Dark Souls II |OT2| Prepare to Vengarl

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LiK said:
The Dark Spirits are mega trolls in NG+. You think no one's there and BOOM. Ambush to the face!
Click to expand...

Sort of wish there were more of them --- seems like
Iron Keep
got the bulk of them.
Turning off the flame furnace not expecting anything inside....actually made me scream just a little

Tweaking things in NG+ is a great idea - wish they had taken it a little bit further. Part of me wishes there was something like the DKSI aggression mod-mode (although done properly - the mod had some weird side effects), but the feeling of actively hunted down was pretty exciting. Although, the mod did get the best of me by time I got to Anor Londo and ended up disabling it there.

One thing I'm a bit so-so on is the item-drop changes. One of the things I really liked about DS/DKSI - is that for the most part, gear wasn't very rare - but the 'one spawn per bonefire asetetic - and a % chance to drop - and multiple items could drop'

At-least they are not best in class/slot items - but still something about this direction in itemization doesn't sit well with me.
 
I'm really liking the pvp changes in the new patch. Magic was a bit much and I got so sick of seeing cmw mlgs that I stopped using mine.

Also great news that they are going to ban megamule users.

I didn't find the NG+ bosses overly difficult myself but I could see them nerfing the adds because of the nerfs to magic. Those AoE spells were the best way of dealing with the adds in Ruin Sentinel and Lost Sinner NG+ and if they nerf the spells best used for dealing with them they might need to nerf those fights a bit.

Lost giant nerf makes sense too since he can OHKO many new players and that probably turns a lot of new players off the game.
 
Two Dark Spirit ambushes that also fucked me up were

Hunter's Copse
two hooked guys on both sides of the ledge spawn in to surround you on the way to the Skeleton Lords boss fights. Fuck that.

And

Sinner's Rise
Fire explosion guy on the left side in the area before Lost Sinner boss scared me but thank gawd he missed me.
 
LiK said:
Did you change up weapons? I tried Great Club and I'm not a fan of the move set. I think I died the most using it lol.
Click to expand...

I still used Great Club / Great Sword through most of NG+, but went with the Chime Hammer for NG++ since I had so many points to pump into all that awesome scaling. Stat screen had it at about 800 damage unbuffed.
 
Those changes to the bosses are unnecessary, except for arguably Lost Sinner on NG+ due to those pyromancers if your character doesn't have great stamina and if your weapons of choice have relatively sluggish swing speed. Freja's laser has a long-ish wind-up animation so it's fairly easy to avoid for its entire duration if you recognize it and the problem with Royal Rat Authority isn't its damage or health, it's how awful its hitboxes are. I should not be getting hit by its frontal swipes when I'm next to its god damn hind legs.

Cmerrill said:
They NEED to fucking fix King Vendrick. He is god damn near impossible, even with the Giant Souls.
Click to expand...
Even with low adaptability, your window to roll through his horizontal swipes is very generous. Just need to be patient and not overcommit to damaging him (2 - 3 hits at the most with my Strength weapons) whenever he's open.
 
An incredibly important question is the black knight greatsword still like this:
i9Vc5qStZotEM.gif

Apparently you've got to kill that spider thingy for it.
 
I think my current goal in the game is to get to level 300 with my Miricle/pyro build. Considering I'm now 275 and I leveled up like 6 times yesterday, certainly doable.

Started to use a few hex spells now too. Mainly that one spell that ups my HP by 20%. Other being disable spells.
 
Soriku said:
How do you plan to do anything to me when I have a 100% magic resist greatshield?

Actually, curious, how many people in PvP have you met have no idea how to deal with
Click to expand...
You can block all you want, but once you get close it's guard break time. And that's IF you can get close to begin with. Blocking is completely overrated in this game.
 
None of the pve changes feel necessary to me but I'm liking the sounds of the pvp changes. MLGS + CMW was ridiculous and a lot of people were using it.
 
Axelstream said:
The path from the bonfire to the D
uke's
D
ear
F
reja
boss seems unbearably long. Is there something I'm missing?
Click to expand...

It's not too long once you get used to the pattern of the enemies, but yea, it's fairly lengthy compared to other areas.
 
Trying to find a new weapon I like and does decent damage.

I have a SL133 str-focused guy at the start of NG+ that's been using the Mastodon Greatsword
Have a SL170 that's turning into my 'sort of do anything' character - currently at like 40ATT/30STR/20DEX/40Faith/20INT and the rest mixed around HP/equip/stamina.

Initially the SL170 started off as a hex-focused character and had 40int/40str, still use hexes heavily now - but mostly chimes and GRS - but thinking I want to move more towards a melee focused. Slinging GRS and having most enemies die in 1-3 hits lacks the same satisfaction of good ol melee combat.

Been messing around with the Defender Great Sword - but seems to lack the punch I'd expect - also having stuck mostly with swords on my SL133 character, tempted to try either dex-focused weapons or mess around with hammers/maces or axes, but can't seem to find anything that 'clicks' with me. Great hammers are kinda fun - but the initial swing time is too long for my liking - but it is rather satisfying when it connects. The move set of axes are kind of fun, and a few of them have low stamina requirements so you can swing for ages.

Not sure if I want to completely drop hexes from this character for awhile, or scale things back and leave it to buffs like resonate weapon/flesh - maybe spice the hell out of profound still and get a bit of an anti-mage build going.
 
So now that the game has been out awhile and most people have finished it, what is the consensus on the difficulty? Easier than DS1? Harder? Bosses rougher or easier?
 
From Facebook:

Patch 1.03 for Dark Souls II is coming for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360!
Read the patch note below for more details about the fixes included in.
This update will be released as follow:
For Playstation 3:
April 9th 9:00am JST– Release in Asia (except Japan)
April 11th 9:00am GMT– Release in EMEA and Oceania
April 11th 4:00am EDT– Release in Americas
For Xbox 360:
April 11th 6:00am GMT – Released worldwide
Dark Souls II 1.03 Patch Note:

MULTIPLAYER
-Failing to create Multiplayer session no longer disables use of online items, such as White Soapstone.
-Players now receive a small portion of Humanity after successfully assisting in a Multiplayer session instead of regaining full Humanity.
-Starting boss fight with the Looking Glass Knight while summoning other players no longer cancels the summoning process.
-Fixed an issue that prevented some bloodstains, illusions, and messages from being displayed.
-Fixed an issue where “Unable to participate in Multiplayer Session” could constantly appear.
-Fixed some instances where the portrait of the person you were summoning was different than the actual character.
-You will no longer be able to take off Covenant rings while being summoned.
-Fixed an issue that would cause some summoned players to fall through the ground at Earthen Peak.

GAME MENU / INTERFACE / CONTROLS
-Optimized Start Menu and Bonfire Menu performance.
-Trophy icon for “Holder of the Fort” has been fixed.
-Controller now vibrates when blocking an attack

OTHER FIXES:
-Bug involving Drangleic Castle door not opening has been fixed.
-Fixed an issue that would cause Souls to be lost upon death with the Ring of Life Protection equipped.
-Fixed an issue that caused some players to fall through elevators while using Binoculars and Magic simultaneously.
-Fixed an issue causing some enemies being hit by arrows at long distances receive 0 damage.
-Fixed an issue preventing the Brotherhood of Blood duels from starting properly.
-Added a message for players that displays after entering the coffin in Things Betwixt
-Fixed an issue where all of the items and objects in an area would reset (Without using a Bonfire Ascetic).
-Fixed an issue that didn’t unlock some items from vendors on 2nd and beyond playthrough.
-Fixed an issue causing the requirements for the Brotherhood of Blood Covenant be 50 too high.
-Licia’s conditions for moving have been optimized.
Click to expand...
 
maomaoIYP said:
You can block all you want, but once you get close it's guard break time. And that's IF you can get close to begin with. Blocking is completely overrated in this game.
Click to expand...

You're not going to get a guard break on me if you keep your distance while shooting spells. If we're close up, magic is still dodgeable or blockable (especially for spells with longer startup) and you won't be able to pull a guard break then anyway, and then I can get closer and swing. If you look like you're baiting a guard break, it's not hard to swing before/while you're doing the action. If you roll back, up goes the shield again.

I also have an Avelyn for a range option too.
 
Working towards the 1000G, I'm maxing out the sunbros covenant in front of
the Guardian Dragon
since I'm high level, that's maybe the only boss I guess I would find people and I would be useful (DEX build CQC fighter).
 
Axelstream said:
Thanks. I'd better learn the boss' patterns fast then.
Click to expand...

You could technically make a dash through the area until you get to the web section. No running there. I don't think the enemies will follow you up the ladder into web area.

If you're having trouble with the boss, I highly recommend the NPC summon to help distract it.
 
FaintDeftone said:
So now that the game has been out awhile and most people have finished it, what is the consensus on the difficulty? Easier than DS1? Harder? Bosses rougher or easier?
Click to expand...

I think PVE is often harder, especially in NG+ in some red spirit infested areas. The new durability aspect for weapons requires more planning and equipment juggling to not get screwed over when far from a bonfire.

Some of the bosses are rough just because their defense is so damn high at the time you're likely to encounter them in the game, like everybody's favorite hot-head golem. A lot of the bosses are easier than DS1 however, on vanilla playthrough health levels a least.
 
Kai Dracon said:
I think PVE is often harder, especially in NG+ in some red spirit infested areas. The new durability aspect for weapons requires more planning and equipment juggling to not get screwed over when far from a bonfire.

Some of the bosses are rough just because their defense is so damn high at the time you're likely to encounter them in the game, like everybody's favorite hot-head golem. A lot of the bosses are easier than DS1 however, on vanilla playthrough health levels a least.
Click to expand...

Agree, Weapon durability is a new handicap. Even if you're good at this game, you'll need to keep an eye on that. I guess having multiple weapons on hand will help. Repair powder is meh.
 
Official statement regarding 1.03. Why does it not include any balancing that the japanese source lists?
Patch 1.03 for Dark Souls II is coming for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360!
Read the patch note below for more details about the fixes included in.
This update will be released as follow:
For Playstation 3:
April 9th 9:00am JST– Release in Asia (except Japan)
April 11th 9:00am GMT– Release in EMEA and Oceania
April 11th 4:00am EDT– Release in Americas
For Xbox 360:
April 11th 6:00am GMT – Released worldwide
Dark Souls II 1.03 Patch Note:
MULTIPLAYER
-Failing to create Multiplayer session no longer disables use of online items, such as White Soapstone.
-Players now receive a small portion of Humanity after successfully assisting in a Multiplayer session instead of regaining full Humanity.
-Starting boss fight with the Looking Glass Knight while summoning other players no longer cancels the summoning process.
-Fixed an issue that prevented some bloodstains, illusions, and messages from being displayed.
-Fixed an issue where “Unable to participate in Multiplayer Session” could constantly appear.
-Fixed some instances where the portrait of the person you were summoning was different than the actual character.
-You will no longer be able to take off Covenant rings while being summoned.
-Fixed an issue that would cause some summoned players to fall through the ground at Earthen Peak.
GAME MENU / INTERFACE / CONTROLS
-Optimized Start Menu and Bonfire Menu performance.
-Trophy icon for “Holder of the Fort” has been fixed.
-Controller now vibrates when blocking an attack
OTHER FIXES:
-Bug involving Drangleic Castle door not opening has been fixed.
-Fixed an issue that would cause Souls to be lost upon death with the Ring of Life Protection equipped.
-Fixed an issue that caused some players to fall through elevators while using Binoculars and Magic simultaneously.
-Fixed an issue causing some enemies being hit by arrows at long distances receive 0 damage.
-Fixed an issue preventing the Brotherhood of Blood duels from starting properly.
-Added a message for players that displays after entering the coffin in Things Betwixt
-Fixed an issue where all of the items and objects in an area would reset (Without using a Bonfire Ascetic).
-Fixed an issue that didn’t unlock some items from vendors on 2nd and beyond playthrough.
-Fixed an issue causing the requirements for the Brotherhood of Blood Covenant be 50 too high.
-Licia’s conditions for moving have been optimized.
Click to expand...
https://www.facebook.com/darksouls
 
LiK said:
Agree, Weapon durability is a new handicap. Even if you're good at this game, you'll need to keep an eye on that. I guess having multiple weapons on hand will help. Repair powder is meh.
Click to expand...

Backstabs don't use your weapon it seems so people should try and do that as much as possible.
 
Kevin Shields said:
Is there any way to turn my titanite slabs into chunks?
Click to expand...
Sadly no. It's funny, like you I ended up with tons of slabs and not nearly enough chunks. Supposedly the best way to get a bunch is to join the Bell Keepers covenant and do some PvP (you get one chunk for every player you invade and defeat) but I never messed with it myself.
 
rogerroger22 said:
Trying to find a new weapon I like and does decent damage.

I have a SL133 str-focused guy at the start of NG+ that's been using the Mastodon Greatsword
Have a SL170 that's turning into my 'sort of do anything' character - currently at like 40ATT/30STR/20DEX/40Faith/20INT and the rest mixed around HP/equip/stamina.

Initially the SL170 started off as a hex-focused character and had 40int/40str, still use hexes heavily now - but mostly chimes and GRS - but thinking I want to move more towards a melee focused. Slinging GRS and having most enemies die in 1-3 hits lacks the same satisfaction of good ol melee combat.

Been messing around with the Defender Great Sword - but seems to lack the punch I'd expect - also having stuck mostly with swords on my SL133 character, tempted to try either dex-focused weapons or mess around with hammers/maces or axes, but can't seem to find anything that 'clicks' with me. Great hammers are kinda fun - but the initial swing time is too long for my liking - but it is rather satisfying when it connects. The move set of axes are kind of fun, and a few of them have low stamina requirements so you can swing for ages.

Not sure if I want to completely drop hexes from this character for awhile, or scale things back and leave it to buffs like resonate weapon/flesh - maybe spice the hell out of profound still and get a bit of an anti-mage build going.
Click to expand...

I'm of similar build and have been playing around with these melee weapons.

Mastodon Greatsword - Which you use already.

Mastodon Halberd - My only spear/Halberd weapon and I use it a lot.

Greatsword - Ultra Greatsword, I honestly soley used this weapon for almost all of NG. Wasn't til later I started using the Mastodon weapons.

Caestus - I can't recommend this one enough, it's so satisfying dual-wielding Caestus and just wrecking things. Throw on the Stone ring to increase poise damage and you'll be stun locking things quick with little stamina depletions and damage starts rapidly increasing.

Dragonslayer's Crescent Axe - You wanted to try out axes well these are really fun especially if you are in NG+ and have acquired two. Dual these suckers and it's a lot of fun. They also scale extra with faith for lightning damage

Butchers Knife - It's a normal axe but each is really heavy and has poor scaling in Str but if you infuse it with say lightning for your faith build it scales B in lightning and is a blast.

Just a few of the weapons I keep with me to play around with when I get tired of just using the mastodon set. Been thinking about trying out the Black Knight Ultra Greatsword because it does fire damage but like the Greatsword it's rather slow compared to the others but I enjoy the timed execution of attacks.
 
LorDjidane said:
Working towards the 1000G, I'm maxing out the sunbros covenant in front of
the Guardian Dragon
since I'm high level, that's maybe the only boss I guess I would find people and I would be useful (DEX build CQC fighter).
Click to expand...

Having fun? :)
I'm helping out with the Sentinels in the Lost Bastille. Eight medals to go and the last achievement is mine. Praise the sun!
I don't think your SL matters in NG+ though. I'm SL240 and I've been summoned by people about 100SL below me.
 
The_Darkest_Red said:
Sadly no. It's funny, like you I ended up with tons of slabs and not nearly enough chunks. Supposedly the best way to get a bunch is to join the Bell Keepers covenant and do some PvP (you get one chunk for every player you invade and defeat) but I never messed with it myself.
Click to expand...

You can buy unlimited chunks from the stone seller after beating the game.
 
LiK said:
What are good stats for the fist weapons? I wanna try that out for fun.
Click to expand...

Caestus is the only fist weapon and scales with Str/Dex A/B. I believe the claw weapons scale more with DEX but haven't used them yet. I was thinking of getting rank 3 in the Champions Covenant and using bare fists because it makes bare fists do massive damage if you get rank 3 in champions.
 
Axelstream said:
The path from the bonfire to the D
uke's
D
ear
F
reja
boss seems unbearably long. Is there something I'm missing?
Click to expand...

I found the quickest way is to spawn from the second bonfire, run back out towards where you fought
Prowling Magus
and jump across the gap to the right and go through that building where
Pate and Creighton
fight. From there it's possible to cheese it through and skip all the enemies until you reach the
spider nest
. Makes running through to the boss much faster. :)
 
So I opened the
Skeleton door
in Black Gulch.
The old man opened a portal to another a world, I entered, died and now the portal is gone. How can I re-open or reach it?
 
Dreaver said:
So I opened the
Skeleton door
in Black Gulch.
The old man opened a portal to another a world, I entered, died and now the portal is gone. How can I re-open or reach it?
Click to expand...
I hope you have a stockpile of human effigies you don't mind parting with...
Give him one.
 
Dreaver said:
So I opened the
Skeleton door
in Black Gulch.
The old man opened a portal to another a world, I entered, died and now the portal is gone. How can I re-open or reach it?
Click to expand...

You have to give him a human effigy when you talk to him. Yeah, takes one each time you want to use the portal. I went through A LOT before I took down a certain optional boss.
 
Tex117 said:
I hate nerf patches....always seems to nerf the stuff I use.
Click to expand...

Generally, me too. Nerfs are always taken too far instead of being moderate. I don't use the MLGS, but they could've just disabled buffs instead of hitting the speed too. Basically, nerfs are always a way to make the weapon useless. I'd rather have everything be overpowered than everything underpowered. Let's face it, it's not fun playing with skills, weapons, and items that are weak. That's just videogames 101 lol.

That said, I'm not complaining with this patch. Except nerfing the bosses is a little weird, but I'm sure FROM has their reasons. That's the thing with Japanese companies - the transparency isn't quite there.
 
Dreaver said:
So I opened the
Skeleton door
in Black Gulch.
The old man opened a portal to another a world, I entered, died and now the portal is gone. How can I re-open or reach it?
Click to expand...

Whoa, where the heck is this, I've been back to the gulch a couple of times now and I don't think I know about this mission...
 
Trying Vendrick again, got him down to probably 5% HP and he clips me with an overhead smash because I'm in a corner, I go out, not to heal, but to reset his position because up against a wall you can't strafing him and he pulls out some fucking fireball or magic attack, I didn't even know he had. FFS!

I think I know where I was going wrong though, strafing him clockwise is a lot more difficult to dodge the horizontal sweeps than it is when strafing him anti-clockwise. I had the roll dodge timed perfect when circling him anti-clockwise.

He's a cunt.
 
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