Dark Souls 3: Platinum Trophy Guide

by Jhon Lennon 36 views

So, you wanna be a Dark Souls 3 platinum trophy hunter, huh? Well, buckle up, as it's gonna be a challenging, yet rewarding journey! Getting that platinum in Dark Souls 3 is a testament to your skill, perseverance, and frankly, your tolerance for dying... a lot. This guide will break down everything you need to know to snag that shiny platinum trophy. We'll cover everything from understanding the game's mechanics to strategically planning your playthroughs and tackling those pesky online covenants. Think of this as your roadmap to Dark Souls 3 completion, filled with tips, tricks, and strategies to minimize frustration and maximize your chances of success. Remember, the path to platinum is paved with the souls of fallen enemies (and maybe a few tears), but with the right approach, you can conquer Dark Souls 3 and claim your rightful place among the platinum trophy elites. So, let's dive in, shall we? Prepare to die... a lot... but also to triumph! Are you ready to become a Dark Souls 3 platinum champion? Let’s do it!

Understanding the Trophies

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's get a bird's-eye view of the trophies themselves. Knowing what you're up against is half the battle, right? The Dark Souls 3 platinum trophy requires you to collect all the other trophies in the game. These trophies can be broadly categorized into several groups: progression trophies (awarded for completing the main storyline and defeating bosses), collection trophies (requiring you to find all rings, spells, gestures, and pyromancies), covenant trophies (related to ranking up in various online covenants), and miscellaneous trophies (for performing specific actions or reaching certain milestones). Understanding this breakdown allows you to strategically plan your playthroughs. For example, you might focus on collecting all the rings during your first playthrough while dedicating subsequent playthroughs to specific covenant grinds. It’s also important to note that some trophies are missable, meaning you can lock yourself out of obtaining them if you don't meet certain conditions or make specific choices during your playthrough. Therefore, careful planning and attention to detail are crucial for a smooth platinum run. Don't worry, we'll cover all the missable trophies and how to avoid locking yourself out of them later in this guide. Knowing the trophy list inside and out is the first step towards achieving platinum glory in Dark Souls 3.

Planning Your Playthroughs

Okay, so you know what trophies you need, but how do you actually get them? The most efficient way to tackle the Dark Souls 3 platinum is through multiple playthroughs, typically three. Here's the rationale behind this: some trophies, particularly those related to collecting rings, spells, and pyromancies, require items that are only available in New Game Plus (NG+) or even New Game Plus Plus (NG++). Additionally, certain covenant rewards require a significant amount of online play or offline grinding, which can be time-consuming to complete in a single playthrough. Here's a suggested plan:

  • Playthrough 1: Focus on experiencing the story, defeating all the bosses, and exploring as much of the world as possible. Try to collect as many rings, spells, and pyromancies as you can along the way, but don't stress about getting everything. Pay close attention to NPC questlines, as some of them can reward you with unique items or spells that are required for trophies. Make sure to join at least one covenant early on to start earning progress towards covenant-related trophies. Most importantly, enjoy the game and learn the mechanics!
  • Playthrough 2 (NG+): This is where you start focusing on collecting the remaining rings, spells, and pyromancies that are only available in NG+. Continue to progress through NPC questlines and double-check that you haven't missed any missable trophies. If you're feeling confident, you can try tackling some of the optional areas or bosses that you might have skipped in your first playthrough. Remember, the enemies will be tougher in NG+, so be prepared for a challenge.
  • Playthrough 3 (NG++): This playthrough is primarily for collecting the remaining rings that are only available in NG++. By this point, you should be familiar with the game and able to breeze through the main areas. Focus on efficiently reaching the areas where the missing rings are located and then move on to completing any remaining covenant grinds or miscellaneous trophies.

Remember to back up your save files regularly, especially before making important decisions or attempting difficult challenges. This can save you a lot of time and frustration if you mess up or accidentally lock yourself out of a trophy. Stick to this plan, and that platinum trophy will be yours in no time!

