Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel guide - how to access the PvP arena

Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel has PvP content. But where is it?

Looking for Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel's PvP arena? You're not alone there.

The good news is you can get into Ashes of Ariandel's PvP within minutes of first firing up the DLC. The bad news is you'll need to defeat a PvE boss on the way. But if you're good at PvPO you shouldn't have any trouble with it. Here's the dealio:

• 1. Start the DLC and fight through to Chapel of Ariandel
  Assuming you can access Cathedral of the Deep to start Ashes of Ariandel, this isn't tough; sprint from Snowfield to Rope Cave Bridge and you'll be safe as houses.
• 2. Take the side path to the optional boss arena
  The closest bonfire to the optional boss is Depths of the Painting. You get there via a not-very-secret path from Chapel of Ariandel.
• 3. Defeat the optional boss to receive the Champion's Bones
  Struggling? Here's our Ashes of Ariandel optional boss guide.
• 4. Burn the Champion's Bones at the bonfire in Firelink Shrine
  Self-explanatory, I hope.
• 5. Select Undead Match from the bonfire menu at Firelink Shrine
  If you start a New Game+ you'll still have access to this option, by the way.

That's all there is to it. You'll see there are several options for starting a game, either by creating a new lobby or opting to join one, across a couple of different modes: 1v1, free-for-all or various sizes of TDM. If you create a game you can password lock it to ensure you play with your friends.

Matches take place in a dedicated Kiln of the First Flame map. Estus use is not permitted in 1v1 Undead Match battles, but you can use some Ashen Estus if you're a magic or special skill user. Other modes allow limited Estus use.

Dark Souls PvP has always been about honour, so don't think about attacking your opponents before they've fully spawned in; you'll be punished for your transgressions immediately.