Dark Souls II - Scholar of the First Sin - April 7, 2015

[Backlash]

Thanks for the detailed explanation guardian_owl.  I would not have guessed that miracles/chimes scaled with lightning damage (though staff with magic seems more obvious).  Especially since the scaling letters don't line up for Faith (I mean the req icons in yellow line up with the scaling icons in green for STR, DEX, and INT, and then they have Fire underneath Faith instead of having lightning underneath Faith, which would have made more sense if they go together).

 

[guardian_owl]

Unlike in previous games, utility miracles do not improve with more points in faith. So a heal will heal a certain amount of HP whether you just meet the casting requirements or have double the casting requirements. I am not sure whether it is only lightning based miracles (light spear variants, holy Thunder, blinding bolt), which scale in damage with a more potent lightning attack stat or if that also includes emit force (shockwave ball) and Wrath of the Gods (The Hulk Clap). Should be easy enough to test by swapping between my +10 boltstone'd Priest Chime and the extra Priest Chime+0 that I have and casting emit force. I imagine they fall under it since the attacks are vaguely like thunder.

They probably have it that way both since the spacing looks nicer to have it even instead of indented an extra space and because faith ups all three of those things (Fire, Light, and Dark) that are below it.

 

[Jimmienoman]

So I'm going to start a new game with a new PVP build (previously was STR more towards PvE). Yeh after level 80ish STR seemed to be horrible as DEX weapons scale well enough along with enchants etc that STR builds seem obsolete.

So is DEX the way I should go for PVP or are there other builds you're using?

 

[Bezerker]

Man, trying to play this game online with super bad sin is incredibly hard.  Within 15 seconds of me going into any level i'm getting invaded by arbiters.  I might just have to stop playing online until I get to the guy who can clear my sin (and I somehow come up with enough souls). 

 

[Kameleon]

So I finally went to NG+ a few days ago. I wrapped up the [customspoiler='quest line']Pate and Creighton quest line. It glitched out after I killed Pate and talked to Creighton, probably because I waited for them to beat each other up before backstabbing Pate. [/customspoiler] After trying some PvP as a Bell invader for chunks and getting a worse return than trying to farm in [customspoiler='location']Door of Pharros[/customspoiler], I finally decided to just go ahead and move on.

So far I've been playing the game offline since I just got PS+ and am downloading the free games that come with that. I've been beating most of the bosses with no problem, only using the NPC summons where applicable. The only ones that have given me trouble so far have been [customspoiler='bosses']The Bellfry Gargoyles and Flexile Sentry (while keeping Lucatiel alive)[/customspoiler]. It might help that I was already level 148 with 127 hours when I started NG+, or that I'm leveling up once or twice after each boss fight.

I'm glad I read about Bezerker's unfortunate luck with sin transferring over to NG+, as I was thinking of going around and killing all the NPCs like I did in the original Dark Souls. I definitely know that I wouldn't be able to get enough souls to pardon the sin before giving up on the game.

 

[jmbreci]

I had some OCD issues with Freja last night.  What a pain.  Not hard per se once you get the pattern, but youza.  First time in there by myself, soul bolt, soul bolt, acid, dead.  Second time, summon two people, soul bolt, spiders, soul bolt, dead.  And on both of those I didn't have but maybe 2 seconds to react before the aggo kicked in.

Died another time after that going solo.  Then summoned again and got through.  Decided to add in a shield with higher magic resistance as well.  Whatever one has the 90-95% physical and about 65-70% magic.  Cannot remember off the top of my head.  Usually just run with Havel's shield.

Think I'm now stuck clearing out either the Gutter.  Think it is that, unless I do not need that before visiting the Shrine.

On a side note, can someone please list me the primal bonfires?  I'm missing one.

 

[Supplice]

So I'm going to start a new game with a new PVP build (previously was STR more towards PvE). Yeh after level 80ish STR seemed to be horrible as DEX weapons scale well enough along with enchants etc that STR builds seem obsolete.

So is DEX the way I should go for PVP or are there other builds you're using?

Actually, Dex received a big nerf in this game. Dex doesn't scale well and the weapons in general are little slower than their DsK counterparts. If anything, STR got a buff in this game in speed (great swords and ultra-great swords).

On a side note, can someone please list me the primal bonfires? I'm missing one.

[customspoiler='Primal Fires'] Black Gulch, Brightstone Cove Tseldora, Iron Keep, and Sinner's Rise. [/customspoiler]

 

[guardian_owl]

I am close to reaching level two in the Bell Covenant and I am noticing periodically that in the middle of comboing some players with my claymore a small explosion will go off that staggers me. They don't have time to cast anything, are they quick tossing an item at me or it is related to a certain ring or something?

So I'm going to start a new game with a new PVP build (previously was STR more towards PvE). Yeh after level 80ish STR seemed to be horrible as DEX weapons scale well enough along with enchants etc that STR builds seem obsolete.

So is DEX the way I should go for PVP or are there other builds you're using?

