Overview:
Estimated achievement difficulty: 7/10
Offline: 38 [1000 ]
Online: 0 [0 ]
Approximate time: 90 Hours
Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 3 (or 1 1/2 and Covenant boosting)
Missable achievements: Yes - Lucatiel (though can be done on NG+)
Does difficulty affect Achievements: No
Unobtainable/glitched Achievements: No
Extra equipment needed?: No

Welcome to another potential bevy of deaths in Dark Souls II. This game doesn't seem quite as challenging as the first, but that may be because most players know what to expect. You will still need a decent level of skill and perseverance in order to get the full 1000 .

NOTE ABOUT ONLINE: I've put this game down as fully offline, which is true to a point. In order to get the achievements for all spells you HAVE to get Rank 3 in the Heirs of the Sun Covenant and the easiest way to do that is to play online and use the White Soapstone to be summoned to help other players defeat bosses and get Sunlight Medals in return. HOWEVER, you can get these items as very rare drops from a number of enemies so it is possible (but amazingly time consuming) to do this offline if you wish.

Sunlight Medals

Offline
- Random drop from the Dark Giants (ridden by hollows) in Harvest Valley.
- Random Drop From Falconers in starting area (NG+)

Online
- Can be obtained by helping another player beat a boss while in the Heirs of the Sun Covenant
- Can be obtained by defeating a boss with a player who is in the Heirs of the Sun Covenant
- Can be obtained by phantom after summoning time limit expires (Phantom Duty Fulfilled) while in the Heirs of the Sun Covenant

Likewise if you are prepared to grind out 500 invasion kills for EACH of the Blue Sentinels and Brotherhood of Blood covenants (for the spells Rank 3) then you can get away with only one playthrough of the game, plus a partial one for the boss souls needed for NG+ spells. It is actually less time consuming just to play through the game a couple of times. Again, your choice. The only other Covenants required (Pilgrims of the Dark and Bellkeepers) can be done offline at your leisure.

The only missable task is for Lucatiel as you have to speak to her at set points and ensure she survives certain fights in order to get her gear. Though you can do this task in NG+ or later but it just makes your life harder than it needs to be. Likewise you could TECHNICALLY miss out on getting the items from other NPC's, or the achievement for getting them all in Majula, if you go around killing them. SO DON'T KILL ANYONE.

First Playthrough

The walkthrough is here. This playthrough should see you trying to find EVERY covenant, kill every boss, find all NPC's, find all gestures and get ALL spells barring the ones that are NG+ or NG++ only.

If you are going for the Lucatiel and Benhart achievements, then make sure to speak to them as indicated in the guide AND have them survive at least 3/4 of the boss fights you can summon them for BEFORE you talk to them for the final time.

Be sure to join and complete the following Covenants for spells (Heirs of the Sun - Rank 3, Pilgrims of the Dark - Rank 3, Bellkeepers - Rank 2). Go here to find good methods to do so.

Be sure to keep ALL boss souls rather than using them and trade them to Straid (in the Lost Bastille) for unique spells. Note that you do NOT have to be able to use the spells - merely have them in your possession. A list of all spells can be found here.

ALWAYS speak to all NPC characters until they repeat themselves, as many of them will give you items, teach you gestures or move locations to further their story when you do. This is needed to learn all gestures and get everyone possible to Majula. See here for help on both.

King Vendrick is an optional boss at the end of the Undead Crypt, so read his specific achievement guide for help on defeating him.

Once you defeat the last boss (at the Throne of Want) you will be asked whether you want to start a NG+. Select NO and head back to Majula to finish up any tasks you need to (you can speak to Cale in the mansion for an achievement now you have beaten the last boss) and buy any items/spells you would like. All merchants replenish their stock on NG+ so buy up rare things you may need. Once you are ready for NG+ then the option to start it will appear when you rest at the Majula bonfire.

Second & Third Playthrough

All of your stats and items will carry over to a new game (barring any keys or key items you have). On the second playthrough each of the main bosses guarding a Primal bonfire will give you a different unique soul (note: you can also get these on NG by using a Bonfire Ascetic on the nearest bonfire to make the Primal Bonfire bosses respawn after you've killed them the first time - they will drop the relevant souls when they die). DO NOT USE THESE. Trade them to Straid for more unique spells that you will need. Though you can skip some of the optional bosses this time around if you would like to. You will still need to play through most of the story though, and defeat the final boss, in order to get to NG++ (unless you feel like maxing out the Blue Sentinels and Brotherhood of Blood Covenants on either of the first two playthroughs).

On NG++ you need to get to Drangleic Castle as quick as possible, so either light the Primal bonfires and head through the Shrine of Winter or use the shortcut method that requires you to delete the update. Either way you need to speak to Chancellor Wellagar who will now stock the spells that could only previously be acquired by slogging through the invasion requirements of the Blue Sentinels and Brotherhood of Blood. Once you buy these you should have every spell and then snag the Dark Soul achievement.

Congrats on doing it all again.


[XBA would like to thank jackanape for this roadmap]

Dark Souls II Achievement Guide

Show completed achievements
Show secret achievements

There are 38 achievements with a total of 1000 points

  • Earn all achievements

    (19)  

    This will unlock once you acquire your penultimate achievement which will likely be for acquiring all of the spells of a certain class.

  • Reclaim flesh and set out as an Undead

    Once you start the game, you will wake up in a field and move towards a house up ahead. Do not attack anything yet. Once there, you will speak to some old Firekeepers and be able to choose you name and character. This will unlock once you are done.

  • Reinforce a weapon to its limit

    (6)  

    You will need the following to max out an item: 6 Titanite Shards, 6 Large Titanite Shards, 6 Titanite Chunks, 1 Titanite Slab. Most of these are found through natural progression. A slab can be found in the Lockstone room below the Ballista room of Forest of Fallen Giants. Of course you will also need the required amount of souls to upgrade the weapon. The easiest blacksmith to find is Lenigrast in Majula. Speak to him and buy his shop key from the merchant by the Cardinal Tower bonfire. Then head back and open the store. Once you upgrade a weapon to +10 with the above items this will unlock.

