Farron Keep - Dark Souls 3 Guide - IGN (2024)

Welcome to IGN's Walkthrough and Guide for Dark Souls 3, continuing with Farron Keep. These pages will seek to prepare you for what lies ahead in the game, which enemies you'll face, and how to best to defeat them.

This guide will also steer you into finding every collectible item you can find among the corpses of the fallen, and any secrets, shortcuts, and more.

• Skip to the Boss Fight of this Area

Entering Farron Keep

From the Bonfire in the Crucifixion Woods in the Road of Sacrifices, head to the center island between the path to the Crystal Sage, and the far wall on the right side. This will mean facing two Exiled Watchdogs, both wielding large weaponry, and both impressive fighters. The one holding a greatsword can dish out a lot of damage with his spinning weapon art, while the great club wielding enemy can use his warcry, and can heal using his Miracle spells. If you can, try to have them give chase (if you’ve cleared the area of crabs) and catch one by himself. Otherwise, you’ll have to divide and conquer carefully - taking out the healer first when he kneels down opening himself to an attack. Defeat them and you’ll get both of their weapons - the Exile Greatsword, and the Great Club. Be sure to look to the left of the entrance to Farron Keep and grab a Large Soul of an Unknown Traveler before you head in.

Check out the balcony with a body holding 2 Homeward Bone, and get a nice view of the swamp you’ll be cursing as you trudge through, before heading down the ladder to your next bonfire at Farron Keep. I hope you brought some poison resistance. If you thought the swamp above was bad, Farron Keep will be your worst nightmare. Almost everything here wants to poison you - including the muck you have to wade through. This means you’ll need to pick your battles carefully, and know when to run in and attack, and when to retreat to higher ground.

Farron Keep

To start, there are two slugs just to the left in the muck. They aren’t overly strong - aside from spitting more poison muck at you, but practice running in and attacking if you're melee oriented, and then running out before the poison is too much.

It’s also easy to get lost here, and your only guideline is the note at your feet: Extinguish three flames, and open the door to Wolf’s Blood. If you get lost easily, make sure to look up once and awhile. Lothric Castle is high up in front of you, and the large broken bridge is on your right. Right around the corner on in some muck is a corpse holding 3Purple Moss Clump, something you really should stock up on. If you're feeling gutsy, there's another item further up among the trees - an Iron Flesh Pyromancy spell. Let's head left in a ring around the area. Over left around the corner, you’ll find a host of slugs feeding on a corpse. The body holds a Ragged Mask - and what luck! It’s high on poison resist, so feel free to try it on. Now head to the next small island (sorry, that’s not one of the three flames) and look to your left as a group of slugs emerges heading towards a corpse. You can grab the Titanite Shard off the corpse, but be careful you don’t stay in the muck too long if you want to kill the slugs too.

From the next bigger island, you’ll have a couple of options: on the right is a curving sunken bridge, to the left of which is an item guarded by a slug. To the far left is lots of trees, more slugs, and little ground. Straight ahead has three more slugs, another island, and up above - the first fire! Grab the Estus Shard in front of the fallen tower, and then move to the middle island while killing slugs to find a Titanite Shard on the other side. You can also grab 10 Prism Stone on the smaller island by the trees, but let's head up to the first flame before exploring the woods. Now that you’re moving to high ground, it may be wise to trade in some of that poison resist gear for actual armor - as some enemy Ghru stand between you and the flame. One will rush with a knife, while the other charges with spear and shield. Avoid their high kicks and dodge their strikes to retaliate against their openings. Here you’ll find the first flame to snuff out, and a short cutscene will show your progress.

