Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Champion's Soul in Dark Souls 3. Whether you're a seasoned Ashen One or just starting your journey through Lothric, understanding how to use these souls is crucial for maximizing your character's potential. This guide will cover everything you need to know: what the Champion's Soul is, where to find it, and the best ways to use it. So, let's get started!

What is the Champion's Soul?

The Champion's Soul is a valuable item in Dark Souls 3, categorized as a boss soul. These souls are acquired by defeating powerful bosses throughout the game. Each boss soul holds significant power, and the Champion's Soul is no exception. When consumed, it grants a substantial amount of souls, which can be used to level up your character, purchase items, or upgrade equipment. Alternatively, you can transpose it to create unique weapons and spells, adding powerful tools to your arsenal. Understanding the strategic value of the Champion's Soul is vital for any player looking to optimize their build and conquer the challenges of Dark Souls 3.

The primary function of the Champion's Soul is to provide a significant boost to your character's soul count. Souls are the lifeblood of Dark Souls 3, serving as both experience points and currency. A single Champion's Soul can grant you a considerable number of souls, making it an invaluable resource, especially in the early to mid-game. This influx of souls can help you level up quickly, allowing you to increase your attributes such as Strength, Dexterity, Vigor, or Intelligence. By strategically allocating these points, you can tailor your character to your preferred playstyle, whether it's a heavily armored knight, a nimble assassin, or a powerful sorcerer. Additionally, the souls obtained from the Champion's Soul can be used to purchase essential items from merchants, such as upgrade materials, consumables, or even new armor sets. This financial flexibility can be a game-changer, especially when you need that extra edge to overcome a particularly challenging area or boss.

However, the true potential of the Champion's Soul lies in its ability to be transposed into unique and powerful equipment. Transposition is a process that allows you to transform boss souls into weapons, spells, or rings, each with its own unique properties and abilities. To transpose a Champion's Soul, you'll need to visit Ludleth of Courland, an NPC located in Firelink Shrine. Ludleth will offer you a selection of items that can be created using the soul, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your build. These transposed items are often exclusive and cannot be obtained through any other means, making them highly sought after by players looking to optimize their character's performance. Whether it's a devastating weapon with unique attack patterns, a powerful spell with versatile applications, or a ring that enhances your abilities, transposing the Champion's Soul can provide you with a significant advantage in your journey through Lothric.

Where to Find the Champion's Soul

The Champion's Soul is obtained by defeating specific bosses in Dark Souls 3. There are two main sources for these souls:

• Iudex Gundyr: This is the first boss you encounter in the game. Defeating him rewards you with his soul, which can be used early on for a significant boost.
• Champion Gundyr: Found in the Untended Graves, this optional boss offers a more powerful version of the soul.

Iudex Gundyr

Iudex Gundyr is the first real challenge you'll face in Dark Souls 3, serving as a gatekeeper to the rest of the game. He is found at the end of the Cemetery of Ash, the game's starting area. Iudex Gundyr is a formidable opponent, testing your skills in combat, timing, and strategy right from the start. Defeating him is crucial not only for progression but also for obtaining your first Champion's Soul. This soul can provide an early advantage, giving you a head start in leveling up and acquiring essential items.

When you first enter the arena, Iudex Gundyr appears as a seemingly unthreatening, motionless figure. However, as you approach, he will awaken and draw his weapon, revealing himself as a powerful warrior. His initial form is that of a heavily armored knight, wielding a halberd with deadly precision. Gundyr's attacks are slow but deliberate, and he can cover a significant distance with each swing. Learning to dodge his attacks and finding openings to strike is essential for survival. Pay close attention to his attack patterns and telegraphs, and don't be afraid to use your Estus Flask to heal when necessary.

After you reduce his health to around 50%, Iudex Gundyr will transform into a grotesque, pus-filled creature. This transformation significantly changes his attack patterns and abilities. He becomes more aggressive and unpredictable, with a wider range of attacks that can easily catch you off guard. The pus-filled form has a longer reach and can inflict toxic buildup, which can be devastating if it procs. Maintaining your distance and carefully timing your attacks becomes even more crucial during this phase. Consider using fire-based attacks or items, as the pus-filled form is particularly vulnerable to fire damage. Stay patient, and don't get greedy with your attacks. Wait for the right moment to strike, and be prepared to dodge at a moment's notice.

