The Dark Souls Discussion Thread [Archive] - Page 2

D_Davis

11-28-2011, 03:25 PM

I started a DEX build this weekend and brought him up to Anor Londo. I don't understand how people PVE with DEX builds - it's really hard, especially when the enemies start getting tougher. I can't imagine doing this pre-patch, when most of the early mobs were much stronger. It's fun running around all fast, and PVP is more fun, but it got so hard that I quit.

I then started playing my main again - a super tank. Brought her up to sl101, and now that the giant blacksmith sells sparkling titanite, I fully upgraded everything that I use. It's awesome. Co-oped a ton in Anor Londo, and beat skinny and fatty in NG+. Main, they hit HARD in NG+. Took me and two phantoms 5 times to beat them. Plus we kept getting invaded on the way to the boss door. It was super fun.

I also fully upgraded my P-flame, and got to level 2 in the chaos cov. I'm now prepared to fight the Bed of Chaos. It sure is nice to have that shortcut open.

D_Davis

11-28-2011, 09:26 PM

The range on the Minor Capra Demons' aggro has been severely limited with the new patch. I was able to pick all of them off from the path way with a few dozen poison arrows and they didn't charge at all. Also, the one farthest back no longer aggros you when you leave the bonfire nearest the Demon Firesage boss room.

D_Davis

11-29-2011, 03:07 PM

Looks like folks have moved on to other games.

:(

;)

Last post here unless someone else continues.

Just crossed the 175 hour mark, combined from 4 characters. My main is now on hour 115. Just beat the Bed of Chaos in NG+. And I cannot beat the Four Kings on NG+. I heard they were nerfed, but I'm having a harder time now than I did during NG.

megladon8

11-29-2011, 03:34 PM

Sorry, I'm just pretty entranced with "Skyrim" right now.

I do really love "Dark Souls" but find the difficulty a bit much at times, and quite inconsistent. It's often the fairly simple enemies that seem to get the best of me through gang-ups and "camera positioning didn't let me know you were behind me" type stuff, whereas a lot of huge bosses are push-overs.

Like I said, I love the game, and I can't wait to get back into it and carry on trying to get through Blighttown, but I'm unfortunately not as "God himself released a game this year" as you, D. :sad:

Also I have to say I totally called it that, now that the patch has come out and certain aspects are easier/more accessible, there's now quite a legion of gamers gloating online about how they "beat it before the patch" and "if you beat it after the patch it's just not the same", blah blah.

I've even heard tell of petitions being created to have the Game Completion achievement on 360 be changed so that if you beat the game post-patch it is noted on your achievement.

Lucky

11-29-2011, 09:19 PM

Looks like folks have moved on to other games.

:(

Main thing for me is that vacation is officially over and school kicked into high gear. I'll come back to this over winter break and make it through NG+ with the new patch. I'm curious to see how badly my character got knocked. I desperately want to play Zelda, though, so it may have to wait even longer than that. And Skyrim.

Then FF13-2 comes out in January...this may just end up getting shelfed afterall. Finishing it feels like enough of an accomplishment. I feel like I saw the whole world, my armor can't upgrade to anything better, I have all the pyromancy spells to the max power, my weapon is upgraded to max...aside from maxing out my stats, I don't have as much drive to play the second time through. I would probably be more interested in starting a new character style from scratch.

D_Davis

11-29-2011, 09:36 PM

I thought I was ready to move on with Skyrim. But after about 20 hours I totally lost interest. It's really weird. I have way more fun making new DS characters and seeing how fast I can ring both bells.

This might be the first game I've ever played that I'll attempt a speed run. 1.5 hours seems to be the target time.

In many ways, DS is like a good shmup. It's all about improving your skill and doing runs. EpicNameBro did a naked run using only the starting plank shield and club. That's crazy. He beat Four Kings pre-patch without blocking. Stuff like that is cool to keep trying.

KK2.0

12-07-2011, 12:10 AM

Well, i was going through my NG+ and my boyfriend is on his fifth character at the moment, but our blu-ray got broken!!!! Guess we've been playing a little too much :lol:

we've got a replacement already, Dark Souls is crack, no pun intended

D_Davis

12-07-2011, 05:19 AM

Morris Schæffer

12-07-2011, 10:39 AM

Feel a little bummed out because I've neglected this for the past 3 weeks and I really was having a blast, but progress as so slow and I've got so many games.:)

D_Davis

12-07-2011, 06:48 PM

Dark Souls delivers two lessons that games in general, nevermind other RPGs, should take to heart. Just because you're delivering a narrative doesn't mean you have to stop being a game. If your backstory's rich and detailed, that doesn't mean it all has to be written down. Putting faith in a player's dedication is as close as AAA games get to a revolutionary act these days, and exactly what Dark Souls does.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-07-telling-tales-skyrim-and-dark-souls-article

KK2.0

12-07-2011, 08:45 PM

While I find Skyrim to be a lot of fun, narratively it is a dinossaur. Dragon Age may have it's issues but the dialogue and exposition is leagues ahead of Bethesda's.

Hahaha...you actually broke your disc?

it was bizarre, all of a sudden the disc stopped working, i feared my BR drive was failing but all of my other discs worked, then i've noticed a crack, going from the inner section all the way through the middle of the disc. Maybe too much pressure while putting the disc in the box and out? I don't know, it never happened before.

Ezee E

12-07-2011, 08:58 PM

While I find Skyrim to be a lot of fun, narratively it is a dinossaur. Dragon Age may have it's issues but the dialogue and exposition is leagues ahead of Bethesda's.

Starting to believe this as well. While every playthrough would be incredibly unique to each other, the narrative itself is kind of 'meh' when it's all said and done. Fallout 3 seemed to have more consequences and plot.

megladon8

12-07-2011, 10:29 PM

Is there ever a point in this game in which you feel that you're starting to actually get stronger? To no longer just be a punching bag for the game's enemies and sadistic sensibilities?

Over 30 hours in, I'm still scrounging through with no humanity points, 5 estus flasks, and no real feeling of security at all.

I do not get how people are getting like 50+ points of humanity, 30,000 souls and all this crazy stuff, and not losing it all.

I feel like I'm constantly restarting back at zero. One step forward, two steps back kind of thing.

Lucky

12-07-2011, 11:26 PM

For me, the difficulty stopped being frustrating after Anor Londo. There were certainly hard stretches and bosses after that, but I never felt "stuck." Especially with the bosses, since you could always summon another player to help out. And for most bosses you can literally run the stretch from the nearest bonfire to them while successfully avoiding all enemies. I very rarely saved 30k+ souls at one time, unless a boss gave me 30k+ souls. What are you saving for? My method was spend as soon as I got them. I never used my soul items unless I was right next to a merchant or a bonfire. I never used humanity unless I needed help with a boss.

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 01:16 AM

Is there ever a point in this game in which you feel that you're starting to actually get stronger? To no longer just be a punching bag for the game's enemies and sadistic sensibilities?

Oh yeah, totally. For me it started happening in Blighttown.

Although it doesn't have as much to do with your character leveling up as it has to do with you getting better at the game.

I can ring both bells now sl15, with the master key.

You should really try to get some humanity (rats in the depths) and kindle those bonfires to get 10 estus flasks, and make sure to get the firekeeper souls (on is in the Undead Parish) to make the estus stronger.

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 01:19 AM

But yeah, never hold on to souls. Get enough to level or buy something and go do it.

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 01:25 AM

Also, meg, I used the wiki and strategy guide for help, and watched a ton of "Let's Play Dark Souls" videos on youtube. I basically submerged myself in DS-related things.

megladon8

12-08-2011, 01:28 AM

Also, meg, I used the wiki and strategy guide for help, and watched a ton of "Let's Play Dark Souls" videos on youtube. I basically submerged myself in DS-related things.

Yeah, I use Wiki and vids tons as well.

I'm just finding that the difficulty is never letting up. I still cannot pass that troll in Blighttown. I've spent over 3 hours trying to get past a single enemy, and it's not even a boss (or mini boss).

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 01:38 AM

I'm just finding that the difficulty is never letting up. I still cannot pass that troll in Blighttown. I've spent over 3 hours trying to get past a single enemy, and it's not even a boss (or mini boss).

What guy? The rock throwing guy at the bottom?

megladon8

12-08-2011, 01:44 AM

What guy? The rock throwing guy at the bottom?

No. I made it to the bottom of Blighttown once and became overwhelmed by the giant insects.

I've been trying to get back there ever since, but there's an enemy about halfway down that I cannot get past. It's an Infested Barbarian with a club. He's hiding in a cave.

He always hits me off the platform and I fall to my death. Without fail. I've tried so many different ways of approaching the situation and every one ends in him getting a split second sucker punch in and launching me off.

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 01:56 AM

That part is tough. There is the troll and the ghoul thing in the cave. Once you get past that you're home free to the bottom. And you know there's a bonfire down there, right?

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 02:38 AM

What gear and weapons are you using?

Have they been upgraded?

What sl are you?

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 05:16 AM

My new character is a super tank.

sl30, with the stone giant armor, a black knight great sword, and crest shield, with the wolf ring - I have a poise of ~140. Hitting enemies for about ~350-500 points of damage.

Just killed the wandering demon back at the asylum, and now I think I'll breeze into Blighttown via the New Londo short cut (don't need anything through the front entrance).

D_Davis

12-08-2011, 11:02 PM

http://i.imgur.com/KDhCH.png

Scar

12-08-2011, 11:09 PM

My first invasion was a string of curse words, ending with FUCK YOU!

Which is why my wife sometimes asks that I not play that game online....

KK2.0

12-09-2011, 01:13 AM

My first invasion in Demon Souls has to be one of the coolest gaming moments of my life, I don't even remember if I won, but I remember being terrified.

Hell, even today my heart starts pumping when i get the message "Dark Spirit ******* invaded your world" or something like that, it's the unpredictable nature of those invasions, you never know if you'll get a smart, powerful player or a noobie that is just as scared as you.

Is there ever a point in this game in which you feel that you're starting to actually get stronger? To no longer just be a punching bag for the game's enemies and sadistic sensibilities?

Over 30 hours in, I'm still scrounging through with no humanity points, 5 estus flasks, and no real feeling of security at all.

I do not get how people are getting like 50+ points of humanity, 30,000 souls and all this crazy stuff, and not losing it all.

I feel like I'm constantly restarting back at zero. One step forward, two steps back kind of thing.

Man, it takes patience but you'll get stronger, the game is huge so thirty hours is probably not even half of the adventure.

Those guys with tons of humanity and souls are veterans that are certainly in their third of fourth playthrough, don't try to do the same and spend those souls to upgrade your weapons asap. Weapon upgrades are maybe more important than raising stats, I've summoned several low level players with fierce equipment pwning bosses.

The best source of titanite ores are the giant slugs down at Blightown's Swamp, did you get the serpent ring already? it helps to raise the drop chance, but equiping humanities has the same effect

Also, magic is very useful, use it.

edit: play online too, helping people in coop is the fastest way to get souls and you lose nothing by getting killed.

Saya

12-09-2011, 07:01 AM

This game is amazing. I'm still on my first run, but I'm almost finished. I just have to kill the final boss. SL124, 90+ hours played. I'm taking it slow while upgrading my weapons and character. Currently farming Titanite Slabs in New Londo Ruins... so far I've found 3.

I'm a STR build and mostly use a Lighting +5 Zweihander (I have 50 STR so I can easily one hand it) with the Greatshield of Artorias. The R2 attack hits for about 725, almost one-shotting everything... even bosses are a piece of cake. So, if you're really struggling and need an 'easy mode' weapon go for this (if you have the strength to wield it). It's very satisfying to slap even Black Knights and Darkwraiths to the ground in one hit. You can find it in the graveyard at Firelink Shrine, but be careful there are skeletons there that hit hard if you're low level.

D_Davis

12-10-2011, 12:35 AM

So I killed the Four Kings before getting the Lordvessel and before ringing the second bell. Then I was able to join the Darkwraith cov. Never saw the dark worm dude before - pretty cool. Then I rang the second bell, ran though Sen's, and summoned two phantoms in Anor Londo and we proceeded to run through the entire level from beginning to end in a single go. It was awesome. I ended up with ~150k souls and upgraded the crap out of my gear. Now I'm invading people in Blighttown, because, you know, that area doesn't suck enough.

Heh...

D_Davis

12-12-2011, 12:12 AM

Oh man...my +5 Lightning Zweihander is awesome.

Completely flattens silver and black knights.

At the kiln now, about to beat the game (again, for the 3rd time), but I'm going to beef up some weapons and armor for a bit.

D_Davis

12-12-2011, 02:02 AM

http://i41.tinypic.com/30jl3fc.jpg

megladon8

02-01-2012, 10:52 PM

Started a new character - a knight named BeefOven.

In less than three hours, I've made it to the blacksmith and am nearing the first bell. This is something that took me more than 20 hours the first time.

Right now I'm trying to find a good balance between an armor that's strong enough to take a bit of a beating, but also light enough that I can move faster than a drunk slug. The armor I started with is plenty strong, but man oh man is it ever slow.

Is there a stat I need to level up to be able to move quicker with heavy armor? My guess would be the endurance stat?

Anyways, after I killed the armored boar mini-boss, I got a helmet made from his head. I didn't get that the first time around. It's strong as all hell, but it's also mega heavy.

megladon8

02-02-2012, 01:32 AM

Okay so 4 1/2 hours in, here's what I have accomplished so far:

-reached level 26
-rang the first bell
-defeated Moonlight Butterfly
-defeated Havel and got his ring (can now have heavy equipment and weapons)
-defeated both Black Knights in Undead Burg
-making my way down to Blighttown now

In my previous (first) playthrough, I played for 29 1/2 hours, and was stuck in Blighttown at level 24.

Using this strategy of "ACTUALLY USE THE DAMN SOULS, DON'T JUST HORDE THEM!" is working very well. In my previous playthrough I was constantly trying to save up souls and very rarely spending them on anything.

D_Davis

02-02-2012, 04:15 PM

Yep - that's Dark Souls. As you keep getting better, you'll be able to do things super fast.

Didn't I tell you before not to horde your souls? :) The way I see it, I don't care about any souls that I haven't spent. Sometimes, if I have a bunch and nothing to buy, I'll just kill myself so then I don't even have to worry about worrying about them.

Last night I breezed through the long route through Blighttown in about 15 minutes.

Endurance will effect how fast you move and how much equipment you can carry. It's basically like this:

Under 25% capacity - fastest movement/roll
Over 25%, under 50% - medium...
Over 50% - slowest...

As you level up your character, you want to get both VIT and END to ~40.

megladon8

02-05-2012, 12:44 AM

Lucky

02-05-2012, 12:57 AM

Finally made it to the bottom of Blighttown. Then took the water wheel up, opened the connection to New Londo Ruins and in turn a great, fast way to get to the bottom of Blighttown.

Either tomorrow or Monday I'll work on getting the second bell rung.

Are you sure you can get back down that water wheel?

Once you get the Lordvessel (which you're about two areas away from), you can warp to the bottom of Blighttown. For that reason I've never tried using the water wheel to get back down there.

megladon8

02-05-2012, 11:55 AM

Are you sure you can get back down that water wheel?

Once you get the Lordvessel (which you're about two areas away from), you can warp to the bottom of Blighttown. For that reason I've never tried using the water wheel to get back down there.

Hmmmm...that's a good point. I just assumed since the water wheel has platforms on both sides I could use it to get down again.

Then again, this is "Dark Souls" :lol:

Sycophant

02-05-2012, 06:51 PM

You can definitely use the water wheel both ways. Indeed, I found it easier to go down it than up it. (I died a couple times going up to Firelink.)

Of course, I skipped most of Blighttown with my main, since I had the super key. With my magic user, I"ll have to actually go through all that.

Crystal Caves is a motherfucker.

Idioteque Stalker

02-05-2012, 07:10 PM

Crystal Caves is a motherfucker.

Call me a platforming noob, but those invisible walkways were the most frustrating thing in the entire game.

Sycophant

02-05-2012, 07:15 PM

I am no kind of platforming noob, and I find them kinda frustrating!

megladon8

02-05-2012, 07:22 PM

I'm guessing that I must be missing a necessary item for traversing New Londo Ruins. Those creepy ghost ladies kill me easily, and I don't seem to do any damage to them at all.

Sycophant

02-05-2012, 07:26 PM

Yeah, you either need to be cursed or using a transient curse item.

D_Davis

02-05-2012, 09:54 PM

Yeah, you either need to be cursed or using a transient curse item.

Or you can use the ghost blade, if they happen to drop one.

[ETM]

02-05-2012, 10:10 PM

Call me a platforming noob, but those invisible walkways were the most frustrating thing in the entire game.

Max Payne all over again, eh?

megladon8

02-05-2012, 11:10 PM

Yeah, you either need to be cursed or using a transient curse item.

Doesn't being cursed put you at a huge disadvantage right off the bat, though?

Damn this game :lol:

D_Davis

02-06-2012, 01:17 AM

Doesn't being cursed put you at a huge disadvantage right off the bat, though?

Damn this game :lol:

Just use the item called Transient Curse. It allows you to interact with the ghosts without being cursed for reals. There are two in the pot just before the bridge leading to the ghosts in New Londo, and you can buy them from the merchant in the sewers.

Farm the first group of ghosts a couple of times, and you should get them to drop a weapon that can be used to kill them as well.

megladon8

02-07-2012, 01:17 AM

Lucky

02-07-2012, 02:20 AM

Oh, crap.

Just went to the Firekeeper to reinforce my estus flask again, and she's been killed by someone.

I now have an item called the Black Eye Orb which is supposed to let me invade the world of the person who killed the Firekeeper, to kill them and reclaim her soul.

Until then, I can't save!!! :frustrated:

It's actually not as big of a deal as it initially appears. The next area you need to head to is Sen's Fortress which is right by the bonfire near the blacksmith in the Undead Parish. From there, you'll go directly to Anor Londo where you can use the Black Eye Orb to invade the Firekeeper's killer (frustratingly difficult, BTW).

Basically, by the time you need to go back to Firelink Shrine, the firekeeper will be back and the bonfire will be relit.

megladon8

02-07-2012, 02:44 AM

It's actually not as big of a deal as it initially appears. The next area you need to head to is Sen's Fortress which is right by the bonfire near the blacksmith in the Undead Parish. From there, you'll go directly to Anor Londo where you can use the Black Eye Orb to invade the Firekeeper's killer (frustratingly difficult, BTW).

Basically, by the time you need to go back to Firelink Shrine, the firekeeper will be back and the bonfire will be relit.

I just killed the undead drake in the Valley of the Drakes (the one who looks like Godzilla and is hanging on the side of the cliff). It was astoundingly easy, by just standing far away and shooting arrows at it. I think it took like 110 large arrows from the longbow.

I have access to Sen's Fortress now? What was it that opened it up for me? I haven't rung the second bell yet, which is in / around Blighttown, now?

D_Davis

02-07-2012, 02:47 AM

It's actually not as big of a deal as it initially appears. The next area you need to head to is Sen's Fortress which is right by the bonfire near the blacksmith in the Undead Parish. From there, you'll go directly to Anor Londo where you can use the Black Eye Orb to invade the Firekeeper's killer (frustratingly difficult, BTW).

Basically, by the time you need to go back to Firelink Shrine, the firekeeper will be back and the bonfire will be relit.

Every time I've played, I've killed this dude super early in the game, and I've never experienced this part of the story.

I just hate thinking that my bonfire at Firelink would go out. I feel like that's my home base.

