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[Finalow]

Like Morrigan Targaryen said, Demon's Souls had the best dex scaling.

See that tremendous increase in scaling bonus when you use that rare and precious pure Bladestone. It makes it worth the trouble of hours of farming to get it.
I miss this so bad.

yeah among other things, scaling is also fucked up.

just try a dark weapon with 10 faith/int and the same weapon with 30 faith/int. damage will be pretty much the same, along with the fact that spices are stupidly good because there is no disadvantage and see how many broken builds there could be.

anyway I went back to demon's a couple of months ago but I still need to finish it, the game still feels fresh and great. I also managed to find some people (just a couple) online, it really sucks that the online play is region locked though. (err, meaning it's on different servers)

Holy Shitballs. Darklurker, you effigy wasting asshole. Goddamn. So close that time. So damn close.

Real last boss? Real last boss.

yup, real final boss, the fact that you have to do one of those 3 dungeons all over again doesn't help. although it's pretty easy if you don't man mode and go there with some high faith build.

 

[Mistel]

Along with the fact that spices are stupidly good because there is no disadvantage and see how many broken builds there could be.

Both simpleton's and skeptic's spices are farmable.

 

[Violentine]

Holy Shitballs. Darklurker, you effigy wasting asshole. Goddamn. So close that time. So damn close.

Real last boss? Real last boss.

Chaos storm with max glove can instant ko her when she splits at 50% hp. At least on NG.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

That was a reply to Orochinagis' suggestion of Witch staff.

You might be mistaking the Witchtree Branch with the Black Witch's Staff. The former has no faith requirement, the latter does.

As for the Wisdom staff, it'll eventually be my main staff, but is there really that much of a difference to Amana? They're both S scaling, shouldn't be that drastic, right?

Hmm to be honest I never used the Staff of Amana so I don't know, but I was under the impression that the Staff of Wisdom was the strongest for sorceries...

Actually, if you are human, Amana is superior.

Really?! WTF... I gotta test it. I thought the Amana had magic/dark damage as opposed to purely magic, and that its split damage would make it weaker... hmm... need to do some damage tests... Well if that's true, you have a plenty strong staff already, Z! My sorceress is wreaking havoc in NG+ with the Staff of Wisdom and the MLGS. Plus you get more Soul Spear casts than you know what to do with!

 

[GorillaJu]

I invaded someone last night for the first time because I didn't want to go to the gutter to get a token of spite on my new char, and I needed to talk to Titchy Gren so I could get the Bone King Crown for #FashionSouls

You ran, you dodged my Claymore swings and you survived my riposte. You healed twice, I followed you until you backed into a corner and poison mist turned you into a bubbling green puddle.

I'm sorry, Ser Buttly.

 

[GorillaJu]

That was a reply to Orochinagis' suggestion of Witch staff.

As for the Wisdom staff, it'll eventually be my main staff, but is there really that much of a difference to Amana? They're both S scaling, shouldn't be that drastic, right?



I gave up on it after 7 hours wasted farming for it.

But yeah, Dex builds in DeS were the shit!

Witch tree staff is in the hole in Majula. Go down the first big drop (where the longest ladder takes you), and climb up the short ladder from the platform. Requires Forgotten Key (found in Black Gulch).

Oops sorry for double post

 

[Morrigan Stark]

Just max-upgraded a Staff of Amana that I had in my inventory, infused it with magic. Tested Soul Spear on the dogs in Bastille, the piggies in Majula and the zombies in Undead Crypt, and every time the Staff of Wisdom was better, though only marginally so. I was human. So it's incorrect to say the Staff of Amana is stronger. Even if the AR is higher, it's split between magic and dark whereas the Wisdom staff is pure magic. Wisdom staff also has slightly faster casting speed.

Still, the difference wasn't huge, so if you're desperately short on Twinkling the Staff of Wisdom can probably wait til NG+.

Edit: for Fashion Souls the Staff of Wisdom is much prettier.

 

[Z..]

You might be mistaking the Witchtree Branch with the Black Witch's Staff. The former has no faith requirement, the latter does.

Witch tree staff is in the hole in Majula. Go down the first big drop (where the longest ladder takes you), and climb up the short ladder from the platform. Requires Forgotten Key (found in Black Gulch).

Indeed, I thought he was refering to the Black Witch staff. Anyway, I already have the Witchtree Branch and used it for a while after black gulch, but I switched to the Staff of Amana as soon as I got it, obviously.

 

[Mistel]

Really?! WTF... I gotta test it. I thought the Amana had magic/dark damage as opposed to purely magic, and that its split damage would make it weaker... hmm... need to do some damage tests... Well if that's true, you have a plenty strong staff already, Z! My sorceress is wreaking havoc in NG+ with the Staff of Wisdom and the MLGS. Plus you get more Soul Spear casts than you know what to do with!

Wisdom hits a tiny tiny bit harder but uses more stamina and is slower to cast (quite noticeably I think) than amana. Amana is slighlty weaker than wisdom but casts faster, human bonus and uses less stamina that the wisdom does.

I would say that Amana is the superior one to wisdom.

 

[maomaoIYP]

your dagger +10 is the parrying dagger? I use that, I do not have a mundane build but I couldn't do more than 1k when I tried to use it after a parry. that's why I though you need high DEX since the weapons scales (A) with it.

Nope, the regular dagger. The one you get for free in the 1st tutorial fog door. I don't use the parrying dagger.
Depending on armor of my opponent I've hit anywhere from 800 to 2000.
I wear full havels and I've had ripostes done to be for over 2000 as well, I have no idea what dagger those people were using.

 

[Mistel]

Nope, the regular dagger. The one you get for free in the 1st tutorial fog door. I don't use the parrying dagger.
Depending on armor of my opponent I've hit anywhere from 800 to 2000.
I wear full havels and I've had ripostes done to be for over 2000 as well, I have no idea what dagger those people were using.

Have you not tried using the royal dirk or shadow dagger?

 

[Orochinagis]

Wisdom hits a tiny tiny bit harder but uses more stamina and is slower to cast (quite noticeably I think) than amana. Amana is slighlty weaker than wisdom but casts faster, human bonus and uses less stamina that the wisdom does.

I would say that Amana is the superior one to wisdom.

You can easily ignore that buff with rings and the Domino helmet, most of the long cast spells are useless when you get the soul geyser in PVE, in pvp just soul arrows and the soul sword could be the best choice of use.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

Wisdom hits a tiny tiny bit harder but uses more stamina and is slower to cast (quite noticeably I think) than amana. Amana is slighlty weaker than wisdom but casts faster, human bonus and uses less stamina that the wisdom does.

I would say that Amana is the superior one to wisdom.

I just tested this and... it's wrong. Wisdom is faster. Not just in the stat screen, it's a bit faster in the game too (so it's not a matter of the stat being inaccurate). And the stamina consumption is identical. I have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[maomaoIYP]

Have you not tried using the royal dirk or shadow dagger?

I don't use the royal dirk.
Shadow dagger does only a teeny bit more.
Dagger at mundane +10 has base of 57.
Shadow dagger has base of 60.
As far as I can tell both have the same critical multiplier, although shadow is listed as 130, while dagger is 150. Doing a riposte test with both only gives a tiny bonus with shadow, at the cost of 1 additional weight.
Some players I've met do a parry then switch to a dagger which cleans me out. Old Leo ring doesn't seem to provide a counter hit boost to ripostes.
I've also run into players who buff their daggers and just bait backstabs or ripostes, and those *seem* to do more damage consistently.

 

[Mistel]

I just tested this and... it's wrong. Wisdom is faster. Not just in the stat screen, it's a bit faster in the game too (so it's not a matter of the stat being inaccurate). And the stamina consumption is identical. I have no idea what you're talking about.

I did something similar to this.

You can easily ignore that buff with rings and the Domino helmet, most of the long cast spells are useless when you get the soul geyser in PVE, in pvp just soul arrows and the soul sword could be the best choice of use.

