Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel - How to Access the DLC Area

ds3-1

Explore the bleak world of Ashes of Ariandel, the first of two planned DLC add-ons for Dark Souls 3, by following our starting instructions. You’ll have to complete the Cathedral of the Deep to access the DLC area, but otherwise this is a much easier process than ones we’ve seen for previous Dark Souls games. All you have to do is find the right NPC and talk to him. Easy as that.

Once you’ve got the doll from the Deacons of the Deep, it’s just a quick trip to the Cleansing Chapel bonfire to speak with a new NPC that won’t appear until after you’ve installed the DL pack. Don’t worry, if you’re already killed the Deacons, you’ll have the plot-specific item in your inventory. No need for restarts or New Game+.

How to Access the DLC Area

To enter the Painted World of Ariandel, first download and install the DLC pack on your chosen platform, then follow these steps:

Defeat the Deacons of the Deep, the boss of the Cathedral of the Deep to get a special item — the Small Doll.
Take the Small Doll to the Cleansing Chapel Bonfire in the Cathedral of the Deep.
Talk to the NPC twice to exhaust his dialogue.
You’ll then teleport to the Painted World of Ariandel.

In the new location, use the nearest bonfire to teleport home. Now you’re free to explore the frozen area, where you can find 2 new terrifying bosses, 16 weapons, 5 armor sets, 4 spells, and a new PVP arena designed specifically for online versus matches, with two modes and a potential for alternate maps in the future.

More Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel guides, secrets, and locations: