Heads Up! The Dark Souls 2 Cheat Sheet is now available.

The following is a checklist and set of information I use when playing Dark Souls to make sure I don't miss an item, conversation or boss. I hope you find it useful. A big thanks goes out to the community of contributors on the Dark Souls Wiki where some of this information is borrowed from. If this is your first time visiting this page please check out the Help section.

Warning: Contains Spoilers!

Playthrough Checklist


Undead Asylum (Level 1)

Firelink Shrine (Levels 1-5)

Undead Burg (Levels 5-10)

Undead Parish (Levels 10-20)

Lower Undead Burg (Levels 20-30)

The Depths (Levels 20-30)

Blighttown (Levels 30-40)

Darkroot Basin (Level 35+)

Darkroot Garden (Level 20+)

Sen's Fortress (Level 40+)

Anor Londo (Level 45+)

Undead Asylum Revisited (Levels 30-40)

New Londo Ruins (Levels 60+)

The Great Hollow (Levels 50+)

Note: It's very hard to give good directions for this section due to the maze of branches and random spawning patterns of the Crystal Lizards

  • Light and rest at the bonfire after you go down the first ladder
  • Make your way down the branches looking out for Crystal Lizards and Basilisks
  • Near the top you can roll down in to the main tree trunk in the center of the area to pick up the Cloranthy Ring
  • Roll and drop to various branches to get the titanites
  • After you kill the first three Basilisks there is a soul hidden to the left as you exit the cave they were in
  • Slide down the two ladders to the first canopy and kill the two Basilisks there
  • Slide down the ladder in the center to the next canopy and be ready to kill four more and then pick up the soul
  • Continue down the branches and then on to the mushrooms, exiting the fog gate at the bottom to get to Ash Lake

Ash Lake (Levels 50+)

Painted World of Ariamis (Levels 60+)

  • Go down the elevator and turn the platform lever anti-clockwise and enter the chapel
  • Pick up the Great Magic Weapon sorcery, Black Iron Set, Greatsword and Black Iron Greatshield
  • Examine the painting to warp to the Painted World of Ariamis
  • Light and rest at the bonfire
  • Remember to use range attacks on the Engorged Zombies so you don't get toxic
  • Go up the stairs and on to the roof of the first building and use your bow to pull the two Crow Demons from the other tower to you so they don't ambush you later
  • Drop down to get the Dried Finger and then go the bottom floor of the building to get the soul
  • Clear out the next building, remembering about the two Zombies hanging from the ledge, and hit the rope holding the zombie to drop it down
  • Go upstairs, jump across the gap and get the soul and the Egg Vermifuge, slide down the ladder and get the Painting Guardian Set
  • Lure the Crow Demons out of the tower one by one
  • Go to the top of the spiral staircase to get the Red Sign Soapstone and on the way back down drop to the ledge to get the soul
  • Kill the Undead Dragon and then pick up the soul, Dragon Scale and the Bloodshield from the bridge
  • Go back to the tower, through the fog gate and open the shortcut back to the bonfire
  • Go down to the basement and kill the six Wheel Skeletons, making sure to pull one at a time with your bow
  • Grab the two souls and turn the lever to open the gate that leads to the boss
  • Hit the illusory wall and explore the tunnels, kill the three Wheel Skeletons, get the Annex Key and kill the Engorged Zombie to get the Fire Surge pyromancy
  • Leave the tunnels using the well ladder, go up the stairs to get the Ring of Sacrifice and grab the Humanity from the zombie you dropped earlier
  • Open the Annex door and head up the stairs
  • Head up on to the roof of the building to the left, kill the two Crow Demons, watch for an ambush by two more and get the Vow Of Silence miracle
  • Take the stairs in to the round tower and pick up the Black Set
  • Go to the lower section and get the Dark Ember
  • Break the wooden fence to get Velka's Rapier, drop down in to the building and get the Gold Coin
  • Return to the bonfire and reverse hollowing
  • Go the open area with all the spikes, wait for King Jeremiah to invade and kill him to get the Notched Whip
  • Pick up the souls in the area and the Acid Surge pyromancy hidden behind the wall
  • Go through the gate you opened earlier, walk across the bridge, watching out for the zombies and kill the Tower Knight to get the Large Titanite Shard
  • Reload your game before you enter the fog gate, go through and pick up the Xanthous Set that should now have appeared
  • Kill Crossbreed Priscilla
  • Optionally do some jolly co-op to get some humanity and souls. You should be level 55-60 to get summoned
  • Jump off the ledge to warp back to Anor Londo
  • Leave the chapel and turn the platform lever clockwise to return it to its normal position and go to the first Anor Londo bonfire
  • Warp to Undead Parish and give the Dark Ember to Andre and upgrade your weapons
  • Warp back to Anor Londo and head to The Duke's Archives

