Someone may have already said this, but remember that you must lower your shield and have it down for about a second before you can backstab. Took me about 10 hours to figure that one out.
Just bought Dark Souls,any tips?
- Thread starter Xukog
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Learn how to barrel roll out of the way of attacks in undead burg, it's a lot more helpful than relying on a shield
1) There are 2 wikis for the game, but I find this one to be much easier to navigate: http://darksouls.wikidot.com/
2) Blighttown, one of the most infamously hated areas of the game from what I've heard, can be almost entirely skipped over if you choose the master key as your starting gift.
3) Like others have said before; a shield with 100 physical defense is incredibly useful, but not so much being good at dodging. Many tougher enemies will have a fire/lightning/poison effect that will go through this defense, and though the shield will block damage to your health, it is translated into draining your stamina, and you'll be staggered if it goes to 0.
4) The Drake Sword is an incredibly useful weapon in the early game, but won't carry you very far. I recommend getting it, especially for a first playthrough, but make sure you find a better weapon ASAP.
You'll need a bow and a good amount of arrows in order to get it easily. Also note that you need at least 16 strength in order to use it properly.
5) As Little Gray said before, Skill > Equipment > Stats. Being good at the game comes with time and practice. Having great gear and stats doesn't matter if you aren't any good at the game. That said, having good stuff is also important, so make sure to upgrade your weapons and get some good armor.
6) While stats don't mean as much in Dark Souls as you might think, they still hold importance. Don't spread your upgrades too thin. It's probably best to focus into Vitality for more health, endurance for more stamina, and then pick a combat related skill that suits you. Strength is more for bigger, harder-hitting weapons, Dexterity for bows and your more agile and/or exotic weapons, and Faith and Intelligence are for miracles and sorceries, respectively. Those last two are the game's magic types, along with pyromancy, which isn't tied to any skill.
7) Pay attention to your equipment load. If the weight of your equipment is more than half of your maximum possible equip load, your rolls(dodges) will be heavy rolls, which are very slow, don't get you very far, and leave you vulnerable. If the load is below half the maximum, you will do medium rolls, which are all around pretty reasonable. If the load is below 25% of the maximum, you will do light rolls, which are very fast and have almost no recovery time.
I recommend having at least medium rolls; this lets you dodge effectively while not limiting you too much in your equipment. If you need to lower your equip load, remember that both weapon slots for both hands are taken into account. If you only use one weapon and one shield, don't equip extra stuff.
8) If you're playing on PC, get <a href=http://blog.metaclassofnil.com/?tag=dsfix>DSFix. Remember to read the ReadMe, as it goes over some in-game settings you need to turn off for the patch to work. DSFix allows you to actually run the game in higher resolutions. I also recommend playing with a controller, preferably a wired Xbox 360 gamepad. The game's PC controls are kinda shoddy, and all in-game tutorials actually still refer to the Xbox controller's buttons.
9) Exploring around can get you some really cool stuff and be very rewarding, but if you come across a really big, tough looking enemy, avoid them. They are likely to be just as tough as they look. Same goes for new areas; if it looks big and scary, or like something you would probably encounter later in the game, you may very well have stumbled into somewhere you probably shouldn't be yet, and are likely to encounter higher level enemies.
10) Unless you're interested in PvP, you only really need Humanity for kindling bonfires, which makes them give you more Estus from resting at them. From what I understand, the only benefits to having Humanity is an increased item drop rate and some stat bonuses, which aren't too big a deal. Using a Humanity item will, however, heal you, so keep that in mind if you run out of Estus.
And that's all I can think of right now. Remember, the game is hard until you start getting the hang of things. Once you start getting better, it becomes easier. You are likely to die when encountering new enemies/areas, but try to learn from each death. Take note of enemy locations and attack patterns. The game will sometimes shit on you with hidden enemies and traps, and the occasional bullshit pathway that looks like you shouldn't be able to use, but is actually the way you NEED to go to progress. I was lucky enough to have a few friends who'd beaten the game to seek advice from while playing, which helped a lot.
2) Blighttown, one of the most infamously hated areas of the game from what I've heard, can be almost entirely skipped over if you choose the master key as your starting gift.
3) Like others have said before; a shield with 100 physical defense is incredibly useful, but not so much being good at dodging. Many tougher enemies will have a fire/lightning/poison effect that will go through this defense, and though the shield will block damage to your health, it is translated into draining your stamina, and you'll be staggered if it goes to 0.
4) The Drake Sword is an incredibly useful weapon in the early game, but won't carry you very far. I recommend getting it, especially for a first playthrough, but make sure you find a better weapon ASAP.
You'll need a bow and a good amount of arrows in order to get it easily. Also note that you need at least 16 strength in order to use it properly.
5) As Little Gray said before, Skill > Equipment > Stats. Being good at the game comes with time and practice. Having great gear and stats doesn't matter if you aren't any good at the game. That said, having good stuff is also important, so make sure to upgrade your weapons and get some good armor.
6) While stats don't mean as much in Dark Souls as you might think, they still hold importance. Don't spread your upgrades too thin. It's probably best to focus into Vitality for more health, endurance for more stamina, and then pick a combat related skill that suits you. Strength is more for bigger, harder-hitting weapons, Dexterity for bows and your more agile and/or exotic weapons, and Faith and Intelligence are for miracles and sorceries, respectively. Those last two are the game's magic types, along with pyromancy, which isn't tied to any skill.
7) Pay attention to your equipment load. If the weight of your equipment is more than half of your maximum possible equip load, your rolls(dodges) will be heavy rolls, which are very slow, don't get you very far, and leave you vulnerable. If the load is below half the maximum, you will do medium rolls, which are all around pretty reasonable. If the load is below 25% of the maximum, you will do light rolls, which are very fast and have almost no recovery time.
I recommend having at least medium rolls; this lets you dodge effectively while not limiting you too much in your equipment. If you need to lower your equip load, remember that both weapon slots for both hands are taken into account. If you only use one weapon and one shield, don't equip extra stuff.
8) If you're playing on PC, get <a href=http://blog.metaclassofnil.com/?tag=dsfix>DSFix. Remember to read the ReadMe, as it goes over some in-game settings you need to turn off for the patch to work. DSFix allows you to actually run the game in higher resolutions. I also recommend playing with a controller, preferably a wired Xbox 360 gamepad. The game's PC controls are kinda shoddy, and all in-game tutorials actually still refer to the Xbox controller's buttons.
9) Exploring around can get you some really cool stuff and be very rewarding, but if you come across a really big, tough looking enemy, avoid them. They are likely to be just as tough as they look. Same goes for new areas; if it looks big and scary, or like something you would probably encounter later in the game, you may very well have stumbled into somewhere you probably shouldn't be yet, and are likely to encounter higher level enemies.
10) Unless you're interested in PvP, you only really need Humanity for kindling bonfires, which makes them give you more Estus from resting at them. From what I understand, the only benefits to having Humanity is an increased item drop rate and some stat bonuses, which aren't too big a deal. Using a Humanity item will, however, heal you, so keep that in mind if you run out of Estus.
And that's all I can think of right now. Remember, the game is hard until you start getting the hang of things. Once you start getting better, it becomes easier. You are likely to die when encountering new enemies/areas, but try to learn from each death. Take note of enemy locations and attack patterns. The game will sometimes shit on you with hidden enemies and traps, and the occasional bullshit pathway that looks like you shouldn't be able to use, but is actually the way you NEED to go to progress. I was lucky enough to have a few friends who'd beaten the game to seek advice from while playing, which helped a lot.
Save your Boss souls. Seriously a must. They are used for upgrading your weapons into unique and much more powerful weapons, and are a waste if you use them purely for souls. A great example of this is a shield you can make only with the soul of the Moonlight Butterfly. It deals massive amounts of ranged damage, and can take down the hardest battles in the game in mere moments.
Try using a Katana, Spear, or Claymore if you aren't sure what weapon to use. They all have good attacks with little windup.
Look at the secondary stats on your shield, take note of Stability most importantly. The higher a shield's stability, the less stamina it costs to block.
If you lose and decide to stop playing, start an escapist thread about how the game is actually terrible and poorly designed.
Look at the secondary stats on your shield, take note of Stability most importantly. The higher a shield's stability, the less stamina it costs to block.
If you lose and decide to stop playing, start an escapist thread about how the game is actually terrible and poorly designed.
