Support NeoGAF

[killatopak]

Wow, you actually went and got the great scythe? That's impressive, getting that thing is a nightmare, haha.

It seems like, based on what you have said thus far, you can actually go two directions.

Up

Or

Down

You'll know when you've gone up or down enough.

It seems like you have plenty more to do in dark root as well.

Are you still wearing Havel's ring?

I’m wearing Rusted Iron Ring(for the swamp)/Poisonbite or Ring of Evil Eye/Havel’s Ring for exploration. I switch between the thief set and the ninja set for poison res.

 

[killatopak]

Got fucked by the spider. I admit I was a bit distracted but I found a strat not dissimilar to the Asylum Demon. Her left breast is the weakness. Well her left legs but it’s the same general direction anyway. Great Scythe is amazing as well. I get to reach her human body that I doubt my spear or sword could.

 

[od-chan]

Got fucked by the spider. I admit I was a bit distracted but I found a strat not dissimilar to the Asylum Demon. Her left breast is the weakness. Well her left legs but it’s the same general direction anyway. Great Scythe is amazing as well. I get to reach her human body that I doubt my spear or sword could.

didn't even know she had a weakness per se, and I'm playing souls since 2013 damn spider actually had me really struggling in my last randomizer run a couple of weeks back too.

pretty dope you got the Great Scythe already

 

[killatopak]

didn't even know she had a weakness per se, and I'm playing souls since 2013 damn spider actually had me really struggling in my last randomizer run a couple of weeks back too.

pretty dope you got the Great Scythe already

Yeah, it was hell to get but I did it. It was a maze. I died like a dozen times.

It’s not a weakness but more like a blindspot. Her sword slashes go over your head if you stand really close to her front left side. Her fire breath misses you by like an inch. You’re close so you don’t trigger her running lunge attack.

The only thing you need to worry about was the lava floors and her aoe explosion just like that second Asylum boss.

Now I’m actually stumped. There’s so many ways I can pursue this. Forest, Drake Valley and now this volcano cave or something. There’s even that lake as well but noped out when I did 0 damage to those wraith like creatures. I can return to the Catacombs too. That gate where the fat dude was waiting near the blacksmith opened up as well when I rang the bell. So many choices!

 

[od-chan]

There’s so many ways I can pursue this. Forest, Drake Valley and now this volcano cave or something. There’s even that lake as well but noped out when I did 0 damage to those wraith like creatures. I can return to the Catacombs too. That gate where the fat dude was waiting near the blacksmith opened up as well when I rang the bell. So many choices!

dude I envy you so, so much for experiencing this the first time now. I remember exactly what this feels like. Withoung sounding too doom&gloom, this kind of world design is sadly something they didn't yet replicate in this dense and exciting way.

great things lie ahead for you

 

[killatopak]

I killed the Pyro merchant

Why the fuck is he wandering in blighttown anyway.

 

[killatopak]

Cleared the upper forest, I think.

It was not as relaxing as I hoped it’d be. Stone Knights were definitely easier with the Great Scythe. I don’t think they proc bleed but the range helps. It also easier to get the second attack going once the initial windup for the first hits. Important cause they stand still when they cast the slow spell on you.

Butterfly was alright. She’s pretty squishy and attacks are telegraphed enough. I killed myself and brought a bow since I couldn’t hit her from way over yonder. Spammed her once she got into melee range.

That locked door though. The one that needs the seal from the blacksmith is just surprise after surprise. Got gangbanged by the whole village once I entered. Got one shot by a freaking mushroom and rolled over by three cats. I should have sprinted into the tower in the distance and joined the covenant. Instead I circled around and got fucked by walking bushes instead. Once I got over the mushroom’s op damage, I just stayed out of range since the scythe outranges them. As for the cats, I went back and bought a bunch of arrows. I just sniped them from the cliff above and watched them roll into a wall repeatedly.

In comparison doggy was easy. For his humongous sword, it has terrible hit box once you hug his body. Just roll into him and watch all his swings miss you. Maybe he should have a swiping claw attack or something. He could have used an AOE explosion like the spider and the asylum demon.

Off to lower forest I go.

 

[od-chan]

You already beat Sif? Not bad mate, not bad.

Sif was such a pain for me the first time around. I still really didn't know what I was doing and I vividly remember hating this fight so. so. so. much but yeah, he's not that big of deal once you figure out your positioning.

As for the cats, I went back and bought a bunch of arrows. I just sniped them from the cliff above and watched them roll into a wall repeatedly.

