Q. My gender got changed somehow.
A. There is a coffin in Things Betwixt you can enter to change your gender as many times as you would like.
Q. I can't see co-op summon signs.
A. You cannot be the co-op host while hollowed. You can use a Human Effigy to restore your humanity, allowing you to find summon signs. This applies to NPC summons as well.
Q. I was invaded by another player while hollowed.
A. We've changed the way invading works in this game so that players may be invaded even while hollow. However, there is a cooldown time after being invaded so that consecutive invasions do not occur.
Q. I cannot restore my health past a certain point on the HP meter.
A. In this game each time you die your maximum HP will be reduced, up to 50% total. Also there is another condition under which it will be reduced (Cursed). Restoring your humanity will return the maximum HP to normal.
Q. I can't jump while dashing.
A. If you press L3 (clicking the left stick) you can jump while dashing. You can change this to using the ○ button (B on 360) like it was in the previous game through the options menu.
Q. I'm not being matched with players from other regions. Why?
A. You can allow for connecting with players from other regions through the options menu. Otherwise you will only be matched with players from your region.
Q. Please list the conditions for being matched up for online co-op.
A. The conditions for being matched up are determined not only by parameters that are visible but also various parameters on the game servers themselves. In order to provide suitable match-ups between players we will make necessary adjustments to the servers if needed, and thus will refrain from providing specific details.
Q. There are times are I can and cannot use items like Estus flasks to restore my HP during co-op. Why is this?
A. During invasions, items cannot be used by non-host players to restore health. Healing spells can still be used. This limitation does not exist for the host.
Q. I can't go into dual wielding mode even though I have a weapon in each hand. Why?
A. With the introduction of dual wielding in this game, players can enter dual wield mode if they are above certain levels in both Strength and Dexterity levels as well as using certain weapon combinations. If these conditions are not met, you will simply hold the weapon in your left hand with both hands.
Q. I can't free aim with crossbows. Why?
A. You can't free aim crossbows with one hand. Press △ (Y on 360) to wield with both hands and then L1/R1 (LB/RB on 360) to enter free aim mode.
Q. When I attack with greatswords/other big weapons I can't hit the locked-on target. Why?
A. In this game, when using a large/heavy weapon you can freely change the direction of the attack even if you are locked-on. If you let the left stick remain in its neutral position, the attack will target the locked-on target.
Q. Magic drains my stamina. What gives?
A. Spells use a portion of your stamina in this game.
Q. When I defeat the same enemy over and over they stop respawning. Why?
A. In this game, there is a limit to the number of times an enemy will respawn. When the number of times an enemy has been killed reaches this limit, it will stop respawning. You can burn a "Bonfire Ascetic" in a bonfire to reset this limit and respawn the enemy. This area will be counted as if you are on the next playthrough and therefore the enemies will be stronger.
Q. When I'm travelling between bonfires there is a number next to the location's thumbnail image. What is this?
A. It refers to the number of playthroughs of that area. Burning a specific item in a bonfire will allow you to replay through the corresponding area. However once a bonfire has been strengthened, you cannot return to a previous iteration. Also, if you clear that area for a second time, on your second playthrough, that area will be treated as if it were the third playthrough.
Q. I can't descend ladders quickly. Why?
A. Press the left stick down while holding the X button (B on 360) to quickly descend ladders. Also you can release the left stick to stop descending midway.
Q. I was invaded even though I defeated the area's boss. Why?
A. You can be invaded even though the area's boss has been defeated. Having battles through summoning is also possible. However summon signs from other players (such as a White Soapstone sign) will not be visible.
Q. I can see summoning signs even though I have defeated the area's boss. Why?
A. Even if the boss of an area has been defeated, summoning signs created by the "Small White Soapstone" will still be visible. You can summon these players as Shades for co-op.
Q. When I equip the "Name-Engraved Ring", I cannot take it off after I am matched up with someone. Why?
A. When you use the Name-Engraved Ring to filter your matchmaking you cannot take off the ring until after the multi-player session ends.
Q. I can't get the Red-Eye Orb.
A. There are no longer items that are not consumed after invading (Red-Eye Orb, Blue-Eye Orb). Please use the consumable versions (Cracked versions).
Q. When I burn a Human Effigy in a bonfire summon signs for co-op no longer appear. Why?
A. When you burn a Human Effigy, you cannot be invaded in that area, nor can you summon another player. You cannot burn a Human Effigy in areas where multi-player events occur (Bellkeeper/Rat areas).
Q. I can no longer be matched up with other players after a network disconnect.
A. If you repeatedly disconnect from a multi-player session for whatever reason, you will be penalized and will be unable to engage in any multi-player except for invasions.
Q. What's the difference between the White Soapstone and Small White Soapstone.
A. The length of time for which you will be summoned differs. Also the reward for a successful co-op session is different.
Q. I was summoned through a summon sign but I was returned to my world before defeating the boss. Why?
A. There is now a time limit for which players can be summoned. In addition to the normal depletion of this time, defeating an enemy will reduce the amount of time left. When the time limit has been reached you will return to your own world.
Q. I can't restore my health during invasions/co-op.
A. Only the host can restore health with items during a multi-player session. However, when there is no invader, all players can use healing items.
Q. I can't find the Orange Soapstone.
A. The message functionality has been added through the start menu. Writing a message, checking its rating and other information can be done in the menu. You can also now use conjectures to connect two sentences. When a message is rated, the owner of the message will have his/her health restored by a fixed amount.
Q. I can't find the "Indictment" item to indict invaders.
A. There are no longer any Indictment items. When an invader defeats the host, he/she will automatically be indicted. Therefore an invader will automatically receive sin for killing a host.
Q. I can't level up at bonfires.
A. Leveling up no longer occurs at bonfires but rather through talking to the Emerald Herald in Majula.
Q. I can't match up with friends.
A. The series' theme is to have loosely connected once in a lifetime meetings. Thus, even if your levels and area match up, your friends may not necessarily be able to join you. However if you use the Name-Engraved Ring, you can filter the matchmaking results, allowing for you to be more easily matched up with them (this does not guarantee that the match-up will be successful).