Dark Soul's: Prepare to Die Edition (PC)

[DutchSchaeffer]

Yes, I really like the idea of the invasion PvP mechanic and the covenant system, I just hope they give it a bit more thought for the next game.

As others have said, it can be exploited fairly easily. I first played the game on the Xbox 360, and when it was just released the PvP was fantastic, as it was new to everyone and always challenging but fair.

Now most of the time when you start a new game you will be facing someone who has played through the game keeping their soul level low deliberately, grabbing all the best gear in the game, then coming back to invade a new player.

I don't mind getting beat or the occasional griefer (I find it quite funny) but I do like it when its a fairer fight. I guess that was the idea behind needing to be within 10 soul levels of another player to invade (correct me if I'm wrong), but as I said, its too easy to exploit that mechanic.

An area in the next game that can function as a battleground of sorts that pits two of the covenants against each other with numerous players would be great.

 

[Davey_Pitch]

When do invasions typically start?

Are they only if you are in Human form?

They can start at any point while you're in human form, as long as you're in an area where the boss hasn't been defeated yet. If you've defeated the area boss, you're safe from invasions.

 

[Davey_Pitch]

An area in the next game that can function as a battleground of sorts that pits two of the covenants against each other with numerous players would be great.

I'd rather have something like that, a set place to go where you can concentrate solely on PvP, and the extra content kinda has that in placewith the Battle of Stoicism area.

I don't overly mind being invaded if the opponent has a similar level and similar gear to me, but when they've obviously got overpowered equipment it's just no fun.

Saying that, I wish someone had invaded me while I was still SL1 on my last playthrough - at one point I had a fully upgraded Pyromancy Glove and all the spells. I would almost certainly have taken him down in one shot.

 

[Bubo]

When do invasions typically start?

Are they only if you are in Human form?

There are a few scripted invasions by NPC's rather than actual other players. These happen in certain areas, triggered by certain requirements, being human is definite requirement. These are actually quite fun as by and large you actually stand a chance.

When these happen it is exactly like when you get invaded by a random player, i.e. you get the same "you have been invaded by xxxx" warning, though the "xxxx" will be a normal sounding name rather than "BiGmAn4TeHkIlZ" or something.

If like me you may kill one of these NPC invaders and think "YES! I finally managed to kill one of those griefing *******s!". Then moments later you think, oh, that was another NPC wasn't it.

 

[DutchSchaeffer]

I think the risk for an invader should be greater too, in fact other than using up a cracked red eye orb (not an issue when you get a full one or access to buying cracked ones) I don't think there is any risk involved.

Perhaps if you invade and are killed, you lose all souls and humanity with no way to retrieve your corpse...

 

[Davey_Pitch]

I think the risk for an invader should be greater too, in fact other than using up a cracked red eye orb (not an issue when you get a full one or access to buying cracked ones) I don't think there is any risk involved.

Perhaps if you invade and are killed, you lose all souls and humanity with no way to retrieve your corpse...

Or make it that if you're killed by an invader, you don't lose all your souls. That way, people would care less about dying, as the worst thing is generally losing all your souls, and you could easily have 10s, or even 100s of thousands of souls when you get invaded.

 

[Bubo]

I never looked into the various PVP elements in this game so I don't know if this already exists in some form, but I would have a system where immediately after you have been ganked by someone, you are able to assemble a gang of up to say 4 people, using some stone or other, and are then able to invade the world of the guy who just ganked you, to give them a taste of their own medicine. Doesn't have to be immediately after either, could be at any point of your choosing, the game should just record who ganked you and give you the opportunity to directly seek revenge, tooled up and mob handed if necessary. I believe there is something similar to this in the game as is with the blue/red thing in the Gywnevere area, but this idea is specifically for seeking revenge against those who deliberately gank you in all areas of the game.