Before leaving the island, head around the back to dispatch a sitting Ghru and loot the lone corpse for 2 Rotten Pine Resin. You can also look about the island to get your bearings on the remaining fires, one to the left, and one to the right. Before advancing, let’s loop around the island from where we entered, carefully through the copse of trees. From the small island, look left to find a lone slug guarding a corpse holding a Stone Parma. If you look a bit to the right you can spy another item - 3 Rotten Pine Resin, but be warned, as solid ground can be hard to find here. Be doubly warned if you try to take shelter on the far side of the woods, because a Darkwraith is waiting. They can deal massive damage, suffer little staggering, and can block attacks with a magic shield. Once felled, explore the ruined tower to find your prize: Sage’s Coal. Now sprint across to the other side of the trees up ahead to find new ground on the other side of the first flame’s island - putting you in front of the next flame, and face to face with another Ghru who will try and employ massive leaping attacks and grabs. While you are here, look across to the right for some partially submerged bridges sticking out of the muck. Dash to the one closest to find a Greatsword at the top, but beware the Ghru who lurk along the bottom. Look for the opposite end sticking out back towards the large pillar where some Satyr are foraging, and run to the other bridge-turned ramp, and head to the top to grab 4 Purple Moss Clump.

Back at the island with the lone Ghru, to the right is a Titanite Shard at the base of a pillar. Grab the Titanite Shard as you begin to ascend the stairs and get ready for battle. A Ghru on the right hides among the trees at the top of the stairs, and more lie in wait across a narrow foot bridge over the poison. Grab the 2 much needed Purple Moss Clump before snuffing the second flame out, and then engage the Ghru.

At all costs - do not engage them on the bridge if you don’t want a good chance of falling into poison muck and more Ghru. Bait the first shielded one up, and let the shaman and his poison breath come to you before you charge in and cut him short. Then coax the last of them to one side of the bridge and defeat them, before heading to the other side and finding a new Bonfire. You may have seen an odd sight on the left of the bridge - three Giant Ghru huddled around a single item: A Poison Gem, in a far corner. Attempt this only if you have a lot of anti-poison resistance items, and a death wish. If you are careful, strong, and can live with some poison, you can engage the giants one at a time, one of which will drop the Black Bow of Pharis, and another Pharis's Hat.

Heading down the ramp, there’s a Titanite Shard under the sunken bridge you’re descending. You’ll be able to see the still sealed stone door with two torches lit, and an old tower full of slugs. Clean out the slugs to grab anUndead Bone Shard. There’s only one flame left, but don’t expect the last leg to be easy.

Look left among the swamp trees for a small settlement of Ghru among the bodies of slain mushroom men. Avenge the mushrooms and grab a Sage’s Scroll from a body. Be sure to give this to Orbeck soon, since he won't hang around Firelink Shrine forever if you don't bring him scrolls. Further down in the far corner, another Giant Crab holds sway over his domain. He’s a tough fight - especially in the poison knee-deep swamp, so stick to the lighter areas and try to get him stuck in trees. If you kill him you’ll earn the Lingering Dragoncrest Ring he was carrying, and be able to help yourself to all the loot he was guarding, including a Large Soul of an Unknown Traveler, 6 Gold Pine Bundle, Ember, Soul of a Nameless Soldier, 2 Young White Branch, and a Crown of Dusk by the white birch.

Now, you can either explore the large bridge column with a ladder that three slugs are guarding, or finish snuffing the flames. We'll do it all in the end, but let's finish our main task first.

Go right around the large column corner to find a Wolf's Blood Swordgrass, which can be a useful covenant item soon enough. Up on the island, there’s a Sunlight Talisman and a Pot of Estus Soup if you need a recharge. To get to the last flame tower, you’ll need to follow the pyres and make your way across the small islands. Beware of three slugs that lie in wait as you cross to an island holding a Titanite Shard - but the true danger lies with the Giant Ghru up ahead. They wield literal trees to strike you with, and are deadly with their sheer force. Every time his tree hits the ground, he’ll summon red skull-souls to fly up and strike you, so always be mobile. If he ever plants the tree straight into the ground - back up or risk a massive explosion as he uproots it. Stay behind him whenever possible - but watch it if he turns his shoulder to heave his tree behind him. When he’s gone, look to the left to see two items in the swamp - 2 Titanite Shard by a tree, and a Nameless Knight set by the wall, including the Nameless Knight Helm, Nameless Knight Armor, Nameless Knight Gauntlets, and Nameless Knight Leggings.

