Originally Posted by KingBroly Can you summon him while offline? EDIT: By the way, I had no problem being a soul in Demon's Souls. My problem was that online forced you into the PvP communal aspect. I want to play a game like this either alone or with others, not against others. EDIT 2: Didn't work, man. Solaire died in like 5 seconds when the other Gargoyle came out. I have to grind levels cuz it's a BS fight. I'm at Lv.22, btw.

Yeah, you can summon the NPC's offline (there are others - I just used Mildred on Quelaag and Witch Beatrice on Moonlight Butterfly and Solaire shows up for 3 or 4 battles, including the end one where he really makes a difference so you want to make sure you keep using him and "save" him in the later part of the game).

As for the Gargoyles, definitely make sure you get that sword from the dragon's tail, which is super easy to do. You probably need a good weapon at this point. Though I think I just used the winged spear (an old favorite from Demon's Souls) which you can get from down where the skeletons are below Firelink Shrine.

There is one HUGE advantage to staying online though, Broly - you will see lots of helpful messages about where treasures are, heads up on enemy ambushes, locations of secret (illusory) walls, etc. Playing offline feels empty and lonely in that regard. I would do it occasionally when I was really getting annoyed by invaders and needed to be human for summoning. But in a lot of places, you can summon help right near the bonfire, and then that person can help you deal with invaders.

Originally Posted by guardian_owl Fire resistance gear isn't going to help much at all with the dragon in NG+ as it doesn't help any at all in NG when trying to beat him (I still have been unable to kill him even though I am near the end of NG). His inferno fire tower kills you instantly.

Well, fire resistant gear is the only thing that let me live long enough to get past him. And it made a difference when I switched out my regular leggings/gauntlets for the gold-hemmed ones with better fire resistance. You can get by his sweeping "inferno fire tower" by the way - I just did it last night. I was nearly dead and just rolled through it. Like I said before, I baited his attack from the right side, then ran across to the left and hugged the wall. I got blasted there and lost about 1/3 of my health (thanks to the gear and Flash Sweat). Then just as I got up and started the run animation I got knocked down again from his sweeping fire (since I was closer to him now) and lost nearly all the rest of my health. At this point I realized it was too slow to get back up and start the running animation. So I just started rolling at that point and made it through. Then, strangely enough, after I rested at the bonfire he was gone and I could stroll back out on the bridge and get those treasures which I don't think I got the first time (nothing special though).

Well I guess I'll have to go back and get a Bow somehow. I only have a Crossbow.

haha, wow, I still can't believe how far I got into this game. :')
I feel like I accomplished a lot. I'm at Sens Fortress Now and haven't got the guts to face him, even though he's probably easy. Don't worry KingBroly, Blighttown can be a bitch!!!

Originally Posted by Rosterking haha, wow, I still can't believe how far I got into this game. :') I feel like I accomplished a lot. I'm at Sens Fortress Now and haven't got the guts to face him, even though he's probably easy. Don't worry KingBroly, Blighttown can be a bitch!!!

You have accomplished a lot so far, but be warned...

There's no "him", just a bunch of annoying swinging blades on narrow ledges and guys shooting lightning at you. I just went through there tonight on NG+. Having a Ring of Fog made it a lot easier because that first mage wouldn't shoot at me.

Just remember:
- 1st set of blades you can pause between each one (though it is best to run past the last 2 since the mage will shoot at you and there's a snake guy right in front of you that you need to fight - though you can shoot him with an arrow and probably get him knocked off by the blades when he rushes you).
- 2nd blade is easy (just one).
- 3rd set gets tricky. There's a mage right after them - if you shoot him from the side when you first pass the second solo blade you can knock him off the perch. Or simply wear him down till he's dead (and dodge his lightning of course). Then there are two sets of blades and there is a very narrow piece of ground between them. I got knocked off a few times there tonight and finally put a message down at the right place. So hopefully you will see that.
- Then you deal with the whole rolling ball bit and I'll let you figure that out yourself...
- 4th set of blades is tricky - 3 really close and you just have to time it right and run and then roll, all without going off the very very narrow bridge.
- 5th and final set isn't too hard, but there is a mage to the left that will shoot at you. I was able to take him out with fireballs but you probably need to do something to get rid of him. Then those blades have points in between them where you can stop - don't try doing all 4 at once (my mistake when I got to it tonight as I was thinking it was like the previous set).

