LTTP: Dark Souls (PS3)
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The_Hitcher89
Member
I'm loving the spear at the moment. Doesn't work too well against enemies with small windows/areas of vulnerability, but its great for preserving health between bonfires and destinations
How was someone to know all these intricacies their first playthrough?
Which serpent to speak to, about the covenants etc?
I think for DS2 there should be more NPCs to help flesh out the story.
Sort of how The Witcher is handled, not that I want fetch quests, but just a way to get a better understanding of what is going on in the world.
I always try to talk to the various NPCs to see what they have to say, more often than not they tell me about something that I have already stumbled through.
Which serpent to speak to, about the covenants etc?
I think for DS2 there should be more NPCs to help flesh out the story.
Sort of how The Witcher is handled, not that I want fetch quests, but just a way to get a better understanding of what is going on in the world.
I always try to talk to the various NPCs to see what they have to say, more often than not they tell me about something that I have already stumbled through.
Baraka in the White House
2-Terms of Kombat
You're not. Now whether this is a strength or a weakness of the game is a matter of great debate.
That's what I'm wondering too. I would've been wandering around dying and missing out on so much stuff if I didn't have a wiki or people giving me a guiding hand. Sometimes I wouldn't know where to go next.
Apparently if you head to New Londo, a merchant tells you to head to Darkroot, so I guess that works.
I'll vote for weakness.
A little bit more transparency would have been nice. And yet it's still probably my all time favorite game, and certainly my all time series.
I find that I had to depend too heavily on the Wiki to avoid frustration, I just don't have the amount of time I used to. Would an ingame map alter the experience, maybe who knows but sometimes I wish there was one. I wonder what they have planned as changes to the system in DS2.
Baraka in the White House
2-Terms of Kombat
Yep. A younger me minus all the distractions of adult life would have torn happily into Dark Souls, died a gajigatrillion times and scoured every inch of the game's pockmark and crevice-filled asshole to find any and all secrets there were to discover, and probably even one or two the developers didn't want us to but forgot to code out.
But unless you have that kind of time, you really need something of a guiding hand in Dark Souls be it a wiki, a friend or whatever have you.
The_Hitcher89
Member
I'm only looking at the Wiki to see if Estus flasks can be upgraded and stuff like that. I ruined Demons's Souls for myself my essentially using it as a guide
My thought process went much the same way.
Okay, here's the boss...
Oh wow...
Ew...
WHAT THE FUCK
Baraka in the White House
2-Terms of Kombat
The funny thing about the Gaping Dragon is that as terrifying as it looks it's actually one of the easiest bosses in the game. In Dark Souls I kind of felt relieved when faced with an enormous enemy because I knew chances are I'd be able to run circles around it. It was always the more normal-sized bosses that made me nervous.
GenericBadGuy
Member
I think From wised up to this for the DLC content, since Kalameet is notoriously difficult to behind. Even getting close to that dragon can be difficult if it wants it to be.
Since they changed that for the DLC it may mean good (read: frustratingly hard) things for Dark Souls 2.
Red Liquorice
Member
Most things are there to be figured out if you're paying attention to the environment and items - there are simple item placements and visual clues to what will help you out, a simple early example:
the alluring skulls item right over the bonfire in the Parish, a couple of those chucked down will kill the metal boar quickly
I do agree completely about things like covenant access. Fundamentals should be explained clearly in game either through an NPC in the tutorial level or simply a tutorial level of the same length where you actually have to reverse hollow, kindle a bonfire and join a covenant for example in order to progress. All the basics explained, this isn't dumbing it down for casuals, it's helping them to not get frustrated early and get into the series. I actually think this is what they meant by making DS2 more accessable, but we'll see.
That's part of the reason the game has the Message system. It gives players a chance to share information even without directly talking. Obviously, it can't explain all the intricacies to you, but I found a number of things in Demon's and Dark thanks to well-placed messages.
The best way to play these games is to play them and talk with a group of friends about your discoveries as you go, especially if they're other players who respect "the thrill of mysteries." The kind of people who will give tips and point in directions without telling you everything unless you ask. Not everyone has that, but for those of us who do, it's fantastic.
I don't think any of the AotA content should be taken as an indication of Dark Souls 2's difficulty level. It's clearly balanced and designed for players who have finished the game at least once, and/or are really into it and kept at it for months and months. (Not to say the areas are impossible, new players, just they definitely skew harder.) Kalameet in particular is clearly intended as an extra-hard challenge boss for the experienced.
