(PC) Dark Souls II: Does anyone understand my pain?

[Itchi_da_killa]

I have 116 hrs, Rank 2 in three covens, and 89 Deaths on record; I honestly feel like I got my moneys worth. How ever, I can not bring myself to play this game anymore. I'm pretty disappointed with all of the technical issues with the multi-player aspect. That sucks because multi-player is the number two reason why I play the "Souls" games.

Some Examples:

One of the problems I keep having is my equipment not switching when I need it to. Like when I am switching from chime to shield, so I can block...it won't switch. So I am stuck trying to cast what ever spell is in que while the person I am invading is killing the crap out of me.

The biggest issue is lag though. When I think I am dodging, it turns out my opponent was already stabbing me to death. Or sometimes it looks like they are just standing, while I'm going poke crazy with my spear... but then all of a sudden I am dead. WTF!

I have great internet speed, so it's not me.

The other issue is targeting. I find myself combo'ing something great... in the wrong direction so many times. Spears, Halberds and curved swords, regular and great.

Does any of this happen to anyone else? Is there something technical I'm missing that will help my game?

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I haven't been playing Dark Souls 2 online (I prefer my first play through to always be offline first), but I might still be able to offer some advice, based on what I've seen of some youtube videos about the dark souls 2 pvp situation.

First I have a couple of questions.

1. Do you use an xbox 360 controller on your PC? This has to do with the weapon switching issue you have. I often have issues with the xbox 360 D-pad not working properly. Often I'll switch to my chime and it'll switch the chime and the miracle I'm using because instead of pushing perfectly to the right on the d-pad I pushed right and ever so slightly up. Happens with the xbox 360 and no other controller. I've also had the d-pad just completely fail to respond (and not just in this game).

2. As for your lag issues, lag isn't just caused by how fast your internet connection is but also by what servers you're connecting to as well as what players you're connecting to. Have you made sure to set your options to restrict cross-region play? If you're connecting to people outside of your region it would explain having above average lag. Then again, it could very well just be a problem with Dark Souls 2 servers.

3. When you have targeting issues in pvp are you using the lock-on option? Most dark souls pvps use the lock on as little as possible because it makes your attacks more predictable and easier to dodge. Instead it may be easier to use weapons that have wide sweeping attacks, or which are good at "dead angling."

 

[White Lightning]

I think everyone suffers from those problems. The game is a mess, worst part is they've just announced 3 DLC episodes instead of trying to fix the many issues in that game, I don't think they even care anymore.

For the first issue it's a new mechanic. You can't switch in the middle of actions any more so it makes the controls feel kind of unresponsive. I don't think you can toggle escape anymore either, making the new poise mechanics unbearable.

Secondly the servers suck, that's what the lag is about.

Third is just really bad hit boxes/registration, it's a pain in the ass trying to hit certain enemies. Hell some weapons (Marakumo and Dragon Curved Sword) are pretty well useless when swinging more than once.

3. When you have targeting issues in pvp are you using the lock-on option? Most dark souls pvps use the lock on as little as possible because it makes your attacks more predictable and easier to dodge. Instead it may be easier to use weapons that have wide sweeping attacks, or which are good at "dead angling."

I'm pretty sure you can't dead angle in Dark Souls 2. I've never been able to pull it off and haven't seen anyone else do it. I think it's because they really nerfed the ability to pivot. Maybe I'm wrong but the best you can do is just grab a weapon with a big horizontal swing and flail about.

 

[Itchi_da_killa]

Thanks guys for the perspective. I had no idea the developers removed the toggle action. I have 700+ hrs clocked in on Demon's Souls, and Dark Souls, so I may be having issues with new mechanics such as that.

 

[garjian]

I find the PvP in 2 far, far better... Better, but not great.

DS1 was all glitches, exploits and lagstabs.
DS2 is... well, they do seem to be fixing the bugs eventually like the Monastry Scimitar, but I still can't get into it because of the ludicrously high physical defense values and 10 FTH GMB, as well as the issues with lag and Soul Memory.

