A Complete Guide to Dark Souls: (NO LEVELING UP) NO DEATH RUN

In this video I cover a heavily edited complete guide on how to beat all of Dark Souls without dying, and without leveling your character. This was an extremely difficult challenge that I spent over 50 hours on.
Rules for this challenge:
1. If you die at any point during the run, you have to restart the entire save file from nothing.
2. You may not level up your character at bonfires at all, this is an SL1 challenge.
3. All forms of magic are banned, pyromancy, sorcery, and miracles.
4. Blocking with a shield is banned, but carrying one isn't
5. Quit outs are allowed, but not during boss fights/in boss arenas
Video Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:06 - An Intro to Dark Souls
3:32 - Challenge Rules
5:20 - The Setup
13:20 - Bell Gargoyles
15:50 - Blighttown
20:40 - Rolling Mechanics
22:31 - Chaos Witch Quelagg
25:38 - Ceaseless Discharge
28:15 - Dark Wood Grain Ring
29:38 - Sen's Fortress
35:40 - Iron Golem
39:17 - Anor Londo
44:10 - Ornstein and Smough
52:48 - The Fight
56:17 - The Setup 2
59:07 - Great Grey Wolf Sif
1:00:49 - New Londo Ruins
1:03:40 - Four Kings
1:12:03 - The Catacombs
1:15:01 - Tomb of the Giants 1
1:16:20 - Ring Of Fog
1:18:24 - Tomb of the Giants 2
1:19:56 - Gravelord Nito
1:21:36 - The Duke's Archives
1:26:32 - Seath the Scaleless
1:27:25 - Lost Izalith
1:30:10 - Bed of Chaos
1:36:50 - Kiln of the First Flame
1:37:53 - Him
1:44:44 - Personal Experience
1:51:40 - Outro
If you'd like to view the full unedited recording of the run, here is the link to the raw recording: • Dark Souls SL1 Permade...
I have all of the music used in this video timestamped and organized on a google doc here: docs.google.com/document/d/1x...

[@TheBones5]

Thank you all for watching :) I had to reupload this video because of a copyright issue, it should be good now I have a few things to say, First, the Ornstein and Smough manga intro was primarily created with AI, I used photoshop to make the shading and dialog more manga like, but the source images were either in-game renders or AI generated, I'm not an artist and I don't want to confuse people into thinking I am one. Second, the tech that I refer to as "switch canceling" is actually toggle escaping, I heard the term switch canceling used once and just ran with it, but the community widely uses the term toggle escaping, sorry about that. I have all of the music I used in a google doc organized and timestamped here: docs.google.com/document/d/1xc7efV51G56mSzWbP-Qi7l7A4lKIo-HB5eV5L4lJBqY/edit?usp=sharing

[@Ironseal7536]

Merry Christmas dude

[@AlphaBeta-bu2iu]

bro this was an amazing vid keep it up man

[@alexanderhaaf8667]

DARK SOULS MENTIONED, RAHHHHH!!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS AN UNBROKEN CONTROLLER?!?!?!?

[@lynxpolska9508]

such a shame for such a huge project to have such low attention bruh u deserve a ton more of it

[@user-xb4xw4we2t]

Dude, this video was amazing. It actually got me in a really bad time on my life, and made me fckn CRY for actually FELLING something other than nothingness. As someone who spent some good hours in souls games i really admire your determination and compassion. There's more things on life beside struggles and repeats, and you just reminded me that. You reminded me that when you really want to make something happen, even with so many failed atempts and frustration overcoming you, there's a achievement behind every fight that makes everything worth it. Everyday, just a little further.

[@chewstew6994]

Honestly, I would love to see you ramble about Ornstein and Smough. Seeing you passionately ramble about things in general is always enjoyable.

[@bapho-p]

The calm commentary with such detailed instructions... It's good for winding down to, which feels ironic considering how hard a SL1 run is.

[@Physical____825]

Engagement booster

[@brennenspeal3084]

Engagement booster 2

[@o1aa3hjuqe]

Engagement booster 3

[@chewstew6994]

Engagement booster 4

[@austenaraiza2169]

Engagement Booster 5

[@gormflaith2326]

Engagement booster 6

[@sarcasmic_0]

This upload made my christmas way better!

[@Zopilot_aj]

Thank you for actually explaining things about dark souls 😭😭 every video I watch expects me to know everything, but I really enjoy the game. Hella underrated content creator ❤

[@Monoshot1989]

You put a great spin on this game and you deserve more recognition.

[@Quantumethan]

once this alg picks u up ur gonna be crazy sucessful

[@aarianna1504]

i have not played dark souls before, but the way everything was explained and presented made this entire video very enjoyable and easy to understand!! great work!!

