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[DarkoMaledictus]

So, what the best way to deal with

Spoiler

King Vendrick? He loses almost no health, no health at all! I was hoping I could beat the game on my first run without summoning people but I might be forced to for this fight. Is there some spacial trick to it?

Dude even if you want you can't summon people for that fight... its a bit tedious!

 

[sheaaaa]

There are some powerful scenes in the latter half of the game.

First seeing Drangleic Castle, walking into Shrine, lighting the Undead Crypt, seeing

Spoiler

King Vendrick

, the Dragon Aerie,

Spoiler

giant memories

Spoiler

I would imagine he is referring to King Vendrick.

The entire game, both Shanlotte and Nashandra are pushing you to, 'seek larger and more powerful souls. Seek the King.'

Much like Gwynn in the first game, you think the entire journey is building up to a climactic confrontation with the King.
You have an intense fight with the Kings guardian, Velstadt before coming to the King. You walk in on him and he is completely decript and hollowed.

You then come to the realization that you were being manipulated. They weren't pushing you to get to the King, but what he had locked away.

Great post. I did find it odd that he was in that state, but didn't think too much about it.

 

[DarkoMaledictus]

So how do I get at this item? Haha

Here's what I think happened:

Spoiler

I ran past the red phantom who appears near there and the big animated dragon skeleton managed to kill the phantom. I guess either the hit was so violent that it pushed the phantom up into the wall or the drop was just super weird. I was farming Petrified Dragon Bone with ascetics and it didn't happen each time.

I would guess you don't.... that item seems lost!

 

[Alo81]

Was this posted?

Namco did a Q/A session on Dark Souls II http://steamcommunity.com/app/236430/discussions/0/558755529569809677/#p1

This is interesting

From what I understand then FromSoftware are monitoring things such as stats. So what (if anything) happens if a save gets corrupted and someone is forced to use an earlier save where the stats are much lower?

When we say FromSoftware are monitoring stats, they are monitoring things like if a character is Soul Level 50, but has 99 Vitality. That can't be accomplished through normal gameplay.

It looks like camera hacks, and visual mods won't be getting banned.

 

[InfiniDragon]

So... only after 58 hours with this game did I realize that hidden walls are opened by tapping "A" and not by attacking...

I spent the whole fucking game without opening 1 single secret door besides Pharros doors. I thought they didn't even exist since I went in blind without watching any videos, and that they had been replaced by Pharros doors.

I thought that all those messages saying illusory wall ahead were just for fun to make people lose durability on weapons...

Fuck me...

Yeah this was one of the big differences based on the teams making the game I'd bet.

King's Field and older From games used the button press to activate hidden doors instead of hitting the wall. I figured it out once I realized that this game felt more King's Field than Souls series to me (at Harvest Valley).

Still think they should have put traps in walls like King's Field for maximum trolling.

 

[Grief.exe]

Also something interesting I found on Reddit today, SM tier ranges. http://www.reddit.com/r/DarkSouls2/comments/254ty1/soul_memory_tiers_and_exact_ranges_for/


Tier # Soul Memory

1. 0 - 9,999
2. 10,000 - 19,999
3. 20,000 - 29,999
4. 30,000 - 39,999
5. 40,000 - 49,999
6. 50,000 - 69,999
7. 70,000 - 89,999
8. 90,000 - 109,999
9. 110,000 - 129,999
10. 130,000 - 149,999
11. 150,000 - 179,999
12. 180,000 - 209,999
13. 210,000 - 239,999
14. 240,000 - 269,999
15. 270,000 - 299,999
16. 300,000 - 349,999
17. 350,000 - 399,999
18. 400,000 - 449,999
19. 450,000 - 499,999
20. 500,000 - 599,999
21. 600,000 - 699,999
22. 700,000 - 799,999
23. 800,000 - 899,999
24. 900,000 - 999,999
25. 1,000,000 - 1,099,999
26. 1,100,000 - 1,199,999
27. 1,200,000 - 1,299,999
28. 1,300,000 - 1,399,999
29. 1,400,000 - 1,499,999
30. 1,500,000 - 1,749,999
31. 1,750,000 - 1,999,999
32. 2,000,000 - 2,249,999
33. 2,250,000 - 2,499,999
34. 2,500,000 - 2,749,999
35. 2,750,000 - 2,999,999
36. 3,000,000 - 4,999,999
37. 5,000,000 - 6,999,999
38. 7,000,000 - 8,999,999
39. 9,000,000 - 11,999,999
40. 12,000,000 - 14,999,999
41. 15,000,000 - 999,999,999