STR weapons which seem to have the best scaling are the BIG weapons so if you want a lot of damage with STR I guess you have to go with the ultra great swords and other big weapons.

On a side note, can someone please list me the primal bonfires? I'm missing one.

Da List

Spoiler

Bottom of Lost Bastille In Sinner's Rise

End of the Iron Keep

The Depths of the Gutter in the Black Gulch

Through the Shaded woods and the Doors to the Cove

 

[Supplice]

I am close to reaching level two in the Bell Covenant and I am noticing periodically that in the middle of comboing some players with my claymore a small explosion will go off that staggers me. They don't have time to cast anything, are they quick tossing an item at me or it is related to a certain ring or something?

Old Sun Ring.

 

[britton_draws]

http://www.ign.com/prime/promo/darksouls2-art-contest

I would die if I won that statue. Like literally would crap my pants.

I am going to be sketching out ideas for the next two weeks at least. Oh man oh man oh man. 

You guys should help me and give me some inspiration or thoughts of what would make some cool armor. Like perhaps an alternate enemy for an area or something. Like I was thinking of making an armor set that would reflect the Giants and somehow be tied in with people that revolted against Drangleic  and sided with the giants and they forged armor to look like them. Or maybe some sort of Black Gulch Guardians who have a grotesque mixture of insect and poisonous visuals.

 

[Kia-Tiaph]

Man, trying to play this game online with super bad sin is incredibly hard. Within 15 seconds of me going into any level i'm getting invaded by arbiters. I might just have to stop playing online until I get to the guy who can clear my sin (and I somehow come up with enough souls).

You lose sin for each death by an arbiter. I bought and bonfire asceticed my way to a ton of protection rings before killing all the NPCs. Getting invaded in NG+ is pretty stress free knowing you won't lose your souls. If it gets too crazy, just burn a Human Effigy to block invaders in that area.

 

[Supplice]

You also don't have to be killed by the arbiter to lose sin either. Simply jumping off a cliff or whatever is good too, as long as the arbiter is in your game.

 

[guardian_owl]

http://www.ign.com/prime/promo/darksouls2-art-contest

I would die if I won that statue. Like literally would crap my pants.

I am going to be sketching out ideas for the next two weeks at least. Oh man oh man oh man.

You guys should help me and give me some inspiration or thoughts

Nothing beats nostalgia, an armor of some kind which harkens back to Demon's Souls would likely get their attention. For instance, the moonlight butterfly armor references the Buterfly boss from Dark Souls 1.

Something that might be visually interesting is an armor set that resembles the Vanguard. A helmet with dual, downward facing horns, small spikes jutting downward from the mouth guard, three eye holes (perhaps covered by yellow glass). Leggings with 3 spikes coming out from the toe (similar to gloom armor) and random spikes jutting out at the same places as on the boss. Gauntlets with short spikes extending from the fingers for nails, and random spikes jutting out in the same places. Armor with extra padding in the front, a hanging metal trail (or spike) in the back for the tail, spikes going up the spine, and small, solid metal stub wings extending out of the shoulders. Coloring would probably me like a worn, matte grey finish with a hint of purple.

 

[britton_draws]

Nothing beats nostalgia, an armor of some kind which harkens back to Demon's Souls would likely get their attention. For instance, the moonlight butterfly armor references the Buterfly boss from Dark Souls 1.

Something that might be visually interesting is an armor set that resembles the Vanguard. A helmet with dual, downward facing horns, small spikes jutting downward from the mouth guard, three eye holes (perhaps covered by yellow glass). Leggings with 3 spikes coming out from the toe (similar to gloom armor) and random spikes jutting out at the same places as on the boss. Gauntlets with short spikes extending from the fingers for nails, and random spikes jutting out in the same places. Armor with extra padding in the front, a hanging metal trail (or spike) in the back for the tail, spikes going up the spine, and small, solid metal stub wings extending out of the shoulders. Coloring would probably me like a matte grey finish with a hint of purple.

Hm, I like the nostalgia idea. My shield design for Dark Souls was based on the original dragon we say in the opening scene for Demon's Souls. Perhaps I can play some more with that dragon again.

I am digging the Vanguard idea too. You obviously are referencing the Demon's Souls Vanguard but also maybe making one based off the Royal Rat Vanguard to an extent would be interesting. As if in the past there have been other humans to enter the ranks of that Covenant and they wore armor that resembled rats in some way.

Right now though I am sitting at work and I just want to sketch out something like your Vanguard idea haha

Keep them coming guys!!

 

[guardian_owl]

Old Sun Ring.

Lame, I hope that doesn't become more prevalent, only time I beat one is when the killing blow triggered the explosion.

Yep, DeS Vanguard

[customspoiler='screenshot']

[/customspoiler]

 

[jmbreci]

While I know I am nowhere near a great player and have died many a stupid death, tonight took the cake summoning people inside the castle.  Just got there and to the first bonfire.  I died a horribly stupid death the first time as I drew aggro from everyone and their cousin by running in that room next to the bonfire.  I summon a guy twice (my bad) and he did that twice.  Seriously....like WTF and how did they get that far into the game.  WOW is all I can say.  Needless to say I saw the same summons sign another 5 times in the next 10 minutes.  