  • Learn all gestures

    (7)   

    You start with a number of gestures and then need to learn the following:

    Welcome – Speak to Crestfallen Saulden, who is seated on the stone monument in Majula. Go through all his dialogue to learn this.

    Duel Bow – Speak to Blue Sentinel Targray in the Cathedral of Blue (found in Heide’s Tower of Flame area) after acquiring a Token of Fidelity. You can find one on a ledge just under the bridge leading to the Undead Purgatory in Huntsmans Copse OR acquire by helping other players via the White Soapstone. You HAVE to join the covenant for him to give you the option of learning the gesture, but you can leave after.

    Fist Pump – In Huntsman's Copse, after you lower the huge iron bridge, cross it to come to a bonfire behind a locked door, take the Cliffside path nearby (rather than the caves) and follow it to another small cave that has some enemies and the Lockaway key. Return to the locked room and speak to Creighton the Wanderer to learn this.

    Joy – From Majula head back towards Things Betwixt, but take the right hand cave instead. Speak to Benhart (with the blue sword) and then examine the statue up ahead. You need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to un-petrify Rosabeth of Melfia here, once you have done so go back and speak to Benhart again to learn this gesture.

    Warmup – First purchase the Ring of Whispers from the cat in Majula (costs 5,800 souls) then speak to Manscorpion Tark in the Shaded Ruins (he is at the bottom of the left hand building as you face the giant basilisk in this area) after defeating Scorpioness Najka (you may need to rest first if you summoned him to help in the fight).

    Hurrah! – Can only be acquired AFTER speaking to the Ancient Dragon and getting the Ashen Mist Heart. Then go to the Forest of Fallen Giants and access the Memory of Vammar (tree that looks like a giant near the ballista room). Speak to Captain Drummond in the memory to learn the gesture.

    This one's me – When you first get to Castle Drangleic go up the stairs ahead and speak to Chancellor Wellager (the ghost) repeatedly until he teaches you the gesture.

    Have mercy! – Shortly into the Undead Crypt (after the first rooms with the ghouls and spellcasters) someone will call out to you. DO NOT HAVE A LIT TORCH OR SORCERY AT THIS POINT. Follow the path and speak to Grave Warden Agdayne to learn the gesture.

    Prostration – In Earthen Peak, after the second bonfire that is behind a fog gate, go up the stairs outside that room and smash the wooden fencing ahead of you. Go along the ledge to the left to meet Laddersmith Gilligan, pay him 2000 souls for a ladder to reach a Lockstone and he will teach you this. If you miss him he will move to Majula AFTER you defeat the area boss and be sat by the pit near the mansion.

    Decapitate – From the Ruined Fork Road in the Shaded Woods enter the foggy door and stick to the left hand wall, follow it up to a ruined circle and speak to the Head of Vengarl repeatedly to learn.

    Mock – In the Lost Bastille, just before the bridge to Sinners Rise, you can go up some stairs to some cells with a petrified wizard. Use a Fragrant Branch of Yore to free Straid of Olaphis then speak to him repeatedly to learn this gesture.

    Praise the Sun – Just before you enter the large building (Earthen Peak) via the door with all of the poison pots in Harvest Valley, there is a small path that runs across to the left above the poison smog with the two Dark Giants. Follow this to the Altar of Sunlight and you can learn this without having to rank up in the Covenant.

  • Learn all sorceries

    (6)   

    You will need a BASE statistic (i.e. no item bonuses) of at least 8 FAI/INT to speak to certain merchants. A full list of where they are found is here. You will need to find the following spells (NG+ REQUIRED):

    Soul Arrow - Merchant Hag Melentia – 1,500 souls
    - Carhillion of the Fold – 1,500 souls
    - Magerold of Lanafir – 1,500 souls

    Great Soul Arrow - Carhillion of the Fold – 3,000 souls
    - Magerold of Lanafir – 3,000 souls
    - Found in the Forest of Fallen Giants

    Heavy Soul Arrow - Magerold of Lanafir – 2,000 souls
    - Carhillion of the Fold – 2,000 souls

    Great Heavy Soul Arrow - Magerold of Lanafir – 4,500 souls
    - Carhillion of the Fold – 4,500 souls
    - Found in Earthen Peak

    Homing Soul Arrow - Straid of Olaphis – 6,500 souls
    - Weaponsmith Ornifex – 6,500 souls

    Heavy Homing Soul Arrow - Trade a Ruin Sentinel Soul with Straid of Olaphis – 1,500 souls

    Homing Soulmass - Weaponsmith Ornifex – 6,000 souls
    - Found in Shaded Woods

    Homing Crystal Soulmass - Found in Shrine of Amana (on corpse in area with NPC invader after tunnel with large poison tick)

    Soul Spear - Grave Warden Agdayne – 12,000 souls
    - Found in Hunstman's Copse

    Crystal Soul Spear - Trade Old Paledrake Soul with Straid of Olaphis (New Game +) – 10,000 souls

    Shockwave - Carhillion of the Fold – 1,800 souls

    Soul Spear Barrage - Carhillion of the Fold – 2,500 souls

    Soul Shower - Trade Scorpioness Najka Soul with Straid of Olaphis – 1,500 souls

    Soul Greatsword - Found in Drangleic Castle

    Soul Vortex - Grave Warden Agdayne – 10,400 souls
    - Found in The Pit
    - Found in BrightstoneCove Tseldora

    Soul Bolt - Found in Drangleic Castle (King's Passage)

    Soul Geyser - Found in Aldia's Keep

    Magic Weapon – Carhillion of the Fold – 2,000 souls

    Great Magic Weapon - Reward for reaching Rank 1 in the Company of Champions Covenant
    - Royal Sorcerer Navlaan – 6,000 souls
    - Found in Black Gulch

    Crystal Magic Weapon - Found in Dragon Shrine

    Strong Magic Shield - Straid of Olaphis – 6,300 souls
    - Royal Sorcerer Navlaan – 6,300 souls
    - Found in Drangleic Castle

    Yearn - Carhillion of the Fold – 3,000 souls

    Hush - Reward for reaching Rank 2 in Way of the Blue Covenant
    - Found in Lost Bastille (hidden passage in Ruin Sentinel boss room, press A on the walls)

    Fall Control - Magerold of Lanafir – 4,800 souls
    - Weaponsmith Ornifex - 4,800 souls

    Hidden Weapon - Reward for reaching Rank 2 in the Bell Keeper Covenant. To do so easily, go into Offline mode by just starting a Party Chat, then go to Belfry Sol. Head up the ladder from the bonfire and go straight towards the ballista ahead. Once there look left, if you see a Red Phantom then this is the guy you need to kill 30 times. He has a roughly 20% chance of spawning every time you rest at the bonfire (even after you permanently cause the other enemies here to disappear by killing them) and will do so infinitely though it will still take a couple of hours of farming.

