Demon's Souls

[Pit-Jr]

So ive had this in my possession for a few days but work has prevented me from getting to play it, until later today.

Anyone else have this or plan on getting it? Im interested in the online component, watching replays of people on your friends list getting slaughtered sounds nifty

[dwarf gourami]

I will eventually. Eventually being the key word with most good games coming out late this year and early next year, because bar the very top titles I really don't know what games warrant a purchase above the next.

[Daft]

I want to get it but I think for anger management's sake, I won't.

[Deathjam]

I want to get it but I think for anger management's sake, I won't.

You don't get angry at it, you just get depressed :heh:

[MATtheHAT]

You don't get angry at it, you just get depressed :heh:

True that.

I enjoyed what I played of it, but just couldn't be arsed to slog through the rest.

[Daft]

You don't get angry at it, you just get depressed :heh:

Trust me, I'd get angry. You should see me when I try and update my iPod. I can only do it when the house is empty because rage becomes me.

[Chris the great]

is this actualy getting a euro release?

[MATtheHAT]

Trust me, I'd get angry. You should see me when I try and update my iPod. I can only do it when the house is empty because rage becomes me.

http://www.gossipgamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/875694-nerd_rage_super.jpg

[Domstercool]

I've got the Deluxe edition on the way to me. *plays with fingers*

[Pit-Jr]

Its definately a departure from the hand-holding games im used to this generation. My spandex-wearing barbarian has made almost no progress 2 hours in

[Owen]

I've got the Deluxe edition on the way to me. *plays with fingers*

Got it today! It's all very compact!

I'll be playing this later, but i have a interview at Gamestation first...Perhaps playing a game which is most probably gonna annoy the hell out of me isn't a good idea before a interview. :D

[dazzybee]

So why's this game annoy people? Is it just insanely hard?

[Pit-Jr]

So why's this game annoy people? Is it just insanely hard?

For me, its the Soul system in the game. It acts as both your currency and experience. When you die , you lose all of it and you wont get it back unless you make it back to the spot where you died previously and examine your blood stain. If you die again before that (and you likely will) , you are shit outta luck. I probably should have read the manual first.....

[dazzybee]

Just read IGN's review. Sounds bollocks to me :) I simply do not have the time or patience for a game like this anymore!!

[Deathjam]

It's one of those games though, that when you overcome the odds, the immense satisfaction that wafts over you is so rewarding.

[dazzybee]

Oh I can see that. But I just have the time or patience for stuff like that. It was the line that says "The game only truly starts on your second play through." Not. Interested.

[Pit-Jr]

It's one of those games though, that when you overcome the odds, the immense satisfaction that wafts over you is so rewarding.

Its true, after several days with this game, ive only just now found and slayed the first boss and it really does feel like an accomplishment. Suddenly those bronze trophies dont feel like hand-outs anymore

[Gizmo]

Can someone explain the gameplay in this to me? Is it Oblivion-esque combat type stuff, or what?

I hadn't really heard of this until a couple of days ago and suddenly keep seeing mention of it all over the place.

[Pit-Jr]

Can someone explain the gameplay in this to me? Is it Oblivion-esque combat type stuff, or what?

I hadn't really heard of this until a couple of days ago and suddenly keep seeing mention of it all over the place.

Ive never played Oblivion but the combat is vaguely similar to 3D Zelda. You can lock on to a single enemy, hop back, dodge, parry, block with a shield, jab with a shield, and do critical strikes from behind. You can also snipe from a distance with bows or magic

Enemies can perform most of these moves too though, which makes for some very entertaining and tactical battles.

[Gizmo]

At the same time as this has caught my attention, so has Dragon Age:Origins. They look virtually identical to me? Maybe minus Demon's Souls steep difficulty?

[flameboy]

At the same time as this has caught my attention, so has Dragon Age:Origins. They look virtually identical to me? Maybe minus Demon's Souls steep difficulty?

Get that if I was you...

[Gizmo]

I think I am going to, from what I've seen. This is import only for now anyway right? Makes it a bit more risky, if the difficulty or whatever turns me off theres not much chance of a return!

Incidentally, wrong thread and all that but: why is Dragon Age coming out this week on 360, and in 3 weeks on PS3? Added extras, or just more time needed to work out the PS3's obtuse architecture?

[Aimless]

Incidentally, wrong thread and all that but: why is Dragon Age coming out this week on 360, and in 3 weeks on PS3? Added extras, or just more time needed to work out the PS3's obtuse architecture?
Optimisation, most likely. A few months back the 360 version was supposed to be in very rough shape and that's a machine they've worked on before, so...

Anyway, Demon's Souls is a very different beast to Dragon Age. The latter's a traditional CRPG that's heavy on the lore and features a "real-time with pause" combat system that has you issuing commands to different party members. Souls is more of a modern take on the Roguelike (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roguelike), a game that plays out entirely in real-time where progress is constantly auto-saved, you control a single character and death isn't just about restarting at a checkpoint.

Demon's Souls isn't about the story or picking options on a dialogue tree, it's about working your way towards a boss whilst actually being in danger. In many ways it's one of the scariest games I've played in years, not because it's hard or unfair, simply because it offers you no respite. If you screw up the game makes you feel it, but it's the consequences for your mistakes that make the game: when you overcome challenges in this game it isn't because you simply kept reloading the last checkpoint and banged your head against a wall of attrition, it's because you paid attention, knew what you were doing and got the job done. It's not for everyone by a long shot, but if you're willing to play by its rules — in a time where every other game wants to say you can do no wrong — it offers a sense of accomplishment and victory that few games can match.

[Chris the great]

ok, im looking to buy this, but play asia wont ship it.

any were else i can use? i cant be bothered to look myself.

[Pit-Jr]

Ive been chipping away at this game for what seems like an eternity and taken out 12 of the 16 bosses.

If you play online, one of the bosses is controlled by a human opponent, which i thought was an awesome touch and needs to be used more often. Theres also a nasty level that i couldnt handle on my own , so i summoned 2 other human players to help me through it. Cheap but effective!

I havent played a game this tense and tactical since, well ever. Highly recommended if you dont want a game you can blow through in 2 or 3 sittings

[Chris the great]

im plugging away at this right now. MAN, its tough!

ive got about 11 bosses under my belt, but its got to so hard i want to cry.