As soon as you get to the FireLink shrine, head downstairs. You should eventually get to a bridge that leads to an area filled with ghosts. There is a Fire keeper soul that you can grab. You should be able to see it from the bridge. You might die trying to get out, it's no big deal. Head to Blight town and keep going down the ladders. There is an armor set called the Crimson Robes. Grab that, you might also die trying to get out. You don't lose your items if you die. There is a woman behind some bars that doesn't speak. Give her the Fire keeper soul and she will upgrade your flasks. Pick the Master as your item. Right before you fight the Tauros Demon, unlock the door with the Master key. Don't fight the knight that lives in this tower just yet. Avoid him and unlock the door. You are now in a area filled with crystal golems and a hydra. Don't them and stick to the far left side as soon as you come out. You can grab the Grass Crest Shield that is guarded by a Knight. If you go to the Darkroot forest you can grab the Wolf ring. There is a green tree on the far right side in a area filled with sleeping stone knights. As soon as you enter that area, turn right and you will see the green tree. Slash at the tree until in goes away. follow the path that leads to the wolf ring. The crimson robes and the grass crest shield, and the wolf ring, you should be fine.
They nerfed it, it's not as OP as it used to be. Still not a bad shield though.omegaweopon said:
OP:
You don't lose your items when you die, so it's sometimes worth just sprinting around to grab gear and just sacrificing whatever souls you've got on you. It's worth doing this with the graveyard 'cos you get a nice spear and some other bits and pieces.
My personal favourite weapons are halberds, but its worth experimenting with a few different ones to see what suits you.
Spend a while practising parries and dodging.
When you meet a new enemy type, take your time learning all the different patterns they do, so you can get your timing right.
Be patient. Prepare to die.
Go down the elevator from Firelink Shrine, use your master key around the corner to get to the Valley of the Drakes, go through the ominous dark cave with the ugly ogre things to skip 90% of Blighttown. Maybe you want to experience everything about the game, but my response as a fellow first timer is fuck Blighttown.
Once you're at Firelink Shrine, go up.
Block, block, block (or dodge, dodge, dodge).
Once you've beaten the Minotaur, GO BACK TO THE BONFIRE.
If a hint reads "try jumping" on a cliff edge, don't listen.
You have to stop blocking to do a backstab.
Even an insignificant hollowed with a knife can do you in if you are careless.
Don't piss off the black knight.
DON'T PISS OFF THE BLACK KNIGHT.
If you must piss off the black knight, go to a open area, focus on him, and strafe right constantly.
Block, block, block (or dodge, dodge, dodge).
Once you've beaten the Minotaur, GO BACK TO THE BONFIRE.
If a hint reads "try jumping" on a cliff edge, don't listen.
You have to stop blocking to do a backstab.
Even an insignificant hollowed with a knife can do you in if you are careless.
Don't piss off the black knight.
DON'T PISS OFF THE BLACK KNIGHT.
If you must piss off the black knight, go to a open area, focus on him, and strafe right constantly.
If you look at your shield's stats, you might notice one called stability. This is a very important stat; it determines how much stamina an attack eats out of your shield. Minor differences in stability can make a HUGE difference. Generally, bigger shields have more stability; the shields with the most stability (The tower shields) lose the ability to parry, but can easily block even the most powerful attacks in the game. If you don't trust your dodging abilities, trust a shield with good stability.
Also, if you go to the top of Firelink Shrine while using one of the shortcuts, you'll find a bird nest. Sit in it for 40 seconds and see what happens.
Also also, illusionary walls exist. Good luck finding out which ones are illusionary.
The only real Master Key shortcut I would recommend to a first-timer is the Blighttown one, and only if somebody REALLY is having trouble with upper Blighttown.
Also, if you go to the top of Firelink Shrine while using one of the shortcuts, you'll find a bird nest. Sit in it for 40 seconds and see what happens.
Also also, illusionary walls exist. Good luck finding out which ones are illusionary.
Sorry, but this is rather bad advice for a newbie. While these gear are VERY effective for the game, they won't really help someone new to the game as much as slowly building up their skills by going through the Burg, Parish, Forest, etc. in a more natural order. This advice is certainly great for somebody starting a new playthrough after they've played through the game a while, but until you get down enemy behavior, you're going to have a difficult time navigating and avoiding the attacks of difficult foes in those higher-level areas.Ratties said:
The only real Master Key shortcut I would recommend to a first-timer is the Blighttown one, and only if somebody REALLY is having trouble with upper Blighttown.
helpful hint. Don't die. Also dark soul wiki. Also may sure to have some subtle boss killing music in the background before a boss battle, why you ask? Cause after ten death straight your gonna need something to back up that focus rage. All that FOCUSED rage. lastly, welcome to hell stage 1, you think you good enough?bat32391 said:
It's still not good for a newbie. It's like suggesting that you skip the Taurus Demon entirely with the Master Key and go through the Darkroot Basin, which is filled with harder enemies, or maybe go through the Catacombs to get the Rite of Kindling right at the beginning.Ratties said:
Remember that basically all decisions made in the game are permanent, so think carefully about all decisions you make, especially if it involves killing an NPC.
