Dark Souls II |OT2| Prepare to Vengarl

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There are no upgrade paths. You can get a weapon to +10 with normal titanite and then "infuse" an element to it by using a stone. That's it.

Wat

So I can't swap the way a weapon scales with a specific stat? That's insane! I'm assuming element infusing will also reduce the scalability at +10 normal?
 
What i miss most is the fact that you have so little options available from the start.
You can do Heide's and Forest of Giants.
In Dark Souls you could do.
Undead Burg.
Undead Parish
Blighttown
Catacombs
New londo.
Drake Valley
Dark Root.
And maybe i missed some, but there's not a lot of weapons you can grab like the Zwei or Nito's sword, you know things like that. Makes starting a new character a lot less fun.

I had this exact thought last night while peering out over majula. I'm still early into the game (just found no mans wharf) but it's already apparent that it's a somewhat more linear experience than the first. Majula is bigger than Firelink but is far less hub like. If you didn't have to return there to level up it'd be a very infrequent visit.

Btw having to level up there breaks the continuity of the game and is so obnoxious I wish they'd patch it. Is there any reason for it when you can warp there at any bonfire? It literally adds nothing but two loading screens and the bashing of the a button to skip the dialogue.

I'm also not a fan of the depleting health bar upon death. I appreciate it adds difficulty but I prefer Souls 1 in that it was tough but fair and the slate was wiped clean at every bonfire sit. Ending up with half a health bar just feels like artificial difficulty leveraging.

Despite all that I'm still enjoying the game a lot.
 
it does fasten your item usage / estus chunk speed and also supposedly gives up to 2 i-frames additionally to your roll. I don't know the break points tho. Also, don't look at adp, look at agility.

"Righty-Ho" is the best one.

My agility is at 103. i honestly cant tell the difference but i am at 69.8% weight load.
 
I had this exact thought last night while peering out over majula. I'm still early into the game (just found no mans wharf) but it's already apparent that it's a somewhat more linear experience than the first. Majula is bigger than Firelink but is far less hub like. If you didn't have to return there to level up it'd be a very infrequent visit.

Btw having to level up there breaks the continuity of the game and is so obnoxious I wish they'd patch it. Is there any reason for it when you can warp there at any bonfire? It literally adds nothing but three loading screens and the bashing of the a button to skip the dialogue.

I'm also not a fan of the depleting health bar upon death. I appreciate it adds difficulty but I prefer Souls 1 in that it was tough but fair and the slate was wiped clean at every bonfire sit. Ending up with half a health bar just feels like artificial difficulty leveraging.

Despite all that I'm still enjoying the game a lot.

Actually feel like the health depletion system is a fair compromise between Demons and Dark. Agreed with the other points though, especially having to level up in Majula. Perhaps they are trying to encourage doing more when you go there to level up like use the blacksmith and various other merchants there. I think the thing that annoys me most about the whole series though is how damn slowly everyone talks. I'm usually able to read the sentence before people speak their third word.
 
Actually feel like the health depletion system is a fair compromise between Demons and Dark. Agreed with the other points though, especially having to level up in Majula. Perhaps they are trying to encourage doing more when you go there to level up like use the blacksmith and various other merchants there. I think the thing that annoys me most about the whole series though is how damn slowly everyone talks. I'm usually able to read the sentence before people speak their third word.
And it takes awhile to skip past.

I think the change in leveling is kind of maddening. I guess it may be to encourage people to back and do stuff, but given the load times and the fact it's such a pointless regression otherwise it just seems more like the addition of someone who really preferred how Demon's Souls did some things for whatever reason. Or they want to penalize those that senselessly attack everyone (or were really dumb about a certain questline, whichever.)
 
All seperate area's where you can go and find usefull items from the start.

You can't get to Parish without going through Burg right away, Dark Root you can't get through without going through Parish (or New Londo + Valley of the Drakes and that's only with one starting gift.)

I get what you're saying sort of, but you're being too broad and making the difference seem too grand, especially if you factor in Master Key.

You might as well have included Things Betwixt and Majula in the DS2 parts, then!

(Anyway, I'll take a chance at a channeler's trident via crow trading vs. that ring or brigand armour in drake valley~)
 
You have to go through Burg to get to Parish at the start. That's some loose criteria you're employing there.