Oh man fuck these cats, I love them, they're awful. I think I ever only fought these fuckers successfully in melee combat maybe once or twice, and that was probably in some randomizer with ridiculous uber gear. I remember the performance on PS3 sucking badly there, so you had like 15 fps and while trying to fight one of these pussies it rolls up and fucks off while another one rolls straight into you outta nowhere and messes you up great fun

Once I got over the mushroom’s op damage

man I love these cute horrible abominations. Might legit be one of my favorite monster designs, both visually but also in terms of their behaviour.

 

[grvg]

I'm absolutely LOVING vicariously going through it for the first time with you.

IMHO from went in the wrong direction with the other souls games. They are wonderful but the interconnection from souls 1 is something that is only really in {maybe} kings field 2?

Anyhow, I bought remastered and am doing another run. Probably pyromaxxing claymore broing it up

 

[killatopak]

Finally killed the hydra. Got a shield that increases stamina regen so it helped when I blocked stuff like the water balls or their head lunge attack and still have enough stamina to cut their heads off. Fought a golden golem as well and rescued someone. Climb up some ladders and noped out once I saw it was the rolling cat area.

Went even deeper still and got to valley of drakes. Woke up a huge dragon and noped out back to firelink shrine. At this point, I’m thinking of going to the catacombs but needed some upgrade mats and souls for the divine upgrade. Knowing typical game lingo. It should do more damage to skellies. I’m thinking it would do well against the ghosts in new londo as well. I really need it cause I don’t do any damage to them.

Might as well go to this huge gate that opened up. Enter Sen’s Fortress. Traps galore. I got pancaked multiple times, hit by arrows and spikes from walls, ceiling spikes, eaten by a mimic, fell and panicked only to find myself surrounded by lightning demons in a tar pit. Exploited arrows here a LOT. Not gonna risk myself getting in a trap while fighting. Saved a big hat dude and went back to firelink shrine to buy some elemental enchants for bow. The ungrateful bastard won’t even teach me anything. What do you mean I’m unable to learn anything. Go on, ask your apprentice.

Anyway, I basically shot an arrow at anything I saw moving and aren’t near me. All those arrows spent allowed me to reach the top where I fought a huge ass knight. It was easy for the most part cause he kept staggering when I hit his toes.

Wow! Anor Londo is so beautiful.

I just continued to do the same strats and arrow spammed the huge knights and found a bonfire and met a firekeeper that isn’t insane or mute.

I think I’ll stop for now. I don’t want to ruin how great it feels to reach Anor Londo. It’s so amazing how the lighting of the setting sun looks too. I don’t know if I wanna go back to Catacombs or New Londo after seeing this. I think I’ll explore here first when I play again.

 

[od-chan]

Finally killed the hydra.

Fuck that hydra. I actually didn't manage to kill that shit on my last rando, most likely because I'm retarded. I swear to god the hitboxes and hit detection on this thing are awful. I know you're supposed to lure it, but that's easier said that done if THAT FUCKING THING JUST WON'T COME DOWN AND KEEPS SPITTING AT YOU. Good for you for managing.

eaten by a mimic

From now, until the end of times, you will never open a chest again without striking it. I played some Dragon Quest XI the other day - even in this fucking game I won't open a single chest without hitting it first. Thanks Miyazaki.

What do you mean I’m unable to learn anything. Go on, ask your apprentice.

I don't know if you consider this a spoiler or not, but there's a technicality involved here the game will not tell you about (because fuck the player). It's something you will probably not figure out on your own, especially since it's not essential and thus the game doesn't even really consider giving you a hint.

You need like 10 or 12 intelligence, otherwise he considers you too stupid to learn magic

Wow! Anor Londo is so beautiful.

Praise!

 

[killatopak]

Got sucked in a painting and found the boss from Demons’ Souls. Cool callback. Sniped some dragon and fought wheel dudes underground. I think I like this place. It’s so easy to farm souls.

Met a woman. I couldn’t kill her. She looks so pure. Still kinda confused though. What does she mean peaceful people in this place when everybody tried to kill me?

These enemies that are sniping me on a walkway that is like 2 inches is making me go insane.

 

[od-chan]

found the boss from Demons’ Souls

I had to think about a second whom you could be refering to, but it's probably the fool's idol. Never seen someone make that comparison before, but yeah, I see your point

 

[killatopak]

I had to think about a second whom you could be refering to, but it's probably the fool's idol. Never seen someone make that comparison before, but yeah, I see your point

Didn’t even think about that but that makes sense too lol.

I was thinking about the Phalanx.

