Dark Souls

[BetaB17]

Who doesn't? Especially when the Master Key seems all the more alluring to old and new players >_> unless of course your some chump who went with the life ring(I am sincerely sorry, but that item is just.. Just dreadful)

[Lord Timster]

I picked the Old Witch's Ring. Mainly for RP benefit I suppose.
Though I like how the Master Key, if you pick it up in-game, stays with you on NG+. Nice touch.

I'll refer to that table throughout the game.

lol. That was what I meant by "nice stuff over on wikidot that explains it all but has spoilers on". You and I have a different idea of what playing a game 'mostly in the dark' means... :p

and actually, while we're on the subject:

I'm trying to keep myself mostly in the dark

Ah. 'Tis an intent most true for should thou hast nary a whisper of Dark within thee then thou wilt, without doubt, be swallowed by the Abyss and most foully overcome by its utter unyielding blackness...

[BetaB17]

Hehe, after my 2nd playthrough(and subsequently others) I went along with the Thief and chose the Witch Ring Early game may have been tougher, but after formally being introduced to the series and it's learning curve.. It was a welcoming challenge

Master key is too OP :3 (Followed by the Pendant. [&@%!] is unbelievable!)

[Kerr]

I got through Blighttown last night, I knew I could go through the back but I took the door from the depths. [&@%!] frame rate and toxic though. Also I don't have whatever ring it is that makes people go faster in water. I person I summoned might have because while I was still wading through the water being poisoned they were fighting those giants.

Who doesn't? Especially when the Master Key seems all the more alluring to old and new players >_> unless of course your some chump who went with the life ring(I am sincerely sorry, but that item is just.. Just dreadful)

People pick the Tiny Being's Ring because they know how to read. Also they assume the game isn't going to blatantly lie to them about what an item does. I picked the Master Key because it's what most people say to pick. Although now that I took it I can't talk to Quelaag's sister without her just "?" at me.

You and I have a different idea of what playing a game 'mostly in the dark' means...

Fair point, it's nowhere near as in the dark as my previous comments might have implied (and by might have I mean definitely, I realize now my words were misleading.) Like I've been looking at wiki pages for items with their upgrade path (and it's becoming tempting to lose a portion of my life farming for the Balder Side Sword once I finish Sen's Fortress and get that ring which increases item drop) and some other things, like I've heard the covenant Queelag's sister allows you to join leads to some shortcut later on that lets you save an NPC and how to open an illusionary door in Anor Lando using a ring which is found somewhere else, things I wouldn't figure out on my own. By in the dark I basically just mean that I don't want to know what enemies, hazards and environmental dangers I'm going to run into in an area before I get there. Or look it up if I'm stuck. That's it really. Because experiencing that stuff for the first time as it happens is pretty cool. Like my first time playing when I went to the depths and like most people I fell right down a hole, was caught completely off guard and got turned to stone. Or when the Gaping Dragon went from little bitty crocodile to well, what it actually is.

[The SheoDovah]

Ah, yes, Lagtown. The bane of many a Dark Souler. Queelag's sister does unlock a shortcut and saves an NPC but you need a ton of humanity and I can't recall where the ring is found. I think, it's only accessible via Snuggy the crow(in the undead ayslum via trading) but not sure. The higher the humanity you have, the higher the chances of finding items, if i recall correctly. Tiny Being's Ring is crap. It was a mistranslation or an error that they put in and all it does is give you a pathetic boost to your health. Would recommend the Witch Ring(Queelag Sister's needs it for you to understand) or the master key. The Master Key can be purchased early on if you grind or do a lot of co-op and are careful with thy souls. Don't ever get consumables as a begining item.

Ah, you discovered Cursetown! The fun part of the game where if you are not careful, you are royally inconvienced and having to do a ton of backtracking just to cure it. I hate those frogs. Curse is easily the most dangerous status effect in the game because it halves your health, prevents humanity(i think, can't recall) and the cure is a pain in the ass to get. Use ranged weapons if you can inflict enough damage, soul arrows if you have a decent magic stat or draw them out one at a time. I tend to draw them out one at a time or use magic. Did use pyromancy to weaken them in groups of two.

