Navigating the treacherous verticality of Brume Tower requires a specialized idols of ash area 2 guide to ensure you don't miss the essential fragments of the Soul of Nadalia. As the second major DLC area in Dark Souls 2, the Crown of the Old Iron King introduces the Ashen Idols—stationary entities that buff nearby enemies and heal bosses. To progress effectively and eventually claim the True Soul of Nadalia, players must locate and neutralize 11 of these idols using Smelter Wedges, with the final fragment held by the formidable Fume Knight. This idols of ash area 2 guide will walk you through every location, from the initial descent into the ash-covered ruins to the memory of the Iron King himself.
Understanding Smelter Wedges and Requirements
Before embarking on your hunt, you must understand the economy of Smelter Wedges. These are consumable items specifically designed to "disarm" the Ashen Idols. Without them, the idols will continue to emit a red aura that can curse you or significantly strengthen the Iron Warriors and possessed armors guarding the tower.
To complete the full Soul of Nadalia, you need a total of 11 Smelter Wedges. You receive the first six immediately upon entering the DLC, located on a corpse just before the massive chain leading to Brume Tower. The remaining wedges are scattered throughout the environment or locked behind boss encounters.
| Wedge Set | Quantity | Location / Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Set | 6 | Found on a corpse before the first Brume Tower chain. |
| Hidden Set | 4 | Located in a chest within the hallway of exploding barrels. |
| Final Wedge | 1 | Dropped by Sir Alonne in the Memory of the Old Iron King. |
⚠️ Warning: Do not waste your Smelter Wedges on idols you cannot reach safely. If you run out of wedges before reaching the Fume Knight, the boss fight becomes significantly harder as the idols around his arena will constantly heal him.
Idols of Ash Area 2 Guide: The First Six Locations
The first half of your journey involves navigating the upper and middle tiers of the tower. Many of these idols are placed in "trap rooms" where environmental hazards like fire-breathing statues or floor grates make movement difficult.
Idols 1 and 2: The Initial Descent
The first two idols are relatively straightforward. As you descend from the first bonfire, you will encounter them in open areas. Simply approach the idol with a Smelter Wedge equipped and interact with it. The idol will glow, crumble, and leave behind a Soul of Nadalia fragment.
Idol 3: The Iron Warrior Room
This is often considered one of the most difficult idols to neutralize. It is located in a large circular room guarded by an Iron Warrior—a massive giant that leaks lava from its shoulders. The idol constantly heals the giant, making it nearly impossible to kill the enemy through traditional means. We recommend kiting the giant away from the idol or using a distracting item before rushing in to use the wedge.
Idol 4: The Curse Tower
Starting from the Foyer bonfire, cross the chain to the separate, detached tower. This area is heavily cursed. To survive this section of the idols of ash area 2 guide, you should equip the Hollow Skin mask (found elsewhere in the DLC) or the Cursebite Ring. A red phantom will invade you here; defeat him before descending to the bottom where the fourth idol resides.
Reaching the Tower Peak and Foyer Idols
Once you have acquired the Tower Key and the Scorching Iron Scepter, you can activate the elevators in the Foyer. This opens up the remaining sections of the tower.
Idol 5: The Top of Brume Tower
Use the lifts to reach the very apex of the tower. You will be invaded by Prowlers (multiple phantoms). You can choose to fight them all or sprint past them to the idol. Once the wedge is inserted, the fragment is yours.
Idol 6: The Upper Level Bonfire
From the Upper Level bonfire, you will find a door that requires the Tower Key. Inside, an Iron Warrior guards the sixth idol. If you have the Scorching Iron Scepter inserted into the mechanism, you can use the environment to help dispatch the enemies here before claiming the fragment.
| Idol Number | Key Item Needed | Hazard Level | Recommended Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | None | High (Curse) | Hollow Skin / Cursebite Ring |
| 5 | Scorching Iron Scepter | Medium | High Poise Armor |
| 6 | Tower Key | Medium | Fire Resistance |
The Fume Knight’s Layer: Idols 7 through 10
The bottom of Brume Tower houses the DLC's primary antagonist, the Fume Knight. This area is unique because four Ashen Idols are placed directly outside the boss fog gate. If these idols are not destroyed, they will cast a healing spell on the Fume Knight whenever he stands near the edge of the arena.
Following this idols of ash area 2 guide strategy is vital: ensure you have at least 4 Smelter Wedges before reaching the Lowermost Floor bonfire.
- Light the Bonfire: Do not attempt the idols until the Lowermost Floor bonfire is active.
- Hug the Walls: You can actually reach the idols by hugging the outer walls of the arena, often avoiding the aggro of the nearby heat-tracking enemies.
- Neutralize All Four: Even if you don't plan on fighting the boss immediately, destroying these idols provides four fragments and makes the eventual battle much fairer.
Sir Alonne and the Final Fragments
After defeating the Fume Knight, you will receive the 12th fragment of the Soul of Nadalia. However, you likely still have one Ashen Idol remaining and need one more Smelter Wedge.
The final Smelter Wedge is held by Sir Alonne. To reach him, you must have the Ashen Mist Heart (from the Ancient Dragon in the base game) and the Tower Key. Interact with the glowing red suit of armor at the top of Brume Tower to enter the Memory of the Old Iron King.
💡 Tip: Sir Alonne is one of the fastest bosses in Dark Souls 2. Focus on agility and rolling rather than blocking with a shield, as his attacks can quickly deplete your stamina.
Once Sir Alonne is defeated, check the throne in the back of his room to find the 11th Smelter Wedge. Now, return to the Foyer bonfire. There is a cursed room nearby filled with Possessed Armor and Ash Warriors. Clear the room, use your final wedge on the 11th Ashen Idol, and you will see the message: "The True Soul of Nadalia is acquired."
Rewards: Transmuting the Soul of Nadalia
Once you have completed the idols of ash area 2 guide and possess the full Soul of Nadalia, you can visit Straid of Olaphis or Weaponsmith Ornifex to trade it for powerful endgame items.
| Reward | Merchant | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcry | Straid of Olaphis | Pyromancy | 45,000 Souls |
| Chime of Screams | Weaponsmith Ornifex | Chime | 20,000 Souls |
Outcry is widely considered the superior choice for both PVE and PVP. It functions similarly to Chaos Storm but casts significantly faster and deals dark-based fire damage, making it a staple for hexer and pyromancer builds in 2026.
For more information on Dark Souls 2 mechanics and DLC secrets, visit the official Dark Souls II Steam community.
FAQ
Q: Can I get the Soul of Nadalia without killing Sir Alonne?
A: No. While you can find 10 wedges in the world, the 11th wedge is a mandatory drop from Sir Alonne. You must defeat him to disarm the final idol and complete the soul.
Q: What happens if I fight the Fume Knight without destroying the idols?
A: The Fume Knight will be healed for a portion of his health whenever he moves near the edge of the arena where an active idol is standing. This makes the fight significantly longer and more difficult.
Q: Where can I find the Tower Key mentioned in this idols of ash area 2 guide?
A: The Tower Key is located on a corpse in the lower levels of Brume Tower, near the area with the multiple fire-breathing statues and the "scorched" ground. It is required to access the elevators and the Memory of the Old Iron King.
Q: Does the Hollow Skin mask really stop the curse from the idols?
A: Yes, the Hollow Skin provides 1000 resistance to Curse, effectively making you immune to the curse build-up emitted by the Ashen Idols in the separate tower and the Foyer side-rooms.