I suppose my view is that DS2's is almost good, and that's more frustrating than the outright broken mess of DS1. For people that liked that broken mess, this is a different broken mess that they don't seem to be able to adjust to... somehow.

 

[Kukakkau]

One of the problems I keep having is my equipment not switching when I need it to. Like when I am switching from chime to shield, so I can block...it won't switch. So I am stuck trying to cast what ever spell is in que while the person I am invading is killing the crap out of me.

I found that a lot of times this would happen if you try to switch during an action, so I would always try to do nothing (except walk/run) when switching.

Also there is the disc chime (I think it's called) that can be used as both shield and chime if you want to lessen that pain.

OT my biggest pains comes from the lag and players just using the same builds to be strong. Don't get me wrong I don't see these builds as OP or anything, it's just boring to fight another havel mage, another santier/avelyn build. I'd rather fight people trying new things.

I stopped playing it due to the lack of enemy players variety and the big old fun killer that is soul memory. "Hey you're winning fights and getting souls, well better make it harder for you to be matchmade with anyone of a decent level now".

When it was taking 20+ mins to find one opponent I was out the door.

 

[A-D.]

This is why I love Dark Souls 2 on my Xbox 360.

Sure I won't have better graphics, the chance to mod or add mods, to have a wider variety of people playing with/against me in PvP ... but you know what I don't suffer from? Computer crashes, hackers, and PvP lag/issues. There's ups and downs on both sides plus I am not putting down the PC Gamers- far from it.

I just have experience due to playing TF2, Skyrim, Killing Floor .. ect. of what problems can occur.
Then again, From Software is somewhat to blame for all the problems lol. No offense since I love their work into the Dark Souls series but ... they never really got everything down perfectly. Like for example, on paper the Blue Sentinels are a great way of balancing out the invaders. Problem though? In reality, NO ONE is part of the Way of Blue anymore when reaching other covenants. Plus it takes up a ring slot just to have it sitting there in case an invader comes... it's the only way for a Blue Sentinel to help you. Which fails because no one wants to waste a good slot for a ring that sits there.

Since it takes forever to get summoned, Blue Sentinels don't wear the ring to be auto summoned. So with that, both covenants are really useless in truth. I find it funny that the Dragon Covenant which was pretty much dead in DS 1 is the most active/popular covenant in DS 2. Seriously their dragon eyes are everywhere I go in certain places.

Sorry to hear that you're having a bad time. I would go with what the others have stated and get a 360 controller for the PC. Makes the game easier trust me. That, and to ensure you're set for playing DS 2 online because even a good computer with good speed may not still meet the requirements. Also check with the community to see if there's free mods that help improve the gameplay/graphics/online service. They had it for all the games I played and it's much more satisfying with little issues to face now.

Uh, you are aware that lag-issues in pvp are not limited to the PC right? DkS2 uses the same match-system on all systems, which is a basic Peer-to-Peer system, the host is always the person who summons you or is being invaded by you. If you are a phantom of any color, you are on their console/PC which acts as the server for the duration of your stay, latency is a big problem there obviously because if your internet is crap, or theirs is, you get lag no matter what you do. Neither the Xbox nor the PS3 Versions have some kind of dedicated server, same goes for the PC, so no benefit for one version over the other.

Secondly, hackers are a thing on all platforms, at least i am fairly certain there exist some kind of program for at least the Xbox version which allows you to hack your stats to maximum without needing to actually increase your soul memory, of course the same is possible on PC with other programs but you get the idea. Being on a console does NOT protect you from hackers, they hack just as much, if not more so, with the sole exceptions that their tools are different. As for crashes, well your power can go out, your console can blow up, in short there really isnt any garantuee that you can play perfectly all the time

Also you dont need to wear the Way of the Blue ring to get support from blue sentinels, its enough to be in the covenant. However most blue sentinels dont really care about that, they are just Invaders in a blue coat. They are the same as red phantoms except for color and which orb they use. To quote a rather fitting summary of these people: "Blue Sentinels are just Invaders who ran out of the other cracked eye orb color." And as an aside, a Controller isnt required nor does it make the game easier, the choice of input method is up to personal preference and while you might be okay with controller, someone else might not be, so advising them to use one isnt really a good idea.

