Dark Souls 2 is sadistic.

[Dandark]

So. At the beginning of the game, I joined the first Covenant that I could. I almost didn't, but then I decided 'Hell with it' and accepted.

I only just learned what the covenant does. Makes all enemies stronger and greatly reduces (if not eliminates) friendly Phantoms. So now I feel stupid. I feel doubly stupid because despite going through two areas fully (Beat Last Giant n' such), I haven't picked up a single Awestone.

That is pretty burtal.

The covenant doesn't just make enemies stronger, it does so by advancing your playthrough stage. So a normal new game becomes NG+ which is what you are supposed to replay the game in after completing it with your full end game stats and equipment.

Its only there for players wanting a big challenge which is why it gives you 3 prompts when you try to join it and warns you not to do so. I think it is also permanent so you are in trouble.

 

[scw55]

Isn't Dark Souls 2 still in Beta? So it's rather difficult to make sweeping statements of the game overall.
You can describe and express valid opinions of the BETA however.

 

[Rylot]

So there's an item on a pillar outside the from the Second Bonfire. How in goddamn fucking hell do you get to it. I looked it up in a guide and it was like, just go up the ladder and jump across. I tried that and it didn't work. I could land on it but I'd just keep rolling and bounce off. I've been trying from just across on the level with the bonfire and that isn't working. Do I have to keep going through the level till I reach the rope bridge?

 

[Rylot]

Isn't Dark Souls 2 still in Beta? So it's rather difficult to make sweeping statements of the game overall.
You can describe and express valid opinions of the BETA however.

No, it's been out in the states since the eleventh. Full game.

 

[Kopikatsu]

So! The game actually changes in New Game+ in various ways. It's not just that enemies get stronger. You can simulate the changes with Bonfire Aspects, but some examples are...

Spoiler

Looking Glass Knight's boss fight begins with you INSIDE of his mirror shield, and you have to break out before you can fight him proper.

On NG++, Duke's Dear Freya drops the Paledrake Soul, which you can use to craft the real Moonlight Blade.

In the Throne Room in Drangleic Castle, TWO different Pursuers appear and attack you at the same time.

Supposedly the game will continue to change for the first four playthroughs. Don't have enough Bonfire Aspects to see everything early tho'.

 

[Diablo2000]

How the fuck I am suposse to damage Vendrick? I am doing 3-4 damage to the guy. And can pretty much 1 shot me...

 

[Yeager942]

No, I'm not talking about the difficulty of the game.

In Majula, there is a large well with a bunch of very obvious items placed on various planks inside of it. Attempting to jump down the well will result in your immediate death. Right beside this well is a cat that sells a ring that supposedly lowers falling damage for 13400 souls. So, after a good 2-3 hours, I grinded the souls to be able to purchase this ring so that I could get at those sweet, sweet items (Even had to kill the White Knight in the Forest of Fallen Giants)

But the ring didn't help. The fall still instantly kills you even with no armor on. You probably need the Sorcery that does junk to fall damage. I am very the sads now.

You win this round, Dark Souls. (Let this be a lesson. Don't bother grinding for the cat ring).

But on the topic of difficulty...I feel kind of useless trying to go the tank route. For some reason, greatly upgrading my equipment to the Old Knight set increased the damage some enemies did to me. It seems like the only point of armor is Poise, because it certainly isn't for protection. At least I found a Soul Vessel and Greater Soul Arrow if I want to play the 'right' way and cheese everything to death (Which is how Gamestop suggests beating difficult enemies, I guess). Makes me sad, yo.

It's still possible to fall down with the ring and survive with enough health. It isn't unreasonable either, and I was able to do it with 16 VIG. Also, there is a ladder you can get later in the game so you can place it there, no jumping required.

 

[Kopikatsu]

How the fuck I am suposse to damage Vendrick? I am doing 3-4 damage to the guy. And can pretty much 1 shot me...

You need the Souls of Giants to be able to damage them. He has 32x resistances with zero souls.

You get one from killing the two enemies in the hidden cave at the bottom of Black Gulch, another from Ancient Dragon, two from the Memories...

I've been told that there are 1-2 more than that, but those are the only ones I know of.

 

[Diablo2000]

How the fuck I am suposse to damage Vendrick? I am doing 3-4 damage to the guy. And can pretty much 1 shot me...

You need the Souls of Giants to be able to damage them. He has 32x resistances with zero souls.

