Crucifixion Woods

Before moving on to the next area of the game, ensure your Claymore is also infused with a Raw Gem. Refer to the next video for how to farm a Raw Gem.

5. Farming a Raw Gem, Dark Souls III

Crucifixion Woods is where a two-handed Claymore comes in handy. By now you should have a Raw Claymore upgraded to at least +1.

6. Crucifixion Woods, Dark Souls III

Advance the following questlines before fighting the area boss:

• Irina. Grab the Braille Divine Tome of Carim and give it to Irina during your next visit to Firelink Shrine.
• Anri. Talk to Anri and Horace, both of whom are located near the Halfway Fortress bonfire. First, exhaust Anri's dialogue. Next, exhaust Horace's dialogue. Finally, exhaust Anri's dialogue again. Anri's questline is tied with Yuria's.
• Light the Halfway Fortress bonfire, return to Firelink Shrine, and exhaust Sirris' dialogue. Rest at a bonfire, warp back to Firelink Shrine again, and Sirris should have left the Shrine.
• Orbeck. Exhaust his dialogue and ask to learn sorcery. You require at least 10 Intelligence for him to agree to teach you sorcery and hence relocate to Firelink Shrine.

Grab the following items:

• Estus Shard
• Great Swamp Pyromancy Tome. Give this to Cornyx.
• Farron Coal. Give this to Andre.

Near the Crucifixion Woods bonfire is Hodrick's purple sign. When summoned, Hodrick's purple phantom would attack you and the PvE. Venturing into the swamp and Heysel would invade you as a red phantom. These two phantoms are difficult to handle.

Here's an easy trick to help you kill Heysel's red phantom. Walk in the water of the swamp, staying near the Great Crab located next to the Crucifixion Woods bonfire. Wait a while for Heysel to invade you. Once she is near your character, you should be able to see her. Lure Heysel to the area where you found Hodrick's purple sign. Summon Hodrick and let him fight Heysel for you.

In case Hodrick survives the fight against Heysel, lure Hodrick to the Great Crab next to the Crucifixion Woods bonfire, and let him kill the Great Crab. Hit the Crab while it's distracted by Hodrick. If Hodrick survives the fight, lure him to the other Great Crab, and repeat the cheese strategy. In case Hodrick survives the fights against the two Great Crabs, lure him to the general area where two Exile Watchdogs are located. As you lure him to the desired location, always be close to him but not too far away, otherwise Hodrick would use a Black Crystal to return to his world. Let Hodrick distract one warrior while you fight the other.

The area boss is Crystal Sage, who is weak against fire. Use a Raw Broadsword+3 and buff your weapon with Charcoal Pine Resin/Bundle. Equip some armour items that have high magic defense and consume a Blue Bug Pellet to boost your magic defense. Eygon's summon sign is available underneath where Orbeck stands. Eygon is useful during the second phase of the boss fight, where he serves as a distraction.