If you do use the valley of the drakes, there is an enemy that can really ruin your day. It is also a very dangerous area to fight in due to enviromental hazards.

I think the ring that makes you go faster is located in Dark Root Garden and in Stone Golem Central. Attack the wall on the far right side(just hug the wall until you see something that seems a bit off or near the stone golems) or it may be a tree. can't recall but once you've unlocked that area, go down it, there will be the remains of a tower. It is through this you will come across a ring at the end. The stone golems, you best engage one at a time. They can be stunned but one at a time. The plant enemies come in groups and would be best to draw out if you are unable to kill them in less then a few hits. They are in the ground and attacking them with melee is a good way of dealing with it.

[BetaB17]

1) The rusted iron ring is in a hidden zone. So unless you look up for a guide or advice, you just won't find it(Even the Great Hollow is easier to find ) But ya, dealing with the poison can be a hard ordeal. The ring helps dramatically, tho the starting pyromancer armor and the poisonbite ring helps alot too early game

Toxic(which is different) is really only the real threat with little to no reliable resistances, tho taking the master key route bypasses alot of the danger up above. I believe the Depths gives you a spider shield to help defend against those pesky blow dart dudes.. But even then, it's a pain in the ass to locate them all(good thing they don't respawn)

2) Your not really missing anything, functionally speaking. If you really wanna know what she says >_> it's not hard to look it up. Still, personally speaking.. She's probably one of my favorite characters in the series ;-; lore be deep bro.

Also, the Chaos Covenant does unlock a secret route later in game that does prove vital to a questline. As I recall, the covenant is the only PVE covenant and progression is dictated by offering humanity(so farm away, cause you'll need alot!)

3) Bruh.. Balder is badass. Arguably one of the top Dex weapons, right up there with falcion, katanas, and Great Scythe. There is a reason why it's called the balder swag sword

Edit: 4) I'm not even going to go into full detail about some of the misinformation. So here. A)Snuggy only offers it as a trade with an end-game item. And even then, it's just not worth it. Starting with it is the only viable option if it matters that much. B) Wrong ring and wrong location. C) Keep the spoilers minimum pls

[Lord Timster]

..I realize now my words were misleading...

Everything's cool, just pulling your leg really. I like to play through a game several times before using the wiki, that's just the way I prefer it.

But yeah there is plenty in this game that is... kinda obtuse without the wiki to explain it.
I mean did anyone really find the DLC by themselves?

Anyways the 'run in water' ring is totally findable without the wiki - but here's a minor spoiler to point you in the right direction:

Spoiler:

Access point is actually in the Firelink Shrine area, but you need to look around to see it and explore (and roll) around to get to it. Game will even give you a handy prompt when you do get to it. And make sure you've picked up all the nearby loot before you go.

Re: Spooky Spider Lady. I like the music there . Also all those golden floaty loot bags that start spamming up the game when you have 99 Humanity and try to pick up another one get annoying after a while. Much prefer to do something with them... #NG+Problems

Thief

Dude, Deprived is the only way to play DS...

[BetaB17]

Nuh m8. Nuh. This ain't no Rust, no nakeds need to be running about! Thief is MVP. And that black leather.. Uuahhheh.. Perfect<3

(Ninja flips away)

[Kestral]

3) Bruh.. Balder is badass. Arguably one of the top Dex weapons, right up there with falcion, katanas, and Great Scythe. There is a reason why it's called the balder swag sword :wink:s

> top dex weapons
> they don't include the Uchigatana directly by name

um first, how dare you ???
and have you played dark souls

[MARS]

Hidden:

[Kerr]

Firelink going out is such a great things getting real moment, wasn't expecting it.

I spent 40 minutes farming for the balder side sword only to get two in one go. But that did mean I could turn one divine which let me take on the catacombs, kill Pinwheel, grab the Darkmoon Seance Ring and meet what I think is going to become my new favorite weapon, the great scythe. Also with the grass crest shield and mask of the child my stamina is regenerating super fast which is nice. Probably going to start dumping souls in Dex now

But man, Sen's Fortress. That has to be one of the best levels I've played in a game. The traps are great, narrow corridors where I'm stabbing snakemen with a spear (or luring them into traps and kicking them off ledges,) chests which try to eat me, just all of it. It feels like those old hellish D&D modules you hear about, like Tomb of Horrors. There was a part in it with like 5 pendulums that looked impossible and rushing past it just in the nick of time felt great. Although I was stabbed in the back by a snakeman directly afterwards. I also fell into a pit and was massacred by two Titanite Demons, haven't gone back down there since. I'm sure people dislike it because of traps and stuff but I loved every second.

