Board 8 > Andy plays the Dark Souls of video games

Topic List	Page List: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Peace___Frog 09/08/22 7:37:45 PM #202:	My hot take is that fashion souls peaked with ds2, and that elden ring is dark souls 2-2. Every souls game is good in its particular way, and each one is like a different dish at your favorite restaurant. --- ~Peaf~ <cite>Peace___Frog posted [p:967889569] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>My hot take is that fashion souls peaked with ds2, and that elden ring is dark souls 2-2.Every souls game is good in its particular way, and each one is like a different dish at your favorite restaurant. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/08/22 8:24:51 PM #203:	Yeah I would say DS2 is the least best game of the series. That is to say it's still a top 20 video game. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967890515] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Yeah I would say DS2 is the least best game of the series. That is to say it's still a top 20 video game. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Sorozone 09/08/22 8:28:57 PM #204:	I platinumed 2 in like 3 days. I loved it a lot at launch, but going back to it, even with the improvements(SotFS) is still hard for me to do(it's the only Souls game that I have this problem with). I don't know why. It has its world/level design flaws, but personally I just don't think it's all that interesting. Not a bad game at all though. Still really good. --- https://m.twitch.tv/sorozone/profile <cite>Sorozone posted [p:967890594] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I platinumed 2 in like 3 days. I loved it a lot at launch, but going back to it, even with the improvements(SotFS) is still hard for me to do(it's the only Souls game that I have this problem with). I don't know why. It has its world/level design flaws, but personally I just don't think it's all that interesting.Not a bad game at all though. Still really good.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/08/22 8:42:07 PM #205:	For me I think vanilla is actually better than SotFS, but the latter is sadly the only version I have available to me currently. I have trouble going back to play it for that reason. The original DS2 was my introduction to FromSoft so I have a special fondness for it. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967890900] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>For me I think vanilla is actually better than SotFS, but the latter is sadly the only version I have available to me currently. I have trouble going back to play it for that reason.The original DS2 was my introduction to FromSoft so I have a special fondness for it.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Sorozone 09/08/22 8:49:24 PM #206:	Yeah I actually recorded my whole playthrough and uploaded a compilation of all my deaths on my first file, I stupidly didn't realize I deleted it from youtube and no longer have the file. RIP. Had a decent amount of views too! (for me anyway). I definitely have a fondness for it, but everytime I try to go back I stop after a couple hours. Maybe it is because of SotFS. --- https://m.twitch.tv/sorozone/profile <cite>Sorozone posted [p:967891069] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Yeah I actually recorded my whole playthrough and uploaded a compilation of all my deaths on my first file, I stupidly didn't realize I deleted it from youtube and no longer have the file. RIP. Had a decent amount of views too! (for me anyway).I definitely have a fondness for it, but everytime I try to go back I stop after a couple hours. Maybe it is because of SotFS.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Murphiroth 09/08/22 9:01:48 PM #207:	DS2 is the black sheep for sure but it's nowhere near DMC2 status. <cite>Murphiroth posted [p:967891365] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>DS2 is the black sheep for sure but it's nowhere near DMC2 status.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Aecioo 09/09/22 12:48:04 AM #208:	DS2 is not great. If you want to skip a game from the From Software library, that's the one. It's had a weird resurgence recently but I stand by my opinion. It's a bit of a mess in a lot of ways. --- http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcb35gGx0t1qailr4o1_500.gif http://www.megavideo.com/?v=57N0YAEJ <cite>Aecioo posted [p:967895239] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>DS2 is not great. If you want to skip a game from the From Software library, that's the one. It's had a weird resurgence recently but I stand by my opinion. It's a bit of a mess in a lot of ways. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Isquen 09/09/22 6:48:32 AM #209:	I'm in the "love DS2" camp except for three things about it. ~~1.) Unlike 1, the geography makes no sense and no amount of retroactively making the series eldritch locations explains it away.~~ ~~2.) Soul Memory PVP matching was a mistake when it was popular.~~ 3.) When you are quite literally one of the best builds to handle the Shrine of Amana and it's still a gigantic pain in the ass, even post nerf, you've made the area equivalence of Bed of Chaos (with Capra Demon dogs) --- [Rock and Stone] <cite>Isquen posted [p:967898455] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I'm in the "love DS2" camp except for three things about it.1.) Unlike 1, the geography makes no sense and no amount of retroactively making the series eldritch locations explains it away. 2.) Soul Memory PVP matching was a mistake when it was popular.3.) When you are quite literally one of the best builds to handle the Shrine of Amana and it's still a gigantic pain in the ass, even post nerf, you've made the area equivalence of Bed of Chaos (with Capra Demon dogs)</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Isquen 09/09/22 6:54:53 AM #210:	Also I wouldn't call it a "worst FS game" but I'm also a weirdo who couldn't get into Bloodborne at all despite my love for gothic horror otherwise, so take for that what you will. --- [Rock and Stone] <cite>Isquen posted [p:967898516] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Also I wouldn't call it a "worst FS game" but I'm also a weirdo who couldn't get into Bloodborne at all despite my love for gothic horror otherwise, so take for that what you will.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KamikazePotato 09/09/22 7:12:47 AM #211:	Counterpoint: Bloodborne is literally the best game ever --- It's Reyn Time. <cite>KamikazePotato posted [p:967898694] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Counterpoint: Bloodborne is literally the best game ever</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/09/22 9:08:35 AM #212:	KamikazePotato posted... Counterpoint: Bloodborne is literally the best game ever This man speaks truth. And Sekiro is an extremely close second. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967899944] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>KamikazePotato posted... </cite><quote>Counterpoint: Bloodborne is literally the best game ever</quote>This man speaks truth. And Sekiro is an extremely close second.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
BetrayedTangy 09/09/22 11:04:02 AM #213:	I love Bloodborne, but it's a lot more dependent on you being good at the game. Which I was not. I've been meaning to do NG+ though so maybe that'll help. --- https://www.backloggery.com/betrayedtangerin <cite>BetrayedTangy posted [p:967901920] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I love Bloodborne, but it's a lot more dependent on you being good at the game. Which I was not. I've been meaning to do NG+ though so maybe that'll help. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
HeroDelTiempo17 09/09/22 1:45:53 PM #214:	DS2 is a fantastic but flawed game. I think how I'd put it is that each Dark Souls game has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there's kind of a consensus DS2 has the most weaknesses. However it has unique strengths the other two don't. It is kind of a janky game because it had a rough development history and had to take some shortcuts (learn about this one weird elevator that enrages the souls fanbase) but when you consider that it's impressive what they pulled out. As mentioned earlier, Elden Ring is DS2-2 in a lot of ways and I think that is just flatly correct and not even a hot take. The director of DS2 codirected ER. Essential game for understanding FromSoft's development as a studio. I would try to find a way to play with the original enemy placements if you can but Scholar is still ok if that's the most accessible or cheapest option. The included DLC is worth and is probably the series's best. --- I definitely did not forget to put the 2020 GOTD Guru winner, azuarc in my sig! <cite>HeroDelTiempo17 posted [p:967905059] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>DS2 is a fantastic but flawed game. I think how I'd put it is that each Dark Souls game has its own strengths and weaknesses, and there's kind of a consensus DS2 has the most weaknesses. However it has unique strengths the other two don't. It is kind of a janky game because it had a rough development history and had to take some shortcuts (learn about this one weird elevator that enrages the souls fanbase) but when you consider that it's impressive what they pulled out.As mentioned earlier, Elden Ring is DS2-2 in a lot of ways and I think that is just flatly correct and not even a hot take. The director of DS2 codirected ER. Essential game for understanding FromSoft's development as a studio.I would try to find a way to play with the original enemy placements if you can but Scholar is still ok if that's the most accessible or cheapest option. The included DLC is worth and is probably the series's best.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
kevwaffles 09/09/22 8:04:56 PM #215:	HeroDelTiempo17 posted... I would try to find a way to play with the original enemy placements if you can but Scholar is still ok if that's the most accessible or cheapest option. Yeah original is really only a good idea on PC, and even then it's gonna be more expensive with DLC. HeroDelTiempo17 posted... As mentioned earlier, Elden Ring is DS2-2 in a lot of ways and I think that is just flatly correct and not even a hot take. The director of DS2 codirected ER. Essential game for understanding FromSoft's development as a studio. Tanimura was co-director on DS3 as well and I don't know why people ignore that. Literally the only thing from DS2 that didn't appear in DS3 to make it into ER is power-stancing, and even that is only half true. DS3 has some weapons with built-in dual wielding and ER doesn't have the stat-requirements or cross weapon-class options of DS2 power-stancing. Bloodborne is the only entry where they ignored some of the legitimate QoL improvements of DS2. But when you realize it was being developed by Miyazaki alongside DS2 and Tanimura was not involved it makes a bit more sense. (Although really, how hard would it have been to add re-speccing and opt-in NG+ to Bloodborne?) --- "One toot on this whistle will take you to a far away land." -Toad, SMB3 <cite>kevwaffles posted [p:967912551] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>HeroDelTiempo17 posted... </cite><quote>I would try to find a way to play with the original enemy placements if you can but Scholar is still ok if that's the most accessible or cheapest option.</quote>Yeah original is really only a good idea on PC, and even then it's gonna be more expensive with DLC.HeroDelTiempo17 posted... </cite><quote>As mentioned earlier, Elden Ring is DS2-2 in a lot of ways and I think that is just flatly correct and not even a hot take. The director of DS2 codirected ER. Essential game for understanding FromSoft's development as a studio.</quote>Tanimura was co-director on DS3 as well and I don't know why people ignore that. Literally the only thing from DS2 that didn't appear in DS3 to make it into ER is power-stancing, and even that is only half true. DS3 has some weapons with built-in dual wielding and ER doesn't have the stat-requirements or cross weapon-class options of DS2 power-stancing.Bloodborne is the only entry where they ignored some of the legitimate QoL improvements of DS2. But when you realize it was being developed by Miyazaki alongside DS2 and Tanimura was not involved it makes a bit more sense.(Although really, how hard would it have been to add re-speccing and opt-in NG+ to Bloodborne?)</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andylt 09/10/22 6:42:21 PM #216:	Thanks for all the responses. Huh, so OG Dark Souls 2 is better than the bells and whistles 'full' version? Weird. We're back! I find the smith in the Catacombs, he has a neat design but not much to offer me. At first I thought this was a mini boss fight because of the cutscene. At least I can offload this flame ember! We also pick up the Darkmoon Seance ring and take it back to the Darkmoon Tomb, which allows us to meet... Gwyndolin! Hm, so this guy isn't gonna be a secret final boss behind it all. Is this really the former god of war who was hidden away by Gwyn? He doesn't seem very warlike, idk. I'm tempted to cross the fog gate to an inevitable boss fight but I hold back, if he's not hostile to me then I won't be hostile to him. There's some really interesting lore here on the new ring I'm given- it seems the princess known as Gwynevere is actually an illusion created by Gwyndolin to put a pleasant ches- I mean face on things. I thought something might be going on with her but I didn't think the twist would be that she didn't exist and Gwyndolin was an only child who made up a sister to better control/help the people of Anor Londo. I assume Gwyn was also aware of this. When I return to 'Gwynevere' she doesn't mention anything different, so I wonder if she's more like a computer that acts as programmed rather than a busty mouthpiece for Gwyndolin's words. Or maybe she kinda has free will of her own, the wording is ambiguous. And they each have separate covenants >_> I wonder if Gwyndolin is located directly under her on the map the way the Centipede Demon was from Ceaseless. After this I kinda wander around for a bit- my liar turned friend Patches is at Firelink now giving me information on people who are already dead. I manage to get behind the dragon at Undead Burg and find a curious little garden with the remains of a statue and some passive hollows but nothing I can seem to pick up. Strange. So, what else is there for me to do other than get the DLC and beat the game? Feel free to direct me very obviously to notable things I've missed! Also I'm interested- in what order do people typically do the four lordvessel souls in? --- Very slowly becoming a Final Fantasy aficionado. <cite>andylt posted [p:967932566] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Thanks for all the responses. Huh, so OG Dark Souls 2 is better than the bells and whistles 'full' version? Weird.We're back! I find the smith in the Catacombs, he has a neat design but not much to offer me. At first I thought this was a mini boss fight because of the cutscene. At least I can offload this flame ember! We also pick up the Darkmoon Seance ring and take it back to the Darkmoon Tomb, which allows us to meet... Gwyndolin! Hm, so this guy isn't gonna be a secret final boss behind it all. Is this really the former god of war who was hidden away by Gwyn? He doesn't seem very warlike, idk. I'm tempted to cross the fog gate to an inevitable boss fight but I hold back, if he's not hostile to me then I won't be hostile to him.There's some really interesting lore here on the new ring I'm given- it seems the princess known as Gwynevere is actually an illusion created by Gwyndolin to put a pleasant ches- I mean face on things. I thought something might be going on with her but I didn't think the twist would be that she didn't exist and Gwyndolin was an only child who made up a sister to better control/help the people of Anor Londo. I assume Gwyn was also aware of this. When I return to 'Gwynevere' she doesn't mention anything different, so I wonder if she's more like a computer that acts as programmed rather than a busty mouthpiece for Gwyndolin's words. Or maybe she kinda has free will of her own, the wording is ambiguous. And they each have separate covenants >_> I wonder if Gwyndolin is located directly under her on the map the way the Centipede Demon was from Ceaseless.After this I kinda wander around for a bit- my liar turned friend Patches is at Firelink now giving me information on people who are already dead. I manage to get behind the dragon at Undead Burg and find a curious little garden with the remains of a statue and some passive hollows but nothing I can seem to pick up. Strange. So, what else is there for me to do other than get the DLC and beat the game? Feel free to direct me very obviously to notable things I've missed!Also I'm interested- in what order do people typically do the four lordvessel souls in?</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/10/22 7:35:23 PM #217:	I'm not sure there is a typical order. Personally I save the worst for last and don't kill Bed of Chaos til I have nothing left to do. There is however a covenant you can get by defeating Four Kings early as possible without talking to Fraampt. You get a different primordial serpent friend to converse with in the Abyss. Also the little secret trick with Gwynevere, sadly she's ~~an illusion, and if you strike at her she fades away and casts Anor Londo into darkness for the rest of your playthrough~~. I know you probably don't care about spoilers now but just in case. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967933622] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I'm not sure there is a typical order. Personally I save the worst for last and don't kill Bed of Chaos til I have nothing left to do. There is however a covenant you can get by defeating Four Kings early as possible without talking to Fraampt. You get a different primordial serpent friend to converse with in the Abyss.Also the little secret trick with Gwynevere, sadly she's an illusion, and if you strike at her she fades away and casts Anor Londo into darkness for the rest of your playthrough. I know you probably don't care about spoilers now but just in case.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Sorozone 09/10/22 8:04:44 PM #218:	Yeah I have no idea what the typical order is, but I usually save Lost Izalith and Bed of Chaos for last because that area sucks ass. In my playthroughs I always just do them in any random order depending on how I am feeling. --- https://m.twitch.tv/sorozone/profile <cite>Sorozone posted [p:967934181] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Yeah I have no idea what the typical order is, but I usually save Lost Izalith and Bed of Chaos for last because that area sucks ass.In my playthroughs I always just do them in any random order depending on how I am feeling.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