Once you finally defeat Iudex Gundyr, you will be rewarded with the Coiled Sword and his Champion's Soul. The Coiled Sword allows you to return to Firelink Shrine, the game's central hub. The Champion's Soul, as mentioned earlier, can be consumed for a significant amount of souls or transposed into a unique item. For new players, consuming the soul is often the best option, as it provides a much-needed boost to your character's level. This can make the early stages of the game significantly easier, allowing you to explore Lothric with more confidence. Alternatively, if you're feeling adventurous, you can choose to save the soul and transpose it later when you have access to Ludleth of Courland.

Champion Gundyr

Champion Gundyr is an optional boss located in the Untended Graves, a hidden area that mirrors the Cemetery of Ash. Unlike Iudex Gundyr, who is the first boss you encounter, Champion Gundyr is a mid-to-late game challenge that tests your skills and knowledge of the game's combat mechanics. He is a significantly more powerful version of Iudex Gundyr, with faster attacks, more aggressive behavior, and a wider range of moves. Defeating him requires precise timing, strategic thinking, and a well-optimized build.

To reach Champion Gundyr, you'll need to obtain the Eyes of a Fire Keeper from the Untended Graves. This area is accessed by using a specific path in Firelink Shrine after obtaining the Eyes. The Untended Graves is a dark and foreboding place, filled with powerful enemies and hidden dangers. Navigating this area requires caution and awareness, as ambushes and traps are common. Once you reach the end of the area, you'll find Champion Gundyr waiting for you in a familiar arena.

Champion Gundyr is a relentless opponent, known for his aggressive and unpredictable attack patterns. He is much faster and more agile than Iudex Gundyr, making him a formidable challenge for even experienced players. His attacks are a mix of powerful strikes, swift combos, and deceptive maneuvers that can easily catch you off guard. Learning to read his movements and anticipate his attacks is crucial for survival. Pay close attention to his stance and telegraphs, and be prepared to dodge or parry at a moment's notice. Unlike Iudex Gundyr, Champion Gundyr does not transform into a pus-filled creature. However, he compensates for this with his sheer speed and aggression.

One of the key strategies for defeating Champion Gundyr is to parry his attacks. Gundyr's attacks are highly telegraphed, making them relatively easy to parry once you get the timing down. A successful parry will stagger him, allowing you to perform a critical attack for massive damage. However, be careful not to become too reliant on parrying, as Gundyr can mix up his attack patterns to throw you off balance. Another effective strategy is to use a fast weapon with good reach, such as a katana or a thrusting sword. This will allow you to poke at him from a safe distance and avoid getting caught in his combos. Additionally, consider using buffs such as resins or spells to increase your damage output. Champion Gundyr is resistant to many forms of elemental damage, so physical damage is often the most effective approach.

Defeating Champion Gundyr will reward you with his Champion's Soul, which is a more potent version of the soul obtained from Iudex Gundyr. This soul grants a significantly larger number of souls when consumed, making it an invaluable resource for leveling up. Additionally, it can be transposed into powerful items, such as the Gundyr's Halberd or the Prisoner's Chain ring. Gundyr's Halberd is a powerful weapon with a unique weapon art that allows you to charge forward and deal massive damage. The Prisoner's Chain ring increases your Vigor, Endurance, and Vitality, making it a highly sought-after item for many builds. Choosing which item to transpose depends on your playstyle and build, but both options are powerful and can significantly enhance your character's abilities.

How to Use the Champion's Soul

Once you have a Champion's Soul, you have two primary options:

1. Consume it: This grants you a large number of souls, which you can use to level up or purchase items.
2. Transpose it: Visit Ludleth of Courland in Firelink Shrine to trade the soul for a unique weapon, spell, or ring.