Pretty much mastered the art of parrying in this section of Anor Londo. Still haven’t got 100% parry for the sword knight but the spear knight is barbecue chicken. Met the giant blacksmith and oh boy, I love using bows but those arrow prices are something else.

The boss fight though. Pretty much my hardest yet. My weakness is multiple bosses. This and the bell gargoyle fight were my kryptonite. Today I learned how op poise is. Equipped the poise ring and the phy def ring. Wore elite knight and just wished for good rng. Took out the fatty first and got thunderblasted to oblivion afterward. What happened after was worth it though.

Gwynevere, I love you.

Want me to replace Lord Gwyn? Why yes, I will. Anything else? Want some cookies with your milk? Ehem, ehem.

 

[killatopak]

Just gonna go farm in the painting. The dude near the boss drops upgrade mats frequently. I need that divine upgrade asap. Getting ready for catacombs.

 

[grvg]

Did you see any of the "huge chest ahead" type messages from other players?

Also, how did you like the arrow gank session in the anor Londo balcony type area?

 

[od-chan]

I was thinking about the Phalanx.

ooh that makes so much more sense !!

My weakness is multiple bosses.

I am of the very (maybe rightfully so) unpopular opinion, that 95% of boss encounters with multiples bosses are bullshit and people just let themselves be gaslit/conditioned to believe otherwise ~~ So I kinda hate O&S on principle, but music/animations/design/coordination is obvl very impressive. Congrats on beating them!
Sadly From likes to pull that bulllshit and I think it's cheap most of the time. Gargoyles from Demon's Souls maybe being an exception (because the bullshit is kinda the point of the fight) and "four guys". It gets much worse in that regard in later games.

Gwynevere, I love you.

you've maybe already seen this, but maybe someone hasn't yet

Also, how did you like the arrow gank session in the anor Londo balcony type area?

good times!

 

[killatopak]

Did you see any of the "huge chest ahead" type messages from other players?

Also, how did you like the arrow gank session in the anor Londo balcony type area?

I was actually anticipating a huge mimic fight.

What do you mean like? It hurt my soul. I have to sad boy walk to that area again and again from the lower bonfire area.

 

[killatopak]

Traversed New Londo.

It’s pretty alright except for the fact that there are no bonfire so the trek back to the boss fight is a serious test of patience. Speaking of the boss, I had to read the item description of everything I had. Amazing boss fight. Oh look it’s a spiral staircase that leads to you falling to death. I thought my game was bugged

Lost my souls to the library dragon as well. I can’t even go back for it. It respawned me in a cell. Miyazaki!!!

Now I’m stuck in this ice cave falling to my death countless times. Someone save me

 

[killatopak]

Was watching dark souls videos while I’m getting my mojo back to go in that crystal cave again.

First comment I see, is that Dark Souls keyboard players are playing on hard mode.

I’m playing on KBM. Not by choice but because my controller has stickdrift. Should I go buy a new controller?

 

[od-chan]

I’m playing on KBM. Not by choice but because my controller has stickdrift. Should I go buy a new controller?

Honestly, people can get pretty good with kb/m. I couldn't play Dark Souls for a single minute without a gamepad, but then again I would extend this to pretty much any third person game.

People are playing Genshin Impact with kb/m and they're insane with it, in regards to their movement. Biggest deal is probably adjusting your camera, especially in quick moments, so if you're able to manage that reasonably well I don't actually think kb/m would have much disadvantage.

As I said, I could never manage that, but you came this far. It's a question of preference mostly and maybe you prefer kb/m?

 

[grvg]

Was watching dark souls videos while I’m getting my mojo back to go in that crystal cave again.

First comment I see, is that Dark Souls keyboard players are playing on hard mode.

I’m playing on KBM. Not by choice but because my controller has stickdrift. Should I go buy a new controller?

Yeah, it would be worthwhile. I was gonna say just wait till ng+ but then realized you haven't done the dlc area

It isn't so much a skill/difficulty thing to me as much as it is a pleasant experience thing. I don't like to play souls with kbm, and I don't like to play fps with controllers.

 

[killatopak]

As I said, I could never manage that, but you came this far. It's a question of preference mostly and maybe you prefer kb/m?

I honestly don’t know. I mean I do play a lot on both consoles and PC but I separate them like the comment below

It isn't so much a skill/difficulty thing to me as much as it is a pleasant experience thing. I don't like to play souls with kbm, and I don't like to play fps with controllers.

I have had zero Souls experience on PC until I played Dark Souls. I played Demons and Elden Ring on console so controllers mostly.

I don’t really know if I’m having difficulties or not cause I haven’t tried using controllers yet. I know I didn’t like playing character actions like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta on keyboard.