I use the blue flame more often than not myself

 

[Haunted]

Omg this is fucking awesome

Dude deserves all the sunlight medals.

Top tier editing and music choices.

 

[mickcenary]

Guiz, with my lowest stat being ATT at 20, should my daggers and Avelyn be Mundane'd?

Cheers!

 

[Booshka]

I don't use the royal dirk.
Shadow dagger does only a teeny bit more.
Dagger at mundane +10 has base of 57.
Shadow dagger has base of 60.
As far as I can tell both have the same critical multiplier, although shadow is listed as 130, while dagger is 150. Doing a riposte test with both only gives a tiny bonus with shadow, at the cost of 1 additional weight.
Some players I've met do a parry then switch to a dagger which cleans me out. Old Leo ring doesn't seem to provide a counter hit boost to ripostes.
I've also run into players who buff their daggers and just bait backstabs or ripostes, and those *seem* to do more damage consistently.

Those numbers you are seeing aren't the crit numbers for ripostes and backstabs. That is the counter bonus for thrust counters. Crit multiplier is no where to be found in stats screen. I've done some bonkers crits on full havels with Shadow Dagger +10, with 40 STR and Ring of Blades +2.

Pretty sure that Mundane build Daggers also do insane crit damage, especially if you are very high level with at least 30-50 in every stat.

EDIT: yes Mick, if a weapon has low base damage or no scaling and your lowest stat is 20, make it Mundane.

 

[Laurentius]

Top tier editing and music choices.

The way he fit the music in at 4:25 is so good.

 

[bob_arctor]

yup, real final boss, the fact that you have to do one of those 3 dungeons all over again doesn't help. although it's pretty easy if you don't man mode and go there with some high faith build.

I'm realllll close, almost got the right combination of gear. I'm pure melee but for this fight, I'm rocking the Black Witch set/Rebel great shield for magic defense, and for rings, Dispelling Ring and Dark Quartz +2 (plus 2 essentials). My mobility is fine, even with the Rebel, now I just need to work out a sword with a wide arc attack. Looks like the Black Knight Great Sword is a candidate, esp. with that flame damage. It shall be done! No re-spec here!!

 

[maomaoIYP]

Those numbers you are seeing aren't the crit numbers for ripostes and backstabs. That is the counter bonus for thrust counters. Crit multiplier is no where to be found in stats screen. I've done some bonkers crits on full havels with Shadow Dagger +10, with 40 STR and Ring of Blades +2.

Pretty sure that Mundane build Daggers also do insane crit damage, especially if you are very high level with at least 30-50 in every stat.

EDIT: yes Mick, if a weapon has low base damage or no scaling and your lowest stat is 20, make it Mundane.

Damn, I keep thinking the critical number is the number ala DkS1.
My character is a 50 across the board build, mundane dagger +10 with RoB +2. The riposte damage varies wildly against many people I've played, there just doesn't seem to be consistency. Just the other day I riposted a full havels for only 800. I'm not even sure how that's possible since when I've been hit for over 2000.

 

[Booshka]

I'm realllll close, almost got the right combination of gear. I'm pure melee but for this fight, I'm rocking the Black Witch set/Rebel great shield for magic defense, and for rings, Dispelling Ring and Dark Quartz +2 (plus 2 essentials). My mobility is fine, even with the Rebel, now I just need to work out a sword with a wide arc attack. Looks like the Black Knight Great Sword is a candidate, esp. with that flame damage. It shall be done! No re-spec here!!

If you have Dark Troches (consumable) munch on one right as you land in the boss room and it will add 150 to your Dark Defense.


EDIT: @maomaoYIP It's because defense gains from continuing to level is bonkers. In my opinion it's almost worse than Soul Memory at this point, you become extremely resilient the more you continue to level. So not sure what your SL is, but you may be fighting like SL 500+ builds and not getting that great of damage.

You are up there in the clouds of high SM PvP, so you probably know more than I do, start paying attention to the soul payouts from invasions (unless you are a filthy blue) and try to figure out what level ppl are.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

I did something similar to this.