kevwaffles 09/10/22 8:07:10 PM #219:	andylt posted... Huh, so OG Dark Souls 2 is better than the bells and whistles 'full' version? Weird. From my understanding (I've only played SotFS) it mostly just worse, spammy enemy placement, particularly in early areas. The core gameplay is the same and the DLC is untouched (although SotFS adds in extra steps to get access). --- "One toot on this whistle will take you to a far away land." -Toad, SMB3 <cite>kevwaffles posted [p:967934218] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>andylt posted... </cite><quote>Huh, so OG Dark Souls 2 is better than the bells and whistles 'full' version? Weird.</quote>From my understanding (I've only played SotFS) it mostly just worse, spammy enemy placement, particularly in early areas. The core gameplay is the same and the DLC is untouched (although SotFS adds in extra steps to get access).</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Kenri 09/10/22 8:10:27 PM #220:	I don't remember my order except that I did Catacombs/Nito last. The Catacombs were still a little tricky but Nito was a complete pushover. --- Congrats to BKSheikah, who knows more about years than anyone else. <cite>Kenri posted [p:967934279] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I don't remember my order except that I did Catacombs/Nito last. The Catacombs were still a little tricky but Nito was a complete pushover.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
BetrayedTangy 09/10/22 8:33:11 PM #221:	I will say I recommend at least checking out Priscilla and Gwyndolin's fights on YT if you don't intend to fight them. They have some pretty unique boss fights that definitely stand out at least to me. Gwyndolin Lore - So he's actually not the god of war. Gwyndolin is actually Gwyn's youngest child and was basically left behind to protect Anor Londo. He wants to maintain the glory of his father's kingdom, so he casts an illusion on the city. This is all to convince the Undead that there's still hope, regardless of how dire the entire world is. This is also why he chooses to speak through Gwynerve as opposed to himself as she's more of the uh 'approachable type' and is likely to convince the Chosen Undead to continue their quest. Killing him reveals the true state of Anor Londo and it's a cool implementation of a secret boss. There's also a pretty big fan theory that Ornstein is also an illusion, There's quite a bit of evidence against it, but I personally like the idea that Gwyndolin is doing everything in his power to keep up this illusion that everything's okay. As Cassandra stated, you do get a unique Covenant for killing the Four Kings before getting the Lordvessel. (You have to kill the guy in New Londo to get the water drainage key). You also meet Kaathe, who basically hints at an alternate ending. You don't need to do this for the second ending though. As for the lord souls I usually go Seath > Bed of Chaos > Nito > Four Kings I just always get lost I'm New Londo Ruins so I'd rather do it when I'm overleveled. --- https://www.backloggery.com/betrayedtangerin <cite>BetrayedTangy posted [p:967934703] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I will say I recommend at least checking out Priscilla and Gwyndolin's fights on YT if you don't intend to fight them. They have some pretty unique boss fights that definitely stand out at least to me. Gwyndolin Lore - So he's actually not the god of war. Gwyndolin is actually Gwyn's youngest child and was basically left behind to protect Anor Londo. He wants to maintain the glory of his father's kingdom, so he casts an illusion on the city. This is all to convince the Undead that there's still hope, regardless of how dire the entire world is. This is also why he chooses to speak through Gwynerve as opposed to himself as she's more of the uh 'approachable type' and is likely to convince the Chosen Undead to continue their quest.Killing him reveals the true state of Anor Londo and it's a cool implementation of a secret boss. There's also a pretty big fan theory that Ornstein is also an illusion, There's quite a bit of evidence against it, but I personally like the idea that Gwyndolin is doing everything in his power to keep up this illusion that everything's okay.As Cassandra stated, you do get a unique Covenant for killing the Four Kings before getting the Lordvessel. (You have to kill the guy in New Londo to get the water drainage key). You also meet Kaathe, who basically hints at an alternate ending. You don't need to do this for the second ending though.As for the lord souls I usually go Seath > Bed of Chaos > Nito > Four KingsI just always get lost I'm New Londo Ruins so I'd rather do it when I'm overleveled.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Grand_Kirby 09/11/22 1:35:08 PM #222:	https://mobile.twitter.com/giganticbuddha/status/1568646195068674050 --- Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan <cite>Grand_Kirby posted [p:967948109] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>https://mobile.twitter.com/giganticbuddha/status/1568646195068674050</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Grand_Kirby 09/11/22 1:37:46 PM #223:	andylt posted... I manage to get behind the dragon at Undead Burg and find a curious little garden with the remains of a statue and some passive hollows but nothing I can seem to pick up. Strange. If you go here earlier in the game you can join Solaire's covenant. --- Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan <cite>Grand_Kirby posted [p:967948184] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>andylt posted... </cite><quote>I manage to get behind the dragon at Undead Burg and find a curious little garden with the remains of a statue and some passive hollows but nothing I can seem to pick up. Strange.</quote>If you go here earlier in the game you can join Solaire's covenant.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/11/22 2:07:40 PM #224:	You need 25 Faith to join the covenant, I don't think it matters if you get there early or not. At least I wasn't able to join it in my ng+ as I need the lightning miracles for the trophy. Alas I have to raise my faith some more... Or help someone defeat a boss to lower the requirement by 5, which would be my preferred path if it didn't take an eternity to be summoned. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967948912] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>You need 25 Faith to join the covenant, I don't think it matters if you get there early or not. At least I wasn't able to join it in my ng+ as I need the lightning miracles for the trophy. Alas I have to raise my faith some more... Or help someone defeat a boss to lower the requirement by 5, which would be my preferred path if it didn't take an eternity to be summoned.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Grand_Kirby 09/11/22 2:31:34 PM #225:	Oh, I remembered incorrectly. I thought you couldn't join after Solaire dies. --- Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan <cite>Grand_Kirby posted [p:967949440] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Oh, I remembered incorrectly. I thought you couldn't join after Solaire dies.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andylt 09/11/22 2:36:17 PM #226:	OK after I beat this game I'm definitely looking up stuff that I missed, a shame I can't copy my save file to a diff slot so I can do stuff like fight Gwynevere/Gwyndolin without tainting my pure Chosen Undead. And dang, I did do New Londo very early on but I was never gonna kill a stranger to get a key to get a different serpent+ending just by chance. Also no way could I have killed Four Kings that early on lol, of all the bosses that must be one of the hardest to beat with low attack power. My faith is at... 12, so uh probs not getting that covenant in this playthrough! So that's at least two covenants I've missed. BetrayedTangy posted... Gwyndolin Lore - So he's actually not the god of war. Gwyndolin is actually Gwyn's youngest child and was basically left behind to protect Anor Londo. He wants to maintain the glory of his father's kingdom, so he casts an illusion on the city. This is all to convince the Undead that there's still hope, regardless of how dire the entire world is. This is also why he chooses to speak through Gwynerve as opposed to himself as she's more of the uh 'approachable type' and is likely to convince the Chosen Undead to continue their quest. Thanks for this. I always misinterpret the lore >_> So he's a separate kid, and there's still time for the firstborn to show up later on. Thinking about it, I don't believe the mother of Gwyn's children has been mentioned, or maybe deities don't procreate in that way. And just how many Gwyn___ characters are there, was GRRM in charge of the worldbuilding for this one too?! Also I have bought+downloaded the DLC now so if it's difficult to find the starting point on that then I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction! My assumption would be to look around Artorias's grave based on the DLC's title. --- Very slowly becoming a Final Fantasy aficionado. <cite>andylt posted [p:967949529] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>OK after I beat this game I'm definitely looking up stuff that I missed, a shame I can't copy my save file to a diff slot so I can do stuff like fight Gwynevere/Gwyndolin without tainting my pure Chosen Undead.And dang, I did do New Londo very early on but I was never gonna kill a stranger to get a key to get a different serpent+ending just by chance. Also no way could I have killed Four Kings that early on lol, of all the bosses that must be one of the hardest to beat with low attack power.My faith is at... 12, so uh probs not getting that covenant in this playthrough! So that's at least two covenants I've missed.BetrayedTangy posted... </cite><quote>Gwyndolin Lore - So he's actually not the god of war. Gwyndolin is actually Gwyn's youngest child and was basically left behind to protect Anor Londo. He wants to maintain the glory of his father's kingdom, so he casts an illusion on the city. This is all to convince the Undead that there's still hope, regardless of how dire the entire world is. This is also why he chooses to speak through Gwynerve as opposed to himself as she's more of the uh 'approachable type' and is likely to convince the Chosen Undead to continue their quest.