Advice on Dark Souls

[Erttheking]

Dark Souls is a game that has recently caught my eye and my interest. I've looked up the reviews for it and I think it got 9s and 10s all across the board. People have said that this is the game where dying a load of times is considered par for the course, but since I'm supposed to be dying and I'm not dying because I couldn't rise to the challenge, I think I might enjoy this game,

Can I get any advice?

 

[hazabaza1]

Just the general stuff really. Be patient, find a shield that block 100% physical with good Stability (Hollow soldier shield is good). Speed is probably better for a beginner playthrough so go get a spear or sword of some sort. Spears and rapiers can attack while blocking by the way.
Just do expect to die quite a bit, the game is kind of based around trial and error, but for most situations you should be able to get out unscathed if you take care.

 

[Wolfram23]

Um... don't beat your head against the wall if you are at a hard part. The game won't hold your hand. If you are having trouble - perhaps a specific enemy - you need to realize you can just try going a different way. Maybe go around him, maybe see if there is a different path, maybe you even have to go back to the starting area and search for a different area altogether.

Other than that, you just need some patience with the combat. Take the time to learn your weapons. Also if you plan to play melee, it's very important to pump up your Endurance early. Endurance = stamina (which means more swinging and blocking and running and rolling) as well as more equip weight allowed. If you wear half your equip weight or less, you will be able to fast roll. I'm in full Epic Knight Armor and can fast roll no problem

As for weapons, early on the non scaling weapons are the best. Well, you can look up the Drake Sword which you can get pretty early on and fairly easily, which will be the best until Sen's Fortress where you can find a Lightning Spear. I still use that Spear, though it's at level 4 now. Shield are very, very good, although IMO it's good to use a different shield for different things. Most of the time I'm running around with a light shield... I forget the name but it gives +stam regen buff. I also have the Eagle Shield for bigger enemies, and then I do have for example the ultra tower shields like Havor's Shield (sp?) but that thing weighs like 100 tonnes... but it also blocks freaking everything.

 

[Skin]

but since I'm supposed to be dying and I'm not dying because I couldn't rise to the challenge, I think I might enjoy this game,

Did this make sense to anyone?

My advice is simply this. Learn the controls well, and don't waste time grinding. Keep moving forward, and if you want to polish your combat skills, then there are plenty of nice places to go. If your not going to be using any guides at all, make sure you don't get frustrated.

 

[Erttheking]

but since I'm supposed to be dying and I'm not dying because I couldn't rise to the challenge, I think I might enjoy this game,

Did this make sense to anyone?

My advice is simply this. Learn the controls well, and don't waste time grinding. Keep moving forward, and if you want to polish your combat skills, then there are plenty of nice places to go. If your not going to be using any guides at all, make sure you don't get frustrated.

I guess I just prefer dying and the game saying "Well that's supposed to happen" and not "you messed up."

 

[kyogen]

Have a "cool down" or "palate cleanser" game around in case you get frustrated. Dark Souls is great, but if you lose patience with it, play something or just do something else for a bit.

 

[DustyDrB]

This advice comes from my time with Demons Souls, but I believe it transfers. If it doesn't, then someone can feel free to call me a stupid head.

Read a guide on attributes and game mechanics. They weren't explained well in Demons Souls (and it looks about the same in Dark Souls, at least going by the manual), and are important. Don't read an all-out walkthrough, but just the stuff on the mechanisms in the game.

In Demons Souls dodging is generally preferrable to blocking. But you still want to keep you shield up as you wander, lest an enemy catch by surprise around a corner or from afar with a bomb or arrow.

 

[Dansen]

DON'T play the beginning of the game online, or at least don't play until you feel like you have a grasp on the game because the early stages of the game are full of min/maxers. They people who take the time to get high level weapons and have the bare minimum stats to use them. You will see people running around with weapons at the beginning of the game that you normally have access to towards the end of the game. This allows them to have absurdly powerful 1 to 2 hit weapons that you shouldn't even be fighting against at your level. Avoid playing online in the Darkroot forest too, unless you are feeling adventurous because it is full of really high level players and gankers. Also, try not to kill NPCs or you will be constantly invaded by the Blades of the Darkmoon.

NEVER level up resistance, it is a useless stat.

 

[Wolfram23]

DON'T play the beginning of the game online, or at least don't play until you feel like you have a grasp on the game because the early stages of the game are full of min/maxers. They people who take the time to get high level weapons and have the bare minimum stats to use them. You will see people running around with weapons at the beginning of the game that you normally have access to towards the end of the game. This allows them to have absurdly powerful 1 to 2 hit weapons that you shouldn't even be fighting against at your level. Avoid playing online in the Darkroot forest too, unless you are feeling adventurous because it is full of really high level players and gankers. Also, try not to kill NPCs or you will be constantly invaded by the Blades of the Darkmoon.

