What does Hollowing 99 Mean in DS3? A Comprehensive Guide
Hollowing is a term widely used in the Dark Souls series, and understanding it is crucial for players navigating the game’s lore, mechanics, and consequences. In this article, we’ll delve into the mystery of Hollowing 99 and provide a comprehensive explanation of what it means to be "Hollow".
What is Hollowing?
In Dark Souls, Hollowing refers to the gradual loss of a character’s humanity due to repeated resurrection. This can occur through various means such as defeating powerful enemies, using soul items, and exploring cursed areas. Whenever a player’s character dies and is revived, their humanity stat reduces, eventually leading to loss of human form, and finally, complete hollowing.
Human Form vs. Hollow Form
Human Form – In this state, characters retain their human appearance and abilities, but their memories and experiences are slowly degraded. Human characters can equip armor, use Estus, and access bonfires.
Hollow Form – When a player’s character reaches Hollowing 99, their humanity is completely lost. In this state, their appearance becomes increasingly disheveled, and their bodies begin to decay. Characters in hollow form cannot interact with the environment or certain NPCs. They also undergo significant stat changes, potentially affecting gameplay.
Risks of Hollowing 99
- Irreversible Consequences – Hollowing 99 is permanent and cannot be reversed, even by consumable items or specific game mechanics.
- Limited Interactions – Fully hollowed characters cannot talk to most NPCs, complete quests, or engage with certain enemies.
- Stat Changes – Human stats such as Intelligence, Faith, and Endurance are heavily impacted, drastically altering the character’s strength and abilities.
- Reduced Damage Output – The character’s damaged output significantly decreases, rendering them vulnerable to even casual enemies.
- Affects the World – The complete loss of human form has far-reaching implications within the Dark Souls world. It is said to accelerate decay and spread darkness.
Benefits of Hollowing 99
- Free Interventions – Hollowed NPCs will provide the player character with valuable information and secrets, inaccessible to Humans.
- Exclusive Locations – Certain areas may only be accessible or rendered differently in Hollow Form, revealing new details and side quests.
- Unique Playstyle – The radical stat changes introduce new gameplay mechanics and perspectives, challenging players to adjust their strategy and tactics.
- A Sense of Isolation – Wandering in Hollow Form, the player enters a unique state of disconnect from the world, increasing the sense of unease and desperation.
Interactions and Consequences Chart
| Action or NPC | Response as Human | Response as Hollow |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Engage in conversation and receive quest information | Do not respond or engage (some NPCs may acknowledge without providing information) |
| Quest completion | Receive unique rewards or side quests | Quest is skipped, unable to receive rewards |
| Enemy interaction | Can duel or defeat enemies | Generally unable to interact or evade enemies (some exceptions due to gameplay mechanics) |
Conclusion
In Dark Souls 3, Hollowing 99 symbolizes the devastating consequences of losing humanity. By repeatedly resurrecting and dying, players slowly succumb to the void, gradually increasing their character’s humanity loss. Eventually, reaching Hollowing 99 denotes a turning point in which the player’s character cannot be returned to its natural state.
This journey exposes the depths of human desperation and sheds light on the darkness hiding within the world of Dark Souls. It allows players to experience unique environments, engage with specific factions, and adapt to vastly different circumstances.
By recognizing the consequences and potential advantages of Hollowing 99, players may choose to pursue this narrative path, immersing themselves in the unsettling atmospheres of Dark Souls 3.