Lucky

02-07-2012, 03:45 AM

I have access to Sen's Fortress now? What was it that opened it up for me? I haven't rung the second bell yet, which is in / around Blighttown, now?

Ah. Yeah, you're correct. You don't get access until you defeat the spider queen in Blighttown. She lives in a spiderweb tunnel a little down from the bottom of the waterwheel.

megladon8

02-07-2012, 03:53 AM

Every time I've played, I've killed this dude super early in the game, and I've never experienced this part of the story.

I just hate thinking that my bonfire at Firelink would go out. I feel like that's my home base.

Is it the guy in the gold armor who sits across from her prison cell?

I've tried my darnedest not to kill any NPC's because I don't know who's good, who's bad, who comes in to play later in the story, etc.

D_Davis

02-07-2012, 03:59 AM

Is it the guy in the gold armor who sits across from her prison cell?

I've tried my darnedest not to kill any NPC's because I don't know who's good, who's bad, who comes in to play later in the story, etc.

Yep - that's him.

D_Davis

02-07-2012, 04:01 AM

I love helping people out in this game. I've kept my sl low, and basically I just hang out before the first bell and have people summon me. Because of the bottomless box glitch, I'm decked out and equipped with mega stuff, and I love killing invaders for people. Also, I'm handing out tons of great items to people. I feel like some kind of saint or something. ;)

megladon8

02-07-2012, 05:54 PM

I was pretty proud of myself for beating Quelaag in one try. I then decided to explore the Demon Ruins and soon learned that was a bad idea, when the Ceaseless Discharge destroyed me with one blow.

I'm now trying to decide whether I will use Quelaag's Soul to get a whole crapload of souls and level up some more (or maybe unlock that door in Darkroot Garden?), or create the Chaos Blade. I'm thinking I'll just harvest the souls. I don't much like the Uchigatana to begin with, and bringing it to a +10 seems like a waste of time and resources for me.

To be honest, I have yet to encounter any reason to use a weapon other than the Drake Sword. Not only is it more than twice as powerful as any other weapon I have found thus far, but it handles very lightly. The only other weapon to come even close to it, the

Lucky

02-07-2012, 06:23 PM

megladon8

02-07-2012, 06:25 PM

I think you only get 8000 souls from harvesting Quelaag's soul. I don't know what kind of build you are, but the FurySword is the way to go to by raising a curved blade to +10 (think I used a falchion). The sword is quick, gets a bunch of fire dmg bonus, and scales pretty highly (B grade) with dex. Even if you don't have much dex, it's better than the drake sword. If your character specializes in dex, it's one of the best weapons in the game.

Too late, already harvested the souls.

And jesus, Sen's Fortress is tough. Can't even make it through the first area (after the entrance with the two snake soldiers).

Love the design of these guys, by the way.

Lucky

02-07-2012, 06:36 PM

Lucky

02-07-2012, 06:58 PM

One of the keys to Sen's Fortress is to use the traps to your advantage. For instance, lure the serpantmen in the first room out, then activate the floortrap so the arrows hit them before they reach you. You can use similar methods with more arrows, swinging axes, and boulders later in the level. It's one of the best designed levels in the game IMO. Feels like Indiana Jones.

megladon8

02-07-2012, 07:05 PM

Also, did you find the hidden bonfire after you rang the second bell? That's an important one to get since it's a warping point.

And congrats on beating Quelaag in one go. That was one of the hardest bosses in the game for me.

Yep! Someone left a note that said "Illusory wall" right in front. I wouldn't have found it otherwise.

I also joined the Chaos Covenant, and pledged one humanity to it.

D_Davis

02-07-2012, 09:14 PM

Never trade the boss souls for souls - it's a total waste (even though a lot of the weapons you can make aren't amazing). You can get the same amount by harvesting NPCs in the forest in about 10 minutes of gameplay.

Man, you should've made the Fury Sword - it's an awesome weapon, especially if you're leveling DEX. It's one of my go to weapons when I need something fast.

D_Davis

02-07-2012, 09:17 PM

To be honest, I have yet to encounter any reason to use a weapon other than the Drake Sword. Not only is it more than twice as powerful as any other weapon I have found thus far, but it handles very lightly. The only other weapon to come even close to it, the

By Sen's the Drake Sword pretty much becomes useless. You'll need to start leveling up other weapons, and focus on your scaling. You'll get one good weapon in Sen's that will help for awhile, but after this point in the game you'll want to start leveling and ascending your weapons ASAP and as much as possible.

Whenever I start a new game from scratch, I don't even get the Drake Sword anymore - it's better to start leveling a regular weapon as soon as you can get to Andre (which is really fast if you take the Master Key - you can actually get to him before even beating the Taurus Demon).

megladon8

02-07-2012, 09:27 PM

But it seems that even a levelled weapon is nothing, strength-wise, compared to the Drake Sword.

I've got a +3 broadsword that still only does like 90 damage. The Drake Sword does 200.

D_Davis

02-07-2012, 10:42 PM

But it seems that even a levelled weapon is nothing, strength-wise, compared to the Drake Sword.

I've got a +3 broadsword that still only does like 90 damage. The Drake Sword does 200.

What stat are you focusing on, Dex or Str? What are they up to?

That 90 damage is just a base damage. Look at the bottom, and see what it scales with. Then, equip it and look at your character info on the right hand side (you have to switch views to see damage). It'll show you how much total damage you're doing with the scaling.

If you're doing strength, I recommend picking up the Claymore on the bridge where the dragon is (it's worth doing a suicide run for), or the zweihander from the cemetery (again, totally worth a suicide run).

Another problem with the Drake Sword is that it is not good at guard breaking. If you're doing a Str build, you'll want a heavier great sword. Have you killed any of the Black Knights yet? Did any of them drop a Black Knight Sword? I once had that thing up to +5 at Sen's, and it just dominates.

megladon8

02-08-2012, 12:05 AM

What stat are you focusing on, Dex or Str? What are they up to?

That 90 damage is just a base damage. Look at the bottom, and see what it scales with. Then, equip it and look at your character info on the right hand side (you have to switch views to see damage). It'll show you how much total damage you're doing with the scaling.

If you're doing strength, I recommend picking up the Claymore on the bridge where the dragon is (it's worth doing a suicide run for), or the zweihander from the cemetery (again, totally worth a suicide run).

Another problem with the Drake Sword is that it is not good at guard breaking. If you're doing a Str build, you'll want a heavier great sword. Have you killed any of the Black Knights yet? Did any of them drop a Black Knight Sword? I once had that thing up to +5 at Sen's, and it just dominates.

I've killed four Black Knights and none of them have dropped a sword. In fact, none of them have dropped anything, I've just gotten souls.

I guess I really screwed the pooch by not making the Chaos Blade, because I have ascended one weapon and made two others "raw" and still none of them even comes close to the Drake Sword.

Seriously, I have yet to see a weapon that competes with it. My strongest weapon after it is the Barbed Sword I got from Kirk, and it takes three hits to kill your run-of-the-mill Armored Hollow. Drake Sword takes them out in one hit.

I've not been focusing of dex or strength, I've just been levelling Vit and End.

Here's my character:

Level 41
Vitality - 23
Attunement - 10
Endurance - 23
Strength - 20
Dexterity - 14
Resistance - 10
Intelligence - 11
Faith - 11

Right now I'm returning to the Undead Asylum to get the rusted brass ring, so I can walk in the murky bottom of Sen's Fortress.

megladon8

02-08-2012, 07:07 PM

Learning more and more every hour that this game is very much based on trial and error - not just in its relentless deaths, but in your character build, weapon ascension, etc.

I used almost all of my titanite leveling and ascending weapons which I now find to be pretty much useless, and am wishing I had the titanite back to scale other weapons and armor.

I almost want to start a new game again, knowing what I know now.

Kind of reminds me of "Dead Rising" in that regard - several playthroughs are pretty much required to achieve success.

Idioteque Stalker

02-09-2012, 12:50 AM

I was attached to the drake sword until I hit the Sen's Fortress boss about a thousand times and practically nothing happened. Then I found out I could make a Lightning Zweihander and do 500+ damage a hit (fyi, Meg, your stats are similar to what mine were). Stuck with it the rest of the game, except for in New Londo Ruins where I used a cursed serpent's blade.

EDIT: A fairly obvious thing that I missed for a while: "lightning" etc. damage is added to physical damage. So while the drake sword might do 200 physical and a lightning zweihander might only do 220 or something, you add the other 200 lightning damage on top for 420 (for instance).

D_Davis

02-09-2012, 01:16 AM

You can't make a lightning weapon until after Sen's, but you do find a pretty good one in Sen's; it pretty much becomes the Drake Sword equivalent for awhile.

Also, regular elemental weapons lose their scaling ability. So while at relatively lower levels a +5 lightning zweihander will absolutely rock, once you get past sl120, a regular weapon with good scaling will be better, especially if you enchant with magic weapon spells or powders.

Meg - pretty soon you'll be able to buy almost all the titanite you need for lower level leveling and ascension. Also, I wouldn't worry about how you're doing in relation to all this information - remember, I've played the game for almost 500 hours now. From the sound of it, you're doing OK for your first time through.

D_Davis

02-09-2012, 01:18 AM

I almost want to start a new game again, knowing what I know now.

You'd be shocked by how fast you can blow through stuff once you know, mainly because, like many old school games, Dark Souls is all about memorization. On a from-scratch character, I can be in Anor Londo (past Sen's) in about 1 hour.

Lucky

02-09-2012, 01:24 AM

Yeah, there's no reason to restart, really. Your stats are fine. All of that titanite you used can be bought back from blacksmiths. Idioteque has good advice - since you're not focusing on STR or DEX upgrade your weapons to FIRE or LIGHTNING. They don't scale well (you don't have the stats anyway, so who cares?) but they add substantial elemental damage.

