10 Insane Dark Souls Shortcuts You Totally Missed

This particular shortcut is just as satisfying as it is invaluable, and once you know about it, it'd be very surprising if you ever played the game again without making use of it.

The depths is a pretty nasty area for the unprepared. With water than can slow your movement without the proper equipment, invading NPC phantoms and basilisks that will curse you if you're not careful, navigating these sewers takes a great degree of patience and vigilance. Thankfully, there are ways to circumvent much of the gruelling slog you're in for - provided you look hard enough.

Once you've disposed of the butcher at her chopping board, you need to roll through the boxes directly behind it and drop down into the tunnel below. The giant rat you find in there is vulnerable to a good old-fashioned plunge attack, which will normally finish it off in one or two hits.

After that, look for where the water runs down and squash yourself up against the left wall. If successful, you'll slide your way right down to the end of the area, skipping pretty much the whole level and providing quick access to both the boss and the nearby bonfire. It's a no-brainer!