[Pit-Jr]

I have the whole Valley of Defilement left but ive been doing everything i can to avoid it. Think ill take another stab at it now

[Chris the great]

I have the whole Valley of Defilement left but ive been doing everything i can to avoid it. Think ill take another stab at it now

its stupidly hard, first time in the game ive actualy felt death was unfair, rather then due to my own mistakes.

[Pit-Jr]

OMG Ive never felt so conflicted in a video game ever as i did

having Maiden Astraea in my crosshairs....firing arrow after unretaliated arrow into her body as she's begging me to stop, questioning God in her soft quivering voice, and desperately clinging to life with her weak healing spell

Anyhoo, 15 down, 1 to go

[Stewilo2005]

Does anyone think that the USA version's online will work with the UK's when we get it released over here?

[Deathjam]

Does anyone think that the USA version's online will work with the UK's when we get it released over here?

Probably not tbh, for the same reason the Asian version does not work with the US version. Massive headstart. It would matter at certain parts of the game that i dont want to spoil.

[Chris the great]

Does anyone think that the USA version's online will work with the UK's when we get it released over here?

tbf, ive heard no talk of it getting a uk release. i say import, join meeeeee!

[Stewilo2005]

tbf, ive heard no talk of it getting a uk release. i say import, join meeeeee!

Lol, i think I shall, I dunno if I can wait like 6 months+ for a release over here if it gets released at all. As long as the online works with my UK psn account i'll be happy. Or will I have to create a US account?

[Chris the great]

im online with a uk account, and no problems what so ever.

[Stewilo2005]

I'm ordering it tomorrow, hopefully it'll be here by Christmas, the seller is in the UK anyway so it should. I expect myself to resort to my standard behaviour when playing hard games. I usually try many times, get pissed and shout at the game accusing it of cheating :P and then end up still playing it later on.

[Domstercool]

This has been getting some great nods lately. It got the RPG of the year at Gametrailers and even got game of the year at Gamespot. Greg Kasavin also gave it his number 2 game of the year as well. PRAISE FOR THE SOULS!!! :D

[Pit-Jr]

This has been getting some great nods lately. It got the RPG of the year at Gametrailers and even got game of the year at Gamespot. Greg Kasavin also gave it his number 2 game of the year as well. PRAISE FOR THE SOULS!!! :D

*golf clap!*

Well done From! Hopefully other devs will play this and take note of the little things that make this such a brilliant game. SOJ and Atlus should each get awards for having the testicular fortitude to publish it.

[Sheikah]

Just received this and been playing through it. Thankfully I got through the first major level with only a couple of deaths at the start, then a load of gameplay which didn't end in a death. I'm really enjoying it so far...has anyone else decided to import this since the last few posts? It seems to have got many awards like 'RPG of the system', 'game of the year' from various places.

[Stewilo2005]

Mine came the other day (finally, had trouble obtaining a reasonably priced one), i'll start playing tonight probably. I hope it doesn't stress me out within the first few minutes as i'll get really upset and throw a tantrum :P. Then i'll probably end up playing it more later on xD.

[Deathjam]

Just received this and been playing through it. Thankfully I got through the first major level with only a couple of deaths at the start, then a load of gameplay which didn't end in a death. I'm really enjoying it so far...has anyone else decided to import this since the last few posts? It seems to have got many awards like 'RPG of the system', 'game of the year' from various places.

Which version have you? Asian or American? I need to finish this game.

[Sheikah]

I got the American version for 43.90...it was a UK-based person selling a load (they had 71, sold out now). Bit pricey but compared to the 40 on import sites that would probably slap me with an import tax and a long delivery, it didn't seem too bad.

[Pit-Jr]

Just received this and been playing through it. Thankfully I got through the first major level with only a couple of deaths at the start, then a load of gameplay which didn't end in a death.

Interesting. What class did you start with? I died so many times starting with a Barbarian that i had to just start over with a Thief, which helped tremedously

[Sheikah]

Royal, although aside from the very beginning the class makes next to no difference. It's just base starting stats, and even a barbarian can be a magician, etc. The royal just starts out with better equipment (for instance, the ring that regenerates MP) and being Soul L1 you can shape them more. I read about the classes and apparently the thief and barbarians are the hardest for the first level, so kudos to doing it with a thief.

Apparently stats don't make too much difference in the grand scheme of things and it's mostly down to technique. Although time will tell...

[Deathjam]

Basically you can max out all stats so the character you started out with becomes irrelevant. BUT, the start of the game is brutal so the class you choose is important. Think you made a wise choice there sheikah. Theif imo would be a good choice if you had confidence and skill with the game. Being able to attack, run and dodge at speed is a good asset to have. Ah i remember the days that I didnt even know there was a run button lol. How I got past some stuff I will never know.

[Pit-Jr]

Apparently stats don't make too much difference in the grand scheme of things and it's mostly down to technique. Although time will tell...

Its true, especially HP, is almost useless since most enemies can slay you with 1 or 2 hits. Being alert and cautious far outweighs the benefits of stat building.

Also, chance of a sequel (http://kotaku.com/5468419/demons-souls-2-hints) soonish!

[Sheikah]

I completed my first playthrough the other day, with over 55 hours clocked. This is easily one of the best games on the system, and I urge everyone to buy it. It really is true that so many these games are a breeze to play through, with the opportunity to take multiple hits and never really feel too much pressure in terms of dying. Dying far more easily makes you appreciate the game; I don't just mean having the option of a hard mode, because many people play on normal first and get their first taste of the game that way. Even then, I sincerely doubt most game's hard modes are anything like this.

The online is also excellent. Being able to invade the worlds of others as well as being summoned by a boss to fight in his stead. And how people leave messages as clues - it's clever and fun. It might be a bit expensive to go out of your way to buy a copy off eBay or import (just over 40 quid for me - note that buying either US/Asian copies is fine, as they're both in English) but it's a stellar game and one that you'll feel proud to have found without all the hype that games like Uncharted had. A first class title. :)

[dr4hkon]

Since I'm too lazy to look infos up, I'm going to ask here (Sheikah, I speak to you :p)

1. Do I need to be signed out of the Play Station network in order to play the game purely alone? In other words: If I'm signed in, is there no other way than "playing" this game online?
I read somewhere that if you're signed in you automatically play online.