</quote>Thanks for this. I always misinterpret the lore >_> So he's a separate kid, and there's still time for the firstborn to show up later on. Thinking about it, I don't believe the mother of Gwyn's children has been mentioned, or maybe deities don't procreate in that way. And just how many Gwyn___ characters are there, was GRRM in charge of the worldbuilding for this one too?!Also I have bought+downloaded the DLC now so if it's difficult to find the starting point on that then I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction! My assumption would be to look around Artorias's grave based on the DLC's title.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Aecioo 09/11/22 2:41:18 PM #227:	andylt posted... Also I have bought+downloaded the DLC now so if it's difficult to find the starting point on that then I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction! My assumption would be to look around Artorias's grave based on the DLC's title. Go check out the area with the hydra in Darkroot basin. --- http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcb35gGx0t1qailr4o1_500.gif http://www.megavideo.com/?v=57N0YAEJ <cite>Aecioo posted [p:967949644] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>andylt posted... </cite><quote>Also I have bought+downloaded the DLC now so if it's difficult to find the starting point on that then I'd appreciate a nudge in the right direction! My assumption would be to look around Artorias's grave based on the DLC's title.</quote>Go check out the area with the hydra in Darkroot basin.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Peace___Frog 09/11/22 2:48:53 PM #228:	Doesn't he need to go back to the archives first? I thought the enemy only spawns after the dlc is activated --- ~Peaf~ <cite>Peace___Frog posted [p:967949814] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Doesn't he need to go back to the archives first? I thought the enemy only spawns after the dlc is activated</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/11/22 2:55:41 PM #229:	I'll just outright explain it since I can't imagine how anyone is supposed to locate the key otherwise: In darkroot basin where you fought the hydra, there's a cavern in the back where you need to defeat an enemy. Then go back to the very beginning of the dukes archives and kill the crystal golem standing next to a podium. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967949930] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I'll just outright explain it since I can't imagine how anyone is supposed to locate the key otherwise:In darkroot basin where you fought the hydra, there's a cavern in the back where you need to defeat an enemy. Then go back to the very beginning of the dukes archives and kill the crystal golem standing next to a podium. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Grand_Kirby 09/11/22 2:56:11 PM #230:	I feel like it might slightly easier to find on your own if you play through the game with the DLC already installed, whereas now will require some backtracking, so I'll list the steps. I don't know if they need to be done in a specific order though. ~~In the Duke Archives there will be a Crystal Golem enemy in one of the areas near the entrance. Kill it and it will drop a Pendant.~~ In Darkroot Basin, head down to the lake where the Hydra is. Go along the left side of the lake, where the water is shallow enough to walk on, passing by the waterfall and the ladders leading to the Garden, and continue further until you reach an area inside a large cave. There you will see another Golem to kill. Be careful when killing it as an NPC will appear afterwards, try not to hit them by accident. ~~You might need to reload the area for this to happen, but in that same area, if you've freed the NPC and have the Pendant, you'll see a portal that will lead to the DLC content.~~ --- Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan <cite>Grand_Kirby posted [p:967949941] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I feel like it might slightly easier to find on your own if you play through the game with the DLC already installed, whereas now will require some backtracking, so I'll list the steps. I don't know if they need to be done in a specific order though.In the Duke Archives there will be a Crystal Golem enemy in one of the areas near the entrance. Kill it and it will drop a Pendant.In Darkroot Basin, head down to the lake where the Hydra is. Go along the left side of the lake, where the water is shallow enough to walk on, passing by the waterfall and the ladders leading to the Garden, and continue further until you reach an area inside a large cave. There you will see another Golem to kill. Be careful when killing it as an NPC will appear afterwards, try not to hit them by accident.You might need to reload the area for this to happen, but in that same area, if you've freed the NPC and have the Pendant, you'll see a portal that will lead to the DLC content.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/11/22 3:01:41 PM #231:	Grand_Kirby posted... I don't know if they need to be done in a specific order though. ~~It apparently does, the crystal golem didn't drop the pendant for me until after I freed Dusk.~~ --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967950073] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Grand_Kirby posted... </cite><quote>I don't know if they need to be done in a specific order though.</quote>It apparently does, the crystal golem didn't drop the pendant for me until after I freed Dusk.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
BetrayedTangy 09/11/22 3:20:33 PM #232:	andylt posted... OK after I beat this game I'm definitely looking up stuff that I missed, a shame I can't copy my save file to a diff slot so I can do stuff like fight Gwynevere/Gwyndolin without tainting my pure Chosen Undead. I will say when after you beat the game it completely resets your world and progress. You just keep your character, levels, non key items and all the enemies get a health/damage boost while also giving more Souls. So it's a great opportunity to go try some different routes/do any side quests you missed. Also enjoy the DLC! It's truly fantastic, easily one of the my favorite gaming experiences. Also side note, all this discussion has convinced me to give DS2 a try so wish me luck! --- https://www.backloggery.com/betrayedtangerin <cite>BetrayedTangy posted [p:967950516] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>andylt posted... </cite><quote>OK after I beat this game I'm definitely looking up stuff that I missed, a shame I can't copy my save file to a diff slot so I can do stuff like fight Gwynevere/Gwyndolin without tainting my pure Chosen Undead.</quote>I will say when after you beat the game it completely resets your world and progress. You just keep your character, levels, non key items and all the enemies get a health/damage boost while also giving more Souls. So it's a great opportunity to go try some different routes/do any side quests you missed. Also enjoy the DLC! It's truly fantastic, easily one of the my favorite gaming experiences.Also side note, all this discussion has convinced me to give DS2 a try so wish me luck!</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/11/22 4:57:14 PM #233:	If you have access to vanilla DS2 I would recommend that. Coincidentally a video popped into my recommendations yesterday about how SotFS ruined the game, and while I don't need a half hour to explain why that is the case it still went into some good detail. The guy thought it was a terrible game since he started with Scholar, then he went back to try the original and deemed it as an improvement lol --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967953129] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>If you have access to vanilla DS2 I would recommend that. Coincidentally a video popped into my recommendations yesterday about how SotFS ruined the game, and while I don't need a half hour to explain why that is the case it still went into some good detail. The guy thought it was a terrible game since he started with Scholar, then he went back to try the original and deemed it as an improvement lol</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
