Firelink Shrine Dark Souls III Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Firelink Shrine is your base. You will find a few NPCs here and several interesting places that you can visit later. Now, during your first visit here, talk to Fire Keeper. You will find her downstairs, in the main part of this location. Use all the Souls to advance to the next level of experience. Depending on how much you have, you will be able to spend points on new skills. Invest points according to your playing style and the class that you've chosen (for example Strength is important when wearing heavy armors and it is also good to increase your HP amount).
After that, you can stick your sword into the Bonfire place located right next to Fire Keeper. It will allow you to travel to various places. Now, you can go to High Wall of Lothric. Head there right away or take a look around Firelink Shrine.
On the right, you will see a knight. Talk to him and you will receive a new gesture - Collapse. When you are in the central point, talk to Ludleth, who is sitting on the throne. When wandering through the lower parts, you will find Handmaid. It is an NPC from which you can buy items and sell yours. As for now, you should buy a Torch that will be of use in dark corridors, Notice also a Tower Key that costs 20000 souls. If you buy it, you will be able to go to another part of the Shrine, which is blocked now.
You will also meet Andre the Blacksmith. Talk to him three times to receive the Hurrah gesture. Remember to visit this NPC later to enhance your weapons and repair equipment. Here you can also set the proportions of the Flasks that you have (Estus Flasks to Ashen Estus Flasks). As for now, there's nothing interesting inside Firelink Shrine. Go outside or use the Bonfire to go to High Wall of Lothric.
Outside
To go outside using an alternative exit, head towards the main hall (with several thrones) and then towards the main entrance. Facing the entrance, take the stairs on the left leading up (screen).
After you go outside, you will find yourself near the locked tower (you can open it with the Tower Key that can be bought from Handmaid). Near the beginning of the stairs that lead to the tower, you can read a message on a tree.
Jump down from the coffins behind the tree. There is a body near which you will find Homeward Bone. A bit lower, you can jump down to collect Ember. If you go straight, you will go along the wall (another Ember). Near the end of it, on the stairs, you will see two enemies. Eliminate them and take East-West Shield from the tree. If you take the leftmost path, you will go down, to the main entrance to the shrine.
In front of you, you should see an enemy on to of the stairs. It is a half-naked man with a katana. Don't be mislead by his lack of armor - the enemy is very resilient and also very fast. Moreover, he deals huge damage with his weapon. The best strategy is to use a shield to block the attacks and counterattack.
Remember not to stay close to the enemy for too long, because he can stab you, dealing tremendous damage. Instead, wait until he is in a position with his weapon behind his back. This means that he is preparing his fast attack. You should dodge the attack (a simple backstep is enough) and then you will have your chance to deal some damage. Such strategy will allow you to stay in a safe distance. Throw Firebombs at the enemy also
If you have troubles defeating the enemy, lure him to the edge of the stairs. Try to throw him off the edge with a few quick attacks. As a reward for the fight, you will receive Master's Attire, Master's Gloves and the weapon that the enemy wielded - Uchigatana. This is a perfect weapon for someone with high Dexterity. The passage located behind the enemy is blocked, so until you unlock the tower door, you won't find anything here. Return to the shrine and head to High Wall of Lothric (place the sword in the Bonfire next to Fire Keeper if you haven't done it yet).