Multiplayer Item Ranges Here is how the different items behave:

White Sign Soapstone
"Down 2, Up 1"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 18 - 21.

White Sign Soapstone with Name-Engraved Ring
"Down 5, Up 4"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 15 - 24.

Small White Sign Soapstone
"Down 3, Up 1"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 17 - 21.

Small White Sign Soapstone with Name-Engraved Ring
"Down 6, Up 5"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 14 - 25.

Cracked Red Eye Orb & Bell Keepers
"Down 0, Up 3"
Someone at tier 20 can invade hosts in tiers 20 - 23.

Cracked Blue Eye Orb
"Down 2, Up 2"
Someone at tier 20 can invade hosts in tiers 18 - 22.

Red Sign Soapstone
"Down 3, Up 2"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 17 - 22.

Dragon Eye
"Down 4, Up 4"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 16 - 24.

Rat King Covenant
"Down 1, Up 3"
A host at tier 20 can summon phantoms from tiers 19 - 23.

Untested
Guardian Seal Summons
Abyss Invasions
Mirror Knight Summons

 

[burgerdog]

Also something interesting I found on Reddit today, SM tier ranges. http://www.reddit.com/r/DarkSouls2/comments/254ty1/soul_memory_tiers_and_exact_ranges_for/


Tier # Soul Memory

1. 0 - 9,999
2. 10,000 - 19,999
3. 20,000 - 29,999
4. 30,000 - 39,999
5. 40,000 - 49,999
6. 50,000 - 69,999
7. 70,000 - 89,999
8. 90,000 - 109,999
9. 110,000 - 129,999
10. 130,000 - 149,999
11. 150,000 - 179,999
12. 180,000 - 209,999
13. 210,000 - 239,999
14. 240,000 - 269,999
15. 270,000 - 299,999
16. 300,000 - 349,999
17. 350,000 - 399,999
18. 400,000 - 449,999
19. 450,000 - 499,999
20. 500,000 - 599,999
21. 600,000 - 699,999
22. 700,000 - 799,999
23. 800,000 - 899,999
24. 900,000 - 999,999
25. 1,000,000 - 1,099,999
26. 1,100,000 - 1,199,999
27. 1,200,000 - 1,299,999
28. 1,300,000 - 1,399,999
29. 1,400,000 - 1,499,999
30. 1,500,000 - 1,749,999
31. 1,750,000 - 1,999,999
32. 2,000,000 - 2,249,999
33. 2,250,000 - 2,499,999
34. 2,500,000 - 2,749,999
35. 2,750,000 - 2,999,999
36. 3,000,000 - 4,999,999
37. 5,000,000 - 6,999,999
38. 7,000,000 - 8,999,999
39. 9,000,000 - 11,999,999
40. 12,000,000 - 14,999,999
41. 15,000,000 - 999,999,999

Multiplayer Item Ranges Here is how the different items behave:

White Sign Soapstone
"Down 2, Up 1"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 18 - 21.

White Sign Soapstone with Name-Engraved Ring
"Down 5, Up 4"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 15 - 24.

Small White Sign Soapstone
"Down 3, Up 1"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 17 - 21.

Small White Sign Soapstone with Name-Engraved Ring
"Down 6, Up 5"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 14 - 25.

Cracked Red Eye Orb & Bell Keepers
"Down 0, Up 3"
Someone at tier 20 can invade hosts in tiers 20 - 23.