NEVER level up resistance, it is a useless stat.

I think it's much easier to just say "don't bother regaining human form". I've literally spent 95% of my time Hollow, zero invasions. The only time I gained my form on purpose was on 1 boss fight in Anor Londo (smough and whatshisface) so that I could summon help.

 

[Skin]

Oh yeh, don't use humanity unless you have 2 and want to kindle a bonfire. If you really need help with a boss, play offline, become human and see if there is an NPC to help you out.

Also, I am going to second the advice that never level up resistance. It is completely useless (well not completely, but it has diminishing returns from the get go).

 

[Monkeyman O'Brien]

Pick the Master Key as your starting gift. Go get the Astora's Straight Sword (Its near a fuck off huge dragon that WILL kill you so make sure you are not holding any souls or humanity as they will be lost) then use that sword which has a holy attack on the skeletons in the Catacombs. If you don't use the holy weapon they keep coming back to life after a few seconds.
The skeletons are right bastards but theres a simple trick to taking them down. Right trigger. That does a strong attack that shatters them, then while they are reforming beat on them then shatter them again.

Edit: Once you have a decent weapon (I am using a Black Knight Sword) and a holy weapon like the aforementioned Astora's Striaght Sword, try the catacombs. It will be difficult and will be a right whore but if you can make it down theres this boss called Pinwheel. He is easy as fuck. Most regular enemies are way harder than him. But if you kill him he gives you the Rite of Kindling meaning you can upgrade bonfires to give you extra flasks. So instead of wasting 1 humanity just to become human to then activate a bonfire you can waste that 1 humanity then use 3 to fully upgrade a bonfire in a difficult area giving you 20 flasks.
So yeah, that boss is a ***** to get to but its well worth it.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Read a guide on attributes and game mechanics. They weren't explained well in Demons Souls (and it looks about the same in Dark Souls, at least going by the manual), and are important. Don't read an all-out walkthrough, but just the stuff on the mechanisms in the game.

This. Learn the game mechanics before playing and what each stat does, and have a character build in mind. I would say you should invest in Vitality and Endurance, Dex or Strength (for weapon scaling), and Intelligence or Faith (for magic; sorceries or miracles). So, you should have at most 4 stats to level as you go. Having several combat options is important as there is always an easy method to get through a tough area or a hard enemy. I would definitely keep a bow and arrow (if going the Dex route) or a crossbow and buy 999 of the cheapest arrows/bolts because so many tough areas can be easily defeated shooting enemies from afar. The game is seriously not nearly as hard as it's made out to be. I'm on my 1st playthrough of Dark Souls (I never played Demon's Souls) and the game has been kind of easy, you just have to take it slow and be careful. I don't understand how Dark Souls is even considered hard, it's a normal difficulty at its worst.

Edit: And, to avoid getting killed by invaders when in human form, simply sign out from PSN or Live when the game says you've been invaded.

 

[irishdude]

a suggested route for the game, from easiest to hardest imo is Undead Burg, Undead Parish, Depths, Blighttown, Quelaag's Domain, The Great Hollow, Ash Lake, Sen's Fortress, Anor Londo, Painted World of Ariamis, Darkroot Garden, Darkroot Basin, New Londo Ruins, The Duke's Archives, Crystal Cave, Demon Ruins, Lost Izalith, The Catacombs, Tomb of Giants then Kiln of the First Flame

and a good walkthrough if you need help
http://wikigameguides.com/Dark_Souls/Guides/Walkthrough-with-Commentary

 

[Ordinaryundone]

Put most of your levels into Vitality and Endurance. Strength and Dex should only be raised to meet the minimum requirements for the weapon you want to use, as stat scaling (even on A ranking) isn't very cost efficient.

UPGRADE YOUR GEAR. Seriously. Even the difference between a vanilla sword and a +1 sword is worth several level ups, and its a lot cheaper too. +5 should be the bare minimum for any weapon you are using, as it only costs about 9000 souls to get (which is chump change by even mid-game). Armor is less important than weapons, but if you find a suit you like its not a waste to upgrade it a few times. Every little bit helps.

Find a shield that blocks 100% physical damage. This is less important as you get better at the game, but early on being able to easily block attacks from the tougher mobs can mean the difference between life and death. The first ones available to you are the Heater Shield or the Hollow Soldier's Shield (or the Spider Shield, if you start as a Bandit).

