In Dark Souls 3, leveling up typically requires spending hard-earned souls at the Firekeeper in Firelink Shrine. However, players looking for a free boost to their attributes can utilize Yoel of Londor's unique mechanic known as Draw Out True Strength. This process provides up to five free level ups, but it binds your character to a specific questline and introduces the Hollowing state.
Finding Yoel of Londor and Meeting Requirements
To access the ability to draw out true strength, players must first recruit Yoel of Londor from the Foot of the High Wall bonfire. Heading down the broken stairs leads to a group of pilgrims, where Yoel can be found alive and willing to offer his services. Accepting his offer sends him directly to Firelink Shrine, unlocking his unique leveling option.
Yoel will grant your very first free level up immediately upon speaking with him at Firelink Shrine without requiring any prerequisites. However, obtaining the remaining four free levels requires increasing your character's Hollowing level. Players seeking insights into RPG questlines and mechanic breakdowns often check daily gaming news for comprehensive guides.
Managing the Hollowing Mechanism
Every time Yoel draws out your true strength, he places a Dark Sigil in your inventory. Dying with a Dark Sigil increases your Hollowing stat proportionally to the number of sigils held. To unlock all five levels from Yoel, players must accumulate a total of 15 Hollowing levels by dying repeatedly between interactions.
A common strategy is to gain one level, die twice off a nearby cliff in Firelink Shrine, and return to Yoel for the next available draw. Repeating this cycle allows players to quickly reach the required Hollowing threshold before progressing too far into the game. Be mindful that Hollowing dramatically alters your character's physical appearance into a hollowed state.
Important Timing and Progression Deadlines
Completing Yoel's challenge requires strict attention to main story progression. If players defeat the Abyss Watchers before obtaining all five levels from Yoel, he will perish instantly, failing the questline. Securing all five levels quickly ensures Yoel dies naturally and Yuria of Londor arrives to replace him.
Yuria's arrival opens up powerful exclusive items, unique spells, and the Lord of Hollows ending route. Failing to draw out all true strength locks out these storyline options for the remainder of your playthrough. Proper timing makes this one of the most rewarding early-game side quests in Lothric.