The Duke's Archives (Levels 60+)

Crystal Cave (Levels 50+)

Demon Ruins (Levels 60+)

Lost Izalith (Levels 75+)

The Catacombs (Levels 30-50)

  • Go down to the first bonfire, kill the Undead Mage and pull the first switch
  • Use a ranged attack to take out the next Undead Mage
  • Clear out the room the Undead Mage was in and get the Lucerne from the side room
  • Continue clearing out this area, grabbing the soul from near the archer, head outside passed the statue spike traps, push the second switch and get the soul
  • Cross the bridge and quickly kill the next Undead Mage
  • Go in to the side room to the right, fall through the floor and try to get the two Crystal Lizards while avoiding the statue spike traps
  • Climb up the ladder and fall through the floor again to get back to the second switch
  • Go back across the bridge and at the end of it drop down three times to the left, pick up the Great Scythe and push the third switch
  • Head outside, push the fourth switch, roll through the illusory wall and rest at the bonfire
  • Go across the bridge and through the fog gate, hit the broken wall, drop down and clear out the room
  • Continue up the steps, watch out for the giant skeleton that drops from the roof and get the Darkmoon Seance Ring from the coffin
  • Go out the broken wall, continue up the steps, kill the Undead Mage and climb up the ladder
  • Get the Tranquil Walk of Peace miracle and fall through the floor to near the start of the level
  • Continue all the way back across the bridges to the building with all of the coffins
  • Nestle in the coffin on the left just before the Titanite Demon to go to the Tomb of the Giants and optionally join the Gravelord Servant covenant
  • Use the coffin to get back, go down the corridor and through the broken wall, drop down through the floor and kill the Black Knight to get the White Titanite Chunk
  • Use ranged attacks to kill all the Wheel Skeletons and before dropping down
  • Go through the tunnel near where you dropped down and kill the Undead Mage to get the Skull Lantern
  • Climb up the two ladders and back to entrance of the building with all the coffins, go outside and drop off to the ledge where you can summon Paladin Leeroy
  • Drop off to the next ledge to get the Cleric Set and Mace
  • Kill Pinwheel
  • Optionally do some jolly co-op to get some humanity and souls. You should be level 20-40 or 55-65 to get summoned
  • Go up the ladder and continue on the Tomb of the Giants

Tomb of the Giants (Levels 70+)

  • If you got the Sunlight Maggot then wear it otherwise put the Skull Lantern in your left hand
  • Slide down the coffins, climb down the ladder and rest at the bonfire
  • Go back up the ladder, along the ledge to the right, drop down the hole, kill all the giant skeletons and get the Large Divine Ember
  • Climb back out, hit the illusory wall along the ledge, climb down the ladder, kill the bone towers and Reah's bodyguards but do not talk to her
  • Get the White Titanite Chunk, Skull Lantern, souls and head back up the ladder
  • Talk to Patches the Hyena, answering No to his question and let him kick you down in to the pit
  • Talk to Reah to get the Replenishment miracle
  • Go back up and talk to Patches again, answering No to his question to get Twin Humanities
  • Continue passed him and through the fog gate and kill the Black Knight that comes running at you
  • Kill the archer, grab the soul, jump down, get ready for an ambush by bone towers and grab the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring
  • Jump across and kill the giant skeleton and then continue up, hugging the left wall to get the Effigy Shield
  • Go back down to where you killed the last giant skeleton and hug the left wall around to the next bonfire and reverse hollowing
  • Go down the path, grab the White Titanite Chunk, go down the ladder, wait for Paladin Leeroy to invade and kill him to get Sanctus and Grant
  • Quickly kill the Crystal Lizard in the tunnel
  • Continue through the tunnel and down the ledge, clear out the Pinwheels and grab the soul and White Titanite Slab
  • Kill Gravelord Nito
    • After the fight pick up the Paladin Set, though you may need to reload your game to get it to appear
  • Rest at the bonfire, warp to Firelink Shrine