I'll skip rehashing my death to Dragonrider because I was greedy with one extra swing of the sword.  I failed Yoda since Dragonrider only had a sliver left.  Think that makes three times I've done that this game with a boss.  Insanity....

I may be starting to lose a little interest and I am so close, yet so far away.  Maybe I've just had a long week and need some sleep.

 

[britton_draws]

<gripe session>While I know I am nowhere near a great player and have died many a stupid death, tonight took the cake summoning people inside the castle. Just got there and to the first bonfire. I died a horribly stupid death the first time as I drew aggro from everyone and their cousin by running in that room next to the bonfire. I summon a guy twice (my bad) and he did that twice. Seriously....like WTF and how did they get that far into the game. WOW is all I can say. Needless to say I saw the same summons sign another 5 times in the next 10 minutes. </gripe session>

I'll skip rehashing my death to Dragonrider because I was greedy with one extra swing of the sword. I failed Yoda since Dragonrider only had a sliver left. Think that makes three times I've done that this game with a boss. Insanity....

I may be starting to lose a little interest and I am so close, yet so far away. Maybe I've just had a long week and need some sleep.

Stay strong and by the way, Praise the Sun!

 

[guardian_owl]

I think I'm up to 180ish deaths now, at least that's what the obelisk said the last time I went offline to talk to the Bell covenant NPC. FYI, if you didn't know. If you examine the obelisk next to the crestfallen warrior when in offline mode it tells you your own deaths instead of the worldwide deaths.

Settled on the Alona knight armor to upgrade so I am using many of the chunks I collected in the bell covenant to upgrade the armor and the boots. Nice poise and better stats than vanilla draglecs.

Finally decided to go back and do the Iron key area, those fire salamanders are tough cookies. If they knock you down once they can pretty much juggle you until you die.

 

[Dwarfman]

Anyone else feel like their damage starts to level off too much towards the end game?  Either that or certain bosses must be very resistant to phyiscal damage that I really need to level up/find a different secondary weapon to carry around.

I currently use the Pursuer's Ultra Greatsword + 5 (upgraded with Petrified Dragon bones).  To normal mobs I can kill them in 3-4 swings and do about 400ish damage per swing.  However I am finding my boss progression halted.  I am on the Ancient Dragon and the King Verand (name? spelling?).  I know the King is a long battle and you need to use bleed/poison type damage to kill him quick(er). 

I've played through Demon Souls (got the platinum) and Dark Souls (NG+) but never went to NG++ or even further.  What tends to be the best bet for a long term, end game weapon that is all around a solid choice?  I'm sure I need to just carry more variety of weapons for each boss/situation.  I am more partial to a sword/great sword vs hammer etc.  Suggestions? Tips?

 

[britton_draws]

Anyone else feel like their damage starts to level off too much towards the end game? Either that or certain bosses must be very resistant to phyiscal damage that I really need to level up/find a different secondary weapon to carry around.

I currently use the Pursuer's Ultra Greatsword + 5 (upgraded with Petrified Dragon bones). To normal mobs I can kill them in 3-4 swings and do about 400ish damage per swing. However I am finding my boss progression halted. I am on the Ancient Dragon and the King Verand (name? spelling?). I know the King is a long battle and you need to use bleed/poison type damage to kill him quick(er).

I've played through Demon Souls (got the platinum) and Dark Souls (NG+) but never went to NG++ or even further. What tends to be the best bet for a long term, end game weapon that is all around a solid choice? I'm sure I need to just carry more variety of weapons for each boss/situation. I am more partial to a sword/great sword vs hammer etc. Suggestions? Tips?

I was doing pretty massive damage at the end of the game but the Ancient Dragon just has a ton of health. Especially Vendrick, if you do not have all 5 Giant Souls, you are going to be fighting him forever. Even with them he still has a large chunk of health.

I think it isnt that your progression has halted, but moreso that they wanted the end bosses to have a really high HP count is all.

I do feel as though the leveling does somewhat flatten out sooner than the earlier titles though I could be mistaken. My first build in Dark Souls was pure STR and I felt it took a long while before I started seeing diminishing returns. In this one though I felt like once I was at SL 60 or so I was not getting much stronger. I think perhaps they want to push more dedicated builds and focus on stat scaling and what not. Who knows though hah

Also, the PC version comes out in a couple weeks, how many of you are picking that version up?

I am curious to see the increased visuals and I honestly just cannot possibly support this game enough so I will definitely be getting it! : D

 

[guardian_owl]

I think that might just be the nature of the game since they changed the weapon upgrade system and the multiplayer system (NG, based on level and soul memory, NG+~, anyone with anyone), even after maxing my claymore and infusing it with boltstone I have never gotten more than 1 extra point of damage per point of faith, and that was when it was mid-twenties. To really gain the benefits of scaling I think you have to either seek out unique weapons with S scaling, or invest quite a bit in STR and vitality in order to wield the huge, heavy weapons which offer high A or S scaling. Otherwise most of the damage comes from just upgrading the weapon.

