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Dark Souls 2 - Crown of the Old Iron King walkthrough and game guide

Every bonfire location, boss strategy and item location you will need to ace Crown of the Old Iron King, the second Dark Souls 2 DLC episode.

Dark Souls 2 wasn't exactly small to begin with, but judging by the two pieces of downloadable content released so far, it's going to be absolutely enormous by the time From Software finally stops adding to it. The latest instalment of DLC, Crown of the Old Iron King, is extensive.

It's the second of three parts of a trilogy called The Lost Crowns, as you probably know, and takes you through the perilous Brume Tower, where you will have to contend with numerous Axe Demons, Giant Club Demons, explosive enemies and a couple of fearsome bosses, including an old friend. There are fewer traps than the last instalment, but this is still a tough, corkscrewy set of locations with plenty of hidden surprises.

As well as dealing with those, you will also want to find out where all the bonfires are hidden and all the loot, too, so it's a good thing you've come to our Crown of the Old Iron King guide. Check out the individual sections below if you're stuck somewhere specific, or just read from the start if you feel like you want to stay one step ahead of the opposition at all times.

Cover image for YouTube video[60fps] Dark Souls 2 PS4 vs Xbox One Gameplay Frame-Rate Test
[60fps] Dark Souls 2 PS4 vs Xbox One Gameplay Frame-Rate Test

Oh, and if you are still picking through the last bits of Dark Souls 2 itself, make sure you check out our existing guide, which is as comprehensive as they come. We also have one for the previous DLC instalment. There are links below. Good luck!

Crown of the Old Iron King - Heavy Iron Key, Smelter Wedges, Brume Tower, bonfire, Soul of Nadalia, Scythe +7, Dance of Fire
How to access the DLC and make your way to Brume Tower.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Lloyd's Talismans, Goldenfruit Balm, Caestus +8, bonfire, Flame Quartz Ring +3
Work through Brume Tower, pocketing weapons and rings on the way.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Alonne Greatbow +5, Majestic Greatsword, Maldron the Assassin, Spell Quartz Ring +3, Scorching Iron Scepter
Get your hands on more weapons and items in Brume Tower.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Quicksword Rachel invasion, Recollection, using Scorching Iron Scepter, Tower Key door, bonfire, Sir Alonne boss guide
Deal with an invasion, find the Tower Key door, take on Sir Alonne in the optional memory.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Fire Snake Pyromancy, Strength Ring, Partizan +6, Sorcery Clutch Ring, how to reach Fume Knight
Find a new spell, weapon and more rings as you approach the final boss.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Fume Knight, boss guide, weaknesses, strategies
How to kill the Fume Knight, the final boss of the Old Iron King DLC.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Simpleton's Ring, Baneful Bird Ring, Pilgrim's Spontoon, Broadsword +7, how to reach Iron Passage
Sweep up loot in Brume Tower, then head to the Iron Passage side area.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Iron Passage, how to reach Smelter Demon
Summon some helpers and make your way to the DLC's side boss.

Crown of the Old Iron King - Smelter Demon, boss guide, weaknesses, strategies
How to kill our old friend the Smelter Demon.

Dark Souls 2 - walkthrough and strategy guide
Our complete guide to From Software's Dark Souls 2.

Dark Souls 2 - Crown of the Sunken King - walkthrough and strategy guide
How to finish the first DLC episode and find everything in it.

If you're stuck on the main game or the first episode, we have also have you covered there.