Which Dark Souls is Easiest to 100%? Let's Break Down the Challenge

Which Dark Souls is Easiest to 100%? Let's Break Down the Challenge

The Dark Souls series is legendary for its difficulty, and for many players, that challenge extends beyond simply beating the game. The ultimate test for many fans is achieving 100% completion, often involving a grueling hunt for every item, spell, miracle, pyromancy, and achievement. But if you're looking to dip your toes into the completionist waters, which Dark Souls game offers the most manageable path to that coveted platinum or 100% trophy?

The short answer, for most players, points towards Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin. However, the "easiest" is a relative term in the Dark Souls universe. Let's delve into why, and what makes the other games more or less challenging in their completionist endeavors.

Why Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Often Wins

Several factors contribute to Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin being considered the most accessible for 100% completion:

• More Direct Achievement/Trophy Structure: Unlike its predecessors and successors, Dark Souls II's achievements are generally more straightforward. They often revolve around defeating bosses, acquiring specific key items, or reaching certain points in the game. There are fewer obscure or missable achievements that require extensive knowledge or multiple playthroughs for specific actions.
• No Covenant Grinding (Mostly): This is a HUGE point. To get certain spells, miracles, and pyromancies in Dark Souls: Remastered and Dark Souls III, you often need to engage in online multiplayer to earn specific covenant items or reach certain ranks. This can be incredibly time-consuming and frustrating, especially if the online community is sparse or if you're not adept at PvP. Dark Souls II, while it has covenants, doesn't have as many essential completionist items tied to high covenant ranks that require extensive farming. The key spells and miracles are more readily available through exploration and NPC quests.
• Abundant Resources and Build Variety: Dark Souls II is known for having a plethora of weapons, armor, and spells. This makes it easier to experiment with different builds and find a playstyle that suits you, which can alleviate some of the pressure when facing challenging bosses or areas. The sheer volume of loot available can also contribute to finding the items you need for completion.
• Less Reliance on Super Rare Drops: While some items in Dark Souls II do require farming, the drop rates for essential completion items are generally more forgiving than in other titles. You're less likely to spend hours grinding for a single, obscure item that has an abysmal drop chance.
• DLC Integration: Scholar of the First Sin includes all DLC content, meaning you don't need to repurchase or replay separately to achieve 100%. The DLCs add new bosses, items, and areas, but they are integrated into the main game's progression for completion purposes.

Specifics to Look Out For in Dark Souls II:

Even in Dark Souls II, there are still aspects that require attention:

• All Spells, Miracles, and Pyromancies: You'll need to find or purchase every single one. This involves interacting with various NPCs, completing their questlines, and sometimes discovering hidden vendors.
• All Boss Souls: Some bosses drop unique souls that can be used to craft powerful weapons. You'll need to ensure you get these souls and craft the corresponding weapons.
• All Rings: This is often a significant undertaking in any Dark Souls game, and Dark Souls II is no exception. Some rings are found through exploration, others are rewards for completing quests, and a few are dropped by specific enemies.
• Equipment Collections: While not always a direct achievement, many players aim to collect one of every weapon, armor piece, and shield. Dark Souls II has a vast array of these, so this will be a substantial part of your journey.

Why Other Dark Souls Games Are Generally Harder to 100%

Let's briefly touch on why the other entries present a steeper challenge for completionists:

Dark Souls: Remastered

• Covenant Grind: The most notorious part is the grind for covenant items like the Souvenir of Reprisal (Darkmoon Covenant) and Sunlight Medals (Sunlight Covenant). The drop rates for these from enemies can be incredibly low, and online play can be inconsistent.
• Limited Item Missability: Some items and spells can be permanently missed if you advance too far in certain NPC questlines or make specific choices.
• Mastery of Mechanics: The original Dark Souls has a more unforgiving combat system and fewer quality-of-life features, making each encounter more taxing for sustained completion.

Dark Souls III

• Intense Covenant Grind: Similar to Dark Souls: Remastered, Dark Souls III heavily relies on covenant rewards. Items like Vertebra Shackles (Cilver Nights) and Proof of a Concord Kept (Blue Sentinels/Blade of the Darkmoon) have notoriously low drop rates from enemies, leading to extensive farming.
• Multiple Playthroughs for Items: Many powerful rings and spell upgrades are tied to New Game Plus cycles (NG+), meaning you'll need to play through the game multiple times to acquire all necessary items.
• Boss Weapon Variety: While exciting, obtaining all boss weapons requires defeating each boss multiple times across different playthroughs to acquire their souls and craft all possible weapons.

Demon's Souls (Original and Remake

• World Tendency System: This unique system can be a massive hurdle. Achieving certain World Tendencies to spawn specific events, enemies, or items for 100% completion can be a complex and sometimes frustrating puzzle that requires careful management of your actions across multiple playthroughs.
• Limited Availability of Certain Spells: Some of the most powerful spells are tied to specific World Tendencies and require intricate steps to acquire.

Conclusion

If your primary goal is to achieve 100% completion with the least amount of frustration and the most direct path, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is your best bet. While it still demands dedication and exploration, it avoids the most punishing covenant grinds and obscure achievement requirements that plague its siblings. However, remember that "easiest" in the Dark Souls context is still a significant challenge. Each game offers its own unique rewards for those who persevere and master its intricate systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I get all the spells in Dark Souls II to 100%?

To obtain all spells in Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin, you'll need to find or purchase them from various NPCs scattered throughout the world. This includes completing NPC questlines, discovering hidden vendors, and sometimes progressing to a certain point in the game. Pay close attention to dialogue and explore every nook and cranny.

Why is the covenant grind so difficult in Dark Souls III and Dark Souls: Remastered?

The covenant grind in Dark Souls III and Dark Souls: Remastered is difficult due to the incredibly low drop rates of essential covenant items from enemies. These items are often required to rank up in covenants and obtain powerful spells, miracles, or unique gear needed for 100% completion. The online multiplayer aspect, while intended to facilitate earning these items, can also be inconsistent or require skilled PvP performance.

How many playthroughs are generally needed for 100% in Dark Souls III?

For 100% completion in Dark Souls III, you will typically need at least three full playthroughs. This is primarily because many essential rings and powerful items are only available in New Game Plus (NG+) and New Game Plus Two (NG++). You'll also need to defeat bosses multiple times to acquire all their unique souls for weapon crafting.

Why is Dark Souls II considered easier for completionists?

Dark Souls II is generally considered easier for completionists because its achievements and required items are more directly tied to exploration and boss progression, rather than relying heavily on frustrating online multiplayer grinds or obscure, missable conditions. The covenant system in Dark Souls II also has fewer essential completionist items tied to high ranks compared to the other games.