BetrayedTangy 09/11/22 7:42:50 PM #234:	CassandraCain posted... If you have access to vanilla DS2 I would recommend that. Coincidentally a video popped into my recommendations yesterday about how SotFS ruined the game, and while I don't need a half hour to explain why that is the case it still went into some good detail. The guy thought it was a terrible game since he started with Scholar, then he went back to try the original and deemed it as an improvement lol Unfortunately I only had access to SotFS, and I'm not sure if I'm far enough yet for any differences to matter, but I'll put up spoilers in case Andy plans on playing it. It's pretty interesting that the level design seems to be a lot harder than the bosses have been so far. I haven't died too much yet, but there's so many in this first level that it's kind of hard to keep up with, especially with the limited healing items. Also making you return to Majula just to level up is going to be a huge pain. Such an odd choice for them to actively take a step back like that. I will say managing to be Dragonrider while missing Emerald Herald was pretty rewarding though --- https://www.backloggery.com/betrayedtangerin <cite>BetrayedTangy posted [p:967956843] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>CassandraCain posted... </cite><quote>If you have access to vanilla DS2 I would recommend that. Coincidentally a video popped into my recommendations yesterday about how SotFS ruined the game, and while I don't need a half hour to explain why that is the case it still went into some good detail. The guy thought it was a terrible game since he started with Scholar, then he went back to try the original and deemed it as an improvement lol</quote>Unfortunately I only had access to SotFS, and I'm not sure if I'm far enough yet for any differences to matter, but I'll put up spoilers in case Andy plans on playing it.It's pretty interesting that the level design seems to be a lot harder than the bosses have been so far. I haven't died too much yet, but there's so many in this first level that it's kind of hard to keep up with, especially with the limited healing items. Also making you return to Majula just to level up is going to be a huge pain. Such an odd choice for them to actively take a step back like that. I will say managing to be Dragonrider while missing Emerald Herald was pretty rewarding though</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
kevwaffles 09/11/22 7:50:13 PM #235:	BetrayedTangy posted... Unfortunately I only had access to SotFS, and I'm not sure if I'm far enough yet for any differences to matter, but I'll put up spoilers in case Andy plans on playing it. It's pretty interesting that the level design seems to be a lot harder than the bosses have been so far. I haven't died too much yet, but there's so many in this first level that it's kind of hard to keep up with, especially with the limited healing items. Also making you return to Majula just to level up is going to be a huge pain. Such an odd choice for them to actively take a step back like that. I will say managing to be Dragonrider while missing Emerald Herald was pretty rewarding though ~~DS2 has the worst bosses on average by far except maybe DeS. That's not to say there's nothing of value there but for a series that otherwise does so well there it really comes up short.~~ ~~Nothing as abjectly awful as Bed of Chaos, though. Like you could argue there are more lazily designed bosses for sure but at least they're easy.~~ --- "One toot on this whistle will take you to a far away land." -Toad, SMB3 <cite>kevwaffles posted [p:967956992] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>BetrayedTangy posted... </cite><quote>Unfortunately I only had access to SotFS, and I'm not sure if I'm far enough yet for any differences to matter, but I'll put up spoilers in case Andy plans on playing it.It's pretty interesting that the level design seems to be a lot harder than the bosses have been so far. I haven't died too much yet, but there's so many in this first level that it's kind of hard to keep up with, especially with the limited healing items. Also making you return to Majula just to level up is going to be a huge pain. Such an odd choice for them to actively take a step back like that. I will say managing to be Dragonrider while missing Emerald Herald was pretty rewarding though</quote>DS2 has the worst bosses on average by far except maybe DeS. That's not to say there's nothing of value there but for a series that otherwise does so well there it really comes up short.Nothing as abjectly awful as Bed of Chaos, though. Like you could argue there are more lazily designed bosses for sure but at least they're easy.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/11/22 8:01:07 PM #236:	SotFS just adds an unforgivable amount of enemies to certain locations. Otherwise it's fine enough if you can get past the frustration over unfair deaths. The bosses are indeed lazy at times, they went with a quantity over quality approach for this one, although I honestly like pretty much all of them to some degree. At least I don't outright hate any of their existence like I do with Bed of Chaos fffffuck that thing. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967957253] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>SotFS just adds an unforgivable amount of enemies to certain locations. Otherwise it's fine enough if you can get past the frustration over unfair deaths. The bosses are indeed lazy at times, they went with a quantity over quality approach for this one, although I honestly like pretty much all of them to some degree. At least I don't outright hate any of their existence like I do with Bed of Chaos fffffuck that thing.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
_PandaMaster_ 09/11/22 8:06:17 PM #237:	I like SotFS. --- https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/0/1/AAdFc_AAApBB.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Em9Xlbu.jpg [#Life&Hometown] https://i.imgtc.com/790csbr.jpg <cite>_PandaMaster_ posted [p:967957358] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I like SotFS. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KamikazePotato 09/11/22 8:30:15 PM #238:	I've played both Vanilla DS2 and SotFS and didn't notice the difference honestly. --- It's Reyn Time. <cite>KamikazePotato posted [p:967957909] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I've played both Vanilla DS2 and SotFS and didn't notice the difference honestly.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Peace___Frog 09/11/22 9:22:29 PM #239:	Sotfs is fine and the only places I really noticed a difference both felt like they did it to try to make it less "frustrating" but I liked the unique aspects to the original locations. I still prefer vanilla, but it's like the difference between two cheez its from the same box. Still basically the same thing. --- ~Peaf~ <cite>Peace___Frog posted [p:967959090] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Sotfs is fine and the only places I really noticed a difference both felt like they did it to try to make it less "frustrating" but I liked the unique aspects to the original locations. I still prefer vanilla, but it's like the difference between two cheez its from the same box. Still basically the same thing. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
kevwaffles 09/12/22 12:37:40 AM #240:	I know there is one super bs dragon in SotFS that's not in the OG. --- "One toot on this whistle will take you to a far away land." -Toad, SMB3 <cite>kevwaffles posted [p:967962739] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I know there is one super bs dragon in SotFS that's not in the OG.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andylt 09/12/22 6:16:03 PM #241:	BetrayedTangy posted... I will say when after you beat the game it completely resets your world and progress. You just keep your character, levels, non key items and all the enemies get a health/damage boost while also giving more Souls. So it's a great opportunity to go try some different routes/do any side quests you missed. This is sorta tempting but if I was gonna do another run I'd probably want a completely different build and I don't know how viable that would be in NG+. Is NG+ easier than the first run? I know the enemies scale up but if I'm stronger and their fights work the same way it might be ok. Thanks to all your directions, I have found the portal and been transported to the past! I would have definitely found Dusk if I had the DLC installed from the start as I did plod over to that spot after beating the Hydra, but I wouldn't have killed that passive Crystal Golem without prompting, so I wouldn't have found the portal. What an odd way to hide the DLC! But whatever, we're here now, and before having a moment to catch our breath we're thrown into a boss fight. At first I get a bit cocky with the Sanctuary Guardian, I see my attacks take off rather large chunks of health and I know I'm coming at this from a near-endgame level so I think this'll be a breeze. But I get overconfident when it's low on health and then have a series of bad runs >_> This thing hits hard! Some of the attacks are hard to dodge even though I'm on speedy light build, and the Lightning moves are annoying. This fight kinda reminds me of Sif's for some reason. We manage to take it down after some time and move into the sanctuary proper, a cool looking area. The weird statues give me Mononoke vibes. Here we meet Elizabeth, who is here to provide us with basic exposition but who cares she's a talking mushroom so this is automatically cool. She refers to herself as the guardian of