 

[Itchi_da_killa]

Lag issues existed on all three. People using the same builds existed in all three games as well. The lag in Dark Souls II has been the worse of the three (I checked my settings, and I am totally region locked...so that is not the problem). Demon's Souls had the smoothest game play experience over all... specially the PvP. BUT, Dark Souls put "meaning" into the PvP with the use of covenants.

I'm surprised they didn't expand the influence of the covenants. However they made a good start. I love the idea of being summoned because a player is in a certain area, "trespassing". Or being summoned when I player is being invaded. Lots of good ideas for a game like this.

I'm not expecting perfection, and I like dealing with trending builds. I just can't forgive all of the lag. It's the reason I quit playing a lot of multi-player games, like Bad Company 2, and such.

 

[A-D.]

Lag issues existed on all three. People using the same builds existed in all three games as well. The lag in Dark Souls II has been the worse of the three (I checked my settings, and I am totally region locked...so that is not the problem). Demon's Souls had the smoothest game play experience over all... specially the PvP. BUT, Dark Souls put "meaning" into the PvP with the use of covenants.

I'm surprised they didn't expand the influence of the covenants. However they made a good start. I love the idea of being summoned because a player is in a certain area, "trespassing". Or being summoned when I player is being invaded. Lots of good ideas for a game like this.

I'm not expecting perfection, and I like dealing with trending builds. I just can't forgive all of the lag. It's the reason I quit playing a lot of multi-player games, like Bad Company 2, and such.

Actually regarding the region-locking feature, there is apparently only two regions. Japan and everywhere else. At least going by how i could actually summon and be summoned by someone in the US, who had "region lock" active, even though im in the EU. So this region-locking feature either doesnt really work, or it works in really bizarre ways. My guess is that its based around ping, i.e. it connects you to people that have a good enough connection to let you connect to them and vice versa. Thats really the only two options there, either its a Two-region system, with Japan and the rest of the world being the regions, or as said its based around ping/latency somehow.

I know for certain that it does not restrict you from playing with people on another continent altogether, i have played with people from the US, South Korea, even had one from Hong Kong, as well as of course people from countries closer to mine, like italy, spain and russians.

 

[iLikeHippos]

Does any of this happen to anyone else? Is there something technical I'm missing that will help my game?

Speaking as someone who has clocked over 300+ hours on Dark Souls II, I thought I'd grant some advice and answer these questions of yours.

Some Examples:

One of the problems I keep having is my equipment not switching when I need it to. Like when I am switching from chime to shield, so I can block...it won't switch. So I am stuck trying to cast what ever spell is in que while the person I am invading is killing the crap out of me.

That is simply you being too fast on the button, or trying too fast after doing an action. Under normal circumstances, you can switch to any weapon/chime/staff/whatever in your quick selection through the correct amount of presses with perfect accuracy. However, after an action like attacking or rolling has been made, switching weapons is delayed until you can move properly with your character.

The biggest issue is lag though. When I think I am dodging, it turns out my opponent was already stabbing me to death. Or sometimes it looks like they are just standing, while I'm going poke crazy with my spear... but then all of a sudden I am dead. WTF!

I have great internet speed, so it's not me.

My heart goes out to you, as I've gotten done in so many times by people far worse than I with far less quality equipment than I, who win purely from the lag giving me phantom pain.

However, small-time lag can be remedied, such as being stabbed in the back when you think you've rolled. He is maybe 0.5 seconds into the future, and in that future, you were standing still and had yet to roll. It is perfectly reasonable in his point of view, but not yours. Be wary to roll after every offensive action if you have a slower weapon to make sure he won't counter with a backstab or a clean hit.

