WhileDark Soulsfocuses more on action elements than proper role-playing, the franchise still has a plethora of quests and items for players to uncover. Multiple NPCs can be found throughout the world that the player can assist or kill. While there aren’t branching dialogue paths or any extremeRPGmechanics at play, these quests offer some of the most memorable experiences in the franchise.
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This is certainly true forDark Souls 3. Many of the game’s NPCs are instantly recognizable from the way they talk to how they behave. Some quests are much tougher to complete than others, but nearly all of the game’s quests are worth attempting. Here are the 10 best side quests inDark Souls 3players should experience.
10Orbeck Of Vinheim
Orbeck of Vinheim is a trained sorcerer that is equally adept at assassinating targets.His questlineinvolves players convincing Orbeck to travel to Firelink Shrine and train the player. As players learn more sorceries, he will open up to being an assassin for Vinheim Dragon School. Once players defeat four Lords of Cinder, they may summon him to defeat Lothric. Players can find his ashes in the Grand Archives afterward, a fitting end for a gifted sorcerer.
9Irina Of Carim
Irina of Carim is a blind priest that cherishestales of miracles. Her quest is rather simple, requiring players to purchase every miracle from her, but the catch is players must do this in a certain order.
Learning any dark miracles will cause Irina to become lost and begin to fall into darkness. Players will need to kill Eygon of Carim. Alternatively, players can save Irina by purchasing all non-dark miracles from her. Doing so will turn her into a Firekeeper. While the quest steps are rather mundane, the progression of Irina turning into a Firekeeper or falling to darkness makes it one of the most memorable side quests in the game.
8Hawkwood
Hawkwood acts as the Crestfallen Warrior ofDark Souls 3. His will is shattered but that doesn’t stop Hawkwood from helping players. He gives advice and even his ring to players as they progress through the game, but he can become hostile if players obtain the Twinkling Dragon Torso Stone fromArchdragon Peak. Since he follows the path of the dragon, he will demand a duel with the player for it. Defeating him ends the quest. Hawkwood puts up a great fight and does a solid job of guiding players throughout the opening portions of the game.
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7Unbreakable Patches
Patches is back yet again inDark Souls 3to make the player’s life just a little bit harder. In this game, Patches willconfiscate Siegward’s armorand lock the player in Firelink Shrine’s tower. He does have his uses, however, as he can save Greirat on his expedition to Irithyll. Whether players choose to kill him or not is up to them, but there is no denying that Patches brings a certain energy to theSoulsfranchise that no NPC can match. He personifies the unforgiving atmosphere and apathy towards the player that makes the franchise so special.
6Sirris Of The Sunless Realms
Sirris of the Sunless Realms is an NPC that will visit Firelink Shrine after certain events occur. She will offer assistance to the player if they progress far enough into the game without giving a Pale Tongue to the Rosaria’s Fingers Covenant.
However, players will need to be summoned into her realm to prevent Creighton the Wanderer from killing her. Players will also help her defeat Holy Knight Hodrick at the Curse-Rotted Greatwood’s arena. At this point, she will swear fealty to the player.
It might not be the most story-intensive side quest inDark Soulshistory, but it provides a plethora of good equipment that makes it worth doing. The Silvercat Ring, her armor, the Sunless Chime, and access to the Mound Maker’s Covenant for players that missed their opportunity make this side quest a must-play for most players. Her side quest also does a great job of making the player feel like a Blue Sentinel in a PvE environment.
5Leonhard
Leonhard is the NPC thatintroduces players to PvPinDark Souls 3, and is responsible for giving the player various Cracked Red Eye Orbs and information on how to obtain a complete one. His quest doesn’t end there, however, as Leonhard intends to kill Rosaria himself. Players will have to, ironically, use their invading skills to track down Leonhard and kill him to bring Rosaria’s soul back. For those that enjoy the thrill of invading, Leonhard’s quest offers a great distraction that mimics the experience in PvE.
4Yuria Of Londor
Should the player become Hollow, Yuria of Londor will arrive to guide players towards a unique ending. This heavily involves Anri of Astora and marrying her to usurp the flame. It’s one of the game’s most surprising quests that keep the player guessing their first time through. The payoff is massive as well, granting players a unique ending.
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Greirat is best known for being a thief, exploring locations to take any goods he can find. His quest reflects this well. After players deliver Loretta’s Bone to Greirat, he will begin excursions outside of Firelink Shrine to find valuables. Helping him during his trip to Irithyll is crucial to keeping him alive. The adept thief doesn’t make it out of his third escapade, however. Finding his corpse near the Grand Archives is nothing short of tragic. Nearly every moment of this quest is great, from his memorable dialogue to the final moment players see him.
2Anri Of Astora
Anri of Astora is a pivotal character inDark Souls 3as this NPC can dictate what ending players get. Theirsearch to defeat Aldrichmirrors what the player is attempting to accomplish, although much smaller in scope. Players get to see her companion, Horace, slowly become Hollow as Anri clings on to hope that defeating Aldrich is even possible. Her quest can go a myriad of ways, each offering either gut-wrenching or satisfying conclusions.
1Siegward Of Catarina
Siegward of Catarina, or “onion bro” as most of the community calls him, has the best side quest in the entire game. Players meet this cheerful knight in the Untended Graves. Not only does the player get to slay a demon alongside Siegward, but he will also join them indueling Yhorm, one of the Lords of Cinder, towards the later sections of the game if they rescue Siegward multiple times. Seeing this character struggle to fulfill his friend’s final request is equally inspiring and melancholy. There aren’t many quests that pull at the heartstrings quite like this one.