What I do know are some commands are more difficult to pull off just mechanically speaking. Like shift+MB2 for parry. When it’s just one button for a controller. I sometimes do a block instead of parry this way.

 

[od-chan]

I don’t really know if I’m having difficulties or not cause I haven’t tried using controllers yet. I know I didn’t like playing character actions like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta on keyboard.

What I do know are some commands are more difficult to pull off just mechanically speaking. Like shift+MB2 for parry. When it’s just one button for a controller. I sometimes do a block instead of parry this way.

You know how some people can relatively well use both their left and right hand for stuff like writing with a pen, cutting food or jacking off? maybe you're that but with kb/m and gamepad.

 

[killatopak]

Finally got through that cave with the help of prism stones. I hope I got everything. Those invisible pathway makes it that I’m not exactly sure.

Found a new pyro teacher in blighttown. I don’t know how I missed her but she was near the spider lair sitting down near those boulder monsters in the middle of a poison swamp. Just why would you stay there. I wanted to buy stuff from the cat-clan merchant near the wooden elevators but they’re gone. Must have been because I joined Gwenevere’s covenant. Found fat knight. Gave some herbs. Found a good farming location for green upgrade mats except I don’t exactly know what type of upgrade they’re for. I haven’t exactly used one yet.

Went to fire cave. Killed giant lava monster and wow. Is this place just full of bosses? Lava still sucks ass and killed me within seconds. Got invaded in a cliff between like a bunch of capra dudes. I fell of course. Is that a chest? Boom! Surprise worm party. A giant door to nowhere so before the boss door. Seems ominous. Went past it. Killed another Asylum demon variant. A bit harder than the last though. Faster and has a few more moves with aoe. Found an elevator to spider lair and stopped for now.

Might go to Catacombs next. I was a bit intimidated by the low visibility, narrow pathways and reviving undead so I was holding off on it but after blighttown, sen’s fortress, and crystal cave, I think I’m ready. I think DLC was mentioned earlier. How exactly do I access the dlc and when is it appropriate to go there? Is it end game or can I do it anytime?

 

[od-chan]

Found a new pyro teacher in blighttown.

I was puzzled why you went back to blighttown. Is it because you need to get to the flame world? I only have hazy memories of my first playthrough, but I don't remember going back there. I don't think I could've activated a bonfire I could warp to, since iirc that would require me beating lava worm thing, which would be difficult without the orange ring. Maybe I just missed her.

My point being, how you noticed her in the first place is amazing. Maybe Elden Ring conditioned you? Maybe I'm just trying to cope with how I only found her in like my 3rd playthrough and only because a guide told me she'd be there

Also, while we're at the topic of you blazing through stuff I'd be sure would pose more of a challenge: You figured out in Anor Londo after the lift that you had to walk up to that broken window? This is one of the memories that imprinted itself very vividly with me. I stood there for like 2 hours, probably more, because I refused to look it up in a guide. This was sooo outside of the norm of any video game back then. I'm not saying it's like some genius Miyazaki iq200 game design move, I'm just saying this is nothing I would've EVER considered because that rail upwards looked like background mesh you'd slide off instantly.

I love that part.

Must have been because I joined Gwenevere’s covenant

Didn't you kill her people in the forest earlier? I'm too lazy to look it up now, but iirc she(he? actually?) objects to that.

Is it end game or can I do it anytime?

It's definitely end game, especially the bosses. But honestly, the way you're blasting things, might not pose much of a challenge I would guess you already obtained everything you'd need to access the dlc, but I'm not sure and I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll be exceedingly careful

very vague
If you have a certain key item (which I guess you do), there's something new to find for you. You haven't played MP yet, so I'll spell this out: look for a summon sign

location, roughly
forest

location, exactly
forest, before the hydra

key item location, roughly
library

I'll be honest: I had to use a guide back then. But I do love how they implented this stuff. I really look forward to play King's Field once day, because apparently that's even more obscure and I look forward to go insane on that.

 

[killatopak]

I was puzzled why you went back to blighttown. Is it because you need to get to the flame world? I only have hazy memories of my first playthrough, but I don't remember going back there. I don't think I could've activated a bonfire I could warp to, since iirc that would require me beating lava worm thing, which would be difficult without the orange ring. Maybe I just missed her.

I was actually looking for the fat knight. He said he was going down. I just came back from New Londo so it’s obviously not there. There’s only Blighttown and Sewers left. At least close to it. If he wasn’t there, I was going to go to the forest. Teleported to the spider lair and right in front of the entrance of the lair in the distance is someone sitting down.

