How To Use A Torch In Dark Souls 2 & All Torch Locations

Torches are a new gameplay mechanic in Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 2: Scholar Of The First Sin that are integral to the game. They can be used to scare certain enemies, light dark areas, light sconces to illuminate areas or ignite torches, and be used at specific points in the game to further progress or aid you in boss fights. However, the game doesn’t do a very good job of explaining how they work or how to use them, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide right here.

Using A Torch

In Dark Souls 2, torches do not take up an equipment slot. Instead, you automatically equip a torch in your left hand whenever you light them either at a bonfire by toggling the “Rest at bonfire” interaction, by lighting them on already-lit sconces or by using a Flame Butterfly item.

However, all torches have a five-minute countdown timer which only begins running once they have been lit and are in use. Unequipping your torch (By swapping back to your equipped weapon or shield) will pause the timer, and it will continue when you light your torch again. The timer for your current torch can be found in the equipment menu beside your garments or above your left-hand equipment slot in-game, and finding more torches will increase your torch time.

When the timer depletes, you lose the torch and will then need to light another torch. This will reduce your overall torch time until you find a new torch.

Dark Souls 2 Torch Locations

Torches are not sold by NPCs in Dark Souls 2, and the only way you can acquire them is by looting them off torch-wielding enemies or by finding them in the following locations:

Things Betwixt: One can be found behind a breakable wagon beside the game’s first bonfire.
Majula: Three can be found in a chest on the second floor of the locked mansion in Majula, accessed by speaking with Cale The Cartographer in the Forest Of Fallen Giants.
Forest Of Fallen Giants: One can be found on a corpse beside a tree in the courtyard outside of the Cardinal Tower bonfire room.
Forest Of Fallen Giants: One can be found on a corpse after climbing the large tree branch behind a fog wall, dropping onto a rooftop, and then dropping into a room with a Hollow Infantry.
Forest Of Fallen Giants: One can be found on a platform after climbing the large tree branch. Climb the ladder to the top of the platform but a void the several Hollows and the Pursuer mini-boss that drops onto the platform but disappears if you leave it.
Forest Of Fallen Giants: One can be found on a corpse after climbing the top of the courtyards near NPC Pate.
Forest Of Fallen Giants: One can be found on a corpse after using the Solider Key to unlock a door before the fog wall leading to the giant tree branch. The door leads to a dark corridor with skeletons and multiple braziers that can be lit.
Forest Of Fallen Giants: Three can be found in a chest by descending the Cardinal Tower bonfire ladder, crossing the bridge over the fire pit, and taking a right towards a locked door. Unlock it with the Soldier Key to find the chest.
Lost Bastille: Three can be found above the main beginning courtyard in the Lost Bastille, accessed by reaching the tower NPC Straid Of Olaphis can be found past a series of illusory doors.
Harvest Valley: Two can be found in the poison pit near the cave NPC Lonesome Gavlin can be found in.
Harvest Valley: One can be found on a corpse on the outskirts of the poison pit near the cave NPC Lonesome Gavlin can be found in.
Harvest Valley: One can be found behind a wall a giant must smash near the area’s second bonfire.
Earthen Peak: One can be found inside a chest before the Covetous Demon boss.
Iron Keep: One can be found on a corpse after dropping down onto the third walkway from the roof.
Shaded Woods: Three can be found on a corpse in the Shaded Ruins in a dilapidated building.
Shaded Woods: One is on a corpse behind a petrified Lion Clan Warrior near Manscorpion Tark.
Doors Of Pharros: One can be found on a corpse above the beginning flooded area.
Brightstone Cove Tseldora: One can be found on a corpse in a room after taking the first zip-line
Brightstone Cove Tseldora: Two can be found near the large courtyard on your way towards The Duke’s Dear Freja.
Brightstone Cove Tseldora: Three can be found on a corpse in the courtyard filled with spikes.
Grave Of Saints: One can be found on a corpse after lowering a drawbridge with a Pharros’ Lockstone found on the floor.
The Gutter: One can be found at the bottom of The Gutter in a jar.
Shrine Of Amana: Three can be found in a hut.
Memory Of Vammar: One can be found on a corpse in a tower.
Shulva, Sanctum City: Five can be found on a corpse near the Pagan Tree.
Iron Passage: Five can be found in a cell after pulling a level and running under a great before it closes.
Dragon’s Sanctum (Crown Of The Sunken King DLC): Three can be found on a corpse under a bridge in a room covered in spikes.
Dragon’s Sanctum (Crown Of The Sunken King DLC): Five more can be found on a corpse accessed by jumping off the elevator when it’s halfway down or up, near the Priestess’ Chamber bonfire.

While the torches can be farmed from torch-wielding enemies, it’s much easier just to be weary of how many torches you have and how much time you have left. Use them only when you really need to, and try to light all braziers so you can easily re-light torches as required.

What Can Torches Be Used For?

Alongside lighting braziers, torches in Dark Souls 2 can be used to scare Darkdwellers or Dark Stalkers at No-Man’s Wharf and Drangleic Castle, as well as other enemies. They can also be used to illuminate the Lost Sinner’s boss arena in Sinners’ Rise to make it easier to lock on and to burn the windmill at Earthen Peak to remove the poison water from the Mytha, The Baneful Queen boss encounter.

In addition to the above, torches can be used to illuminate dark areas, help you see inside the poison caverns in Harvest Valley, and fight enemies, although you shouldn’t rely on the latter.

Meanwhile, lighting all braziers in the Things Betwixt triggers a red phantom, and lighting sconces in Aldia’s Keep triggers the same NPC phantom. Holding a torch and entering the Undead Crypt will aggravate Grave Warden Agdayne and turn them hostile.