this sanctuary (then who did I just kill?), and says things about Dusk and the Abyss and a mysterious enemy etc. She's very aware that we've been thrown here from the future, but is understandably more preoccupied with her current world. The Royal Wood is a big place, easy to get lost in. Everything here in Oolacile reminds me of Darkroot, only brighter. I wonder if it's the same place in the distant past. Even the enemies are similar, the trees may have clothes now and the giants are maybe a bit faster but there's too many similarities for this to be a coincidence. There's a menacing dragon flying around here and there, and the further we go the more traces of the Abyss start poking through. It's a neat area, though I wish there was more enemy variety. Eventually we reach another fog gate, but I don't go through it just yet, instead heading down a valley which leads to the dragon's lair. This doesn't go very well, not sure how to block its shadowy attacks, so I leave it for now. Then we meet a very cool customer, another dude who was sent back into the past by a shadowy hand. Elizabeth doesn't trust him, but so far the untrustworthy companions in this game are the only ones that don't die so I'll take it as a positive. Next time I will traverse the fog gate! --- Very slowly becoming a Final Fantasy aficionado. <cite>andylt posted [p:967979133] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>BetrayedTangy posted... </cite><quote>I will say when after you beat the game it completely resets your world and progress. You just keep your character, levels, non key items and all the enemies get a health/damage boost while also giving more Souls. So it's a great opportunity to go try some different routes/do any side quests you missed.</quote>This is sorta tempting but if I was gonna do another run I'd probably want a completely different build and I don't know how viable that would be in NG+. Is NG+ easier than the first run? I know the enemies scale up but if I'm stronger and their fights work the same way it might be ok.Thanks to all your directions, I have found the portal and been transported to the past! I would have definitely found Dusk if I had the DLC installed from the start as I did plod over to that spot after beating the Hydra, but I wouldn't have killed that passive Crystal Golem without prompting, so I wouldn't have found the portal. What an odd way to hide the DLC!But whatever, we're here now, and before having a moment to catch our breath we're thrown into a boss fight. At first I get a bit cocky with the Sanctuary Guardian, I see my attacks take off rather large chunks of health and I know I'm coming at this from a near-endgame level so I think this'll be a breeze. But I get overconfident when it's low on health and then have a series of bad runs >_> This thing hits hard! Some of the attacks are hard to dodge even though I'm on speedy light build, and the Lightning moves are annoying. This fight kinda reminds me of Sif's for some reason.We manage to take it down after some time and move into the sanctuary proper, a cool looking area. The weird statues give me Mononoke vibes. Here we meet Elizabeth, who is here to provide us with basic exposition but who cares she's a talking mushroom so this is automatically cool. She refers to herself as the guardian of this sanctuary (then who did I just kill?), and says things about Dusk and the Abyss and a mysterious enemy etc. She's very aware that we've been thrown here from the future, but is understandably more preoccupied with her current world.The Royal Wood is a big place, easy to get lost in. Everything here in Oolacile reminds me of Darkroot, only brighter. I wonder if it's the same place in the distant past. Even the enemies are similar, the trees may have clothes now and the giants are maybe a bit faster but there's too many similarities for this to be a coincidence.There's a menacing dragon flying around here and there, and the further we go the more traces of the Abyss start poking through. It's a neat area, though I wish there was more enemy variety. Eventually we reach another fog gate, but I don't go through it just yet, instead heading down a valley which leads to the dragon's lair. This doesn't go very well, not sure how to block its shadowy attacks, so I leave it for now. Then we meet a very cool customer, another dude who was sent back into the past by a shadowy hand. Elizabeth doesn't trust him, but so far the untrustworthy companions in this game are the only ones that don't die so I'll take it as a positive. Next time I will traverse the fog gate!</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/12/22 7:26:50 PM #242:	Hype is maximum --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:967980675] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Hype is maximum</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andylt 09/16/22 7:24:46 PM #243:	And after another few days off (apologies for irregular updates), our boss is some little goblin du- nope, Artorias!! Another classic trope, when the presumed enemy gets slammed by an outsider who then fights you. I didn't expect to fight him here, but I guess the Abyss has gotten to him. Even with his abyss-traversing ring... Hmm, that might not bode well for the Chosen Undead. Artorias is a classic Dark Souls boss, with a deep moveset that seems impossible to crack at first, but bit by bit you learn his patterns. Unfortunately he hits like a truck, especially after he powers up, and there's not many free spots for healing here. Without spoiling Hollow Knight, this boss reminds me a lot of ~~the titular HK fight~~ in that. The central mechanic of this battle, for me at least, is rolling. Both timing and positioning are crucial for several of Artorias's attacks, and whenever I think I have the solution figured out I get thrown for a loop. I spend most of the battle staying reasonably close to the boss, but there's only certain moves which I feel give me a fair shot to respond. There's one particular heavy sword slam he does that I instinctually think would give me a free hit, but it doesn't, and even after dozens of tries I still mess up on that one lol. Yep, dozens of tries, this fight takes me ages. I get him close a few times early on, then I just hit a wall. Partway through the fight Artorias powers up with some dark abyss aura. I can get a couple hits or a heal in while he's powering up but I have to be quick. After that, he hits much harder and I think hits a little quicker for about a minute until he cools down again, and then he repeats this for the rest of the fight. There's no special tricks here, the game is simply testing my ability to hold form for a solid minute. I start to view the pre-powering up phase as just a warmup to get me into the fight's rhythm, and then the glowing aura as the true fight. I wish this fight was a little easier so I could enjoy it more, the atmosphere and the actual battling are both great but the punishment feels a little heavy when I angle a roll slightly off and get one shot by his dive bomb. Maybe you can cut off his charge by dealing enough damage, but if so it's more than I could get in. Eventually the Abysswalker goes down, leaving a trail of Abyss-y goo in his wake. Poor guy, I wonder where Sif is. I skim right past the online-only area and into Oolacile proper, where we get more of those really weird looking enemies. They slightly resemble Mimics and there is a Mimic here, I wonder if they're all Abyss-born or if they're corrupted Oolacilians. They're no trouble, regardless. There's weird background sounds all over this place, and some nice hopping around to get some items, including putting the Maggot on my head (that little thing has proven very useful, I see what Solaire was talking about) to get a Silver Pendant. As we get closer to the Abyss the enemies get stronger and their eyes redder. The wizard things are super annoying, their magic blob eats right through my shields and doesn't have a long enough cooldown. The Pendant I picked up can apparently null dark damage, but for some reason it's an item and not an equippable piece of armour so I guess I have to wait for the right moment to use it... Into The Abyss itself (without a ring!), we soon see ghostly spectres wandering around. They don't attack me but damage me a little if I pass through them, so I avoid them as best I can. Strange but cool goings on here. I unlock an elevator back to the woods, where the NPC guy gives some very curious information. He claims Oolacile was fooled by a 'toothy serpent' into bringing its doom upon itself... Frampt?? The longer I'm here the more I worry about the present day! There's also some lady grieving for Artorias. I reluctantly hand her his soul, sighing because I remember the giant smith had a nice weapon I could've made with that. Ah well. Back into the Abyss, we find our next (and last?) DLC boss- Manus. I only get a few tries on this guy tonight, but he seems very annoying. And it takes ages to walk back to him. But that fight is for another day! --- Very slowly becoming a Final Fantasy aficionado. <cite>andylt posted [p:968087157] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>And after another few days off (apologies for irregular updates), our boss is some little goblin du- nope, Artorias!! Another classic trope, when the presumed enemy gets slammed by an outsider who then fights you. I didn't expect to fight him here, but I guess the Abyss has gotten to him. Even with his abyss-traversing