- For other uses, see Dark (disambiguation).
Dark is a type of elemental damage in Dark Souls III.
General information[]
Dark is one of four elemental damage types in Dark Souls III, inflicted on and by certain enemies, items, weapons, and spells.
This element is generally ineffective against:
- undead enemies affiliated with the darkness, such as Hollows and Skeletons;
- beings corrupted by the Abyss like Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, Dragonslayer Armour, Abyss Watchers and Darkeater Midir;
- cursed beings like Lorian, Elder Prince
- Giant Slaves;
Dark damage is a common weakness among:
- gods and their descendants like the Nameless King and the Dancer of the Boreal Valley
- ancient beings and descendants of the gods such as Silver Knights, Black Knights, Pontiff Knights and Boreal Outrider Knights;
- Winged Knights;
Defense[]
To lower Dark damage received, it is necessary to raise the Dark defense stat.
Stats[]
While leveling up any stat early on will grant Dark defense to some extent, Faith will increase it most efficiently.
Items[]
- The Black Bug Pellet provides a temporary increase in Dark defense when consumed.
Equipment[]
Rings[]
- Equipping the Dark Stoneplate Ring and, to a lesser extent, the Speckled Stoneplate Ring will boost Dark absorption significantly.
Shields[]
- The Crest Shield offers the highest Dark damage reduction of the standard shields at 86 Dark defense.
- Havel's Greatshield and the Cathedral Knight Greatshield tie in having the highest Dark damage reduction of the greatshields, and any shield, at 87 Dark absorption. Cathedral Knight Greatshield infused with Dark Gem and upgraded to +9 has over 99 Dark defense
Armor[]
- Armor sets with reasonably high Dark absorption are usually the light armor sets, such as the Cleric, Sorcerer Set, and the Pyromancer Set, which offers the highest of the starting sets. Others such as the Archdeacon Set and Court Sorcerer Set are good choices as well.
- While medium sets are generally not as efficient at defending against Dark damage, the Black Set and the Sunless Set are quite adequate choices.
- Lorian's Set, Smough's Set, the Catarina Set, and the Winged Knight Set are fine choices among the heavy armor sets, with the Winged Knight Set offering 31.284 Dark absorption, the highest of any full set.
Utilization[]
Items[]
- Weapons that are not elementally infused can deal Dark damage with the augmentation of a Human Pine Resin or with the miracle Dark Blade.
Armor[]
- With the addition of the Ringed City DLC, there is the Blindfold Mask, which increases Dark damage dealt but decreases Dark absorption.
Infusion[]
- Infusing a weapon with a Deep Gem will imbue it with Dark damage, at the expense of all stat scaling effects.
- Weapons infused with a Dark Gem inflict Dark damage while scaling with the player's Faith and Intelligence.
Weapons[]
- The Dark Hand is the only weapon in the base game that can deal inherent Dark damage. However, it cannot be infused or upgraded.
- A Deep Battle Axe can be obtained from the Mimic located in High Wall of Lothric.
- In Ashes of Ariandel, Sir Vilhelm drops the Onyx Blade upon defeat.
- The Ringed City adds four Dark weapons:
Catalysts[]
Several catalysts gain innate bonuses when casting Dark spells:
Sorceries[]
Pyromancies[]
Miracles[]
Rings[]
- The Dark Clutch Ring increases one's Dark attack by 15% at the cost of -10 physical absorption.
Ammunition[]
Enemies[]
The following is a list of enemies and bosses that can deal Dark damage.
Lesser enemies[]
- Pontiff Knight projectiles
- Skeleton (bombers)
- Murkmen (TRC)
Invaders and NPCs[]
- Londor Pale Shade
- Sir Vilhelm (AOA)
- Shira, Knight of Filianore
- Black Witch Zullie's phantom summoned by the Judicator Giants (TRC)
Bosses[]
- Deacons of the Deep
- High Lord Wolnir
- Sister Friede in the form of Blackflame Friede (AOA)
- Darkeater Midir (TRC)
- Halflight, Spear of the Church if the player is offline (TRC)