2. This game is hard. Does it have even harder difficulties? If it does, are they available from the start?

3. Do the classes play differently?

[Sheikah]

Since I'm too lazy to look infos up, I'm going to ask here (Sheikah, I speak to you :p)

1. Do I need to be signed out of the Play Station network in order to play the game purely alone? In other words: If I'm signed in, is there no other way than "playing" this game online?

I read somewhere that if you're signed in you automatically play online.

Yes and no. If you die in body form, you become a soul. When a soul, no one can invade you as only people in body form can be invaded (and only by souls). Most of the time you will be a soul anyway; you only get your body back by defeating a boss or using a fairly rare item.

If playing offline even in body form, you can never be invaded, let alone see messages or bloodstains (last footage before someone dies).

But yes, technically you are right. If signed into PSN, and in body form, there is no way to opt out of potentially being attacked. Although playing online has many perks, such as being able to invite other players to fight alongside you (if you're in body form), meaning that most of the time if someone does invade, there's a good chance you'll kill them (remember compared to a soul, a body form character usually has at least a third more HP and 1 extra ring slot).


2. This game is hard. Does it have even harder difficulties? If it does, are they available from the start?

It does, but you wouldn't be able to handle these from the start. New game+ is several bounds harder than the original game, but stats and items carry over. It's still more difficult; the Flamelurker boss has 5 times more HP, for isntance. And by replaying you can get extra copies of the same demon's soul but exchange them for different things.

3. Do the classes play differently?
Aside from the first level, no. The royal is usually the best to start off as, since it's L1 and you can put the stats where you want. Plus they start off with a catylst (wand) and a MP regenerating ring. But after L1, you can put your stats where you want, so the tiny differences in stats won't make any difference a few levels down the line.

[dr4hkon]

That sounds bloody awesome. Thanks for your answer. :)
Those four weeks of wait can't come to an end soon enough.

Oh, another question I forgot to ask:

Are there still a lot of people playing this? Would be a shame if the online mode would be underpopulated.

[dwarf gourami]

This game just sounds incredibly cool, but there's a hell of a lot I still don't know about it.

I remember watching the ZP review and Yahtz said that there was a bit where you have to cross a bridge, when, without warning, you get murked by something and it's really unforgiving. Care to share any info on that?

[Sheikah]

This game just sounds incredibly cool, but there's a hell of a lot I still don't know about it.

I remember watching the ZP review and Yahtz said that there was a bit where you have to cross a bridge, when, without warning, you get murked by something and it's really unforgiving. Care to share any info on that?
Yeah, bless him. He's talking about level 1-2 (there are 5 worlds, each with 3 stages). In this you basically have an outside section where a dragon soars down and flames the bridge should you cross it (you can use the water veil miracle to reduce the damage or wear fire-resistant armour). Or you can simply time your run. Or, as he pointed out, you can take a tunnel to bypass most of the bridge, but there's dogs inside. They lunge quickly but are fairly reasonable to take out should you advance slowly.

Overall it's not the easiest level, but there's no obligation to tackle the worlds in order (in fact, tackling 2-1 as soon as it is available is wisest since it's somewhat easier).

Later on you can come back and kill the red dragon (awards a trophy), and then the even harder blue dragon (another trophy). Bow and arrow to the suckers.

[dr4hkon]

So, all your talking about "level 1-2" and "world 4" etc. has got me thinking.

It's a relief to hear that you can choose which world you want do visit, but "level 1-2" sounds like "not so much exploration", it even has a slight connotation of linearity.

Are the "levels" big? Are there secrets that can be discovered? Sidequests?

I feel like dwarf. I ordered the game because it sounds cool, but I don't know shit about it :D

Oh yeah and:

Happy Birthday Sheikah.

[dwarf gourami]

I will rack up some money from Heavy Rain/Saints Row 2/Fallout 3/R&C sales and bag it on eBay. It's been at the back of my gaming mind for a while now.

I'd imagine it would be pretty annoying if you're fighting a boss when a soul comes in online to murk yo' ass.

[Sheikah]

So, all your talking about "level 1-2" and "world 4" etc. has got me thinking.

It's a relief to hear that you can choose which world you want do visit, but "level 1-2" sounds like "not so much exploration", it even has a slight connotation of linearity.

On the contrary, each world is one big dungeon. There are no real levels; they're just tentative measurements that gamers inventred. Each 'level' start is defined by the ability to warp into the world at that point; the points at which you can warp into are archstones created once you defeat a boss.

So really, you could start your way on world 1 and fight your way to the end without loading up another section.

Are the "levels" big? Are there secrets that can be discovered? Sidequests?

Tons of secrets; fake walls, crystal lizards (non-aggressive enemies that flee as soon as they see you, but drop great crafting materials), out of the way rings and weapons. Even better is the ability to influence the 'world tendency' by doing good or bad deeds - should the world tendency become pure white, new areas are unlocked, as well as events, and the access to new equipment (the path to a dragon bone smasher sword is unblocked, allowing you to withdraw it, for instance). At pure black, the enemies become immensely hard, new enemies appear and you can kill phantom NPCs for great drops.


I feel like dwarf. I ordered the game because it sounds cool, but I don't know shit about it :D

All the better. I find that the less hyped you are for something, the better it will be.


Oh yeah and:

Happy Birthday Sheikah.
Thanks! I really need to finish typing this precis and go to bed. :p

I'd imagine it would be pretty annoying if you're fighting a boss when a soul comes in online to murk yo' ass.

It can't happen during bosses, fortunately. Although players accompanying you can enter the boss area, but are banished as soon as you defeat any boss. If they die at any point they are also banished. If someone who helps you is fairly crap and dies quickly you can leave a bad rating, so they get relatively few souls for helping and a tarnished record. :p

[dr4hkon]

All the better. I find that the less hyped you are for something, the better it will be.