Cracked Blue Eye Orb
"Down 2, Up 2"
Someone at tier 20 can invade hosts in tiers 18 - 22.

Red Sign Soapstone
"Down 3, Up 2"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 17 - 22.

Dragon Eye
"Down 4, Up 4"
Someone at tier 20 can send their sign to hosts in tiers 16 - 24.

Rat King Covenant
"Down 1, Up 3"
A host at tier 20 can summon phantoms from tiers 19 - 23.

Untested
Guardian Seal Summons
Abyss Invasions
Mirror Knight Summons

All I see is a load of poop. I'm in tier 36 at sl150 probably fighting 250+ dudes.

 

[Mr Git]

There's no way to halt soul memory increasing is there? My main character is gonna be hitting that final tier very soon..

 

[Grief.exe]

Another cool thing I found on Reddit, they were playing around with the camera mod and found the Lordvessel that From forgot to remove

All I see is a load of poop. I'm in tier 36 at sl150 probably fighting 250+ dudes.

I'm around the same SL and SM tier.

There's no way to halt soul memory increasing is there? My main character is gonna be hitting that final tier very soon..

Nope. The system is pretty fucked.

 

[Rhaknar]

Wait how do you light up the

Spoiler

undead crypt

? I want to do that on this char, had no idea you could do that

 

[Overdoziz]

Wait how do you light up the

Spoiler

undead crypt

? I want to do that on this char, had no idea you could do that

Either a lever or a torch, can't remember.

 

[Alo81]

Wait how do you light up the

Spoiler

undead crypt

? I want to do that on this char, had no idea you could do that

right before that entry way that leads to

Spoiler

the area with the infinite zombies and reaper dudes that come our of statues -

the second bonfire, you can fall off then explore from there.

 

[yatesl]

I just beat

Spoiler

Darklurker

with an all melee, dex build. I'm so pumped right now, I haven't had this much adrenaline from a game since Artorias.

I ended up switching out weapons, infusing them, and shuffling all my rings round. As someone who normally sword and boards his way through (despite being dex), I had to seriously be on my toes.

YouTube video incoming, as I know everyone's interested.


Edit: Here we go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS2geMPl7dc

Obviously contains spoilers for the boss! Oh, and

Spoiler

I know I shouldn't have survived @ 00:27

 

[Garcia]

I'm basically screwed judging by that list.

I'm already SL 296, SM 27 Million. I really don't like how it keeps limiting how many people you can Co-op with. Can't they just implement some kind of universal system where you can get summoned by anyone, and in case you are extremely overleveled (compared to your summoner) you could have a temporary stats cap so you are somehow brought down to the SL of the host?

For example, if I get summoned by a SL 10 player, all of my stats get downgraded to match the host's. So, instead of being SL 296, I'd be temporarily taken down to SL 20-35.

I really wouldn't mind this at all. The place feels completely barren now that I've reached the max rank. If I want to keep doing more Co-op I'll be forced to start a new character. It's really unpractical.

 

[z1ggy]

Was this posted?

Namco did a Q/A session on Dark Souls II http://steamcommunity.com/app/236430/discussions/0/558755529569809677/#p1

Sadly, no sales figure talk. I´m deeply curious about how much it sold so far.

 

[Alo81]

I'm basically screwed judging by that list.

I'm already SL 296, SM 27 Million. I really don't like how it keeps limiting how many people you can Co-op with. Can't they just implement some kind of universal system where you can get summoned by anyone, and in case you are extremely overleveled (compared to your summoner) you could have a temporary stats cap so you are somehow brought down to the SL of the host?

For example, if I get summoned by a SL 10 player, all of my stats get downgraded to match the host's. So, instead of being SL 296, I'd be temporarily taken down to SL 20-35.

I really wouldn't mind this at all. The place feels completely barren now that I've reached the max rank. If I want to keep doing more Co-op I'll be forced to start a new character. It's really unpractical.