----

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YouTube Link

[BetaB17]

Now all Kerr is missing is the Cloranthy ring and the transformation will be compete..

But seriously yall, stacking up on stamina regen is like the greatest. It feels better than parry-chaining Gwen or taking a boss's health down to half with a single hit.

[Kerr]

So it seems every invader in the world sets up shop in Anor Londo. Which is annoying because I don't know how I'll defeat the twin boss without a summon to at the very least distract one. So sorry Gywndolin, can't be one of your darkmoon blades, if the Way of the White gives me even a smaller chance of not being invaded and summoning help I have to take it. Almost wondering if I'm better off going offline and just trying to rely on Solaire. The two giant guards right outside the fog wall certainly don't help, Solaire would probably get caught up on them and get us both killed.

Humanity is a limited resource and running out would be bad so I'm going to do a couple of hallow runs to get a feel for Ornstein and Smough's moveset. Any advice on dealing with these two?

[The SheoDovah]

You will love Dark Anor Londo then. It's like Anor Londo but with even more invasions. The favourite PVP spot is in the great hall. Don't use Solaire. He is of little help and it boosts the boss's health. The giants are easy. You do need to be able to inflict a lot of damage per hit. Usually, I draw one out at a time, dodge their attacks and strike then repeat. The healing and area of effect attacks are the worst thing they can do. They are slow and i think, usually, if you keep going between their legs, you can always land a hit. Don't tank them. It is viable but do you really want to face the boss that is pretty much a wake up call. Iron Golem is Easy and if you summon the NPC there, it turns into a slaughter.

Also, check the painting where you fought the white clothed guardians.

You can ignore them by running(the holy giants) but it will open you up to a cruel case of a cheating [&@%!] of a PC. They can attack through the fog wall and you really don't want that.

GRINDING TIP IN LE SPOILER TAG!

Spoiler:

The painting leads to the World of Artemis and it is a great grinding spot. I think you can get between 5k and 10k souls per run of it. The phalanx is an easy 2k with pyromancy and not a challenge. However, the bloated undead will cause toxic and it is best to use ranged combat. They like to release gas clouds upon death.

However, after the boss, you will be quite happy with what it leads to.

[Lord Timster]

Re: Ornstein and Smough

1. Be aware that you only get access to the Soul and armour of whichever one of those two you defeat last.

2. Solaire does a really good job keeping heat off you in the first part of this fight.

This is what I do:

Hidden:

1. Clear the pre-area, either with a longbow or old-style hand-to-hand.
2. Get Solaire and go through the fog gate.
3. Get straight into Ornstein's face with shield up and spear ready.
4. When Ornstein is deaded you basically just need to stand the other side of a pillar and shoot Smough with arrows and/or Sorcery.

Job done.

If you don't care who you defeat last then this fight is actually pretty easy.
But if you desperately want Ornstein's spear and/or armour then prepare yourself for some pain because that guy can be a royal PITA to defeat last.

[The SheoDovah]

Kerr, whatever you do, do not kill Smough first. It is tempting but you really do not want to deal with a fully powered up Ornstein. There is a bit of a hit box bug that can screw you over and unlike Super Smough, Ornstein is already a challenge in his normal form. Smough, he is easy as he telegraphs everything and it's timing that will kill you most of the time. Oh and I think, he is weak to fire thus the Furysword is your best friend. That or an electric based sword. Don't use spears. It won't be efficent.

If you are able to summon, get another player. Sure, it means the risk of invaders is there but a player is far superior to Solaire and is always someone that has faced the boss before. However, they could be trolls and kill Smough on purpose then quit leaving you with one heck of a boss.

[BetaB17]

I should throw in my two cents as well, tho Timster pretty much has it covered.