That's why I won't ask anymore. All I wanted to know I know now thanks to you.
And now go to sleep. :p

[dwarf gourami]

Managed to bag this bad boy from a UK seller for £36.50 incl. postage, which is a much better deal than I was expecting. Plus I reckon that this game is a bit of an investment as well, could be worth a bit more in a few years time, if not, it's definitely retaining its value.

Can't wait.

[Sheikah]

Cool, let me know how you get on. :p

We could play a game together if you like. You'd have to be a higher level first.

[dwarf gourami]

Sounds good to me. Whilst I want this to be an independent experience, what non-game-breaking tips could you give me that'll save me from some annoyances?

I'll add you on PSN now.

[Sheikah]

Probably pick the Royal to start. Makes no difference after the first stage, but makes the first stage so much easier.

Essential - pick up the Cling Ring in the first level (1-1). When you die, you become soul form with 50% of your max HP. Equipping the Cling Ring while in soul form will mean you have approximately 75% of your max HP instead.

Also pick up the Thief Ring in 1-1 too. It means many enemies can't see you from as far a distance. If you equip this, you can take out crystal lizards you see (they run away almost all the time if you don't have this equipped) if your bow is good enough, or have a go using your sword. The ring also works on bosses...basically any enemy can't see you from as far away so you can get around without being attacked as much.

Kill the blue guy in the Nexus as soon as you see him. He drops some souls that you can use to buy the few thousand cost shield Ed the Blacksmith is selling. This has 100% damage reduction, so you won't take any damage at all from blocking with it.

Also go to world 4-1 when you can. Pump strength on your character for a bit so you can equip it effectively (if you don't have good enough stats for a weapon then it'll be crap). You get the crescent falchion which does magic damage as well as physical, so does a lot of damage early on.

[dwarf gourami]

Is it obvious where those rings are? And can you have as many rings as you like?

[Sheikah]

You can only equip 2 rings at once. It's not incredibly obvious. One of them requires you to slash a chain to lower a drawbridge, I think. Or it's on a balcony. Whereas another, the thief's ring, is when you drop off a castle wall at a position to land on a platform, rather than on the floor.

[dwarf gourami]

Okay so I'm doing the first proper mission I guess, you know, after you (minor spoiler) get raped by this pretty big demon thing at the start. So I go to the Nexus place, go into the level the man point out, and get to a part in the level where there are dragons whatever way I go. One that flies down onto a guarded bridge, the other leads to cliffs with multiple dragons on them.

What do I do? Go back to the nexus at the start of the level? Explore part of the level that's way back behind me? Or attempt and fail to kill the dragons?

What does the fog actually do? Save the game in some way?

If I die will I have to go through the whole level again?

-----
I'm enjoying it a lot so far, almost coming to grips with the controls and interface.
-----
I went back to a bit I hadn't explored, there was a small bridge with an enemy on it, a message said 'the next enemy is difficult' or something, but they looked fairly standard, so I ran across with a hard attack, having used a turpentine, then bam, he uses a long range weapon and I'm out of the game in two hits, back to the start. I'm tempted to just sprint past the enemies and fuck that guy up, claim my soul back, but I've already had to do that twice. Plus those times I didn't have to go all too far to reclaim it.

If I die again, will my previous death-soul thing be erased, and will I lose all those souls? I'm guessing yes, which would be shit.
With every death do your life/mp meters get shortened slightly (temporarily)?

Also with the Royalty, can you spam the magic attack as much as you want until the meter is out? I swear after a use the bar decreases a little.

SO MANY QUESTIONS. SHEIKAH!

[Sheikah]

Okay so I'm doing the first proper mission I guess, you know, after you (minor spoiler) get raped by this pretty big demon thing at the start. So I go to the Nexus place, go into the level the man point out, and get to a part in the level where there are dragons whatever way I go. One that flies down onto a guarded bridge, the other leads to cliffs with multiple dragons on them.

What do I do? Go back to the nexus at the start of the level? Explore part of the level that's way back behind me? Or attempt and fail to kill the dragons?

You have to complete the first level before you can do anything else. If you haven't beaten the first boss yet, Phalanx (you'd know as there's a big HP bar at the bottom of the screen) then you have to get past it.

As far as I can remember...that's still level 1-1. The area where the 2 dragons (red and blue) sit isn't the way to go. It's across the bridge. Come back to where they sit in pure white world tendency and you can loot some good stuff there (including the awesome purple flame shield, only 1 per game).

When you go across the bridge the red one flies towards you. You have to wait until it flies back (back off) to the blue dragon then dart across the bridge. Unequip all your armour if you like so you run faster. Wearing too heavy stuff stops you from running or rolling properly. Increasing END lets you get away with more.

What does the fog actually do? Save the game in some way?

Nothing really. Apart from the fog before the boss...when you go in you can't leave until you beat it.


If I die will I have to go through the whole level again?

Yes. But anything you interacted with (switches, levers, etc) will still have been interacted with when you respawn. So if you pull certain levers you can access further areas from the word go if you do. In a way, it always takes you less time when you replay the level.

And oh yeah, get some firebombs for the boss. They do good damage.


-----
I'm enjoying it a lot so far, almost coming to grips with the controls and interface.
-----
I went back to a bit I hadn't explored, there was a small bridge with an enemy on it, a message said 'the next enemy is difficult' or something, but they looked fairly standard, so I ran across with a hard attack, having used a turpentine, then bam, he uses a long range weapon and I'm out of the game in two hits, back to the start. I'm tempted to just sprint past the enemies and fuck that guy up, claim my soul back, but I've already had to do that twice. Plus those times I didn't have to go all too far to reclaim it.

Is it the red eyed knight? Yeah, that guy is hard. Avoid until you're quite a bit stronger.


If I die again, will my previous death-soul thing be erased, and will I lose all those souls? I'm guessing yes, which would be shit.

Yep

With every death do your life/mp meters get shortened slightly (temporarily)?

No


Also with the Royalty, can you spam the magic attack as much as you want until the meter is out? I swear after a use the bar decreases a little.

You have MP...so yeah, it runs out. But the Royal also starts with a Fragrant Ring that regenerates MP slowly. Hence why you pick the Royal to start. :p

[dwarf gourami]

The world tendency screen doesn't actually tell me anything. Not that it matters right now.