Note that this is one of the two points where you may encounter an NPC invader - Yellowfinger Heysel - someone you may have fought up in the swamps of the Road of Sacrifices. She is an assassin who likes to use her Spook spell to remain hidden, and will attack from the swamps to the left with her sorceries and pickaxe.

If you thought the hardest part was behind you, it’s actually sitting between you and the island with the last flame - or, just to the side at least. Another Giant Ghru is waiting just around a tree for you to make a break for the stairs, and will be hot on your heels if you do. You’ll need to double time it to get away from him, then find ground you can move safely on at the top of the stairs - because getting caught in a corner with a giant tree smashing into you is not the best move. When the giant topples, snuff the last flame out to open the way into the Abyss.

Before you go back though, there’s some more items to swipe if you’re brave enough. If you look to the right of the stairs you came up, you can just make out the area you first entered Farron Keep - good thing you won’t have to go back that way. 2 Homeward Bone are on the other side of the flame you put out, leading to some stairs with a Ghru admiring the view.

If Yellowfinger Heysel didn't invade you earlier, expect her to show up as you head down the ramp. Fight on the ramp to avoid dealing with swamp poison, and dodge the Farron Darts and Farron Hail to get close and punish the assassin.

Take the ramp down to the other side, and look right across some muck to where another item is lying in the swamp - a Large Soul of a Nameless Soldier - but beware of Basilisks in this area as you return. Two will patrol nearby, and they will belch dangerous cursed fumes that can add up quickly. If you inhale too much too fast, you’ll take a huge amount of damage and likely die. Try to split them up and hit them at length if you can.

Past the second island on the left is a small alcove where a Basilisk guards 4 Repair Powder. Lure him out first, then run and grab it before retreating back, as two or three more Basilisks will follow. Take them on as they come over, and use the two islands to alternate if too much curse mist is around. When you’re rested, head back to where the repair powder was, and dash past the remaining basilisk and onto high ground where you can safely take him out. From this angle you can see a cave looking back the way you came on the left. In this tiny hole is a stash, with a corpse holding a Golden Scroll, and a chest holding a full Antiquated Set, including an Antiquated Dress, Antiquated Gloves, and an Antiquated Skirt. There are more items on the rocks above the cave, but can’t be gotten to now.

Covenant Opportunity: Watchdogs of Farron

Before you head any further past the now open gate, it's time to explore the large column. Clear out three slugs by a ladder, and take it all the way up. You can get a stunning viewpoint from up here to see where you have and haven’t been, and the stairs around the side lead to a Crystal Lizard that you can hunt down for a Twinkling Titanite. What’s more important is inside the first room - a Bonfire, and the sleeping form of the Old Wolf of Farron. If covenants are what you seek - pray to the wolf to get the Legion Etiquette Emote, and ask to join the Covenant. The wolf will accept, and you’ll gain the Watchdogs of Farron Covenant insignia.

Notice the body dangling off a ledge in the far corner? There doesn’t seem to be a way up to him - unless you return outside and head up the stairs on the left. Look for a part of the wall with an arch and strike it to reveal an Illusory Wall, and you’ll be able to loot the Dreamchaser’s Ashes that the handmaid of the shrine can make use of.

Around this point, after turning in the ashes, if you return to Firelink Shrine, Sirris of the Sunless Realms will likely be there, and if you haven't sided with Rosaria's Fingers, she'll muse that a team-up may be possible, and give you the Darkmoon Loyalty Emote.

If you want to go crazy, there’s an optional mini boss up the lift from the wolf that takes you up to the great bridge itself.