I hate the idea of adding more "forced" tutorial sections to DKS2, but I'd be okay with making some of the basics a little more obvious. In Demon's, you know right away what the cost of not being in your Human form is, and why you'd want to be in that. And you quickly find out the negatives, too... Something more like that would be fine.
arglebargle
Member
you dont get a ton of humanity if you never play multi or farm for it. there is an area in the dlc where humanity basically becomes free though.
Which is why some of us have complaints about the game's balancing and difficulty, but most people will shoot down as 'tehh n00b!'
Question about Tomb of the Giants:
The pit which contains the large divine ember, above that pit there's a skeleton in the dark (who you can't really see) at the top of the pyramid-shaped mound who shoots those huge arrows at you. Is there any way to get to him? I know there aren't any items up there, I just wondered if it was physically possible to get up there some way or other.
I haven't tried shooting him with a bow or anything, I just wondered if he might be the only enemy in the game that you can't melee kill face to face.
EDIT: Oh, I just realized which thread this was. Maybe it'll work.
The pit which contains the large divine ember, above that pit there's a skeleton in the dark (who you can't really see) at the top of the pyramid-shaped mound who shoots those huge arrows at you. Is there any way to get to him? I know there aren't any items up there, I just wondered if it was physically possible to get up there some way or other.
I haven't tried shooting him with a bow or anything, I just wondered if he might be the only enemy in the game that you can't melee kill face to face.
EDIT: Oh, I just realized which thread this was. Maybe it'll work.
Boss Riovane
Member
Preciate both tips gentleman. I already snatched up all boxes and have +3 black leather on to keep load light. I venture forth in a couple hours when i get off work. Nother question is pyromancy good to have as back up for my build. I noticed it took no int and is leveling up the glove worth it.
SiegfriedFM
Member
Personally I don't like pyromancy. Lots of bosses are strong against fire, and while it does heavy damage you often need to right on top of enemies to throw it. I love sorcery in general though, those Soul Arrows are ridiculous at low levels.
I think if you don't want to focus on it, it's better to just grab a bow for pulling mobs and for cheesing with poison arrows.
I think if you don't want to focus on it, it's better to just grab a bow for pulling mobs and for cheesing with poison arrows.
Antiwhippy
the holder of the trombone
Pyromancy with ascended flames is ridiculous. So much damage.
It was even more imba before the patch.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Does anyone ever say 'Umbasa' in this game? I feel like its the main thing that's missing 
The_Hitcher89
Member
Went through that fog gate I mentioned yesterday at the bottom of Undead Burg
Lasted about 3 seconds
I think the Darkroot place is a bit too tough for me, can't handle those big agressive bastards on the top level, yet to explore the Basin though
Lasted about 3 seconds
I think the Darkroot place is a bit too tough for me, can't handle those big agressive bastards on the top level, yet to explore the Basin though
WeaponKnight
Member
Ranged attacks, be it arrows, magic or bombs, will make the first part of the forest more bearable.
I H8 Memes
Member
Went through that fog gate I mentioned yesterday at the bottom of Undead Burg
Lasted about 3 seconds
I think the Darkroot place is a bit too tough for me, can't handle those big agressive bastards on the top level, yet to explore the Basin though
Lower Undead Burg?
Capra Demon?
That's easy mode.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Yeah. I thought the
Capra Demon
I H8 Memes
Member
Easy mode to beat him. Really if you look at the geography of the area this is the way its meant to be done.
Wont work perfectly everytime, but you want to try to either take 1 dog out as soon as you enter the room, or try to make it to the top of the stairs and kill them before they get up there.
Once the dogs are gone the key to this fight is to bait CD up the stairs. When he starts to come up the stairs you need to move over to the end of the ledge of the stairs to lure him up a bit more. He can reach you on the far end of the ledge so dont wait for him to get all the way to the top. About when he is even with the tree just jump down and eventually he will follow. Jumping down from that height stuns him big time giving you enough time to hit him with either 2 strong hits or 2 2-hander hits. Rinse and repeat.
Once the dogs are gone the key to this fight is to bait CD up the stairs. When he starts to come up the stairs you need to move over to the end of the ledge of the stairs to lure him up a bit more. He can reach you on the far end of the ledge so dont wait for him to get all the way to the top. About when he is even with the tree just jump down and eventually he will follow. Jumping down from that height stuns him big time giving you enough time to hit him with either 2 strong hits or 2 2-hander hits. Rinse and repeat.
J-Roderton
Member
I had to resort to falling on the Capra Demon on my second playthrough.
Sweet Baby Roy
Banned
I'm so late to the party I haven't even tried it yet. I'm interested, but at the same time I know I'll never beat it.