    Repair - Found in Shrine of Winter, go through the Shrine and drop down the path then head right to find a dead end with a corpse. The spell is here.

    Cast Light - Straid of Olaphis – 3,000 souls
    - Darkdiver Grandahl – 3,000 souls

    Chameleon - Found in Harvest Valley, on a corpse in the poison mist pit with two Dark Giants just before you enter Earthen Peak.

    Unleash Magic - Received from Royal Sorcerer Navlaan after giving Aged Feather for fourth assassination. You can get the Feather by either killing the Emerald Herald in Majula (NOT RECOMMENDED) or she will give it to you when you speak to her after reaching the Dragon Aerie.

  • Learn all miracles

    (10)   

    You will need a BASE statistic (i.e. no item bonuses) of at least 8 FAI/INT to speak to certain merchants. A full list of where they are found is here. You need to find the following spells (NG++ REQUIRED):

    Heal - Merchant Hag Melentia – 1,500 souls
    - Licia of Lindelt – 1,500 souls

    Med Heal - Licia of Lindelt – 3,000 souls

    Great Heal Excerpt - Licia of Lindelt – 4,500 souls

    Great Heal - Cromwell the Pardoner – 8,000 souls
    - Found in the Grave of Saints

    Soothing Sunlight - Invade and defeat Licia of Lindelt (you will find a Crushed Orb in the Undead Crypt, take this back to where Lydia is standing in Majula and use it to invade and kill her. WARNING: Make sure you have bought everything you want from her as she will be permanently gone until NG+)

    Replenishment - Licia of Lindelt – 3,000 souls
    - Cromwell the Pardoner - 3000 souls

    Resplendent Life - Licia of Lindelt – 4,500 souls
    - Straid of Olaphis – 4,500 souls

    Bountiful Sunlight - Reward for reaching Rank 3 in Blue Sentinels Covenant
    - Chancellor Wellager (New Game ++) – 11,000 souls

    Caressing Prayer - Licia of Lindelt – 2,000 souls
    - Cromwell the Pardoner – 2,000 souls

    Force - Licia of Lindelt – 1,800 souls
    - Cromwell the Pardoner – 1,800 souls

    Wrath of the Gods - Reward for reaching Rank 2 in Blue Sentinels Covenant
    - Chancellor Wellager (New Game ++) – 8,200 souls

    Emit Force - Cromwell the Pardoner – 4,200 souls
    - Blue Sentinel Targray – 4,200 souls
    - Found in No-Man's Wharf (top ledge as you go to ring the bell, on a corpse)

    Heavenly Thunder - Cromwell the Pardoner – 3,300 souls
    - Blue Sentinel Targray – 3,300 souls

    Lightning Spear - Licia of Lindelt – 6,000 souls
    - Found in Earthen Peak

    Great Lightning Spear - Straid of Olaphis (after clearing the Undead Crypt/defeating Velstadt) – 13,000 souls
    - Found in The Pit
    - Found in Undead Crypt

    Sunlight Spear - Reward for reaching Rank 3 in the Heirs of the Sun Covenant (need to assist 30 players with boss fights successfully AFTER joining the covenant OR be assisted by other covenant players when fighting a boss).

    Soul Appease - Stone Trader Chloanne – 8,800 souls
    - Grave Warden Agdayne – 8,800 souls

    Blinding Bolt - Trade Old King Soul with Straid of Olaphis (New Game +) – 10,000 souls

    Magic Barrier - Head of Vengarl – 2,700 souls
    - Felkin the Outcast – 2,700 souls

    Great Magic Barrier - Chancellor Wellager – 9,300 souls
    - Found in Aldia's Keep

    Homeward - Licia of Lindelt – 2,400 souls

    Guidance - Licia of Lindelt – 3,700 souls

    Sacred Oath - Trade Soul of Velstadt with Straid of Olaphis – 3,000 souls

    Unveil - Straid of Olaphis – 2,200 souls

    Perseverance - Cromwell the Pardoner – 3,500 souls

    Sunlight Blade - Straid of Olaphis (after defeating Velstadt) – 12,400 souls
    - Found in Shrine of Amana

  • Learn all pyromancies

    (7)   

    You will need a BASE statistic (i.e. no item bonuses) of at least 8 FAI/INT to speak to certain merchants. A full list of where they are found is here. You need to find the following (NG++ REQUIRED):

    Fireball - Rosabeth of Melfia (after moving to Majula) - 1,200 souls
    - Dropped by Salamander in Forest of Fallen Giants
    - Found in No-Man's Whar

    Fire Orb - Rosabeth of Melfia (after moving to Majula) – 3,400 souls
    - Dropped by Salamander in Forest of Fallen Giants

    Great Fireball - Dropped by Salamander in Forest of Fallen Giants
    - Found in Brightstone Cove Tseldora

    Great Chaos Fireball - Reward for reaching Rank 3 in Brotherhood of Blood Covenant
    - Chancellor Wellager (New Game ++) – 17,400 souls

    Firestorm - Titchy Gren (Undead Purgatory – need 1 Token of Spite to speak with him) – 4,500 souls
    - Dropped by Poisonous Horn Beetle in The Gutter
    - Found in Drangleic Castle

    Fire Tempest - Dropped by Guardian Dragon in Dragon Aerie
    - Found in Shrine of Amana

    Chaos Storm - Found in chest on flaming platforms in Iron Keep (use flame resist, orange burr, Flash Sweat and water to reach)

    Combustion - Rosabeth of Melfia (after moving to Majula) – 1,500 souls
    - Found in Huntsman's Copse

