Dark Souls 3

[BetaB17]

What with the trailers, the beta, and it's up coming release this season. Who else is hyped up for the newest game made by FromSoftware? I know I am I dont know how many of you played the beta, or have been keeping up to date with it, but for those of us wanting a little more to crave about, VaatiVidya has been releasing a limited playthrough of the game's levels.. I'm like a kid spoiling his dinner.. And by the nine.. I already want to buy this game more than ever..

For those of you who are purposely going in blind and are classic fans to the series.. I'll tell you this, you'll have the largest grin and bigget blast of nostalgia this side of the galaxy, and you will love FromSoft for it. A literal tear came to my eye, thank you devs ;-;

[The SheoDovah]

There is a third one?

AAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! *breaks down in tears and curles into a ball*

Day one purchase!

Joking aside, it should be better then DS2 and not be hard for the sake of being hard. Apparently, the team behind 1 didn't work on 2 thus 2 was Dark Souls being an utter dick for no reason.

[BetaB17]

From what I've seen and heard, it seems to rely heavily upon traits from DS1 & Demon Souls, while inheriting from DS2's improvements n that of Bloodborne.

I cant say for overall world design, but it seems to go back to an isolated hub much like how Demon Souls or Bloodborne did, tho I cant say for certain how linear or connected the overall levels are. In terms of enemies, they seem to b faster, smarter, n more aggressive much like we saw in Bloodborne, not to mention enemy placement n ambushes seem to be very well done. Also lighting got an overhaul, making the use of the torch invaluable at times n not just for one whoe level. It also seem like there is suppose to be less bosses than we're use to, but then again that may be good. Waych out tho for the new status effect Frost. Think of it lie how bleeding or frenzied works, it'll take a massive chunk of health when frostbitten

In regards to pvp combat n somewhat pve, backstabs n parries are harder to do. Its back to how it was in DS1, being both quick n a small window. They did however keep the guard break, something enemies may use on you if you arent careful. Likewise enemy AI is very good at baitibg you or catching you off guard if you keep backstab fishing. Also summoning got improved. Phantoms gain the use of their flasks but the sum total is lowered, they will however gain another charge if an enemy phantom is killed. You can also have more total number of phantoms in your world.. Likewise, the more summons you have the more phantoms that will and can invade. This clearly helps with gankers, while not punishing parties of two as heavily

Also a new level of depth ha bren added to combat called weapon arts, and is very much a finite use much like estus. It can competely switch up a weapon playstyle or give you te option for a much needed buff or a special move. This is something you very much need to try out, it's invaluable at times. Also mana makes a reappearance like in Demon Souls, with a new flask dedicated to it. Thi means for magic users it's no longer dependent on number of casts per spell but mana cost >_> Idk how I will feel about that, but there will be new spells tho(one is called Soul Dart, a smaller variant of the arrow n thus faster n cheaper). Also you no longer go hollow like before, rather just unkindled which would be your base form(rather than a down grade)

If your still unsure how the mechanics are, watch some pvp from folks like Oroboro during the beta stress test

[The SheoDovah]

I loved Demon Souls and Dark Souls even if i have yet to complete the former and tackle the latter's time to die edition's dlc part. Dark SOuls 2, it kicked my arse. Hell, i thought the first two bosses(I have yet to beat the second boss) was just the damn tutorial part thus no levelling up. I do intend on doing Demon Souls soon.

Going back to it's roots is a good thing, this i agree. I do hope that they have gotten rid of the DS2 style of death and revert back to the DS1 style where you must get back your humanity. Having reduced health in a game that is determined to make your life miserable is not fun. I will admit, DS2 barely gripped me. Same said with Dark Souls 1 to be honest then i conquered that [&@%!] a few months later. Hopefully, the harsh but mostly fair diffculty that Demon and Dark Souls had will return instead of the Dark SOuls 2 "[&@%!] YOU! I HATE YOU! JUST DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIEEEEEEEEEEE!" one.

Am glad that magic seems to be a viable option this tie around. I always go for heavy melee as well, i tend to use block, dodge and attack as my tatics. With the odd bow. Originally used Havel's armour and an ultra greatsword. ooo, i wonder if dual wielding ultragreatswords will be a viable option again?

[BetaB17]

Magic was always over powered in DS, the limit in mana is if anything a nerf. Its always been a vaible option, sometimes cruising you through most of the game on its own. Now? Well prepare to adapt I guess

Also bows got a major boost, making them very good options for even boss battles >_> You can shoot faster, dodge still, and use it for even close encounters. As for greatswords, they seem to be back to their roots, letting you feel like a badass but hardly overpowered like they were originally, tho I myself never cared for strength builds. Also a new stat is luck, helping you farm item drops easier and potentially more souls

Edit: also forgot to mention shields now are different.. Smaller shields have the ability to parry, while I believe heavier shields instead will bash. This I find as good, since it adds a diversity aside from pure stats

Also remember those lil crystal lizards we all loved to hunt in previous souls games? Ya, well they're back for a vengeance.. amd boy do they look badass

[all_freed]

I never play a From game before can this be my first? Which is better ds3, ds1, or bb?