There are also spell weapon buffs in the form of pyromancy, sorceries, hexes, and miracles which add their associated damage type to the weapon for like 60 seconds. If spells aren't you're thing (pyromancy just requires enough in atunement to equip it) there are various consumable resins which temporarily apply a variety of damage types to your weapon. The bleed / poison resins would likely be very helpful for bosses.

Adding Summoning help seems to up boss HP quite a fair amount, when I first tackled The Last Giant I summoned 2 players but I found it almost easier to do it by myself after I failed the first time with summons as I would do like 40% more damage to their health bar per swing solo. Also I don't think adding an NPC summon adds to the bosses HP which means you get the benefits of a distraction so you have time to heal without upping how many strikes it takes to kill it.

Figured out how to take out all 4 salamanders the cowardly way;

Spoiler

Using spells and the binoculars / bow,

*First backtrack from the Cardinal bonfire, drop down two ledge, and climb down the ladder to the cave with the fire sword. Bait the salamander to attack you and cast from the 1/3rd inside the tunnel so that the spell hits it when its throat is full for max damage.

*Climb back up to the cardinal bonfire (without touching it) and climb down the stairs. Look over the edge and see the salamander in the opposite corner. Cast and kill.

*There is another salamander in the opposite corner but for some reason it is not rendered when you cross the bridge and walk through the forest key door to the other side. The only place it is rendered is if you ride the boss elevator on the left side to the top and peek over the edge. Look to the left. snipe with binoculars and kill

*For the last one, ride the boss elevator down and enter the Iron key Door, walk into the chamber and poke the salamander with a spell, then run back through the door. It's too big to fit through so you can get 2 or 3 casts in before it will slowly retreat back to its starting location.

Interestingly, I read a message on the ground after killing the salamander guarding the fire sword and it is possible to get the right angle to jump through the grate without having the Iron key. That's how I initially jumped in not realizing that was the same chamber that you enter with the Iron key. I figured you entered the part you can see from the ledge under the cardinal bonfire.

Speaking of the fire sword salamander cave, I can't for the life of me figure out how to get that piece of loot on the ledge to the right. I tried jumping from the tree to the ledge above the salamander cave entrance, made the jump after a few tries, but the area is small and walled in with rocks, it does not lead to that ledge.

 

[britton_draws]

Figured out how to take out all 4 salamanders the cowardly way;

Spoiler

Using spells and the binoculars / bow,

*First backtrack from the Cardinal bonfire, drop down two ledge, and climb down the ladder to the cave with the fire sword. Bait the salamander to attack you and cast from the 1/3rd inside the tunnel so that the spell hits it when its throat is full for max damage.

*Climb back up to the cardinal bonfire (without touching it) and climb down the stairs. Look over the edge and see the salamander in the opposite corner. Cast and kill.

*There is another salamander in the opposite corner but for some reason it is not rendered when you cross the bridge and walk through the forest key door to the other side. The only place it is rendered is if you ride the boss elevator on the left side to the top and peek over the edge. Look to the left. snipe with binoculars and kill

*For the last one, ride the boss elevator down and enter the Iron key Door, walk into the chamber and poke the salamander with a spell, then run back through the door. It's too big to fit through so you can get 2 or 3 casts in before it will slowly retreat back to its starting location.

Interestingly, I read a message on the ground after killing the salamander guarding the fire sword and it is possible to get the right angle to jump through the grate without having the Iron key. That's how I initially jumped in not realizing that was the same chamber that you enter with the Iron key. I figured you entered the part you can see from the ledge under the cardinal bonfire.

Speaking of the fire sword salamander cave, I can't for the life of me figure out how to get that piece of loot on the ledge to the right. I tried jumping from the tree to the ledge above the salamander cave entrance, made the jump after a few tries, but the area is small and walled in with rocks, it does not lead to that ledge.

An even more cowardly way is to kill the two from above with either arrows or magic and then drop down that hole and then bait one out and keep hitting it with range, then it backs away after getting close to the opening. Rinse and repeat for the one in the back left guarding the Fire Sword as well.

 

[guardian_owl]

Tried dropping down the ledge with cat ring and jester boots, but died both times so I just assumed it wasn't a survivable drop. Must have to be human to survive it.

 

[Dwarfman]

Tried dropping down the ledge with cat ring and jester boots, but died both times so I just assumed it wasn't a survivable drop. Must have to be human to survive it.

Are you talking about the ledge with the corpose up and to the right below the Cardnial Tower bonfire in the first zone? I got that a few days ago. If you have the Kings Ring and open the door in that area you can drop down and get it without having to do any crazy jumps.

