Dark Souls I, II and III

[The Sonic Mole]

I've started a new character build. I've cheekily nabbed the Zweihander from the graveyard and am putting together a faith build. Once I've ascended the Zweihander to a divine weapon I'm going to be dealing out some serious damage. The challenge is utilising the weapon itself. My first character ended up as one who was DEX focussed and light on his feet. The Zweihander is powerful but so, so slow. I've really had to adapt to accommodate it.

[James]

That sounds similar to my second character. I opted for a Str/Fai build, using the Man-Serpent Greatsword, Lightning Spear and Sunlight Blade (once I could get it). I can't wait to wield Grant once I get the Str requirement - that club looks vicious!

Having Heal is a nice help to counter the slower swings of a(n Ultra) Greatsword. I found having armour with some Poise useful too, so that if I am attacked at least I'm not staggered out of my own attack animation.

Have an absolute blast with it, Si.

[Alex79]

Finally starting to feel quite sturdy in this lol. Wearing maxed out black iron armour and armed with Quelaag's sword of fury. Managed to put that pair of bosses down in Anor Londo without much fuss. I think that was my favourite location yet (apart from those bastard silver knights sniping me off the ledges on that one bit...)

Does anyone have a tip for a really good divine sword to take down the catacombs? I've got a divine longsword+5 but wouldn't mind something a little more powerful. Would a divine scimitar be any good? I'm considering levelling up the Laito for it.

[Alex79]

Already looking forward to NG+ with a totally different style of character.

[JaySevenZero]

Oh listen to you lot with all your fancy-pants armour and weapons!

Meanwhile I'm still shuffling around the Undead Burg getting my ass repeatedly handed to me by the big bastard armour wearing fuck in that bloody little tunnel...


...but other than that I like this game!

[James]

Oh listen to you lot with all your fancy-pants armour and weapons!

Meanwhile I'm still shuffling around the Undead Burg getting my ass repeatedly handed to me by the big bastard armour wearing fuck in that bloody little tunnel...


...but other than that I like this game!

Leave him! It's possible to take out any enemy at any level, but this early in the game you're better off moving forward and coming back to him.

[James]

Finally starting to feel quite sturdy in this lol. Wearing maxed out black iron armour and armed with Quelaag's sword of fury. Managed to put that pair of bosses down in Anor Londo without much fuss. I think that was my favourite location yet (apart from those bastard silver knights sniping me off the ledges on that one bit...)

That's the toughest spot in the game to many as the archers can feel like a complete lottery, and a long run back again if you fail/fall.

Side note on Quelaag's Furysword: it get's stronger the higher your Humanity counter. Being human won't affect it, but it'll increase in damage up to 10 soft/liquid Humanity.

Does anyone have a tip for a really good divine sword to take down the catacombs? I've got a divine longsword+5 but wouldn't mind something a little more powerful. Would a divine scimitar be any good? I'm considering levelling up the Laito for it.

The only place you'll need a Divine weapon is in the Catacombs (and only on your first run through), unless you plan on using one as a main weapon. I try to get a Silver Knight Spear to drop from the Silver Knights in Anor Londo and use that. It has nice, wide swings, and can be used from behind your shield. I was able to one-shot skeletons after upgrading it a bit.

Other than that, Astora's Straight Sword, found in the Valley Of The Drakes, does Divine damage, or you could downgrade the Occult Club you may have found in Anor Londo to a Divine Club +5. Honestly, with those options I wouldn't recommend upgrading one of your own weapons along the Divine path unless your set on using it elsewhere.

[James]

Yesterday this appeared over the LA Convention Center...

Now, I'm not one for over-excitement, but... ZOMG DARK SOULS II HAS A RELEASE DATE AND ROMAN NUMERALZ CONFIRMED!!!!!!!!!!1!!!1!!!!!1

Okay, the Roman numerals are nothing new (and completely inconsequential), but March 2014 is the date. Last word was that From Software/Namco Bandai considered next gen consoles, but decided to forego those in favour of eking more out of the PS3 and 360 and putting the game out sooner.

[ratsoalbion]

Just me, but I would have liked a title that was another thing starting with 'D' Souls, rather than a numbered sequel.
Obvious why they would go for this of course.

[Alex79]

Glad it's actually quite a way off as I'm having so much fun with the first game I didn't want to feel rushed to finish so I could start the second one! Some of the gameplay footage looks basically finished too, obviously it was only a small area of the game, but it does seem like they've given themselves ages to make it the most awesome game ever. Ever.

[James]

Just me, but I would have liked a title that was another thing starting with 'D' Souls, rather than a numbered sequel.
Obvious why they would go for this of course.

I honestly believe that From Software would have gone with Demon's Souls II last time around if not for the move away from Japan Studio as partners. That said, I agree; however the precedent was set, there was an opportunity to forge a naming convention that deviated from the usual numbered sequels. I motion for a petition to rename it...

Death Souls

No, wait...

Devil Souls

Uh, no...

Deviant Souls

Hmm. Deviant Art may have a problem with that...

Dastardly Souls (with a Limited 'Muttley' Edition)

Nailed it!

[dezm0nd]

Deception Souls. BOOM!!!!!! *rumble*

March 2014? I'm wondering if they'll make the game cross-generation otherwise this "All in One" box may have another couple of boxes beside it for company.

[JaySevenZero]

March 14th?

I should have killed that bloody crimson drake bastard that is perched on the bridge in the Undead Burg by then with any luck!

For the record, I have to say that I'm quite enjoying this game, with it having sucked 22 hours of a 48 hour period so far.

[Combine Hunter]

Jay, I'd leave that Dragon alone if I were you

[JaySevenZero]

Jay, I'd leave that Dragon alone if I were you

The sensible part of my brain tells me you're right.

However, I don't really listen to that part whilst playing this game and I'm determined to turn that scaly, fire-breathing fuck into a set of dragon hide luggage and mount his head somewhere useless!

[James]

Jay, I'd leave that Dragon alone if I were you

The sensible part of my brain tells me you're right.

However, I don't really listen to that part whilst playing this game and I'm determined to turn that scaly, fire-breathing fuck into a set of dragon hide luggage and mount his head somewhere useless!

There's honestly no way to take the Hellkite Dragon on head-to-head. You have to resort to chipping away at it with arrows or using hit-and-run tactics on top of the bridge to avoid its one-shot flame breath attack.

I'm wondering if they'll make the game cross-generation otherwise this "All in One" box may have another couple of boxes beside it for company.

See the link in my post with the banner picture for reasons why this is unlikely. These things change, of course, but to make that March date it sounds like From are keeping it simple. Guess it's the Xbox All-But-One from here on out.

Wouldn't bet against a port to next gen in late 2014/early 2015 though (complete speculation, of course).

[JaySevenZero]

There's honestly no way to take the Hellkite Dragon on head-to-head. You have to resort to chipping away at it with arrows or using hit-and-run tactics on top of the bridge to avoid its one-shot flame breath attack.

This is exactly what I've been trying to do. I only had a short bow (+5) equipped with heavy arrows but after an hour under the bridge shooting 350 arrows into the bugger it was still standing!

Got myself a long bow now and now I'm gonna have another crack at it with at least 500 arrows and we'll see who has the last laugh!

[dezm0nd]

I'll be heading for the PS3 version of DS2 over Xbox 360 should the PC version not come on day one, regardless. Xbox Live Silver pretty much negates sales on that format with a game like that.

[JaySevenZero]

A question - is there any purpose in collecting all the loot that the hollowed drop after I've dispatched them?

I have literally hundreds of items that I neither need or want but there doesn't appear to be any selling it onto the merchants in exchange for souls etc.

[Alex79]

You will get to a point after which it's possible to exchange items for souls. Not for a little while yet though.