ring... Hmm, that might not bode well for the Chosen Undead.Artorias is a classic Dark Souls boss, with a deep moveset that seems impossible to crack at first, but bit by bit you learn his patterns. Unfortunately he hits like a truck, especially after he powers up, and there's not many free spots for healing here. Without spoiling Hollow Knight, this boss reminds me a lot of the titular HK fight in that.The central mechanic of this battle, for me at least, is rolling. Both timing and positioning are crucial for several of Artorias's attacks, and whenever I think I have the solution figured out I get thrown for a loop. I spend most of the battle staying reasonably close to the boss, but there's only certain moves which I feel give me a fair shot to respond. There's one particular heavy sword slam he does that I instinctually think would give me a free hit, but it doesn't, and even after dozens of tries I still mess up on that one lol. Yep, dozens of tries, this fight takes me ages. I get him close a few times early on, then I just hit a wall.Partway through the fight Artorias powers up with some dark abyss aura. I can get a couple hits or a heal in while he's powering up but I have to be quick. After that, he hits much harder and I think hits a little quicker for about a minute until he cools down again, and then he repeats this for the rest of the fight. There's no special tricks here, the game is simply testing my ability to hold form for a solid minute. I start to view the pre-powering up phase as just a warmup to get me into the fight's rhythm, and then the glowing aura as the true fight. I wish this fight was a little easier so I could enjoy it more, the atmosphere and the actual battling are both great but the punishment feels a little heavy when I angle a roll slightly off and get one shot by his dive bomb. Maybe you can cut off his charge by dealing enough damage, but if so it's more than I could get in. Eventually the Abysswalker goes down, leaving a trail of Abyss-y goo in his wake. Poor guy, I wonder where Sif is.I skim right past the online-only area and into Oolacile proper, where we get more of those really weird looking enemies. They slightly resemble Mimics and there is a Mimic here, I wonder if they're all Abyss-born or if they're corrupted Oolacilians. They're no trouble, regardless. There's weird background sounds all over this place, and some nice hopping around to get some items, including putting the Maggot on my head (that little thing has proven very useful, I see what Solaire was talking about) to get a Silver Pendant.As we get closer to the Abyss the enemies get stronger and their eyes redder. The wizard things are super annoying, their magic blob eats right through my shields and doesn't have a long enough cooldown. The Pendant I picked up can apparently null dark damage, but for some reason it's an item and not an equippable piece of armour so I guess I have to wait for the right moment to use it...Into The Abyss itself (without a ring!), we soon see ghostly spectres wandering around. They don't attack me but damage me a little if I pass through them, so I avoid them as best I can. Strange but cool goings on here. I unlock an elevator back to the woods, where the NPC guy gives some very curious information. He claims Oolacile was fooled by a 'toothy serpent' into bringing its doom upon itself... Frampt?? The longer I'm here the more I worry about the present day! There's also some lady grieving for Artorias. I reluctantly hand her his soul, sighing because I remember the giant smith had a nice weapon I could've made with that. Ah well.Back into the Abyss, we find our next (and last?) DLC boss- Manus. I only get a few tries on this guy tonight, but he seems very annoying. And it takes ages to walk back to him. But that fight is for another day!</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/16/22 8:09:14 PM #244:	andylt posted... I wish this fight was a little easier so I could enjoy it more Something I recently learned is that the fight can be made rather easy if you attack him relentlessly while he's powering up. You can knock him out of it and he'll continue without the enhanced attacks. Artorias is one of my favorite fights in the entire series. That little exploit made it even better. I wish more future bosses had a mechanic where you could stagger them enough to prevent a second phase. Also about the Silver Pendant, it's a parry item. You have to time it right to deflect dark magic launched at you. Personally I never got any use out of it, I intended to try it out on my recent run but immediately forgot about its existence after retrieving it. --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:968088130] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>andylt posted... </cite><quote>I wish this fight was a little easier so I could enjoy it more</quote>Something I recently learned is that the fight can be made rather easy if you attack him relentlessly while he's powering up. You can knock him out of it and he'll continue without the enhanced attacks.Artorias is one of my favorite fights in the entire series. That little exploit made it even better. I wish more future bosses had a mechanic where you could stagger them enough to prevent a second phase.Also about the Silver Pendant, it's a parry item. You have to time it right to deflect dark magic launched at you. Personally I never got any use out of it, I intended to try it out on my recent run but immediately forgot about its existence after retrieving it.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Grand_Kirby 09/16/22 9:55:06 PM #245:	If you explore that cave area more you'll find ~~Sif. Probably should space this spoiler more since that's a short name it'll be obvious what I'm referring to without this sentence.~~ --- Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan <cite>Grand_Kirby posted [p:968090382] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>If you explore that cave area more you'll find Sif. Probably should space this spoiler more since that's a short name it'll be obvious what I'm referring to without this sentence.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
andylt 09/17/22 6:44:07 PM #246:	CassandraCain posted... Something I recently learned is that the fight can be made rather easy if you attack him relentlessly while he's powering up. You can knock him out of it and he'll continue without the enhanced attacks. I definitely tried to do this, and I thought I'd have enough power to do so given that I'm coming at this from lategame. Maybe I timed it wrong. I think I scour the Chasm pretty thoroughly but I have no luck finding Sif, maybe they're behind a fake wall or something. Back to Manus! Like Artorias this is a classic Dark Souls boss, with an intimidating lineup of attacks that hit very hard but become dodgeable the more you play. Unlike Artorias, I actually feel like I master this one! Don't get me wrong, this is a tricky fight. My usual strategy is to stay super close to bosses and swipe at their legs, but here that only results in either Manus knocking my shields dry with endless arm swipes, or me getting caught up in his 5/6 hit combo that seems impossible to break out of. After several failed attempts I try to keep my distance, and this way I can survive much longer but am unable to get many hits in. In the end I decide to stay mid-distance, far enough that I can back away from danger but close enough that I can roll in and get a couple of heavy hits in when he leaves himself open. Unlike Artorias pretty much every attack here feels both learnable and punishable. After many attempts I get to know exactly how many hits I can get away with after each attack and when to sneak in a couple extra (like swiping my sword at the air after he reaches long with his dark magic hand, so that the attack connects as he pulls his hand back and I get a free hit). Then, about a third of the way through his health, he starts casting magic. And just like with the wizards earlier, this dark magic is ridiculously deadly. CassandraCain posted... Also about the Silver Pendant, it's a parry item. You have to time it right to deflect dark magic launched at you. Thanks very much for this info, because otherwise I would have left the pendant to rot in my inventory. Unlike Cass, I find the pendant pretty vital. After several failed attempts at his second phase, I learn to switch to the pendant after he starts doing magic and just keep it ready at all times unless I need to heal. Manus has three separate magic attacks- one is pretty easy to dodge, one can be dodged but requires precise timing (the circle of orbs that go out then come in), and one (the barrage of orbs straight at me) seems impossible to escape. The pendant is a lifesaver for this last attack, I just whack X as soon as I see him charging it and I'm home free. At one point I take him down to two hits left, but I roll into the arena boundary and get caught in his massive combo. But at that point I just laugh, because I know I've pretty much got this, and sure enough two attempts later I get through the fight barely using any potions at all! A great boss fight! I had the Witch's armour on for this btw which seemed to work well. The Father of the Abyss goes down, and Dusk stays prone on the floor. There's a stone circle in the middle of this arena with a human-shaped centre. Weirdly there's no big cutscene or reward sequence for beating this, but I think that's the end of the DLC? Elizabeth at least gives me praise after I return to her. If this is it, this was a fun little adventure. I wish there was more explicit lore about what happened here, but I could have missed it. I still have to do the dragon here (I assume I'll be using the pendant to get past its dark magic breath), but after that I dunno. Is there anything else I have left to do (either maingame or DLC) before moving ahead with the plot? --- Very slowly becoming a Final Fantasy aficionado. <cite>andylt posted [p:968108810] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>CassandraCain posted... </cite><quote>Something I recently learned is that the fight can be made rather easy if you attack him relentlessly while he's powering up. You can knock him out of it and he'll continue without the enhanced attacks.