You get one from killing the two enemies in the hidden cave at the bottom of Black Gulch, another from Ancient Dragon, two from the Memories...

I've been told that there are 1-2 more than that, but those are the only ones I know of.

Oh... Yeah about that... I used the Giants Souls. In my defense the Item descrition stated that it was only used to get souls, if there was a "Oh, by the way. You need that to beat the dude" I wouldn't have used it.
But he have a Defense based on how many souls I have (Or don't have) basicly?
Well, I gonna go grind for souls a bit them...

 

[Kopikatsu]

How the fuck I am suposse to damage Vendrick? I am doing 3-4 damage to the guy. And can pretty much 1 shot me...

You need the Souls of Giants to be able to damage them. He has 32x resistances with zero souls.

You get one from killing the two enemies in the hidden cave at the bottom of Black Gulch, another from Ancient Dragon, two from the Memories...

I've been told that there are 1-2 more than that, but those are the only ones I know of.

Oh... Yeah about that... I used the Giants Souls. In my defense the Item descrition stated that it was only used to get souls, if there was a "Oh, by the way. You need that to beat the dude" I wouldn't have used it.
But he have a Defense based on how many souls I have (Or don't have) basicly?
Well, I gonna go grind for souls a bit them...

No, you specifically need those souls. In the description, it says 'Will the Giants' resentment for the King be pacified in death or only emboldened...?'

You basically can't beat him anymore. gg hero. Tho' I've been told bleed-element weapons can still damage him.

 

[Diablo2000]

How the fuck I am suposse to damage Vendrick? I am doing 3-4 damage to the guy. And can pretty much 1 shot me...

You need the Souls of Giants to be able to damage them. He has 32x resistances with zero souls.

You get one from killing the two enemies in the hidden cave at the bottom of Black Gulch, another from Ancient Dragon, two from the Memories...

I've been told that there are 1-2 more than that, but those are the only ones I know of.

Oh... Yeah about that... I used the Giants Souls. In my defense the Item descrition stated that it was only used to get souls, if there was a "Oh, by the way. You need that to beat the dude" I wouldn't have used it.
But he have a Defense based on how many souls I have (Or don't have) basicly?
Well, I gonna go grind for souls a bit them...

No, you specifically need those souls. In the description, it says 'Will the Giants' resentment for the King be pacified in death or only emboldened...?'

You basically can't beat him anymore. gg hero. Tho' I've been told bleed-element weapons can still damage him.

Might try bleed weapons then, if doesn't work then I guess just try again when I play another character. I don't think he's a nessary boss to complete the game. Just wanted to see if I would get something for my troubles for killing him.

 

[Kopikatsu]

How the fuck I am suposse to damage Vendrick? I am doing 3-4 damage to the guy. And can pretty much 1 shot me...

You need the Souls of Giants to be able to damage them. He has 32x resistances with zero souls.

You get one from killing the two enemies in the hidden cave at the bottom of Black Gulch, another from Ancient Dragon, two from the Memories...

I've been told that there are 1-2 more than that, but those are the only ones I know of.

Oh... Yeah about that... I used the Giants Souls. In my defense the Item descrition stated that it was only used to get souls, if there was a "Oh, by the way. You need that to beat the dude" I wouldn't have used it.
But he have a Defense based on how many souls I have (Or don't have) basicly?
Well, I gonna go grind for souls a bit them...

No, you specifically need those souls. In the description, it says 'Will the Giants' resentment for the King be pacified in death or only emboldened...?'

You basically can't beat him anymore. gg hero. Tho' I've been told bleed-element weapons can still damage him.

Might try bleed weapons then, if doesn't work then I guess just try again when I play another character. I don't think he's a nessary boss to complete the game. Just wanted to see if I would get something for my troubles for killing him.

He isn't required, no. Killing him lets you open a door in Shrine of Amana with stuff in it.

 

[BreakfastMan]

God damn, the Skeleton Lords were so damn easy. That fight is just unfair. For them. XD Also, Harvest Valley looks like the new Blightown, so I am not going to be doing that area anytime soon... Going to try the first boss in Lost Bastille, I think. Anyone have any tips for it?

Also, it appears you can rank up the Blue Sentinels covenant without playing online somehow. Not sure how that works, however. Was in Majula, and decided to randomly talk to the Blue Covenant guy, and found I had ranked up. 'Tis weird.