To get to that boss don't you have to get across the bridge guarded by the dragons? Plus I'm not understanding where you're referring to world 1-1. I've not seen anything of the sort, just the name of the place when you do a level.

So at this time, I should get those souls back by running half way across the bridge, claiming them, and then sprinting the fuck away from that tosser. Then I cross the bridge, and then down the line I beat the boss?

[Sheikah]

The world tendency screen doesn't actually tell me anything. Not that it matters right now.

Basically the colour of each archstone will either be dull black or bright, shining white, or somewhere inebwteen (usually this).

To get to that boss don't you have to get across the bridge guarded by the dragons?

It's only guarded by the red dragon, and yes. The blue dragon stays asleep.

Plus I'm not understanding where you're referring to world 1-1. I've not seen anything of the sort, just the name of the place when you do a level.

Yeah, it's never called 1-1 in game. Basically if you'd completed the first stage you'd know about it, since the Maiden tells you to find an NPC in the Nexus etc. 1-2 is after you beat the boss and warp into the stage again at that point (ie. the archstone created after you defeat the boss). Whereas 2-1 would be an entirely different world.


So at this time, I should get those souls back by running half way across the bridge, claiming them, and then sprinting the fuck away from that tosser. Then I cross the bridge, and then down the line I beat the boss?
If you want the souls, yes. Although later on you get tons of souls per enemy, so I wouldn't worry too much about losing them right now.

[dwarf gourami]

Thanks for this help, I'm starting to understand the game a bit more. It's just annoying when the messages are counter-productive and you're not sure which ones to trust.
Tbf there was a fairly funny one which before the dragon bridge says 'just run straight through' and it got a lot of recommendations.

Managed to get the souls, I run back into a room where I took the armour off and start equipping it, when suddenly the knight starts running at me, so I put it all back on quick and sprinted for ages, and he followed me for a fair god-damn while lol. Had to dispose of some enemies in the process too. Was pretty intense.

Now that I have my souls back, can I quit the game without returning to the start again?

[Deathjam]

Damn dwarf you are making me want to play this again. Shame I can't join you as my character is WAY too high level AND i bought the import version of the game which is on different servers :(

[Sheikah]

Thanks for this help, I'm starting to understand the game a bit more. It's just annoying when the messages are counter-productive and you're not sure which ones to trust.
Tbf there was a fairly funny one which before the dragon bridge says 'just run straight through' and it got a lot of recommendations.

Lol, 99% are helpful since well-rated ones stick around. But some funnies are on the bridge 'safe place' messages. I like to put 'best of luck to you' next to random corpses, or 'I wish I was resurrected', as well as the odd sensible one. :p

Managed to get the souls, I run back into a room where I took the armour off and start equipping it, when suddenly the knight starts running at me, so I put it all back on quick and sprinted for ages, and he followed me for a fair god-damn while lol. Had to dispose of some enemies in the process too. Was pretty intense.

Now that I have my souls back, can I quit the game without returning to the start again?
Not yet really. There's not much you can do with your souls until you clear the first boss (you then use them to level up). So just carry on and try not to die, lol. And try buy the shield the Ed blacksmith guy is selling for (if I remember) 2,000 souls. It has 100% damage reduction.

You can leave the level at the beginning where the archstone is, but all enemies respawn again.

[dwarf gourami]

Oh right, well I have 5,100 atm without crossing the bridge.

Btw I've only found the cling ring so far.

So if I quit the game now, I keep my souls but have to start again? I don't mind going through the level again too much because as you said the path shortcuts are quite extreme.

[Sheikah]

Well if you go and buy equipment, you'll always keep that. But really only the Heater Shield is important at the moment. Buying herbs early on is usually a massive rip off.

Also your soul items (e.g. unknown soldier's soul) - you never lose these. Think of these as backup souls. You use them to get given souls. But after you use them and attain the soul points, these can be lost. So it's usually best to use them either in the Nexus or right before you intend to use them in a level (e.g. a level's merchant).

Later on you can get a spell that instantly teleports you out of the Nexus, so you don't have to walk all the way back to archstones. There's an item that does it too.

[dwarf gourami]

Defeated the boss. It was a bit easy and kind of disappointing, then again it is the first boss. Frankly I don't know why I've not been using magic much. I've mostly used the rapier for some reason and occasionally dealt with harder foes with the catalyst, but that's changed now.

The one thing about this game that is annoying me is the stats and menus. The shield you told me to bought can't be equipped effectively so I'm trying to figure what I need to level up in order to be able to use it but it's a pain trying to figure it out. I'm guessing I level up when I cruise to the top of the nexus and talk to that git?


Edit: I think I need to upgrade strength by 2, going by the symbols.

[Sheikah]

It's usually STR. But yeah, it if you go into your status page it explains what the symbols mean, I think.

[dwarf gourami]

Yeah that's kind of what I find annoying about it, I'd rather it was done by initials of the abilities than by symbols that have no meaning to me.

Where the fuck do I go? I've been on the top and stood on the platform looking at the 'monumental' thing and nothing happens, I then go to this pantheon area and nothings there but some sad records of people's playtime.

Plus it still looks like I'm in soul form when it said I got my body back. Or do I get it back through the monumental dude?

I have a bad feeling about this. There was meant to be something I picked up back at the boss thing to get my soul back, but I haven't got it. I returned to the place and it isn't there? I dunno!

Edit: Dw, I just didn't know what I was looking for, have found the monumental now.

[Sheikah]

Where the fuck do I go? I've been on the top and stood on the platform looking at the 'monumental' thing and nothing happens, I then go to this pantheon area and nothings there but some sad records of people's playtime.

It's not at the very top (pantheon) but you have to go up some stairs. There's loads of children on the floor, but only one of them can be talked to (has a lit candle by him)

Plus it still looks like I'm in soul form when it said I got my body back. Or do I get it back through the monumental dude?

You get it back for defeating a boss, or using a stone of ephemeral eyes. Make sure when you talk to the monumental you answer 'yes' to his question (needed to get a ring later).

I have a bad feeling about this. There was meant to be something I picked up back at the boss thing to get my soul back, but I haven't got it. I returned to the place and it isn't there? I dunno!