Highly recommend playing as a Warrior or a Pyromancer for your first playthrough, not a Mage.
Take the Master Key for your initial item, by far the best starting item.
If you're fighting someone and they're absolutely kicking your ass, you might be going the wrong way and should come back later.
Dark Souls differs from most RPGs in that your equipment is far more important than your stats or level. Not saying don't level up, but if you have the choice between going up 1 more level or upgrading equipment, upgrade equipment. On the same leveling up note, don't put any points in Resistance, it's almost worthless.
If you don't want to run the risk of being invaded by other players, make sure you're signed out of PSN before you start.
There's nothing wrong with running away from a fight you're losing.
Highly recommend playing as a Warrior or a Pyromancer for your first playthrough, not a Mage.
Take the Master Key for your initial item, by far the best starting item.
If you're fighting someone and they're absolutely kicking your ass, you might be going the wrong way and should come back later.
Dark Souls differs from most RPGs in that your equipment is far more important than your stats or level. Not saying don't level up, but if you have the choice between going up 1 more level or upgrading equipment, upgrade equipment. On the same leveling up note, don't put any points in Resistance, it's almost worthless.
If you don't want to run the risk of being invaded by other players, make sure you're signed out of PSN before you start.
There's nothing wrong with running away from a fight you're losing.
Try to go through blind, without consulting a wiki. Explore everywhere if you get lost, and if you run into enemies which take very little damage from your attacks, try another route. The level design in this game is genius-level and it's a lot of fun to stumble into a place which you saw earlier, going to a wiki to find where to go next will hurt that.
well..
i started wit a pyro-becaus ehe starts at soul level 1-but fates than i wanted i switched to the knight.
its nice to have the big set of armor for the beginning- i sty under 50% burden so i can dodgeroll but not very fast. but the armor seved my ass very often, it has high poise-and high poise means that emeney dont stagger you as much..
so until you are very good at dodging (which requires dying because you need to know the movements nd attacks of your enemies) i´d require you to start with some chara which has armor. you can strip parts or swap to lighter parts and be faster if you want(i am at blight town so i have this ninja-armor which has very good poison resistance and the spider shield which has also good poison resistence,)
LOOK AROUND and PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDING!
-dont run into enemies-look around first. and think. if you see charred and burnt stuff on the ground this might get you the idea of "there is something which could burn your ass"-and thats right^^.
If you see a lot of bodies lying around-slow down and watch your surroundings-if you are inside the sepths-wath the ceiling as well! (i leart that the hard way..)
Listen as well. You can hear enemies very often if they are aggroed and on their way to make you another butthole. there is an instance in undead burg i think where you can aggro a balder-knight from a place rather far away if you hit the wall to often-and he stabs you in the back if he wants. but if you are a bit silent you willnotice his steps and are not unprepared.
there are invisible walls sometimes.
try collect firekeepers souls- give them to the gal in the cave underfirelik. BUT NEVER USE HER SOUL.
-at later after the 2nd bell you can hit a wall, enter a long corridor: dont kill the guy crouching at the ground who havs eggs on his body, he can sell you stuff.
if you like dex-weapons and are as well, aerm. chicken-y as i am, get a rapier or an estoc (which is very easy to get from the start)-you can attack with them while you have your shield raised. (but you cant kick with them)
and-BE PREPARED. always. dont rush. dont aggro a group of enemies, you can often pick one of them if you ahoot an arrow at him.