No you don't, you can go trough drakes then darkroot. All without having to defeat a single boss.

And sure you need the master key, but there isn't a master key in DS2 to even give you that option.
 
I only started noticing a big difference at 100+ agility (around 30 ADP). Estus drinking is way faster, and I'm evading hits more easily. It definitely matters.

With max agility you drink estus in 0.5 second faster. Estus Flask +5 need 2.5 second to drink.

Edit: anyone know hat kind of penality you get if you disconnect during an invasion? I cannot find that information online
 
You have to go through Burg to get to Parish at the start. That's some loose criteria you're employing there.

No you don't, you can go trough drakes then darkroot. All without having to defeat a single boss.

And sure you need the master key, but there isn't a master key in DS2 to even give you that option.
the more I play it, the more I see the compromise between Demon's and Dark1's systems. It seems DS2 was made for both of those players. The way Majula is designed already gave me that feeling. I can see why people would see certain limitations and others do not.

With max agility you drink estus in 0.5 second faster. Estus Flask +5 need 2.5 second to drink.

Edit: anyone know hat kind of penality you get if you disconnect during an invasion? I cannot find that information online

A Gaffer was penalized recently. You basically cannot do any coop at all and must use a Bone of Order to restore your connection. You only get one per character. You can still be invaded if you play online.
 
No you don't, you can go trough drakes then darkroot. All without having to defeat a single boss.

And sure you need the master key, but there isn't a master key in DS2 to even give you that option.

But you're going through two areas to get to it. That's not getting there directly from the start, hence why I said about your "loose criteria". Do
Lost Bastille or No Man's Wharf
count as starting areas now, y'know, since you only need to travel through one area to get there?
 
Eventually you get banned from co-op but still get invaded.
That seems kind of bullshit, half because while it's being a poor sport it IS forced intrusion, half because it probably only promotes cord pulling to block invasions once banned, rather than weeding out problem players. Should definitely ban the player from initiating invasions though.
 
But you're going through two areas to get to it. That's not getting there directly from the start, hence why I said about your "loose criteria". Do
Lost Bastille or No Man's Wharf
count as starting areas now, y'know, since you only need to travel through one area to get there?

My criteria is places you can go without having to defeat a boss. So you can even include the Great Hollow in there.
 
My criteria is places you can go without having to defeat a boss. So you can even include the Great Hollow in there.

All this seems to show is that Dark Souls 2 has more bosses. If Valley of the Drakes had a boss (and if skipping Taurus wasn't an option) thus eliminating Blighttown, Dark Root and Undead Parish from your "starting area with no bosses" list, would the game be worse off?
 
With max agility you drink estus in 0.5 second faster. Estus Flask +5 need 2.5 second to drink.
Really? Just that? I thought it was faster, I noticed a huge difference in my characters. I have a low ADP one and it takes ages to finish all the animation, with the fast one I even use it normally during boss fights. I'll test again when I get home.
 
That seems kind of bullshit, half because while it's being a poor sport it IS forced intrusion, half because it probably only promotes cord pulling to block invasions once banned, rather than weeding out problem players. Should definitely ban the player from initiating invasions though.

What? Invasions are part of the balance of the game, risk/reward. If you dont want to deal with that, play offline.

Really? Just that? I thought it was faster, I noticed a huge difference in my characters. I have a low ADP one and it takes ages to finish all the animation, with the fast one I even use it normally during boss fights. I'll test again when I get home.

I've the strategy guide and specificaly say that. Max agility 0.5 second less to drink estus.
 
All this seems to show is that Dark Souls 2 has more bosses. If Valley of the Drakes had a boss (and if skipping Taurus wasn't an option) thus eliminating Blighttown, Dark Root and Undead Parish from your "starting area with no bosses" list, would the game be worse off?

I guess, i like having options to what to tackle first. Especially in NG+ it's fun to kill Quelaag immediatly or grab a Slab from the Asylum. Or go for a suicide run in the Catacombs in NG to grab the great scythe or Lucurne. I miss that now.
Don't get me wrong, i love this game, it's just one of those things i miss.
 
Surprisingly, D
arklurker
was a complete pushover for my strength build. Nothing can stop the greatness of the greatsword! Think I might throw in the towel on A
ncient
D
ragon
though, it's just not a fun fight and I would have to respec just for this fight if I even want a chance. I just really want to start on NG+.
 
