DARK SOULS™ III

Tracked sources for DARK SOULS™ III were limited between 2022-04-11 and 2023-04-11, with only 2 verified changes captured in this window. The recorded activity centers on Reactivation of Online Features for PC and Fixed bugs from update 1.15.1 and sits between Extended matching range for players above level 351 on 2017-06-14 (balance_change) and no later tracked updates in the current dataset, making this a light but still readable period in the game's history.

• Verified activity: 2022-08-25 - Reactivation of Online Features for PC: Online features for the PC version of Dark Souls III have been reactivated.; 2023-01-12 - Fixed bugs from update 1.15.1: Addressed various bugs that were introduced in the previous update..
• What stands out: The period is defined more by a small number of isolated updates than by a large roadmap beat or expansion-sized release.
• Before this window: The closest earlier tracked activity was Extended matching range for players above level 351 on 2017-06-14 (balance_change).
• After this window: No later tracked activity is present in the current dataset.

Round Plaza joined DARK SOULS™ III as a new, flat duel arena built in response to player requests. A broad May combat rebalance also reshaped weapon skills, stamina costs, damage, scaling, and spell effectiveness, while online matchmaking expanded for high-level characters.

• New arena: Round Plaza added a relief-free setting for duels, giving the PvP arena rotation a straightforward flat layout.
• Combat rebalance: May’s adjustments affected a wide range of named weapons and abilities.
  • Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords, Farron Greatsword, Darkdrift, Astora Straight Sword, and Repeating Crossbow received damage, stamina, scaling, or skill changes.
  • Ledo’s Great Hammer gained stronger and faster Call to Stone attacks, while Gael’s Greatsword had its Blade of Peril damage and follow-up speed reduced.
  • Bloodlust, Aquamarine Dagger, Quakestone Hammer, Projected Heal, and Lightning Arrow received changes to bleed, stamina, attack power, or recovery.
  • Spears of the Church gained better absorption and stamina recovery in multiplayer conditions, with shorter Ritual Spear Fragment and Divine Spear Fragment cooldowns.
• Online play and combat corrections: Characters above level 351 gained a wider matching range, improving access to high-level online encounters. Follow-up fixes restored Friede’s Great Scythe shield-piercing attacks, prevented Bloodlust’s damage effect from disappearing, and stopped Lothric War Banner from passing negative status effects to allies.

The Ringed City expansion released on March 28, 2017, as Dark Souls III’s final adventure, adding a new region filled with enemies, characters, armor, weapons, and magic. Ashes of Ariandel also arrived, expanding the game with a cold new world, bosses, spells, equipment, and multiplayer content.

• The Ringed City: The expansion introduced the titular ancient city and its surrounding encounters, alongside new equipment and the Spear of the Church multiplayer boss role.
• Ashes of Ariandel: The first expansion added the Painted World of Ariandel, new enemies and bosses, and a PvP arena; guests also gained the ability to fight Sir Vilhelm in multiplayer.
• Undead Match: The arena suite expanded with three named battlegrounds:
  • Dragon Ruins: Added as a new Undead Match map.
  • Grand Roof of Lothric Castle: Added alongside Dragon Ruins.
  • Round Plaza: Joined the arena rotation in April 2017. Team password matchmaking and team splitting also made organized PvP easier.
• Combat rebalance: Regulation Version 1.32 and the surrounding balance updates substantially retuned weapons, infusions, skills, spells, and armor. Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords and Exile Greatsword lost damage, while Sunlight Straight Sword, Yorshka’s Spear, dagger critical attacks, sharp infusions, and several miracles received improvements.
• Online play: Darkmoon Blades and Blue Sentinels received broader matching ranges and could be summoned in groups of up to two. Hidden Body became effective against Angels, while Spear of the Church and Angel attacks were weakened in multiplayer.