I wouldn't say you're screwed, you're just going to get matched with people who are in the top tier (which most probably eventually will be.)

Also, the dropping your SL idea seems really bad to me, because it'll be completely arbitrary and it would be annoying as hell to be a dual greatsword character then get summoned into a world where I can't wield my weapons, can't wear my armor, and can't cast my magic because my strength and int stats just plummeted.

 

[Rhaknar]

right before that entry way that leads to

Spoiler

the area with the infinite zombies and reaper dudes that come our of statues -

the second bonfire, you can fall off then explore from there.

thanks ill try to remember, i need to farm that area bad for the staff (assuming you can farm it)

 

[Garcia]

I wouldn't say you're screwed, you're just going to get matched with people who are in the top tier (which most probably eventually will be.)

Also, the dropping your SL idea seems really bad to me, because it'll be completely arbitrary and it would be annoying as hell to be a dual greatsword character then get summoned into a world where I can't wield my weapons, can't wear my armor, and can't cast my magic because my strength and int stats just plummeted.

How about this: Having a 3rd. soapstone in your inventory that serves exclusively for universal summoning.

 

[Alo81]

How about this: Having a 3rd. soapstone in your inventory that serves exclusively for universal summoning.

I don't think FROM wants SL12 people getting carried the whole game though.

If you're summoning, what's the incentive to summon from the limited range rather than the full one?

 

[Desaan]

Soul Memory is a bullshit mechanic that was put in place simply to lower high equipment level, low soul level PvP ganks etc. It has some mechanic with opening the doors as well but I feel that was thrown in as a barrier to getting late game stuff early, another bullshit mechanic.

All soul memory does is segregate the online community and in a few months, especially on PC, it's going to be severely divided to ghost town proportions. Effectively killing co-op and PvP. All they need to do is remove the code for soul memory past NG, so NG+ has no soul memory mechanic. If they are going to care bear and pander people through NG, then remove those constraints from NG+ onward.

 

[Jito]

Well just lost 200000 souls o_0

 

[Garcia]

I don't think FROM wants SL12 people getting carried the whole game though.

If you're summoning, what's the incentive to summon from the limited range rather than the full one?

I really don't see any problem with universal summoning, especially if you are able to choose this via an extra soapstone. It's exactly the same effect as if I decided to start a new character.

What I'm proposing is actually practical and healthy for multiplayer. There's absolutely no problem with people helping each other out.

 

[demosthenes]

If i'm on my first game, can I be summoned to NG+?

Just got summoned and the enemies had like double hp.

 

[shiroryu]

Just helped the host beat the 2nd boss in FoFG as a shade when he showed up on the platform, and damn, 18k souls when I haven't beaten the 1st boss in my own world yet. I guess it's goodbye to getting summoned for the time being because I'll out-SM everybody going through the area?

 

[ichtyander]

Another cool thing I found on Reddit, they were playing around with the camera mod and found the Lordvessel that From forgot to remove

I'm around the same SL and SM tier.



Nope. The system is pretty fucked.

Wow, pretty cool find indeed.

 

[Garcia]

Soul Memory is a bullshit mechanic that was put in place simply to lower high equipment level, low soul level PvP ganks etc. It has some mechanic with opening the doors as well but I feel that was thrown in as a barrier to getting late game stuff early, another bullshit mechanic.

All soul memory does is segregate the online community and in a few months, especially on PC, it's going to be severely divided to ghost town proportions. Effectively killing co-op and PvP. All they need to do is remove the code for soul memory past NG, so NG+ has no soul memory mechanic. If they are going to care bear and pander people through NG, then remove those constraints from NG+ onward.

I totally agree with you:

Soul Memory is bullshit.
The place will eventually be a ghost town because of it.

(Optional) Universal summoning could fix this issue pretty quickly.

 

[Desaan]

If i'm on my first game, can I be summoned to NG+?

Just got summoned and the enemies had like double hp.

No, you will only be summoned to people who are on the NG also, NG+ is open to NG++ though and onward though I believe.