I would also suggest with your stat build to start looking into pyromancy. It requires no stat commitment except some attunement for more spell slots (4-5 slots will do you fine). The power of the spells are based solely on the level of your glove. So level up that glove and invest in the useful spells: fireball, fire orb, great fireball, chaos fireball (which you should have from joining the covenant), iron flesh, combustion, and great combustion. Pyromancy with a maxed out glove dominates during your first playthrough of the game. It still serves you well throughout NG+, too.

megladon8

02-09-2012, 01:39 AM

Sounds like I'll need to wait 'til after Sen's for the lightning zweihander, no?

Still having a hell of a time with Sen's. Those giant headless, scorpion tail demon guys are destroying me.

I'm just farming souls now, trying to build my Str up for the zweihander.

Should I leave the zweihander at +5, or make it "raw"?

Honestly, it seems that divine weapons are pretty much useless to me since I can't play online.

megladon8

02-09-2012, 01:40 AM

Lucky

02-09-2012, 01:44 AM

...
...

...gl...ove? :confused:

There's a guy stuck in a barrel in the Depths that you can rescue by rolling into the barrel. He's your resident Firelink Shrine pyromancer. Pretty sure you can buy a glove from him and some spells. He'll also level your glove up to +15.

As for the lightning weapons, no, don't make them raw.

There's an excellent flowchart in the middle of this link that will explain the weapon upgrading system...

http://darksoulswiki.wikispaces.com/Upgrades

So you upgrade a weapon to +10 then change it to lightning.

You'll find a lightning spear in Sen's Fortress that will tide you over until you can make something better. Also, skip those scorpion tail demons on the bottom for now. That's a dead end down there, you can come back.

Divine weapons are useless to you because they scale with Faith. You don't want that. Magic/Enchanted are also worthless to you b/c they scale with Intelligence.

megladon8

02-09-2012, 03:09 AM

Ah so I need large shards to get my weapons past level 5. I was wondering, because I have a few at level 5 but I can't seem to get them up any higher without going raw or divine.

Anyways, the zweihander is all right. It's mighty strong, but I can tell it's going to take me some time to get used to how bloody slow it is.

Idioteque Stalker

02-09-2012, 03:42 AM

Anyways, the zweihander is all right. It's mighty strong, but I can tell it's going to take me some time to get used to how bloody slow it is.

I felt the same way at first, but once I got the timing down it was glorious because it pretty much takes at most 2 hits to take down any regular enemy.

D_Davis

02-09-2012, 04:50 AM

Ah so I need large shards to get my weapons past level 5. I was wondering, because I have a few at level 5 but I can't seem to get them up any higher without going raw or divine.

You'll find a dude in Sen's that sells them.

D_Davis

02-09-2012, 04:52 AM

I felt the same way at first, but once I got the timing down it was glorious because it pretty much takes at most 2 hits to take down any regular enemy.

And two-hand that baby.

The great thing about the slow, heavy weapons is that they break through poise and stun-lock enemies.

If you want to go more STR focused, really learn how to enter combat two-handing your weapon. Keep a shield on your back for any stat/effect bonuses.

megladon8

02-09-2012, 05:36 PM

It's really useful against the Man-Serpents. Knocks them down on their faces, and I can hit several at once. Still takes about 5 hits though.

D_Davis

02-10-2012, 07:26 PM

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz60dr9IIl1qad16go2_r1_ 400.png

http://i.imgur.com/vsa8Y.png

D_Davis

02-10-2012, 07:29 PM

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz09h0BLk41qad16go2_r1_ 400.png

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz42e8Fcex1qad16go2_r2_ 400.png

megladon8

02-12-2012, 07:18 PM

I'm having a heck of a time trying to get through the top guillotine trap in Sen's Fortress.

It's on a very narrow bridge, and all of the guillotines are at the far end. But right by the beginning of the bridge, to my left, is a Serpent Mage who consistently fires lightning at me that knocks me off the bridge before I can even get to the guillotines.

Lucky

02-12-2012, 07:22 PM

megladon8

02-12-2012, 09:21 PM

Yeah, I ended up (for the first time ever) just using my bow and arrow with lock on and without going into first person. Made that section easy as pie.

But, my god...

THAT FUCKING IRON GOLEM.

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

NINE TIMES I've gone through Sen's Fortress, ALL THE WAY to the Iron Golem, and I get killed in like 30 seconds.

The FIRST time I got to him, I got him down to ONE HIT LEFT BEFORE HE DIES and he killed me.

Every time since, I can't even get close to that. My average life span is, without exaggeration, about 30 seconds after I traverse the white light.

These are the moments that make "Dark Souls" a game which should seriously be considered by the courts as a legitimate reason for justifiable homicide.

FUCK.

Lucky

02-12-2012, 09:49 PM

Hah, I hear ya. Some people say the Iron Golem is cake, but I had a hard time with my character. Two things I have for you...

1) There's a bonfire along the way. It's a little tricky. When you first reach the fortress top and find yourself outdoors, take a left and go up the stairwell. After the stairwell, go to your right and if you drop off the ledge at a certain point, you can see a bonfire below. This will make your trek to the boss substantially shorter.

2) Use a humanity at said bonfire and reverse your hollowing. If you're looking at the white light head on there's a short bridge you can traverse to your right to a small alcove that will have a white summon sign for a soldier. He will help make your fight much easier.

megladon8

02-13-2012, 12:13 AM

Thanks for the tips Lucky, but too late - finally beat the Golem and got to Anor Londo.

Used my +5 zweihander with two hands. It's pretty effective.

Freaking love this game because right when I feel like I may actually go insane, I progress and feel like a million bucks.

Bought the Catarina armor, which is a few points better than my Armor of the Glorious, while also being a few points lighter.

Then I used the remaining 30,000 points to level up 3 more times.

I want to make the Golem Axe but the Dark Souls Wiki says either a Hand Axe or a Battle Axe works, neither of which I have encountered thus far.

megladon8

02-13-2012, 01:33 AM

I don't know if it's a visual glitch caused by my system not being able to pull off the online aspect properly, but I often see these little, white, stationary donuts on the screen.

One will suddenly appear on the ground, be there for about 30 seconds, then vanish.

It looks just like the yellow ring that you say after defeating the Iron Golem (which you examine to have the gargoyles carry you to Anor Londo) but it's white, and it does nothing.

Lucky

02-13-2012, 01:35 AM

I can't remember why they actually form, Davis will probably know, but if you stand on them they will boost the strength of your miracles.

megladon8

02-13-2012, 01:39 AM

I can see that Anor Londo can be used to farm souls pretty quickly. Each one of those massive knights yields 1500 souls, and there are 6 of them in the first area.

D_Davis

02-13-2012, 02:10 AM

Go in human form.

Summon Tarkis, by the Iron Golem.

He will kill the IG by himself. Most powerful NPC in the game.

D_Davis

02-13-2012, 02:11 AM

I can't remember why they actually form, Davis will probably know, but if you stand on them they will boost the strength of your miracles.

The one by the IG just transports you to Anor Londo.

However, when you seem them in the world, that means that any miracle cast near them becomes more powerful. When you cast miracles, these signs will appear in other players' games connected to your server. It's a way for the good factions to boost each other.

megladon8

02-13-2012, 03:39 AM

Leveling up my zweihander to +10 right now. Farming souls to buy titanite.

I am also heading back to the female merchant in the sewers to buy a crap load of arrows and poison arrows. I read that there are some parts in Anor Londo with archers that are much easier taken care of with poison arrows and / or the Ring of Fog. Since i don't have the latter, might as well get a crap load of the former!

megladon8

02-18-2012, 08:52 PM

D_Davis

02-18-2012, 11:41 PM

Man oh man there are some tough parts in Anor Londo.

I am having mega difficulty with these archers. They do so much damage. And I can't squeeze a shot off fast enough to take them out before they hit me.

So tough!

Just run up. Run up to the first break place and wait until they stop shooting. Then sprint all the way up, and at the top head to the right. Get close enough and the archer will stop shooting and pull out his sword. The archer on the left should be out of range now. Equip a big shield, and just let the guy swing away at you, and he should fall off. Then you're like 10 seconds away from a bonfire.

megladon8

02-19-2012, 12:28 AM

Thanks for the tip, D! I will do that in my next playtime.

I just defeated the Great Wolf Sif, which was a surprisingly easy battle. His attacks are easily blocked, and he needs to be practically on top of you to hit you. So I equipped a shield with 100 physical defense, let him hit me, then hit him in the belly a few times before he jumped away. Rinse and repeat.

I'm definitely going to make his sword when I get to the blacksmith in Anor Londo. I'm still kicking myself for having wasted Quelaag's soul.

megladon8

02-20-2012, 06:18 PM

Actually pretty successful making my way through Anor Londo. It's a great place to farm souls, as every one of these knights yields 1000 (or in the case of the archers, 1300) souls.

It's really cool seeing how the entire area interconnects by opening doors I couldn't before. I just opened the big front door of the castle, which cuts my travel time down hugely.

Also discovered the Great Blacksmith, whom I will be using to create a few very epic weapons.

I ascended my +10 zweihander to a lightning zweihander, which seems to have eliminated its scaling, but it doubled its damage with lightning damage (now it does 260 physical, 260 lightning) so it seems to be just as if not more powerful.

D_Davis

02-20-2012, 06:22 PM

Next prepare for the hardest boss fight in the game. :)

Idioteque Stalker

02-20-2012, 06:23 PM

megladon8

02-20-2012, 06:54 PM

Next prepare for the hardest boss fight in the game. :)

I'll be the judge of that! ;)

Seriously, though, I've found that my experiences with the game's bosses hasn't really matched up with others' at all. For example, many seem to think Quelaag was one of the harder bosses, but I beat her on my first try with absolutely no difficulty.

But then the Iron Golem took me like 6 hours, and it's considered to be quite easy.

