New Londo Ruins

New Londo Ruins (小ロンド遺跡) is a Location in Dark Souls. It is accessible via Firelink Shrine, and connects it to the Valley of Drakes and The Abyss.

Information

The New Londo Ruins is a haunting, waterlogged area beneath Firelink Shrine, filled with spectral enemies and a foreboding atmosphere. This location serves as a pivotal area in the game, connecting to the Valley of Drakes and containing several key items and shortcuts. The ruins are notable for their cursed inhabitants and treacherous terrain, which require preparation and strategic planning to traverse safely.

Area Bosses

Mandatory

Four Kings:

• Encountered after descending into the Abyss.
• Requires the Covenant of Artorias to survive in the Abyss.
• Notable for their group-based combat mechanics—new kings spawn over time.
• Rewards:
  • 30,000 Souls.
  • Bequeathed Lord Soul Shard.
  • Unlocks the Darkwraith Covenant if conditions are met.

Enemies

Hollows:

• • Passive unless attacked.
  • Found near Firelink Shrine and Rickert of Vinheim.

Ghosts:

• • Found throughout the ruins.
  • Require the player to be cursed or use the Transient Curse to attack.
  • Drops: Transient Curse, Jagged Ghost Blade (rare).

Darkwraiths:

• • Found in the lower flooded ruins.
  • Powerful enemies with high-damage attacks.
  • Drops: Titanite Chunk, Titanite Slab (extremely rare), Dark Hand.

Banshees (Red-Eyed Ghosts):

• • Scream to alert nearby enemies.
  • Drops: Ghost Blade (rare).

Mass of Souls:

• • Found near the flooded area.
  • Emits spectral projectiles and spawns explosive heads.
  • Does not respawn after defeat.

Merchants

Rickert of Vinheim:

• • Location: Found near the entrance in a cell to the left.
  • Services:
    • Weapon reinforcement and repair.
    • Sells basic magic upgrades and sorceries.

Ingward:

• • Location: On the roof of the Ghost House.
  • Role:
    • Provides the Key to the Seal to drain the ruins after the Lordvessel is obtained.
    • Sells Transient Curse.
    • Can cure the player’s Cursed status for one Humanity.

NPCs

Darkstalker Kaathe:

• • Appears after defeating the Four Kings if the player has not aligned with Frampt.
  • Offers entry to the Darkwraith Covenant.

Crestfallen Warrior:

• • After ringing the two Bells of Awakening, he becomes hollow and attacks near the ruins’ entrance.

Items

Weapons:

• Estoc: Found before the first bridge.
• Parrying Dagger: Found near the spiral staircase.
• Composite Bow: Found near the waterwheel elevator.

Shields:

• Dragon Crest Shield: Found in Valley of Drakes.

Armor:

• Fang Boar Helm: Rare drop from the Armored Tusk near the Valley of Drakes shortcut.

Key Items:

• Key to the Seal: Obtained from Ingward.
• Covenant of Artorias: Required to traverse the Abyss.

Consumables:

• Transient Curse: Found in vases and as drops from Ghosts.
• Fire Keeper Soul: Found on a ledge near the water.

Walkthrough

Entering the Ruins

• From Firelink Shrine, take the elevator down to New Londo Ruins.
• Left leads to the main path; right leads to Rickert of Vinheim and the Valley of Drakes shortcut.

Dealing with Ghosts

• Use Transient Curse to attack Ghosts.
• Stick to narrow walkways and pull enemies one at a time.

Exploring the Ghost House

• Enter cautiously to avoid being overwhelmed by multiple Ghosts and Banshees.
• Climb the hidden ladder in the fireplace to access the roof and meet Ingward.

Unlocking Shortcuts

• Drain the ruins using the Key to the Seal obtained from Ingward.
• Open the floodgates to reveal access to the lower areas and Valley of Drakes.

Covenants

Darkwraith Covenant:

• Led by Darkstalker Kaathe, who appears after defeating the Four Kings.
• Conditions:
  • Do not place the Lordvessel with Kingseeker Frampt.
  • Speak to Kaathe in the Abyss after the Four Kings' defeat.
• Rewards include Cracked Red Eye Orbs for invasions.

Shortcuts

Valley of Drakes:

• • Unlock the gate using the Master Key or by obtaining the Key to the Seal.

Elevator to Firelink Shrine:

• • Connects New Londo Ruins to Firelink Shrine.

Soul Farming

Ghosts:

• Consistently drop Transient Curse and Souls.
• Ideal for farming curses and small amounts of Souls early on.

Notes

• Transient Curse is essential for dealing with enemies in this area—stock up before entering.
• Be cautious of the environment, as water and narrow pathways can lead to accidental falls.
• Use ranged weapons to safely deal with Ghosts hiding in walls or ceilings.

Trivia

• The waterlogged state of New Londo was a deliberate measure to contain the Darkwraiths and the Abyss by drowning its population.
• Ingward moves to Firelink Shrine after his purpose in the ruins is fulfilled.
• The ruins are one of the few areas in the game without a bonfire, forcing reliance on shortcuts.