If you have humanity left and problems with the enemies:turn human, then kindle the bonfires-you get 10 healing instead of 5.
and if you have problem with capra demon-try aural decoy (which you can get from a mage if you saved him earlier-you shouldn't miss him^^) This spell helped me alot.
if you are angry-dont play. you´ll get reckless and die again^^
i started wit a pyro-becaus ehe starts at soul level 1-but fates than i wanted i switched to the knight.
its nice to have the big set of armor for the beginning- i sty under 50% burden so i can dodgeroll but not very fast. but the armor seved my ass very often, it has high poise-and high poise means that emeney dont stagger you as much..
so until you are very good at dodging (which requires dying because you need to know the movements nd attacks of your enemies) i´d require you to start with some chara which has armor. you can strip parts or swap to lighter parts and be faster if you want(i am at blight town so i have this ninja-armor which has very good poison resistance and the spider shield which has also good poison resistence,)
LOOK AROUND and PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDING!
-dont run into enemies-look around first. and think. if you see charred and burnt stuff on the ground this might get you the idea of "there is something which could burn your ass"-and thats right^^.
If you see a lot of bodies lying around-slow down and watch your surroundings-if you are inside the sepths-wath the ceiling as well! (i leart that the hard way..)
Listen as well. You can hear enemies very often if they are aggroed and on their way to make you another butthole. there is an instance in undead burg i think where you can aggro a balder-knight from a place rather far away if you hit the wall to often-and he stabs you in the back if he wants. but if you are a bit silent you willnotice his steps and are not unprepared.
there are invisible walls sometimes.
try collect firekeepers souls- give them to the gal in the cave underfirelik. BUT NEVER USE HER SOUL.
-at later after the 2nd bell you can hit a wall, enter a long corridor: dont kill the guy crouching at the ground who havs eggs on his body, he can sell you stuff.
if you like dex-weapons and are as well, aerm. chicken-y as i am, get a rapier or an estoc (which is very easy to get from the start)-you can attack with them while you have your shield raised. (but you cant kick with them)
and-BE PREPARED. always. dont rush. dont aggro a group of enemies, you can often pick one of them if you ahoot an arrow at him.
If you have humanity left and problems with the enemies:turn human, then kindle the bonfires-you get 10 healing instead of 5.
and if you have problem with capra demon-try aural decoy (which you can get from a mage if you saved him earlier-you shouldn't miss him^^) This spell helped me alot.
if you are angry-dont play. you´ll get reckless and die again^^
Dark Souls explains very little of itself. For example, it never tells you how to jump (hold the run button and tap it again to jump). Many of the game mechanics and items are not self-explanatory, so expect to be confused a lot until you decide to experiment. You could go to the wiki, but as the guy before me said, part of the joy of the game is discovering these things for yourself.
Also, don't be afraid to upgrade your weapons as soon as possible. I played it safe and conserved my titanite early on, and got real frustrated when my weapons weren't killing anything fast enough. A fully upgraded weapon will save you a lot of headaches.
Blocking is god.
Use the death pits to your advantage. I killed a black knight way above my level my getting him to dodge off a ledge to his death.
If you're out of humanity, there are certain enemies that are more likely to give you more. Rats, for one, drop a lot of humanity (for some reason). I'm not sure about what else does, though.
Don't go to the New Londo Ruins. It's a super pain, at least until you are a high level, and you get very little out of the place.
Keep your eyes open for bonfires and shortcuts back to previous bonfires. Those shortcuts can be such a relief.
Remember where the merchants are. Sometimes you need a few more firebombs, and knowing where you can buy them will help a great deal.
Finally, don't be too afraid to die. There is nothing you can lose in death that can't be replenished. Your inventory is always safe, and all you can lose is souls, humanity, and human status, all of which you can find anywhere without too much trouble.
Also, don't be afraid to upgrade your weapons as soon as possible. I played it safe and conserved my titanite early on, and got real frustrated when my weapons weren't killing anything fast enough. A fully upgraded weapon will save you a lot of headaches.
Blocking is god.
Use the death pits to your advantage. I killed a black knight way above my level my getting him to dodge off a ledge to his death.
If you're out of humanity, there are certain enemies that are more likely to give you more. Rats, for one, drop a lot of humanity (for some reason). I'm not sure about what else does, though.
Don't go to the New Londo Ruins. It's a super pain, at least until you are a high level, and you get very little out of the place.
Keep your eyes open for bonfires and shortcuts back to previous bonfires. Those shortcuts can be such a relief.
Remember where the merchants are. Sometimes you need a few more firebombs, and knowing where you can buy them will help a great deal.
Finally, don't be too afraid to die. There is nothing you can lose in death that can't be replenished. Your inventory is always safe, and all you can lose is souls, humanity, and human status, all of which you can find anywhere without too much trouble.