    Great Combustion - Titchy Gren (Undead Purgatory – need 1 Token of Spite to speak with him) – 4,800 souls
    - Found in Drangleic Castle

    Fire Whip - Titchy Gren (Undead Purgatory – need 1 Token of Spite to speak with him) – 3,800 souls
    - Dropped by Bell Keeper Phantom in Belfry Sol

    Poison Mist - Rosabeth of Melfia (after moving to Majula) – 3,400 souls

    Toxic Mist - Trade Royal Rat Vanguard Soul with Straid of Olaphis – 1,500 souls

    Acid Surge - Trade Royal Rat Authority Soul with Straid of Olaphis – 1,500 souls

    Lingering Flame - Straid of Olaphis – 6,700 souls
    - Dropped by Undead Jailer in Lost Bastille

    Flame Swathe - Straid of Olaphis – 9,500 souls
    - Dropped by Bell Keeper Phantoms in Belfry Sol

    Forbidden Sun - Received from Royal Sorcerer Navlaan after giving Sunset Staff for third assassination

    Flame Weapon - Trade Old Witch Soul with Straid of Olaphis (New Game +) – 5,000 souls

    Flash Sweat - Rosabeth of Melfia (after moving to Majula) – 2,300 souls

    Iron Flesh - Rosabeth of Melfia (after moving to Majula) - 3,500 souls

    Warmth - Grave Warden Agdayne (Undead Crypt) - 5,200 souls
    - Dropped by Corpse Rat in Grave of Saints

    Immolation - Found in Iron Keep (Belfry Sol)

  • Learn all hexes

    (5)   

    You will need a BASE statistic (i.e. no item bonuses) of at least 8 FAI/INT to speak to certain merchants. A full list of where they are found is here. You need to find the following (NG+ REQUIRED):

    Dark Orb - Felkin the Outcast - 600 souls
    - Straid of Olaphis - 600 souls
    - Darkdiver Grandahl – 600 souls

    Dark Hail - Darkdiver Grandahl – 1,500 souls
    - Straid of Olaphis – 1,500 souls
    - Magerold of Lanafir – 1,500 souls

    Dark Fog - Straid of Olaphis – 5,200 souls
    - Found in the Gutter

    Affinity - Straid of Olaphis – 11,500 souls
    - Dropped by Kobold of Aldia's Keep

    Dead Again - Stone Trader Chloanne - 4,000 souls

    Dark Weapon - Felkin the Outcast – 2,700 souls

    Whisper of Despair - Found in Grave of Saints

    Repel - Trade Giant Lord Soul with Straid of Olaphis – 5,000 souls

    Twisted Barricade - Found in Doors of Pharros

    Numbness - Trade Old Dead One Soul with Straid of Olaphis (New Game +) – 5,000 souls

    Scraps of Life - Cromwell the Pardoner - 2,200 souls
    - Found in Black Gulch

    Darkstorm - Darkdiver Grandahl – 4,700 souls
    - Magerold of Lanafir - 4,700 souls

    Resonant Soul - Reward for reaching Rank 1 in Pilgrims of Dark Covenant -
    - Felkin the Outcast - 1,100 souls

    Great Resonant Soul - Reward for reaching Rank 2 in Pilgrims of Dark Covenant
    - Felkin the Outcast – 3,400 souls

    Climax - Reward for reaching Rank 3 in Pilgrims of Dark Covenant

    Resonant Flesh - Felkin the Outcast – 3,400 souls

    Resonant Weapon - Felkin the Outcast – 4,000 souls

    Profound Still - Darkdiver Grandahl - 13,000 souls

    Lifedrain Patch - Trade Darklurker Soul with Straid of Olaphis - 5,000 souls

  • Max-out devotion to covenant

    (9)  

    You need to reach Rank 3 with ANY Covenant for this to unlock. You need to get two to Rank 3 for other achievements anyway (as you need the requisite spells) so aim for those. The two are: Heirs of the Sun (once joined you need 30 Sunlight medals for max rank – gained by helped other players beat bosses or being helped in turn by members of this Covenant) and Pilgrims of the Dark (need to find the Darkdiver in three places and then complete the small dungeon in each of them and light the beacon, then defeat the final boss). For a guide to all covenants and requirements go here.

  • Die for the first time

    (17)  

    Kill yourself, or be killed, in any way and this will unlock.

 

Secret achievements

  • Acquire the King's Ring

      

    Story progression – can’t be missed. Once you defeat the boss in the Undead Crypt, you will go into the room behind him and see an optional boss (don’t attack him yet) and an item to grab. Pick up the item to get this ring and the achievement.

  • Acquire Ashen Mist Heart

    (4)  

    Story progression – can’t be missed. Once you have the King’s Ring head to the Ruined Fork Road bonfire in the Shaded Woods and then through the middle opening to access a gate (need the ring equipped to open). This leads to Aldia’s Keep, go through here to the Dragon Aerie and then the Dragon Shrine. At the end of the shrine you will speak to the Ancient Dragon and be given this item and the achievement will unlock. You do NOT have to fight him, but if you do so it will make the Vendrick fight much easier - only attack him AFTER you get the Heart.

  • See the ending

      

    Story progression – can’t be missed. Once you have the Ashen Mist Heart you need to use it on the various inanimate giants in the Forest of Fallen Giants (one near ballista room, one past Pursuer fog gate location and one through King’s door you can now open). Once these are complete, go to the King’s door in Drangleic castle (to the left of the first bonfire) and head to the Throne of Want. You then have two boss fights, back to back, though you can do the first one BEFORE doing the memories of the giants to make your life easier. After the last boss is defeating you have completed the game and get the achievement. You can then choose to mop up anything you have missed or go into NG+ (if you chose the first option you can then select NG+ from the Majula bonfire).

  • Defeat the Last Giant

      

    The Last Giant is likely to be your first real boss and can be found in the Forest of Fallen Giants, after you have gone through the area to create a loop back to the Cardinal Tower bonfire there is an elevator here. Go down it to find a fog gate at the bottom. You can summon Pate to help you if you spoke to him repeatedly earlier in this section and are human. The fight is fairly simple. Simply aim to roll straight through his legs and he will swipe where you were, now attack his ankles and then roll away to avoid his follow up stomp. At 50% health he will use his arm to attack but follows the same pattern (but with a longer reach) so repeat the above until he dies. If you need to heal then do so AFTER rolling through his legs, but instead of attacking.

