Should I do the DLC before beating ds3?

Should You Do the DLC Before Beating Dark Souls 3?

Direct Answer: It ultimately depends on your playstyle and experience with the game. While the Dark Souls 3 DLC, specifically Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City, offer new content, story, and challenges, they do not alter the main storyline of the base game.

Pros and Cons of Completing the DLC before Beating Dark Souls 3

• Pro: The DLC provides an additional challenge, new enemy types, and unique gameplay mechanics to help strengthen your build.
  • You will likely require more experienced party builds or new character slots to utilize the new additions.
  • Completing the DLC can lead to increased reward and level boosts.
• Con: The DLC’s narrative does not fundamentally change the Dark Souls 3 storyline.
  • The base game’s endgame and secrets are available without the DLC.
  • New player experience can be overwhelming if not acclimated to the gameplay and difficulty levels.

What to Expect from the DLC

Ashes of Ariandel:

• Offers a challenging, gothic-inspired location with new enemy types.
• Important to have at least an average build or above for this DLC.

The Ringed City:

• Includes more challenging levels, bosses, and lore.
• Recommends a relatively high level, at least 80+, to ease progression.
• Rich with new content, enemy types, and mechanics, making it ideal for experienced players.

Should I Finish Dark Souls 3 First?
Why it Matters: Finishing Dark Souls 3 will ensure you:

• Complete the main story and get to know the game’s core mechanics, world, and lore.
• Acquire necessary party builds, upgrades, and skills.
  • Experience the full, unbridled experience before diving into the DLC’s unique and potentially complex systems.

Can I Do the DLC Without Beating Dark Souls 3?
While possible, not recommended:

• DLC is part of the full Dark Souls 3 package.
• Skipping the main story and progressing into the DLC might hinder the overall comprehension of the narrative and may not offer a complete or satisfying experience.

Recommendation: Approach the Dark Souls 3 DLC at your discretion:

1. If you’re struggling with the main game’s difficulty or wanting to practice and master skills, save the DLC for later.
2. If you’re looking for an immediate challenge, explore the Ashes of Ariandel to gain some familiarity with new mechanics and enemies.
3. Wait until after completing Dark Souls 3’s main story to focus on the The Ringed City DLC.

A Summary:
The choice to do the DLC before beating Dark Souls 3 ultimately relies on your current playstyle, experience with the game, and priorities. Be sure to prepare your character build and grasp the gameplay fundamentals before jumping into the additional content.