Vital Stats and Build Optimization

Before we get lost in the beautiful yet deadly world of Dark Souls 3, let's talk stats, baby! A well-optimized character build can make a huge difference in your quest for platinum. While you can technically achieve platinum with any build, some are more efficient and forgiving than others. For your first playthrough, a quality build (equal investment in Strength and Dexterity) is often recommended, as it allows you to experiment with a wide variety of weapons and find what suits your playstyle. This build is versatile and can handle most of the challenges the game throws at you. However, for subsequent playthroughs, you might want to consider specializing in a particular build to optimize your damage output and survivability.

Here's a quick rundown of the key stats and how they affect your character:

  • Vitality: Increases your HP (hit points), which determines how much damage you can take before dying. This is arguably the most important stat, as it directly affects your survivability. Aim for at least 40 Vitality by the end of your first playthrough.
  • Attunement: Increases your FP (focus points), which are used for casting spells, miracles, and pyromancies. It also increases the number of attunement slots you have, allowing you to equip more spells. This stat is important for magic-based builds.
  • Endurance: Increases your stamina, which is used for attacking, blocking, dodging, and sprinting. It also increases your equip load, which determines how much weight you can carry before becoming encumbered. Stamina management is crucial in Dark Souls 3, so don't neglect this stat.
  • Strength: Increases your attack power with Strength-based weapons and allows you to wield heavier weapons. This is a key stat for Strength builds.
  • Dexterity: Increases your attack power with Dexterity-based weapons, increases your casting speed for spells, and improves your weapon art performance. This is a key stat for Dexterity builds.
  • Intelligence: Increases your attack power with Intelligence-based spells and pyromancies. It also unlocks the ability to use certain weapons and items. This is a key stat for Intelligence builds.
  • Faith: Increases your attack power with Faith-based miracles and pyromancies. It also unlocks the ability to use certain weapons and items. This is a key stat for Faith builds.
  • Luck: Increases your item discovery rate, which determines how often enemies drop items. It also affects your resistance to certain status effects and improves the scaling of certain weapons. This stat is generally not recommended for beginners, but it can be useful for farming items and covenant rewards.

Optimizing your build involves carefully allocating your stat points to maximize your damage output, survivability, and overall effectiveness. Experiment with different weapons, armor, and rings to find what works best for you. Don't be afraid to respec your character using Pale Tongues if you're not happy with your current build. Remember, a well-optimized build can make a huge difference in your quest for platinum, so take the time to plan and experiment.

Covenant Grinding Made Easy

Ah, covenants. The bane of many a platinum hunter's existence. Covenants are online factions that you can join in Dark Souls 3. Ranking up in these covenants requires you to collect specific items, which can be obtained through online play or offline grinding. The covenant-related trophies are often considered the most time-consuming and tedious part of the platinum run, but fear not, as I'm here to share some tips and tricks to make the grind a little less painful.

Here's a breakdown of each covenant and the best methods for obtaining their respective rewards:

  • Warriors of Sunlight: Collect Sunlight Medals by assisting other players in defeating bosses as a summon or by defeating specific enemies. The best way to farm Sunlight Medals is to place your summon sign near popular boss areas, such as the Twin Princes or Soul of Cinder. Alternatively, you can farm Lothric Knights in Lothric Castle, although this method is significantly slower.
  • Way of Blue/Blue Sentinels/Blades of the Darkmoon: These covenants are interconnected. Way of Blue members summon Blue Sentinels/Blades of the Darkmoon when they are invaded. Blue Sentinels/Blades of the Darkmoon earn Proof of a Concord Kept by assisting Way of Blue members in defeating invaders. The best way to obtain Proof of a Concord Kept is to equip the Blue Sentinels/Blades of the Darkmoon covenant item and wait to be summoned. However, summons can be infrequent. The alternative is to farm Silver Knights in Anor Londo, which is a very slow and tedious process. Consider optimizing your item discovery rate to increase your chances of obtaining Proof of a Concord Kept.
  • Rosaria's Fingers: Collect Pale Tongues by invading other players as a Rosaria's Fingers member or by defeating specific enemies. The best way to farm Pale Tongues is to invade other players using the Red Eye Orb. Alternatively, you can farm Darkwraiths in Farron Keep, although this method is less efficient.
  • Watchdogs of Farron: Collect Wolf's Blood Swordgrass by invading other players in Farron Keep as a Watchdogs of Farron member or by defeating specific enemies. The best way to farm Wolf's Blood Swordgrass is to invade other players in Farron Keep. Alternatively, you can farm Ghru enemies in Farron Keep, although this method can be time-consuming.
  • Aldrich Faithful: Collect Human Dregs by invading other players in Anor Londo as an Aldrich Faithful member or by defeating specific enemies. The best way to farm Human Dregs is to invade other players in Anor Londo. Alternatively, you can farm Deacons in Anor Londo, although this method is generally less efficient.