 

[Davey_Pitch]

I never looked into the various PVP elements in this game so I don't know if this already exists in some form, but I would have a system where immediately after you have been ganked by someone, you are able to assemble a gang of up to say 4 people, using some stone or other, and are then able to invade the world of the guy who just ganked you, to give them a taste of their own medicine. Doesn't have to be immediately after either, could be at any point of your choosing, the game should just record who ganked you and give you the opportunity to directly seek revenge, tooled up and mob handed if necessary. I believe there is something similar to this in the game as is with the blue/red thing in the Gywnevere area, but this idea is specifically for seeking revenge against those who deliberately gank you in all areas of the game.

The worst you can do to an invader is Indict them, which places them in the Book of the Guilty, making them available for invasions from Blue Vengeance Phantoms. The ability to invade someone who just invaded you would be useful, especially if they caught you unawares or while you were fighting the AI.

 

[agnes]

The worst you can do to an invader is Indict them, which places them in the Book of the Guilty, making them available for invasions from Blue Vengeance Phantoms. The ability to invade someone who just invaded you would be useful, especially if they caught you unawares or while you were fighting the AI.

I have only been invaded 3 times, none on my current character, but my old one on the 360. Killed my invader each time. Such a rush haha.

 

[Moothead2]

Onto the Capra Demon now! I hope this guy will be easier.... I died just now trying him because I had no clue.

Also, who are S&O?

If you're still stuck on the Capra Demon he's my tip. Run to the right as the fight starts and then when you're behind Capra turn left towards the stairs. Try taking out the dogs ASAP on the stairs and it's a fairly easy fight from here.

His one handed swings can be easily blocked. He usually does 2 swings so I'd only recommend attacking after the second in case it you think he's only doing 1 and then does another. Always try to dodge the two handed swings or lunges at a lower level as they can easily break your guard but they leave him open to attack so these are your best opportunity to attack him.

The Wolf Ring can be very useful here (and just in general, it's usually my main ring when running a build I want to quick roll with). Here's how to get it from the blacksmith in the Parish if you haven't already gotten it. I wouldn't say it spoils anything as long as you don't watch it after getting the ring .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sft9Qe6K6A#t=28m00s

 

[FeFiDoh]

Lost count of how many times I have died now! Not even that far in, ended up on some bridge with some huge Taurus Demon or something or other. I played a bunch of Witcher 2 which reminds me of this and I keep pressing bloody x to attack for some reason and I end up using an inventory slot. Not sure what I am meant to do as no way I can defeat that boss few times I manage to hit him did naff all damage :s

 

[Davey_Pitch]

Lost count of how many times I have died now! Not even that far in, ended up on some bridge with some huge Taurus Demon or something or other. I played a bunch of Witcher 2 which reminds me of this and I keep pressing bloody x to attack for some reason and I end up using an inventory slot. Not sure what I am meant to do as no way I can defeat that boss few times I manage to hit him did naff all damage :s

Taurus really is simple when you understand how to beat him. First of all, do you have any Gold Pine Resin? If so, that will really come in handy for this fight. When you go through the fog door, go up the ladder that is just behind you to the right. Kill the two guys up there then slide back down the ladder. Use the Gold Pine Resin (if you have it), the run forward until you see the Taurus appear above the next rampart. Instantly turn around and sprint back to the ladder and climb it. By the time you reach the top, Taurus will be placed nicely beneath you. Fall off the rampart and do a plunging attack (hit R1/RB as you fall) and you'll take off a large chunk of his health. Now run past him and create some distance between you. Move forwards towards him while holding your shield up and bait an attack. Back away while he does it, and when he misses, move in and hit him once then move back again. If you have a 100% physical resistant shield he won't really be able to damage you (unless you're too close, then his attack will hit behind you and damage you that way). Remember to let go of block when you don't need your shield up, as it'll let you regain stamina much faster. Rinse and repeat the baiting of his attacks, and you'll have him down in no time.

Edit: A great video showing this technique is here - http://youtu.be/aY3uDAiqk2c?t=10m30s

 

[Davey_Pitch]

If anyone struggling with some the early bosses wants some ingame help, let me know. I've just started a new character last night and I'm only SL19 or so, and I'm happy to try and help out people with bosses (or just running through levels) if you want. Just let me know when and where and I'll try to put a summon sign down.

