First 'Dark Souls 3' DLC expansion leaked ahead of October launch

By Danny Cowan August 23, 2016

dark souls 3 dlc ashes of ariandel dated for october darksouls3 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

From Software’s infamously difficult action-RPG Dark Souls 3 will get its first DLC expansion in October, a now-deleted tweet from the official PlayStation Twitter account revealed this week.

The upcoming expansion, titled Ashes of Ariandel, will introduce new weapons, magic attacks, and an exclusive player-versus-player map, among other slated additions.

Released worldwide in April, Dark Souls 3 continues From Software’s flagship series, and many consider it to be the franchise’s most difficult entry to date. Continuing traditions established in Demon’s Souls and its follow-ups, Dark Souls 3 equips players with swords, staves, and ranged weaponry as they explore labyrinthine environments packed with deadly creatures.

Dark Souls 3 also marked the return of the series after creator From Software produced the PlayStation 4-exclusive Bloodborne in 2015. Though it features similar gameplay to the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne stands apart from its predecessors with regard to characters, story, and gameplay progression. Dark Souls 3 put the series back on track with a multiplatform release for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PCs via Steam and other services.

The upcoming Ashes of Ariandel will add a flaming sword to player arsenals, along with new magic attacks like light boomerangs and ice storms. Buyers will also get access to “Immortal Competition,” a new map designed specifically for player-versus-player combat. No further details regarding Ashes of Ariandel’s featured content are currently known.

Deluxe editions of Dark Souls 3 shipped with a digital Season Pass, promising players two major expansions in the months after launch. Ashes of Ariandel will arrive as the first promised expansion of Dark Souls 3, with the second scheduled for an early 2017 release.

The Dark Souls 3 Season Pass is available for purchase via Steam, Xbox Live, and the PlayStation Network, for $25. Individual DLC packs will also be available for purchase separately after launch.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…

Gaming

New Elden Ring plot synopsis sets the stage for a deeper Souls story

Elden Ring's hero shines a torch in a fleshy cave.

The Dark Souls series and other Souls-like games, such as Bloodborne and Sekiro, are constantly praised by fans for the way narrative is hidden throughout the worlds. Hidden is the key word here; players can go through an entire Souls game without ever really understanding its story. For the most part, the mythology is largely optional in the genre, placed in between the cracks and crevices of the world. Item descriptions, environmental designs, architectural aesthetics, and building blocks are packed with lore and can often leave less-observant players oblivious.

ELDEN RING - Official Gameplay Reveal

Gaming

Dark Souls III beginner’s guide: Tips and tricks for intimidated first-timers

Jumping back into 'Dark Souls 3' to play 'The Ringed City'? Keep these tips in mind

dark souls iii guide 20200925131848

The Dark Souls series is notoriously challenging, and while it has become popular among gamers in the last few years exactly for that difficulty, it remains a bit inscrutable and overwhelming for many players. Dark Souls III is arguably a more easygoing Souls game than its predecessors, however, in that it gives players a little more leeway as they learn and provides something of an easier time getting into the game. It’s still no walk in the park, but it might not be as ruthless as previous titles.

Two expansions have been released since Dark Souls III launched in 2016, offering even more terrifying environments and bosses for brave travelers. You might be afraid of getting into the series due to its notorious difficulty, but it is possible to get into Dark Souls III -- and even fall in love with it. With a little insider information and a lot of patience, anybody can become a hollowed medieval warrior and a skilled smasher of hideous monstrosities.

Gaming

A Dark Souls II starter guide — trust us, you’ll need the help

dark souls ii starter guide trust us youll need help scholar of the first sin 20200923131245

The world of Dark Souls II is a dangerous place. Whether you're a hardened vet who's been honing your skills since the original Demon's Souls for PlayStation 3 or if the hardest RPG you’ve played until now is Skyrim, you are probably going to want to throw your controller down in frustration at some point during Dark Souls II. So, there's nothing wrong with accepting a little bit of help getting started.

If you're new to the series, its many intricate systems can seem like an insurmountable obstacle at first. Even if you're familiar with the basics, there are plenty of changes to the recipe this time around that will have you wondering about the identity of all the game's new, subtle flavors. Without giving much away -- discovery is half the fun in Dark Souls II, after all -- these tips will help you get started on the right foot. Before it gets hacked off by demons, at least.