Tips for efficient covenant grinding:

  • Optimize your item discovery: Use items like the Symbol of Avarice, Crystal Sage's Rapier, and Gold Serpent Ring to increase your item discovery rate. This will significantly improve your chances of obtaining covenant items from enemies.
  • Farm in a group: If possible, team up with other players to farm covenant items together. This can make the process faster and more enjoyable.
  • Take breaks: Covenant grinding can be mentally exhausting, so don't be afraid to take breaks and do something else for a while. This will help prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Don't Miss These Trophies!

Alright, listen up, folks! This is crucial. There are a few trophies in Dark Souls 3 that are easily missable, meaning if you don't do them correctly, you'll have to play through the game again to get them. And nobody wants that, right? Here's the lowdown on these tricky trophies and how to snag them without pulling your hair out:

  • End of Fire: This trophy requires you to trigger a specific ending by summoning the Fire Keeper after defeating the Soul of Cinder and choosing to extinguish the flame. To unlock this ending, you must give the Fire Keeper the Eyes of a Fire Keeper, which can be found in the Untended Graves area (a secret area accessible from the Cemetery of Ash). Important: Do not attack the Fire Keeper after summoning her, or you will lock yourself out of this ending!
  • The Usurpation of Fire: This trophy requires you to trigger a specific ending by completing the Yoel of Londor and Yuria of Londor questline. This questline involves accepting Yoel's services at the Foot of the High Wall, drawing out your true strength multiple times, and following Yuria's instructions after Yoel's death. Make sure to marry Anri during the questline to achieve the correct ending. Important: Do not cure your Hollowing or kill Yuria before completing the questline, or you will lock yourself out of this ending!
  • Master of Rings, Master of Miracles, Master of Pyromancies, Master of Sorceries: These trophies require you to collect all rings, miracles, pyromancies, and sorceries in the game, respectively. Many of these items are missable, as they are only available through specific NPC questlines, covenant rewards, or in NG+ and NG++. Be sure to carefully follow a checklist and double-check that you haven't missed any items. Refer to a comprehensive guide or wiki for a detailed list of all required items and their locations.

By paying close attention to these missable trophies and following the instructions carefully, you can avoid unnecessary playthroughs and ensure a smooth platinum run. Remember, a little bit of planning and attention to detail can go a long way in Dark Souls 3.

Extra Tips for Platinum Success

Alright, Ashen Ones, let's wrap this up with some final tips to help you secure that glorious Dark Souls 3 platinum trophy!

  • Explore thoroughly: Dark Souls 3 is filled with secrets, hidden areas, and valuable items. Take your time to explore each area carefully and don't be afraid to venture off the beaten path. You never know what treasures you might find!
  • Learn enemy attack patterns: Dark Souls 3 is a challenging game that requires you to learn enemy attack patterns and react accordingly. Pay attention to enemy movements and telegraphs, and practice your dodging and parrying skills. The more familiar you are with the enemies, the easier it will be to defeat them.
  • Use online resources: There are countless online resources available to help you with your Dark Souls 3 platinum run, including wikis, guides, and forums. Don't be afraid to consult these resources if you're stuck or need help with a particular challenge.
  • Stay persistent: The path to platinum in Dark Souls 3 is not easy, but it is achievable with persistence and determination. Don't get discouraged by setbacks or failures, and keep practicing and learning. The satisfaction of finally obtaining that platinum trophy will be well worth the effort!

And there you have it! With this guide and a whole lot of perseverance, that platinum trophy will be yours! Good luck, Ashen One, and may the flames guide thee!