Where is the door you open with the Iron Key to get to the fire salamanders? I know where you are talking about with the Fire sword (down the hole, to the left, through the door, in the chest)

 

[guardian_owl]

Where is the door you open with the Iron Key to get to the fire salamanders? I know where you are talking about with the Fire sword (down the hole, to the left, through the door, in the chest)

Ahh, I see, that must be a pretty big area behind the king door as given the geography it is pretty far away from that ledge. You can either jump through that hole at the back of the fire sword cave. Or you can take the ladder down at the cardinal bonfire, head to the right through the door you unlocked from the other side. Ride the elevator down to the where you killed the Last Giant boss, and before the boss chamber on the left of the hallway is a door that opens with the iron key.

 

[Backlash]

Adding Summoning help seems to up boss HP quite a fair amount, when I first tackled The Last Giant I summoned 2 players but I found it almost easier to do it by myself after I failed the first time with summons as I would do like 40% more damage to their health bar per swing solo. Also I don't think adding an NPC summon adds to the bosses HP which means you get the benefits of a distraction so you have time to heal without upping how many strikes it takes to kill it.

Speaking of the fire sword salamander cave, I can't for the life of me figure out how to get that piece of loot on the ledge to the right. I tried jumping from the tree to the ledge above the salamander cave entrance, made the jump after a few tries, but the area is small and walled in with rocks, it does not lead to that ledge.

I noticed that it seemed like I did a lot less damage (according to the popup damage numbers, not the health bar) to bosses when summoned or summoning others. I got summoned into the smelter demon after failing in my own game, and I was doing about half the damage or less with each swing. I thought it was maybe because I got summoned into NG+, but then when I went back to my own world and summoned a phantom the same thing happened.

That damn item has been on my checklist forever to try to figure out how to get. There's a few others that I have no idea how to get to as well.

 

[britton_draws]

That damn item has been on my checklist forever to try to figure out how to get. There's a few others that I have no idea how to get to as well.

What item?

 

[guardian_owl]

That damn item has been on my checklist forever to try to figure out how to get. There's a few others that I have no idea how to get to as well.

Dwarfman explained a couple of posts up, apparently when you open the King door under the Cardinal bonfire (down the ladder, across the short bridge over the salamander pit, and through the forest key door) from that area you can eventually drop down to reach it.

 

[Dwarfman]

Beat the game this morning. Need to kill the king but was able to solo the ancient Dragon and the final boss. Was worried I wouldn't be able to kill the final boss right after that 2 person boss fight. Great game, should be interesting to see how ng+ shakes out and how long my current build works.

 

[jmbreci]

Think I took the cake on number of "walk off" deaths off the reef in the Shrine.  I had it cleared out to Demon and the guy who I summoned at to be laughing - or cursing depending on his point of view.

 

[guardian_owl]

The new developer definitely isn't as good at level design. Had over a million soul memory so I decided to pop open the shrine of winter early and have a look at Dranglic castle. Get inside, the entry is cramped, there is a long hallway guarded by 3 enemies and it features an empty room and doors that are basically walls. That area after the first bonfire is no joke though LOL

Spoiler

5x Ruin Sentinels

The Black Gulch is quite tedious, step kill statue, diagonal right step step step, kill statue, diagonal left step step step, kill statute, puddle step, kill facehugger repeat about 30 times. Thankfully it's a pretty small area. Those statues are really ing creepy though. Also got the forgotten key and Havel's armor, that disgraced cleric must have really hated Havel...

 

[Backlash]

Got the last large soul and got to Drangleic castle last night, finally.  Yay.

It took me way too many tries to kill Freja.  Once I killed her and got the Victory Achieved message, but died to a small spider just after that and it didn't count (as I discovered when I went back down).  So next time I went ahead and summoned two phantoms (since I had basically killed her by myself before, I figured), and when she had almost zero health left, I backed off a cliff in her room that I didn't even know was there,  argh.

I did learn that the spiders in Brightstone Cove drop weapons like crazy.  I got at least the following, off the top of my head:

3 Zwiehanders

6 Bandit Axes

2 Great Scythes

2 Mailbreakers

and probably some other stuff I can't remember.

 

[Dwarfman]

The new developer definitely isn't as good at level design. Had over a million soul memory so I decided to pop open the shrine of winter early and have a look at Dranglic castle. Get inside, the entry is cramped, there is a long hallway guarded by 3 enemies and it features an empty room and doors that are basically walls. That area after the first bonfire is no joke though LOL

Spoiler

5x Ruin Sentinels

The Black Gulch is quite tedious, step kill statue, diagonal right step step step, kill statue, diagonal left step step step, kill statute, puddle step, kill facehugger repeat about 30 times. Thankfully it's a pretty small area. Those statues are really ing creepy though. Also got the forgotten key and Havel's armor, that disgraced cleric must have really hated Havel...

Easiest thing to do in Black Gultch is to kill ALL the statues and enemies in the area. When you head back to the bonfire and "rest" the enemies will respawn but the statues and anything else you broke will stay broken. It makes the area a heck of a lot easier and then you can keep farming the mobs, running back, respawning (statues will remain broken), rinse, and repeat. If you teleport anywhere else or die the statues spawn again but it makes clearing out the zone REALLY easy.

You are right... they must have hated Havel. Although a smart person would separate his entire set and not have it all in one chest.

