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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin

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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Iron Keep walkthrough covering items, hidden doors, the Iron Key, and the Smelter Demon boss fight.

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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin Iron Keep walkthrough covering items, hidden doors, the Iron Key, and the Smelter Demon boss fight.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    After emerging into the Iron Keep, head down the stairs on your left to find a Bonfire.
  2. 2
    Go back upstairs, cross the bridge, and kill the pair of enemies.
  3. 3
    Proceed through the large doors to a round area with a fire-breathing statue. Kill the two enemies here.
  4. 4
    Continue up the next stairs and kill the trio of enemies at the top, luring them downstairs if necessary.
  5. 5
    Return to where the archer was and interact with the wall to reveal a hidden door. Loot 20 Fire Arrows inside.
  6. 6
    Go through the door in the hidden room, then interact with the right-hand wall to activate another hidden doorway.
  7. 7
    Kill the enemy on the other side and grab the Pharros' Lockstone from the corner.
  8. 8
    Smash the pots in the room for fire resistance.
  9. 9
    Warning: Jump down to the floor below and grab the Iron Key near the fire spout. Take damage from the fire. You can skip this and wait until the last Bonfire in Iron Keep to turn off the statues.
  10. 10
    Take the stairs all the way down to a hallway. Travel to the end to find the merchant Magerold. Consider purchasing a Fragrant Branch of Yore.
  11. 11
    Return to where you entered the keep and go back up the stairs.
  12. 12
    Walk through the door into the open area with lava and follow the path to your left.
  13. 13
    Kill the next enemy, being mindful of archers.
  14. 14
    Go down the stairs on your right, kill the next enemy, and activate the lever to drop a bridge.
  15. 15
    Go back upstairs and cross the newly lowered bridge.
  16. 16
    At the end, drop onto the path, go right, and jump a small gap to loot the Zweihander Sword from a coffer.
  17. 17
    Head towards the opposite end of the path, kill the enemy, and walk through the mist to face the Smelter Demon.
Tips
  • Items on lava rocks are difficult to collect until the Iron King is defeated.
  • Kite enemies one at a time by edging closer and retreating.
  • Enemy attacks are generally easy to read, block, and respond to.
  • Smashing pots in a hidden room grants fire resistance.
  • The Iron Key is located near a fire spout and will cause damage.
  • A switch near the last Bonfire in Iron Keep can turn off fire-breathing statues.
  • The Smelter Demon is a tough boss; prepare by equipping a 100% damage-absorbing shield and light armor for mobility.
  • The Smelter Demon initially has a light coating of fire, but will later ramp up its flames.

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