  • Light the primal bonfire in Sinner's Rise

      

    Story progression – can’t be missed. At the end of the Lost Bastille you will find Sinners Rise. Head down the elevator and through the watery depths to find a long bridge leading to a boss fight. The Lost Sinner is pretty tough and will do relentless physical attacks, so summoning help is advised (you can summon Lucatiel from the bottom of the elevator if you spoke to her earlier and are human). Only go for single strikes and try and recover as much stamina as you can between her strikes. All her attacks CAN be blocked if you have a good shield and stamina, but only counter when there is an obvious opening. In terms of healing, Lifegems leave you FAR less exposed than the Estus Flask. Once she dies, you can enter a new area to light the Primal bonfire.

  • Light the primal bonfire in the Iron Keep

      

    Story progression – can’t be missed. You need to defeat the Old Iron King at the end of the Iron Keep to access the bonfire. He will come out of the lava and use a number of crushing attacks or flame based ranged attacks. For his physical attacks you can dodge under his horizontal swings and dodge his overhead smash at the last second – both leave him open to a counter. If you stay close, he shouldn’t use his long ranged flame attacks that often, but be warned they CAN hit you through the stone walls here and knock you into the lava, so only heal when you have a moment. If you have the Gyrm shield (found from enemies in the Doors of Pharros) you can block the flame strikes at the cost of a LOT of stamina. In truth, he is fairly easy due to his habit of standing still and telegraphing his blows. Once he dies, go into the small building here to activate the Primal bonfire.

  • Light the primal bonfire in the Black Gulch

      

    Story progression – can’t be missed. For this fight you need to defeat The Rotten in the Black Gulch. He is a large enemy that does primarily melee attacks (that can be blocked if you have the Endurance and a good shield) and some dark spells too. You can find a summon sign for Lucatiel in the hidden room to the right side of the chamber before the mist door, plus another sign for an archer near the wall on the left side before the door. Keep your distance if you can, as he has a dangerous grab attack, and bait him into one of his large swings or an overhead smash. Then step in and attack him while he recovers. Watch out for the many flaming pits in this room as they do a lot of damage to you, and none to him. He moves so slowly that you should be able to keep him at arms length and just dash away from him to heal if you need to. Once he dies you can go into the new room to activate the Primal bonfire.

  • Light the primal bonfire in Brightstone Cove Tseldora

      

    Story progression – can’t be missed. You need to kill the Duke’s Dear Freja, a giant two headed spider at the end of Brightstone Cove. You can summon excellent ally (his sign is behind the pillar opposite the fog gate by the far wall) to aid you and be aware that a number of smaller spiders are present to begin with, so try and clear them out ASAP. Once they are dead stick really close to Freja’s sides. She can’t hurt you there as her leg stomps don’t get close enough and her other attacks come from each head. You can only damage each of her heads, so wait until she attacks and then get a couple of strikes in before moving to her safe area. She will do a big lunge, a two hit mandible combo or a large spit attack all of which can be easily dodged or blocked. If you need to heal try and bait her lunge attack and then run around to her side to quickly get health back while she recovers. Once she dies make sure to interact with the glowing red soul and then follow the passage to kill the weak Duke, then another passage to the Primal bonfire. Beware: Vengarl’s headless corpse will be waiting for you so kill him before lighting the fire.

  • Defeat Looking Glass Knight

    (3)  

    Story progression – can’t be missed. Once all of the Primal bonfires are lit you can access the Shrine of Winter in the Shaded Woods. This leads to Drangleic Castle and if you fight your way through here you will eventually end up at King’s Passage. Watch out for the horse headed statues leading to the fog gate (snipe them from afar if you can). You can find a summon sign for Benhart to the left of the gate if you spoke to him earlier, and he is pretty helpful. The Knight himself is pretty tough. He has high armor and will do rapid combos as well as using lightning attacks when he starts to lose health. When he gets down under 50% he will also summon a phantom ally from his shield, so try and take them out ASAP if you can. With an ally this fight is much easier as you can tank him early on, then retreat to get back health/stamina while he focuses on your ally. Once he dies the achievement will unlock.

  • Defeat Vendrick

    (11)  

    Optional. King Vendrick is found at the end of the Undead Crypt after you defeat the boss there. He is not hostile to the player and will only attack if you do enough damage to him. The problem is that he has a ludicrously high defense UNLESS you seek out the five Giant Souls, which will reduce his defense by degrees until it is normal. Even then he can do a lot of damage with his physical attacks most of which are unblockable, or do a ton of stamina damage, so be on your toes. NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO KILL HIM BEFORE FIGHTING THE FINAL BOSS IN THE THRONE OF WANT. To get the five souls you need to do the following (once you have the Ashen Mist Heart):

    •Dragon Shrine - Drop from Ancient Dragon.

    •Memory of Orro - On the body of a Giant past two giants and two knights on Ballistae.

    •Memory of Vammar - At the end guarded by a giant

    •Memory of Jeigh - On a body of the giant after Giant Lord boss.

    •Black Gulch - Requires defeating two giants in a hidden cave, reached by dropping down two more levels from the Forbidden Door that leads to Darkdiver Grandahl.

    Now his defense will be normal and he only does four different attacks. If you are far away he will try and do a running leap to attack you, this is easily dodged and his sword gets stuck in the floor. He will sometimes shoot a cursed orb from his ring that can do massive damage, as well as cursing you (just for fun) but this can be rolled away from. His other attacks are either a large overhead smash or a horizontal attack that can be 1/2/3 hits. Stay close to his left leg and roll right when he attacks, then quickly hit him. Repeat until he is dead but don’t get overzealous. If you are human you can now open the locked door in the Shrine of Amana to get his soul and armor.

  • Discover a most brilliant covenant

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    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Examine the broken Sunlight shrine in Harvest Valley, hidden to the left side of the large building with windmill on it (Earthen Peak) along a small path that is over the poison mist pit with two Dark Giants in it. Watch out for the sickle enemy on your way there. You will need to get Rank 3 in this covenant for a spell and can also learn a gesture here.

