What are bonfires? | Basics Dark Souls Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Bonfires are specific places in the world of Dark Souls. You can use them to replenish Estus Flask (only renewable source of HP recovery) and perform many other actions, like leveling up your character.

But remember, that resting by bonfire will bring back to life most of defeated enemies. Therefore a bonfire is a checkpoint/spawnpoint for a dead player, which also respawns defeated enemies.

By bonfire we can perform following actions:

1) Rest - just light a fire. Estus Flask and spells will be replenished. Rest heals you from Poison and Toxic, but not from Curse.

2) Level Up - leveling up the character if possessing enough souls.

3) Reinforce Weapon - available after finding/purchasing Weapon Smithbox from blacksmith Andre of Astora. Weapon reinforcement.

4) Reinforce Armor - available after finding/purchasing Armor Smithbox from blacksmith Andre of Astora. Armor reinforcement.

5) Repair Equipment - available after finding/purchasing Repairbox from blacksmith Andre of Astora. Equipment repair.

6) Attune Magic - change of memorized spell.

7) Access Bottomless Box - access to Bottomless Box (items storage). We can purchase it from Domhnall of Zena in Depths and in Anor Londo later on.

8) Warp - teleporting between certain bonfires. Available after obtaining the Lordvessel. You can teleport to the following bonfires: Firelink Shrine, Undead Parish, Depths, Anor Londo, The Duke's Archives , Painted Word Of Ariamis, Crystal Cave, Tomb Of The Giants, Sanctuary Oolacile (Artorias Of The Abyss).

9) Kindle - lightning a fire, which increases stock of Estus Flask at certain bonfire. It costs 1 Humanity. It can be performed only in human form. It can be strengthened after receiving Rite of Kindling (you must defeat Pinwheel boss).

10) Reverse Hollowing - transformation into human form. It costs 1 Humanity.