You have your body back. When you defeat the boss you touch the archtone to get a demon's soul. NEVER USE THESE! They can be traded for stuff; much better than getting soul points from them. Check in your inventory you have the lead demon's soul, then give it to Stockpile Thomas for now.

By the way, the cling ring does nothing when you're in body form so you've basically got 1 of your slots back to equip another ring... for now. :p

[dwarf gourami]

Hmmm that's strange, I thought I was still just a soul because I have that glowy blue stuf coming out of me still.

Yeah I have that boss' soul, I guess I'll store it and use it later? Or could I get some good shit with it now?
Finally, how do I get stat upgrades? It's not clear! (I'm starting to think I should've read the manual now, never have I been so confused by the features of a game)

[Sheikah]

Talk to the Maiden in Black...she levels up your stats for soul points.

Check a guide to see what you can trade the lead demon's souls for...can't remember now. Getting weapons with demon's souls first requires you to give the Flamelurker's Soul (from 2-1 boss) to a blacksmith deep in 2-1.

Store it for the time being...they can buy miracles and spells too.

[dwarf gourami]

It's actually laughably convoluted, but I love the sound of it all :D The Zelda-like vibe I'm getting is great, the music in the Nexus sounds very familiar. I can still be a panicky little dweeb when facing enemies though, I usually run back for ages just to get the right equipment sorted out and think about what attacks will work etc, but as I've progressed this short while I've been improving somewhat.

Feel a bit out of my depth with all of the options and whatnot, I don't think I'm ready to start using axes and javelins and shizzle yet.

Finally, what are soul points? Or do you just mean souls? And what is the soul level? Is that the number of demons you've defeated or?

Anyway, I'm off to bed.

[Sheikah]

soul, soul points, basically the same. You get them for killing enemies. By using souls to get soul points I basically meant use the 'unknown soldier soul' items to get soul points.

It's pretty simple and easy to understand once you play for a little while. Also, start upgrading a long bow/composite longbow. Look up how to get a viscous compound longbow; it's a great bow and makes things much, much easier.

[dwarf gourami]

How do you upgrade the Catalyst itself, and how do you learn new spells? Plus where do you use the boss souls anyway?

A little update of where I am - I defeated both the Tower Knight and Armour Spider. Then I explored the many branching paths of the spider stone level entry point, went down a few tunnels defeating those annoying fire enemies, then there came a point where one of the paths branched into a lava part. This was the only place left that could've lead somewhere, but the big creatures took a lot of magic to take down and I had no spices to get the MP bar up quickly, plus I was overburdoned for a while on that level, so in the end I ran all the way back to the sword and warped to the Nexus.

Basically I've dumped all of my ore off and shields that I can't use yet, leaving me tons of space left. Had around 30,000 souls to level up with, so I'm pretty much just cramming it on magic, as well as a bit on strength and vitality.

What was the mission I accepted to undertake by the Monumental. Plus, what is the 'Old one' the maiden keeps banging on about. I think I'm meant to kill it but I have no idea what it is.

[Sheikah]

How do you upgrade the Catalyst itself, and how do you learn new spells? Plus where do you use the boss souls anyway?

Don't think you can. Although you can technically get an insanity catalyst later with the old monk's demon soul and a regular catalyst (cuts your max MP though). To be honest, magic spells seem great at first but get less useful unless you properly invest stat points in mostly magic stats.

You learn new spells from Freke's apprentice (should already be there) and better spells from Sage Freke himself after you save him (google). And for miracles, first you need the talisman of god (on the floor in world 4) to use them, then you can learn miracles from urbain's apprentice (or whatever he's called) and even better Miracles from saving Saint Urbain in 4-1. They go back to the Nexus after you open/find the way out of wherever they're trapped.

Also don't kill/attack a guy called Patches who asks you to go near a hole in 4-1. I did on my first playthrough and then you can't use him as a merchant in the Nexus.

One good miracle you can get in exchange for a demon's soul is second chance. Basically whenever you take a hit that would kill you, you are instantly revived with half your full HP. VERY useful. Also save the adjucator's soul to make a meat cleaver at blacksmith boldwin (world 2-1, google how to find him). The meat cleaver is a great sword...looks like Cloud's buster sword too.

A little update of where I am - I defeated both the Tower Knight and Armour Spider. Then I explored the many branching paths of the spider stone level entry point, went down a few tunnels defeating those annoying fire enemies, then there came a point where one of the paths branched into a lava part. This was the only place left that could've lead somewhere, but the big creatures took a lot of magic to take down and I had no spices to get the MP bar up quickly, plus I was overburdoned for a while on that level, so in the end I ran all the way back to the sword and warped to the Nexus.

Basically I've dumped all of my ore off and shields that I can't use yet, leaving me tons of space left. Had around 30,000 souls to level up with, so I'm pretty much just cramming it on magic, as well as a bit on strength and vitality.

Always dump ore at the stockpile. You never need it on you. When you go to upgrade, it counts as you having it even if it's miles away in your stockpile.

I would actually, for now, concentrate on VIT, STR and END. Strength for being to equip better shields and weapons, vit for more HP and End so you can equip stuff without being overweight AND for better fatigue (very useful).

What was the mission I accepted to undertake by the Monumental. Plus, what is the 'Old one' the maiden keeps banging on about. I think I'm meant to kill it but I have no idea what it is.

They're the same thing...finish all levels (bosses) and beat the final boss).

[dwarf gourami]

I died a really shit death earlier, and then I died an even shitter one when I tried to reclaim the soul, so I ended up just using the stone of ephemeral eyes. Seemed a bit of an easy choice, are they meant to be really rare or something? Because I had 6 which seems plenty atm.

This'll be the last thing I'll ask help for, and it's just about the basics: can you give me the lowdown on the whole dying thing? When I die, half my hp goes, but when I find the spot where I died it doesn't go back up. Do I have to defeat a boss to get the health back (if i'm not using the ephemeral) ?

And what's a phantom state, is that dying without a soul? And what will repeated deaths lead to, if anything?

[Choze]

Namco Bandai are bringing this over to Europe. Its the best thing they have done this whole generation.

Really looking forward to it after the lousy game design of FFXIII.