  • Discover the covenant of the protectors

      

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Defeat the Old Dragonslayer in the Blue Cathedral (part of Heide's Tower of Flame) then speak to Targray on the balcony here. You must have at least one Token of Fidelity in your inventory to join (can find one on a ledge just below the bridge leading to The Undead Purgatory or by helping other players with the White Soapstone).

  • Discover the covenant of the bloodthirsty

    (1)  

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Speak to Titchy Gren in the Undead Purgatory, available after the Chariot boss fight. You need to have one Token of Spite to join (acquired from a chest at the bottom of the ladders leading to The Gutter or from invading and killing another player via a Cracked Red Orb).

  • Discover the covenant of the meek

      

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Repeatedly speak to Crestfallen Saulden who is sat on the monument in Majula to be offered the chance to join, he will also teach you a gesture,

  • Discover the covenant of rodents

      

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Found in two places. The small room after you defeat the Royal Rat Vanguard boss in the Grave of Saints or a similar room after the Royal Rat Authority boss in the Doors of Pharros (he is optional). You get a Rat Tail for each of these bosses, which is required to join.

  • Discover the clangorous covenant

      

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Speak to the Bell Keeper either at Belfry Luna (Lost Bastille) or Belfry Sol (Iron Keep) both of which require a Pharros Lockstone to access. For Belfry Luna, go to the bonfire in the Servants Quarters in the Lost Bastille (after Ruin Sentinel fight) then down the ladder in that room. There is a Lockstone contraption in the room at the bottom, use it and hit the glowing face to gain access to Luna and this Covenant. You need to get this covenant to at least Rank 2 in order to acquire a spell.

  • Discover an ancient covenant

    (1)  

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: You first need to get the Petrified Egg from the Dragon Shrine, from the bonfire there go up the first two flights of steps until you see a broken path with boxes at the end (on your right at the top of the steps). Break them and drop down onto a hidden ledge with two chests (one a mimic) follow this hidden route up a tall tower where you will be attacked by an NPC invader. Kill him and grab the egg from this room. Then go to the Iron Keep. From the Threshold Bridge Bonfire, go into the keep and immediately go right and find the merchant Magerold. Speak to him with the egg in your possession to join.

  • Discover the covenant of the fittest

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    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: Examine the stone tablet in Majula, up the cliff on the far left side (if entering from Things Betwixt). You'll be given the Champion's Tablet. Joining this Covenant WILL make the game much harder for you - it will be as though you are playing NG+ from the off, so be warned.

  • Discovery the abysmal covenant

    (2)  

    PLEASE NOTE, YOU DO NOT NEED TO JOIN A COVENANT TO GET THE ACHIEVEMENT – JUST HAVE THE OPTION TO: You need to talk to Darkdiver Grandahl in three different locations to join the Pilgrims of Dark. They can be done in any order. After the third one he will let you join. He will give you the Abyss Seal and you can then offer an Effigy to open a portal (in each area you found him) leading to the Dark Chasm of Old. You need to get Rank 3 in this covenant for a spell, so offer an Effigy at each place you found him to open a portal, you then have to defeat the phantoms in each area and light the beacon (take Flame Butterflys to light your torch) before falling into the mist at the end. After clearing the third area you will not be returned straight away but instead have to face the Darklurker boss. Be warned that if you die you have to offer ANOTHER effigy to redo the area.

    Shaded Ruins - To the right of the ramp that leads up to the scorpion boss you will find a hidden wooden floor to fall through by some trees. He is at the bottom.

    Black Gulch - Behind the Forgotten Key Door. Accessed via a hidden ledge near the pools with burrowing worms and hand monsters. Dropping down two levels has a large arch door that is locked. The next ledge down has a tunnel leading to a large room with two faceless giants. Killing both giants yields a Forgotten Key and Soul of a Giant. This key can be used on the previously found door to access a small chamber containing Grandahl.

    Drangleic Castle - Behind the Soul-Activated door in the far left of the corner of the large room adjoining the King's Gate Bonfire. The room has two torch bearing giant statues at the end, and a Ruin guardian behind each door. You will need to drop through the floor in the required room to find him.

  • Light all flames on the map in Majula

    (10)  

    After you find the Cardinal Tower bonfire, go down the ladder in that room (the following areas have plenty of enemies but this is the route you need). At the bottom head left and through the door at the end, you’ll be facing a fallen tree that makes a ramp upwards. About halfway up you can drop onto a doorway on the left, do so and then turn around drop to the ground. Run across to the ladder down here and climb up it. At the top cross the wooden ramp on your left and make your way to the roof of the house, from here do a running jump to the wooden platform in the corner. Then go right and drop down to the next platform. There is a cave on the left side, so head in slowly, a boulder should roll down so be careful. Once it passes go up the ramp and speak to Cale. He will give you the mansion key and you should only leave when he starts to repeat himself. Once you have defeated the Last Giant he will be back in Majula, in the mansion by the stone map. You now need to do the following to light the fires (be sure to light all nearby bonfires):

    Defeat the Last Giant - Forest of Fallen Giants
    Defeat the Lost Sinner - Sinner's Rise
    Defeat the Old Iron King - Iron Keep
    Defeat the Rotten - Black Gulch
    Defeat the Duke's Dear Freja - Brightstone Cove Tseldora
    Obtain the King's Ring - Undead Crypt
    Obtain the Ashen Mist Heart from the Ancient Dragon - Dragon Shrine
    Defeat Nashandra - Drangleic Castle

    DO NOT CHOOSE NG+ straight away after beating the last boss. Instead head back to Majula and speak to Cale to get his gear and the achievement.

  • Give Rosabeth of Melfia something to wear

    She is the statue blocking the path to the Shaded Woods and you need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to free her. They can be found in a number of places:

    Lost Bastille - in a chest after the Lost Sinner fight.
    The Gutter - on a corpse just before entering the Black Gulch.
    Harvest Valley/Earthen Peak - can find two/three from a number of chests/corpses.
    Iron Keep - purchase for 7,500 souls from Magerold.