[@g-56]

Underated video, you deserve more subs

[@perk9696]

I’m so glad you plugged this in your last video. I never liked games like these, I’m a shooter fan but not only did you get me back into fnaf, but you got me to give Elden Ring another shot. This video is so gas 🙏

[@Infantryman-ct7qt]

i came from your fnaf videos, and just watching them, your effort and editing style is absolutely amazing and reminds me of many high tier youtubers with hundreds of thousands, if not MILLIONS of channels. you are a massive inspiration for me as a content creator as well, and i really hope you can get out there more often

[@matthewthomas4642]

Im so glad you did a dark souls video, I love these long style in depth videos you do there great to throw on to watch and to just play in the backround and listen to such a underrated channel .

[@Xanman22512]

This is a great in-depth breakdown with some top notch editing. Well done!

[@BartixShieldsmen]

As someone who only recently enough beat it like half a year ago seeing someone do a run like this is incredible to me. Especially with stuff like the Seath skip since I already knew that would be a potential roadblock in the first moments of reading the title. Kinda makes me feel like a baby almost watching this in the sense of I knew how to walk but this is how you run a marathon, where I still had so much to learn. Lotta stuff here too that I can use on a replay of the game (I am definitely gonna try the bed of chaos cheese, fuck that boss). Awesome video on an amazing game!

[@tnwm6018]

This is such a good video and guide, deserves way more than 2.4k views - Keep up the great work! :)

[@Anna-rx3gz]

this video deserves way more views! found you through fnaf but as a long time dark souls fan this was an amazing watch. great editing as always, and can't wait to see more fnaf/other challenges from you in the future!

[@LinkasYT]

Your editing is insanely good!

[@randomlywerewolf6016]

Fr!

[@matthijscalje4143]

Turns out i just watched this whole video completely invested. This is such good video with so much more research in it than i expected. Its criminal how little views this has

[@DaftBanana]

this is my first time watching anything dark souls related and it was so amazing. It was super easily to follow what was going on and it was seriously impressive!!

[@re-toggle2502]

love these vids. really fun style of editing :)

[@Tommyfiish]

Originally came from your fnaf videos and liked your content so I watched this without ever playing a dark souls game (aside from getting like level 30 in elden ring) I think Ima try this game out cuz this video was so entertaining

[@morphonight]

I just found your channel and I love the style of your videos and how you present everything! Super excited to have a longform video like this to watch from you - hopefully this gets some more love soon because the video (and you) deserve it!

[@M3G4T3RR4]

Never played Dark Souls, but you suggested this video in your Blind Mode Mad Freddy Insta-Foxy video, so I felt inclined to watch it. Thanks for making such great videos!

[@donkeyching8339]

perfect! i’m about to start my first run of dark souls and of course i have to make it as difficult as possible! new sub and just wanted to say that i love your content, fnaf or not it’s all super entertaining

[@tiropita2164]

Very good vid, hopefully it blows up eventually

[@bootleg_24]

looks like im playing darks souls again can't wait for the crying session

[@DaMckAcs]

Finally finished the vid. It was very entertaining and fun to watch. Its sad it didn't get the attention it should. Keep up the good work.

[@squidplop8498]

Another masterpiece by TheBones5! You inspire me with making my own videos, so thank you! 💯💪🏻 Also, I loved the Fawful’s Minion reference during the Gwyn section! That was one of my favorite videos of his when I first discovered him!

[@shockwavve]

came for the fnaf stayed for the dark souls. congrats on completing such a huge challenge!! i could literally never imagine doing something like this i would actually rip my hair out before the 3rd reset. major props to you for sticking through it!! and your editing is so fun :)

[@akosbelecz5704]

This was a great watch! Also, I really respect you for spending so much time making a video that's so different from your previous stuff. Your editing style is amazing and I think your channel is bound to blow up if you keep making content that you feel passionate about.

[@BoxySonic]

Proud to be a fnaf fan whos been playing through my Elden ring NG+6 while listening to your videos These videos from all the games you play are all great and i would love to see more of both

[@cupmaster275]

Thanks for the Christmas present Bones and can't wait see what will be your next challenge/guide

[@TheBones5]

thanks for tuning into the streams bro, great to have you here

[@cupmaster275]

@@TheBones5 Your welcome

[@matthijscalje4143]

I loooove dark souls. Played elden ring a million times and finished ds1 recently. Gonna keep this on in the background to give you an algorithm boost

[@Zilong09]

Comment to show support. I'll admit, I couldn't watch it all in one sitting. I'll need to come back to this. The editing is good.

