Dark Souls - I'm Prepared To Die (Again)

[vallorn]

[

If you continually hold down the shield button you regen stamina too slowly to tank properly, Try dropping your shield for a second between his swings to regen stamina through the fight. Also, use a better greatshield, I suggest trying the Black Iron Greatshield if you have the stats for that because the stability that thing has is nuts.

For breaking his poise, 2 hand your weapon as he's starting to buff and you rush him, the bonus damage isn't much but it does significantly more damage to his poise with a 2handed attack.

Yeah, I'm pretty good at managing my Stamina; I look for every opportunity to let it regen, even between attacks, it's juts that he's eating up what Stamina I DO have with seemingly minimal effort. But I haven't tried two-handing against him; sounds like one helluva gamble to put my shield on my back while I two-hand a weapon with only a 50% chance of the attack even connecting and a 100% chance of that attack being lethally countered if it DOES connect. I'm telling you, this guy's a bully, psychologically, physically AND sexually... Don't ask about that last one; let's just leave it at I tried going in with no armor, he took it the wrong way and things ended badly.

Good to hear it, If you are still having issues with that, maybe look into upgrading your shield (I think you need Demon Titanite) so it has improved stability. And with regards to two handing, I agree, but switch to two hands when he enters his buffing animation and you can get more damage off on him there and probably do a better job of staggering him out of his buff.

 

[Xprimentyl]

No matter what lands, waters or the miles that define the distances between us, my dear friends and guides, had you turned your ear towards North Texas at approximately 4:45pm CST yesterday, you should have heard a blood-curdling death cry followed immediately by blood-curdlinger shouts of joy. Artorias is no more, gone from this life, his lonely, abysmal suffering at an end; the sumbitch sleeps wit da fishes and his plus-size puppy.

I gotta say, this has to be my most satisfying victory over a boss so far being the (thus far) truest test of the skills I?ve been honing the past 80 hours. Having to dodge roll, quickly read which move from his seemingly endless move set is being telegraphed, testing my patience and only attacking when I KNOW the moment was right, it felt like I really controlled the fight; I finally felt ?GUD!?

Then, I promptly fell off a broken staircase in Oolacile Township.

Pretty sure the camera is the REAL final boss in Dark Souls.

 

[vallorn]

No matter what lands, waters or the miles that define the distances between us, my dear friends and guides, had you turned your ear towards North Texas at approximately 4:45pm CST yesterday, you should have heard a blood-curdling death cry followed immediately by blood-curdlinger shouts of joy. Artorias is no more, gone from this life, his lonely, abysmal suffering at an end; the sumbitch sleeps wit da fishes and his plus-size puppy.

I gotta say, this has to be my most satisfying victory over a boss so far being the (thus far) truest test of the skills I?ve been honing the past 80 hours. Having to dodge roll, quickly read which move from his seemingly endless move set is being telegraphed, testing my patience and only attacking when I KNOW the moment was right, it felt like I really controlled the fight; I finally felt ?GUD!?

Then, I promptly fell off a broken staircase in Oolacile Township.

Pretty sure the camera is the REAL final boss in Dark Souls.

Go back to where you fought him and then go back to Chester, both of these give you a ton of extra lore and maybe some items.

Also.

Spoiler: CAMERA CONTROL!

There are worse cameras in video games...

Anyway, welcome to Oolacile, don't forget, go human here and an NPC invades you partway in, just be careful because, on PC, this area is THE PVP hotspot of the game, though, if you are on the Xbox I think the hotspot is the Forest Covenant area before Sif.

Either way, there's a few useful hidden items in this area so explore thoroughly while you are here. If you have any Int then some of the best spells in the game can be found in this part of the DLC and some items which are useful for the DLC's final boss are found here.

 

[Xprimentyl]

If online spammers or glitchers are a problem you can always just disconnect and play offline too. Anyways, enjoy your stay in Oolacile! I think you will find it quite relaxing after dealing with Artie, and be sure to give my best to the nice little "chained up" fellow at the end.

 

[vallorn]

I almost forgot. If you can find a key anywhere in the township, go back and climb up to the top of the colosseum. You can unlock a bonus boss if you do some stuff there, it's usually regarded as one of the hardest bosses in the game though so be careful.

However, going up there does give you another NPC/vendor to talk to.