    Once she is free you need to give her some items from you inventory (helmet, armour, gloves and boots) and you will then get the achievement and she will move to Majula. BE WARNED: anything you give her cannot be taken back so make sure it’s something you aren’t bothered about.

  • Increase the population of Majula

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    You need to get the following NPC characters to appear in Majula (speak to Sualden after you do so for a bonus item):

    Merchant Hag Melentia - found in Cardinal Tower by the bonfire. Speak to her after you have killed the Last Giant and she will move to Majula.

    Cale the Cartographer - found in the Forest of Fallen Giants. From the Cardinal Tower Bonfire go down the ladder and left at the bottom. Through the door at the end and halfway up the sloping tree, drop onto a lower wooden ledge from here and then again to the floor. Go up the ladder on the building nearby and then over the wooden bridge to a roof - from here you can do a running jump to a wooden platform ahead, and then drop down to another wooden platform that has the cave entrance. Watch out for the boulder trap and then speak to Cale at the top of the slope until he says he will go back to Majula.

    Rosabeth - she is blocking the entrance to the Shaded Wood initially. Needs to be freed using a Fragrant Branch of Yore. Then speak to her until she repeats herself, and be sure to give her some new clothes and she will then move to Majula, at the bottom of the memorial near the bonfire.

    Carhillion - found in No-Man's Wharf, on the docks by the ship you summon. You need at least 8 Int to speak with him, do so repeatedly and he will then move to Majula (under a tree looking out to sea).

    Licia - found after the Dragonrider fight at the top of Heide's Flaming Tower. If you exhaust all conversation she will then move next to the contraption in the tunnels by Majula (same tunnel that led to Heide).

    Stone Trader Chloanne - found sat on a rock as soon as you enter Harvest Valley. Speak to her until she says it is time for her to move on and she will go to Majula the next time you rest at a bonfire.

    Laddersmith Gilligan - located on a ledge in Earthen Peak. From the second bonfire (the one behind a mist door) go up the stairs and smash the wooden railing in front of you. The go along the left hand ledge to find him. Buy his ladder here for 2,000 souls and make sure to exhaust all conversation. After the boss fight at the top of Earthen Peak (Mytha) he will then move to Majula.

    Once ALL of the above are in Majula you should get an achievement the next time you warp there from another bonfire.

  • Inherit Benhart of Jugo's equipment

    This achievement needs some planning to make it as easy as possible so try to do things in the order I list them in order to make life easier on yourself. For more information on specific bosses/locations my walkthrough is here.

    You first find Benhart sat on the path leading to the Shaded Woods, before the door blocked by the petrified Rosabeth. Speak to him here until he repeats himself and then un-petrify Rosabeth with a Fragrant Branch of Yore. Then head back to Benhart to speak to him again and learn a gesture, make sure he repeats himself.

    Once you get to Brightstone Cove you will find his summon sign in one of the tents in the Royal Army Campsite (same tent that has a suit of armor stood in it) but don’t call him yet. Instead follow the path past the boulders and into the church, kill all the peasants and spiders leading up to the fog gate in there and THEN head back to summon him. This means he’ll have full health for the boss. Take him back there and kill the Prowling Magus and his Congregation – MAKE SURE THAT BENHART SURVIVES THE FIGHT OR IT WILL NOT COUNT. He needs to survive 3 of the 4 available boss fights for you to get his equipment. To make things easier you can buy the Redeye Ring from the cat in Majula for 6,700 souls as this will force the enemies to focus on you rather than the NPC.

    After that you will meet him again by the Central Castle bonfire in Drangleic Castle (just before the platform that takes you up to King’s Passage). Speak to him until he repeats himself and then continue onwards. Once you access Kings Passage clear out all of the enemies and find his summon sign to the left of the fog gate leading to the Looking Glass Knight, it helps to summon a second player if you can as the Knight can do severe damage. Ensure he survives the fight and continue.

    Once you have the Ashen Mist Heart (from the Ancient Dragon) go back to the birds nest in the Forest of Fallen Giants (just past where The Pursuer fog gate fight was) and speak to him there until he repeats himself. You can now use the Ashen Mist Heart to enter the Memory of Jeigh, his summon sign is straight ahead of you and down some steps (be sure to call him rather than Drummond) and have him help you defeat the Giant Lord.

    Once that is done you can speak to him in the Memory of Orro in order to get his equipment and the achievement. If he died on one of the fights you can also summon him at the Throne of Want to assist you with the last boss, then head back to the Memory of Orro afterwards (DO NOT START A NG+ IF YOU ARE DOING THIS) as he will be there permanently. If you missed a fight or he died (if he dies before the boss is dead then you can let it kill you and summon him again, though obviously you need to use an Effigy or Life Protection Ring to be human again) you have two options. Either try again on NG+ OR use a Bonfire Ascetic at the relevant bonfire (Royal Army Campsite, Central Drangleic Castle, Place Unbeknownst, Kings Gate) to make the boss respawn and attempt the fight again. If you do the latter the boss will be tougher and (in some cases) have allies. You can theoretically use this method to get all three boss wins on ONE fight if you feel like it (so defeating the Prowling Magus three times on one playthrough via Ascetic use would be fine). But you still HAVE TO speak to him in the required places and have the wins before talking to him in the Memory of Orro (though he will stay there indefinitely so you can use the Ascetic method at your leisure).

  • Inherit Captain Drummond's equipment

    Once you have spoken to the Ancient Dragon and acquired the Ashen Mist Heart you can enter the Memory of Vammar via the slumbering giant near the ballista room in the Forest of Fallen Giants. This is where Drummond is, you can speak to him now to learn a gesture but to get his equipment you need to kill the Giant Lord in the Memory of Jeigh (through the King’s door in the Forest of Fallen Giants). The Giant Lord is similar to the Last Giant and you can adopt almost the same tactics, plus you can summon Benhart in the memory to help you out. Once he is dead return to the Memory of Vammar again and speak to Drummond to get his helmet and the achievement.

  • Inherit equipment from Lucatiel of Mirrah

    This achievement needs some planning to make it as easy as possible so try to do things in the order I list them in order to make life easier on yourself. For more information on specific bosses/locations my walkthrough is here.