 

[Backlash]

If you use the second, sort of hidden, bonfire in the Gulch then you can run to the boss without passing any enemies.  You pass only about 4 statues or so, and you don't even have to break those as they are easily dodged.  Obviously that doesn't help with finding all the hidden paths and such, but if you take multiple tries on the boss (as I did, no summoning), then it's not bad at all.

 

[britton_draws]

Yeah the first time in the Gulch can be a pain but like it was mentioned, the statues dont respawn when resting and there is the second bonfire right above the Rotten on the right.

My first time I actually was feeling super antsy and adventurous and was like what the hell are all of these, I am just going to book it. I sprinted through the whole area, healed my poison and brought myself to full health then dove into The Rotten and got him on my first attempt. I was so stoked that it actually worked out haha

 

[guardian_owl]

Ya, my first time through I methodically killed all the statues, facehuggers, and worms and searched through all the tunnels and passageways so I found the second bonfire and the chests. It is definitely worth investing in enough intelligence to use Cast Light with the +5 intelligence ring, especially if you haven't gone through The Gutter / Black Gulch yet. You need a base of 9 to cast which is only 1 more than the 8 you need to talk to the sorcery vendor in No Man's Wharf. A couple of added benefits over torches is it stays active when on ladders which can be important in The Gutter as some of the ladders don't go all the way down. You also can get an extra cast of the spell by casting it and then quickly resting at the bonfire to refresh your spells, Cast Light will stay active and you are back to max casts.

I came upon the ledge which leads to the forgotten key by chance as I saw all the messages down on the ledge, but even when carefully looking for the ledge that leads to lucatiel it took me 2 passes to see it.

3 more points in Faith and I can use Great Lightning Spear

What I intend to do is I already did the Wharf boss with Lucatel, so I am currently lining up the other 3 lucatel summoning bosses so that I can do them all at once with one human effigy and the ring of protection. If I get stuck on one, I can switch to a different boss and see if I can tackle that one with the summon so I can get 3 out of 4. Finished clearing the way to the Rotten, now I just need to get to the end of Sinner's Rise.

 

[Dwarfman]

What I intend to do is I already did the Wharf boss with Lucatel, so I am currently lining up the other 3 lucatel summoning bosses so that I can do them all at once with one human effigy and the ring of protection. If I get stuck on one, I can switch to a different boss and see if I can tackle that one with the summon so I can get 3 out of 4. Finished clearing the way to the Rotten, now I just need to get to the end of Sinner's Rise.

What are the 4? I knew about the Wharf boss? Smelter Demon? What are the other 2? I need to do hers and that other guys for the magic great sword.

I'm pretty surprised how fast I'm running through NG+. I don't know if I'm too high of a level or I've just learned the zones/bosses patterns that I'm blowing through it. Some bosses I was able to solo though just are a little too difficult solo in NG+ though. The Belfry Gargoyles solo on NG were a joke for me. I'm not sure as I did it once but I'm pretty sure they spawn faster as I had 4 on me within a minute. While I can block and dodge their attacks I wasn't able to kill them off fast enough.

Anyone else on NG+? Without revealing any other spoilers how do you like the changes to NG+ that you've noticed?

 

[Kia-Tiaph]

What I intend to do is I already did the Wharf boss with Lucatel, so I am currently lining up the other 3 lucatel summoning bosses so that I can do them all at once with one human effigy and the ring of protection. If I get stuck on one, I can switch to a different boss and see if I can tackle that one with the summon so I can get 3 out of 4. Finished clearing the way to the Rotten, now I just need to get to the end of Sinner's Rise.

FYI, if you burn a bonfire ascetic at the Black Gulch bonfire before The Rotten, you can summon Lucatiel again and it will count towards the 3 finished fights for the Questline to finish / the achievement. Buy the Redeye ring from Shalquoir and aggro the Rotten while Lucatiel and Lone Hunter Schmidt pummel him to death. Definitely easier than beating Lost Sinner or the Smelter Demon with Lucatiel surviving.

 

[guardian_owl]

What are the 4? I knew about the Wharf boss? Smelter Demon? What are the other 2? I need to do hers and that other guys for the magic great sword.

The Rotten in Black Gulch (look for a ledge to drop off onto between the first bonfire and the row of 10ish statues which are up on a ledge you can't reach with melee, talk to her)

Smelter Demon in Iron Keep (Talk to her in Earthen Peak after the Covetous Demon boss fight)

Flexite Sentry in No Man's Wharf (talk to her at the Wharf bonfire)

Boss in Sinner's Rise (talk to her at the tower straight ahead from the bonfire you reach in Lost Bastille by killing the Pursuer in the forest)

Just need to get 3 boss kills with her alive, so you can either try to do 3 of the 4, or burn a acetic on an easier boss and do it two or three times.

 

[Supplice]

Also, the PC version comes out in a couple weeks, how many of you are picking that version up?

I am curious to see the increased visuals and I honestly just cannot possibly support this game enough so I will definitely be getting it! : D

I'm more than willing to double dip on a PS4 version if that shows up.

