Dark Souls II: The Thread, AND the Game!

[Hiro Protagonest]

Morty has recently informed me that my armour needs some Poise.
Beliving that any amount of Poise is better than Zero, I've slapped on the Gauntlets of Favour (Oh, yeah! Finally took out Smokey and the Bandit! Got the Bandit last, too!) for now.

Smokey was the cop. It was Snowman and Bandit.

[Thanatos 51-50]

Smokey was the cop. It was Snowman and Bandit.

Right, but Smokey's name fits Smough better. Pun damage wins over accuracy.

[Murmaider]

I wouldn't worry too much about poise, if you still want to look good. All the most weight efficient poise gear looks pretty stupid, like Gargoyle Helmet or Hollow Soldier Waist Cloth.

Gargoyle Helm, Knight Gauntlets and Hollow Soldier Waistcloth would give you 21 poise and leave you with about 7 weight left.

[Thanatos 51-50]

Plus my Furysword and Heater Shield, that puts me at... half a unit under.

I'll check out what it looks like.

[Dusk Eclipse]

What rings are you using? Havel's ring (defeat Havel) gives you +50% load and Wolf's Ring (found in a "secret" area of the forest) gives you +40 poise no question asked.

[Thanatos 51-50]

What rings are you using? Havel's ring (defeat Havel) gives you +50% load and Wolf's Ring (found in a "secret" area of the forest) gives you +40 poise no question asked.

FaP and whatever, currently. Usually Steel Protection, but I'll switch that out for Rust or whatever if the situation calls for it

[Rodin]

Dammit. Since nowadays I actually manage to get myself summoned, for some reason, I tried helping some folks with the Iron Golem. We killed it through Jolly Cooperation once... but when I got summoned again I tumbled off the tower. And it would have only taken that one fight to become eligible for the Sunbros. I haven't managed to get summoned since.

I hate the Iron Golem for precisely that reason. Without his arena, he'd be a pretty easy boss. He always seems to manage to punt me off at least once, no matter how careful I am to stay near the center of the arena.

Last time I fought him, I decided to do a good deed and summon another player instead of the NPC you can get. The fight starts, he goes running up, and immediately gets punted off the tower. I swear I heard a Looney-Tunes-esque "WAH WAH WAH WAAAAAAH" sound too.

[TechnOkami]

I hate the Iron Golem for precisely that reason. Without his arena, he'd be a pretty easy boss. He always seems to manage to punt me off at least once, no matter how careful I am to stay near the center of the arena.

Last time I fought him, I decided to do a good deed and summon another player instead of the NPC you can get. The fight starts, he goes running up, and immediately gets punted off the tower. I swear I heard a Looney-Tunes-esque "WAH WAH WAH WAAAAAAH" sound too.

Gotta get that Tarkus man. What a boss.

[Dusk Eclipse]

FaP and whatever, currently. Usually Steel Protection, but I'll switch that out for Rust or whatever if the situation calls for it

The ring of steel protection is crap, the defense bonus is minimal and dodging is way better than tanking the hits (unless you go all the way with ultra-heavy armor and iron flesh). I suggest keeping your amor set as it is and pick the wolf ring, that puts you in 48 poise which means you can tank 2 katana/spear/straight sword hits or a great combustion without being staggered, if you can get at least 3 more points (eastern leggings have 6 poise and are reasonably light) you get to the magic breakpoint of not being staggered by heavy weapons 2hr1.

[Murmaider]

FaP and whatever, currently. Usually Steel Protection, but I'll switch that out for Rust or whatever if the situation calls for it

If you can get your hands on the Wolf Ring(which you can and should), you could do something like this.

http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?b=...AsMCwwLDAsMA==

If you don't want to farm the Hollow Thief Hood or don't like the look, just take the Thief Mask instead. I just put it in there because I'm in love with it. Don't judge me

[Octopusapult]

I don't think it's a spoiler to talk about a boss that was in beta/playtest/network test footage, and I really just want to brag.

But I killed the Looking Glass Knight (Mirror Knight as he was previously known) on my first try with only the AI summon for help (who was less "help" and more... "Victim?" I guess I would call him a victim. He didn't contribute much.)

The area after him though runs so counter to my build I actually had to go use my soul vessel just to make it a passable encounter.

In short, the bosses of this game are giving me almost no trouble. The list of bosses that have killed me at all is at about three. While the everyday run-of-the-mill mooks have been slaying me left and right.

Also, in other news, has anyone checked out the Beyond the Bonfire site? Pretty interesting stuff as well as server information so you'll know when it's either broken or intentionally down because those are apparently the only two options for DSII servers...