The_Hitcher89
Member
Path 1: Gargoyle boss
Path 2: Capra Demon
Path 3: Havel/Hydra
Path 4: Massive moss-covered knights
Path 5: Down from Firelink Shrine
Damn.
Path 2: Capra Demon
Path 3: Havel/Hydra
Path 4: Massive moss-covered knights
Path 5: Down from Firelink Shrine
Damn.
Hmm...my first time through the game, the Gargoyles were really the first peak learning curve in DkS, so if you're having A LOT of trouble with them, get better gear.
Capra Demon is decently tough first playthrough, because you can't block his attacks very well if at all, but once the dogs are dead, the fight is significantly easier.
Run circles around Havel counter-clockwise and attack once he misses you completely. If you can manage to get close enough to the Hydra to where it tries to bite you, just block its attack, and cut off the heads one at a time.
Stone knights are similar to Havel, just take them one at a time, and try to kill them before they can cast their sorcery on you in close proximity. The Moonlight Butterfly boss is after the area they are in. Just avoid its attacks until it gets close enough to wail on, and don't get caught in its AoE when is about to move again.
Don't go down into New Londo unless, you need to upgrade weapons with Rickert, get a Firekeeper Soul, or take the fast path into the Darkwraith Covenant (not recommended btw).
Hope that helps a bit. If it were up to me, I'd say take on the Bell Gargoyles next.
You are at the turning point of Dark Souls. If you can do 1,2,4 and Havel, you'll start to hit your stride.
I completely agree. Only real learning curve challenge after that is Anor Londo.
The_Hitcher89
Member
I forgot to mention that Drake Valley is open to me as well. Took one look and went back up the lift
decoyplatypus
Member
Darkwraiths are simple enough if you circle-strafe right. You can easily backstep or roll out of range of their attacks or shield-bash, and their recovery is slow, so just come in with a heavy attack after they've committed. A couple of strikes should do it.
Four Kings can be a real problem, especially on New Game + and beyond. Consider going full Havel (or stone armor if you don't have the Havel set), casting defense buffing spells, double-gripping your weapon, and tanking as best as you can.
Boss Riovane
Member
Destroyed GD and headed to blighttown. Is it truly optional?
arglebargle
Member
I forgot to mention that Drake Valley is open to me as well. Took one look and went back up the lift
drake valley is an area that connects other areas to each other. it doesnt have much going on itself. my suggestion, and the way the game guides you, is to fight the gargoyles now. many of their attacks (fire breath, for example) leave them wide open to counter attacks if you can avoid them. they shouldnt be THAT difficult if you have decent gear.
this is my strategy for 4k. lots of poise and defense. two hand a strong weapon. try to avoid the humanity sucking hug attack.
you have to do part of blighttown, but if you took the master key as a starting gift, you can skip a lot of it. if this is your first time through the game i wouldnt recommend skipping it. besides, there is some good loot that you can find throughout the area. i tend to think people complain about blighttown more than it deserves, but i never got terrible slow down, so i may be biased.
decoyplatypus
Member
Taking a break is probably a good idea. The Four Kings fight is all about DPS because you don't want to be fighting more than one of them at a time. If you're not denting them, then you may need to tweak your setup. How much damage can you do with the black knight sword right now? Are you two-handing it for the fight? Do you have any rings you can wear to boost STR?
mickcenary
Member
It is super weird to read complaints of difficulty regarding certain things that you found to be simple, but I guess a lot of it boils down to when you tackled them.
Funnily enough, my mate can not defeat
for the life of him; I found it to be one of the easier fights in the entire game. Dat music, too.
Funnily enough, my mate can not defeat
Gwyn
Does playing it on and off since release count as LTTP? If so, then FUCK YAH I JUST BEAT QUELAAG! Do not, I repeat, do not venture into Blighttown cursed. Just...just don't do it.
Also, Something cool I noticed. I was getting strong Flamelurker vibes from the Quelaag fight. How she moves, the arena, everything. Then, when I beat her, it puts me right in front of the next boss just like when you beat Flamelurker in Demon's Souls. It's no revelation, but I thought that was cool.
PS: I went into Blighttown cursed because back then they hadn't patched in the undead merchant selling purging stones, and I was under the impression you had to go to Londo to lift it. >.>
Also, Something cool I noticed. I was getting strong Flamelurker vibes from the Quelaag fight. How she moves, the arena, everything. Then, when I beat her, it puts me right in front of the next boss just like when you beat Flamelurker in Demon's Souls. It's no revelation, but I thought that was cool.
PS: I went into Blighttown cursed because back then they hadn't patched in the undead merchant selling purging stones, and I was under the impression you had to go to Londo to lift it. >.>