Navigating the treacherous heights of Brume Tower in the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC requires more than just combat prowess; it demands a keen eye for secrets and the right items to progress. Players often find themselves stuck wondering about idols of ash how to open all doors and how to neutralize the glowing statues that buff nearby enemies. These statues, known as Ashen Idols, harbor fragments of the Soul of Nadalia, Bride of Ash. To fully "open" the path to the DLC’s true ending and claim the ultimate pyromancy, you must systematically track down 11 Smelter Wedges and use them to silence the 11 idols scattered throughout the tower.
Understanding idols of ash how to open all doors involves a combination of finding physical keys for the iron gates and using Smelter Wedges for the magical barriers. In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we will detail every location, prerequisite, and boss encounter required to complete the Soul of Nadalia and conquer the soot-covered halls of Brume Tower.
Essential Items and Prerequisites
Before you can effectively clear the tower, you need specific items that act as "keys" to the environment. Without the Scorching Iron Scepter or the Tower Key, large sections of the map remain inaccessible. Furthermore, the final fragment of Nadalia’s soul cannot be obtained without the Ashen Mist Heart from the base game.
| Item Name | Primary Function | Location/Method |
|---|---|---|
| Smelter Wedge | Destroys Ashen Idols to gain soul fragments. | Found in stacks of 6 at the start, 4 in the tower, and 1 after Sir Alonne. |
| Tower Key | Opens various locked iron doors throughout Brume Tower. | Located on a corpse in the lower pits of the tower, past the fire-breathing statues. |
| Scorching Iron Scepter | Activates the tower's elevators and machinery. | Found in a chest near the Foyer bonfire after descending the spike-trap room. |
| Ashen Mist Heart | Allows entry into the Iron King's Memory. | Obtained from the Ancient Dragon in the Dragon Shrine (Base Game). |
Warning: Do not use all your Smelter Wedges on the first few idols you see if you aren't prepared for the Fume Knight. You need at least four wedges for the boss arena to prevent him from healing during the fight.
Finding All 11 Smelter Wedges
You cannot solve the puzzle of idols of ash how to open all doors without the wedges. You start with six, but finding the remaining five requires exploring the most dangerous corners of the DLC.
- Initial Six: These are found on a corpse immediately after descending the first giant chain into Brume Tower.
- The Hidden Four: Located in a chest within a hallway filled with exploding barrel-carrying hollows. You must use the Scorching Iron Scepter to activate the elevators to reach this side-path from the Foyer bonfire.
- The Final Wedge: This is the most difficult to obtain. You must defeat Sir Alonne in the Iron King's Memory. The wedge is located on the chair in his throne room after the battle.
Ashen Idol Locations: Step-by-Step Guide
The Ashen Idols are not just collectibles; they actively hinder your progress by healing enemies, inflicting curse, or buffing the Fume Knight. Here is how to locate and neutralize them.
The Upper Tiers (Idols 1-3)
The first two idols are encountered early and are relatively simple to find. They are positioned near the initial bonfire. The third idol is located in the infamous "Iron Warrior" room. This giant enemy will constantly be healed by the idol until you use a Smelter Wedge on it. It is highly recommended to lure the Iron Warrior away or dodge its slow swings while you sprint to the idol to disable the healing aura.
The Cursed Tower (Idol 4)
To reach the fourth idol, start at the Foyer bonfire and cross the massive chain to the separate, circular tower. This area is heavily cursed. You will be invaded by a phantom (Maldron the Assassin) who will flee down the stairs.
| Recommended Gear | Reason |
|---|---|
| Hollow Skin Mask | Grants 1000 Curse Resistance (Immunity). |
| Cursebite Ring | Significantly slows the curse buildup. |
| Alluring Skulls | Distracts the smaller enemies while you rush the idol. |
The High Peaks and Inner Sanctum (Idols 5-6)
Idol 5 requires the Tower Key and the Scorching Iron Scepter. Take the elevators up from the Foyer to the very top of Brume Tower. You will be ambushed by Prowlers; kill them or ignore them to reach the idol. Idol 6 is accessed via the Upper Level bonfire. You will encounter another Iron Warrior behind a glowing door. Open the door, dodge the warrior, and neutralize the idol to stop the reinforcements.
The Fume Knight’s Arena (Idols 7-10)
These four idols are critical. They surround the fog gate leading to the Fume Knight. If left active, they will heal the boss whenever he stands near the edge of the arena.
💡 Tip: If you run out of Smelter Wedges here, you will have a significantly harder time fighting the Fume Knight. Always prioritize these four idols before attempting the boss.
The Final Idol (Idol 11)
The 11th idol is located in a cursed room adjacent to the Foyer bonfire. This room is locked and requires the Tower Key. Because this idol is in a confined space with several powerful knights, it is best to clear the enemies one by one before approaching the statue. Once you use the final wedge obtained from Sir Alonne, you will receive the final fragment.
Navigating the Iron King's Memory
To truly understand idols of ash how to open all doors, you must venture into the past. The Iron King's Memory is accessed via the glowing red armor at the top of the tower. This area is a "gauntlet" style level where you must fight Alonne Knights and Fire Lizards.
- Sir Alonne Strategy: He is incredibly fast. Use a shield with high stability or master the roll-timing. Do not get greedy with hits; one or two swings after his dash attack is usually the safest window.
- The Reward: After defeating him, the path to the throne room opens. This is where you find the 11th Smelter Wedge, allowing you to complete the Soul of Nadalia.
Rewards for Completing the Soul of Nadalia
Once you have all 12 fragments (11 from idols and 1 from the Fume Knight), they will automatically combine into the True Soul of Nadalia, Bride of Ash. You can trade this soul with Straid of Olaphis or Weaponsmith Ornifex for powerful end-game gear.
| Reward Name | Type | Requirements | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outcry | Pyromancy | Soul of Nadalia + 45,000 Souls | Straid of Olaphis |
| Chime of Screams | Chime | Soul of Nadalia | Weaponsmith Ornifex |
Outcry is widely considered one of the best pyromancies in the game for 2026 PvP and PvE, acting as a faster, dark-damage version of Firestorm.
FAQ
Q: Can I get more Smelter Wedges if I use them on the wrong idols?
A: There are exactly 11 Smelter Wedges and 11 Ashen Idols in the game. You cannot "waste" them permanently, but you can find yourself in a situation where you lack wedges for the Fume Knight's arena. If this happens, you must progress further to find the remaining wedges (specifically the ones near the Foyer or the one after Sir Alonne).
Q: Why can't I access the Iron King's Memory?
A: You must have the Ashen Mist Heart in your inventory. This is obtained by speaking to the Ancient Dragon in the Dragon Shrine in the main game. If the armor in Brume Tower does not react, you haven't progressed far enough in the primary storyline.
Q: Do the idols of ash how to open all doors affect the game's ending?
A: While they don't change the main story ending, collecting all fragments of Nadalia's soul is required to craft her unique items and is considered the "completionist" path for the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC.
Q: Is there a way to resist the curse from the idols without the Hollow Skin?
A: You can use the Cursebite Ring +1 or consume Divine Blessings to reset the curse meter, but the Hollow Skin mask is the only way to gain 100% resistance, making the cursed tower sections trivial.
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