We all know just how difficultFromSoftwaregames are, but do you know what’s harder? Their DLCs. After fighting unimaginable horrors in the base game,FromSoftware always treats their fans with DLCs so tough that they will have you pulling your hair out.
After spending 100+ hours in all the Soulsborne games, I will be ranking all their DLCs in terms of their difficulty.
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From a walk in the park to godforsaken ruins, Elden Ring’s main areas offer the biggest challenges of the game.
While none of these DLCs are “easy” by any means, this list will help you in deciding which games to play first if you are trying to start the franchise with the easiest game first.
8Dark Souls 3: Ashes Of Ariandel
End Of The Flame Takes A Chilly Turn
Dark Souls 3
Fextralife Wiki
I reckon all Soulsborne fans will agree with me when I say that Dark Souls 3 is the easiest Soulsborne game. If you don’t agree, you can’t deny that The Ashes of Ariandel is the easiest DLC.
While I concur that traversing through a snowfield with giant Vikings is very challenging,it is still very much manageable if you compare it with other snowfields, like in Dark Souls 2: Crown of Ivory King DLC and even Dark Souls 1’s Painted World of Ariamis, to some extent.
The only real challenge of this DLC is the final boss fight with Sister Friede, which is also among the best, hardest, and most unique fights created by FromSoftware.
7Dark Souls 2: Crown Of The Sunken King
Explore A Forgotten Kingdom
Dark Souls 2
While Dark Souls 2 is considered the black sheep of Soulsborne titles, it is still home to some of the best DLCs created by FromSoftware.
Since Crown of the Sunken King may be the firstDark Souls 2DLC that players will start, it’s the easiest one out of the three.The main highlight of this DLC is the level design, which can be best described as a maze within a maze.
The beauty of its level design is further amplified by the pillars that can change the positioning of platforms, allowing you to change the topography of the area.I found it near impossible to remember which way I came from.
It is the level design that makes this DLC so challenging. On a not-so-appreciative note, you are forced to keep a secondary weapon in hand, as this DLC will have your weapon breaking way too frequently. Make sure to have an appropriateDark Souls 2 buildas well.
Another hard aspect of Crown Of The Sunken King is, of course, the boss fights,especially the Graverobber, Varg, and Cerah boss fight, most famously known as the gank squad among the community.
6Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City
A Perfect End To A Perfect Trilogy
Many people consider The Ringed City DLC as one of FromSoftware’s magnum opuses, as it is the final piece of content for the Dark Souls franchise that brings the entire series to a close, tying up all loose ends.
The Ringed City DLC shines both in content and difficulty, as it contains the hardest dragon fight and thebest boss fight in the entire Dark Souls trilogy. Each boss fight is unique and grueling in its own respect.
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When compared to the rest of the Soulsborne DLCs,the Ringed City may fall short in terms of difficulty, but if I were to rank in terms of content and quality, the Ringed City would be right up there in the top 3.
5Dark Souls 1: Artorias Of The Abyss
Uncover The Tragic Tale Of Artorias And Sif
Dark Souls
Many Dark Souls fans wondered who Artorias was after finishing the base game.The Artorias of the Abyss DLC reveals the tragic story of this Knight,while still having gruesome difficulty, and explaining why his loyal dog Sif continues to guard his grave even millennia later.
This DLC launches you straight into one of the most demanding boss fights in Dark Souls 1 straight off the bat, and just when you think the worst is past you, it gets even worse.
From my personal experience, the Artorias of the Abyss DLC offers a masterclass of content, difficulty, and lore. With Manus, Kalameet, and Artorias being the main highlight boss fights, this DLC had everything it needed to be in the top 3.
However, while Artorias and Kalameet are still punishing bosses, they made Manus a bit too easy by giving you the option to summon Sif mid-battle. Making it incredibly more manageable by diverting its attention.
4Dark Souls 2: Crown Of The Ivory King
An Epic Battle Of Two Lords
The third and last Dark Souls 2 DLC is a bit forgiving when compared to the Iron King DLC, but don’t let that fool you, as it is still a brutal journey from start to finish.
The DLC starts off with an invisible boss fight that will have you wondering whether you are supposed to do something else first. And your assumptions are correct. You have to explore the snow-riddled city and end the snowstorm first before you can make theKing’s Petvisible.
Without spoiling anything,the Ivory King boss fight itself is among the best boss fights and a fan-favorite of Dark Souls 2, due to its setting, lore implications, and the general gameplay.
In my opinion, the hardest aspect of this DLC is the exploration, because you are required to backtrack and explore every nook and cranny of Frozen Eleum Loyce, which is already overrun by powerful enemies. Let’s not forget that this DLC is also home to the unforgiving snowfield made by FromSoftware.
3Bloodborne: Old Hunters
Fear The Old Blood
Bloodborne
When you start the Old Hunters DLC, the sudden spike in difficulty is very apparent when compared to the base game. The Old Hunter DLC is home to some of the hardest bosses created by FromSoftware, featuring Ludwig, Lawrence, Lady Maria, and, of course, the Orphan of Kos.
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Don’t worry about defense, because if you don’t act first, your enemy will.
Aside from the grotesque design of some of these bosses, their difficulty is cranked up to the max,with Lawrance easily taking the cake for the toughest optional boss in Bloodborne,and Orphan of Kos being thehardest final boss fightdesigned by FromSoftware before the release of Elden Ring.
I was stuck in the Orphan of Kos boss fight for at least three days before I was able to finally best him. It is a grueling yet fair journey and among the best DLCs created by FromSoftware.
2Dark Souls 2: Crown Of The Iron King
A Merciless Journey Through Hell
As soon as you enter this DLC, you are welcomed by the overwhelming difficulty as it is the most burdensome Dark Souls 2 DLC, despite being released before the Crown of the Ivory King DLC.
The level design, enemy design, enemy placement, bonfire locations, and the boss fights, everything in this DLC is stacked against you, and your chances of survival are always very slim.I remember being so overwhelmed at times that I just started running past most enemies, but even then, I was ambushed way too frequently.
To make matters worse, the final boss of this DLC isDark Souls 2’s hardest boss, and with Dark Souls 2’s distressing hitboxes,it makes the experience a one-of-a-kind and not in a good way.
1Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree
Home To FromSoftware’s Hardest Boss Yet
Elden Ring
Fextralife
When it comes to difficulty, every other FromSoftware DLC feels like a piece of cake when compared to the Shadow of the Erdtree.The best way to describe this DLC is that it does not hold back, as you will be constantly fighting for your life.
From the moment you start your journey, you will feel as if all your experience from the base game is suddenly worth nothing, as you will be decimated by even the most basic of enemies.
I still remember suffering in theDivine Beast Dancing Lionboss fight for almost 3 days, despite having 200+ hours in the base game and ending all Soulsborne games and DLCs prior.Just when I thought I was past the worst of it, the Rellana boss fight made me realize that I was in for a gruelling 30-hour journey.
It is safe to say thatShadow of the Erdtree consists of all the hardest boss fightsand unforgiving level designs ever created by FromSoftware.
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