 

[guardian_owl]

You are right... they must have hated Havel. Although a smart person would separate his entire set and not have it all in one chest.

I took the set-up to mean that they dumped Havel's body (still wearing all the gear) into a pot of poison / acid (possibly still alive) until all his flesh was dissolved away and all that was left was the worn, stone gear. As you find it in a pot, not a chest.

Also I heard a line of NPC dialogue last night which makes me think that Demon's Souls may be vaguely in the series' continuity, just perhaps thousands of years in the past. "Many sorceries were lost over the ages. Before pyromancy, there were fire sorceries, but they are long forgotten."

I am also a bit disappointed that Patches apparently isn't making another appearance (at least I haven't encountered him so far).

 

[Supplice]

I am also a bit disappointed that Patches apparently isn't making another appearance (at least I haven't encountered him so far).

You already met "Patches." [customspoiler='Knowledge Drop'] Mild-Mannered Pate is the reincarnation of Patches (both DS and DkS versions). The shield and spear, similar armor, treasure hunter, and always setting you up for traps. [/customspoiler]

Also I heard a line of NPC dialogue last night which makes me think that Demon's Souls may be vaguely in the series' continuity, just perhaps thousands of years in the past. "Many sorceries were lost over the ages. Before pyromancy, there were fire sorceries, but they are long forgotten."

Fire Sorcery was a specialized form of Sorcery used by the Daughters of Chaos and other citizens of Izalith. This was before Quelana discovered a way to manipulate fire without the use of a catalyst, by channeling it through her own body. This created pyromancy and thus, made fire sorceries useless and forgotten.

 

[guardian_owl]

I guess I must be the only one who had trouble on the Rotten, his weapon has too much poise damage to block, I kept accidentally rolling on the flame pillars, and occasionally his grab attack would home in on me when I rolled to the side to avoid it (maybe my agility is too low), took me 5 or 6 tries w/ Lucatiel. Once I got close, but then he started fisting Lucatiel over and over until she died so I suicided.

I actually found the Lost Sinner easier as it had plenty of cooldown between attacks to pop a quick flask if needed, lots of room to roam around to dodge, and a fairly limited attack pattern (compared to the Rotten which could mix up the order of his strikes). The Aggro ring kept her fixed on me and none of her attacks sweep backward enough to damage Lucatiel much so she was at only like -20% HP by the end of the fight. Maybe I got lucky.

 

[Backlash]

Eh, I didn't do awesome against The Rotten.  Died right away the first time. Second fight, almost killed it.  Then died like 6 or 8 more times before I finally killed it.  I never summoned any phantoms, though (NPC or real people).

For Lost Sinner, it was pretty tough the first two times for me (again, no summons).  Then I got the key that lets you make the fight easier and beat her on the second try, I think.  Maybe the first, I forget.

 

[Supplice]

Dark Souls 2 Version 1.03/Calibration 1.04 patch notes released - From Software JP

Original (Poor) Translation of Notes - src

Re-translation of Calbiration 1.04 Notes (below) - src
 
[customspoiler='Long List']
ITEM: Corrosive Urn's throwning motion is changed to the throwing motion for "heavy objects", the acid damage is reduced
 
WEAPON: Twinblade have its durability increased
 
WEAPON: Moonlight Greatsword changed such that it cannot be enchanted, the speed of its attack motion is reduced.
 
ARMOUR: Gyrm's Greathelm's weight, poise and defense are all increased.
 
RING: Ring of Thorns effect does less damage.
 
RING: Old Sun Ring effect does less damage
 
MAGIC: SOUL SPEAR AND CRYSTAL SOUL SPEAR have their piercing damage fixed against multiple enemies.
 
MAGIC: Soul Greatsword's time of damage occurrence adjusted,
 
MAGIC: Homing Soul mass, Crystal Homing Soul Mass, and Affinity's stamina damage reduced, the speed of the projectiles are increased.
 
MAGIC: Soul Geyser damage decreased.
 
HEALING SPELLS: Motion Speed slowed.
 
MIRACLES: Wrath of the Gods damage determination time reduced.
 
PYROMANCY: Fire Storm, Great Fire Storm, Chaos Fire Storm, Flame Swathe and Forbidden Sun have their damage decreased,
 
PYROMANCY: Fire Storm, Great Fire Storm, Chaos Fire Storm, cast time increased,
 
NPC: Lucatiel of Mirrah, Pilgrim Bellclaire, Benhart of Jugo, Man Scorpion Tark have their defenses increased.
 
ENEMY: Exploding Undead have their HP decreased.
 
ENEMY: Hollow Mage, Amana Shrine Maiden have their spell's homing ability reduced.
 
ENEMY: Fire Salamanders have their Fire Breath rate reduced,
 
ENEMY: "Not Sure" have duration of the shockwave from their overhead smash reduced (probably the hammer guys from harvest valley).
 
ENEMY: Last Giant has its damage reduced
 
ENEMY: Forgotten/Lost Sinner has her HP and damage reduced.
 