Similarly, I found the Great Wolf Sif to be easy-peasy, but all I read and hear about is how hard he is to beat. Meanwhile, parts like those two archers on the side of the castle in Anor Londo give me hours of headaches.

megladon8

02-20-2012, 10:05 PM

Just spent some time exploring the Painted World of Ariamis.

Very cool world. At the end I didn't fight Priscilla (because I didn't know I was supposed to!) instead opting to jump off the ledge and return home.

I will definitely return to loot and explore some more.

Sycophant

02-21-2012, 04:01 PM

I didn't fight and kill Priscilla because I was too sad.

D_Davis

02-21-2012, 04:39 PM

The first time through, I didn't fight her because I wanted to get the hell out of that world. The way I felt there was really weird - I hated feeling disconnected from the other bonfires. It actually scared me - what if I get stuck here? Also, F those Wheeled Skeletons.

Lucky

02-21-2012, 04:47 PM

She's one of the easier bosses in the game and she drops a hefty amount of souls. I would also recommend reversing your humanity at the painted world bonfire, going through the gate, and exploring the cemetary to your immediate right. You will soon be invaded by a pyromancer who is simple and drops around 25k souls. You will get his spiked whip and armor, too. Then you can play castlevania style.

megladon8

02-21-2012, 06:40 PM

Lucky

02-21-2012, 08:44 PM

What do you mean by "reversing your humanity"? Like, going hollow?

Oops, I meant reverse your hollowing.

megladon8

02-26-2012, 02:14 AM

Next prepare for the hardest boss fight in the game. :)

It wasn't Ornstein / Smough you were talking about here, was it?

I actually beat them in the first try. I didn't find it very difficult at all. I was a little caught off guard when, after bringing Smough down to 1/4 health and then killing Ornstein, Smough was imbued with Ornstein's lightning power and had a full health recharge. But I just continued the same strategy of staying the hell out of the way of his attacks, then getting in a few cheap shots while he was recovering from his own huge swings.

I got the Lord Vessel, fed it to the wormy guy, and then spent some time in the Demon Ruins. Defeated the Ceaseless Discharge.

Made some pretty good progress today, I think.

megladon8

02-26-2012, 06:06 PM

Just opened the gate and got rid of the water at the bottom of New Londo Ruins.

It's really amazing how the areas of this game all interconnect. Very cool.

D_Davis

02-26-2012, 09:13 PM

It wasn't Ornstein / Smough you were talking about here, was it?

Dude - you're like some kind of Dark Soul's god or something! :)

Never heard of anyone thinking they were easy. Nicely done.

Most people (as in, everyone else in the world) tends to think that is the hardest part in the game.

D_Davis

02-26-2012, 09:14 PM

What sl are you now?

megladon8

02-27-2012, 05:23 PM

Dude - you're like some kind of Dark Soul's god or something! :)

Never heard of anyone thinking they were easy. Nicely done.

Most people (as in, everyone else in the world) tends to think that is the hardest part in the game.

I think "idiot savante" may be more appropriate. I beat them with no problem, but there are areas where regular enemies gave me hours and hours of headaches.

D_Davis

02-27-2012, 05:38 PM

I think "idiot savante" may be more appropriate. I beat them with no problem, but there are areas where regular enemies gave me hours and hours of headaches.

I can see that. I've never been very good at boss battles in games - I always get to nervous, and I end up making stupid mistakes.

Idioteque Stalker

02-27-2012, 05:50 PM

Yeah, since his break Meg has gone from worst Dark Souls player ever to best Dark Souls player ever.

Ornstein and Smough is the hardest battle in the game.

Lucky

02-27-2012, 06:09 PM

megladon8

02-27-2012, 08:07 PM

I'm with you, Meg. I thought S&O were pretty easy the first time through, beat it on my second try. In NG+, however, I thought they were one of the harder boss fights. Then again, I had a hell of a time with the Spider Queen which most people find easy. Centipede, too, that was the hardest for my character first time through.

Did you retrieve the Firekeeper from Firelink Shrine's soul back from the knight in gold armor while you were in Anor Londo? That part is a bitch.

Yeah I got it back no problem. I got destroyed on my first try, but on my second I just stood back and fired an arrow at the knight. He charged me and it only took two hits with the lightning zweihander tp kill him.

Do you progressively have more and more bonfires extinguished throughout the game? I just lost the first fire in Anor Londo. The firekeeper turned on me for killing the Dark Sun.

Lucky

02-28-2012, 02:47 AM

Yeah I got it back no problem. I got destroyed on my first try, but on my second I just stood back and fired an arrow at the knight. He charged me and it only took two hits with the lightning zweihander tp kill him.

Do you progressively have more and more bonfires extinguished throughout the game? I just lost the first fire in Anor Londo. The firekeeper turned on me for killing the Dark Sun.

Ah yes, I forgot that happens. No, those are the only two occasions that will happen through the story. You can put out the Chaos one on your own by attacking the spider witch on the wall, though.

megladon8

02-29-2012, 01:48 AM

At level 73 with my knight. I'm still wearing the Fang Boar Helm (+4) as I've yet to find another helmet in its range of protection. Plus I think it looks cool :) I'm also wearing the silver knight armor, but haven't levelled it much at all because I don't want to waste the titanite and souls when something much better may be around.

As for weapons I am still using the lightning zweihander (+5), and am using the barbed straight sword of Kirk which I have made divine, for fighting the skeletons in the Catacombs. For a cursed weapon I am using the ghost blade until I have levelled my skills enough to use the greatsword of artorious.

I was exploring the Catacombs but got frustrated and decided to take a break, so I just made my way through the Duke's Archives (where I rescued Big Hat Logan AGAIN) and am entering the Crystal Cave now.

Really love the variety of environments in this game.

megladon8

02-29-2012, 03:20 AM

Woo-hoo! Just beat Seath the Scaleless. Took me a few tries but finally managed to find a way to get out of the way of his huge crystal crop which deals curse damage.

Next I'll be returning to the Catacombs to try to defeat Pinwheel.

megladon8

03-04-2012, 01:24 AM

So remember a long while ago I was groaning about how I feel like I am never going to feel "powerful" in this game? That nothing would ever feel like I could get through it with relative ease?

Well, I think I've pretty much hit that point now.

The last couple of bosses I've defeated with little to no trouble. I just defeated the Centipede Demon in the Demon Ruins on my first try, and without having to use an Estus Flask.

Milky Joe

03-04-2012, 02:03 AM

Ordered this yesterday. Still haven't beaten DeS, but I just don't caare

D_Davis

03-04-2012, 05:32 AM

Pinwheel is probably the easiest boss in the game. I think he's actually easier than the Asylum Demon.

D_Davis

03-04-2012, 05:33 AM

I got back into Demons' Souls today - beat the Maneater boss and then beat a black phantom in the Monk's Chamber.

megladon8

03-04-2012, 05:59 PM

How do you find the two games compare, D?

Is one like, leaps and bounds better than the other?

D_Davis

03-04-2012, 07:18 PM

How do you find the two games compare, D?

Is one like, leaps and bounds better than the other?

Dark Souls feels a lot better. Your character feels more grounded to his surroundings (which is something really important to me in a game), it looks better, and the weapon animations are much better.

Demons' Souls definitely looks and feels like an older game, it's just not as polished.

However, it is still really great, and some of the levels are amazing. I'd love to see it remade with Dark Souls look and feel.

Demons' Souls is still really good.

megladon8

03-06-2012, 03:00 AM

Today's "Dark Souls" adventures...

-had to kill Solaire after he randomly became a Hollow. Upon investigating in the Wiki, it seems I didn't do something that I wasn't even aware I was supposed to do. This sucks because I really liked Solaire. Oh well, I know for next playthrough.

-found the blacksmith Vamos in The Catacombs. Upgraded a greatsword to a Chaos Greatsword, then killed Vamos for his loot as he's pretty useless. Doesn't sell much of anything at all, and I won't be using Chaos weapons at all. I was pretty pissed that I didn't get his Cthulhu mask when I killed him. What a tease.

-began fighting the Bed of Chaos but got killed. Was frustrated as it took me a while to work my way to it, so I went off elsewhere for the time being.

-passed 40 hours game time in this play, which brings my total time with this game to 70 hours - creeping up to "Skyrim"!

D_Davis

03-06-2012, 01:34 PM

-found the blacksmith Vamos in The Catacombs. Upgraded a greatsword to a Chaos Greatsword, then killed Vamos for his loot as he's pretty useless.

You didn't make any fire weapons?

megladon8

03-06-2012, 05:44 PM

You didn't make any fire weapons?

Just the Chaos Greatsword.

I really don't use a variety of weapons at all. I have my Lightning Zweihander, a Divine sword for undead killing, the ghost blade for a cursed weapon, and a +5 bow.

megladon8

03-06-2012, 09:23 PM

Beat Gravelord Nito and The Four Kings (both on the first try, to boot!).

Now I'm trying to beat Gwyn, Lord of Cinder. Holy hell. This is one tough boss.

He's just so damn fast. There's no time to recover between his attacks.

Lucky

03-06-2012, 09:26 PM

Iron. Flesh.

megladon8

03-06-2012, 11:22 PM

Iron. Flesh.

I don't have it, and I haven't used a single pyromancy in this playthrough.

I've been relying entirely on brute strength.

megladon8

03-07-2012, 01:27 AM

Beat Gwyn when I finally came to realize a good strategy - parry and riposte.

Using the +4 chaos greatsword I had made, I killed him in about 6 hits.

Ending was...well, pretty much nonexistent.

Really loved this game. It has some heavy technical flaws and I still argue that it's just a tad too obtuse for its own good, but all in all a pretty stellar experience.

Started NG+ and have already made it to the Bellfry Gargoyles, but surprisingly got destroyed by them. Up 'til then there was pretty much no challenge whatsoever - killed both Black Knights in Undead Burg, and killed both the Asylum Demon and the Taurus Demon in ONE HIT.