At the top, take in the view, and head up the stairs to a long stretch of the great bridge. On your left you’ll spy an impressively large demon stomping about. Before you face him, go right to the corner by the sealed gate to look for an area to drop down above where you exited the elevator. You can take this side path that leads to where the dead dragon was on the other side of the broken bridge you might have spied when first meeting Yoel. Here, there is not one but two Crystal Lizards to race down and kill for 2 Large Titanite Shard if you’re quick enough. While you’re near the dragon, look around for corpses holding a Lightning Spear miracle spell and a Dragon Crest Shield. As you head up the ramp on the side back to the sealed gate, there’s a surprising amount of Hollow soldiers still milling about, with a lantern-holding scout on the stairs above. Another Crystal Lizard will try dashing up that way, so don’t let him escape - but don’t get surrounded either. Get the Heavy Gem from the lizard, then clear out the Hollow before reaching the top and dropping down to face the Stray Demon.

Miniboss: Stray Demon

While not a true boss - the Stray Demon is powerful in his own right. To say he hits hard is an understatement. If a swing from his giant mace connects with you, only a greatshield will be able to withstand the force of his impact, so rely instead on some well timed dodges. To that effect, the demon is fairly slow and deliberate in his strikes, raising his mace high before swiping in one or two directions, slamming it into the ground, or other variations - just wait until he ends his long windups to get ready and dodge. Try to stay close to him when he does this, but watch he doesn’t notice you behind him and go for a swift yet powerful tail swipe. He also might take to the air on hilariously small wings, only to slam down with impressive force - be ready to back up and charge in when this happens. If you put some distance on him, he might rear back for a roar - and end up spewing boulders at you. If this is the case, it’s best to constantly dodge to one side, or break lock-on and sprint around him so he can’t keep up. If you can deal enough damage to his haunches, he may just start breaking apart, losing his legs and the ability to go mobile. That won’t decrease his deadliness, as he’ll still fight and belch rocks at you, just keep him turning and attack after dodging, and the giant Stray Demon will fall, giving you his Soul of a Stray Demon. Now you can safely pick up the loot that has accumulated in his lair, including 2 Ember and a Greataxe.

Path to the Abyss Watchers

Now it’s finally time to move on. Head through the opened door and onto a new path leading up. The path here diverges in two points, where many Corvians sit praying and unmoving to your presence. Don’t be fooled, a shaman sits at the top of the left path, and his shrieks can send them all into a frenzy. Sneak behind him and take him out before he can do so, and the other Corvians you can kill if you want, or proceed up, grabbing a Shriving Stone up on the right path.

Heading up where the paths converge, you’ll see a massacre in progress as two Darkwraiths engage some Ghru up ahead. If you’re feeling gutsy, you can charge the Darkwraith while they’re distracted and possibly help the Ghru take one of them down - but the melee can quickly get crazy as forces collide and temporary allies turn on you. If you don’t, they’ll slowly begin patrolling the area for more enemies whereupon you might have a chance at luring one to fight at a time - and possibly loot some Dark Armor from their corpses.

Before going any further, it’s time to find shelter. Take a right and head into the ruins where you’ll find a new Bonfire. If you've been keeping up with drawing out your true strength from Yoel, and have gained 5 Dark Sigils in the process, you can summon a Londor Pale Shade ally near the bonfire for the upcoming boss fight - and he'll give you the Duel Bow Emote upon being summoned. Up ahead, there’s three Ghru, and a possible side passage on the right leading back into the swamp where the items were that we passed on earlier: an Atonement Curse, and a Hollow Gem.

If you go past the three Ghru, you’ll find another Giant Crystal Lizard blocking the gate that connects Crucifixion Woods of the Road of Sacrifices to Farron Keep. This enemy may behave the same as the one you encountered at the beginning of the game, but he’s got a lot more health, and you’ve got a lot less room to maneuver - so be on your guard. Once dead, you'll gain 2 Titanite Scale from him, and be able to unlock the gate that will let you bypass the swamp, and grab the Great Magic Weapon off the nearby corpse.

Time to enter the Abyss. Head back up the path and kill any Ghru the Darkwraith missed - there’s a few guarding the main gate, and some hiding along the path on the sides. Don’t miss the Ember to the right, and up on a hill above, 3 Black Bug Pellet. At the main gate, Black Hand Gotthard can be summoned for the Abyss Watchers fight and will grant you the By My Sword Emote upon summon. Open the main gate to find the lair of the Abyss Watchers.

