what's the strangest possible route through the game?

[Double Trouble]

looking to do a run that's kinda like fighting dancer of the boreal valley at the start of darksouls 3 if anyone's played that, exploits are fine too like using the knockback from soul blast, thanks!

[NoAverageMitch]

I was wondering about this myself yesterday! I played around with some different paths when trying out Steel Soul, so I'll give you my route that I was trying until I failed and died partway!


1. Dirtmouth to Forgotten Crossroads to Greenpath as normal. While in Crossroads, free Sly to open up the shop. Save money. I skipped on buying anything until later.
2. Greenpath to Fungal Wastes via Fog Canyon cutthrough.
3. Return to Dirtmouth by Queen's Station Stag and buy Lumafly Lantern.
4. Return to Fungal Wastes by stag. Go to Mantis Village, get Mantis Claw, and challenge Mantis Lords.
5. Proceed to Deepnest and find the Tram Pass. Take the Tram at the bottom of Deepnest go the Ancient Basin.
6. Go up Ancient Basin to City of Tears. Unlock stag station and then go up to Resting Grounds.
7. Get Dream Nail and return to City of Tears.
8. Proceed to die at Watcher Knights. RIP. :(

My path had some backtracking, so I'd love to see other ideas. I don't know what else I would have done past where I died at.

[NoAverageMitch]

I've never played Dark Souls before, but I got the point of the message. I'm curious if you've tried a goofy path too! :)

[Double Trouble]

thanks mitch, I'll be sure to add that to my route

[Perseus]

You could fight Brooding Mawlek as early on as possible by pogoing on the spikes.

Originally posted by double trouble:

exploits are fine too

Such as pogoing on the shade? If yes, then i have some ideas.

[Double Trouble]

please share these ideas

[Perseus]

1) Play normally until you get the dash.
2) Get in Fog Canyon by the hidden path in Forgotten Crossroads using the Shade.
3) Get the Lumafly lantern to go get the Dream nail.
4) Go to the mantis village BUT DO NOT get the Mantis claw. Instead, using the flying Mantises nearby, activate the switch for the big door that leads to the Mantis lords.
5) Defeat the Mantis lords.
6) Using the Shade and flying Mantises, get the Mark of pride charm.
7) Using the Shade and vengeful spirit spell, get to the Blue lake.
8) Avoid resting on the bench in Ancient Basin (softlock) or upgrading the nail.
9) Get four mask shards and the Fragile Heart charm and save Cloth.
10) With Fragile heart equipped, die at the left end of the spike corridor in Ancient Basin.
11) Attack the shade with Vengeful Spirit to have its attention, then pogo on it to reach the ledge.
12) Use the 5th Mawlurk, the 2 Shadow Creepers nearby and a breakable background object to reach Broken Vessel.
13) Defeat Broken Vessel and then defeat Lost kin for 400 essence.
14) Gather 500 essence from Xero, No Eyes, Elder Hu, and the Wispering Roots in : Ancestral Mound; Fungal Wastes (Near Fog Canyon); Resting Grounds; Spirits' Glade.
15) Get Dreamgate (And use it for convenience).
16) Using the Shade and Primal Aspids, reach and defeat Hornet in Kingdom's Edge to get King's Brand.
17) Go to the Abyss and get Shade Cloak using the Shade, breakable background objects and Sibling.
18) Get to Queen's Gardens and, using the Shade, get to and defeat Traitor Lord with Cloth by your side, then obtain the White Fragment from White Lady.
19)Go to Deepnest using Spiny Husks and get the Tram Pass by using the Shade and Dirtcarvers/Carver Hatchers.
20) Get the Mantis Claw and the Monarch Wings.
From there, i think you can defeat the Dreamers and finish the game.

Good luck!
If you need any help for some setups, please ask.