In the depths Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King hides one of the most unusual and visually effective copies known as Pike of the Sunken Gaoler. This weapon not only has a unique design reminiscent of rusty rebar, but also offers a specific set of characteristics that are highly valued by experienced players who specialize in breaking through shields. To get your hands on this trophy, you'll have to overcome challenging DLC challenges and find hidden passages in forgotten ruins.
Many adventurers get stuck at the stage of finding the necessary keys or do not understand the mechanics of opening secret areas in a location Aldia's Keep. The acquisition process requires attention to the details of the environment and a readiness for difficult boss fights. In this article we will analyze in detail each step necessary to Pike of the Sunken Gaoler found itself in your arsenal.
It’s worth noting right away that access to these weapons is locked behind several layers of progression. You will need to not only defeat the main bosses of the expansion, but also collect three special keys hidden in different parts of the map. Without understanding how to interact with the environment and where to direct attacks, the entrance to the vault will remain closed forever.
⚠️ Attention: DLC locations may be significantly more difficult than the main game. Make sure your character has a high enough stat Vitality and Endurancebefore going on a search.
Where to find the Crown of the Sunken King location
Before you think about a specific weapon, you need to get into the action zone itself. Location Crown of the Sunken King unlocks after defeating the boss Old Iron King in the main game. You will need to find a portal in the location Iron Passage, which is activated after receiving the corresponding key from the NPC in Drangleic Castle.
The entrance to the DLC is in Drangleic Castle, in the room with three levers where you fought earlier Dragon Aegis. After activating the portal you will find yourself in Shrine of Amana, where your path to the sunken ruins will begin. It is here, among the overgrown jungle and ancient statues, that the hunt for artifacts begins.
It is important not to confuse the inputs for different DLCs. For Sunken King characterized by a vertical structure of levels that goes deep underground. The weapon we are looking for is at the very end of this path, so preparation for a long exploration is critical.
- 🗝️ The key to the portal can be purchased from Mysterious Grave Robber in Things Betwixt after defeating Old Iron King.
- 🌊 The DLC starting area is located in the Shrine of Amana, next to the "Sanctum Entrance" bonfire.
- 🏰 Travel through the jungle and dungeons until you reach the "Sunken King" bonfire.
Mechanics for opening hidden walls in DLC
Main Feature Crown of the Sunken King consists in the presence of many false walls that are not illuminated with a standard glow, as in other parts of the game. To find Pike of the Sunken Gaoler, you need to master the technique of detecting such passages. Walls leading to secrets often make a hollow sound when struck or have subtle visual differences in texture.
You will need to attack suspicious areas of walls, floors and ceilings. Unlike regular doors, these passages do not have handles or mechanisms. The exact location for the strike is often at or just above the character's waist, in the center of the stone slab. A mistake in choosing the point of impact can cause you to miss the entrance, even if you are right in front of it.
There are three key places where you need to break through the walls to advance to the final boss and gain access to the vault. Each of them is guarded by difficult enemies or requires precise timing. Don't rely on luck - methodically check every suspicious surface.
Use a fast-strike weapon or the Soul Arrow spell to quickly test walls for traversability without using up stamina swinging a heavy sword.
Finding the Three Sunken King Keys
To access the final zone, where the coveted spear is kept, you need to collect three keys: Key to the King's Passage. They are scattered throughout different levels of the dungeon. The first key is usually in an area with moving platforms and lava. Be careful: falling here is deadly, and enemies try to push you down.
The second key is hidden behind one of those false walls. You will have to go down into a deep well and find a room with many columns. Carefully inspect the far corner - where the texture of the stone seems a little blurred, there is a passage hidden. A group of strong enemies awaits you inside, guarding a chest with a key.
The third key is the most difficult to obtain. He is in an area that resembles a labyrinth with toxic fumes. You will have to use Divine Blessing or have a high score Poison Resistance. The key lies on the body of a fallen knight in a dead-end branch, which is easy to miss if you do not fully explore the map.
| Key | Location | Danger | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key 1 | Lava elevator area | Fire and fall | Use a shield with high fire resistance |
| Key 2 | Hidden room behind a false wall | Group of enemies | Lure out enemies one by one |
| Key 3 | Poisonous Maze | Toxic clouds | Requires Bloated Head or high resist |
The path to the vault and the Fume Knight boss
After collecting all three keys the path to Fume Knight becomes open. This is one of the most difficult bosses in the entire series Dark Souls. He wields two swords and has a high attack speed. To get to it, insert the keys into the corresponding locks in the main hall Sunken King.