 

[FeFiDoh]

Davey_pitch that is some sound advice thank you! Trouble is I do not have that resin and am using just the short sword and first shield I came across? Not sure what I am meant to have by now. I got bored of trying to kill those ghosts in the water so left them, I went the other way and got attacked by the skeletons in the grave yard who move very fast btw!

I didn't know about the shield down to regain stamina faster either, thanks. Will give it a blast again later.

 

[Davey_Pitch]

Davey_pitch that is some sound advice thank you! Trouble is I do not have that resin and am using just the short sword and first shield I came across? Not sure what I am meant to have by now. I got bored of trying to kill those ghosts in the water so left them, I went the other way and got attacked by the skeletons in the grave yard who move very fast btw!

I didn't know about the shield down to regain stamina faster either, thanks. Will give it a blast again later.

Ooh, definitely stay away from the ghosts and the skeletons for now. The skeletons require a stronger weapon than you have now to put them down (ideally a Divine Weapon as they are stronger against skeletons), while the ghosts can't even be harmed unless you are cursed, either by using a Transient Curse item, or by getting cursed by the frogs in the Depths.

For now, stick with the Undead Burg and get past the Taurus Demon, then go on from there towards the Belfry Gargoyles. What class did you start as? As you're not far into it, if you've chosen a class you're not overly happy with then it might be better to quickly restart as something like a Pyromancer, which is a fabulous starting class as you start with the Fireball spell, capable of downing most early bosses in double quick time.

 

[DutchSchaeffer]

Davey_pitch that is some sound advice thank you! Trouble is I do not have that resin and am using just the short sword and first shield I came across? Not sure what I am meant to have by now. I got bored of trying to kill those ghosts in the water so left them, I went the other way and got attacked by the skeletons in the grave yard who move very fast btw!

I didn't know about the shield down to regain stamina faster either, thanks. Will give it a blast again later.

Purchase the residence key from the undead merchant, it costs 1000 souls. Next to the tower that has a crossbow guy up stairs will be a locked door, open this and inside you will find a chest with 3 pine resins in it.

Follow daveys advice and you will beat the Taurus demon in no time

Another strategy is to use firebombs or black firebombs to take him down quickly. Do the plunging attack, bait him to attack, jump back then throw a bomb. You can find 5-6 black firebombs in a chest in the undead burg.

 

[Davey_Pitch]

Another strategy is to use firebombs or black firebombs to take him down quickly. Do the plunging attack, bait him to attack, jump back then throw a bomb. You can find 5-6 black firebombs in a chest in the undead burg.

Another good strategy, I forgot about that as I never use Firebombs. There are 6 on a corpse in Firelink Shrine as well, so that would make 11 Firebombs in total. That would easily be enough to take the Taurus Demon out.

 

[kinger8938]

Im going to start this at the weekend on ps3

Whats a decent all round class to start with? Ive played a bit before on lone but didnt get too far into it due to time, think i was a wanderer

I played a fair chunk of demons souls too, excited to get that rewarding feeling going again

 

[agnes]

Wouldn't worry about starting class, but can't go wring with pyro.

 

[Moothead2]

Im going to start this at the weekend on ps3

Whats a decent all round class to start with? Ive played a bit before on lone but didnt get too far into it due to time, think i was a wanderer

I played a fair chunk of demons souls too, excited to get that rewarding feeling going again

The Warrior, Bandit and Pyro are all good starting classes in my opinion. The Bandit starts with the Battle Axe which is a great weapon but it may not be the best for newer players as missing leaves you wide open to attacks.

The Warrior probably has the best starting weapon for newer players as the Longsword has decent damage, decent speed and a great moveset.

The Pyro is probably the easiest starting class as the earlier bosses get absolutely steamrolled by pyromancies. It also starts at SL1 giving you the most flexibility when levelling up.

The starting classes don't matter too much other than the very early game and the equipment they start with though. Find the play style you want to play as and level up the attributes associated with that. For example a strength build will want to level strength, a quick, agile build using light weapons will want Dexterity and magic users Intelligence. Every play style will want Vitality and Endurance though (Don't underestimate the importance of endurance!).

Also, get the Master Key as the starting gift, it's the only one worth getting.