D_Davis

03-07-2012, 01:22 PM

Good job!

megladon8

03-08-2012, 04:45 AM

I think I'm pretty much done with this game for the time being. I don't really have the drive to do NG+ right now, with a few other games on my shelf I haven't touched yet, and games coming out in the coming months that I'd like to get to.

Definitely a game I will come back to, though.

D_Davis

04-01-2012, 08:42 PM

Epicnamebro has a great video series on the lore and story of Dark Souls. Very cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvWvhZtaV7M&feature=fvsr

Sycophant

04-04-2012, 04:23 AM

After several months of not really doing much with the game, in the last week I got all four lord souls. People who say the latter portions of the game feel kind of rushed aren't wrong.

Attempted Gwyn twice and put down the controller for tonight.

Meanwhile, I'm planning on trying to run through with two other characters. One a magic user, the other a puncher. I haven't played Dark Souls with magic yet. We'll see what happens!

D_Davis

04-04-2012, 05:02 AM

After several months of not really doing much with the game, in the last week I got all four lord souls. People who say the latter portions of the game feel kind of rushed aren't wrong.

The devs have said as much. Although I still really love a lot of the end game stuff, especially the Catacombs, Tomb of the Giants (the way you can see Ash Lake is amazing), and New Londo Ruins.

Sycophant

04-04-2012, 05:12 AM

The game's visual design remains ever compelling. I don't think there's an area that I found un-beautiful.

Most of my complaint is with enemy placement/variety (Lost Izalith especially) and a few of the bosses just don't live up to their promise. Some of the bosses were really cool still! Some of the level layouts are pretty blah, too, and some feel truncated.

One wishes they could've taken another 6 months and finished everything they wanted. Oh well. I hope they keep making games in this vein for a while yet. This is still right up there with Bayonetta and Super Mario 3D Land as my favorite games of this console generation.

megladon8

04-04-2012, 05:20 AM

I pretty much ignored the parry-riposte technique until I got to Gwyn, where it is invaluable.

I attempted that fight about 12 times before I came to my senses and tried to parry his attacks, and then I beat him in my first attempt with that technique.

D_Davis

04-04-2012, 10:18 PM

This Let's Play Dark Souls is funny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqZs1G4GGIA&list=PLFF71B753CFB6BBEE&index=32&feature=plpp_video).

Saya

04-08-2012, 03:59 AM

"Dark Souls : Prepare to Die Edition" coming to PC.

Has 2 new bosses:

Guardian of the Tomb
Black Dragon

megladon8

04-08-2012, 04:14 AM

If that ever comes to 360 I'll be all over it.

Sycophant

04-08-2012, 06:13 PM

So buying that for PC.

it appears to have been announced around the time I finally beat the game yesterday. I wish I had either just brought one guy with me to kill Gwyn or had kept trying it alone. Incentive for another playthrough I guess!

Stay Puft

04-08-2012, 10:13 PM

"Dark Souls : Prepare to Die Edition" coming to PC.

Missed opportunity for "Dark Souls: You Defeated Edition."

D_Davis

04-08-2012, 11:56 PM

I won't be triple-dipping, but I'll buy it as DLC. Hopefully they will at least do that for all of us that already own the game, twice. :)

Sycophant

04-09-2012, 01:51 AM

Yeah, if they do DLC, then I'll probably just do that instead. Unless the PC community seems really active or something (or they manage to reduce the fucking hitbox or whatever on backstabbing in PVP).

D_Davis

04-11-2012, 07:55 PM

http://i.imgur.com/r4FAw.jpg

Lucky

04-11-2012, 10:13 PM

Damn, already sold my copy. I would have paid for that expansion.

D_Davis

04-11-2012, 10:15 PM

Damn, already sold my copy. I would have paid for that expansion.

It'll be out as DLC - can't imagine why it wouldn't be.

Lucky

04-11-2012, 10:20 PM

It'll be out as DLC - can't imagine why it wouldn't be.

So wait...I won't need the physical disc to utilize the DLC?

Sycophant

04-11-2012, 10:27 PM

I am not 100% confident it'll be available as add-on DLC for 360/PS3, but I do hope so.

D_Davis

04-11-2012, 10:32 PM

So wait...I won't need the physical disc to utilize the DLC?

If it's DLC, you'll need your original disc.

D_Davis

04-11-2012, 10:37 PM

I am not 100% confident it'll be available as add-on DLC for 360/PS3, but I do hope so.

There is no way Fromsoft will abandon their console core.

They just aren't announcing it right now because they are going to rely on console gamers to double/triple dip. What they are going to realize is that 1) way more people signed the petition than have any desire to actually purchase the game, and 2) they are going to discover that there will be far more people playing the PC version than there are people who purchased it.

I just hope the move is financially successful for them, but I'm afraid it's going to be a Snakes on the Plane type situation, in that Internet hype and desire won't translate into IRL sales.

Also, there is already another petition from PC gamers who are claiming they WILL NOT purchase it because it uses GFWL, but then these same people will bootleg the game and complain about it not working properly.

I swear, gamers are the whiniest little babies.

Sycophant

04-12-2012, 01:16 AM

"Gamers" and "the gamer community" are basically the worst. You'll get no argument from me there.

I think I'll probably pick up the PC edition (legit) no matter what.

Dukefrukem

04-12-2012, 01:36 PM

PC edition here too. The bad news is it uses GFWL and not steam. Poor decision there.

Idioteque Stalker

04-16-2012, 05:41 PM

Got into this game again. Playing as a sorcerer and enjoying it immensely, but I'm not really sure what to upgrade as I rarely melee. Made it to Anor Londo last night, but I'm scared of the boss...

If they don't release Prepare to Die as DLC then I'll shit.

Biff Justice

04-16-2012, 05:44 PM

The sorcerer is what I finished the game with, and since I somehow lost Big Hat Logan I didn't have the "major" spells and ended up meleeing. I recommend getting a Baldur Side Sword and upgrading it along the enchanted line. Its a while before you can get there since you have to defeat Seath the Scaleless to get one of the embers you need, but once you've got it, its an amazing weapon for a magic based character.

D_Davis

04-16-2012, 05:45 PM

Got into this game again. Playing as a sorcerer and enjoying it immensely, but I'm not really sure what to upgrade as I rarely melee.

Upgrade this:

http://darksouls.wikidot.com/velka-s-rapier

You should be able to get it soon, in the Painted World in Anor Londo.

megladon8

04-16-2012, 05:47 PM

It's GFWL?

Fuck that. I'm burning my 360 copy and pissing on the ashes, then writing threatening letters to From Software. Fucking dickwads.

BTW if anyone knows a good game torrent site let me know before this is released.

Biff Justice

04-16-2012, 05:51 PM

D's suggestion is also good. It's what I used until I could get my side sword beefed up.

D_Davis

04-16-2012, 05:52 PM

D's suggestion is also good. It's what I used until I could get my side sword beefed up.

I like the side sword option as well. That's a fun weapon to use.

D_Davis

04-16-2012, 05:54 PM

Looks like it'll cost 90k souls to get the rapier fully upgraded, which you can do in Anor Londo pretty easily. Help some peeps in co-op from the last bonfire through the S&O fight and you'll basically have that many souls.

Lucky

04-16-2012, 09:04 PM

I used the Moonlight Sword from cutting off Seath's tail for my sorcerer. Once I had that, the tin banishment catalyst, and the high-end crystal spells, the game became too easy.

D_Davis

04-16-2012, 09:09 PM

I used the Moonlight Sword from cutting off Seath's tail for my sorcerer. Once I had that, the tin banishment catalyst, and the high-end crystal spells, the game became too easy.

I'm still leveling up to use the Moonlight Sword.

D_Davis

04-18-2012, 09:22 PM

I ordered the art book today. First time I've purchased anything like this for a video game.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/$%28KGrHqJHJFME92BB5b56BPeDGJe Wpg%7E%7E60_35.JPG

Ezee E

04-18-2012, 10:27 PM

Maybe I should retry this bad boy.

Idioteque Stalker

04-19-2012, 12:46 AM

Went through the Painted World way quicker this time. Thanks to my ranged attacks, the infected zombies didn't make me toxic even once. Regardless, I was so eager to leave that when I reached the end sans estus I didn't fight Priscilla, only to find myself surrounded by a dozen painting guardians in Anor Londo. :lol: Thankfully I'm quick.

I took D's advice and got Velka's Rapier (already have it at +5 and it's very nice). I've been leveling my endurance so that I can equip both my catalyst and my rapier without sacrificing speed. Time to focus again on intelligence.

Just opened the huge doors leading to Anor Londo boss. Still scared of these guys.

Sycophant

05-31-2012, 04:24 PM

New Artorias of the Abyss content from the PC edition is coming to consoles as DLC. http://www.siliconera.com/2012/05/31/dark-souls-pcs-dark-knight-artorias-quest-is-coming-to-ps3-xbox-360-as-dlc/

Idioteque Stalker

06-01-2012, 01:55 AM

New Artorias of the Abyss content from the PC edition is coming to consoles as DLC. http://www.siliconera.com/2012/05/31/dark-souls-pcs-dark-knight-artorias-quest-is-coming-to-ps3-xbox-360-as-dlc/

Yesssssss. But now I have to wait...

KK2.0

06-01-2012, 06:52 AM

console dlc AND steamworks for pc version

NOW THE WORLD MIGHT BE MENDED

Sven

08-09-2012, 10:40 PM

Traded in some games for this. Hopefully it's just what I need.

D_Davis

08-09-2012, 10:44 PM

Excellent.

Sven

08-10-2012, 01:15 AM

So many menus and stats and numbers. I'm not used to games like this. I've already died like ten times. This is going to be a rough breaking in.

Also, the opening movie was hilariously nonsensical. Hopefully the story isn't too big a component.