P.S. the sorcerers in Oolacile use Dark Magic. Since Humanity is derived from the nature of physical things and gives things imbued with it more size, strength, etc (Smough is big because he consumed humanity when he ate his human bonemeal stuff, the rats are big because they eat humanity which is why they drop it, etc) Dark Magic, which is derived from Humanity rather than the normal Soul that regular sorceries and crystal sorceries are derived from, does split damage, mostly Physical and some Magic. This might help you if you need to tank some of their moves and comes in handy for the final boss for reasons I won't go into yet.

Either way, we're watching with baited breath!

 

[Xprimentyl]

Go back to where you fought him and then go back to Chester, both of these give you a ton of extra lore and maybe some items.

Anyway, welcome to Oolacile, don't forget, go human here and an NPC invades you partway in, just be careful because, on PC, this area is THE PVP hotspot of the game, though, if you are on the Xbox I think the hotspot is the Forest Covenant area before Sif.

Thanks for the heads up; I'd walked right past Lord Blade Ciaran at least twice and didn't notice her kneeling there. Too bad for her, though...

If online spammers or glitchers are a problem you can always just disconnect and play offline too. Anyways, enjoy your stay in Oolacile! I think you will find it quite relaxing after dealing with Artie, and be sure to give my best to the nice little "chained up" fellow at the end.

I've never actually been invaded by anyone other than NPCs, so no complaints on that front. But I've a date with a dragon before I press too much further into Oolacile Township, but I will keep an eye out for your chained up friend; I've a feeling you're being facetious calling him "nice."

I almost forgot. If you can find a key anywhere in the township, go back and climb up to the top of the colosseum. You can unlock a bonus boss if you do some stuff there, it's usually regarded as one of the hardest bosses in the game though so be careful.

However, going up there does give you another NPC/vendor to talk to.

P.S. the sorcerers in Oolacile use Dark Magic. Since Humanity is derived from the nature of physical things and gives things imbued with it more size, strength, etc (Smough is big because he consumed humanity when he ate his human bonemeal stuff, the rats are big because they eat humanity which is why they drop it, etc) Dark Magic, which is derived from Humanity rather than the normal Soul that regular sorceries and crystal sorceries are derived from, does split damage, mostly Physical and some Magic. This might help you if you need to tank some of their moves and comes in handy for the final boss for reasons I won't go into yet.

Either way, we're watching with baited breath!

Yep, I found the key and opened dialogue with Hawkeye Gough. I thought he was a blacksmith? But I got him to shoot down Kalameet, so later today, I'm going to try and deal with THAT... And I appreciate the insight on Dark Magic; I was wondering why upping my magic defenses wasn't helping against their attacks as much as I thought it should have.

 

[vallorn]

Fighting Special K already? Well, be careful, he's the bonus boss I warned you about, and his tail does drop a weapon but it's insanely hard to actually get because his moveset doesn't leave many openings for it at all.

I know a few people who love that fight but I prefer Arty myself, he makes a good target for pyromancies.

 

[Xprimentyl]

Fighting Special K already? Well, be careful, he's the bonus boss I warned you about, and his tail does drop a weapon but it's insanely hard to actually get because his moveset doesn't leave many openings for it at all.

I know a few people who love that fight but I prefer Arty myself, he makes a good target for pyromancies.

Meh, I'm probably about as good to fight Kalameet now as I'll be after Manus, so why not? Besides, I've got this killer strategy: all I have to do is hit him enough times with a weapon to deplete his HP down to zero; it's so simple!

 

[Fox12]

Hoo boy. I actually skipped kalameet like a coward. If you can take him down then Manus should be no problem.

 

[Xprimentyl]

Hoo boy. I actually skipped kalameet like a coward. If you can take him down then Manus should be no problem.

Did you actually try and give up, or you never tried and skipped him entirely?

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Hoo boy. I actually skipped kalameet like a coward. If you can take him down then Manus should be no problem.

Did you actually try and give up, or you never tried and skipped him entirely?

Good luck with Kalameet. I always thought he was much more difficult than Artorias, who never gave me too much trouble. The bosses in the DLC are the most epic, Dark-Soulsy bosses in the game.

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

 

[vallorn]

Hoo boy. I actually skipped kalameet like a coward. If you can take him down then Manus should be no problem.

Did you actually try and give up, or you never tried and skipped him entirely?

Good luck with Kalameet. I always thought he was much more difficult than Artorias, who never gave me too much trouble. The bosses in the DLC are the most epic, Dark-Soulsy bosses in the game.

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

Yeah, please note you don't have to kill him to get it, it just makes it a lot safer.

