dungeon.
    • Defeat Aldrich, Devourer of Gods in Anor Londo. This is a Lord of Cinder and advances the main quest significantly.
  7. Profaned Capital / Irithyll Dungeon:
    • Navigate the Irithyll Dungeon and Profaned Capital to defeat Yhorm the Giant, another Lord of Cinder.
  8. Lothric Castle / Grand Archives:
    • After defeating three Lords of Cinder (Abyss Watchers, Aldrich, Yhorm), the path to Lothric Castle will open from the High Wall of Lothric.
    • Defeat the Dancer of the Boreal Valley (triggered after placing the Small Doll on the altar after Emma's death, or by killing Emma early).
    • Defeat Oceiros, the Consumed King to access the Untended Graves.
    • Defeat Champion Gundyr in the Untended Graves to find the Eyes of a Fire Keeper, crucial for an alternate ending.
    • Defeat the Dragonslayer Armour to access the Grand Archives.
    • Defeat the Twin Princes, Lorian and Lothric, the final Lord of Cinder.
  9. Kiln of the First Flame:
    • After defeating all Lords of Cinder, speak with the Fire Keeper in Firelink Shrine to be transported to the Kiln.
    • Defeat the Soul of Cinder to complete the game.

NPC Questline Considerations

Many NPC questlines are time-sensitive and can be failed if certain bosses are defeated or areas are accessed prematurely. Always prioritize interacting with NPCs and exhausting their dialogue before progressing too far into new areas or defeating major bosses. For example, if you defeat the Deacons of the Deep before speaking to Anri of Astora in the Road of Sacrifices, you may miss out on her questline entirely.

Consult specific NPC guides for detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to complete their individual storylines and obtain their unique rewards.