Exploring the Dark Souls III DLC: Which Comes First?
Dark Souls III, the final installment in FromSoftware’s beloved Dark Souls series, offers two massive DLC packs that expand its already vast world and intriguing story. For players both new and veteran, wondering which DLC comes first might be a crucial question that determines their approach to mastering the game. In this article, we’ll delves into the world of Dark Souls III DLC to answer this question and dive into the details of these two epic expansions.
What is the Season Pass?
Before we tackle the main question, let’s briefly discuss the season pass. The Dark Souls III Season Pass is available for purchase and grants players access to both DLCs at a discounted price compared to buying them separately.
Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City: A Brief Summary
Ashes of Ariandel
Released in October 2016, the first DLC, Ashes of Ariandel, tells the story of a realm caught between mortal realm and paradise. Players must navigate beautiful, yet eerie, Cathedral of the Deep to unlock the secrets of this divine realm. The DLC packs a punch with new PvP combat, new enemies and bosses, and additional soul-building loot to increase characters.
The Ringed City
The second and final DLC, The Ring of the City, was unleashed in March 2017. This expansion takes a different approach, focusing more on the Dark Souls setting, as players explore forgotten lands, fight new terrifying bosses, and uncover pieces of the game’s captivating narrative. The Ring of the City introduces new area to explore, new armors, and additional Soul Vessel to further optimize characters.
Which Comes First?
Now it is time to answer the core question: which DLC pack comes first? The natural order of the game means that Ashes of Ariandel comes as the first DLC, designed to be played after you have completed the main questline. The Ring of the City, on the other hand, is specifically designed to be played on NG+ (New Game Plus) mode, following the events of Ashes of Ariandel.
Table: Dark Souls III DLC Order
| DLC Packs | Release Date | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Ashes of Ariandel | October 25, 2016 | Main Questline |
| The Ringed City | March 24, 2017 | NG+ Mode |
- Main Questline: Ashes of Ariandel is designed to explore a new area, focus on the story, and offer new challenges, skills, and rewards. Without completing the main quest, players may find the challenges in this DLC overwhelming due to the level of darkness in the world.
NG+ Mode: Upon completing the main quest in Ashes of Ariandel, players can enter The Ringed City, providing an enhanced experience with challenging new enemies, bosses and items. The Ring of the City builds upon characters from Ashes of Ariandel, so it is beneficial to play in the mentioned order.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In closing, Dark Souls III features two fantastic DLC packs offering distinct experiences. Ashes of Ariandel, the first DLC, enriches the main story experience with new challenges, enemy types, and items for the first playthroughs. The Ring of the City, the sequel, provides a more diverse and thrilling experience for second-time players on NG+. We hope this article guide helps you navigate the darkness of the world and allows you to make the right decision when it comes time to choose which DLC is the best for you.
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- You can find the answer within this article: As you complete the main storyline in Dark Souls III, Ashes of Ariandel is the necessary step to progress the full game.