Dark Souls 3 Estus Shard Locations: Where to Find All Shards - VeryAli Gaming (2024)

At the start of Dark Souls 3, you can use the flask up to 3 times before completely emptying it. A total of 11 shards are needed to fully upgrade your estus flask and get the most out of it. The estus flask can be converted into the Ashen Estus Flask to help regenerate FP if you plan to use magic or try the Faith Build.

Here is a summary table for the Estus Shard Locations in Dark Souls 3. The table also summarizes everything you’ll find in those locations:

Dark Souls 3 Estus Shard Locations

Collect 11 Estus shards to maximize your flask’s potential in Dark Souls 3. This guide helps you find the shards chronologically, eliminating the need for backtracking in the vast game world.

Firelink Shrine – Roof

Other Dark Souls 3 Guides: Dark Souls 3: Soul Farming

After unlocking the Firelink Shrine, head over to the tower entrance – which will naturally be locked – and stand next to the ominous-looking tree at the base.

Get a little running start and use the protruding roots of the tree to boost your jump and land on the roof. As mentioned earlier, you will have to try a couple of times, but it is easy to land after you know what you’re doing.

Afterward, walk forward and head to the front of the shrine. You will be able to access the rafters from this area. Make your way inside, and you’ll spot a glowing item, the first estus shard of Dark Souls 3.

High Wall of Lothric – Crowded Room

Teleport to the High Wall of Lothric and head towards Vordt’s boss room. Find a crowded space filled with hollows and undead dogs. The shard lies on a table in the messy, dark room’s center. Beware of the aggressive enemies, particularly the dogs.

Upon picking up the shard, roll away swiftly to avoid enemy attacks. Alternatively, clear the room of all foes. Caution is crucial, especially for newer players.

Undead Settlement – Pyre

The estus shard is amidst weak peasants, easily defeated in one hit. Run through and loot items around the burning pyre, where you’ll find the shard. Alternatively, eliminate the enemies for easier exploration.

To locate the pyre, find a large twisted tree adorned with hanging corpses. This distinctive feature is unique in the area, making it hard to miss.

Road of Sacrifices – Behind Lycanthropes

In the Road of Sacrifices, near the Crucifixion Woods bonfire, approach the ruined building for the Crystal Sage boss fight. Instead of entering the fight, go around it to find two dormant Lycans.

Regrettably, you must defeat them to access the shard safely. Afterward, follow the straightforward path within their den to locate the shard at a dead end, securing your fourth estus shard out of eleven.

Cleansing Chapel – Obelisk

Exit the Cleansing Chapel through the front door and head uphill, passing a well. You’ll encounter four hollow enemies bowing in front of an obelisk. Dispatch them to find the shard at the base of the pillar. While it’s easy to obtain, be cautious. These enemies explode upon defeat, causing area damage.

To handle this, defeat the hollows and promptly roll back to escape the explosion radius. Repeat this process for all four enemies, and you’ll secure the shard safely.

Farron Keep’s Swamp – Fallen Tower

In Dark Souls 3, as per FromSoftware’s tradition, a swamp area hinders player movement and slowly poisons them. Navigating the region can be challenging, but the shard’s location is surprisingly straightforward.

Light the first of three braziers; next, you’ll find a staircase leading to a half-drowned, collapsed tower in the swamp. Although slugs surround the tower, they’re manageable.

You have two options: eliminate them or bypass them entirely. They move slowly and have a delayed attack, so you can run past, collect the shard, and roll away unharmed. You’re now over halfway through your shard collection journey.

Smoldering Lake – Behind a Wall

You’ll encounter an ominous-looking wall at the bonfire nearest to the Old Demon King boss fight, one of many illusionary walls in Dark Souls 3. Attack it to reveal a linear path where you’ll discover an estus shard on the ground, impossible to miss.

Beware of the slime creatures hanging from the roof; they’ll drop on you as you pass beneath them. Point your camera upward and roll forward while passing underneath to avoid their attack. Once on the ground, they pose less of a threat, making it a manageable challenge.

Irithyll Dungeon – Mimic

In Irithyll Dungeon, continue until you reach a distinctive, spacious room. You’ll naturally come across it. Inside, you’ll find a chest, but don’t be fooled – it’s a mimic, one of many in the game, ready to ambush you upon opening.

To avoid this threat, initiate an attack on the chest to deal extra damage without retaliation. Mimics are relatively easy to defeat, so you shouldn’t encounter significant issues. After defeating the mimic, it will drop an estus shard as your well-earned reward.

The main concern in this area is the enemies emerging from the jail cells and potentially overwhelming you. Act swiftly, and you can handle the mimic before these enemies can attack.

Aldrich Boss Room – Large Chamber

In the expansive area before the Aldrich boss room, it can be tricky to locate the shard amongst many pillars. You’ll encounter slime enemies and deacons guarding their leader.

Direct your attention to the left side of the hall, where a chest is tucked into a dimly lit corner. This chest may be challenging to spot due to the surrounding darkness. Approach the slime enemies near it and defeat them. Afterward, open the chest to claim the ninth estus shard.

Consumed King Garden – Ledge

Defeat the Dancer of the Boreal Valley to reveal a bonfire. From there, ascend the nearby ladder and move to the left. You’ll encounter a cathedral knight that you must defeat to progress. Afterward, head to the elevator and descend, but not all the way.

Look for a small opening during the elevator ride and roll through it to reach a ledge. At the end of the ledge, you’ll discover a corpse with the estus shard. Collect it and exit the area.

Grand Archives – Roof

Navigate through this enemy-filled area until you approach a bridge connecting to the Twin Princes’ boss fight. Instead of crossing the bridge, turn around and look for an opening leading to the roof.

Upon reaching the roof, be prepared for three-winged knights to jump and attack. You can decide to engage or avoid them. Strong dex weapons or sturdy shields are recommended if you choose to confront them.

On top of this roof, you’ll find the final estus shard in Dark Souls 3. With all 11 shards in your possession, your estus flask will reach its maximum potential.

My Experience

As the author of this guide to Dark Souls 3’s Estus Shard locations, I’ve experienced the game’s challenging world firsthand. Collecting these shards, essential for enhancing your flask’s potential, is demanding but rewarding.

The guide’s step-by-step instructions ensure you don’t miss a single shard, making the process accessible for both newcomers and experienced players. Dark Souls 3’s remarkable level of design and world-building create engaging environments, each with unique challenges. The decision to confront or avoid enemies guarding the shards adds a strategic layer to the game.

Ultimately, these shards symbolize your growth and determination, making their collection a testament to your resilience in the unforgiving world of Dark Souls 3.