:

If your struggling with the the sentinel giants, especially if you want to use an npc >_> or farm for loads of souls(offline, of course) then your best bet is to take care of the silver archer.. Then from up high and safety, peck at the two giants with some poisonous arrows to the heads. It'll widdle them down a notch, though I forget if it takes one or two volleys of poison to kill them. Either way, safe as can be

Now if you don't want to punk out like a [&@%!] with those giants, you can still 1v1 one them. The trick with melees I to circle them and dodge any sweeps. Seeing as it's futile to attack in front of them, the right side and back are your best bet. Tho love and hate that shield slam.. BC you'll be baiting it alot and it's not something you wanna get caught in, but it leaves him open to a good few hits. So long as you stay near and bait, it shouldn't have time to heal. And if he does, and it's taking too long to punish that HP, Well, you may be underpowered then(so get farming, knights make for good souls)

Per the actual boss fight, know before you go on whether which boss set/soul you want. Smough unlocks a heavy, chubby armor set(not too special) and his heavy smash hammer. Ornstien unlocks a light, but lightning resistant armor set and a lightning spear with very long reach. Both armors are pretty [&@%!] when compared to their own class, and really the spear is meh but still better than 'just another strength weapon'

The reason I say this is, as the others stated before, there is an unfair challenge to be had between both rewards. Uber Smough is still slow as a fat [&@%!] and hits like truck, only really punishing you if you keep hugging him. Uber Ornstien however draws up the challenge due to his fast speed and punishing stabs, but he's not THAT much worse. Well.. Compared to Phase one, it is.

Seriously, whether you bring in a summon or not, due to the differences in speed, it's almost always going to be Ornstein on the front lines and taking the hits. And with an npc, he's more than likely going to be the one to duel him out(and given luck and any initial assistance) he'll be the first to die. So if your wanting his set and not mr lard ass, you'll have to out DPS your summon

Still, bringing in a summon is a gamble. NPCs really only serve to take a bit of the heat and even the score(even if they die in phase 1) where as an actual player can basically carry you thru if their competent. Just, ya know, make sure to message them on which soul your hunting for, so ya know, they don't kill the wrong dude(unless their a [&@%!] or a troll, then good luck)

Also, if invaders really are the bane to you, then you may just have to tough it out offline <_< especially if the summons are a bit dry(tho the bonfire and fog door tend to be popular spots)

Anyways, ya, Anor Londor is great. By far a fun place, no sarcasm there. And I have no shame in it, but probably my 2nd favorite place to Invade(yes, I'm one of those kind of [&@%!]) whether I'm going in Blue or Red. Dark Anor Londor is bae<3

Btw.. You don't know what fun is like till your in a Mexican stand-off between a host, a darkmoon(I.e me) and a red phantom for 4min, all 'just evenly' matched and too weary about being double teamed.. Safe to say the Red phantom with the turtle tactics had to go, but I'm not even made I died in that final 1v1 duel. [&@%!] was fun and damn was that dude honorable. Even dropped an "I'm sorry" at my death <3

[The SheoDovah]

I think, you can stun the sentinels if you hit them hard enough. I swear, i've done it by i can't recall. They are fond of slamming their shields down and that opens them up to attack. Never lock onto them as it can cause havoc with the camera. Would recommend forgoing the camera as it can make it easier to control battles. I usually only use the function if I really need to focus on an enemy. You can plunge attack but that is risky and time consuming. Either you hit and attract the other one, you do a ton of damage only for it to heal itself thus negating it or it immediately hits you afterwards. Don't use a shield. Two hand your weapon as sentienels don't care if you have a greatshield or not. Sure, it may stop the spear but it can break your poise.

Fortunately, the rest of the bosses are easier apart from one of franchises's most hated boss due to it being luck based.

Oh and if an invader is near the giant black smith, it is better to risk death then risk harming him.

It would have been an interesting fight if Solaire was not the summon but a legend.

Spoiler:

BLACK IRON KNIGHT TARKUS!

Dude can solo the Iron Golem by himself most of the time and him being in the fight against Speedy and Fatty would make for an interesting one. I could see him tanking Smough and taking him down. Ornstein has speed and could kill him but it would be close. Shame Tarkus wasn't reused. Granted, it is implied he never made it far into Arnor Londo because he fell to his death but Solaire is useless at this point beyond being a distraction. Gaping dragon is pretty much where he becomes a distraction. Though, he is capable of wrecking Gywn.