Lucky

08-10-2012, 01:38 AM

Good news, bad news. The story is essentially non-existent. The menu thing, on the other hand, will require you to adapt. Quickly. We're here to help.

Also, choose early on a path for your character and stick with it.

Lucky

08-10-2012, 01:43 AM

One more early tip: no matter which path you decide on for your first playthrough, get your strength to 16 and dexterity to 13.

D_Davis

08-10-2012, 01:58 PM

I'd say that the story in the game is actually really great, in that it's one of the only games I've played in which the world's lore is gradually revealed through the world and the gameplay. You can flesh it out by reading all of the information about the items, and then the two together reveal a very detailed story. But what's best, the game rarely pauses (I think maybe 3 times?) to tell you a story. It's all active voice.

And don't worry about dying. You will die - a lot.

Are you playing online? Which system?

Don't be afraid to use this:

http://darksouls.wikidot.com/

The Souls games are community games, and we were all learning and playing with and from each other.

Morris Schæffer

08-10-2012, 02:18 PM

And don't kill the sun dude! :lol:

The box for Dark Souls is just sitting on my shelf, mocking me, daring me to get into it again.

Sven

08-11-2012, 05:03 PM

Getting surer and surer that I cannot play this game. I'm too much a novice to the RPG format. I don't have any foundation on which to develop strategy. There is too much happening and not enough explanation--I'm just running in a direction for reasons that I don't know. I'm not used to bumper combat, so I keep dying.

amberlita

08-11-2012, 05:46 PM

I'm looking for a new game to start and was considering this one. Erm, maybe not. Third person RPG is my preferred format but I'm still just a casual player. Taking a look at the menu screenshots of the various stats and some of the reviews on its difficulty, this kind of goes beyond my usual level of immersion. The community aspect seems neat, but it also seems essential. I want to feel comfortable enough to plow through on my own and not have to read up on strategies and consult other gamers just to survive. Too bad. Looks great otherwise.

D_Davis

08-11-2012, 06:30 PM

Start by watching this guy's Let's Play Dark Souls videos. That's what got me into the game, and helped out a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL92B5CED80CD823 93

D_Davis

08-24-2012, 01:26 AM

Call me a sucker - I don't care. Dammit.

Downloading and installing Dark Souls on my PC right now.

I've gotta get some use out of this new video card I bought for Dia-blows 3, amiright?

Sycophant

08-24-2012, 06:27 AM

Playing Dark Souls PC right now. What's your Windows Live ID, Davis? We can do something with that info, right?

D_Davis

08-24-2012, 06:37 AM

It's genrebusters I think. Yours?

I'll have to double check.

I thought this new version was supposed to have some kind of match making.

Sycophant

08-24-2012, 06:45 AM

JDMofKhron

D_Davis

08-24-2012, 03:13 PM

1 a.m.

Even after 500+ hours, and two other platforms, this game still has power over me.

Ugh. So tired.

Anyhow, it kind of runs like crap on my PC, and I don't know why. I'm not getting anywhere near the locked 30fps - I'm probably around 15. It's almost unplayable, and makes me a little sick. MY PC destroys the recommended specs, so something is definitely wrong.

Scar

08-24-2012, 11:34 PM

It's Dark Souls.

Its presenting you with another challenge.

D_Davis

08-25-2012, 08:02 PM

Almost to the new content....

Sycophant

08-25-2012, 08:37 PM

Where does the new stuff begin? Is it postgame?

I lost an hour or so today trying to take down Havel, but I always jumped the gun on my strategy.

D_Davis

08-25-2012, 09:39 PM

After you place the lord vessel.

D_Davis

08-26-2012, 03:59 PM

NERFS

Confirmed
Bottomless Box Transfer Glitch - Removed

Bottomless Box Dupe Glitch - Removed

Dark Wood Grain Ring - Ninja flip now requires 25% or less equip weight

Dragon Head Glitch - Removed

Presumably this also includes all swap glitches i.e. buffing non buffable weapons.

Eagle Shield - Physical Defense reduced from 100% to 95%

Greatsword Moveset - Recovery animation slowed

Mask of the Mother - HP boost reduced from 15% to 10%

Mask of the Father - Equip Load Increase reduced from 15% to +5%

Lightning Elemental Weapons - Reduced AR
ex: +5 Lightning Spear - Console 444 AR (220/-/-/224) vs PC 400 AR (200/-/-/200). Looks like a flat 10% reduction to all current Lightning Elemental Weapon AR, but this will need more info to confirm. Also curious about other elemental types whether or not Fire and Chaos paths are adjusted as well Seems to be confirmed that AR on Fire and Chaos types are being adjusted as well, only question remains by how much across the board.

Off-hand Bow Resin Buff Glitch - Removed

Hornets Ring - Bonus damage dropped from 50% to 30%

The Two Dark Anor Londo Champions (outside O&S Boss Room) - no longer respawn after being killed.

Speculation
Mask of the Child - Possible Stamina Regen adjustment?
With a nerf to both the Father and Mother Masks I think it's reasonable to be suspicious about a reduction in the Regen Gain from this item.

BUFFS

Confirmed
Elite Knight's Set - Poise increased to 46 total

Mid-Roll - Increase in invincibility frames (EWGF Confirmation Post)

Warp Locations - Added Undead Parish, the Depths, Tomb of the Giants and more

Lucky

08-26-2012, 04:16 PM

That's good that they're adding more warps. I think you should be able to warp to any previously lit bonfire.

That eagle shield nerf would have hurt my character.

D_Davis

08-26-2012, 04:21 PM

That eagle shield nerf would have hurt my character.

Totally pissed me off. I made sure to go the long way through BT on my first PC run to grab it, only to find it completely useless now.

Lame.

So glad, though, that they nerfed the DWGR and masks - we'll no longer have to deal with ninja flipping giants in Havel armor.

Lucky

08-26-2012, 04:25 PM

How's the new content?

D_Davis

08-26-2012, 04:37 PM

How's the new content?

Haven't made it there yet.

Doing some grinding right now for weapons and levels.

KK2.0

08-26-2012, 10:20 PM

Are you guys using the high resolution hack? the game looks absolutely gorgeous, it's even kinda sad that a lot of texture detail have been buried under the console resolution until now, From's artists are god tier.

if you haven't tried yet http://blog.metaclassofnil.com/

D_Davis

08-27-2012, 02:10 PM

My PC won't run it with the patch. It barely runs it without it.

Looks really good though.

KK2.0

08-27-2012, 05:35 PM

have you turned off the game's motion blur and anti aliasing?

I'm tempted to purchase the PC version now, i've decided to wait for the PS3 add-on of the new content but I'm so curious to watch the game with enhanced visuals now. My PC may run it reasonably well although i have an old radeon card, and the game seems to run better on nvidia's.

take a look at the detail in the Drake Sword :eek:

http://www.abload.de/img/data.exe_2012-08-25-0j0ura.jpg

D_Davis

08-27-2012, 05:42 PM

Yeah - I've spent hours tweaking it. Nothing. Runs at about 15 FPS, too. It's almost unplayable, but I'm pushing through to see the new content.

Just got the Lord Vessel, so I'm almost there.

Milky Joe

08-27-2012, 10:20 PM

Finally got out of the Undead Burg and past the damned Taurus Demon. I beat him by getting him to fall off the edge of the bridge. Not exactly a glorious victory, but I'll take it.

KK2.0

08-28-2012, 12:08 AM

Expect Taurus to become a regular enemy type later in the game. without a bridge. just scorching lava all around, and he's immune but you are not. I love Dark Souls. :)

D_Davis

08-28-2012, 12:08 AM

Finally got out of the Undead Burg and past the damned Taurus Demon. I beat him by getting him to fall off the edge of the bridge. Not exactly a glorious victory, but I'll take it.

Don't forget to take advantage of your plunging attacks whenever possible.

Milky Joe

08-28-2012, 11:33 PM

Progress report: not much.

Soo many deaths.

EDIT: Scratch that, just rang the first bell. Feeling better.

D_Davis

08-29-2012, 02:57 AM

Finally to the new content in Dark Souls. First new boss down.

D_Davis

08-29-2012, 03:18 AM

OK. Wow. So the first new area is no joke. Holy crap those new stone knights hit hard.

It's so weird to be in a new area in Dark Souls. After like 500 hours, I knew the world by heart. But now, I'm thrust all the way back to last October. It's crazy, and totally awesome.

Best game ever.

Milky Joe

09-03-2012, 04:35 AM

Halberd +6, how I love thee. Gaping Dragon: toast. Next stop: Blighttown.

D_Davis

09-25-2012, 04:37 PM

Quit playing the PTD edition - my PC just can't handle it. It was making me feel sick to play the game at such a low framerate.

Started a new character last night on the PS3 in preparation for the DLC in a month.

I've also been watching ENB's new Let's Play videos, and it's gotten me all excited about the Souls games again.

D_Davis

09-30-2012, 07:09 AM

Invaded this dude in Demon Ruins. Killed him. Got 750k souls.

Holy crap.

Scar

09-30-2012, 11:06 AM

Invaded this dude in Demon Ruins. Killed him. Got 750k souls.

Holy crap.

Make sure your doors are locked!

D_Davis

09-30-2012, 06:24 PM

Make sure your doors are locked!

He was using some kind of super cheap tactic too. I think he might have been glitching or something. He had me infinitely stun locked, and then tried to push me off a ledge. Luckily, I fell to a safe spot. Then I just poked him with my +15 Balder Swag Sword a few times. He was terrible.

I basically killed one dude, and then leveled up to about sl 90.

I pm'ed him asking him the name of the power he was using, and he never responded. LOL.

megladon8

09-30-2012, 07:05 PM

Perhaps it's a little early with the game being less than a year old, but is there any news about From developing another entry in the series?

I'd be on that in a second.

D_Davis

09-30-2012, 09:44 PM

They've said they're making another one, but that's it. No details at all.