[BetaB17]

Dark Souls 3 has yet to be released, and should very much played with prior experience. It seems to heavily play on nostalgia gathered from its predecessors all the while being Demon Soul's love child :3

Frankly, BB can be a good first encounter since its its own lil thing. Granted its a lot more aggressive n is more fast pace, so the difficulty may be jarring for some especially if you try to take the Soul's approach (slow and easy wins the race i.e be less aggressive)

I havent played Demon Souls, but frankly alot of ppl havent. Its more so a game to go play in honor of the series.

Honestly I say Dark Souls 1 should be ypur first experience. Its more simpe and easy than the later games, letting you get a good feel for it, while being more refined than Demon was. It also is the base to the whole series and forever being the core influencein story. Then again, we have VaatiVidya with his Prepare to Cry lore series.

Likewise some may be in vote thay DS2 should e your first experience. May be bc of refined features n certain mechanics, or that te story itself isnt as critical on lore FromSoft likely expects most to know by now. Though honestly I still say this should be played after DS1 and its DLC. It shouldnt last you that long to playthrough, te reverse cant be said for DS2 and the 3 Crowns dlcs or the Scholar dlc on its own <_<

But ya, DS3 should certainly not be ypur first game to play. You'll miss out on alot and very much be running blind. The impression this game should give ought to be with prior experience, much like FromSoft expects this time around

[all_freed]

Oh thanks I'll gett bb first then

[The SheoDovah]

Get Dark Souls 1 if it's just the Dark Souls series you are looking to get into. If not, get Demon Souls. The entire reason why we are not looking at Demon Souls 4 is because of a disagreement between Sony and Namco, i think that resulted in From going "Ok, we won't make DEMON souls but here is Dark Souls. It's a new IP. Nothing to do with Demons. Nothing at all."

Would recommend using the Knight class for your first playthrough and patience. Do not get greedy or you will die. Do not expect people to not kill you or you will die. Do not attack ghosts until you have a magic sword or you will die. Do not think that you can parry the Ayslum Demon or you will die. Do not attack a dragon when you have starting level equipment or you will die. Oh and by the way...


YOU WILL DIE! A LOT!

[BetaB17]

Actually I may have to disagree with you on the starting class <_< While personally I preferred the Thief in the long run, it's the pyromancer I found the easiest in the early game. Decent gear, basic weapons, but having the option to kill difficult enemies from afar every so often is what makes it worth it. In terms of DS2, starting off as a mage trivializes alot of the game fast so long as you act smart

Just my take on starting classes. By no means are they best overall, but they certainly trivialize some aspect of the early game and certainly dont make it harder on you in return

[BetaB17]

Saw this trailer in an ad. Never have I hit the search button to hunt down a video so quickly.. This.. this trailer.. its just so beautiful ;-;

Hidden:

YouTube Link

[Baloth-Kul]

That is a nice trailer, yes. I clearly don't have the same feels about it that you do, though. Haha. Oh well.

A little late to the DS3 train, myself, but I myself am chugging along just fine. Slaughtered the Abyss Watchers about an hour ago. Just about the easiest bossfight yet. Dodgeroll, dodgeroll, dodgeroll, dodgeroll, slash 'im. Dodgeroll, dodgeroll, dodgeroll, slash slash slash 'im. None of the bosses have given me much pause. Vordt was the only one who gave me the slightest bit of trouble, one or two deaths while figuring his patterns. Not a single death against other bosses.

Not too much death, in all. Yeah, the occasional "get knocked down a pit of death" or "didn't expect to get swarmed and grappled" or whatever, but I'm having an easier time than I recall DS1 giving me.

Warrior, strength build. (Probably not super optimized, because I'm not a religious Souls player, but whatever.) Greatshield/Greatsword combo, with my battleaxe on standby if I need to make slightly quicker attacks.

[BetaB17]

Baloth, did you ever play Bloodborne? Bc from what I know, the aggressive fast combat persists in both games. For some ppl, it can be jarring compared to older instalments

Ya, the watchers are easy, would of been better if you couldn't cheese him via 'assisted suicide?' Btw, if you want an early challenge.. kill Emma in the cathedral >_> youll initiat a boss fight with the dancer.. one of the end game bosses.. that can be fought b4 the game's 2nd boss. Talk about out of your league? Right?