Miscellaneous Tasks

Sanctuary Guarden / Oolacile Sanctuary / Royal Woods (DLC Only)

Oolacile Township (DLC Only)

  • Make sure you have either a Skull Lantern, Sunlight Maggot or the Cast Light sorcery
  • Continue down the steps and stick to the right, grabbing the souls along the way, go around the back of the building and roll down to the next ledge
  • Use your light source on the illusory wall on the building to the left and get the Silver Pendant from the chest
  • Kill everything in the other building and get the Dark Orb sorcery from the chest and the I'm Sorry carving from the Bloathead Mage on the outside ledge
  • Go back to the main path, cross the wooden bridge, get invaded by Marvelous Chester
  • Continue crossing the wooden bridge, and get the Very Good! carving from the mimic and take out the Bloathead Mage down below with ranged attacks
  • Go halfway down the stairs, walk across to the rooftop, and kill the Crystal Lizard. You may have to reload the game to make the Crystal Lizard appear.
  • Continue down and across the walkway, very carefully clear out the ground floor of the building and get the Rubbish, Dark Fog sorcery and soul
  • Go upstairs, use your light source on the illusory wall and get the Red Titanite Chunk from the chest
  • Head back across the rafters, roll down to the balcony and get the Crest Key from the mimic
  • Drop on to the roof from the next room and go up and across the roof to get a Twin Humanities
  • Drop off the roof, go across to open up the elevator shortcut and rest at the bonfire
  • Go back towards the colosseum, go up the stairs to the right and unlock the door using the Crest Key
  • Talk to Hawkeye Gough twice, answering Yes to both his questions, so that he grounds Kalameet, and buy the Hello and Thank You carvings
  • Go back in to Royal Woods and down to the valley and kill Kalameet
  • Return to the colosseum and go back up to talk to Hawkeye Gough to get Gough's Greatbow
  • Go back down the elevator shortcut, carefully clear out the Bloatheads and then kill the Chained Prisoner to get the Helm and Leggings from the Chain Set
  • Call the elevator, kill the Bloathead that arrives with it and rest at the bonfire

Chasm of the Abyss (DLC Only)

New Game Plus Preparation

Kiln of the First Flame (Levels 60-80)

  • Drop down the hole and if you haven't already then offer the Lord Souls
  • Farm the Black Knights for chunks
  • Grab the Black Knight Set from the beam
  • Optionally do some jolly co-op to get some humanity and souls. You should be level 65-80+ to get summoned
  • Kill Gwyn Lord of Cinder
    • After killing him you can use the bonfire to get the good ending and the To Link The Fire achievement
    • Or you can leave the area to get the evil ending and the Dark Lord achievement
  • Congratz on completing one of the best RPGs ever made. Now go do it again!