[Sheikah]

I died a really shit death earlier, and then I died an even shitter one when I tried to reclaim the soul, so I ended up just using the stone of ephemeral eyes. Seemed a bit of an easy choice, are they meant to be really rare or something? Because I had 6 which seems plenty atm.

I would avoid doing that. Quite often you will want to reach pure white world tendency in a world in order to get certain rare pieces of equipment; something you do by killing bosses in a world, or black phantoms (basically only there in pure black world tendency).

When you die in body form you get closer to black tendency, making getting pure white world tendency harder. It can actually become extremely difficult to get pure white world tendency if you go too black, whereas getting black for some events/items is as simple as use stones of ephemeral eyes and then killing yourself.

This'll be the last thing I'll ask help for, and it's just about the basics: can you give me the lowdown on the whole dying thing? When I die, half my hp goes, but when I find the spot where I died it doesn't go back up. Do I have to defeat a boss to get the health back (if i'm not using the ephemeral) ?

You have full HP in body form. When you die, you go to soul form. In soul form your HP is halved (unless you equip the cling ring to have roughly 75% HP).

You ONLY have full HP when you are in body form, which you ONLY get by defeating a boss OR using a stone of ephemeral eyes, OR by killing someone as a black phantom (or getting revived by someone as a blue phantom, but that's really rare).

And what's a phantom state, is that dying without a soul? And what will repeated deaths lead to, if anything?
There's a few types of phantom:

NPC black phantom - basically quite a few in-world NPCs, such as Sasuki at the very beginning of world 4-1, become evil black phantoms when your world tendency is pure black. They run at you and attack you, and are pretty hard to kill. But they always drop something that's very good. When you kill them, your world tendency returns to neutral.

You as a black phantom - when you get to a part in the game you get given a blue eye stone and a black eye stone (they never get used up). When in soul form (halved HP) you can use a black eyed stone to invade someone elses world. Then you can try kill them...in doing so, your character tendency (not world tendency; they're different things) becomes more black. And if you kill them, you get your body back.

You as a blue phantom - if you're a soul you can use your blue eye stone at certain points within a level (usually at the beginning or just before the boss) to create a blue blood stain on the floor. Anyone in body form can click this and summon you so you fight alongside them. You get sent back to your world the instant you die or defeat the boss, and get a share of the souls (more if a person rates you well).

Namco Bandai are bringing this over to Europe. Its the best thing they have done this whole generation.



Really looking forward to it after the lousy game design of FFXIII.


It's good to hear that it's coming to Europe. Although FFXIII is a very good game, and worth it once you get past the earlier bits.

[dwarf gourami]

OK cool. I clicked on someone's blue-eye thingamie earlier and they helped/I helped to defeat the Flamelurker boss. Since then I spent a frustrating time trying to get through the Boletaria dungeon that's beyond the mist. Have now managed to open a gate so that I've got quicker access to the boss.

I love exploiting the AI so they run into fire, saves me the hassle.

[Sheikah]

On that level you can get a key and go back to just after/before (I forget) where you fought the tower knight. There's a door you can unlock and reach a prison cell. Here you can defeat another of those Magistrate enemies to get another key, as well as rescue Biorr who makes boss 3 on that world a breeze.

That other key opens the gate near where the dogs and locked caravans are at the beginning of 3-3, and if you go down there after getting the official's cap (from a magistrate somewhere in the level) one of the magistrates there lets you in and you can kill him. You can get some rings there as well as rescue Yuria the Witch who teaches some great spells.

[dwarf gourami]

Oh well I defeated that quick knight boss already without knowing what those grinning axe wielder's keys were used for. I take it keys only work in the same 'realm' where you find them? Otherwise I think I'll figure it all out by myself without your help without sounding too rude :p

Managed to find Yuria without your help, so I think I'm officially done with help seeking. Apart from I keep getting told that my armour is broken, have the little icon in the top right corner saying sow, yet all my armour and my shields and weapons have endurance above 0. How do I find what needs fixing?

Btw I can officially say that this game is fucking awesome. It's surprisingly close to what I was expecting and wanting, but obviously there's a lot of really cool stuff I hadn't really thought of. The online stuff I actually think is pretty damn revolutionary. Man, this shit has to be bought by every PS3 owner!

[Sheikah]

Oh well I defeated that quick knight boss already without knowing what those grinning axe wielder's keys were used for. I take it keys only work in the same 'realm' where you find them? Otherwise I think I'll figure it all out by myself without your help without sounding too rude :p

That's pretty good. In New game + the Penetrator is pretty tough. It's good to have Biorr (the NPC) accompany you for that.

Managed to find Yuria without your help, so I think I'm officially done with help seeking. Apart from I keep getting told that my armour is broken, have the little icon in the top right corner saying sow, yet all my armour and my shields and weapons have endurance above 0. How do I find what needs fixing?

Take some Ed's Grindstones with you...souls come easy in 4-2 (get the Viscous Compound Longbow; may as well since it earns you a trophy anyhow; it's an awesome bow). Bow the grim reaper-type thing at the start of the level for some easy souls earlier on (for 4-5 arrows you net something like 6-8k souls). You need to keep your pure spiderstone from the spider boss as well as farm some chunks and shards/splinters (forgot what they're called, it's one of those).

http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/local--files/weapon-screen/weapon_annotated.JPG

Where it says duration (durability)...that's the life of the equipment piece.

Btw I can officially say that this game is fucking awesome. It's surprisingly close to what I was expecting and wanting, but obviously there's a lot of really cool stuff I hadn't really thought of. The online stuff I actually think is pretty damn revolutionary. Man, this shit has to be bought by every PS3 owner!
Yup, it rocks. But these days everyone just buys games that are hyped, that they're heard of, or played prequels to death already. :P

The online side is awesome, and so much better than hearing young teenagers screaming down microphones about pointless crap...this way the atmosphere is retained while still having player interaction.

It's great how it's difficult...too many games are a pushover and there's often little consequence to dying. This makes you actually care about what happens more.

By the way, I'd check our world tendency events and the world/character tendency section here (http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/world-tendency#toc1) as that really is one of the few things you can miss, but is so useful to know as many of the best things are obtained that way (e.g. Talisman of Beasts; lets you cast both miracles and spells without switching talisman/wands, and the dragon bone smasher).

