Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t mess up like I did.

Tip #1: How to Get into Irithyll of Boreal Valley

When I first got to Irithyll, I saw messages everywhere saying I needed a doll. Having no idea what they meant, I tried to keep going anyways, figuring maybe I had the doll and just didn’t realize it.

…nope. 

Somehow I’d completely missed the Cathedral of the Deep. Instead, I’d gone from The Road of Sacrifices straight to Farron Keep. 

It doesn’t actually matter which area you go to first, but you have to complete the Cathedral of the Deep before you can get past the invisible wall in Irithyll of Boreal Valley.

To get to the Cathedral, work your way through the ruins in The Road of Sacrifices area. When you enter the area, it’s found to your far left. 

Tip #2: How to Riposte the Bridge Monster 

Officially called Suylvahn Beasts, these guys are nasty. 

It took me several tries to take him down, but I learned a little trick after getting eaten a few times. 

If you hit this bad boy in the face, he gets stunned and sits back on his haunches, leaving his belly exposed. You can then walk up to him and ripose him in the gut, causing a ton of damage. He then falls on the ground and lays there for a few seconds, giving you even more time to smack him around. 

You can also choose to let it live… but this is Dark Souls. Screw that. 

Tip #3: Kill the Camouflaged Assassin

I tried to complete Anri’s questline, but this is where I failed. 

Granted, Dark Souls III gives plenty of opportunities to fail NPC questlines, so I wasn’t exactly surprised. I figured it would happen somewhere.

Anyways, if Anri is still alive at this point in the game, you can find her by the Church of Yorshka bonfire. Yay!

The sad news is that there’s an assassin hanging out there too, just waiting for you to leave to kill the noble knight. 

If you plan on completing her questline, kill Anri’s assassin before you move on. 

On my next playthrough, that guy is getting a Lightning Stake shoved down his throat.

Tip #4: Don’t Miss this Offensive Miracle

I’m weird because I like Dark Souls faith builds for the offensive miracles. Heals are nice, but it’s the others (especially the Lightning Spear family) that appeals to me.

On my playthrough, I completely missed Dorphys’ Gnawing. I found most of the secrets in Irithyll of Boreal Valley, but this is one I just walked right past. 

Literally.

I saw the Big Fiery Mama (technically called Evangelists) facing the wall, but I just walked right past her. I figured I wouldn’t mess with her, she seemed perfectly content standing in time out. Problem is, you have to kill her to get the miracle. 

Here’s a video showing you how to find her to make sure you don’t make the same mistake.

Tip #5: Want One of the Best Rings in the Game?

The Ring of Favor and Protection was in Dark Souls and makes another appearance in this game. It may not be the exact same ring, but the effects are similar.

…and of course I missed this awesome ring on my first playthrough.

To get it, you have to find the giant room where Archdeacon McDonnell hangs out. There you’ll find not one, but TWO Sulyvahn Beasts. Good times!

Well instead of killing them, I just dodged and weaved until I could get to McDonell. Joined the covenant, then got outta there as fast as I could.

But if you do kill the Beasts, one of them drops this ring. 

To help you find the area, here’s a quick video:

There you have it my friend! I hope your journey through Dark Souls III’s Irithyll of Boreal Valley goes a little better than mine.