I wonder if this post might not be outdated from a patch or calibration because it contradicts my own tests. I tested Witchtree Branch (140) vs Staff of Amana (100) and Amana was very obviously slower, stamina use was identical, and here he says this:

110 cast speed (lower is better)

Lower is better? Nope nope nope. Never been true in my experience. Maybe it was pre-patch, I played my mage after the MLGS nerf for instance, but higher casting speed has always been better.

 

[maomaoIYP]

EDIT: @maomaoYIP It's because defense gains from continuing to level is bonkers. In my opinion it's almost worse than Soul Memory at this point, you become extremely resilient the more you continue to level. So not sure what your SL is, but you may be fighting like SL 500+ builds and not getting that great of damage.

You are up there in the clouds of high SM PvP, so you probably know more than I do, start paying attention to the soul payouts from invasions (unless you are a filthy blue) and try to figure out what level ppl are.

I'm SL 397. Invaders typically give me 200k, which means it takes them 400k to level, which means they're around my level. I should start noting down gains if I do land silly low damage ripostes.
I'm beginning to wonder if I should just stop bothering with a dagger riposte, I should start practicing a swap-to-heavy weapon riposte instead, those can do over 3k once it connects.

 

[Coldsun]

Lower is better? Nope nope nope. Never been true in my experience. Maybe it was pre-patch, I played my mage after the MLGS nerf for instance, but higher casting speed has always been better.

Wasn't even true in the initial launch day version. I'm really interested in where the belief first originated as well... it's never been true.

 

[Booshka]

I'm SL 397. Invaders typically give me 200k, which means it takes them 400k to level, which means they're around my level. I should start noting down gains if I do land silly low damage ripostes.
I'm beginning to wonder if I should just stop bothering with a dagger riposte, I should start practicing a swap-to-heavy weapon riposte instead, those can do over 3k once it connects.

Halberd Class weapons do some insane ripostes, so maybe a quick swap to Mastodon or Syan's for Riposte. I would suggest swapping to a giant weapon for riposte though, seeing as how daggers are so inconsistent.

 

[Mistel]

I'm realllll close, almost got the right combination of gear. I'm pure melee but for this fight, I'm rocking the Black Witch set/Rebel great shield for magic defense, and for rings, Dispelling Ring and Dark Quartz +2 (plus 2 essentials). My mobility is fine, even with the Rebel, now I just need to work out a sword with a wide arc attack. Looks like the Black Knight Great Sword is a candidate, esp. with that flame damage. It shall be done! No re-spec here!!

Try the black knight ultra greatsword if you can it's only requirements are 30/16 str/dex.

I wonder if this post might not be outdated from a patch or calibration because it contradicts my own tests.

Well it is a month old so possibly that is the case I had more or less the same when I tested around that time.

 

[maomaoIYP]

Halberd Class weapons do some insane ripostes, so maybe a quick swap to Mastodon or Syan's for Riposte. I would suggest swapping to a giant weapon for riposte though, seeing as how daggers are so inconsistent.

Yeah I've noticed that for mastodon's halberd. I should start testing those versus great hammers.

 

[Orochinagis]

As far as I remember the amana staff have the same maxed stats for sorceries as the witch staff so its useless for pure sorcerers

 

[Mistel]

As far as I remember the amana staff have the same maxed stats for sorceries as the witch staff so its useless for pure sorcerers

The black witch has 220 with A scaling for magic. Amana is 230 with S scaling for magic. Both maxed and non infused of course.

 

[Orochinagis]

Did the amana priest armor drop in later runs? i think that the most exotic armor set outside the desert sorcerer and the hexes helmet

 

[Mistel]

Did the amana priest armor drop in later runs? i think that the most exotic armor set outside the desert sorcerer and the hexes helmet

The knights do priestess don't.

 

[Haunted]

Ok guys, I need your help.