The other issue is targeting. I find myself combo'ing something great... in the wrong direction so many times. Spears, Halberds and curved swords, regular and great.

Assuming this is a problem you have in PvP, (God forbid, missing enemies in PvE is a damn shame :/ ), I would advice against attempting any such nonsense as R1 spamming to begin with. Any skilled player will either parry or out-maneuver you as you are doing this. Not to mention that, with the lag, and if you are on lock-on, you are just hitting the space where the enemy was 0.5 - 1 second ago, which just makes you look silly to the enemy as you are combo-ing air.

You should NOT use lock-on as your primary means of hitting your enemies, because again, you are merely locking-on to where they used to be. Lock-on is only useful for times when you need to quickly locate your opponent or hit them with accuracy as they are moving vertically to you. Other than that, you should rather ditch the lock-on and hit the areas where you think they'll be within 0.5 - 1 seconds time.

Personally, I prefer using straight swords in PvP, since you can easily catch up to your enemy and land a blow on them before they can parry or get out of range in time. I have a very high win ratio through this tactic of mine, even to enemies with superior stats, armor and weapons.

If I made any mistakes or you have further questions, just reply.

 

[Itchi_da_killa]

Does any of this happen to anyone else? Is there something technical I'm missing that will help my game?

Speaking as someone who has clocked over 300+ hours on Dark Souls II, I thought I'd grant some advice and answer these questions of yours.

Some Examples:

One of the problems I keep having is my equipment not switching when I need it to. Like when I am switching from chime to shield, so I can block...it won't switch. So I am stuck trying to cast what ever spell is in que while the person I am invading is killing the crap out of me.

That is simply you being too fast on the button, or trying too fast after doing an action. Under normal circumstances, you can switch to any weapon/chime/staff/whatever in your quick selection through the correct amount of presses with perfect accuracy. However, after an action like attacking or rolling has been made, switching weapons is delayed until you can move properly with your character.

The biggest issue is lag though. When I think I am dodging, it turns out my opponent was already stabbing me to death. Or sometimes it looks like they are just standing, while I'm going poke crazy with my spear... but then all of a sudden I am dead. WTF!

I have great internet speed, so it's not me.

My heart goes out to you, as I've gotten done in so many times by people far worse than I with far less quality equipment than I, who win purely from the lag giving me phantom pain.

However, small-time lag can be remedied, such as being stabbed in the back when you think you've rolled. He is maybe 0.5 seconds into the future, and in that future, you were standing still and had yet to roll. It is perfectly reasonable in his point of view, but not yours. Be wary to roll after every offensive action if you have a slower weapon to make sure he won't counter with a backstab or a clean hit.

The other issue is targeting. I find myself combo'ing something great... in the wrong direction so many times. Spears, Halberds and curved swords, regular and great.

Assuming this is a problem you have in PvP, (God forbid, missing enemies in PvE is a damn shame :/ ), I would advice against attempting any such nonsense as R1 spamming to begin with. Any skilled player will either parry or out-maneuver you as you are doing this. Not to mention that, with the lag, and if you are on lock-on, you are just hitting the space where the enemy was 0.5 - 1 second ago, which just makes you look silly to the enemy as you are combo-ing air.

You should NOT use lock-on as your primary means of hitting your enemies, because again, you are merely locking-on to where they used to be. Lock-on is only useful for times when you need to quickly locate your opponent or hit them with accuracy as they are moving vertically to you. Other than that, you should rather ditch the lock-on and hit the areas where you think they'll be within 0.5 - 1 seconds time.

Personally, I prefer using straight swords in PvP, since you can easily catch up to your enemy and land a blow on them before they can parry or get out of range in time. I have a very high win ratio through this tactic of mine, even to enemies with superior stats, armor and weapons.

If I made any mistakes or you have further questions, just reply.

Thank you for the informative response! My PvP experience has become better since ditching the target lock, as mentioned by another reply earlier in the post. Also I ditched the shield, and started two handing the warped sword.