The Gutter

The whole area is a giant maze. One path loops back to the Upper Gutter bonfire. The other paths won't allow you to reach the bonfire again, forcing you to use a Homeward Bone. This area is one of many blighted areas in the game and isn't ideal for farming souls because it's filled with statues that spit poison. Have plenty of Poison Moss and Lifegem x 99. The statues can be broken with a weapon, but each attack decreases your weapon's durability. Have plenty of Repair Powder, equip the Bracing Knuckle Ring, or use a secondary weapon to hit the statues. The Whip is effective at breaking multiple poison statues with one horizontal attack. Or use your character's fist to punch a statue to rubbles.

24. The Gutter, Dark Souls II: SotFS

Have your torch lit most of the time you are in the area to improve visibility and help you navigate. Consequently, you should now be able to one-hand your main weapon. More torch time can be farmed from the torch-wielding Undead Laborers/Prisoners at these locations: No-man's Wharf, Huntsman's Copse, The Gutter. At The Gutter, light the sconces to help you keep track of paths you have visited. Lighting all sconces would spawn a red phantom named Gutter Denizen at the bottom layer of the level. The Gutter Denizen is a magic caster. Be ready with a shield that has as high magic defense as possible. Equip the Magic Quartz Ring+1 to boost your magic defense.

Have at least 20 Firebombs in your inventory. You will need them to incinerate a few oil pools, one of which contains a Coal Tar. For more precise aim, use Fire Arrows with a bow. You will find a Mimic near the pools of oil. Use a Lloyd's Talisman to help you safely grab the treasure inside the Mimic.

Notable loots:

• Havel's set. An armour set boasting high physical and elemental defense. The armour set is found in an iron chest, behind a pair of stone doors near the Upper Gutter bonfire. The doors are opened by using the Forgotten Key, obtained in the Black Gulch after defeating two Elite Giants.
• Fragrant Branch of Yore x 2. One is found on a corpse on a protruding beam, near a bunch of other corpses. The other Branch is found at the bottom layer of the area, after you have exited the area and near the entrance to the Black Gulch.
• Estus Flask Shard. A rather hidden item because you must drop down and take a round-about route to get to this Shard.

There are no bosses at The Gutter. Descend to the bottom-most layer and light the Black Gulch Mouth bonfire.