ENEMY: Royal Rat Authority has its damage reduced.
 
ENEMY: Duke's Dear Freyja has its breath damage reduced,
 
NG+: Pyromancers (Sinners of the Prison) in the Lost Sinner fight have their HP and damage reduced
 
NG+: Suspicious Shadows in the Flexile Sentry Fight have their HP and damage reduced
[/customspoiler]
 

 

[britton_draws]

Dark Souls 2 Version 1.03/Calibration 1.04 patch notes released - src

Calibrations 1.04 notes:
Who the hell even uses the Twin Blade Weapons??

• Increase in durability on Twin Blade Weapon / Decreased their durability degradation.

No.... : (

• Moonlight Greatsword can no longer be enchanted and buffed. Attack animation has been slowed / adjusted

So basically this is all to make the game easier...? WTF From Software.

• Female mages in Shrine Of Amana receiving nerf in both damage and their spell’s tracking ability.
• The Last Giant now does even less damage to players and Well-Mannered Pate.
• The Lost Sinner now has less HP and does less damage.
• Royal Rat Authority now has less HP and does less damage
• Duke’s Dear Freja’s laser breath now does less damage.

 

[Dwarfman]

Dark Souls 2 Version 1.03/Calibration 1.04 patch notes released - src

So basically this is all to make the game easier...? WTF From Software.

• Female mages in Shrine Of Amana receiving nerf in both damage and their spell’s tracking ability.
• The Last Giant now does even less damage to players and Well-Mannered Pate.
• The Lost Sinner now has less HP and does less damage.
• Royal Rat Authority now has less HP and does less damage
• Duke’s Dear Freja’s laser breath now does less damage.

Exactly. Why are they making the game easier!?! I had NO problems on any of those bosses aside from maybe 1-2 deaths to learn their moves and figure out attack patterns/openings.

I do agree that the female mages in Shrine of Amana were a HUGE pain. I don't mind the nerf as much but mostly because the damn distance they could "see you" was HUGE too... often times I'd be hit before I even know where they were. It is easier to block when you can at least lock on to what is trying to kill you.

Should be interesting though... sounds like a lot of the lengths/damage of different spells is getting nuked, wonder how/if that will change peoples play style drastically or not?

 

[Backlash]

A lot of changes to balance spells and some weapons.  Some people are speculating that the boss nerfs are based on aggregate death data that From is collecting.

 

[Backlash]

This site actually shows stats about player deaths and favorite inventory.  Very interesting.  http://farfire.darksoulsii.com/pc/players/index.html

 

[Supplice]

Found a re-translation of the patch notes from GF that is more clear than the Google Translation everyone is passing around.
 
[customspoiler='Long List']
ITEM: Corrosive Urn's throwning motion is changed to the throwing motion for "heavy objects", the acid damage is reduced
 
WEAPON: Twinblade have its durability increased
 
WEAPON: Moonlight Greatsword changed such that it cannot be enchanted, the speed of its attack motion is reduced.
 
ARMOUR: Gyrm's Greathelm's weight, poise and defense are all increased.
 
RING: Ring of Thorns effect does less damage.
 
RING: Old Sun Ring effect does less damage
 
MAGIC: SOUL SPEAR AND CRYSTAL SOUL SPEAR have their piercing damage fixed against multiple enemies.
 
MAGIC: Soul Greatsword's time of damage occurrence adjusted,
 
MAGIC: Homing Soul mass, Crystal Homing Soul Mass, and Affinity's stamina damage reduced, the speed of the projectiles are increased.
 
MAGIC: Soul Geyser damage decreased.
 
HEALING SPELLS: Motion Speed slowed.
 
MIRACLES: Wrath of the Gods damage determination time reduced.
 
PYROMANCY: Fire Storm, Great Fire Storm, Chaos Fire Storm, Flame Swathe and Forbidden Sun have their damage decreased,
 
PYROMANCY: Fire Storm, Great Fire Storm, Chaos Fire Storm, cast time increased,
 
NPC: Lucatiel of Mirrah, Pilgrim Bellclaire, Benhart of Jugo, Man Scorpion Tark have their defenses increased.
 
ENEMY: Exploding Undead have their HP decreased.
 
ENEMY: Hollow Mage, Amana Shrine Maiden have their spell's homing ability reduced.
 
ENEMY: Fire Salamanders have their Fire Breath rate reduced,
 
ENEMY: "Not Sure" have duration of the shockwave from their overhead smash reduced (probably the hammer guys from harvest valley).
 
ENEMY: Last Giant has its damage reduced
 
ENEMY: Forgotten/Lost Sinner has her HP and damage reduced.
 
ENEMY: Royal Rat Authority has its damage reduced.
 
ENEMY: Duke's Dear Freyja has its breath damage reduced,
 
NG+: Pyromancers (Sinners of the Prison) in the Lost Sinner fight have their HP and damage reduced
 
NG+: Suspicious Shadows in the Flexile Sentry Fight have their HP and damage reduced
[/customspoiler]