Hit me with your best recommendations for Dark Souls 2 LPs. Blind/first ones are favoured, but I'm willing to give anyone with honest reactions and a good sense of humour a shot. No speedrunners or PvP specialists, that's another category entirely. Can be on YT or Twitch archives, I don't mind. Let's compile a good list here.

I'm already watching
Kay
ChristopherOdd
Jeff Green (though his stumbling about incompetently is beginning to grate a bit, might have to give it a rest until he's found his groove again)
Zemalf

 

[mattiewheels]

I'm at the Royal Rat Authority, and I'm really hitting my head against a wall here. I don't have an aoe to take care of the little rats since there's hardly any time, so its a matter of luck not going toxic. So far I've been unlucky.

Any tips for this besides magic?

 

[zkylon]

ok, finally :3

ng++ mage run going ok, just reached drangleic castle

playing as a mage is kind of interesting, it feels less exciting than melee, but it sure is nice seeing those big ass numbers chunking bosses like crazy

i wonder how viable a full bow build might be

 

[Haunted]

I'm at the Royal Rat Authority, and I'm really hitting my head against a wall here. I don't have an aoe to take care of the little rats since there's hardly any time, so its a matter of luck not going toxic. So far I've been unlucky.

Any tips for this besides magic?

An aoe attack would really make it easier to get rid of the small ones first. It doesn't even have to be a magic one like firestorm or heavenly thunder, just any swiping slashing weapon would probably do. If you have nothing of the sort, I guess you could try to pick off as many of them as you can with ranged attacks at the very start. For the big rat himself, stay under him and between his legs (similar to Sif if you've played the first Dark Souls) and he won't be able to hit you at all.

The fight is kinda similar to the Capra Demon in the sense that if you survive the first 10 seconds and manage to kill its flunkies, it becomes manageable.

 

[Laurentius]

Ok guys, I need your help.

Hit me with your best recommendations for Dark Souls 2 LPs. Blind/first ones are favoured, but I'm willing to give anyone with honest reactions and a good sense of humour a shot. No speedrunners or PvP specialists, that's another category entirely. Can be on YT or Twitch archives, I don't mind. Let's compile a good list here.

I'm already watching
Kay
ChristopherOdd
Jeff Green (though his stumbling about incompetently is beginning to grate a bit, might have to give it a rest until he's found his groove again)
Zemalf

I really enjoyed EpicNameBro's, starting at Episode 14 when he decided to stop doing it as a walkthrough, and just for fun. Not blind though, of course. I've always liked ENB's playthroughs because of his lore discussions as well as some pretty entertaining off the cuff stuff he talks about. He notices so many things in regards to the world and lore that would just pass me by completely. But if that doesn't interest you as much, you probably wouldn't enjoy his vids.

 

[Haunted]

I really enjoyed EpicNameBro's, starting at Episode 14 when he decided to stop doing it as a walkthrough, and just for fun. Not blind though, of course. I've always liked ENB's playthroughs because of his lore discussions as well as some pretty entertaining off the cuff stuff he talks about. He notices so many things in regards to the world and lore that would just pass me by completely. But if that doesn't interest you as much, you probably wouldn't enjoy his vids.

Oho, I've actually watched the first video but wasn't interested in the walkthrough aspect of it and didn't look further into it, interesting that he switched styles halfway through.

I do like his lore summary and speculation videos.

 

[mattiewheels]

An aoe attack would really make it easier to get rid of the small ones first. It doesn't even have to be a magic one like firestorm or heavenly thunder, just any swiping slashing weapon would probably do. If you have nothing of the sort, I guess you could try to pick off as many of them as you can with ranged attacks at the very start. For the big rat himself, stay under him and between his legs (similar to Sif if you've played the first Dark Souls) and he won't be able to hit you at all.

The fight is kinda similar to the Capra Demon in the sense that if you survive the first 10 seconds and manage to kill its flunkies, it becomes manageable.

I got him, it was really just luck of the draw getting all those little ones first since the big one is basically Sif...just run under and stay there.

 

[Haunted]

I got him, it was really just luck of the draw getting all those little ones first since the big one is basically Sif...just run under and stay there.