EDIT: Oh and the whole reason I came here to post. Has anyone seen the effects of your messages being rated? So far the only thing I can see is that they heal you at the time of being rated. Only once or twice has this ever worked out in my favor though, and the amount healed is pretty insignificant. So I hope there's more to it that I'm missing.

[Rodin]

I generally get done once or twice by the bosses while I learn their attack patterns. There's been one exception, and there were...extenuating circumstances, let's say.

Bizarrely, the first boss was dead easy on my first couple runs through him, but on my third run he suddenly went nuts on me and wiped the floor with me over and over again. I eventually gave up and went to smack my way through a different area instead.

Also, fire sword vs. fire boss is hilariously ineffective. I hit it once, said "I'm dead." and resigned myself to watching his attack pattern for the rest of that life.

[Thanatos 51-50]

Looks like I'm going to have to tool around in the Forest of Doom that I've been avoiding.
Sigh.

[Surrealistik]

Spoiler

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So many awesome covenants to join, so many rewards. I think I'll ultimately settle on the Dragons or Blue Sentinels, but not until I've gotten all of them; in particular the Level 3 perk from the Pilgrims of Dark. The Great Resonant Soul hex is ridiculously powerful when fueled by souls, and an even stronger version is said to be obtainable as a covenant reward.

As far as message ratings go, I'm not sure if there's any effect other than the heals, but the best way to whore upvotes is to write something comical in a high traffic area where there's pausing/reveling/contemplation going on, like right after or before a boss, or at the far fire, so they're more likely to take the time to rate.

I just wish there was a way to downvote messages, and a covenant that exists to invade and punish those who write poorly rated ones; those they kill are prevented from writing messages and seeing messages (including developer ones via Guidance) for a time, besides the usual penalties, and messages they've already written that are rated at say -3 or worse are purged. They could be called 'The Silencers' or some ****, journeying between countless worlds in search of miscreants to STFU lol.

[Snowbluff]

Speaking of Covenants...

Spoiler: Rats

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I got summoned by a rat covenant dude. I don't think I lost anything when he won. He sucker punched me, I BSed him, but then he got me with a good thwack.

Spoiler

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I really haven't done very much covenant work. I heard there are sunbros cove, so I might max that out.

Blue Sentinels is cool sounding, but I haven't gotten around to PvPing.

Surreal, what is the stat that affects spell uses? Attunement, right? I got an extra lightning spear around 15.

[Surrealistik]

Yes, it's Attunement. You get bonus uses up to a certain maximum as you buff this stat, in addition to hit points, cast speed, attunement slot, curse resistance and Agility increments. It's pretty boss.

At 75 Attunement you get the max number of slots; 10. Cast speed increases until 80. HP scales up at 1 / level from 21 to 50, and 2 / level until 20.

I'm not entirely sure what the scaling is for additional casts, but as a hard and fast rule you can get max bonus casts up to either 10 or twice the number of base casts, whichever is lower.

[TechnOkami]

Does anyone know where you buy/acquire the white/orange soapstones in DSII?

[Hiro Protagonest]

Does anyone know where you buy/acquire the white/orange soapstones in DSII?

Spoiler

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Pike guy after your first encounter with The Pursuer gives you the White Sign Soapstone if you do his challenge.

[Snowbluff]

Well, the lightning has be handy.

Does anyone know where you buy/acquire the white/orange soapstones in DSII?

The orange one is in your start menu.

[TechnOkami]

Well, the lightning has be handy.


The orange one is in your start menu.

...wait wat? I missed that.

[Hiro Protagonest]

Okay, so I'm watching ENB's playthrough, and it appears there's multiple ways to get the Small White Sign Soapstone.

Spoiler: Somewhere in Forest of Fallen Giants

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In the building with the Bonfire and Melentia in it, there is a door. The door is locked. It is also old and worn and you can break it down. As you explore the area, you'll find a variety of items, including the Soapstone.

Edit: wait, no, the other one is regular White Sign Soapstone.

[Snowbluff]

...wait wat? I missed that.

Messaging is a part of your start menu.

I meant to keep up with ENB's playthrough as he did it. I've made good progress this morning.

Spoiler: Progress

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I got to of the primal bonfires. Sinners and the Rotten.

Spoiler: The Gutter/Gulch

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Those little statues. I can hear their heartbeats. They are always watching. They can always see me. They haunt the black when I close my eyes.

Make sure you smash them so they don't poison you.

[Tome]

Still haven't found the items need to get a decent enchantment on my weapon. Guess I'm sticking with that fire longsword I found for a bit longer.

