Dark Souls III: Base-Game Progression
This page includes story or boss spoilers.
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Begin with Iudex Gundyr, Firelink Shrine, and Vordt at the High Wall. The main ground route moves through Undead Settlement, Road of Sacrifices, Farron Keep, Abyss Watchers, Catacombs of Carthus, High Lord Wolnir, and Irithyll. At Crucifixion Woods, Crystal Sage leads to Cathedral of the Deep and the Deacons; the Farron route does not require Sage, but Deacons are required for the later Irithyll gate.
From Irithyll, keep the Distant Manor branch in mind. It reaches Irithyll Dungeon, Profaned Capital, and Yhorm before Pontiff if you want that Lord of Cinder first. Pontiff opens the Anor Londo direction to Aldrich. Both Lords are required. Once the Lords return you to Firelink, the road closes around Lothric Castle: Dancer, Dragonslayer Armour, Twin Princes, then Soul of Cinder.
Optional base-game bosses, side areas, covenants, and NPC threads are worth taking for rewards, but they do not replace the Lord requirements. Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City are DLC, so leave them outside this base-game map. Use Boss Progression when you want each branch named, and Weapon Upgrades before treating a hard boss as a level-only problem.