Speaking of which, starting class doesn't really matter. Mostly it just effects your starting gear. The big exception is Pyromancer and Sorcerer, who start with magics that you won't actually get until a little ways into the game otherwise.

Choose the Master Key as your gift. Most of the others are either useless or easily acquired by other means. Having the keys will save you some headaches early on.

Even if not playing a ranged character, always keep a bow on you (and a surplus of arrows). It's great for splitting up enemy groups into smaller chunks, and many otherwise difficult enemies can actually be beaten rather easily by sniping outside their attack range.

Don't attack NPCs, unless you have a really good reason. Wanton murder is a sin, and the Darkmoon Blades will come after you for it. You can pay Oswald the Pardoner to absolve your sins, he hangs out in the Parish after you kill the Gargoyles.

Don't go into the Cemetery to start, that isn't the right way. Neither is the elevator down to Anor Londo. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

 

[ImperialSunlight]

If you use the "explanation" button at the bottom of the level up screen (square or something on PS3), it offers explanations for everything from strength to poise. It is extremely useful for anyone not familiar with the system. I find, when watching first-time let's plays, that people often don't notice this.

Also, note that dodging is more effected by your armour in Dark Souls than Demon's Souls. In Demon's Souls, you would pretty much either be able to roll effectively or not at all. In Dark Souls, there are different roll speeds for different equip loads (how much you have equiped). You should try to keep your equip load at <25% of your maximum to ensure maximum roll speed. This is especially important if using a melee character, ESPECIALLY if commonly using a two-handed strategy. Heavy armour does use a thing called "hyperarmour" in Dark Souls, though, so it is also viable for some characters (I'm not absolutely sure how it works but I know that Poise is a factor). Just make sure the armour you use has as efficient a poise-weight ratio as possible. The Soldier's Waistcloth is, while ugly, an excellent example of an extremely efficient piece of armour.

Edit: Also, after beating the Taurus Demon, use a homeward bone to return to the bonfire, spend your souls and return. To get past the dragon, walk along the right side of the bridge and he (usually) won't notice you. After you reach the middle, go down the stairs on the right. I wouldn't normally give such a specific hint but this was probably one of the most frustrating parts of the game as it gives no clue whatsoever of how to pass it. Frankly, it's infuriating when you don't know what to do.

Edit II:

Put most of your levels into Vitality and Endurance. Strength and Dex should only be raised to meet the minimum requirements for the weapon you want to use, as stat scaling (even on A ranking) isn't very cost efficient.

Stat scaling has been improved quite a bit with the recent patch, weapons scaled on stats are actually somewhat viable now.

 

[Nomanslander]

The game isn't really that hard as long as you do three things. Sharpen your skills, meaning get really good at knowing when to block or attack. Two, Be weary of anything and everything that might be around each corner. And three, study your opponents tactics well before engaging.

One of the really remarkable things about DS difficulty is as hard as it is, its fair. You're rarely going to get WTF pwned as long as you don't rush in and take chances.

Oh, and one last thing, exploration is everything in this game.

 

[Moktor]

And don't forget to watch the guy who blasts through the entire game in 90 minutes. That way you can feel really small and consider quitting entirely.

Or don't, and enjoy the game =P

I noticed that both demon/dark souls have one thing in common. It isn't THAT hard once you get a feel for the game. I never had any serious trouble in either, because even the hardest bosses follow patterns. You just need to learn them. These are easily some of the best games I have ever played, they always kept me interested.

 

[violent_quiche]

Edit: Also, after beating the Taurus Demon, use a homeward bone to return to the bonfire, spend your souls and return. To get past the dragon, walk along the right side of the bridge and he (usually) won't notice you. After you reach the middle, go down the stairs on the right. I wouldn't normally give such a specific hint but this was probably one of the most frustrating parts of the game as it gives no clue whatsoever of how to pass it. Frankly, it's infuriating when you don't know what to do.

The stairs on the right of the bridge eventually reach the Undead burg bonfire if you follow the downward path and kick the ladder to open the shortcut. Very useful to have.


OP- Dark Souls is rewarding because the journey is so hard that the destinations feel genuinely earned. Fairness is the key- I always know that if I find a successful tactic for a particular situation, it will always apply no matter how many times the game forces me to repeat it. I died at least 8-10 times at the hands of the Bell Gargoyle and had to fight my way back each time, but by attempt 3 I was losing only minor health at most, despite facing a host of enemies on the way back.