[BetaB17]

Well, you do find Tarkus's corpse in Anor Londor.. Dude really cant balance those narrow beams. Heavy armor not so good is it? Huh? I kid, but seriously, Iron Golem was a joke, mad even worse by having an NPC absolutely wreck him. No different than Paladin Leroy vs Pinwheel or Witch Beetrus vs Moonlight Butterfly.

Btw, Solaire wasn't the only summon available for Gaping Dragon. You could also have Lautrec help out just like with the Bell Gargoyles. Tho this time, having one or two npc summons practically is worthless. Gaping just tramples anything that can't kite him

Anyways, I honestly wished they provided a 2nd, if not more hidden summon somewhere in Anor Londor >_> even if it proved I'll adviced

[The SheoDovah]

I did hear that Sens was a bit rushed thus explaining why Tarkus is the best summon in the game. Iron Golem is easy without him though. All Tarkus does is turn the battle into a mook one. I know about Gaping Dragon summons. They are crap due to the AI not realising that the vomit harms them. Tarkus should have been a second summon or just a summon for Ornstein and Smough. He may not be overpowered then and could be still challenging. Iron Golem? Dude doesn't help you. Dude flat out fights it for you and kicks it's arse! I used Leroy one and i swear, he one hit killed Pinwheel. Pinwheel is a rubbish boss that relies on spamming numbers but he is just underpowered by the time you reach him unless one goes to seek him before Arnor Londo. I think, I killed him in three two handed strikes once with a claymore. The Zweihander, i think, floors him and wrecks him.

Beatrix, i think, it intended to assist melee builds thus being the destroyer of butterflies. The four kings, she is a bit mixed. Sometimes, she is useful. Other times? useless.

Imagine what Havel the Rock would be like as a summon. Dude is a pain in the ass to fight and I could see him being useful against Capra, Gargoyles, Gaping,Queelag,The Balrog of Ruins and Gwyn due to tanking. Orny and Smough, he would tank them but Orny would wear him down due to repeated hits and his slow attacks leaving a lot of room for miss. Smough, he could take on whilst tanking. Pinwheel, he would flat out murder within 5 seconds.

[BetaB17]

Still, Tarkas isn't as strong as you keep alluding to >_> ya, he has strong heavy attacks that break poise and can tank alot of hits, but Iron Giant is very easy to stumble.. Especially right off his arena platform.

But even then, compared to many of the other enemies in the zone.. He's not all that great. Pit him up with a Titanite demon, see what happens(He'll struggle, duh)

Compare that Leeroy. Ya, Pinwheel was a bit of a punching bag.. But what about all those wheel'd skeletons, the skull mines, the Black Knight? All dead like it was nothing and barely a scratch.. And have we forgotten his heal and AOE spells?

Maybe I would appreciate Tarkus more if he wasn't so close to the boss arena, or if he was features a 2nd time.. Especially if you had to fight him. But you don't, unlike Leeroy. The only saving grace to fighting that paladin is he chose a choke point near a dangerous edge

Tarkus is overrated. Give respect to the real menace in white

Edit: Also, Kerr. I absolutely hate you btw. That video you shared.. Ya.. I cant stop watching it.. But at the same time, I love ya man, BC on the 17th repeat I found this:

:

YouTube Link

[Kerr]

Well I'm glad Iron Tarkus fell to his death, his armor looks cool with the child mask and is pretty strong. It's what my character is wearing at the moment. Although I do have Havel's Ring, it would suck without it.