 

[Fox12]

Hoo boy. I actually skipped kalameet like a coward. If you can take him down then Manus should be no problem.

Did you actually try and give up, or you never tried and skipped him entirely?

I gave him two shots, and then decided to finish the rest of the DLC. Then I was too lazy to go back and finish him. It doesn't help that I felt kind of bad for the poor dude.

 

[Xprimentyl]

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

Yep, it's the first thing on my "To DO" list once I cross that fog wall!

Yeah, please note you don't have to kill him to get it, it just makes it a lot safer.

Oh, I don't anticipate surviving long after (IF) I reach the waterfall and grab the slab; I'm realistic!

I gave him two shots, and then decided to finish the rest of the DLC. Then I was too lazy to go back and finish him. It doesn't help that I felt kind of bad for the poor dude.

Ok, *whew*, I was starting to think I was in over my head. I feel like the Artorias fight really taught a thing or two and was hoping to apply those lessons sooner rather than later to help engrain them, but if you all think Kalameet is going to shit on everything I learned, I might save him for last...

 

[Fox12]

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

Yep, it's the first thing on my "To DO" list once I cross that fog wall!

Yeah, please note you don't have to kill him to get it, it just makes it a lot safer.

Oh, I don't anticipate surviving long after (IF) I reach the waterfall and grab the slab; I'm realistic!

I gave him two shots, and then decided to finish the rest of the DLC. Then I was too lazy to go back and finish him. It doesn't help that I felt kind of bad for the poor dude.

Ok, *whew*, I was starting to think I was in over my head. I feel like the Artorias fight really taught a thing or two and was hoping to apply those lessons sooner rather than later to help engrain them, but if you all think Kalameet is going to shit on everything I learned, I might save him for last...

In that case I'd just take Manus first. His fight requires a lot of the same skills required to defeat Artorias. You'll probably find it a lot more fun now.

Then you can come back to Kalameet. If memory serves, his fight was a little unusual compared to some of the other fights in the game. You can always return to the DLC, after all.

 

[vallorn]

With your whole Artorias fight and the subsequent death by stairway you reminded me of this

So yeah, I agree with Fox. Manus is hard but the area just before him is one of the best areas in the game thematically and for unique enemy types. Also, humanity farming for reasons which should become clear when you get there.

I'd save Special K for a little bit later because his fight is ludicrous.

P.S. When you get past the chained up guy, keep an eye out for foggy areas on your left as you proceed. It's hard to miss so don't worry, it's also a good way in so just keep one eye out as you progress.

 

[Fox12]

With your whole Artorias fight and the subsequent death by stairway you reminded me of this

So yeah, I agree with Fox. Manus is hard but the area just before him is one of the best areas in the game thematically and for unique enemy types. Also, humanity farming for reasons which should become clear when you get there.

I'd save Special K for a little bit later because his fight is ludicrous.

P.S. When you get past the chained up guy, keep an eye out for foggy areas on your left as you proceed. It's hard to miss so don't worry, it's also a good way in so just keep one eye out as you progress.

playing Dark Soul's always reminds me of that skit from Rick and Morty

 

[Xprimentyl]

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

Yep, it's the first thing on my "To DO" list once I cross that fog wall!

Yeah, please note you don't have to kill him to get it, it just makes it a lot safer.

Oh, I don't anticipate surviving long after (IF) I reach the waterfall and grab the slab; I'm realistic!

I gave him two shots, and then decided to finish the rest of the DLC. Then I was too lazy to go back and finish him. It doesn't help that I felt kind of bad for the poor dude.

Ok, *whew*, I was starting to think I was in over my head. I feel like the Artorias fight really taught a thing or two and was hoping to apply those lessons sooner rather than later to help engrain them, but if you all think Kalameet is going to shit on everything I learned, I might save him for last...

In that case I'd just take Manus first. His fight requires a lot of the same skills required to defeat Artorias. You'll probably find it a lot more fun now.

Then you can come back to Kalameet. If memory serves, his fight was a little unusual compared to some of the other fights in the game. You can always return to the DLC, after all.

It's definitely an interesting fight. I did the same thing, saving him for last. Tough to say if he was outright more difficult than Arty...definitely had more devastating moves but for me it was easier to get into an offensive position. Once you're at his sides near the hind legs the main thing to watch for is the aerial fire breath. His stomp and dash are blockable with a good shield, and if you lose the positional advantage and he tries the sonic grab thing, it's usually possible to roll past it and get some good two handed shots in while he's vulnerable.

