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Dark Souls 3: Tower Key guide

Guide by Staff Contributor
Published on

Got 20,000 souls? Good for you!

dark_souls_3_firelink_shrine

Dark Souls 3: Tower Key guide

Early in Dark Souls 3 you'll notice the Shrine Handmaid sells a Tower Key. At 20,000 souls it's pretty expensive - but the mystery just nags at you, doesn't it?

It's worth the asking price, but you don't need to spend time grinding for Souls in the Cemetery of Ash and around Firelink Shrine so you can afford it right away, as there's nothing in there you need immediately.

Here's what you'll get as a return on your investment:

  • Access to trading with Picklepum the Crow
  • Estus Shard
  • Silver Covetous Serpent Ring (increases Souls earned from kills)
  • Fire Keeper's Souls (key item; see our endings guide)
  • Fire Keeper's armour set
  • Estus Ring (increases HP gain from Estus use)
  • Access to sniping spot for Sword Master NPC
  • Twinkling Titanite via Crystal Lizard
  • Homeward Bones
  • Quick escape from tower during Patches side quest (see our NPC guide)

Tower Key treasure hunt walkthrough

With key in hand, take the side exit from Firelink Shrine, passing the Giant Tree to open the gate to the tower.

Start crossing the bridge but fall off halfway along the bridge where the masonry has crumbled; you'll take damage unless you use Spook or the Silvercat Ring. Immediately turn left and kick down the ladder so you can return here more easily. We’ll be back in a sec.

Search along the rooftop on this side until you see an item glow; drop down and collect the Homeward Bones. (While you're on this roof, you might want to run around the far side and snipe at Sword Master if you're yet to collect the Uchigatana; use an Alluring Skull to bring him back if he escapes your range.)

Don’t drop down just yet, but walk around the this lower rooftop until you reach a doorway leading back into the shrine. Cross the beams to collect an Estus Shard, and then attack the illusory wall on the far side. Continue right to the end and drop down, where a chest holds the Silver Covetous Serpent Ring. Drop back down to ground level behind Lothric's throne.

Climb back up onto the roof of the shrine using the ladder, and visit the nest at the apex of the main hall. This is where you can interact with Picklepum the Crow. You can drop items for exchange by standing in the next, selecting them in your inventory and choosing “Leave”. The crow will tell you if it likes or dislikes your gifts. If they like them, the item will be instantly swapped for other stuff.

For now, move to the back of the shrine, away from the main doors, and drop down to kill a Crystal Lizard for its Twinkling Titanite.

Return to the tower, and this time, cross the bridge and take the lift. Follow the stairs and move forward to collect the Fire Keeper’s Soul.

Take the lift back down. If you have killed Sword Master or aren’t afraid to meet him, you can grab some extra items inside this tower. Cast Spook or equip the Silvercat Ring, just in case, then dash-leap off the side of the bridge towards the item glow below – the Fire Keeper set.

Fall down and you can collect the other glow here; it’s an Estus Ring. Open the gate and step out to find yourself on the other side of the Shrine where Sword Master hangs out.

Back to Dark Souls 3 guide and walkthrough.

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