Getting the Bastille key:

Learn how to get the Bastille Key in Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin. This guide covers looting, enemy encounters, and using the key for merchants and boss areas.

Alright, so you've just finished a fight and you're on a rooftop. First things first, grab the Soul of a Proud Knight that's chilling on the edge there. Then, head over to the next tower and make your way downstairs. You'll find a chest with the Southern Ritual Band inside – snag that. After that, go ahead and light up the Bonfire; it's always good to have a safe spot.

Now, before you even think about heading down that ladder, listen up. There's an invader and a few hounds waiting for you below. If you're playing a ranged character, you can totally snipe them from up here. For those of you up close and personal, you'll want a solid shield. It'll help you block those nasty dog bites, though fair warning, it won't stop the bleeding. Once you've dealt with them, loot the corpse on the ground – it's got your Bastille Key. There's another corpse on top of the ledge nearby, and that one has an Enchanted Falchion.

So, what's this Bastille Key good for? Well, it unlocks the door to Steady Hand McDuff in the Lost Bastille. You'll find his door right at the bottom of those stairs where an enemy likes to roll a barrel at you. Head inside his shop, light up his Bonfire, and check out the chests. You'll get a couple of Large Titanite Shards, five Titanite Shards, ten Iron Arrows, and ten Heavy Bolts. McDuff's a merchant, but to get his shop fully operational, you'll need to give him a Dull Ember, which you can find later in the Iron Keep.

Remember that Bastille Key? It's also super useful in Sinner's Rise. You can use it to open up those locked cells and grab whatever loot is stashed inside. Plus, before you even face the Lost Sinner boss, you can use the key to open two specific doors. Doing this lets you light up the oil inside, making the boss arena a whole lot brighter. Oh, and you'll find a Small Smooth and Silky Stone in one of those rooms too.