Undead Crypt

Stock up on Repair Powder and Lifegem x 99 prior to exploring this area. You want to grab everything in one go and not resting at a bonfire or using a Homeward Bone. Find Grave Warden Agdayne near a group of Grave Wardens. Don't bring light near him such as lighting your torch or letting the torch hollow follow you. Exhaust Agdayne's dialogue, purchase all Elizabeth Mushrooms and anything else you need from him, and his summon sign would be available for the upcoming boss. Devotee Scarlett's summon sign can be found in a room containing Leydia Witch x 2, before you meet Agdayne.

43. Undead Crypt, Dark Souls II: SotFS

The Leydia Pyromancers are the deadliest enemies in this area. Each is spawned from a large tombstone. As long as a tombstone is intact, ringing a nearby bell would cause a Leydia Pyromancer to spawn. Break each tombstone as quickly as possible. The tombstones are usually surrounded by a number of stones. Breaking the tombstones and the various stones can rapidly decrease the durability of your weapon.

You should try to first clear the area of enemies without NPC summons and break all the gravestones of Leydia Pyromancers. Then light two sconces to spawn several NPC red phantoms known as Insolents. Each defeated Insolent has a chance to drop Twinkling Titanite or a Fragrant Branch of Yore, among other items. You want a Fragrant Branch as the item can help you progress in the game. Each Insolent can deal lightning and dark damage, and can be difficult to fight solo. Summon at least one NPC to help you distract an Insolent.

Notable loots:

• Crushed Eye Orb. Inside a chest located above a steep ladder, found after exiting the room where Agdayne is located. This item is used to invade Licia at Majula. The main purpose of invading and defeating Licia is to obtain the Soothing Sunlight miracle, required for obtaining the Master of Miracles Steam achievement.
• Bracing Knuckle Ring+2. Found in a room adjacent to where the Undead Ditch bonfire is located. Equip the ring to slow the degradation of your equipped weapons, rings, and armour pieces.
• Avelyn. Found in an iron chest behind an illusory wall, near the hallway where the Nameless Usurper NPC invades you. The Avelyn is the best crossbow in the game because it can shoot three bolts at a time, useful for chipping the HP of most enemies.
• Fragrant Branch of Yore. Inside one of four iron chests in front of the boss arena. Has a chance to be dropped by an NPC red phantom Insolent.

Velstadt, the Royal Aegis

44. Velstadt, the Royal Aegis, Dark Souls II: SotFS

This boss is weak against lightning. The following attacks can be parried: the two- and one-handed horizontal swing, and the downward two-handed vertical swing. A parry cannot be followed by a riposte. However, a successful parry would give you a small window to deal some damage. Getting a successful parry on Velstadt can be difficult, so you might as well fight him instead of baiting a parry. You can summon any of the following NPCs to help you distract Velstadt: Agdayne and Devotee Scarlett.

Defeat Velstadt, enter a room where hollowed Vendrick walks around in circle, and grab the King's Ring. The ring is required to open passages to various end-game bosses. Don't attack Vendrick at the moment.