With regards to mobs health and defenses, that's how co-op works. The more people you summon the more health and defense mobs/bosses get.

 

[Arjen]

If i'm on my first game, can I be summoned to NG+?

Just got summoned and the enemies had like double hp.

No, maybe the host burned an astetic.

 

[Facism]

Delicious info and lists

Does being a Sunbro affect anything? I remember you got matched up easier with other sunbros in DS1.

Would have preferred a wider coop range if you went sunbro.

 

[Grief.exe]

If i'm on my first game, can I be summoned to NG+?

Just got summoned and the enemies had like double hp.

They may also have used a Bonfire Ascetic to increase the game to NG+/NG++/etc

 

[Northeastmonk]

Co-op Dark Souls is by far the most interesting concept I've seen in the last decade.

 

[demosthenes]

30th sunlight medal!

edit: Now just need 55 faith ._.

Once a covenant is complete, do you have to talk to the cat to leave or can you just join another one?

 

[AngryMoth]

So was ruler's sword nerfed in the PC version? My dark one on PS3 gets 277 in scaling whereas my PC character who has better stats only gets 205. Only difference is I have 2.5m souls on ps3 vs 1.1m on PC but i thought 1m was the cap?

 

[Creamium]

30th sunlight medal!

edit: Now just need 55 faith ._.

Once a covenant is complete, do you have to talk to the cat to leave or can you just join another one?

you can just join another one, no penalties

 

[Zom]

I just beat

Spoiler

Darklurker

with an all melee, dex build. I'm so pumped right now, I haven't had this much adrenaline from a game since Artorias.

I ended up switching out weapons, infusing them, and shuffling all my rings round. As someone who normally sword and boards his way through (despite being dex), I had to seriously be on my toes.

YouTube video incoming, as I know everyone's interested.


Edit: Here we go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS2geMPl7dc

Obviously contains spoilers for the boss! Oh, and

Spoiler

I know I shouldn't have survived @ 00:27

Dang, that was a close call.

 

[FloatOn]

Pulled the switch in aldias ignoring all the warnings. I had no idea what it did. Now I do.

Fml

 

[Creamium]

Pulled the switch in aldias ignoring all the warnings. I had no idea what it did. Now I do.

Fml

 

[Mistel]

Pulled the switch in aldias ignoring all the warnings. I had no idea what it did. Now I do.

Fml

You're going to have lots of fun I think.

 

[UrbanRats]

How do i get to that object, just outside the third bonfire in

Spoiler

Shrine of Amana

?

I tried

Spoiler

hugging the wall on the right, as soon as you exit the bonfire cave, but it seems i got to another, closer, object and then it looks like there's a pit.
Tried to circle all the way from the other side, but i can't get to it.

--
Also forgot to mention yesterday: WHAT THE FUCK at that

Spoiler

Drangleic Silent Hill

moment, you know the one.. amazing.

 

[Grief.exe]

Belry Sol is damn hard without summoning someone to help you.

Tough phantoms abound, and there are always two bel bros trying to kill me. No honor in my own covenant I guess.

Pulled the switch in aldias ignoring all the warnings. I had no idea what it did. Now I do.

Fml

I feel like a lot of people do this, myself included. Makes for some tense encounters down the line. Don't pull the lever and complete the quest in NG+.

 

[Facism]

Belry Sol is damn hard without summoning someone to help you.

Tough phantoms abound, and there are always two bel bros trying to kill me. No honor in my own covenant I guess.



I feel like a lot of people do this, myself included. Makes for some tense encounters down the line. Don't pull the lever and complete the quest in NG+.

Yup i pulled it in NG and enjoyed it. NG+ is probably better as you'll likely have all the items you need for his quest

 

[yatesl]

Dang, that was a close call.

I must have had ~10 hp, if that. I couldn't do it again!

Anyway Gaf, correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no

Spoiler

Knight's Honor

achievement in this, is there? If I'm happy with what I have now, there's no reason not to

Spoiler

use the boss souls for spells, instead of weapons

, right? I know I'll have to do a half run of NG++ again, but I want to do what I can now.