I, for one, cannot wait. :)

I need a new souls game....but I'm still having tons of fun with the old souls games.

megladon8

09-30-2012, 10:23 PM

They've said they're making another one, but that's it. No details at all.

I, for one, cannot wait. :)

I need a new souls game....but I'm still having tons of fun with the old souls games.

"Dark Souls" is one I'm sure to revisit time and time again. I just found the first playthrough so mentally exhausting I wanted to give it a bit of a rest before I head back into Hell :)

I would like to try a magic-based character in my next run, but I'm weary because I typically hate playing magic-based characters. I'm always a warrior with close-combat weaponry in these sorts of games. I've often found the use of magic to be quite limiting, which is the opposite of what it should be.

D_Davis

10-01-2012, 01:00 AM

I love using magic in Demon's Souls, but I didn't find nearly as fun and useful in Dark Souls. In Demon's Souls, magic is basically a win button. I went through my first play in only about 20 hours, and I only upgraded a couple of weapons a few times. But in Dark Souls, I just can't ever do good damage with magic.

So I got my new character all ready for the new content on the PS3.

Switched back to Demon's Souls. Forgot how damn hard that game is on NG+. Damn.

Scar

10-01-2012, 01:33 AM

D_Davis

10-02-2012, 03:55 AM

I FINALLY got the Istarelle spear in Demon's Souls. Had to wait until NG+ because for some reason I couldn't get PWWT during NG. Fighting 4 of those giant, club-wielding plague trolls was a PITA. Now I need to go back and finish 2-1 so I can upgrade it.

D_Davis

10-02-2012, 04:42 PM

Got my +5 Blessed Claymore in Demon's Souls.

Now I just need to get through 2-2 to get the Flame Lurker's soul so I can upgrade the spear.

That dude is going to be a PITA on NG+, right?

Scar

10-02-2012, 04:47 PM

Got my +5 Blessed Claymore in Demon's Souls.

Now I just need to get through 2-2 to get the Flame Lurker's soul so I can upgrade the spear.

That dude is going to be a PITA on NG+, right?

He's always a pain in the ass. Stick and move, stick and move. Make sure to roll roll roll.

I hear he's easier if you use magic.

D_Davis

10-02-2012, 05:02 PM

My plan is going in naked, with the water veil. I'll probably use my Blessed Claymore because of its fast attack. I don't think my INT and MAG stats are high enough on this character for any magic to do much damage. But he was a complete pushover for my Royal mage.

D_Davis

10-04-2012, 03:07 AM

Flamkelurker went down on my first attempt. My +5 Blessed Claymore actually stun locks him and will interrupt many of his attacks. It was actually best for my to put the pressure on him.

D_Davis

10-05-2012, 09:09 PM

Gah! Stupid gold skeletons and flying manta rays.

Scar

10-05-2012, 09:11 PM

Gah! Stupid gold skeletons and flying manta rays.

Fuck 'em right in the ear.

Biff Justice

10-06-2012, 07:15 AM

Gah! Stupid gold skeletons and flying manta rays.

Great farming in the early game, though.

D_Davis

10-06-2012, 02:07 PM

Great farming in the early game, though.

I"m in NG+, so I'm just trying to get through! BAstards.

Scar

10-14-2012, 09:06 PM

Started a new Demon's Souls game this morning as a Royal. Good God, Soul Arrow is ridiculous. :lol:

Sniped Tower Knight w/o him hitting me once.

D_Davis

10-14-2012, 11:45 PM

Started a new Demon's Souls game this morning as a Royal. Good God, Soul Arrow is ridiculous. :lol:

Sniped Tower Knight w/o him hitting me once.

Yep. Easy Mode.

Sycophant

10-15-2012, 08:10 AM

I have yet to do a magic run with Dark Souls, but my royal run in Demon's Souls was basically a cakewalk.

Scar

10-16-2012, 11:36 PM

I have yet to do a magic run with Dark Souls, but my royal run in Demon's Souls was basically a cakewalk.

I haven't died yet.

Just unlocked the Sage and I think I just seriously upgraded my magic at the cost of Tower Knight's and Fool's Idol's souls.

D_Davis

10-17-2012, 04:03 PM

In my magic run through Demon's Souls, I didn't upgrade a single weapon (I used the basic magic weapon found in 4-1, and the dragon sword found in 2-2) or shield, or make any special weapons. I didn't even know the Demon's Souls could be used at the second blacksmith.

Playing melee on my next run was a completely different game.

KK2.0

10-23-2012, 05:33 AM

dammit i forgot Artorias of the Abyss DLC would be out this week and bought another game.

I hate to be poor.

Idioteque Stalker

10-23-2012, 05:53 PM

D_Davis

10-23-2012, 07:47 PM

The DLC makes me realize just how much I depended on the strategy guide. Without it I'm lost. I can't get the Broken Pendant to drop and there doesn't seem to be any super reliable walkthroughs online. All anyone is saying is rescue Dusk from behind the hydra, but I've done that. So I'm just going to shelve it for a few days to let other people figure it out.

You get the pendant in the Duke's Archive, after rescuing and talking to Dusk. Kill the first Crystal Gollum in the first room of the Archives after the first bonfire. The pendant will drop. Then go back to the cave where you rescued Dusk, and examiner the shadow.

For more details, search for EpicNameBro's channel on Youtube. He's the best.

D_Davis

10-24-2012, 02:51 AM

Yes! You Defeated is back! It's like the good old pre-first patch days. :)

Idioteque Stalker

10-25-2012, 04:01 PM

Ugh it doesn't drop... Do I need to start a new game now that I have the DLC?

D_Davis

10-25-2012, 04:10 PM

No - you shouldn't need to.

You did these things:

Kill hydra
Kill golem - rescue Dusk - talk to Dusk
Kill skinny and fatty
Get Lord vessel
got to Duke's
kill new golem - should drop the broken pendant
go back to cave where you rescued dusk

Idioteque Stalker

10-25-2012, 04:20 PM

Idioteque Stalker

10-25-2012, 04:54 PM

Sanctuary Guardian defeated on first attempt. Despite this, it wasn't exactly a pushover. I just am badass with sorcery and rolled a lot.

The sanctuary is very nice. Cool NPC, too, but aside from Gold Pine Resin her items are pretty weak and not new.

D_Davis

10-25-2012, 04:59 PM

What lvl are you?

I started a new game the other night - with a quality build (started as deprived, lvling up to 28str/40dex) - and I'm up to Sen's now. I'll probably get to the new content tonight.

Also, they finally fixed the pyromancy Power Within - now the HP drain doesn't scale with the lvl of the flame hand. It's a constant, low amount of drain. Makes that pyromancy totally awesome.

D_Davis

10-25-2012, 05:00 PM

It worked!

Maybe it didn't work the first few times because... well, I don't know. I just now booted up my game, and I was at the first bonfire in Duke's Archives, where I had returned to when I didn't get the pendant yesterday. I went up and got the pendant, so I guess I simply needed to reboot the game? Or maybe it isn't a 100% drop?

Oh well, on to the the new content. :cool:

Sometimes you do have to reload to trigger 100% drops. I bet if you had just quit and reloaded your last game, the pendant would have been on the ground where the golem died.

Idioteque Stalker

10-25-2012, 05:42 PM

I'm lvl 91, so that probably has something to do with it. Honestly, though, these hulking stone knights are giving me problems. Died three times in Royal Woods so far.

Idioteque Stalker

10-25-2012, 05:57 PM

Damn, got further than ever and then was invaded with a mob of gardeners and a giant after me. I'm not good with pvp. I freak out.

And lol at those trimming gardeners: "Don't steal that gold coin!"

EDIT: Oh, and dragons just love bridges in this game.

D_Davis

10-25-2012, 06:07 PM

Those stone giants are no joke.

D_Davis

10-26-2012, 04:11 PM

So, the black dragon and Knight Artorias are no joke. Got Artorias down to 1/2 health. The black dragon OHK'ed me.

D_Davis

10-26-2012, 04:22 PM

Can't believe I'm still playing this game pretty much non-stop, for over a year now.

D_Davis

10-27-2012, 01:39 AM

Beat Knight Artorias - good challenge, but not too difficult. Beat him on my 4th attempt.

The next area is freaking awesome. The architecture is so creepy; I want to know more about what happened to the township.

D_Davis

10-27-2012, 06:43 PM

The Chasm of the Abyss is so good. Man, these new areas are awesome. So creepy.

D_Davis

10-28-2012, 02:21 AM

Well that was shorter than I thought, but still really, really good. One part in particular...wow! So cool.

Can't wait to see how it impacts something that is going to happen later in my game.

Hint:

Do the DLC area before killing Sif.

Still have the dragon to fight though, so that should take a little bit.

I also really like how many more warp bonfires there are. Very helpful. One in particular is a great place to farm humanity. Humanity is basically in almost never ending supply now.

D_Davis

10-28-2012, 05:06 AM

Black dragon down.

Then I went to fight Sif. Now it's even sadder.

D_Davis

11-27-2012, 04:59 AM

First step in my sl1 (no leveling above starting level) is complete: first bell rang. This is going to be very hard. I predict that I'll get up to Anor Londo before calling it a day on this challenge.

D_Davis

11-27-2012, 06:58 PM

For my sl1 run:

Starting class: Wanderer (actual starting level 3), for the good balance of STR and DEX
Armor: I'll probably just upgrade and wear the starting armor
Weapons: Fire Short Bow; +15 Longsword or Balder Side Sword (not sure which yet); Lightning Estoc
Shields: Spider shield and one of the crest shields, not sure which one yet
Magic: Fully upgraded pyromancy flame, with Power Within for boss battles (I'll only have enough Attunement for 1 spell)

Basically, by the time I reach Sen's, I'll be one-hit-killed by every boss, and after Anor Londo most of the regular enemies will OHK me. I think the hardest boss will be Sif for some reason.