Was A
ncient
D
ragon
the one boss you really only beat for bragging rights, and is completely optional? I've heard so much shit about that one, I've already decided I don't want to face him if I don't have to.
 
Was A
ncient
D
ragon
the one boss you really only beat for bragging rights, and is completely optional? I've heard so much shit about that one, I've already decided I don't want to face him if I don't have to.

Right, it's purely bragging rights and a pile of souls. No special boss soul, no trophy, etc.
 
What? Invasions are part of the balance of the game, risk/reward. If you dont want to deal with that, play offline.

I think some guys enjoy the messages on the ground but don't want to deal with invaders. Altho they did implement a way to deal with that. Just burn some Human Effigies.

Right, it's purely bragging rights and a pile of souls. No special boss soul, no trophy, etc.

There's no trophy? Not gonna waste my time. I can farm so many souls from coop anyway.
 
I think some guys enjoy the messages on the ground but don't want to deal with invaders. Altho they did implement a way to deal with that. Just burn some Human Effigies.

Think you'll run out of them fairly fast that way though. Still, I'm way over 30 hours in and haven't been invaded once, we'll see if it ever happens in NG
 
Think you'll run out of them fairly fast that way though. Still, I'm way over 30 hours in and haven't been invaded once, we'll see if it ever happens in NG

Stick around the King's Gate bonfire in the Castle. I've been invaded there every fucking time.
 
What? Invasions are part of the balance of the game, risk/reward. If you dont want to deal with that, play offline.
I meant if you keep disconnecting from invasions you shouldn't be allowed to invade either. Seems fair to me, why should you get to invade and kill people when you won't let them invade you?
 
So haven't gone over to NG+ yet, but reading what changes - and I like the sound of more enemies and other changes beyond just tougher enemies, but I'm not sure I really like having a lot of equipment and spells I can only buy in NG+ and beyond, there were like what 2 or 3 items like this in DS1 it seems a lot more here.

The completist in me feels overwhelmed by the size and breadth of this game - it should be a good thing to have so much content, but I feel it inhibits me from wanting to replay the game on the level I did DS1 and make different builds. I suppose in any future playthroughs I will only go for what I want for that build not try to get everything.

Also, since I've been offline for the first playthrough, I keep reading about PvP only being active in NG+ - What's that all about? :/
 
Think you'll run out of them fairly fast that way though. Still, I'm way over 30 hours in and haven't been invaded once, we'll see if it ever happens in NG
It's much better in NG+, I was invaded twice when I went through heide for one of the bosses.
 
I meant if you keep disconnecting from invasions you shouldn't be allowed to invade either. Seems fair to me, why should you get to invade and kill people when you won't let them invade you?

They should also increase the amount they get invaded. That'll learn 'em.
 
Just got to Drangleic Castle. Does anyone else feel like this game is a lot easier than Dark Souls 1? Maybe it's just because I'm so used to the series by now but the bosses haven't been nearly as much of a challenge as I expected overall. Don't get me wrong, I've struggled with a few of them, but I've also beaten quite a few on the first try and none of them have felt nearly as challenging as O&S. I've still got a ways to go though, so there's plenty of time left for the game to make me eat these words.
 
Think you'll run out of them fairly fast that way though. Still, I'm way over 30 hours in and haven't been invaded once, we'll see if it ever happens in NG

I got invaded once outside of rat covenant and belltower stuff in 60 hours.
started ng+ been invaded 4 times.

They dont like posion much. i like watching them run away then launch a quick forbidden sun at their ass.
 
Is it strange that, aside from the optional boss, the
Last Giant
gave me by far the most trouble in the entire game? Almost every boss I beat first or second try, but that one was probably 10. Although once I figured out how to level up (didn't explore or light the fire at Majula before entering the forest, missed that first bonfire too), how to turn human again, and to not lock on to the boss, it was easy.

I feel like this game was a lot easier than Dark/Demon's Souls, but still far from a pushover. It was challening without ever being frustrating (until the optional boss but screw that guy).
 
Got the game on ps3 and I am having a blast so far...but I feel like an idiot lol so I joined the company of champions covenant as soon as I got to the main town...not realizing what it actually did. So fast forward 3 hours later, after dying many many times, finally look up what the company of champions covenant actually does.....ha
 
Got the game on ps3 and I am having a blast so far...but I feel like an idiot lol so I joined the company of champions covenant as soon as I got to the main town...not realizing what it actually did. So fast forward 3 hours later, after dying many many times, finally look up what the company of champions covenant actually does.....ha

Just as a hint for later, if the game warns you multiple times not to do something, don't do it. Seriously.
 
Great, sounds good! NG+ should be interesting, I'm not actually expecting to finish it to be honest



Most people don't, myself included.

Because people fear their own shadow and want to dodge invasions like it'sare some sort of cancer.
It's not a big deal like some people tell you, really.
 
Is it strange that, aside from the optional boss, the
Last Giant
gave me by far the most trouble in the entire game? Almost every boss I beat first or second try, but that one was probably 10. Although once I figured out how to level up (didn't explore or light the fire at Majula before entering the forest, missed that first bonfire too), how to turn human again, and to not lock on to the boss, it was easy.

I feel like this game was a lot easier than Dark/Demon's Souls, but still far from a pushover. It was challening without ever being frustrating (until the optional boss but screw that guy).
I feel like the difficulty of the bosses this time around is so dependent on your stats and gear, even more so than in previous games. The hardest of the four lord soul bosses for me was
The Rotten
because he was the first one I fought. I had to really learn his moves and get good at dodging because I didn't have the stamina or poise to absorb all of his hits. On the other hand, I saved
Old Iron King
and the
Lost Sinner
for last and beat them in two and one tries respectively. It was honestly kind of disappointing, haha.

By the way I'm not trying to brag at all. I usually die quite a few times on bosses in these games before I beat them, I just feel like it's been kind of a breeze since I've gotten good gear and a fairly high SL.
 
Just got to Drangleic Castle. Does anyone else feel like this game is a lot easier than Dark Souls 1? Maybe it's just because I'm so used to the series by now but the bosses haven't been nearly as much of a challenge as I expected overall. Don't get me wrong, I've struggled with a few of them, but I've also beaten quite a few on the first try and none of them have felt nearly as challenging as O&S. I've still got a ways to go though, so there's plenty of time left for the game to make me eat these words.

Boses felt easier for me, but regular enemies were harder, if only just because of they're placement. That IMO made DS2 a little harder.
 
Because people fear their own shadow and want to dodge invasions like it'sare some sort of cancer.
It's not a big deal like some people tell you, really.

Yeah I meant I also dislike the soul memory system, it's really stupid. Makes coop harder too.

I'd like to get invaded here and there to be honest, it would make things a lot more interesting. I've got the ring of life protection anyway, it's not like dying is a big deal anymore.
 
Boses felt easier for me, but regular enemies were harder, if only just because of they're placement. That IMO made DS2 a little harder.
I really appreciate some of the little changes they made in that regard. Enemies making it very difficult for you to get in a backstab, shooting one enemy in a group with an arrow causing the entire group to come after you; that sort of thing. There are also a lot more ambushes, for better or for worse.
 
Is it wrong to be level 82 and just getting to the lost sinner boss?

I did spam/summon assist the three sentinels for about 5 levels.

This game is so in my head atm.
 
So I just got
Vengarl's armor
after
Freja
and it seems pretty awesome (for a knight/STR build). Why don't I see more people wearing this?
 
Just got to Drangleic Castle. Does anyone else feel like this game is a lot easier than Dark Souls 1? Maybe it's just because I'm so used to the series by now but the bosses haven't been nearly as much of a challenge as I expected overall. Don't get me wrong, I've struggled with a few of them, but I've also beaten quite a few on the first try and none of them have felt nearly as challenging as O&S. I've still got a ways to go though, so there's plenty of time left for the game to make me eat these words.

Prepare to get your ass kicked in there. Weapon durability am cry.
 
Just checking in. This game is still awesome. First night all week since putting it down for some Diablo 3 time. I'm getting withdrawl at work now and will be back at it tonight. So glad I didn't wait for the PC version.
 
So I just got
Vengarl's armor
after
Freja
and it seems pretty awesome (for a knight/STR build). Why don't I see more people wearing this?

I wore and upgraded the full set with ~30 VIT to stay under 50% weight. It seemed to offer the best defense/weight ratio of all the armours I found.
 
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