[@hannahboyd2932]

I’ve never watched or played dark souls, but I will be watching anyways! Love me a long video

[@sabirbeats1462]

Your videos are always a master class in engaging commentary mixed with funny on-screen jokes for viewers and great bg song choices throughout. I’ve been a fan since the first 1k and I can’t wait for more. I LOVE THEBONES5 KZbin CHANNEL ON KZbin ‼️🗣️

[@xxtyphlosionxx8122]

Im glad you are looking at the souls games for challenge runs there is so much there

[@TheBones5]

yeah i'd love to make more content on them, unfortunately it doesn't do nearly as well as fnaf for views

[@glitch6183]

​@@TheBones5 i hope it can be between things for revenue, and other challenge games, i know jack shit about this series but i am still sitting and watching this because long, new and entertaining still Though the blacksmith part was cheating i didnt know you were preparing to kill him i just thought his dialogue was sad fuck you-

[@mylo445]

love dark souls thank you for making this

[@andrewkelley9405]

Absolute madlad

[@amale441]

Thanks for the great tips on how to beat the bell gorgols

[@deadangel03]

Praise the run!!

[@milkenthusiast2266]

I don't normally leave comments but I must say this video was magnificent and very well done, and I would love to see you make more long format videos, as well as videos on topics besides fnaf. Keep up the good work my man.

[@user-wp1py1nb6y]

bro is good asf

[@Shawn-hj9jb]

Great walkthrough 😂

[@supaNESlova]

this is insanely underrated

[@akoto5649]

how does this only have 11k views. you deserve alot more subs i just discovered yourchannel

[@betravoid]

Its really upsetting this video did so poorly, i would have LOVED to see more content like this from you

[@saintroves]

Yo sup g, love these complete guides you do, whether it’s Fnaf or not. I have a suggestion for a “Complete Guide” game that you could like doing, that being Baldi’s Basics, ( the original, not Field Trip) as it’s premise is to evade baldi and collect notebooks, with other characters posing as threats to that, and if that’s not difficult you could do the “Wring Answers Only” run, as that is the hardest to complete ( with a secret ending with it as well) Hope you’ll at least like it. anyway love the vids and I hope you reach 100k bro 👊

[@waroztier]

Came here after watching the latest fnaf 4 video and I just gotta say you got some great quality stuff, keep doing videos on whatever's interesting to you and have fun with it. With videos like these I'm sure the views will follow!

[@TheBones5]

appreciate it bro, we can only hope

[@triskalii9427]

Really sucks that this video didn’t pop off like the fnaf ones, this is easily your best video so far

[@roleye]

love the vid!

[@nameunknown8441]

While I have done SL1 in DS3 and BL4 on bloodborne (without the DLCs of course I am not insane) I never did attempt with DS1. Since I plan on buying the Remastered soon I might give it a try with your video mate.

[@prestonhunter45]

Don’t even know dark souls but here for the algorithm

[@TheBones5]

my man, respect

[@kingpotato3359]

I love when a new youtuber comes along with great content, has their first few video's on a certain topic blow up, and then the moment they release a great quality video on something else it the video bombs. Real talk, it's a shame. I really hope this shit blows up as well. My only guess to fix this is to try and upload more varied content now and not focus FNAF too much, but with how the algorithm works, who knows what will happen. All I know is I'll be sticking around for the ride. Good luck brotha, you deserve better.

[@TheBones5]

Thanks for the kind words brother, we will keep going, eventually It won't matter I hope

[@kingpotato3359]

I hope so too... @@TheBones5

[@esh_tbe_fox]

Video without fnaf is..... an amazing video (Edit) after watching roughly half the video 1:11:59 I can say it is a masterpiece of a video, actually your bests one. You have proved to me that you are a man of culture, not a guy who just play fnaf. I'm not saying that fnaf is a bad game. it's just so repetitive, anyway. as for someone who isn't familiar with souls games, I actually enjoyed it, so thxs

[@rosestar1324]

I never played this game before. I heard it's super hard and I'm kinda scared to attempt to play it. Bur you have a pleasant voice, so I can play this video a few times to give it views.

[@TheBones5]

appreciate any help brother, thank you very much

[@callmeconnor6429]

this video was great, you should make on for ds2 and 3

[@ouranos4407]

I love this video so far, but I really have to disagree with the 'Never Lock On' advice around 13:38 , mostly because locking on is important for keeping your camera focused on a boss. You shouldn't ALWAYS lock on, but generally, for both beginners and advanced players, locking on means you'll have an easier time dodging to the side. Dodging left or right for most enemies is better for you because dodges have Invincibility frames, and dodging to the side (often times the best side is the one opposite of their swinging arm) keeps you within melee reach. Locking on also reveals specific body parts that either have weakpoints or are mechanically relevant. You know this already, but for any new players, it's alright to lock on to bosses. Don't do it all the time, especially with multiple bosses at once, but it's not a NEVER-option.

