Smouldering Lake

Navigate the treacherous Smouldering Lake in Dark Souls III. Learn how to defeat the Demon, find the Mimic, and collect vital items like the Black Blade and Large Titanite Shard.

Alright, so you've just dealt with High Lord Wolnir. Head back to his bonfire, and then we're going to exit the catacombs. Look for a bridge nearby – give it a good whack! It'll collapse, creating a handy ladder down into Smouldering Lake. Be careful when you first descend, though.

Just inside that doorway, you'll find a Demon. It's similar to the one you fought back in the Undead Settlement. The smart play here is to lure it back towards the archway you just came through. This way, you can chip away at its health with ranged attacks while staying relatively safe. Doing this will net you a Soul of a Demon.

After dealing with the Demon, head around the upper level. You'll see a chest. Now, this isn't just any chest – it's a Mimic! Be ready for a fight, but if you take it down, you'll get a Black Blade. After that, head down the stairs. You'll have to fight a Skeleton Soldier, and then more skeletons further down. Keep an eye out, as many of these guys will respawn.

As you push further, you'll find a Large Titanite Shard and a Large Soul of a Nameless Soldier. Keep going into the tunnel; you'll find an Old Sage's Blindfold and a Witch’s Ring. Once you've grabbed those, you can activate the bonfire just beyond them. You're now officially in Smouldering Lake proper, which is a pretty big, shallow water area constantly getting pelted by catapult fire.