Cemetery of Ash: A Comprehensive Dark Souls 3 Walkthrough

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Embark on your Dark Souls 3 journey with our comprehensive guide to the Cemetery of Ash. This initial area serves as a tutorial, introducing you to the game's mechanics, enemies, and hidden items. Master the basics and prepare for the challenges ahead with our detailed walkthrough.

Key Points:

• Collectibles and Secrets: Discover hidden items and shortcuts within the Cemetery of Ash.

• Enemies: Learn strategies to defeat Hollows, the Crystal Lizard, and other adversaries.

• First Boss: Iudex Gundyr: Conquer the formidable Iudex Gundyr with our in-depth strategies.

• Bonfire Locations: Utilize bonfires to replenish health and resources, and understand their mechanics.

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1. Initial Awakening and Basic Exploration

Upon awakening, you'll find yourself in the Cemetery of Ash, equipped with your starting gear and a potential Burial Gift. This area is designed to familiarize you with the game's controls. Pay attention to the red lines on the ground, which indicate helpful tooltips. These can guide you through basic mechanics and provide essential information.

2. Encountering the First Hollows

Your first enemy, a Hollow wielding a broken sword, awaits you to the right of your grave. Although seemingly weak, these enemies can inflict damage if you're not careful. They typically rush you with a slash attack, sometimes followed by a flurry of strikes or a slow overhead swing. Wait for an opening, use your shield to break their balance, and strike back. After defeating the first Hollow, explore the small corridor to the right to find a Soul of a Deserted Corpse, which can be used later to acquire currency and level up.

3. Navigating the Fountain Area

Be cautious of the next Hollow, who may appear harmlessly seated with his head in his hands. These enemies will suddenly attack if they spot you. Defeat him and loot the corpse at the fountain's base to obtain an Ashen Estus Flask. This flask replenishes your Focus Points (FP), similar to how the regular Estus Flask replenishes Health Points (HP). Both flasks can only be refilled at bonfires, so conserve them when possible. To the right, you'll find another Hollow unaware of your presence. Use this opportunity to practice backstabbing by slowly moving behind him and pressing the attack button. Backstabs deal significant damage, making them a valuable tactic against unsuspecting enemies.

4. Facing Archer Hollows and the Crystal Lizard

Move to the opposite end of the fountain to find another Hollow and an Archer Hollow behind him. Use your shield to close the distance and launch your attack. For a more challenging encounter, take a detour to the right of the exit. Here, two Hollows guard a waterlogged corridor leading to a Soul of an Unknown Traveler on the left and a Giant Crystal Lizard on the right. The Crystal Lizard is a tough opponent that launches crystal spikes while rolling. Take note of its rolling and leaping attacks, which create crystal shards around it but leave it vulnerable to counter-attacks. It also has high-damage moves, such as breathing a mist that erupts into crystals and a lunging bite. Carefully time your attacks between its moves, and watch for when it rears up, exposing its weak underbelly. Defeating the Crystal Lizard rewards you with a Titanite Scale and the item in the corner.

5. Reaching the First Bonfire

After leaving the canyon, you'll find a curving path on the left that leads to a hilltop with your first Bonfire. Resting at the bonfire replenishes your HP and FP and refills your Estus Flasks, but it also respawns all standard enemies. Light the bonfire to receive the Rest Emote.

6. Continuing Towards Iudex Gundyr

From the bonfire, head down the path to fight another Hollow, then take a right to encounter two more Hollows. The path splits here. Heading towards the ledge, watch for an ambushing Hollow on the left and another on the right. Take the right path, which wraps around beneath the ledge, leading to an Archer Hollow backed by a spear-wielding enemy. If you have a shield-piercing weapon, use its Weapon Art Skill. Alternatively, kick the shield away to stun the enemy and perform a critical attack. Lure the spear enemy before charging the archer to find a corpse holding 5 Firebombs, which will be useful against the upcoming boss.

7. Obtaining the Titanite Shard

Head back up the path towards the bonfire, but turn right at the wall to find a tooltip instructing you on jumping. Look over the ledge to see a large tomb with an item on it. Jump to the tomb to collect the Titanite Shard. Then, drop down to the next ledge, landing on an unsuspecting Hollow before taking on the last Archer Hollow in the area.

8. Boss Fight: Iudex Gundyr

Iudex Gundyr serves as your "Entrance Exam" to Dark Souls 3. He's fast, has long reach, and can pivot quickly. If you create distance, he'll leap into the air and strike downward. If you get too close, he'll alternate between thrusts and elbows. Be defensive, learn his patterns, and strike when he's vulnerable. You can also try to parry his attacks to leave him open for a critical hit. Many of his moves involve a thrust or swing, followed by a longer wind-up strike or quick attack.

At about half health, a black mass will emerge from his shoulder, transforming him into a mutated monster. This form is faster and has sweeping attacks, such as claw drags, mouth sweeps, and tail whips. Firebombs are particularly effective against this mutated form. If you're a melee-oriented class, stay close to avoid his sweeping attacks. If you're focused on magic or ranged attacks, maintain distance and attack after he misses.

9. Path to Firelink Shrine

After defeating Iudex Gundyr, you'll receive the Coiled Sword. Light the bonfire in the center and head towards Firelink Shrine. To the left, find a body holding a Broken Straight Sword. Look to the right to spot a small alcove guarded by two Hollows. Defeat them to find a Homeward Bone. Back on the main path, you'll encounter two Hollows in the grass and two more further up the left path. One of the upper Hollows wields a crossbow. Carefully eliminate them while dodging their bolts. On the right path, you'll find a Hollow gazing over the abyss. Further up the stairs and to the right, there's a path containing an Ember and a dog enemy. From here, you can enter Firelink Shrine.

Summary

The Cemetery of Ash is a crucial starting point in Dark Souls 3, designed to introduce players to the game's core mechanics and challenges. By mastering the area's enemies, secrets, and the Iudex Gundyr boss fight, you'll be well-prepared for the adventures that lie ahead.

Aug-14-2025