Spoiler

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Also, can anyone tell me where to find some better sorceries? I've purchased everything from the guy on the docks but nothing seems too much more effective than just spamming more soul arrows. That sword spell from the trailers/beta would be awesome to have.

Also, has anyone found the pyromancy flame yet? I'd love to be able to use some of these pyromancies.

I managed to get to my first primal bonfire. It was kind of hilarious how many folks were charging straight at the Sinner, and dying horribly, without getting the key to light the oil first. He became rather simple once I did that.

Now I'm on the wooded area with the mist. I wonder if there's a way to help with those invisible archers?

[Rodin]

Spoiler: The Gutter/Gulch

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Those little statues. I can hear their heartbeats. They are always watching. They can always see me. They haunt the black when I close my eyes.

Make sure you smash them so they don't poison you.

Spoiler: The Gutter/Gulch

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God I hate those things. I'm dreading going back to The Gutter for that very reason.

Spoiler: Forest of Fallen Giants questions

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Has anyone found out how to get the item that's on the wooden platform above the cave with the creature that breathes fire?

Also, there's a door by the fog wall leading to the Last Giant that no key seems to open. Is it a shortcut to something way later in the game, or am I just missing something obvious?

[Dusk Eclipse]

Just passing to say that I hate you all..... I want to play DkS II too Q_Q

[Hiro Protagonest]

Spoiler: Forest of Fallen Giants questions

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Has anyone found out how to get the item that's on the wooden platform above the cave with the creature that breathes fire?

Spoiler

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Go up the ladder and find your way down to there.

Also, I was wrong, there's only one Small White Sign Soapstone. The one given to you by an NPC is regular White Sign Soapstone (I think the difference is the timer).

[Rodin]

Still haven't found the items need to get a decent enchantment on my weapon. Guess I'm sticking with that fire longsword I found for a bit longer.

Spoiler

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Also, can anyone tell me where to find some better sorceries? I've purchased everything from the guy on the docks but nothing seems too much more effective than just spamming more soul arrows. That sword spell from the trailers/beta would be awesome to have.

Also, has anyone found the pyromancy flame yet? I'd love to be able to use some of these pyromancies.

I managed to get to my first primal bonfire. It was kind of hilarious how many folks were charging straight at the Sinner, and dying horribly, without getting the key to light the oil first. He became rather simple once I did that.

Now I'm on the wooded area with the mist. I wonder if there's a way to help with those invisible archers?

Spoiler

Show

Weapon enchantments don't work the same way as in Dark Souls 1 - it's one rank and frankly don't have that great an effect on power. A normal weapon will scale to keep up, like in the first game. Getting to be able to apply enchantments is a long way down one of the paths, but having achieved it I don't think I'm going to take advantage of it and just go with a normal weapon on my Strength build.

The only Pyromancy trainer I've found is the petrified lady in that tower outside Manjula - you need a Fragrant Branch of Yore to be able to unpetrify her, and there are a few of those hidden around, but again in the deeper areas.

On the Sinner...um...there's Oil?

I just summoned another player and the nearby NPC and we took him on 3-1, rotating out and healing when he beat us up. Had a few close calls, but he wasn't too tough (it was only my second attempt at taking him).

[Snowbluff]

Spoiler: Pyromancy

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Another petrified dude is in the Lost Bastille. He gives a couple of pyromancies.

[Surrealistik]

Still haven't found the items need to get a decent enchantment on my weapon. Guess I'm sticking with that fire longsword I found for a bit longer.

Spoiler

Show

Also, can anyone tell me where to find some better sorceries? I've purchased everything from the guy on the docks but nothing seems too much more effective than just spamming more soul arrows. That sword spell from the trailers/beta would be awesome to have.

Also, has anyone found the pyromancy flame yet? I'd love to be able to use some of these pyromancies.

I managed to get to my first primal bonfire. It was kind of hilarious how many folks were charging straight at the Sinner, and dying horribly, without getting the key to light the oil first. He became rather simple once I did that.

Now I'm on the wooded area with the mist. I wonder if there's a way to help with those invisible archers?

Spoiler

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Use shields and keep an eye out, attacking when they come at you. AoE spells like Scraps of Life help.

The Pyromancy Flame can be found in a chest after being a boss in No-Man's Wharf.

Straid of Olpahis can teach you more powerful sorceries, and hexes; he's located in the Sinner's Rise, petrified.

[dirtytricks]

Becoming human question...

Spoiler

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I noticed a few times after being summoned while hollow that is revert to human form and sometimes not. Anyone figure out how that works yet?