u/Putrid-Thanks-9585

To preface, this is my first playthrough of this game (I love it), I generally don't do ng+ so I strive to do as much as possible in my first run i.e getting all chests, completing all quests, fighting all bosses etc.

With that being said Ive done all the relevant quests needed to reach BBFT. Im currently infront the riddle gate in bo capital but after reading through some guides and forums im a little confused on some things. Some guides say you don't need to fuse the samsara rings some say you do. Some people say you don't need to go back and fight the old guy in avain forest and some say you do. I just want a definitive confirmation on the process.