[@TheBones5]

Locking on locks your rolling in four directions, this can lead to a lot of accidental rolling inputs like backwards or forwards when you meant to go to the side. For any game that isn’t DS1 yeah you should use the lock on, but here specifically it always got me killed more than it helped. But I also wasn’t using a shield, if you’re blocking attacks it can definitely help

[@sonicmeerkat]

man how does this only have 12k views?

[@Tulip_bip]

ornstein was one of gwyn's four knights, and smough wanted to be one but was seen as too animalistic and brutal (he's an executioner that uses a giant hammer, and he eats the bodies). when smough dies first, ornstein pays his respects because of how powerful smough was, disregarding their differences. but when ornstein is nearly dead, smough is happy to crush him out of spite. and the only reason he fought with ornstein in the first place was because of his strength you can even hear smough laughing during the fight if you listen hard enough, he's one of the only characters who's just straight up evil

[@gianroque968]

"I first considered beating the entire game without dying, but I thought that would be too easy." aight bro 💀

[@arthurmelo5030]

Guys will see this and say “hell yeah” Hell yeah!

[@Stephano1]

Why does this video have so little views? Take my engagement booster comment.

[@on_the_r04d43]

Bravo

[@macaroni12]

Everyone watch this man’s content and subscribe cuz he make actually fire videos with great editing and content so yeah👍👍👍

[@Grapemuncher55]

this is crazy

[@bossome4days]

I beat O&S using lock on because I was so used to playing DS3, I didn't realize it locked your roll movement into 4 directions.

[@Lun69286]

Nice

[@Cr1spy4L]

Yo he actually did it

[@void-highlighter]

cool vid

[@omermohammed5092]

underated ahh video

[@TryksterJawbreaker]

This only has 5k views??? Unreal

[@kylarstern17]

28:04 he can still do his suicide attack, you just have to run all the way back to his sister's corpse first.

[@allthelittleworms]

let's take a moment to appreciate the monumental amount of time and effort that went into making this video... I can only imagine what your desktop looked like as you were recording this

[@TheBones5]

It was 3/4 of the way full 🫡

[@MuddyV]

Le calm edits

[@graveantelol]

Yes

[@leafoftales4098]

What editing program did you use for the Ornstein and Smough edit? I wanna learn how to do that one day but premiere feels limiting and after effects is annoying

[@TheBones5]

i'm not sure which one you mean, I created the lil manga thing with photoshop and bing image generator, and did the other edit with premiere

[@BenFielding-yh3ly]

Please can you do a custom night 50/20 strategy? That would be amazing

[@csconnor5160]

Dank souls 😀

[@Ironseal7536]

The vid is up 🙏🙏

[@TheBones5]

Watch till tomb of the giants there’s a surprise for you there thanks for being in the streams man

[@milkapefgc]

Was that a Fawful’s Minion reference I heard at 1:38:31?

[@TheBones5]

HOLY SHIITTT HE GOT IT

[@milkapefgc]

@@TheBones5i love his stuff so much. Btw this video is so fucking good bro. I don’t even play Dark Souls and I was engaged from start to finish. Excellent work!

[@bakunawa4521]

Aye, 10k views! That's neat.

[@shaynehughes6645]

6:57 Technically, if you lock-on an enemy while in an attack animation, you lose 1 point of damage for no reason so this statement is incorrect.

[@epochri]

I followed the guide and once I reached Andre I noticed I only have 2 large titanite shards and no regular shards

[@huskiesplays8420]

Ornstein and Smough rant when

[@_y4020]

peak

[@alexanderhutton7514]

thebones5 dark souls tutorial 😮

[@TheBones5]

AP fight analysis

[@communistboba9935]

My girlfriend told me to like the video for support. I am now commenting, and will watch the video after this comment

[@TheBones5]

marry her

[@trueflaminatorz4321]

Watching peak rn

[@forcrit2562]

Me when going into this video: Well, im fairly certain he's gonna cheese through late game via pyromancy You being the absolute madlad you are: No magic Holy fucking shit you suffered so much for our entertainment

[@thesonicfanboi]

I can't believe you didn't bring up quelaags extra 0.5% chance abdomen attack. My trust has been betrayed, and my day is ruined 😞

[@Spidervenom966]

Dark soullssssss

[@scottsworldetmnins3171]

Dark souls 2 challege can we beat it without remembering it sucks

[@mememammoth7708]

Darsoul

[@derpo9990]

🧀

[@derpo9990]

Cheese

[@monkemovements6150]

Engagement boosties