Once you get past there, get ready to fight more snake guys and then once you get to the place where the giant is throwing firebombs (avoid the scorched ground) you need to find the hidden bonfire ASAP since if you get killed here it would be very frustrating to have to go all the way back to where the blacksmith is and start over. The bonfire is down below - you have to cross the first scorched area and drop off the wall (you can see it from the safe corner of the platform first so you don't have to jump blind). You may also see some messages there (another reason to play online!). There is NO OTHER bonfire in all of Sen's Fortress and you have a boss to deal with shortly after this so you need to rest there. After this you will be able to open up a shortcut to the area with the first set of blades but it is always best to get to that bonfire first. To open the shortcut make sure you jump that area on the narrow walkways when you are outside. You'll know what I'm talking about - it is just a small gap that leads to a tower. There is a merchant in there and down below him a key to open the cages that make up the shortcut.

There is a lot of other stuff to do in Sen's around the rolling ball area (lots of treasures including the lightning spear and I think you first free Big Hat Logan there who you will want to get if you want any advanced spells). But I skipped all that this time since I did it in my original game.

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Btw io, depending how much you care, I can let you hold certain weapons for the weapons trophy, which would completely eliminate your need for a second full playthrough. I'm not sure if you leveled out of my range though. I'm still at like 119. I always forget my level. Currently 113.

That goes for anyone, I suppose.

Originally Posted by AkariK Btw io, depending how much you care, I can let you hold certain weapons for the weapons trophy, which would completely eliminate your need for a second full playthrough. I'm not sure if you leveled out of my range though. I'm still at like 119. That goes for anyone, I suppose.

I'm at 115 - yeah, hell, let's do it. I was just about to fight the Iron Golem so I could pop that Anor Londo trophy. Are you available now to put your summon sign by his door? At this point, other than that, I just need boss soul weapons, and I have a few already of course (like Fury Sword).

I just figured that didn't work for this game since no one ever talked about it. I know you could do that for Demon's Souls (that's how I got the ring trophy which otherwise would have been a lot of extra work).

I mean, as much as I love this game, it is really time for me to move on. I have Skyrim and now FF XIII-2 sitting here still sealed .

Edit: PM sent!

Well, thanks to AkariK, I was able to get my platinum tonight!

First, we met around the Iron Golem so he could lend me the last weapons I needed. We had some trouble with invasions and such but eventually got it done. The problem was that he apparently didn't get back his Cursed Greatsword of Astorias from a previous person. So I didn't get the trophy and we weren't sure why at first. I thought I had all the farmable and purchasable weapons. But we finally figured out he had 2 regular Greatswords (and I had that already). I did not know that you just had to hold them once - I thought I read that you had to have them all at the same time. Apparently not!

So first we took care of the Iron Golem. AkariK commented on how much harder it was than he though it would be because of the pyro nerfing. We had Tarkus there too so it wasn't too much trouble, but it just took a lot of fireball beatings to take him down. I think I used all 8 of my Fireballs and all 4 of my Chaos Fireballs and that was in addition to whatever AkariK and Tarkus did! I then travelled to Anor Londo and breathed a sigh of relief when the trophy for Anor Londo popped (as it glitched on me in my original game).

So then AkariK helped me beat Sif which was a challenge because of course as soon as you enter the forest in human form you get pounced on by Forest Covenant defenders. There were a lot of people to summon which actually made it hard because I couldn't find his sign for a long time. Eventually I just decided to join the covenant which cut down on the invasions, though I still had a couple regular invasions while I was searching for his sign. Finally, we got another summon and beat down Sif. One thing is for certain - the game is definitely very vibrant online. Even at our levels (120 or so) there was a lot of activity on both the invader and helper side. And this was 1-2 AM Pacific on a Wednesday night.

Anyway, then it was back to Anor Londo to get to the blacksmith. Once again, invasion city... Finally we made it to the great hall and a pretty tough invader came in. While AkariK fought him I went to the blacksmith and quickly made the Cursed Greatsword of Astorias - got the weapon trophy followed by the platinum! In the mean time AkariK got killed and the phantom showed up right in front of me at the blacksmith while I was text chatting with AkariK. I'll give him credit, though, in that he seemed to realize I was doing something and he waited for me to move before engaging. I held him off for a bit but the lag eventually caught up to me and he got a few backstabs in (or lagstab as AkariK called it ).

Anyway, we met up again so that I could give AkariK my Cursed Greatsword so he can continue to help out others. I can't really do the same since I'm missing all the other second boss soul weapons. Just in case I want to return to the game I backed up my save to PS+ cloud before giving him that. And since I did that, I also unloaded all my slabs and titanite chunks on him . I'll just restore it in a day.

In any case, it was nice to get the platinum with only 1 1/2 playthroughs. I really was enjoying the second playthrough, though, and wouldn't have minded finishing it off. But on the other hand, I was done with the early parts and now I was about to head back to stuff I did not that long ago so it would have been less interesting. It was definitely fun going through the early parts knowing where everything was and pretty much owning the game .