 

[Red Liquorice]

Does From Software consider changing some of the not so popular gameplay elements?
This is always possible in the future. We have gathered feedback, read forums, and talked with many community members regarding limited respawns, Soul Memory, etc. In the end these are design choices that are made by FromSoftware, but we are definitely discussing your feedback with them.

Oh God, please yes let them do something about Soul Memory. I'm not expecting to see it completely disabled, but it needs to be changed, what a mess.

 

[garath]

So I see all these messages about illusionary walls right up against the wall. Obviously they aren't all real illusionary walls but for the ones that are, how would you even click it since every time you hit A you are just reading the message??

 

[Haly]

The game will interpret your A as "activate Illusory wall" if you're close enough.

 

[Ruuppa]

So I see all these messages about illusionary walls right up against the wall. Obviously they aren't all real illusionary walls but for the ones that are, how would you even click it since every time you hit A you are just reading the message??

The illusory walls have higher priority than the messages, so if there's a real illusory door, it'll activate instead of the message.

 

[impact]

Also something interesting I found on Reddit today, SM tier ranges. http://www.reddit.com/r/DarkSouls2/comments/254ty1/soul_memory_tiers_and_exact_ranges_for/


Tier # Soul Memory

1. 0 - 9,999
2. 10,000 - 19,999
3. 20,000 - 29,999
4. 30,000 - 39,999
5. 40,000 - 49,999
6. 50,000 - 69,999
7. 70,000 - 89,999
8. 90,000 - 109,999
9. 110,000 - 129,999
10. 130,000 - 149,999
11. 150,000 - 179,999
12. 180,000 - 209,999
13. 210,000 - 239,999
14. 240,000 - 269,999
15. 270,000 - 299,999
16. 300,000 - 349,999
17. 350,000 - 399,999
18. 400,000 - 449,999
19. 450,000 - 499,999
20. 500,000 - 599,999
21. 600,000 - 699,999
22. 700,000 - 799,999
23. 800,000 - 899,999
24. 900,000 - 999,999
25. 1,000,000 - 1,099,999
26. 1,100,000 - 1,199,999
27. 1,200,000 - 1,299,999
28. 1,300,000 - 1,399,999
29. 1,400,000 - 1,499,999
30. 1,500,000 - 1,749,999
31. 1,750,000 - 1,999,999
32. 2,000,000 - 2,249,999
33. 2,250,000 - 2,499,999
34. 2,500,000 - 2,749,999
35. 2,750,000 - 2,999,999
36. 3,000,000 - 4,999,999
37. 5,000,000 - 6,999,999
38. 7,000,000 - 8,999,999
39. 9,000,000 - 11,999,999
40. 12,000,000 - 14,999,999
41. 15,000,000 - 999,999,999

AKA the main reason Dark Souls 2 sucks

Fingers crossed that Project Beast dumps soul memory in the garbage where it belongs.

 

[Alo81]

I really don't see any problem with universal summoning, especially if you are able to choose this via an extra soapstone. It's exactly the same effect as if I decided to start a new character.

What I'm proposing is actually practical and healthy for multiplayer. There's absolutely no problem with people helping each other out.

I've already explained the problem. Low level characters getting carried.

I don't think FROM wants people summoning in people who are going to one shot bosses for them.

 

[UrbanRats]

Oh God, please yes let them do something about Soul Memory. I'm not expecting to see it completely disabled, but it needs to be changed, what a mess.

I kind of like Limited Respawns though.
When i was trying Smelter Demon over and over and over, it was nice not to have to kill the various trash mobs on the way.

 

[TheCongressman1]

I kind of like Limited Respawns though.
When i was trying Smelter Demon over and over and over, it was nice not to have to kill the various trash mobs on the way.

I kind of like it because it limits the souls you can farm.

What I really think they should do is make them just start dropping less souls after a point.