And that map in the mansion; not sure what is going on there or what use it might serve later down the line. Still, it is pretty cool little thing, regardless.

 

[FreeTheFree]

@ Kopikatsu: You can buy the ring from the cat, but you must have high enough hp, although you, can wait till later in the game, where in when you arrive at "Earthen Peak", there will be a merchant that after you talk to him, he will arrive to majula and sell you ladders that you can climb down into the well

 

[FreeTheFree]

Actually 100% physical will become useless with other bosses, my advice makes sure you have some fire defs ready, and save up on poison resist and poison cure items

 

[FreeTheFree]

It although cost souls for the ladder, although the price will be rather cheap once you get to that point

 

[FreeTheFree]

Pro hint: find the ring of protection asap, makes the game radically easier, because rings are not repairable after it becomes broken, it's cost 3000 to repair it, but since you won't be losing your souls, but have your ring broken instead, I believe it becomes worth it long term.

 

[Kopikatsu]

God damn, the Skeleton Lords were so damn easy. That fight is just unfair. For them. XD Also, Harvest Valley looks like the new Blightown, so I am not going to be doing that area anytime soon... Going to try the first boss in Lost Bastille, I think. Anyone have any tips for it?

Also, it appears you can rank up the Blue Sentinels covenant without playing online somehow. Not sure how that works, however. Was in Majula, and decided to randomly talk to the Blue Covenant guy, and found I had ranked up. 'Tis weird.

And that map in the mansion; not sure what is going on there or what use it might serve later down the line. Still, it is pretty cool little thing, regardless.

Skeleton Lords and the Congregation are both really easy and are the same 'type' of boss. Royal Rat Vanguard is another in that line, but he's not actually all that easy. _>

Harvest Valley isn't bad when you know where to go. No, the new Blighttown is The Gutters/Black Gulch. It's the worst.

 

[BreakfastMan]

God damn, the Skeleton Lords were so damn easy. That fight is just unfair. For them. XD Also, Harvest Valley looks like the new Blightown, so I am not going to be doing that area anytime soon... Going to try the first boss in Lost Bastille, I think. Anyone have any tips for it?

Also, it appears you can rank up the Blue Sentinels covenant without playing online somehow. Not sure how that works, however. Was in Majula, and decided to randomly talk to the Blue Covenant guy, and found I had ranked up. 'Tis weird.

And that map in the mansion; not sure what is going on there or what use it might serve later down the line. Still, it is pretty cool little thing, regardless.

Skeleton Lords and the Congregation are both really easy and are the same 'type' of boss. Royal Rat Vanguard is another in that line, but he's not actually all that easy. _>

Harvest Valley isn't bad when you know where to go. No, the new Blighttown is The Gutters/Black Gulch. It's the worst.

Is there any easier way to get to the ruin sentinels? Because just running past the billions of enemies on the way to them appears to be a no-go...

 

[Kopikatsu]

We

God damn, the Skeleton Lords were so damn easy. That fight is just unfair. For them. XD Also, Harvest Valley looks like the new Blightown, so I am not going to be doing that area anytime soon... Going to try the first boss in Lost Bastille, I think. Anyone have any tips for it?

Also, it appears you can rank up the Blue Sentinels covenant without playing online somehow. Not sure how that works, however. Was in Majula, and decided to randomly talk to the Blue Covenant guy, and found I had ranked up. 'Tis weird.

And that map in the mansion; not sure what is going on there or what use it might serve later down the line. Still, it is pretty cool little thing, regardless.

Skeleton Lords and the Congregation are both really easy and are the same 'type' of boss. Royal Rat Vanguard is another in that line, but he's not actually all that easy. _>

Harvest Valley isn't bad when you know where to go. No, the new Blighttown is The Gutters/Black Gulch. It's the worst.

Is there any easier way to get to the ruin sentinels? Because just running past the billions of enemies on the way to them appears to be a no-go...

Which bonfire are you coming from? If it's the last one on the list (the one you get to from Forest of Fallen Giants), then it's super easy. You just have to kill two guards and a handful of Royal Swordsmen.

Buuuuut if that's not for you... when you get to the room with the Swordsmen, run past them to the middle floor, go down the little hallway to the ladder, then go up and head to the right at the top. The boss gate is right there, and the NPC Phantom summon is right next to it inside one of the cells.