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Dark Souls 3: spoiler-free critical path checklist

Guide by Staff Contributor
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Dark Souls 3: spoiler-free critical path checklist

Dark Souls 3 is a lot of fun to explore on your own, but it can be very frustrating to get to the end of such a long and difficult game and realise you missed out on a bunch of content. Ideally, we'd all have time for multiple playthroughs, but if not - or if you just want a "perfect" playthrough - we've got you covered.

This critical path guides advises you on what order to tackle locations in and provides a checklist of essential things to see, do and collect on your journey - but unlike our full walkthrough, it won't tell you what's around every corner, how to overcome your foes - or even where to find them.

Although we will tell you the names of the locations you need to visit and what key items are available, we won't be sharing boss, NPC or covenant names - those you can uncover for yourself, now that you know to look for them. That way, you'll experience the story and sidequests unspoiled, while still having a chance to get the best possible results - or mess them up. Check out our covenant and NPC guides if you want to make sure you're hitting particular notes as your travel.

Be sure to regularly return to Firelink Shrine to check in with NPCs to advance their stories. Bosses marked [M] are mandatory for progress. Not all listed activities are available on first pass; items are not listed in required order; and in many cases specific sub-locations are not listed. Go forth and explore, sporler free.

  • Cemetery of Ash
    • defeat mini-boss [M]
    • defeat Titanite Lizard
    • defeat NPC
    • unlock Firelink Shrine hub [M]
    • access Firelink Shrine rooftop
  • High Wall of Lothric
    • recruit NPC
    • unlock covenant
    • defeat NPC for key item
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Undead Settlement
    • advance NPC quest
    • advance NPC quest 2
    • further advance NPC quest 2
    • advance NPC quest 3
    • recruit NPC 1
    • recruit NPC 2
    • recruit NPC 3 and 4
    • unlock covenant 1
    • unlock covenant 2
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes
    • defeat optional boss 2
    • defeat optional boss 2 for key item
  • Road of Sacrifices
    • defeat NPC
    • defeat two NPCs
    • advance NPC quest
    • unlock covenant
    • acquire key item: divine tome
    • acquire key item: pyromancy tome
    • acquire key item: coal
    • recruit NPC
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Farron Keep
    • unlock covenant
    • defeat optional boss
    • defeat Giant Crystal Lizard
    • acquire key item: coal
    • acquire key item: scroll
    • acquire key item: scroll
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Cathedral of the Deep
    • advance NPC quest
    • defeat Giant Crystal Lizard
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes
    • acquire key item: divine tome
    • unlock covenant
    • recruit NPC
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Catacombs of Carthus
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes
    • acquire key item: pyromancy tome 1
    • acquire key item: pyromancy tome 2
    • advance NPC quest
    • further advance NPC quest
    • defeat boss [M]
    • unlock optional area
    • defeat powerful foe
  • Bonus area: Smouldering Lake
    • advance NPC quest
    • defeat powerful foe
    • defeat optional boss
    • acquire key item: pyromancy tome 1
    • acquire key item: pyromancy tome 2
  • Irithyll of the Boreal Valley
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes 1
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes 2
    • advance NPC quest 1
    • advance NPC quest 2
    • advance NPC quest 3
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Irithyll Dungeon
    • recruit NPC
    • advance NPC quest
    • unlock optional area
    • acquire key item: coal
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes 1
    • acquire key item: umbral ashes 2
  • Profaned Capital
    • acquire key item: scroll
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Anor Londo
    • advance NPC quest
    • unlock covenant
    • acquire key item: coal
    • defeat boss [M]
  • High Wall of Lothric
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Lothric Castle
    • acquire key item: divine tome
    • defeat boss [M]
  • Bonus area: Consumed King's Garden
    • defeat boss
  • Bonus area: Untended Graves
    • defeat boss to acquire key item
  • Grand Archives
    • acquire key item: scroll
    • defeat boss [M]
    • advance quest [M]
  • Bonus area: Archdragon Peak
    • defeat boss 1
    • defeat boss 2
  • Kiln of the First Flame
    • defeat boss [M]
    • advance quest [M]

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