Checklists


Knights Honor Achievement (Obtain 49 rare weapons)

Wisdom of a Sage Achievement (Obtain 24 sorceries)

Bond of a Pyromancer Achievement (Obtain 19 pyromancies)

Prayer of a Maiden Achievement (Obtain 23 miracles)

Information


Soul Types

NameSouls
Soul of a Lost Undead200
Large Soul of a Lost Undead400
Soul of a Nameless Soldier800
Large Soul of a Nameless Soldier1,000
Soul of a Proud Knight2,000
Large Soul of a Proud Knight3,000
Soul of a Brave Warrior5,000
Large Soul of a Brave Warrior8,000
Soul of a Hero10,000
Soul of a Great Hero20,000

Suggested Level Ranges

AreaLevelBossSummon Range
Undead Burg5-10 Taurus Demon5-10
Undead Parish10-20 Bell Gargoyles15-25
Lower Undead Burg20-30 Capra Demon20-30
The Depths20-30 Gaping Dragon25-35
Blighttown30-40 That Fucking Branchn/a
Quelaag's Domain35+ Chaos Witch Quelaag25-40
The Catacombs30-50 Pinwheel20-40, 55-65
The Great Hollow50+ Nonen/a
Ash Lake50+ Black Hydran/a
Darkroot Garden20+ Moonlight Butterfly15-25
Great Grey Wolf Sif20-50
Darkroot Basin35+ Hydran/a
Valley of Drakes40–60 Undead Dragonn/a
Undead Asylum Revisited30-40 Stray Demonn/a
Sen's Fortress40+ Iron Golem40-50
Anor Londo45+ Ornstein and Smough40-50
Dark Sun Gwyndolin40-55
Painted World of Ariamis60+ Crossbreed Priscilla55-60
New Londo Ruins60+ Four Kings60-75+
The Duke's Archives60+ Mecha Boarn/a
The Abyss50-70 Four Kings60-75+
Crystal Cave50+ Seath the Scaleless60-75+
Tomb of the Giants70+ Gravelord Nito60-75+
Demon Ruins60+ Ceasless Discharge40-45
Demon Firesage55-60+
Centipede Demon60+
Lost Izalith75+ Bed of Chaos60-75+
Kiln of the First Flame60-80 Gwyn, Lord of Cinder65-80+

Thanks to Albright for the recommended summon levels

Embers

NameEffectWhereBlacksmith
Large EmberNormal +10, Normal +5 to RawChest behind the butcher in The DepthsAndrei
Divine EmberNormal +5 to DivineTower after Moonlight ButterflyAndrei
Chaos Flame EmberFire +5 to ChaosLava killing Ceaseless DischargeVamos
Enchanted EmberMagic +5 to EnchantedMushroom People chest in Darkroot GardenRickert
Very Large EmberNormal +15New Londo Ruins after lowering waterAndrei
Dark EmberDivine +5 to OccultStatue in Painted World of AriamisAndrei
Crystal EmberNormal +10 to CrystalBehind bookshelf in The Duke's ArchivesGiant
Large Magic EmberMagic +10After killing Seath the ScalelessRickert
Large Divine EmberDivine +10Dead blacksmith in Tomb of the GiantsAndrei
Large Flame EmberFire +10Near entrance to Demon FiresageVamos

Help

Is this a guide?

Nope, not really. This is a set of checklists and information that you can use while playing Dark Souls to make sure you don't miss an item, action, conversation or boss. If you need playthroughs then you can click on the links scattered throughout the page to find them in the wiki.

Do I need to follow the playthrough in this exact order?

Dark Souls is not a liner game and has multiple ways of progressing. This is generally the way I like to play through the game, so feel free to follow it if you like or mix it up. You can always jump back and forth and check things off in a different order.

Can I use this for multiple characters?

Yup, use the profile selector and buttons at the top right of the page to setup multiple characters.

Your level ranges are all wrong!

Any time I mention a level range it is just a rough guideline. The level an area or boss should be attempted at depends a lot on the experience of the player, their skill level and their gear.

How do I help with feedback, corrections, suggestions or additions?

You can post in this Reddit thread or if you know your way about Git/GitHub then fork my repo and submit a pull request.

How does the checklist status get saved?

It gets saved to the local storage in your browser and not to any database or API. So if you are clearing your browser cache make sure not to delete the site data or your checklists will get reset. At some point in the future I might hook it up to an API.

What else have you got planned?

Every area in the game is now covered but I'm going to add other bits of information that I think might be useful as you do a playthrough. I'm also aware that the formatting needs a bit of work on mobile devices.