Consuming the Soul

Consuming the Champion's Soul is the most straightforward way to utilize its power. By using the soul from your inventory, you instantly gain a significant amount of souls. The exact number of souls you receive depends on the specific Champion's Soul you have acquired. Iudex Gundyr's soul provides a smaller amount compared to Champion Gundyr's soul. However, regardless of the source, consuming the Champion's Soul offers a substantial boost to your soul count, which can be incredibly beneficial, especially in the early to mid-game.

The primary advantage of consuming the Champion's Soul is the immediate increase in your available souls. Souls are the lifeblood of Dark Souls 3, serving as both experience points and currency. With a large influx of souls, you can quickly level up your character, increasing your attributes such as Strength, Dexterity, Vigor, or Intelligence. This allows you to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle and overcome challenging areas or bosses more easily. For example, if you're struggling with a particular boss, you can use the souls to increase your Vigor, giving you more health and survivability. Alternatively, if you want to deal more damage, you can invest in Strength or Dexterity, depending on your weapon of choice.

In addition to leveling up, the souls obtained from consuming the Champion's Soul can be used to purchase essential items from merchants. Merchants throughout Lothric offer a wide variety of goods, including upgrade materials, consumables, and even new armor sets. Upgrade materials are crucial for enhancing your weapons and armor, making them more effective in combat. Consumables such as Estus Flasks, Charcoal Pine Resin, and Green Blossoms can provide temporary buffs or healing, giving you an edge in tough situations. New armor sets can offer better protection and resistances, allowing you to withstand more damage from enemies. By strategically spending your souls on these items, you can significantly improve your character's capabilities and increase your chances of survival.

For new players, consuming the Champion's Soul is often the recommended option, especially early in the game. The immediate boost in souls can make the initial stages of the game much easier, allowing you to explore Lothric with more confidence. It provides a safety net, giving you the resources you need to overcome challenges and progress further. However, for experienced players or those with specific build goals in mind, transposing the soul may be a more appealing option.

Transposing the Soul

Transposing the Champion's Soul is a more strategic and rewarding way to utilize its power. Transposition is the process of transforming boss souls into unique weapons, spells, or rings. To transpose a Champion's Soul, you'll need to visit Ludleth of Courland, an NPC located in Firelink Shrine. Ludleth will offer you a selection of items that can be created using the soul, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your build and playstyle. These transposed items are often exclusive and cannot be obtained through any other means, making them highly sought after by players looking to optimize their character's performance.

The items you can transpose from the Champion's Soul vary depending on which boss soul you are using. Iudex Gundyr's soul can be transposed into the Gundyr's Halberd. Champion Gundyr's soul can be transposed into the Prisoner's Chain ring. Each of these items has its own unique properties and abilities, making them valuable additions to your arsenal.

• Gundyr's Halberd: This weapon is a powerful halberd with a unique weapon art called Gundyr's Charge. This weapon art allows you to charge forward, dealing massive damage to enemies in your path. It's particularly effective against large groups of enemies or bosses with slow movement. The halberd also has good scaling with Strength and Dexterity, making it a viable option for quality builds.
• Prisoner's Chain: This ring increases your Vigor, Endurance, and Vitality by five levels each. This provides a significant boost to your health, stamina, and equip load, making it easier to survive in combat and wear heavier armor. The Prisoner's Chain is particularly useful for builds that require a lot of health or stamina, such as tank builds or aggressive melee builds.

Choosing which item to transpose depends on your playstyle and build goals. If you prefer a powerful melee weapon with a unique weapon art, Gundyr's Halberd is an excellent choice. If you need more health, stamina, and equip load, the Prisoner's Chain ring is the better option. Consider your current stats, equipment, and playstyle when making your decision.

Transposing the Champion's Soul requires careful consideration, as it is a permanent decision. Once you transpose the soul into an item, you cannot get the soul back. Therefore, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making your choice. If you're unsure, consider researching the items online or experimenting with different builds to see which one suits you best. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and playstyle.

Conclusion

The Champion's Soul is a valuable asset in Dark Souls 3, offering a significant boost to your character's progression. Whether you choose to consume it for a quick level-up or transpose it into a unique weapon or ring, understanding its potential is key to mastering the game. So, go forth, Ashen One, and make the most of these souls to conquer Lothric! Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!