Also, while we're at the topic of you blazing through stuff I'd be sure would pose more of a challenge: You figured out in Anor Londo after the lift that you had to walk up to that broken window? This is one of the memories that imprinted itself very vividly with me. I stood there for like 2 hours, probably more, because I refused to look it up in a guide. This was sooo outside of the norm of any video game back then. I'm not saying it's like some genius Miyazaki iq200 game design move, I'm just saying this is nothing I would've EVER considered because that rail upwards looked like background mesh you'd slide off instantly.

Oh, believe me I was stumped as well. I didn’t get bored since the view was amazing. Honestly that gargoyle fight clued me in that this location is important. The only other path aside from it is blocked by golden fog. The key thing that made me go through the roofs was seeing a broken window. Other than that, I just looked at the buildings that were close. I also did some light farming with the giant knights there when I got bored.

Didn't you kill her people in the forest earlier? I'm too lazy to look it up now, but iirc she(he? actually?) objects to that.

Yeah, I killed them then I joined. Once I died in the next few encounters, going through that covenant area was fine since they all lost aggro and was just standing around. I don’t think I’ve killed any of their npcs since.

It only seems like I’m blazing through the game because I just played all day the past few days. I might not even be able to play this much until the weekend again. The game is honestly all that’s in my head lol. I’m even contemplating on whether I’ll do NG+ or go straight to DS2. Hopefully, I’ll be done when DS3R gets released.

 

[grvg]

I'll be honest: I had to use a guide back then. But I do love how they implented this stuff. I really look forward to play King's Field once day, because apparently that's even more obscure and I look forward to go insane on that.

I played Kings Field 2 and 3 (just Kings Field and Kings Field 2 in the usa, I think) and I REALLY loved Kings Field 2 (japan) - I beat the whole game by memorizing the layout rather than looking at maps and LOVED it. The combat is dull and slow as molasses, so the self imposed map memorization thing made it more interesting. The map design is cool, akin to DS1. It was one of my favorite gaming experiences Ive ever had - though, to be fair, it wasnt the same as that first time dark souls 1 magic/

I havent beaten KF3 (Japan) because I don't like the world of it as much - it is more like Dark Souls 2 and 3, horizontally sprawling rather than 3 dimensionally sprawling.

Also, I had to use a guide to get to the DS1 DLC too, lol.

 

[killatopak]

I played Kings Field 2 and 3 (just Kings Field and Kings Field 2 in the usa, I think) and I REALLY loved Kings Field 2 (japan) - I beat the whole game by memorizing the layout rather than looking at maps and LOVED it. The combat is dull and slow as molasses, so the self imposed map memorization thing made it more interesting. The map design is cool, akin to DS1. It was one of my favorite gaming experiences Ive ever had - though, to be fair, it wasnt the same as that first time dark souls 1 magic/

I havent beaten KF3 (Japan) because I don't like the world of it as much - it is more like Dark Souls 2 and 3, horizontally sprawling rather than 3 dimensionally sprawling.

Also, I had to use a guide to get to the DS1 DLC too, lol.

I don't know how you could play Kingsfield. I checked it out once and I thought it would make me go insane. At least the PS1 port will.

Texture warping all over the place. Couple this with old school first person dungeon crawler that seems monotonous in design and I feel like I need pen and paper to map shit up.

I don't have much time to play souls for now so I'm weighing watching souls content on youtube instead. What I want to ask is, is it alright to watch lore videos or do I finish the game first? Not gonna lie, I tried watching one of vaati's and got blindsided when he mentions stuff from DS3. Now I'm scared of watching anything as I'm open to be spoiled by even DS2 and DS3 lore.

 

[grvg]

I don't know how you could play Kingsfield. I checked it out once and I thought it would make me go insane. At least the PS1 port will.

Texture warping all over the place. Couple this with old school first person dungeon crawler that seems monotonous in design and I feel like I need pen and paper to map shit up.

I don't have much time to play souls for now so I'm weighing watching souls content on youtube instead. What I want to ask is, is it alright to watch lore videos or do I finish the game first? Not gonna lie, I tried watching one of vaati's and got blindsided when he mentions stuff from DS3. Now I'm scared of watching anything as I'm open to be spoiled by even DS2 and DS3 lore.

Wait till you finish 1, then try and find more vids for just 1. You may have to go back a few years (maybe even up to 10?)

You're gonna be safer with the ds2 lore as opposed to 1 - speaking of which, lots of people hate on dark souls 2 but I like it a lot, sometimes more than 3.