Boss: Abyss Watchers

You’ll intrude on two Abyss Watchers locked in mortal combat. As one falls, the other will turn his greatsword and knife on you. Take heed - as the battle commences, you won’t be alone for long. Another body will rise from the dead to assist the leader in pressing the attack against you. A little while after, a third watcher will rise with red-eyes, who will mostly assist you in fighting back - unless you accidentally strike him and incur his wrath. Both additions have noticeably less health, but still dish out a ton of damage, making the fight an interesting one. The fight is all about spacing, and keeping your surroundings in check at all times.

When the fight begins, try and learn the Abyss Watcher movest. They include several long combos of strikes that end in large slams or uppercuts. The more terrifying attacks deal with the watchers crouching with blade out before blazing across the room in a flash, either sliding with their blade, thrusting the sword forward, or slicing to the side. They’ll also use their knives to break out of your attacks or lock you into their own. Another knife move involves them dodging to one side before sliding in with a jab - which can be blocked easily with a shield to stun them for a moment. Because they are humanoid opponents, they’ll also fall prey to regular tactics like backstabs. Several of their dashing slides, leaping strike, or short combo into an uppercut can leave them vulnerable for you if you dodge behind them.

Knowing these moves, engage the watcher at the start and trade a few blows for about a minute. You should be keeping an eye out by strafing to look for the second watcher rising to join the attack. When this happens, it becomes paramount to stay alive until the third watcher can even the odds. Try backpedaling and making use of dodging to keep the pair at bay - only striking back if one has greatly outpaced the other. When the third watcher rises, watch carefully as the attacks shift - often the boss and his lackey will turn their attention to the newcomer and try and silence him early. At this point you should attract the attention of whoever is closest. If it’s the boss, keep carefully trading blows while trying to keep the other battle in your vision to see who wins. If the bad one wins, return to backpedaling and outpacing. If not, let your friend into the fray - but be careful not to hit him, or to get hit by him as the battle can get pretty heated. Note that you should try and take the bosses lackey out of commission if you can get him alone or at low health, and take advantage of having the better numbers before he revives.

If having a potential ally of your own to take the aggression off your back sounds too easy be true, you’re kind of right. After you kill the boss, the body of the red-eyed Abyss Watcher will summon the wolf blood of his comrades to turn into an even more lethal version of himself complete with flaming blades. Phase two has begun.

The improved Abyss Watcher still uses the same moves, augmented by large flaming arcs and explosions that you’ll need to expertly dodge and avoid. This now becomes a battle of attrition, and trying to find the right openings to capitalize on, and stay alive in the meantime. Many of his combo attacks - including the one where he slides across the ground leaving flames in his wake - will end with a large spin attack followed by a flying spiraling leap attack. If you dodge back from the spin, and dodge forward as he jumps, you can end up right behind him for a backstab or a few hits before he recovers. Healing also becomes a dangerous event, as his high mobility means he can cover a lot of ground while you’re stuck chugging away. The best time to heal is to wait for him to start a combo, and move out of the way where you know he can’t land his finisher, and drink up while he’s occupied.

When you manage to silence the Farron’s Undead Legion, you’ll gain the first Cinders of a Lord, and the Soul of the Blood of the Wolf. The way forward will now appear alongside a bonfire, leading into the Catacombs of Carthus.

Return to Firelink Shrine and talk with Hawkwood to receive the Farron Ring. If Hawkwood isn't in the Shrine, head outside to the grave that normally has an undead dog by it and he may be there.Refresh the world and head out to the grave once again and Hawkwood's Shieldwill be resting on the grave. If this doesn't happen, try again later.

Alternate video walkthrough

Guide showing quick path to the Abyss Watchers, also boss fight itself. Using spear or any similar long reach weapon, combined with some firebombs works great in this wicked boss fight: