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[Red Liquorice]

This is what I did, and as long as you never drop the pattern, you should never end up near the edge with nowhere to run:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=106488164&postcount=13668

I defeated him naked with 1500 hp and 125 stamina. It's about 2-3 hits and then getting ready to run a great distance. You can run at an angle away from him to constantly give yourself plenty of space between you two and never back yourself into a corner. It took me 14 tries before I figured out the best run away patter. Even with only 125 stamina I never used it all to run away only about 3/4ths of it to get a good distance. Never just run straight behind or straight in front up but sort of a north west, north east type of angle depending on your direction.

I'm going to give each a couple of tries and then I'm done and off to NG+ - since there's no reward for killing it, I'm not going to tear my hair out trying to kill it just for the souls, already sitting on 750,000 with nothing to use them on - but I would like to do everything in the game at least once. Thanks guys!


edit - I'm done. I had more success with the tail method, but still ended up on the edge. It wasn't as simple as tail slam, fly up, tail slam, fly up. He did tail slam once, then every other time he flew up (3 times), the 3rd time he was stood on the edge so and I had to run under him to get to his tail, resulting in him flying up again and me being too close to outrun the flames. I'm done. AD has truly defeated me, I'm the worthless shit under his paw - now and forever. I feel exhausted again by this game. With both characters the whole post-Drangleic Castle section has completely worn me out, I feel like I've been fucked by horse. NG+ here I come!

 

[Mutombo]

Just soul vesseled to all melee, 40 str and 40 dex. Forgot to give myself 3 INT though, so Boss Soul Trading with Straid still ain't no go. Anyway, any consensus on the best STR/DEX scaling weapon?

 

[Morrigan Stark]

The only boss I can kinda agree with nerfing is RRA, and not even that much because it's my build that makes him hard because I have slow swinging weapons, only a slight hp nerd was really necessary.

The hell? RRA already has super low HP. What made him so hard are his goddamn toxic little whelps, not his HP. If they had to nerf him, it would be to maybe make his whelps toxify you less quickly if you stack poison resistance. Right now stacking that resist does nothing.

I wish they nerfed the whole 'leave orange messages on the ground' thing.

Playing this i have realizad how much I resent having my first run through a level sullied by all the signposting overload that effectively let's you know beforehand every single secret room, hidden bonfire, illusory wall, ambush, etc on every level.

It's the one mechanic in the Souls games I have come to really dislike. I understand where it comes from, I'm sure it seemed novel and fun once, now it's just a forced on-screen level by level tutorial-walkthrough that you can't shake off unless you're willing to go offline and miss on half the fun. I think blood stains and ghosts should provide enough hints and 'asynchronous interconnectedness' with other players for anyone.

Seriously, they should limit the amount of messages left to one or two per player. And for the eventual dlc, I want a covenant focused around invading those who leave the most/higher rated signs so I can punish all the people that defiled my beautiful, mysterious Dark Souls 2 levels

...Don't read them?

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

Hahaha yup.

Two Dark Spirit ambushes that also fucked me up were

Hunter's Copse

This one I expected,

Spoiler

because of the beta network haha. In NG I was all "awww where are these two" and thought it sad they were gone. But then in NG+ I was all "there you are!". XD

Any consensus on the best light armor in the game?

Dunno about consensus, but Agdayne's set seems really good to me and looks cool.

 

[krakov]

Just soul vesseled to all melee, 40 str and 40 dex. Forgot to give myself 3 INT though, so Boss Soul Trading with Straid still ain't no go. Anyway, any consensus on the best STR/DEX scaling weapon?

Quality scaling is shit, sorry.

 

[hiryu]

Just soul vesseled to all melee, 40 str and 40 dex. Forgot to give myself 3 INT though, so Boss Soul Trading with Straid still ain't no go. Anyway, any consensus on the best STR/DEX scaling weapon?

Str and Dex scaling just isn't very good. You will do more dmg if you get the minimum to wield the weapon and then infuse it. If you are set in stone Str scaling is much more effective than Dex scaling. I believe Dex scaling is half of what Str scaling is.

 

[Sande]

You're a monster! And I suck.

NG+ and NG++ are mostly a cakewalk for a caster. If he's pure melee, that's quite something.

I've been playing through the game in covenant of champions with a pure melee character. I started out dual wielding longsword and broadsword but they don't feel very viable thanks to higher enemy defense. So now I'm rocking with a large club and things are much better. I don't like the way awestones are collected. At all. I think they should be dropped by bosses but apparently they are a rare drop from some random enemies (and a common drop from rare enemies) and you pretty have to grind them to level up the covenant.

 

[Mutombo]

Quality scaling is shit, sorry.

Yeah I'm scrolling through weapons now and it seems the only benefit of having 40/40 is having the ability to switch between my katana and my ultra great sword. No ultimate weapon build to be seen

 

[Mutombo]

Except maybe this one:

http://darksouls2.wiki.fextralife.com/Curved+Dragon+Greatsword#.U0RScNzE_bQ

SO ANY TIPS on defeating the ancient dragon? Because I tried two times and am UTTERLY clueless.

Edit: sorry, double post.

 

[krakov]

Yeah I'm scrolling through weapons now and it seems the only benefit of having 40/40 is having the ability to switch between my katana and my ultra great sword. No ultimate weapon build to be seen

Yep, maybe in 2017 they will patch in scaling that makes sense. But first, let's balance the HP of Hollow infantry.

 

[Celegus]

NG+ and NG++ are mostly a cakewalk for a caster. If he's pure melee, that's quite something.

I've been playing through the game in covenant of champions with a pure melee character. I started out dual wielding longsword and broadsword but they don't feel very viable thanks to higher enemy defense. So now I'm rocking with a large club and things are much better. I don't like the way awestones are collected. At all. I think they should be dropped by bosses but apparently they are a rare drop from some random enemies (and a common drop from rare enemies) and you pretty have to grind them to level up the covenant.

I was pure melee for NG, but put some points into faith for NG+ to use the occasional lightning spear as a ranged attack. Rolled with Alonne Knight armor most of the game, since it had good defense and I could still keep under 70% equip wearing it with a greatshield and giant weapon. I found strike weapons like the club to be the most effective since so many enemies are armored and they stun fairly often. NG++ probably only took 3 hours to get to the castle and buy my spells.

 

[LiK]

I was pure melee for NG, but put some points into faith for NG+ to use the occasional lightning spear as a ranged attack. Rolled with Alonne Knight armor most of the game, since it had good defense and I could still keep under 70% equip wearing it with a greatshield and giant weapon. I found strike weapons like the club to be the most effective since so many enemies are armored and they stun fairly often. NG++ probably only took 3 hours to get to the castle and buy my spells.

I suck at the Great Club moveset. Where's that Chime Hammer you picked up?

 

[tokkun]

Except maybe this one:

http://darksouls2.wiki.fextralife.com/Curved+Dragon+Greatsword#.U0RScNzE_bQ

SO ANY TIPS on defeating the ancient dragon? Because I tried two times and am UTTERLY clueless.

Edit: sorry, double post.

Just in case you weren't aware, you don't have to kill the Ancient Dragon to get that soul.

I suck at the Great Club moveset. Where's that Chime Hammer you picked up?

It's Velstadt's boss soul weapon, assuming you don't choose the spell instead.

If you want an easy strike weapon, try the mace. The damage per hit is a lot less than the clubs, but given that you can often pull off twice as many hits with it, I think it is often a more effective weapon. Not to mention that it is light, so you can use it as an accessory weapon alongside something that is non-strike.

 

[LiK]

Just in case you weren't aware, you don't have to kill the Ancient Dragon to get that soul.



It's Velstadt's boss soul weapon, assuming you don't choose the spell instead.

If you want an easy strike weapon, try the mace. The damage per hit is a lot less than the clubs, but given that you can often pull off twice as many hits with it, I think it is often a more effective weapon. Not to mention that it is light, so you can use it as an accessory weapon alongside something that is non-strike.

I'll need to try out the maces. I want a fast Strike weapon.

 

[Wowbagger]

Lost Sinner health and damage reduced.
NG+ Lost Sinner pyromancers health and damage reduced.

Took me five hours to beat LS solo on NG+ without magic and now they nerf her. Arrgh! Almost lost my sanity fighting that boss. Anyone who claims those nerfs weren't needed must have summoned help or used OP magic.

 

[Celegus]

It's Velstadt's boss soul weapon, assuming you don't choose the spell instead.

If you want an easy strike weapon, try the mace. The damage per hit is a lot less than the clubs, but given that you can often pull off twice as many hits with it, I think it is often a more effective weapon. Not to mention that it is light, so you can use it as an accessory weapon alongside something that is non-strike.

Might just be my playstyle, but I much prefer getting that one big hit in rather than two or three quick hits. Especially the lunge attack, I abused the heck out of that. It's pretty much as fast a normal R1 attack, but does like 50% more damage. And it covers a lot of distance too, so you don't even have to be as close. Many bosses were just "dodge or block, lunge attack, repeat".

 

[koryuken]

Just soul vesseled to all melee, 40 str and 40 dex. Forgot to give myself 3 INT though, so Boss Soul Trading with Straid still ain't no go. Anyway, any consensus on the best STR/DEX scaling weapon?

Scaling seems to be shit in this game period.

I did some testing: a Flame Greatsword +10 at 40 STR with Flame Weapon buff does like 35 more damage vs the same setup with the minimum stats required (28STR).

IMO: The way the game is currently balanced, it is better to find a weapon you really like, then go INT, FAI or HEX build with minimum stat requirements for the weapon you like. This way you can do almost identical damage to a 40STR/40DEX build but still use magic.

 

[Deified Data]

The hell? RRA already has super low HP. What made him so hard are his goddamn toxic little whelps, not his HP. If they had to nerf him, it would be to maybe make his whelps toxify you less quickly if you stack poison resistance. Right now stacking that resist does nothing.

RRA would be a much better fight if the number of his minions was multiplied by 2 or 3. They rush you as you enter the boss fog but RRA doesn't engage until you've dealt with his minions.

 

[Red Liquorice]

IMO: The way the game is currently balanced, it is better to find a weapon you really like, then go INT, FAI or HEX build with minimum stat requirements for the weapon you like. This way you can do almost identical damage to a 40STR/40DEX build but still use magic.

This is exactly what I did with both mage and cleric characters. The only enemy I really had to switch to a purely physical weapon for were the lion dudes in Shaded Ruins iirc.

 

[Mutombo]

Scaling seems to be shit in this game period.

I did some testing: a Flame Greatsword +10 at 40 STR with Flame Weapon buff does like 35 more damage vs the same setup with the minimum stats required (28STR).

IMO: The way the game is currently balanced, it is better to find a weapon you really like, then go INT, FAI or HEX build with minimum stat requirements for the weapon you like. This way you can do almost identical damage to a 40STR/40DEX build but still use magic.

Hmm... yet nothing beats my blacksteel +10, with the S scaling. But yeah, STR/DEX seems to be a bit of a useless way to go.

 

[CountAntonius]

So are the twin blades useful at all in PvP? waiting on the PC version so haven't had a chance to play but damn I wanna use em.

 

[SharkJAW]

Did you equip it?

Kind of late on this, but I got it. Needed the four great souls for it to work. Finally platinumed DSII! It was a fun ride!

 

[Celegus]

Hmm... yet nothing beats my blacksteel +10, with the S scaling. But yeah, STR/DEX seems to be a bit of a useless way to go.

I haven't tried it, but isn't the Sun Sword supposed to be pretty good with A/A str/dex scaling? I found the weapons that scale with many stats seemed to do pretty well, like the Chime Hammer. I actually ended up putting more points in INT at the end of my run, just because it gave me a pretty decent attack boost for every point.

 

[Leezard]

Scaling seems to be shit in this game period.

I did some testing: a Flame Greatsword +10 at 40 STR with Flame Weapon buff does like 35 more damage vs the same setup with the minimum stats required (28STR).

IMO: The way the game is currently balanced, it is better to find a weapon you really like, then go INT, FAI or HEX build with minimum stat requirements for the weapon you like. This way you can do almost identical damage to a 40STR/40DEX build but still use magic.

Hmm... yet nothing beats my blacksteel +10, with the S scaling. But yeah, STR/DEX seems to be a bit of a useless way to go.

When infusing a weapon with something, the STR/DEX scaling goes to the shitter. So, it's kind of to be expected. The weapons with S scaling are nice.

 

[VaultBoy101]

They nerfed the difficulty of the first game with a major patch a month or two after it came out as well, so none of this is surprising to me. If I didn't love these games so much I'd be very tempted to wait a while when the next one is released.

 

[Deified Data]

Still need to patch those covenant rank-up requirements for BoB and BS. Either make them lower or make every win permanent.

 

[Alric]

Still need to patch those covenant rank-up requirements for BoB and BS. Either make them lower or make every win permanent.

Truth, because unless you're lucky and really good or you cheese non-stop they are really really hard to get.

 

[tokkun]

Scaling seems to be shit in this game period.

I did some testing: a Flame Greatsword +10 at 40 STR with Flame Weapon buff does like 35 more damage vs the same setup with the minimum stats required (28STR).

IMO: The way the game is currently balanced, it is better to find a weapon you really like, then go INT, FAI or HEX build with minimum stat requirements for the weapon you like. This way you can do almost identical damage to a 40STR/40DEX build but still use magic.

This stuff was ridiculously balanced in DS1 at launch as well. You needed to have like 40STR/DEX just to match the damage output of the elemental weapons. They eventually increased stat scaling for STR/DEX and nerfed elemental bonuses.

I guess arguably the point of high STR/DEX in DS2 can be to dual wield and use power stance, but I see almost no one doing this. High STR is still somewhat worthwhile for using greatshields. And in theory it improves your defense too, although I'm not very familiar with how effective defense scaling is.

 

[Mistel]

So are the twin blades useful at all in PvP? waiting on the PC version so haven't had a chance to play but damn I wanna use em.

I've only used the red iron one but if you can get within range their slaughtered I pretty much shredded a rat bro.

 

[Zaventem]

I'm glad they're bringing back rumble when shields get hit. I was kinda baffled why they would remove it in the first place since.

 

[AngryMoth]

Just soul vesseled to all melee, 40 str and 40 dex. Forgot to give myself 3 INT though, so Boss Soul Trading with Straid still ain't no go. Anyway, any consensus on the best STR/DEX scaling weapon?

Try curved dragon greatsword, I am doing very well with it in pvp, the damage is ridiculous. Pretty disappointed with other quality weapons though, I was planning to use the sun sword but at 40 dex 35 str it still does less than a basic club or mace. Grand lance seems ok.

 

[TeddyShardik]

So are the twin blades useful at all in PvP? waiting on the PC version so haven't had a chance to play but damn I wanna use em.

I don't know if it's the same over the whole weapon class but they seem to take very little stamina. I just got stunlocked to death a few times today by people who just seemed to be able to keep flailing these things around forever.
They did decent damage too.

 

[GulAtiCa]

I don't know if it's the same over the whole weapon class but they seem to take very little stamina. I just got stunlocked to death a few times today by people who just seemed to be able to keep flailing these things around forever.
They did decent damage too.

Which is why I'hope they are nerfed somebit. Lol

 

[Leezard]

So are the twin blades useful at all in PvP? waiting on the PC version so haven't had a chance to play but damn I wanna use em.

They are hell to fight against if you have small range on your weapon.

 

[CountAntonius]

I've only used the red iron one but if you can get within range their slaughtered I pretty much shredded a rat bro.

I don't know if it's the same over the whole weapon class but they seem to take very little stamina. I just got stunlocked to death a few times today by people who just seemed to be able to keep flailing these things around forever.
They did decent damage too.

They are hell to fight against if you have small range on your weapon.

Excellent...

 

[Gouty]

So i'm only missing three achievements and unsurprisingly they're all related to collecting spells. I've noticed a few require new game + but is that really necessary? Couldn't I just burn a bonfire ascetic for whichever area the NPC is located and do the same for any necessary bosses? Or do I actually have to go full on new game plus?

 

[AkuMifune]

Hmm... yet nothing beats my blacksteel +10, with the S scaling. But yeah, STR/DEX seems to be a bit of a useless way to go.

The best is that BS Katana keeps S scaling in DEX infused, and gains B in Fire BNS, and with a 40 Dex/40 Int I never needed another weapon. Until I got two.

Shame it's about time to pack this character up.

 

[Mistel]

Excellent...

The red iron one even looks the part:

I'm using this dressed as Creighton when I'm in NG as a blue sentinel.

 

[Gozer the Gozerian]

I would kill myself if it wasn't for the orange messages keying me in to the locations of hidden walls. There's nothing fun about running along the wall of every room in the game pressing "A"

 

[AlimNassor]

Why is nobody summoning anymore? I don't get it. Did the game die all the sudden? Like none of the main bosses get me smmoned anymore. Waited 2 hours at Ruin and notta bite.

 

[Leezard]

The best is that BS Katana keeps S scaling in DEX infused, and gains B in Fire BNS, and with a 40 Dex/40 Int I never needed another weapon. Until I got two.

Shame it's about time to pack this character up.

When you infuse the BS Katana you will have S scaling, but a worse S scaling. You will get less damage from your dex than before. You might make up with it with the additional elemental damage though.

 

[LiK]

OMG, Mastodon Greatsword has same move set as Bastard. My new fave weapon.

 

[Orthogonal]

Why is nobody summoning anymore? I don't get it. Did the game die all the sudden? Like none of the main bosses get me smmoned anymore. Waited 2 hours at Ruin and notta bite.

Well, it is the middle of the week. People are at school or work. I found a lot of activity on the weekends, but I think the majority of people that are still active are in NG+ so you will likely have better luck there.

 

[Gurrry]

I read some patch notes on reddit a few minutes ago. I have a few gripes.

First of all, nerfing the game this early for PVE is really dissapointing.

I understand the nerf on Shrine of Amana. That change was inevitable.

However, nerfing The Last Giant?? The Sinner?? ......What?

These changes do not need to happen. The Sinner is hard, but its not cheap or unbeatable. And the damage nerf on the Giant is laughable. I dont get it at all...

I guess I need to wait and actually see these changes, but I think it sucks that they are messing with the integrity of the game so early.

Maybe im just being a hipster douche though..

 

[double jump]

So i'm only missing three achievements and unsurprisingly they're all related to collecting spells. I've noticed a few require new game + but is that really necessary? Couldn't I just burn a bonfire ascetic for whichever area the NPC is located and do the same for any necessary bosses? Or do I actually have to go full on new game plus?

Some you can get with bfa and some you can't.
Really wish they would have lowered some of the Covenant devotions in the next update.

I would kill myself if it wasn't for the orange messages keying me in to the locations of hidden walls. There's nothing fun about running along the wall of every room in the game pressing "A"

Feels like doom. I actually liked that nod towards older games.

 

[Mistel]

Why is nobody summoning anymore? I don't get it. Did the game die all the sudden? Like none of the main bosses get me smmoned anymore. Waited 2 hours at Ruin and notta bite.

Maybe they heard about you murdering hosts with a ballista... lol.

OMG, Mastodon Greatsword has same move set as Bastard. My new fave weapon.

It's amazing moveset much better than the bastard ever was.

 

[Farooq]

So are the twin blades useful at all in PvP? waiting on the PC version so haven't had a chance to play but damn I wanna use em.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWS18m5vlP8

This video showcases the weapon in a pvp setting. There is a lot of useful information in the video and the uploader also outlines his pros/cons of the weapon.

You may also want to check out the Santier's Spear, it has a similar move set to the twinblade without its biggest con which is durability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0R9gkY0puc (Santier's spear showcase)

 

[Robot Pants]

So what are we just all healing now in PVP? I've had four of my last four enemies just heal like crazy when they get low. Let's get some honor back in this community guys. One dude literally healed 10 times.

 

[Fhtagn]

Feels like doom. I actually liked that nod towards older games.

And King's Field.

 

[Mogwai]

Spoiler

Throne bosses

, what a joke. So late in the game and they're nothing compared to O&S :/

 

[TeddyShardik]

So what are we just all healing now in PVP? I've had four of my last four enemies just heal like crazy when they get low. Let's get some honor back in this community guys. One dude literally healed 10 times.

I don't even know why the hell estus isn't deactivated in duel arenas. It has absolutely no place there. Anything goes in random invasions but duels are a different thing. =/