The Soulsborne games have built up a reputation for difficulty, to the point where it’s not unusual to see any remotely challenging game being directly compared to Dark Souls. For as hard as FromSoftware’s staple series is, however, the franchise’s first title never actually emphasized difficulty – rather, it simply weaponized smart level & boss design that played against the impatient play styles that infected the medium by the time the PS3 launched.
Demon’s Souls releasing roughly a decade later on the PS5 naturally raises comparisons between it and its successor Dark Souls, but it’s important to recognize that the former is its own beast. Demon’s Souls may be hard, but the game genuinely wants players to succeed, offering useful items at every turn.
10 Cling Ring (1-1)
First thing’s first, always make sure to grab the Cling Ring in 1-1 – arguably the most vital piece of equipment for those new to Demon’s Souls. Just missing the Cling Ring altogether is an excellent litmus test for whether or not players will be surviving their time in Boletaria. The Cling Ring is found in 1-1’s first shortcut, at the very bottom of the watchtower past the first Blue Eyed Knight.
The Cling Ring can be looted off a corpse lying between the gates. Missing the Cling Ring is a sign that players aren’t observing their surroundings enough. The ring itself cuts health reduction when in Soul form from one/half to one/quarter.
9 Ring Of Great Strength (1-1)
Similar to the Ring of Herculean Strength which increases a player’s item load, the Ring of Great Strength greatly increases equipment load. Any characters wearing heavy armor or using heavy weapons (virtually all Strength builds) should opt to get the Ring of Great Strength as soon as possible.
Actually grabbing the Ring of Great Strength can be a challenge, however, as it’s positioned in the Dragon’s den inside of 1-1. Pure White World Tendency will make both Dragons disappear from 1-1 (as will simply playing the game up to 1-4,) but it is possible to sneak in and grab the Ring right away so long as players are fast enough.
8 Demonbrandt (1-1)
As a weapon, the Demonbrandt isn’t particularly impressive, really only useful when in Pure White Character Tendency. As a trophy, however, Demonbrandt is a sign that players have thoroughly explored the Archstone of the Small King and challenged Old King Doran to a one on one duel (which they won.)
Hidden inside 1-1’s Mausoleum, Old King Doran rewards the players with Demonbrandt after they bring his health down to roughly one/third. The Mausoleum Key itself can be obtained by either killing Ostrava or completing his quest line.
7 Ancient King’s Set (1-1)
While Old King Doran will end his boss battle after being brought down to one/third health, it is possible to continue the fight. Killing the Old King is incredibly difficult, especially for any melee builds, but it’s worth it to nab the best armor for Body Type B: the Ancient King’s set. Light with high defensive, the Ancient King’s set also replenishes stamina at a faster rate. Killing Old King Doran might be dishonorable in the grand scheme of things, but it’s worth it for the gear alone.
6 Dragon Bone Smasher (2-3)
The Dragon Bone Smasher is one of the strongest weapons in Demon’s Souls and a must have for any pure Strength builds (although a Crushing Claymore does go a long way.) Ferociously powerful and a bit faster than it has any right being, the Dragon Bone Smasher makes up for its limited move pool by dealing raw damage that’s genuinely hard to block or counter.
The Dragon Bone Smasher can be found in 2-3, to the left of the Dragon God Temple’s entrance. If players have Pure White World Tendency, the path towards the DBS will be clear. Otherwise, there will be a pile of rubble blocking the way. So long as players never die in body form inside of Stone Fang, the pathway will be clear upon defeating Flamelurker.
5 Silver Bracelet (3-1)
What the Silver Bracelet lacks in defensive properties, it makes up for with an incredibly useful passive buff: +10% Souls from all fallen enemies. Considering how few Souls most enemies end up dropping in a first cycle playthrough of Demon’s Souls, the Silver Bracelet can mitigate quite a bit of grinding – doubly so if players choose to brave the Tower of Latria as soon as possible. The Silver Bracelet can be found in 3-1, in the Prison’s first floor. Keep in mind, however, that the Silver Bracelet can only be equipped by Body Type A characters.
4 Crescent Falchion (4-1)
The fact Demon’s Souls unlocks four Archstones at once, more or less allowing players to take on the rest of the game in any order, can be a bit overwhelming. There is an intended order as far as gameplay balancing is concerned, potentially putting players who jump into 4-1 or 5-1 early at serious risk. At the same time, there are benefits for tackling these areas early.
Mages in particular can make great use out of 4-1. A Crescent Falchion – a sword which scales with magic – can be found incredibly close to the Shrine of Storm’s entrance. Players will need to fight through multiple Silver Skeletons uphill and confront a Black Skeleton, but the Crescent Falchion is a sword that can be comfortably used all game.
3 Compound Longbow (4-1)
The Compound Longbow is arguably the best bow in the game, and a must have weapon for any archers. Like the Crescent Falchion, the Compound Longbow can be found in 4-1. Similarly, the Compound Longbow is found fairly early in the stage. Simply climb up the tower past the first fog gate rather than going back down the hill to find the Compound Longbow sitting among Skeleton Archers. Upgraded down the Sticky path (Spiderstone,) the Compound Longbow becomes one of the best long range weapons in Demon’s Souls.
2 Large Sword Of Moonlight (5-2)
Familiar to anyone who’s already played Dark Souls or Bloodborne, the Large Sword of Moonlight is a FromSoftware staple. Traditionally, the blade isn’t meant for a typical swordsman, scaling with Faith in regards to Demon’s Souls. Finding the Large Sword of Moonlight is a bit of a challenge, taking players through arguably the game’s hardest stage – 5-2.
Near the second fog is a Slug nest players can knock down to grab the sword. Doing so requires maneuvering past several dangerous enemies – Giant Depraved Ones, Shamans, Mosquitos – and then backtracking to where the nest was knocked down in order to nab the Large Sword of Moonlight.
1 Friend’s Ring (Nexus)
The Monumental is positioned as a stoic entity whose sole purpose is to keep the Nexus bound (and players to it,) but there’s more to their person than is initially made clear. In fact, the Monumental can form a close bond with the player so long as they’re regularly visited after defeating Archdemons. Those who answered “yes” to the Monumental’s question at the start of the game will eventually be given the Friend’s Ring – a ring which buffs players when summoned as a Blue Phantom for co-op.
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