    You can talk to her in ANY order, but you need to speak to her at the bonfire in No Mans Wharf and in the hidden tunnel at the start of Black Gulch to make her available for boss fights. Her last spot is ALWAYS Aldia's Keep and she needs to have survived three fights BEFORE you speak to her here. This has to be done in ONE playthrough.

    In No Mans Wharf (past Heide’s Tower of Flame) and she will be at the bonfire just before that area so speak to her until she repeats. Now you can work through No Man’s Wharf, but don’t enter the fog gate on the ship at the end. Instead, go back up the stone steps that led down to wharf the ship arrives at and into the wooden door on the left, go up the stairs in this building and you should find a summon sign for Lucatiel on the floor in this room (by a door that you can only open from this side). It’s better to kill all other enemies before the boss to make your life easier. Now take her to the Flexile Sentry boss fight and kill him – MAKE SURE SHE SURVIVES THE FIGHT OTHERWISE IT DOESN’T COUNT, this holds true for every time you summon her. She needs to survive three fights out of the four available. To make things easier you can buy the Redeye Ring from the cat in Majula for 6,700 souls as this will force the enemies to focus on you rather than the NPC.

    After you kill the Last Giant you will get the Soldiers Key, you can use this to access a door behind the Ironclad Solder opposite the ballista room. Up here you will find the fog gate leading to The Pursuer. You need to defeat him and then go into the room behind him to find a birds nest, examine it to be taken to the Lost Bastille. From where you land you need to head to the tower opposite to find Lucatiel. Talk to her until she repeats herself. You can also reach her if coming via No Mans Wharf. From the Exile Cells come onto the battlements, down the ladder near the Heide Knight and then left to a pull switch that opens a gate. Through the gate and up the stairs will get you to her tower.

    Be sure to summon her for the Lost Sinner fight in Sinners Rise (her summon sign is in the same room that the elevator stops in on your way down, again kill the enemies leading to the fog gate before activating her).

    You will find her again in the bonfire room in Earthen Peak (just after the Covetous Demon fight and assuming you spoke to her in the other two places). So talk to her until she repeats herself again.

    You can summon her for the Smelter Demon fight in Iron Keep (it’s an optional boss just after the bridge you can lower) and her sign is right outside. This is a tough one to get her to survive but it can be done, I especially recommend summoning another player to help out to make things easier.

    Next you will find her in the Black Gulch. When you enter, go left into the bonfire room and light a torch. Now go back out and edge along the cliff right outside until you see a platform you can drop down to (near a cluster of three poison spitting statues). Do so and you will find Lucatiel leaning against the wall in this passage, talk to her repeatedly. Then continue onwards but DO NOT go in the fog gate, you need to find the hidden bonfire. If you hug the wall to the left (if your back is to the fog gate) and follow it until you reach the cliff edge, you can then go left on a narrow path to the bonfire room and Lucatiel’s summon sign. Now you can fight The Rotten and make sure she survives.

    Continue with the game until you reach Aldia’s Keep and she will be in the first little hut by the bonfire. DO NOT SPEAK TO HER UNLESS SHE HAS SURVIVED THREE BOSS FIGHTS as she will vanish after your conversation is done. If you found her and she survived the required number of fights you will get her equipment and the achievements.

    If you missed a fight or she died (if she dies before the boss is dead then you can let it kill you and summon her again, though obviously you need to use an Effigy or Life Protection Ring to be human again) you have two options. Either try again on NG+ OR use a Bonfire Ascetic at the relevant bonfire (No Mans Wharf, Threshold Bridge, Sinners Rise, Hidden Bonfire – Black Gulch) to make the boss respawn and attempt the fight again. If you do the latter the boss will be tougher and (in the case of the Sinner and Flexile Sentry) have allies. You can theoretically use this method to get all three boss wins on ONE fight if you feel like it (so defeating the Flexile Sentry three times on one playthrough via Ascetic use would be fine). But you still HAVE TO speak to her in the required places and have the wins before talking to her in Aldia’s Keep.

  • Inherit Steady Hand McDuff's equipment

    McDuff can be found in the Lost Bastille (from the tower where Lucatiel is found just go straight ahead down the steps and his cell is at the bottom on the right) either by using the Bastille Key (found in Belfry Luna) to open his cell or by using the explosive barrel at the top of the stairs nearby to blow open the wall to get in. Once there speak to him repeatedly and light the torch in here to get him to move off the chest he is sat on. You now need the Dull Ember from Iron Keep.

    To get it (no enemies are listed here, so be careful) go to the Threshold Bridge bonfire at the Iron Keep and cross over it. Enter the building and go up the small stairs ahead and then the larger ones in the right corner. Go through another small room that has three foes in it and out into a large area with lava. Go down the path on the left until you get to some steps going down. Head down and pull the lever here to partially lower the bridge above (don’t open the door). Go back up and cross the bridge. At the end drop off and go right, jump a gap that leads to a chest but look right before reaching it. You’ll see a corpse with an item that you can jump to. This is the ember.

    Take it back to McDuff and he will then be able to infuse your weapons (if you have the correct stones). You then need to spend at least 14k worth of souls with him (I chose to use it all on infusion which some people state is required, but equally people have had it unlock by just buying items/arrows) and then chose the regular talk option. He will give you a Titanite Slab and the achievement is yours.

  • Inherit Laddersmith Gilligan's equipment

    Find him first of all located on a ledge in Earthen Peak. From the second bonfire (the one behind a mist door) go up the stairs and smash the wooden railing in front of you. Then go along the left hand ledge to find him. Buy his ladder here for 2,000 souls and make sure to exhaust all conversation. After the boss fight at the top of Earthen Peak (Mytha) he will then move to Majula. Now be sure to buy all three of his ladders down the Pit and then speak to him repeatedly until he gives you his item for the achievement.

  • Inherit equipment from the head of Vengarl

    You need to access the Shaded Woods, by using a Fragrant Branch of Yore to unpetrify Rosabeth near Majula. From the bonfire at the Ruined Fork Road in the Shaded Woods go through the right hand exit (the one shrouded in fog) and hug the wall to your left as you enter. Follow the wall up and around to a clearing with some ruins and a pile of bones. Speak to the helmet here to find Vengarl – continue talking to him repeatedly to get his helmet and this achievement.