[Baloth-Kul]

Bloodborne. Bahaha. I loved Bloodborne. Got up to everything being all Chthulu-ified, and then-cash-strapped Baloth had traded it in to be able to get Fallout 4. RIP Bloodborne. Threaded Cane was my jam. Like, seriously. Beating beasts to death with a cane, or turning it into a bladed whip to flay things to death. Rad as [&@%!]. --My character was Sir Topbottom. If I can be arsed (ehehehe) to get his picture onto my computer, you will all bask in his glory.

Yes, I know of the Dancer, and I am in no rush to face it. All in due time.

[The SheoDovah]

Bloodbourne is something i will pick up when i get a PS4 and man, i will take all of my Dark Souls knowledge, cram it together and probaly crap myself when i realise it means nothing in BB. Shame that Dark SOuls 3 is the final game in the franchise but hopefully, if Demon Souls is still something they are interested in, we may see Demon Souls 2 for PS4 at some point unless a disagreement occured between their original publishers and Sony. I think, they created Dark Souls as a loophole abuse. "No demons, here, Ser. It's not like Demons at all, ser. Nope. Just ignore the very similar gameplay and atmosphere. Nothing to compare here, a totally new IP with a new original format." BB is a second spiritual successor to Demons.

[Baloth-Kul]

Dancer actually isn't that bad. Trying to help people fight her via co-op, and I'm basically tanking it. 9 times out of 10, I get aggro'd. And it's survivable. Depressingly so--when you outlive all the other phantoms, and then the host dies, it's the worst D: I MUST NOW LIVE WITH MY FAILURES. --Dying, but taking off like a third of her health bar on my own...that feels nice, at least. "I helped, I did damage, and I took what might have been a fatal hit for the host."

Incidentally, I need to bloody remember to use the damn greatshield I carry around with me. I'm so used to just avoiding being hit and killing stuff before it can hit me...I ought to go with a dex build next time >> something light and dodgy.

[BetaB17]

Its never been confirmed that DS3 is the final installment, its just the main devs dont want to run into the ground. Thats why Bloodborne exists, it was proof that they can branch out but still make the same great experience.

Honestly, if DS3 is the final instalment, it woud be a good place to leave off. I mean, it helps bring about alot of conclusions(see the final boss, you'll know what I mean). Its also the first of the series to focus on the light, not the dark

Th only confirmation that it is the finale of the chapter is if its proven such. Too many sources keep painting or twisting the hype, and the devs aren't on a solid stance on where they want to leave off. Even if they confirm the rumors as true.. they can always go back on their word. I mean, wouldnt be the first time a dev has done so. They are aware of this, and as such, its better left unknown. Maybe they'll take a short break, or maybe this is the final installment a particular dev will have influence on, who knows? Its still a rumor, that much can be sure

@Mars: what SL are you fighting Dancer? Understandably when your high enough leveled.. or just very very hard to kill(i.e tank strats) then ya, she's a push over. Fight her far too early? Thats a another story for most folk.

Btw, have you come across Nameless King? He's a secret boss, and he has some very interesting lore.. and possibly the most interesting entrance. You though Pikachu and Snorlax were tough? They cant even hold a candle to this guy >__<

[The SheoDovah]

I think, the head developer of the original team that also did III confirmed it is the last in the franchise but it may just be him either trolling us or just undecided. I mean, he did troll the entire Dark Souls fanbase with the useless pendant.

I do wonder if they will make a third spirital successor to Demons Souls?

[BetaB17]

I'm still not all to sold on that comment. Again, you can convey a much different message when you only highlight what you want <_< news and media 101

Also, per the pendant. They werent really being trolls <_< they told you it did absolutely nothing, ought to put more trust into the Devs I mean, between Patches and Navlaan, they sure can be trust worthy

Speakin of.. not to spoil anything.. but I [&@%!] love Patches in DS3. He's wisen up his tricks. Plus them npc questlines.. and dont even get me starte with the feel-trip boss Oceiros.. And some of the lore hints from boss souls... pure Ecstasy for my own ^__^ I cant wait to do a playthrough of my own. Some of these bosses.. I just want to savor

At least with Dark Souls, we've seen the end of two cycles.. and the rebirth of the next. Dark and Light. They always can show a theme of neither, "beyoun the reach of the light an beyound the touch of dark", an actual end to this endless cycle.. and thus the age of ancients and gray returns. To me, nostalgia points aside, would be a good conclusion. Plus, there still is the whole speel about Manus and his spawn(which may or may not show up in dlc, one can hope) Off topic tho, but I actually wouldnt mind a continuation from Demon Souls <_<

[The SheoDovah]

No, they were trolls. They knew people would want to pick it thus wasting a starting gift. They knew everyone would search the entire game for it and they wated for years before going "Oh, by the way, it does nothing." Even the Developers are Dark Souls levels of hard.

