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When creating a new character in Dark Souls, I am allowed to select a gift amongst:

  • Goddess's Blessing
  • Black Firebomb
  • Twin Humanities
  • Binoculars
  • Pendant
  • Master key
  • Tiny Being's Ring
  • Old Witch's Ring

Which item would you recommend me to choose for a first character knowing that I intend to enjoy the full game experience and plan to try to get all the trophies? I think that my criterion for selection would be in decreasing order of importance: is this item required for a trophy collection, is this item hard to get otherwise, is this item more useful than the others.

Side question, as the Master Key is part of the starting inventory of the Thief class, what happens when you select the Master Key as gift item?

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I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for putting up the question. – deutschZuid Oct 20 '11 at 13:54
It should be mentioned that all the gifts are available in the game through other means, so it's not a choice your character will be stuck with forever. – hammar Oct 22 '12 at 3:57

5 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

As of Patch 1.05 it is possible to buy the Master Key from Domhnall of Zena for 5000 souls, after you beat Blightown.

There are two items I would suggest:

  • Master Key: This will allow you to get into multiple places earlier. It is possible to get this, but not until much later into the game (by which point you may not find a use for it anymore).
  • Black Firebomb: This will allow you to easily kill the Asylum Demon the first time you see him in the Undead Asylum. Doing so will grant you the Great Demon Hammer..

The consumable items have no importance, and are a complete waste of a starting gift in my opinion, except for the fire bombs.

In response to your second question, starting as thief and choosing the master would result in you having two master keys.

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4  
Despite the master key not being available otherwise, I would advise players new to the Dark Souls/Demon's Souls games NOT to choose the master key. It allows you early access to areas far too difficult for the beginner player. Instead allow the game to allow you access these areas when the time is right. – YellowMegaMan Oct 19 '11 at 23:28
@YellowMegaMan That's a good point. I believe the first door it opens is to Havel the Rock, which is certainly not a fight intended for a beginner. slight spoilers However it does allow you to free Big Hat Logan as seen as you find him, removing the need to backtrack once you find the cage key. – Wipqozn Oct 20 '11 at 10:53
I seem to recall that the door to Havel the Rock was locked from his tower and the key didn't work there. It definitely allows to you access Queelag's Domain from the very beginning though. Fireshrine > Old Londo > Valley of Drakes > Blighttown > Queelag. – EvilAmarant7x Oct 28 '11 at 16:03
@EvilAmarant7x I opened the door to his tower with the master key, so I know it worked there. – Wipqozn Oct 28 '11 at 17:14
It's worth having as a thief if you know why to take it, but since thiefs get one anyway i take the twin humanities. There is a fantastic Holy sword called Astora's Straight Sword in the Valley of Drakes that is guarded by a sleeping undead dragon, but you can get it as well as a shield and a soul item safely if you pick them up and then run as the dragon is awakening. It might take you two trips but the items are worth it. – Ravekner Apr 15 at 18:10
up vote 3 down vote

I find that the Black Firebomb is a good choice for a first playthrough. It will allow you to kill the first boss in the game easily without fleeing, thus scoring you a powerful item. Having the strength to swing it is another matter.

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up vote 2 down vote

I would avoid the master key as it's almost game breaking, giving you access to areas and items way before you're suppose to have access to them. Other than that I would choose the pendant due to its mysticism.

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up vote 2 down vote

I went for the tiny beings ring. You die a lot in this game. Every time I survive and see that tiny bit of hp I thank myself for the decision.

As above, the Master's key can be more trouble than it's worth for new players because the game is disorientating enough without the shortcuts. But now that I am lvl 50 I wish I had it to save some time.

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I also choose the tiny beings ring. And it saved my ass more than one time ;-) – Sylvain Defresne Dec 23 '11 at 0:25
up vote 2 down vote

If you're a completionist, go for the Old Witch's Ring. It allows you to speak to Quelaag's Sister, so you will see game dialogue you will otherwise miss. The ring may have other effects too. It is possible to obtain this ring during the game, but only by trading away a rather useful item.

It doesn't look like any of the gift items are important for trophies/achievements. The only collection-related trophy is "Acquire all rare weapons", and none of the gifts are weapons.

See the list of trophies here. The list of achievements is the same.

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I suppose Black Firebomb is a type of weapon! But it's not the sort of weapon required for the trophy - these are swords, spears etc, and a sheild. – YellowMegaMan Oct 20 '11 at 4:14
2  
@YelowMegaMan The Black Firebomb may not be required for the trophy. But using it to kill the asylum demon at the start of the game by not running away lets you get his mace on your first play through very easy. – helletson2 Dec 29 '12 at 17:01

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