Dark Souls III beginner route: Gundyr, Firelink and the High Wall
Find the first hub, travel to the High Wall and prepare for Vordt without triggering an early endgame fight.
Dark Souls III (2016), patched base-game mechanics on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Publisher pictures show the base game. Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City routes are outside these beginner guides.
Learn the Cemetery before committing to Gundyr
The Cemetery of Ash introduces basic attacks, rolling and healing before Iudex Gundyr. Collect the Ashen Estus Flask on the opening route and rest at the bonfire. Against Gundyr, concentrate on the end of a swing before retaliating, and save stamina for movement when his form changes during the fight.
Place the Coiled Sword in Firelink’s bonfire
After defeating Gundyr, continue through the doors to Firelink Shrine. Insert the Coiled Sword into the central bonfire and use travel to reach the High Wall of Lothric. The shrine’s surrounding paths are optional exploration; the main opening route proceeds through the bonfire travel menu.
Open shortcuts while exploring the High Wall
Move between cover and safe rooms when the dragon’s fire blocks the battlements. Explore the lower buildings and open doors or lifts that shorten the return from a bonfire. Spend souls on health, a usable weapon and reinforcement before carrying a large balance into a new boss arena.
Speak to Emma before fighting Vordt
The seated woman in the large church opposite Vordt’s approach is Emma. Talk to her to obtain the Small Lothric Banner, then defeat Vordt and use the banner at the cliff beyond his arena. Attacking Emma can force a much harder early encounter; it is unnecessary for the intended beginner route.
A return trip that opens a shortcut and funds an upgrade is progress even when it does not defeat a boss.
Picture details
Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.