With the time I saved from finishing off this platinum, I pledge to go back to Demon's Souls and finish that up. But first I think I'll take a break and play either Skyrim or FF XIII-2 next...

Oh, yea, I meant to say Iron Golem. I've can get to the boss already as I'm at the bonfire all the way up there.

Originally Posted by Rosterking Oh, yea, I meant to say Iron Golem. I've can get to the boss already as I'm at the bonfire all the way up there.

He isn't too bad (note that I was in NG+ where he's probably much harder). Just go human and get Tarkus from the tower (across the bridge from the boss door) and a human summon. People usually put signs right at the boss fog door. Iron Golem has a hell of an attack, but he is pretty slow so you can usually avoid it.

i would recommend after you beat him to touch the ring of light and go to Anor Londo. I didn't do that originally because I wanted to backtrack and get to the bonfire and level up. But that might have been what glitched my trophy. So just go through the light immediately. You can turn right around in Anor Londo and go back. Though the bonfire there is right past the one enemy you encounter. And you can just run past him - no need to engage. Then head out into the open area and down and to the left. To be 100% safe, though, go back to Sen's and to the last bonfire and spend your souls.

Got the Drake's Sword, but I need 1 more Strength to get it. So...yeah, I'm close to going back to face the Gargoyles. Too bad I died because of some thing I didn't realize was possible (auto parry/reposte by enemies) which cost me another 7200 souls.

Originally Posted by Rosterking Hey, I don't have white soapstone anymore. What gives? I use to have it. I joined several covenants along the way. ( Last one I am in is the Forrest one)

you probably put it in your bottomless box.

i freaked out once not finding it in my inventory.. and totally forgot that i put it inside the box when i was cleaning up my stuff.

If you lost it on accident, check the chest behind the pool at Firelink. It holds important items that you might have dropped. Or did you put it in your bottomless box on accident?

Originally Posted by Backlash If you lost it on accident, check the chest behind the pool at Firelink. It holds important items that you might have dropped.

Hmmm - I learn something new about this game all the time. I had no idea about that.

So, I know the chances of DLC for this game are pretty slim, but this is a game where I'd gladly pay $10 for some extra content. I had wanted some for Demons Souls too (that broken arch!). But while DLC comes out like candy from a pinata from games I could care less about, it never comes for these...

I think DLC would have worked better for Demon's Soul in the way it was formatted.

It could always be slotted in pretty easily - there are lots of empty corners in Firelink that could be used for a warp point to a new area ala the painting (Ariamis), the "ring of light" (Anor Londo), the gargoyle (return from Anor Londo), or the crow (to and from the Asylum).

Originally Posted by io So I went back in again in human form. This time there were 3 summon signs at the top of the steps right inside the Kiln. WTF!? Why didn't I see those earlier or last night? Anyway, the guy I ended up summoning was a pro. Somehow he managed to backstab every black knight. I don't know how that is possible. I can barely even get backstabs when I'm creeping up slowly on an enemy turned the other direction - only seems to work about half the time for me then. It helped a bit that the knights would go after me I suppose.

You weren't finding summon signs because you were ridiculously over-leveled for where you were in the game, even in NG+, which also explains why when you did find people, they were really good. They were probably in NG+ or ++.

Furthermore, backstabbing is pretty easy, I pretty much backstab my way through the game when I first started playing. Quick tutorial, block an attack, strafe them, and then lower your shield and attack. It's harder with the spear, but I think you were the one who kept arguing with me about the merits of the lightning spear.

If anyone is still having trouble running past the Hellkite Dragon, just go to the stairs, shoot an arrow at him, and immediately start running for the other side. If you're under 25% equipment burden, you should make it easily.

Originally Posted by gettinmoney662 You weren't finding summon signs because you were ridiculously over-leveled for where you were in the game, even in NG+, which also explains why when you did find people, they were really good. They were probably in NG+ or ++. Furthermore, backstabbing is pretty easy, I pretty much backstab my way through the game when I first started playing. Quick tutorial, block an attack, strafe them, and then lower your shield and attack. It's harder with the spear, but I think you were the one who kept arguing with me about the merits of the lightning spear.

The first part of what you said makes no sense whatsoever. I said I got plenty of summon signs immediately after getting none on 2 runs through the Kiln and none the night before (same time of day). And this was late Monday night so it wasn't a weekend thing. If I was so ridiculously over-leveled I wouldn't have seen them at all with your logic. (Doesn't matter if they were NG+ or NG++, they were there one time and not just prior). What I thought was funny is how I had none for 2 runs, then 3+ (3 at once, but they kept changing) for a run or two right afterwards.