I've encountered him in 1. [&@%!] is damn lucky that i view stabbing him as a waste of time for booting me into the pit and that's only because that is nothing compared to being run over by a boulder or crushed by giant skeletons or Smoughsteined.

But it does seem that they have done everything they can to make III the final entry(For now) in the Dark Souls series and i won't be surprised if it turns out that they just wanted a big break from working on Dark Souls to focus on either Bloodbourne, a true sequel to Demons or a spiritual sequel to Demons.

[Rook]

Bloodborne. Bahaha. I loved Bloodborne. Got up to everything being all Chthulu-ified, and then-cash-strapped Baloth had traded it in to be able to get Fallout 4. RIP Bloodborne. Threaded Cane was my jam. Like, seriously. Beating beasts to death with a cane, or turning it into a bladed whip to flay things to death. Rad as [&@%!]. --My character was Sir Topbottom. If I can be arsed (ehehehe) to get his picture onto my computer, you will all bask in his glory.

Hidden:

Same. I loved the Threaded Cane, though I didn't really use the whip as much as I wanted to.

[Baloth-Kul]

I used the whip for your basic mobs (or when I just wanted to feel like a badass), or occasionally for a bit of range, but the cane was my workhorse. Got a boss whose ass I need to hug, and get in a bunch of quick blows? Cane. I also beat an invader to death with it. I was dancing the dance, keeping them at bay with my whip, but then I was like "[&@%!] this", and clobbered him. Whack, whack, whack, whack. Wasn't able to down his blood vial, wasn't able to roll away. Died like a peasant. Or maybe a pheasant. Or maybe a pheasant from below the poverty line. Either way, he died.

[The SheoDovah]

Just be aware of the return of GIANT DADs, Baloth. and the HAVELs. If DSIII has something that resembles them. It's often used by crap PVPers who spam WOTG and backstab you repeatly. Twas hated most in the first game.

[Rook]

Just be aware of the return of GIANT DADs, Baloth. and the HAVELs. If DSIII has something that resembles them. It's often used by crap PVPers who spam WOTG and backstab you repeatly. Twas hated most in the first game.

Hidden:

You invade the places of others, seeking to plunder. To take, and scheme, and kill; everything torn asunder.
There is much you have gained, with no feeling of remorse. "It's survival of the fittest, nature running its course."

But there is one legend that makes you think twice. A tale of a punisher, who makes men flee like mice.
With shoulders broad like a giant, and the wise gaze of a father. Should the wicked cross his path, their lives go no farther.

Carrying a sword bearing the heat of those scorned, The flames of chaos to engulf those who were warned.
Horrifying speed to seek the guilty, betraying his armor's weight. Cannot be stopped, cannot be moved; none can escape his gait.

But this legend is a lie, told by a meek and feeble knave. A story told by mothers, to make sure children behave.
So the story withers, and its message quickly fades. And so your fears are settled; after all, there's a profit to be made.

And so you pillage and hunt, the warning you need not heed. Your strength so assured, there is no guilt in your deeds.
You deny others the slightest mercy, and enjoy taking a life. You laugh at other's pain, and find entertainment in their strife.

But then one day, as you trespass as you have many times before, You see your greatest fear in flesh, and know your days are no more.
With the face of a scorned father, with strong arms spread apart. There is no point in fighting, as your soul will soon depart.

Well, what is it? You're shaking where you stand! Crying to yourself, this isn't what you planned.
You've heard the warning, you must have known. You came here seeking blood, well now it's your own!

What's wrong? You looked tired. Your terror newfound, your feet in a mire. Your fear is higher, you treacherous liar, as you see your coming pyre. You've met your desires, sold to the best buyer at the expense of the crier and lived as a sire, but now that you've provoked my ire your fate has become dire as you see your hope retire and your life hangs by a wire. Pray now, because here comes the fire.

You swing your blade, and attempt at a thrust. The blows bounce off my armor, but try if you must.
No trick or magic to save you, my movement too swift. Burning blade through your heart, with death as your gift.

And now you've been shown the error of your ways. Bleeding on the ground, on the last of your days.
Judgement delivered, as you make your last cries. As a warning to others; The Legend Never Dies.

[BetaB17]

Well, of course havel's gear is back(along with some other folks'), but there will always be ppl that go with ultra heavy gear and gank like tanks. Also, backstab fishers was really only a problem for DS1, you can still guard break.. and hell.. even parry from behind. There is even a classic ninja flip.. tho its not for you

But ya.. srry to break it to ya.. but legend is never coming back. DS2 had havellin n 1HK hexers.. I dread to think what the final version of DS3 will have as its blight