Trial of Champions

The Trial of Champions (試練の戦い) is a Location in Dark Souls. It is accessible via Oolacile Township. 

Information

The Trial of Champions is an online-exclusive PvP arena introduced in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. This area offers structured competitive battles across various formats, allowing players to test their mettle against others. The arena is conveniently located near the Oolacile Township Bonfire, just past the area where Knight Artorias is defeated. Players can participate in battles ranging from one-on-one duels to chaotic free-for-alls.

Rules

Arena Options

• Stages:
  • Arena: A circular platform.
  • Ruins: An open area with cover for strategic battles.
• Matchmaking:
  • Level 1–50
  • Level 51–100
  • Level 101–200
  • Level 200+
• Modes:
  • Duels: One-on-one combat lasting 3 minutes.
  • Co-op Battles: Two-on-two team matches lasting 6 minutes.
  • Free-for-Alls: Four players battling for dominance over 6 minutes.

Starting a Match

• Enter the holding room to the right after exiting Knight Artorias’s arena toward Oolacile Township.
• Interact with the blue bonfire in the holding room to select a stage and match type.
• Once transferred, wait behind a mechanical gate until the match begins. Standing in front of the gate designates you as the host.

Victory Conditions

• Crown System:
  • A large crown indicates the player with the most takedowns when the timer ends.
  • A small crown is awarded in case of a tie.
• Scoring:
  • Duels: Only personal takedowns count.
  • Co-op Battles: Takedowns are shared among team members.
  • Free-for-Alls: Takedowns of any player add points for everyone except the fallen.

Key Rules

• Matches are timed (3 minutes for duels, 6 minutes for team battles and free-for-alls).
• Falling behind in kills results in no loss of streak; only defeat resets a winning streak.
• Returning to the holding room or quitting the game resets the streak to zero.
• Special recovery and durability items like Repair Powder or Repair spells are essential to sustain longer matches.

Restricted Items

Certain items are not usable in the Trial of Champions:

• • Healing Items:
    • Estus Flask
    • Humanity
    • Twin Humanity
    • Goddess’s Blessing
    • Elizabeth’s Mushroom
  • Online Tools:
    • All multiplayer interaction items.

Mechanics

• Safe Period: Players cannot take damage immediately after dropping from the mechanical gate at the start of a match.
• Ring Indicators: A red ring floating above a gate signifies a player is waiting behind it, reducing matchmaking priority for that gate.
• Persistence: Buffs, such as weapon enchantments, persist even after being defeated.
• Death Reset: Losing does not turn the player hollow in the Trial of Champions, ensuring players remain in human form throughout matches.

Items

• Purple Coward’s Crystal:
  • Usage: Allows the player to leave the match and return to their world.
  • Availability: Always provided when participating in the Trial of Champions.

Notes

• Players should strategically use Repair Powder and durability-restoring spells to maintain weapon and armor effectiveness during extended sessions.
• The purple crystal, obtainable in the arena, allows players to leave matches early without penalty.

Trivia

• Rankings displayed on the Heroic Monument in the holding room reflect the most recent performance of a character. Switching characters does not update the displayed record.
• The arena offers a unique opportunity for strategic and thematic PvP battles, with players able to use a wide variety of builds and equipment setups.
• Although healing items are restricted, players can prepare for long battles using Repair Powder, spell buffs, or other means to maintain their edge.