While Dark Souls focuses more on action elements than proper role-playing, the franchise still has a plethora of quests and items for players to uncover. Multiple NPCs can be found throughout the world that the player can assist or kill. While there aren't branching dialogue paths or any extreme RPG mechanics at play, these quests offer some of the most memorable experiences in the franchise.
This is certainly true for Dark Souls 3. Many of the game's NPCs are instantly recognizable from the way they talk to how they behave. Some quests are much tougher to complete than others, but nearly all of the game's quests are worth attempting. Here are the 10 best side quests in Dark Souls 3 players should experience.
10 Orbeck Of Vinheim
Orbeck of Vinheim is a trained sorcerer that is equally adept at assassinating targets. His questline involves players convincing Orbeck to travel to Firelink Shrine and train the player. As players learn more sorceries, he will open up to being an assassin for Vinheim Dragon School. Once players defeat four Lords of Cinder, they may summon him to defeat Lothric. Players can find his ashes in the Grand Archives afterward, a fitting end for a gifted sorcerer.
9 Irina Of Carim
Irina of Carim is a blind priest that cherishes tales of miracles. Her quest is rather simple, requiring players to purchase every miracle from her, but the catch is players must do this in a certain order.
Learning any dark miracles will cause Irina to become lost and begin to fall into darkness. Players will need to kill Eygon of Carim. Alternatively, players can save Irina by purchasing all non-dark miracles from her. Doing so will turn her into a Firekeeper. While the quest steps are rather mundane, the progression of Irina turning into a Firekeeper or falling to darkness makes it one of the most memorable side quests in the game.
8 Hawkwood
Hawkwood acts as the Crestfallen Warrior of Dark Souls 3. His will is shattered but that doesn't stop Hawkwood from helping players. He gives advice and even his ring to players as they progress through the game, but he can become hostile if players obtain the Twinkling Dragon Torso Stone from Archdragon Peak. Since he follows the path of the dragon, he will demand a duel with the player for it. Defeating him ends the quest. Hawkwood puts up a great fight and does a solid job of guiding players throughout the opening portions of the game.
7 Unbreakable Patches
Patches is back yet again in Dark Souls 3 to make the player's life just a little bit harder. In this game, Patches will confiscate Siegward's armor and lock the player in Firelink Shrine's tower. He does have his uses, however, as he can save Greirat on his expedition to Irithyll. Whether players choose to kill him or not is up to them, but there is no denying that Patches brings a certain energy to the Souls franchise that no NPC can match. He personifies the unforgiving atmosphere and apathy towards the player that makes the franchise so special.
6 Sirris Of The Sunless Realms
Sirris of the Sunless Realms is an NPC that will visit Firelink Shrine after certain events occur. She will offer assistance to the player if they progress far enough into the game without giving a Pale Tongue to the Rosaria's Fingers Covenant.
However, players will need to be summoned into her realm to prevent Creighton the Wanderer from killing her. Players will also help her defeat Holy Knight Hodrick at the Curse-Rotted Greatwood's arena. At this point, she will swear fealty to the player.
It might not be the most story-intensive side quest in Dark Souls history, but it provides a plethora of good equipment that makes it worth doing. The Silvercat Ring, her armor, the Sunless Chime, and access to the Mound Maker's Covenant for players that missed their opportunity make this side quest a must-play for most players. Her side quest also does a great job of making the player feel like a Blue Sentinel in a PvE environment.
5 Leonhard
Leonhard is the NPC that introduces players to PvP in Dark Souls 3, and is responsible for giving the player various Cracked Red Eye Orbs and information on how to obtain a complete one. His quest doesn't end there, however, as Leonhard intends to kill Rosaria himself. Players will have to, ironically, use their invading skills to track down Leonhard and kill him to bring Rosaria's soul back. For those that enjoy the thrill of invading, Leonhard's quest offers a great distraction that mimics the experience in PvE.
4 Yuria Of Londor
Should the player become Hollow, Yuria of Londor will arrive to guide players towards a unique ending. This heavily involves Anri of Astora and marrying her to usurp the flame. It's one of the game's most surprising quests that keep the player guessing their first time through. The payoff is massive as well, granting players a unique ending.
3 Greirat Of The Undead Settlement
Greirat is best known for being a thief, exploring locations to take any goods he can find. His quest reflects this well. After players deliver Loretta's Bone to Greirat, he will begin excursions outside of Firelink Shrine to find valuables. Helping him during his trip to Irithyll is crucial to keeping him alive. The adept thief doesn't make it out of his third escapade, however. Finding his corpse near the Grand Archives is nothing short of tragic. Nearly every moment of this quest is great, from his memorable dialogue to the final moment players see him.
2 Anri Of Astora
Anri of Astora is a pivotal character in Dark Souls 3 as this NPC can dictate what ending players get. Their search to defeat Aldrich mirrors what the player is attempting to accomplish, although much smaller in scope. Players get to see her companion, Horace, slowly become Hollow as Anri clings on to hope that defeating Aldrich is even possible. Her quest can go a myriad of ways, each offering either gut-wrenching or satisfying conclusions.
1 Siegward Of Catarina
Siegward of Catarina, or "onion bro" as most of the community calls him, has the best side quest in the entire game. Players meet this cheerful knight in the Untended Graves. Not only does the player get to slay a demon alongside Siegward, but he will also join them in dueling Yhorm, one of the Lords of Cinder, towards the later sections of the game if they rescue Siegward multiple times. Seeing this character struggle to fulfill his friend's final request is equally inspiring and melancholy. There aren't many quests that pull at the heartstrings quite like this one.