I also was able to kill some of the invaders in the Kiln. So if they were so incredibly good compared to my weak over-leveledness then how did that happen? You keep telling me (or at least implying) how bad I am at this game.

FWIW, I was able to get some backstabs in during coop - it is much easier when the enemy is distracted by someone else and turned around. The other thing was that I was so accustomed to holding my shield up at all times from Demon's Souls and carried that over to Dark Souls. Later in the game I trained myself to lower it as much as possible during battles for better stamina regen so I didn't always have it up and was finally able to get some backstabs by default. Before that I was hitting lots of enemies in the back via rolls/dodges but nearly always with my shield up.

In any case, this is all old news. I've moved on to FF XIII-2 now. Wow, what a different experience that is from Dark Souls . It is almost a super-casual game in comparison.

Originally Posted by io The first part of what you said makes no sense whatsoever. I said I got plenty of summon signs immediately after getting none on 2 runs through the Kiln and none the night before (same time of day). And this was late Monday night so it wasn't a weekend thing. If I was so ridiculously over-leveled I wouldn't have seen them at all with your logic. (Doesn't matter if they were NG+ or NG++, they were there one time and not just prior). What I thought was funny is how I had none for 2 runs, then 3+ (3 at once, but they kept changing) for a run or two right afterwards. I also was able to kill some of the invaders in the Kiln. So if they were so incredibly good compared to my weak over-leveledness then how did that happen? You keep telling me how bad I am at this game. Oh yeah, I forgot, you are awesome at this game compared to me and need to remind me all the time about it. Meanwhile there is someone like AkariK who is cool about things and very helpful. Thanks again AkariK! FWIW, I was able to get some backstabs in during coop - it is much easier when the enemy is distracted by someone else and turned around. The other thing was that I was so accustomed to holding my shield up at all times from Demon's Souls and carried that over to Dark Souls. Later in the game I trained myself to lower it as much as possible during battles for better stamina regen so I didn't always have it up and was finally able to get some backstabs by default. Before that I was hitting lots of enemies in the back via rolls/dodges but nearly always with my shield up.

Because co-op restricts level range to +/- 10 levels + 10% while you can only be invaded by people at a lower SL than you and there is no upper level limit on invasions, so it's entirely possible that you were fighting SL 60 players. You can ask anyone. Level 109 for NG is ridiculously over leveled. Most people beat it around 60-80.

I wouldn't start implying that you're good at the game if you skipped NG+ and summoned your way through NG.

I have given you plenty of advice but you always ignore it.

I never claimed I wasn't "over-leveled" (whatever that means). I messed around a lot at the end and took my time. I wasn't trying to hurry. I spent extra souls on levels when I had them. Big deal.

I'm not sure what advice you are talking about except for not using the spear. I tried some other weapons, didn't like 'em, went back to the spear. That was my preference. I think I did follow your advice on Four Kings and went in two-handing Quelaag's Fury Sword and wearing full Havel armor. If that was you that mentioned that strategy that worked pretty well, then thanks for that (and I did follow it and said so here before). By the way, I did that without a summon . I also said just a few days ago how I used that strategy against the Capra Demon in NG+ and it made him super-easy (after he destroyed me with my standard light armor/lightning spear build). So there I applied your advice to a completely different situation - turns out I'm not a complete idiot! Wow!

I certainly never claimed I was some expert at the game (well, good enough to make it through, anyway, but certainly no pro - in fact I've said that many times!). But you constantly tossing out how great you are and how bad I am is completely unnecessary and pretty annoying. What is the point? Especially now that you come in and quote some really old news of mine (from end of NG when I've moved way beyond that) to bring it all up again. You mentioned my "ridiculous over-levelling" as a reason why I didn't get summons when in fact I did get them - so clearly you just wanted to comment on how over-leveled I was to make some sort of point. I just don't get it. I apologize that I used summons here and there and took advantage of AkariK's offer to not have to drudge through to a NG++ when I've already spent 120+ hours on this game. That seems to offend you for some reason that I don't quite get.

It's just a freaking game that I happened to enjoy quite a lot in the way I chose to play it.

Ya, a common thing to show up in that chest is if you drop the ring you need for Four Kings on the ground.

Also one can buy a bow from the male undead merchant in the undead burg (though it looks like you already have one since you got the Drake sword)

Over-leveled means that one is far and above the typical soul level for the area one is currently in and that tends to limit one's summoning options. The forest was likely so vibrant because there is no level restrictions for forest covenant invasions so pretty much anyone of any soul level can invade someone else.