Should I use purging stone?

Should I Use a Purging Stone?

A popular question among Dark Souls III players is whether or not to use a Purging Stone. With its ability to remove hollowing and cure curse build-up, the Purging Stone can be a lifesaver in the right circumstances. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of using a Purging Stone, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

What does a Purging Stone do?

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand what a Purging Stone does. If you’re hollowed, using a Purging Stone will cure your condition and restore your humanity. Additionally, if you’ve accumulated curse build-up from death, the Purging Stone will remove it, allowing you to continue playing without the risk of further accumulating curse.

Why might you want to use a Purging Stone?

There are several reasons why you might consider using a Purging Stone:

• Stop the Killing Curse: One of the most significant benefits of using a Purging Stone is that it can help you avoid the Killing Curse. If you accumulate too much curse build-up, you’ll eventually be killed by a single hit, regardless of how resistant you are to damage. By using a Purging Stone, you can prevent this from happening.
• Regain Humanity: If you’re hollowed, using a Purging Stone will restore your humanity and allow you to access areas that were previously closed to you.
• Improve Resistance: While using a Purging Stone won’t increase your overall health or damage output, it will restore your resistance to damage. This can be helpful if you’re struggling to survive against tough enemies.

Why might you want to avoid using a Purging Stone?

While a Purging Stone has its benefits, there are also some downsides to consider:

• Consume Humanity: Using a Purging Stone will consume a chunk of your humanity, which can be a major problem if you’re trying to maintain your humanity levels.
• Limited Usability: You can only use a Purging Stone once, so be sure you’re using it in the right circumstances.
• No Permanent Effects: The effects of a Purging Stone are only temporary, so you’ll need to keep using them to maintain your condition.

When to use a Purging Stone

So, when might you want to use a Purging Stone? Here are a few scenarios where it can be particularly useful:

• When you’re going to die anyway: If you’re about to die, using a Purging Stone can help you avoid getting killed by the Killing Curse or losing your humanity.
• To access new areas: If you’ve hollowed and can’t access new areas, using a Purging Stone can help you regain your humanity and open up new paths.
• To get out of a sticky situation: In some situations, using a Purging Stone can help you get out of a bad spot. For example, if you’ve accumulated too much curse build-up and are struggling to survive, using a Purging Stone can help you regain some of your health and resistance to damage.

Alternatives to Using a Purging Stone

Finally, it’s worth noting that there are a few alternatives to using a Purging Stone:

• Sacrificial Life: If you’re struggling with curse build-up, you might consider using a Sacrificial Life spell to remove some of the build-up.
• Cleansing: While not as effective as a Purging Stone, using a Cleansing spell or item can help remove some of your curse build-up.
• Avoid Curse Build-up: One of the best ways to avoid using a Purging Stone is to avoid accumulating curse build-up in the first place. This means being careful not to die too much, especially in areas with high curse output.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Purging Stone can be a helpful tool in Dark Souls III, especially in the right circumstances. However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether or not to use it. By understanding what a Purging Stone does and when you should use it, you can make informed decisions that will help you succeed in the game.

Additional Tips

• Always keep an eye on your humanity levels, as using a Purging Stone can consume a significant amount of your reserve.
• Try to avoid using a Purging Stone too frequently, as it can become a crutch if you rely on it too heavily.
• In some cases, it may be worth sacrificing some of your humanity or using alternative methods to remove curse build-up, rather than relying on a Purging Stone.

By following these guidelines, you can make the most of your Purging Stone and use it effectively in the heat of battle.