How Many DLCs Did the Dark Souls Series Have?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

To answer the question directly – the Dark Souls trilogy has a total of 6 DLC expansions across the three core games. Let‘s analyze each one:

Dark Souls 1: Artorias of the Abyss

The original Dark Souls launched in 2011 to critical acclaim, quickly becoming a cult classic with its cryptic lore and punishing gameplay. In 2012, Bandai Namco released the game‘s one and only DLC expansion titled Artorias of the Abyss.

This content update added an entirely new area known as Oolacile Township, transporting players back in time to witness the land before it was corrupted. Alongside fresh locales like the Royal Wood and Chasm of the Abyss, the DLC introduced an array of deadly enemies and iconic boss fights against the likes of:

  • Knight Artorias – a legendary abysswalker consumed by the dark
  • Kalameet – an ancient black dragon with immeasurable strength
  • Manus, Father of the Abyss – a primordial human whose humanity went wild

In addition, the DLC added new weapons like Ciaran‘s Gold and Silver Tracer along with the dark Silver Pendant shield. It also allowed players to join the Forest Hunter covenant and provided answers to some of the game‘s deepest lore questions related to Artorias, Oolacile residents, the spread of the Abyss and more.

Upon release, Artorias of the Abyss received glowing reviews from critics and fans alike. Many praised the rich worldbuilding and story enhancements. To this day, it remains one of the most beloved Soulsborne DLCs for its dramatic boss encounters and for expanding on the main game‘s mechanics and lore in meaningful ways.

Dark Souls 2: The Lost Crowns Trilogy

2014‘s Dark Souls 2 took the challenging gameplay and mysterious storytelling to new heights. While initially polarizing amongst fans, developer FromSoftware released three excellent DLC expansions that won many skeptics over. Known as the Lost Crowns trilogy, they included:

  • Crown of the Sunken King
  • Crown of the Old Iron King
  • Crown of the Ivory King

These optional areas transported players to entirely new lands with additional lore implications. Brightstone Cove introduced Shulva, Sanctum City – an underground ruined city full of dragons and poisons. Iron Keep led to a industrial nightmare realm called Brume Tower with vertical level design. And Eleum Loyce brought frigid peaks and a sacred chaos full of deceit.

Each Crown DLC added ton of new content including at least one jaw-dropping original boss fight. Various rankings consider Sir Alonne, Fume Knight, and Aava to be amongst the best fights in the series thanks to their relentless aggression, diverse movesets and precise mechanics. Furthermore, the new NPCs and cryptic item descriptions wove an engaging story.

While opinions on Dark Souls 2 vary greatly, the Lost Crowns DLC trilogy is rightfully remembered as one of the game‘s highlights. According to PlayStation’s global data, these three expansions amount to over 25% of total DS2 playtime showing their massive scope and popularity.

Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel & The Ringed City

As the epic finale to the series, Dark Souls 3 increased the scale and intensity tenfold in 2016 much to fans‘ delight. The following year brought two of the most grandiose DLC chapters yet in the franchise.

Ashes of Ariandel

This snow-swept odyssey features one of FromSoftware‘s most sinister NPCs Sister Friede. She and Father Ariandel preside over a painted world – a pocket dimension on the verge of rotting away. The deformed inhabitants and aggressive wildlife like wolves and Millwood Knights make exploration dangerous.

While short, Ashes of Ariandel delivers some of the most striking visual setpieces. The icy lakes and snowy pine passages result in an atmospheric winter wonderland that starkly contrasts DS3’s brooding gothic castles. It also houses one of the toughest triple-phase boss fights against Friede.

The Ringed City

This closing chapter transports to the very end of the world amongst crumbling ruins and desert wastelands. Warriors have traveled here in search of the fabled “Dark Soul of Man” to burn the Eternal City and usurp flame from its denizens.

The Ringed City tweaks the formula by introducing dynamic Spear of the Church boss fights against other online players. And it caps off the series with two incredible final bosses – Dragonslayer Armour callback and Slave Knight Gael. The latter serves as the ultimate test of skill and endurance.

As a whole, The Ringed City and Ashes of Ariandel amplify DS3‘s qualities to deliver an intense, refined combat experience. Between a larger arsenal of weapons/spells to tinkering with status enhancements, they add layers of depth through emergent mechanics.

Critically, both DLCs earned widespread acclaim for upping the spectacle while retaining the signature difficulty. Fans praised the way they organically built upon existing mechanics and story threads instead of feeling tangential. Stats showed healthy player retention rates months after launch.

While I adore all six Dark Souls expansions for their memorable moments, if forced to rank them from best to worst, it would go:

  1. Artorias of the Abyss
  2. The Old Iron King
  3. The Ringed City
  4. Crown of the Ivory King
  5. Ashes of Ariandel
  6. Crown of the Sunken King

I put the DS1 DLC at the top given its huge implications for Oolacile lore which also indirectly lays the groundwork for later games. The Crown trilogy offers some of DS2‘s very best content. And I found The Ringed City to be a near-flawless capstone.

Ashes of Ariandel and Sunken King tend to rank lower due to their shorter length, but they still offer beautiful levels and fun weapons/bosses. Honestly, there are no bad Souls DLCs!

It’s remarkable reflecting on how FromSoftware has continually supported these seminal games post-launch to expand the experience rather than exploiting players‘ wallets. Too often these days, AAA publishers carve out chunks of game to sell later as overpriced add-ons.

Yet the Souls series has always approached DLC with care and subtlety that feels meaningful. These updates flesh out the dense lore while organically introducing new mechanics and gameplay innovations that improve the base games.

We see this attention to detail continuing with recently announced Elden Ring DLC titled Shadow of the Erdtree. I predict it will uphold the developer’s pedigree for delivering substantial content that enriches the main campaign rather than just tacking on superficial extras.

Here‘s hoping we one day get a proper Dark Souls 4 with DLC that dives deeper into the universe‘s boundless mysteries!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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