 

[Fox12]

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

Yep, it's the first thing on my "To DO" list once I cross that fog wall!

Yeah, please note you don't have to kill him to get it, it just makes it a lot safer.

Oh, I don't anticipate surviving long after (IF) I reach the waterfall and grab the slab; I'm realistic!

I gave him two shots, and then decided to finish the rest of the DLC. Then I was too lazy to go back and finish him. It doesn't help that I felt kind of bad for the poor dude.

Ok, *whew*, I was starting to think I was in over my head. I feel like the Artorias fight really taught a thing or two and was hoping to apply those lessons sooner rather than later to help engrain them, but if you all think Kalameet is going to shit on everything I learned, I might save him for last...

In that case I'd just take Manus first. His fight requires a lot of the same skills required to defeat Artorias. You'll probably find it a lot more fun now.

Then you can come back to Kalameet. If memory serves, his fight was a little unusual compared to some of the other fights in the game. You can always return to the DLC, after all.

It's definitely an interesting fight. I did the same thing, saving him for last. Tough to say if he was outright more difficult than Arty...definitely had more devastating moves but for me it was easier to get into an offensive position. Once you're at his sides near the hind legs the main thing to watch for is the aerial fire breath. His stomp and dash are blockable with a good shield, and if you lose the positional advantage and he tries the sonic grab thing, it's usually possible to roll past it and get some good two handed shots in while he's vulnerable.

Dark Soul's is weird that way. I thought Arty was simple, whereas that Chimera was the bain of my existance. I just couldn't find an opening.

 

[Xprimentyl]

P.S. You might know this already, but there's a titanite slab in Kalameet's arena. Check over by the waterfall.

Yep, it's the first thing on my "To DO" list once I cross that fog wall!

Yeah, please note you don't have to kill him to get it, it just makes it a lot safer.

Oh, I don't anticipate surviving long after (IF) I reach the waterfall and grab the slab; I'm realistic!

I gave him two shots, and then decided to finish the rest of the DLC. Then I was too lazy to go back and finish him. It doesn't help that I felt kind of bad for the poor dude.

Ok, *whew*, I was starting to think I was in over my head. I feel like the Artorias fight really taught a thing or two and was hoping to apply those lessons sooner rather than later to help engrain them, but if you all think Kalameet is going to shit on everything I learned, I might save him for last...

In that case I'd just take Manus first. His fight requires a lot of the same skills required to defeat Artorias. You'll probably find it a lot more fun now.

Then you can come back to Kalameet. If memory serves, his fight was a little unusual compared to some of the other fights in the game. You can always return to the DLC, after all.

It's definitely an interesting fight. I did the same thing, saving him for last. Tough to say if he was outright more difficult than Arty...definitely had more devastating moves but for me it was easier to get into an offensive position. Once you're at his sides near the hind legs the main thing to watch for is the aerial fire breath. His stomp and dash are blockable with a good shield, and if you lose the positional advantage and he tries the sonic grab thing, it's usually possible to roll past it and get some good two handed shots in while he's vulnerable.

Dark Soul's is weird that way. I thought Arty was simple, whereas that Chimera was the bain of my existance. I just couldn't find an opening.

By chimera you mean Kalameet? I only ask because chimera is typically the hybrid goat/lion/serpent creature from Greek myth. Anyways, yeah it's funny because I probably died twice as much to him as Arty, but mostly because of his heavy fire attacks. Once I found the right gear combo and exploited his weak spot it was just a matter of watching out for his levitating fire attacks doing the worst damage.

Arty was almost all blockable, but he really made me work for any hits I got in. Really though, if I had to rank the DLC bosses from biggest "You gotta be kidding" to least, it'd be like -


Sanctuary Guardian: Aggressive as hell, toughest to approach and find an opening. Lightninglightninglightningpounceswipelightningswipepounce is how it usually went.

Artorias: Again, aggressive, but more manageable because he wasn't spewing lightning damage with huge chip values or bouncing around with spastic claw swipes.

Kalameet: Once I was able to withstand the biggest fire attack and still heal, he was pretty exploitable. For gear I think I used all the Gold Hemmed stuff except for the lower body, Cloranthy ring, Steel ring, and doused with Sweat Flash.

Manus: Very surprised to find I didn't struggle at all with this one, as heart-pounding as it was. Only one of his attacks gave me problems, and he left nice openings on most of the blockables.

I'm sure most-everyone else's list will look quite a bit different, but like you said that's the weird part about Souls. So many different angles and approaches.