Northern Undead Asylum

DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED guide · The tutorial and starting area

The Northern Undead Asylum serves as the starting tutorial area where the player escapes their cell, gathers their starting gear, and learns the core gameplay mechanics. Players encounter the Asylum Demon boss early, bypass it via a side exit, and return later from a high ledge to defeat it. Once the boss is defeated and the exit key is obtained, the player ascends the mountain path to be carried to Lordran by a giant crow.

Achievements here

EnkindleLight your very first bonfire in the courtyard after escaping your cell.

Estus FlaskSpeak to the dying knight, Oscar of Astora, who hands you the Estus Flask and the Undead Asylum F2 East Key.

Achievement guide and roadmap →

Items

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Dungeon Cell Key: Dropped by a corpse through the cell ceiling at the startStarting Weapon: On a corpse in the hallway after fleeing the Asylum Demon through the iron gateStarting Shield: On a corpse in a side room guarded by an archer, up the stairs past the first hallwayEstus Flask: Given by Oscar, Knight of Astora, in the broken wall room up the boulder stairsUndead Asylum F2 East Key: Given by Oscar, Knight of Astora, alongside the Estus FlaskBig Pilgrim's Key: Dropped by the Asylum Demon upon its defeat

Secrets

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Revisit the Asylum later by curling into a ball in the giant crow's nest at Firelink Shrine.Snuggly the Crow will trade rare items in exchange for specific items left in its nest on the ledge outside.

Enemies

Hollow (Unarmed)

Weak to Physical attacks

Docile undead that deal very little damage and do not fight back unless provoked.

Hollow (Broken Straight Sword)

Weak to Physical attacks

Weak early-game melee enemies that attack in slow, predictable swings.

Hollow Archer

Weak to Physical attacks

Fires arrows from a distance to disrupt player movement along the hallways.

Asylum Demon

Weak to Fire and plunging attacks

The tutorial boss; can be dealt massive initial damage with a plunging attack from the overhead balcony.

Shops and people

Oscar, Knight of Astora: Offers the Estus Flask and the Undead Asylum F2 East Key when spoken to in his dying state

Tips

Run straight past the Asylum Demon during your first encounter through the open iron gate on the left side of the room.
A large iron boulder rolls down the stairs after you step onto the staircase; roll aside quickly to avoid heavy damage and open the path to Oscar.
Walk slowly toward the fog gate ledge before fighting the Asylum Demon a second time to execute a plunging attack for massive damage.

Firelink Shrine

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