Dark Souls 3: How to Unlock the PvP Arena

Dark Souls 3 includes the unlockable PvP Hollow Arena. This feature allows direct match-making and more structured rules of engagement. This can allow for more fair fights than what can be encountered while plaything through the game normally.

Much of the Hollow Arena has a structured balance for all participants. This means that neither side can rely on the help of allies, roaming enemies, or terrain. This also may make common weapon and spell strategies quite different inside the arena.

Gaining access to the Hollow Arena does require either DLC pack: Ashes of Ariandel or The Ringed City. Both have different methods to access the arena, and having both will grant access to all maps. However, this unlock requirement is only needed once per character – they will retain full access even on New Game Plus.

Unlocking the Hollow Arena in Dark Souls 3

There are two different ways to gain first access to the Hollow Arena. Players will likely accomplish these after completing the base Dark Souls 3. Both wind up yielding the special item Champion’s Bones. Burning this at the Firelink Shrine bonfire will unlock the Hollow Arena.

Ashes of Ariandel

Players around level 60 or 70 will have the option of fighting a secret boss in the Ashes of Ariandel content. To begin, teleport to the Ariandel Chapel bonfire, exit the church, come to the rope bridge, and attack it. After two or three seconds the bridge will collapse, creating a ladder down below. Carefully defeat the various Farron Followers with ranged attacks, as falling at this point will result in instant death. Further below are Millwood Archers who can easily one-shot players with their exploding arrows. It is best to simply avoid them and dash to the bottom of the canyon. In this icy section will be the new Depths of the Painting bonfire; rest out it to record progress or restore any estus flasks. From there run to the far right to enter an encounter with the Champion’s Gravetender.

The Gravetender himself fights with a sword and shield, and can deal a surprisingly high amount of quick damage. He is rather weak to any form of lightning damage, which will make him easy prey for any miracle-based offensive mage. After taking significant damage, the Gravetender Greatwolf will also appear. This boss beast is the main threat as it is both fast and powerful. However, it can be defeated with a mix of careful pyromancy and bleed attacks. It also has average poise, making it possible to easily dish out critical strikes. Additionally, while both the Gravetender and Greatwolf are alive they will opt to use some frost attacks, which can rapidly deplete player stamina. It is recommended to finish off the Gravetender quickly before focusing on the Greatwolf.

The Ringed City

The other option to find the Champion’s bone is by completing a character quest around level 90 to 100. Players will need to find and talk to the NPC Amnesiac Lapp several times in order before killing each boss. He can be found in the following places to be interacted with:

• Dreg Heap: A tower will fall over as one walks through the zone. Double back to the church, kill or run past the two Lothric Knights, and meet Lapp for the first time.
• Earthen Peak: He will be by the Earthen Peak bonfire, and will mention treasure. Further into the swamp will be a Harald Knight guarding a Titanite Slab. Obtain it and show it to Lapp. Alternately, die three times in the zone and Lapp will give the Slab as a prize.
• Demon Prince: Consume an Ember to make his summon sign appear for the boss fight. If already using two allies, the dried finger can also be activated for a third summon.
• Ringed City Inner Wall: Go to the balcony right of the bonfire. Lapp will hand over a Siegbru.
• Ringed City Swamp: Head up the ladder going back into the city street upper areas. Kill the two Ring Knights guarding the way, then move forward to speak to Lapp again.
• Purging Monument: From the Ringed City Streets bonfire, head through the gateway and cast the sorcery spell Chameleon. This will cause a ladder to appear on the right wall. Climb it and explore the area to find the Purging Monument. Go back to where Lapp was in the swamp and report about the location.
• Shared Grave: From the entrance, head right twice and into the small room. Talk to Lapp and agree with him. He will now betray the player, but will leave the Champion’s Bones in the previous room for the taking.

Arena Features and Rewards in Dark Souls 3

Once the Champion’s Bones are consumed there will be new options at the Firelink Shrine bonfire. Players can set up Duel or Brawl modes Duel and Brawl. Duels are simply one-on-one matches, and standard estus use is forbidden; players can use five ashen estus to restore spell or weapon art use. Brawl can be set up for either four or six players. This can be done as a free for all battle, or as equal teams of two-vs-two or three-vs-three. Estus is gained by killing an opponent.

Battles can take place at the Kiln of the First Flame, Grand Roof of Lothric Castle, Dragon Ruins, or Round Plaza of Irithyll. Each has different terrain advantages and hazards. Players can be equally matched with others up to 10 levels plus an additional 10% above them. If the difference is too high, the higher-end player will have their stats reduced to match a weaker foe. One can also add a password to make the match private among friends.

By winning matches, players will earn Badges that will appear next to their name when summoned or invading. These are separated by Duel and Brawl, allowing for both to be showcased at once. The level of badges goes from Iron, Bronze, Silver, to Gold. While this is mostly an aesthetic display, one should be wary of enemies with a high-level badge as it may warn of lots of PvP experience. Conversely, summoning a friendly phantom with high-level Badges may make them more likely to protect players and stop dangerous invaders.

Dark Souls 3 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

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