</quote>I definitely tried to do this, and I thought I'd have enough power to do so given that I'm coming at this from lategame. Maybe I timed it wrong.I think I scour the Chasm pretty thoroughly but I have no luck finding Sif, maybe they're behind a fake wall or something.Back to Manus! Like Artorias this is a classic Dark Souls boss, with an intimidating lineup of attacks that hit very hard but become dodgeable the more you play. Unlike Artorias, I actually feel like I master this one! Don't get me wrong, this is a tricky fight. My usual strategy is to stay super close to bosses and swipe at their legs, but here that only results in either Manus knocking my shields dry with endless arm swipes, or me getting caught up in his 5/6 hit combo that seems impossible to break out of. After several failed attempts I try to keep my distance, and this way I can survive much longer but am unable to get many hits in.In the end I decide to stay mid-distance, far enough that I can back away from danger but close enough that I can roll in and get a couple of heavy hits in when he leaves himself open. Unlike Artorias pretty much every attack here feels both learnable and punishable. After many attempts I get to know exactly how many hits I can get away with after each attack and when to sneak in a couple extra (like swiping my sword at the air after he reaches long with his dark magic hand, so that the attack connects as he pulls his hand back and I get a free hit).Then, about a third of the way through his health, he starts casting magic. And just like with the wizards earlier, this dark magic is ridiculously deadly.CassandraCain posted... </cite><quote>Also about the Silver Pendant, it's a parry item. You have to time it right to deflect dark magic launched at you.</quote>Thanks very much for this info, because otherwise I would have left the pendant to rot in my inventory. Unlike Cass, I find the pendant pretty vital. After several failed attempts at his second phase, I learn to switch to the pendant after he starts doing magic and just keep it ready at all times unless I need to heal. Manus has three separate magic attacks- one is pretty easy to dodge, one can be dodged but requires precise timing (the circle of orbs that go out then come in), and one (the barrage of orbs straight at me) seems impossible to escape. The pendant is a lifesaver for this last attack, I just whack X as soon as I see him charging it and I'm home free. At one point I take him down to two hits left, but I roll into the arena boundary and get caught in his massive combo. But at that point I just laugh, because I know I've pretty much got this, and sure enough two attempts later I get through the fight barely using any potions at all! A great boss fight! I had the Witch's armour on for this btw which seemed to work well. The Father of the Abyss goes down, and Dusk stays prone on the floor. There's a stone circle in the middle of this arena with a human-shaped centre. Weirdly there's no big cutscene or reward sequence for beating this, but I think that's the end of the DLC? Elizabeth at least gives me praise after I return to her. If this is it, this was a fun little adventure. I wish there was more explicit lore about what happened here, but I could have missed it.I still have to do the dragon here (I assume I'll be using the pendant to get past its dark magic breath), but after that I dunno. Is there anything else I have left to do (either maingame or DLC) before moving ahead with the plot?</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
KamikazePotato 09/17/22 6:46:01 PM #247:	I fought Artorias with a dagger build. The way I prevented him from charging up was by quickly taking out a bow and headshotting him. It was super tricky but a very memorable experience. --- It's Reyn Time. <cite>KamikazePotato posted [p:968108848] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>I fought Artorias with a dagger build. The way I prevented him from charging up was by quickly taking out a bow and headshotting him. It was super tricky but a very memorable experience.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Aecioo 09/17/22 6:49:27 PM #248:	You missed an npc that will help you with the dragon (unless I skimmed over that). Look for ways to go up around the artorias fight iirc. After that you're pretty much done with DLC --- http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcb35gGx0t1qailr4o1_500.gif http://www.megavideo.com/?v=57N0YAEJ <cite>Aecioo posted [p:968108918] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>You missed an npc that will help you with the dragon (unless I skimmed over that). Look for ways to go up around the artorias fight iirc. After that you're pretty much done with DLC</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
CassandraCain 09/17/22 7:32:23 PM #249:	Yeah you need to find an npc near Artorias' arena to assist you with the dragon, before you can actually fight him. Good job with Manus! I was hoping you'd get more use out of the silver pendant than I did, as it seems tailor made for that fight. Instead I had to watch the tells for his different magic attacks and dodge accordingly. Raising his staff means dark rain, roll directly away from him. When he swipes left on you with his staff, immediately roll to the side and hopefully evade the cone of darkness. Plunging his staff into the ground summons the circle of dark orbs that close in, quickly dash toward him and get right in the guy's face where the orbs won't reach you. This was my favorite of his magic attacks to deal with since it offered easy opportunity to counter. Still, it seems cooler to use the pendant. Hopefully I remember it next time lol --- I don't kill... but I don't lose either. <cite>CassandraCain posted [p:968109694] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Yeah you need to find an npc near Artorias' arena to assist you with the dragon, before you can actually fight him.Good job with Manus! I was hoping you'd get more use out of the silver pendant than I did, as it seems tailor made for that fight. Instead I had to watch the tells for his different magic attacks and dodge accordingly. Raising his staff means dark rain, roll directly away from him. When he swipes left on you with his staff, immediately roll to the side and hopefully evade the cone of darkness. Plunging his staff into the ground summons the circle of dark orbs that close in, quickly dash toward him and get right in the guy's face where the orbs won't reach you. This was my favorite of his magic attacks to deal with since it offered easy opportunity to counter.Still, it seems cooler to use the pendant. Hopefully I remember it next time lol</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Aecioo 09/18/22 12:52:52 AM #250:	Bump for next page --- http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcb35gGx0t1qailr4o1_500.gif http://www.megavideo.com/?v=57N0YAEJ <cite>Aecioo posted [p:968115158] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Bump for next page</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Aecioo 09/18/22 12:59:50 AM #251:	Just wanted to say, this has been a great playthrough. With you at the end of the game I'm happy you (seemingly) have enjoyed it. DS1 might be my favorite game of all time and to see someone go through it so long after it's release has been a lot of fun. There have been many games that have tried to replicate what From has done but they are still the gold standard when it comes to punishing but rewarding experiences in the modern era. I hope you continue the series, but if you take some time off between games its understandable. Thanks for the ride and some great commentary :) --- http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcb35gGx0t1qailr4o1_500.gif http://www.megavideo.com/?v=57N0YAEJ <cite>Aecioo posted [p:968115257] in Andy plays... [t:80125809]...</cite> <quote>Just wanted to say, this has been a great playthrough. With you at the end of the game I'm happy you (seemingly) have enjoyed it. DS1 might be my favorite game of all time and to see someone go through it so long after it's release has been a lot of fun. There have been many games that have tried to replicate what From has done but they are still the gold standard when it comes to punishing but rewarding experiences in the modern era.I hope you continue the series, but if you take some time off between games its understandable.Thanks for the ride and some great commentary :)</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
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Board 8 > Andy plays the Dark Souls of video games (+) Yeah! (+)

Board 8 > Andy plays the Dark Souls of video games