How do I get the popular emote mentioned in the video?
Trade a Homeward Bone with Pickle Pee or Pump-a-Rum Crow in their nests atop Firelink Shrine (accessible after buying the tower key from the Handmaiden).
Video Summary
Dark Souls 3 ► 10 Early Game Secrets
Main takeaways
01
trade a Homeward Bone with Pickle Pee or Pump-a-Rum Crow atop Firelink to get a popular emote and other rare items
02
grab the Estus shard and the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring in Firelink Shrine by using the rafters and an illusory wall
03
killing Emma in the cathedral triggers an early boss fight with The Dancer — high risk but high reward for Faith/Strength builds
04
join the secret Mound Makers covenant before killing the Cursed Greatwood by using the rooftop/cage shortcut in the Undead Settlement
05
be embered at least once in each area to trigger NPC invasions and secure unique NPC weapon/armor drops and ashes for the Handmaiden tradesmiths' stockpiles, and use fire against maggot enemies and dogs for easy kills
Key moments
Questions answered
Where is the Estus shard and the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring in Firelink?
In the Firelink rafters: grab the Estus shard, then walk to the far end and hit an illusory wall to reveal the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring (+~10% souls).
What happens if I kill Emma in the cathedral?
Killing Emma triggers an early route to one of the major endgame encounters — The Dancer of the Boreal Valley — which is very difficult but gives strong Faith/Strength-focused rewards if you succeed.
How can I join the Mound Makers covenant?
Before killing the Cursed Greatwood: at the burning tree, cross the bridge, go right around the building, climb the ladder and run the rooftops to find a non-hostile cage carrier — climb in, get thrown down, and speak to Hodrick to join.
Why should I be embered at least once in every area?
Being embered increases the chance of NPC invasions and enables certain NPCs to drop their weapons/armor — necessary if you want to collect all NPC gear or ashes.
Popular Emote and Early Items 00:01
"I think this emote is going to be very popular."
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The emote can be acquired by trading a Homeward Bone with Pickle Pee or Pump-a-Rum Crow, who can be found atop Firelink Shrine after purchasing the tower key from the Handmaiden.
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There is a variety of shiny items that can be traded, including Lucatiel's mask, emotes, a lightning gem, and more, which will be listed in the video description.
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An Estus shard can be found in the rafters of Firelink Shrine; by walking to the far end and hitting the illusory wall, players can access the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring, which increases the amount of souls dropped by approximately 10 percent.
Early Game Challenges and Rewards 01:16
"If you kill her, then it initiates one of the major endgame boss fights early."
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Players encounter a character named Emma in the cathedral of Lothric; if she is killed, it unlocks one of the significant endgame boss fights against The Dancer of the Boreal Valley, opening access to an endgame area. This fight is notoriously difficult, especially at a low soul level, with successful players rewarded with useful items, particularly for Faith or Strength builds.
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The guide hints at an easier method to defeat The Dancer, although details will be provided in a future video.
Joining the Mound Makers Covenant 02:12
"There's this really secret covenant that you can join."
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There is a secret covenant known as the Mound Makers that players can join, but it must be done before defeating The Cursed Greatwood.
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Players should navigate to the burning tree, cross the bridge, and go to the right side of the building through some barrels. After climbing the ladder and running along the rooftops, they will encounter a spot where a non-hostile cage carrier can be found.
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By climbing into his cage, players will be thrown into a pit where they can talk to Hodrick to officially join the Mound Maker's covenant. Joining this covenant allows players to either assist others in combat or betray them for rewards.
NPC Drops and Rewards 05:43
"If you're someone who wants to hunt down every weapon, make sure you're embered at least once in every area."
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The video outlines various NPCs and the items they drop upon defeat, including Anri's Luck scaling Straight Sword, Horace's balanced shield, and various other character-specific rewards such as armor sets and sigils.
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Notable items include the Black Bow of Pharris, Xanthous Helm, and items related to other NPCs like Yuria and Sirris. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with NPCs while embered, as many of them drop ashes that can be used to acquire their gear from the Handmaiden.
The Mysterious Friendly NPC 06:46
"I cannot figure out what this guy is on about."
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In the Undead Settlement, near the ladder leading to the Mound Maker's covenant, there is a friendly undead conglomerate NPC whose purpose remains unclear to the player.
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It is suggested that this NPC may hint at climbing into a nearby cage, but further insights into his significance are still needed. The video encourages viewers to share any theories or insights they might have about this character.