Fight with Fume Knight requires perfect timing and knowledge of attack patterns. His blows cause huge damage to durability, so the shield helps here little. It is better to rely on rolls and counterattacks when the boss is resting. Defeating him gives access to the elevator leading to the lower levels.
It is in the depths where this elevator leads that there is a room with Pike of the Sunken Gaoler. However, simply going down is not enough. You will have to go through a corridor infested with Sunken Guardians, which can instantly kill an unwary player. It is recommended to use ranged weapons or magic to clear the path.
☑️ Preparing for the fight with Fume Knight
Characteristics and features of Pike of the Sunken Gaoler
Pike of the Sunken Gaoler - this is a unique class spear Pike. Its main feature is its high base damage and the ability to strike through enemy shields, although with less damage than in the back. The weapon has an unusual attack animation that resembles an upward stabbing motion.
The weapon's damage scale depends entirely on leveling up Strength and Dexterity, with a small bonus from Lightning, if you use a strengthening potion. However, the main damage is physical. The weapon weighs 6.5 units, making it heavy enough for light builds, but acceptable for medium-heavy builds.
A special bonus of this spear is the ability to break through blocks. When attacking an enemy's block, you deal about 20% of the full damage, ignoring shield protection. It does Pike of the Sunken Gaoler devastatingly effective against NPC invaders and aggressive bosses who like to hold a block.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to parry with this weapon. Despite the shape of the spear, it does not have hidden properties for parrying, like Rapier or Dagger.
Alternative methods of obtaining and New Game+
If you didn't manage to pick up a spear in the current playthrough, don't despair. Pike of the Sunken Gaoler can be obtained in New Game+. Moreover, in subsequent cycles of the game the number of enemies increases and their health increases, making the loot even more dangerous, but also more rewarding.
There is also the option to trade with other players if you play online. However, for collectors and those who prefer a solo playthrough, replaying the DLC is the only legitimate way. Remember that in NG+ the locations of some items change, but the key points remain the same.
Keep in mind that defeating the final boss of the DLC does not automatically reset the difficulty level of enemies in the zone. You can freely explore the location, finishing off the remaining enemies and collecting missing items, including our spear if it is still available in the chest.
Secret finishing animation
If you use Pike of the Sunken Gaoler to finish off a downed enemy, the animation will differ from the standard one, showing the character stabbing the spear into the ground next to the body.
Comparison with other spears in the game
How Pike of the Sunken Gaoler does it compare to competitors? Unlike Partizan, which is good for pure damage, our spear offers a unique block penetration mechanic. Dragonslayer Spear wins in range, but loses in speed of recovery after impact.
For PvP builds, this weapon can be a surprise to the enemy who is expecting standard behavior. However, there are faster alternatives for PvE clears. The choice depends on your playing style: if you like an aggressive style with constant pressure on the enemy's block, then this spear is your choice.
The table below compares the main parameters with similar weapons from the base game:
| Weapons | Damage type | Scaling | Special effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike of the Sunken Gaoler | Physical | C/C | Damage through block |
| Partizan | Physical | D/D | No |
| Dragonslayer Spear | Phys/Thunder | D/B | High crit |
Pike of the Sunken Gaoler is a niche weapon for PvP and specific PvE situations where you need to ignore the enemy's shield protection.
Is it possible to get Pike of the Sunken Gaoler without completing the entire DLC?
No, the weapon is at the deepest point of the expansion. You definitely need to defeat the boss Fume Knight and open all three doors with the keys to get to the vault.
What is the recommended minimum character level for this DLC?
Recommended level is 80-100. Enemies in Crown of the Sunken King cause huge damage and have a lot of health, so low levels will make passing almost impossible.
Do weapons disappear when switching to New Game+?
No, all items received into your inventory remain with you. However, in order to get a second copy or if you didn't pick it up in the first playthrough, you will need to explore the location again in the next cycle.
Can Pike of the Sunken Gaoler be buffed?
Yes, weapons can be sharpened by a blacksmith to level +10 using Titanite Slabs. You can also use resins to temporarily enhance elemental damage.