So it turns out humanity isn't as finite of a resource as I assumed it was, I can put on the serpent ring farm for it in the depths. Better yet, you can just warp there with the lordvessel. I can also farm for souls in a spot in Darkroot Gardens full of people who don't know how not to run off a cliff. Which makes me worry less about being human seeing as I can just get more humanity if I really need it. Honestly around the 8th time I died to those archers on the ledge in Anor Londo (a part of the game I'd argue is just [&@%!] and cheap and shouldn't have existed) I accepted that I'm going to die and lose my souls and humanity a lot, it's just going to happen. But like I said, I can farm if I really need it.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I followed what Lord Timster said and was able to defeat Ornstein and Smough. I summoned a buddy near the bonfire Solaire is sitting at, we got past the giant guards, I put some Charcoal Resin on my scythe and headed inside. I dealt with Ornsetin while my summon mostly kept Smough off my back, occasionally chipping in when close enough. Then for the second half I just launched all the pyromancy I had at Smough while my buddy hit him with melee. Went back to the Asylum once I was done talking to Gwynevere and fell right down the hole at the start because Sen's Fortress thought me nothing about caution. But the demon was kind of a push over. Checked out the painted world after that, left without killing the boss because much like Gwyndolin there's no real reason for me to kill Priscilla. Also the Scythe I could get would be worse than the Great Scythe so. Did kill Lautrec and return Anastacia's soul to her though, he deserved it.

But oh my god, the Great Scythe is amazing. The power, the range, huge horizontal and vertical swipes, how much DEX impacts it. I mean I still want to have the Balder Side Sword to fall back on in really tight spaces but yeah, between it and the right of kindling tacking the catacombs before Anor Londo was definitely the right call.

[BetaB17]

But oh my god, the Great Scythe is amazing. The power, the range, huge horizontal and vertical swipes, how much DEX impacts it

Told ya Didn't I? Great Scythe is the best. Who knew a halberd class weapon would be such a great DEX weapon?

From PVP to PVE, two handed or single hand.. It seriously can hit hard and wide. And the bleed? Oh the bleed! And wait till you see how much a parry can do. Only really downsides are the penalty for missing a hit, stamina cost for combos, and how 'meh' it's light attack is.. At least in open combat(in narrow passages, it's fine I guess).

PVP is where I find it seriously underestimated.. Even amongst the Dex builds. Easily can out DPS or roll-catch your enemies. I guess nobody wants to be Death when you can be a Legend or an uber tank that backstab fishes...

Btw, aside from find it as predetermined loot, from passive gain, or via summons.. The only really viable places to farm humanity is the Depths via the rats or near the end of The Tomb of Giants via endlessly spawning skeleton babies(no, I am not kidding about that) The DLC also offers another farming spot, though arguably while it seems to yield more than the Depths will, it still cant compete against the endless baby carnage(you monster)

[Lord Timster]

Oh we can fool you no longer... You'll lose your souls. All of them. Over and over again. *cackle cackle*

I can also farm for souls in a spot in Darkroot Gardens full of people who don't know how not to run off a cliff.

Ooo - you didn't kick that sword'n'board/archery chick off a cliff or something did you? 'Cos she has a sweet loot drop. :/

... around the 8th time I died to those archers on the ledge in Anor Londo (a part of the game I'd argue is just [&@%!] and cheap and shouldn't have existed) ...

This is one of those times where the game punishes people who get locked into doing things in a certain way - because I think you can just pop a few poison arrows on a ballistic trajectory at the right-hand archer, read a book for a few minutes, and then zip past.
Thinking about it, this might possibly be related to the 'enemies going off cliffs' situation in Darkroot.

Also if you can pick up the Hidden Body spell then you can stealth your way into a good sniping position and take both of them out. Just tried it on NG+6 - should work okay on NG as well I'd imagine. Hidden Body requires a small investment in INT but that would also allow you to use Cast Light, and then Fall Control for one more point. All useful here and there, imo.

Not that any of that matters too much now I'd guess. Moral of the story is to sometimes try mixing up your tactics and don't get stuck doing the exact same thing over and over. Or something.

Cheers.

[The SheoDovah]

Ah, you encountered The Ledge of pain. It is [&@%!] cheap and brutal but it also serves as a wake up call. "Oh, you think this will be easy? You survived Sens but welcome to Arnor Londo!" A trick I used was poison arrows(as Trimster said). I think 50 is more then enough to kill it. Don't rush it. Most of the time, you will get hit in the rear and whilst you can kick the first knight off, the other one will kill you 90% of the time. However, if you use summoned players, it is a mild inconvience due to two people. Using different tatics is key. I've lost count the amount of times I got complance and ended up struggling.