Being the correct level for each area is extremely important in order to find other players summoning and being summoned for coop play as phantoms. Dark Souls will only match players that are +/- 10% in levels, so this can be very restrictive. See the Daydull article for tips on how to maximize your chances to make the summoning signs work in another article.

With the non-linear layout of the game, it is sometimes very tough to know what area to visit next, so this will also ensure you aren’t too outmatched by the enemies in the area.

Dark Souls Recommended Soul Level for Areas and Bosses:

Undead Burg ( 5 – 10 ) – BOSS: Taurus Demon

Undead Parish ( 10 – 20 ) – – BOSS: Belfry Gargoyls

Lower Undead Burg ( 20 – 30 ) – BOSS: Capra Demon

The Depths ( 20 – 30 ) – BOSS: Gaping Dragon

Blighttown ( 30 – 40 )

Quelaag’s Domain ( 35+ ) – BOSS: Chaos Witch Quelaag

(Second bell of awakening generally rung around lvl 35)

The Catacombs ( 30 – 50 )

The Great Hollow ( 45-55 )

Ash Lake ( 45-55 )

Darkroot Garden ( 35-50 ) – BOSS: Sif

Darkroot Basin ( 35-50 ) – BOSS: Hydra / Moonlight Butterfly

Valley of Drakes ( 40 – 60 )

Undead Asylum Revisited ( 30 – 40 )

Sen’s Fortress ( 35-45 ) – BOSS: Iron Golem

Anor Londo ( 45-60 ) – BOSS: Ornstein & Smough

Painted World of Ariamis ( 60+ )

New Londo Ruins ( 60+ )

The Abyss ( 50 – 70 ) – BOSS: The Four Kings

The Duke’s Archives ( 50-70 )

Crystal Cave ( 55-75 ) – BOSS: Seath the Scaleless

Tomb of the Giants ( 55-75 ) – BOSS: Gravelord Nito

Demon Ruins ( 60-75 )

Lost Izalith ( 65-80 ) – BOSS: The Bed of Chaos

Kiln of the First Flame ( 70 – 100 + ) – BOSS: Gwyn

(Due to PvP and titanite chunk farming, the kiln always has lots of summoning activity)