 

[Booshka]

Dark Souls 2 Patch Notes JP June 3 Release

Need a translator, here is the reddit translation page.

Reddit Translation for DkS2 Patch

EDIT: Ya this is a Calibration, not a full blown patch, my mistake.

 

[Laurentius]

Oho, I've actually watched the first video but wasn't interested in the walkthrough aspect of it and didn't look further into it, interesting that he switched styles halfway through.

I do like his lore summary and speculation videos.

Yeah, he said he was just getting really bored with doing the walkthrough part, and decided to just play the game the way he wanted to, without worrying about making it a walkthrough. Made the series so much more enjoyable for me at that point.

 

[Laurentius]

Dark Souls 2 Patch Notes JP June 3 Release

Need a translator, here is the reddit translation page.

Reddit Translation for DkS2 Patch

Um, wow, that's actually some good stuff, at least according to the Reddit translation! (And I guess it's not really a full patch, just kind of a balancing hotfix.) So many OP PVP weapons and items nerfed. The Havelyns will hopefully be shedding a few tears.

(Now, hopefully they're working on fixing weapon durability, binoboosting, hitboxes, and considering reworking Soul Memory. If they are, I'm sure those are things that will take more time, so I'm at least glad they are still interested in trying to balance things.)

EDIT: Whoops, sorry for double post.

 

[Booshka]

Um, wow, that's actually some good stuff, at least according to the Reddit translation! (And I guess it's not really a full patch, just kind of a balancing hotfix.) So many OP PVP weapons and items nerfed. The Havelyns will hopefully be shedding a few tears.

(Now, hopefully they're working on fixing weapon durability, binoboosting, hitboxes, and considering reworking Soul Memory. If they are, I'm sure those are things that will take more time, so I'm at least glad they are still interested in trying to balance things.)

EDIT: Whoops, sorry for double post.

Think I might start a new character to keep on NG, then when these Calibrations go through I will start PvPing.

Haven't really played at all on my NG+ high SM 135 character because of all the problems. Sticking to NG and a lot of these fixes will make it more enjoyable though.

 

[Laurentius]

Think I might start a new character to keep on NG, then when these Calibrations go through I will start PvPing.

Haven't really played at all on my NG+ high SM 135 character because of all the problems. Sticking to NG and a lot of these fixes will make it more enjoyable though.

Yeah, it definitely sounds promising for PVP! If they would just nuke Soul Memory from orbit as well, then I would have very few complaints about the PVP in this game.

 

[zkylon]

Dark Souls 2 Patch Notes JP June 3 Release

Need a translator, here is the reddit translation page.

Reddit Translation for DkS2 Patch

EDIT: Ya this is a Calibration, not a full blown patch, my mistake.

sounds like a nice round of nerfs, cool

btw i'm new to this playing souls games on release thing, what's the different between a patch and a calibration?

 

[Timmy00]

Dark Souls 2 Patch Notes JP June 3 Release

Need a translator, here is the reddit translation page.

Reddit Translation for DkS2 Patch

EDIT: Ya this is a Calibration, not a full blown patch, my mistake.

Sweet, the calibration seems to be fixing a lot of problems I had with the game's pvp. Now just make Soul Level and Soul Memory matter in pvp and fix the roll parry glitch/ other glitches and I'd be very happy. It's amazing how many people rely on the skimitar to try to win fights.

 

[Orthogonal]

Many of the major complaints being addressed with this calibration. Good to see they are actively following the meta game. They will probably need a full on patch for the backstep/roll parry and bino-boosting glitches.

 

[Laurentius]

Yeah, the fact that they were aware of what items needed to be nerfed gives me hope that they're actually paying close attention to the metagame and the complaints. Which will hopefully result in the next full patch addressing a lot of the bigger issues.

 

[Alo81]

Does anyone know what this is referring to?

Power Stance glitch that occurs with ultragreats and the bandit axe has been fixed

Edit: Also, the Black Knight Halberd in this game bums me out so much, because they removed one of the coolest moves in all of Dark Souls history.