I found the 3k soul cost to be too expensive, yes im cheap like that..
Also, in the room next to Pate, the one with the Pharros contaption, if you hit the door with a weapon the undeads inside will open it, and thers a neat ring inside!(forgot which one..) Took me three accounts of SL50+ to find that out.
I raged a bit at the door as I didnt know how to open it, and suddenly the hollowed soldiers opened the gates! Just for me!