Stock Up On Chunks and Slabs
Before heading into Ashes of Ariandel, you might want to consider leveling up a bit. You can jump into the DLC area once you’ve unlocked the Cathedral of the Deep main bonfire, but it’s better to prepare yourself first before going in. To start, make sure that you have a +10 weapon to ensure that you’re dealing the maximum amount of damage your build is capable of. I would also recommend trying to hit level 70 before going in, as the enemies and bosses are way more ruthless than anything you’ve encountered in the base game.
You should also consider stocking up on Titanite Chunks so that you can upgrade any new weapons that you find in the Painted World of Ariandel. If you can, set aside your Titanite Slabs and save them for any DLC weapons you might find yourself attached to. There are only a few Slabs that you can obtain in each game cycle, so don’t use them carelessly. Collecting all Estus Shards to ensure that you have the maximum number of Estus Flasks before going in would also be very wise.
Be Wary of New Enemies
There are a few enemy types that behave quite differently from what you would normally expect of a typical FromSoft foe. For example, the snow wolves in Ashes of Ariandel are nothing like the aggressive dogs that you’ve encountered in the base game and past Dark Souls entries. Instead of teleporting to you and rushing you aggressively, the wolves like to hang back and observe you before striking. However, don’t be tempted to go in for an easy kill. Wolves, in particular, have a tendency to circle you while waiting for backup from their fellow pack mates, so you’d do well to observe your surroundings as well and make sure you don’t get ambushed.
Aside from the wolves, there are a couple of other enemy types that play pretty aggressively, and can launch attack combos that feel swift and unpredictable. In cases like these, don’t panic and just remember to use your rolling i-frames if you have to. Shields will help, but don’t forget that enemy attacks can deplete your stamina while blocking, and they could guard break you if you’re not careful.
Up Your Frost Defense
The new status ailment, Frostbite, was a joke in the base game of Dark Souls III. Very few enemies could inflict Frost damage, and Vordt was no threat as long as you could avoid his charges. However, given the unpredictable nature of the enemies in Ashes of Ariandel, it becomes a whole lot harder to avoid Frost damage. Not to mention, most of the DLC enemies can inflict Frostbite on you. The affliction causes you to lose health, and your stamina will also regenerate a lot slower than usual.
To counteract this, consider equipping some Frost-resistant armor, and bringing in some Rime Blue Moss Clumps in with you to reduce the Frost damage that you’re most likely going to take.
Look For Alternate Routes and Shortcuts
Just like the Dark Souls III base game, Ashes of Ariandel plays around a lot with verticality as well. Each time you enter a new area or a new building, chances are, there’s likely going to be an upper level or area that you can get to. Not only that, sometimes these areas might house shortcuts that lead you back to the nearest bonfire. You might also be able to find new paths that allow you to flank enemies.
If you happen to come up against a really tough enemy, or a group of enemies that seem impossible to beat, try looking around for other areas you can go to. You just might find a new vantage point or positioning that allows you to backstab them or bypass that mob altogether. You can always come back to them once you’ve gotten a little stronger. The areas are very interconnected, and most of them are winded around each other. Keep exploring different paths to find different ways of progression.
If You Can Parry, Parry
Speaking of really tough enemies, most of them actually have telegraphed attacks that you can parry relatively easily. And yes, even the ones with the really fast claw attacks can be parried. While these foes do deal a lot of damage if they hit you, parrying them will make them a lot less threatening. Of course, if you’re not that skilled at parrying, it might be safer to just hang back and wait for an opening. This method will undoubtedly take you a much longer time to clear the area, but at least you won’t be dying repeatedly.
If you would like to try your hand at parrying, however, I recommend equipping the Buckler or the Caestus in your off-hand. These items have better parry timings and slightly more parry frames than your average shields, so they’re your best bet if you’re still trying to master the parrying skill.
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