[dwarf gourami]

I got the dragon bone smasher, need a lot more strength to use it though. Haven't actually used my bow or crossbow yet because they just seem seriously underpowered and ammo is sparse. Bare in mind I probably have the worst bows going.

[Sheikah]

Yup, I've changed my mind about which bow you should get. Because the other option is so much easier to get, and initially will do as good/better damage (providing you don't bother with dex much).

Get the lava bow. Basically buy a shortbow, then go to the very beginning of 2-1 where the filthy man merchant is and buy 30 shards of hardstone and 11 large shards of hardstone. Then take the hard demon's soul (the spider demon boss) to the blacksmith in 2-1 (you have to take the Flamelurker's soul to him first and give it to him for him to make weapons using demon's souls - talk to him lots and offer it him when he asks) and make the lava bow.

It does an additional 100 fire damage ever shot, and stuns. Bows become almost essential for some bosses, particularly in New Game +, and make hunting things so much quicker (grim reapers in 4-2). Totally worth it.

[dwarf gourami]

Would I be able to kill the red dragon with that? I couldn't even hit the bastard with my magic or bow when I was on the sniper perch on the bridge.

[Sheikah]

Yup, I did. You will pretty much need a good bow to be able to do this. Same with the blue dragon later on. You can probably kill it in less than a hundred arrows with a good bow and some heavy arrows. You can only kill the red dragon in 1-2 on the top of one of the little forts while in continuously swoops down, as far as I know (you'll see its HP bar show up if you land; you'll eventually get a good rhythm).

Then when the red dragon is dead, feel free to go loot the stuff in 1-1, including the purple flame shield. :)

[Pit-Jr]

its always fun to read how people progress in this game and whether they love it or hate it.

On my first playthrough someone left a 'sticky white stuff'
soul sign on Ed's bed in the corner. This game is pure class im telling ya.

[Sheikah]

its always fun to read how people progress in this game and whether they love it or hate it.

On my first playthrough someone left a 'sticky white stuff'
soul sign on Ed's bed in the corner. This game is pure class im telling ya.
lol, there was something like a 7,000+ rating for the same message next to Yuria in the Nexus once. Sad but true. :p

[dwarf gourami]

I just upgraded the compound short bow to 10+ and thought he would then offer to make the lava bow, but apparently not. I gave him the Flamelurker soul he wanted too. Pretty pissed off, I had to do a lot of hardstone farming to get it to that level, yet it still does fuck all damage.

Apparently it needs to be +7 or something. I'm kind of tiring of the lack of information. Why aren't I told about this black smith and his desire for this particular soul, why doesn't he tell me what he can do with it and why doesn't he clearly say he can make a fire bow once I've upgraded my bow?

[Cookyman]

From Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/demons-souls-june-25-europe-release-date/)

Namco Bandai will unleash Demon's Souls upon European territories on June 25, ending the region's dearth of pleasurable pain, the publisher has announced. The PlayStation 3 exclusive will be released as a limited "Black Phantom Edition" retail package, featuring the game, a soundtrack CD, an artbook and a strategy guide (trust us, Europe, you'll need it!). Atlus, as you may recall, published the game in North America, following its debut in Japan under the Sony label. The game was co-developed by From Software and SCE Japan Studio.


Hmmm save me hunting for this on ebay then.

[Sheikah]

I just upgraded the compound short bow to 10+ and thought he would then offer to make the lava bow, but apparently not. I gave him the Flamelurker soul he wanted too. Pretty pissed off, I had to do a lot of hardstone farming to get it to that level, yet it still does fuck all damage.

Umm, you don't upgrade anything to +10.

You need to upgrade to a certain level for it then to be able to upgrade to a base lava bow. Often specific.

In this case, a short bow to +7 and then no more, at which point you take it along with the hard demon's soul. Before I said the correct amount of hardstone to get to +7, although I should have perhaps mentioned go no further than +7. Still, it's cheap to buy hardstone shards and large shards (trust me, you won't notice the amount of souls it takes). Plus you might have got a trophy for getting it to +10?

When you get the lava bow your damage will be much, much higher.

Apparently it needs to be +7 or something. I'm kind of tiring of the lack of information. Why aren't I told about this black smith and his desire for this particular soul, why doesn't he tell me what he can do with it and why doesn't he clearly say he can make a fire bow once I've upgraded my bow?

You take the demon's souls along and see what he can make. But you really should just check this stuff online...there's so much you will miss. I don't check guides for how to complete levels, purely for equipment guides as often in RPGs that's the stuff that no amount of exploration that could give you most of the answers.

[dwarf gourami]

Well my bow definitely is +10, it says. And what? I have him the soul he asked for? I don't understand how I've gone wrong.

[Sheikah]

You needed a +7 bow, not a +10. It's gone too far. Make another by getting a short bow and 30 hardstone shards, and 11 large hardstone shards, and upgrade to +7. Make sure to take the spider demon's (hard demon soul) and talk to Baldwin (not Ed). The Flamelurker's soul was just to enable the use of forging with demon's souls. The lava bow also needs the spider boss's soul.

[dwarf gourami]

You can degrade bows can't you? With meltstone?

[Sheikah]

Yeah but that probably just sends it way back to +0. Seems a waste. Plus meltstone is pretty rare I think; I only remember getting one. Just buy another bow...play 4-2 and kill the reapers at the beginning for mass souls, then leave (also I found world 4 bosses to be by far the easiest, although the level of 4-2 can be a bit tough. Plus world 4-1 boss gives you the penetrator soul to make a meat cleaver if you take a club and its soul to Baldwin) :D

Oh and get this; the last boss in world 3 summons another online player to fight in his stead; buffs the person and you have to kill them to get the demon's soul. Awesome or what?

[dwarf gourami]

When you said to get that amount of stuff I just assumed you hadn't asked me to get enough. I don't understand as a design point of view why it can't be upgraded beyond +7 to get the fire version.

I bought some shards/chunks from different people as well as spamming lizards to get what I want, yet now that's all been a waste, plus those lizards won't come back. The enemies that drop those crafting materials in the Burrow King level don't even drop stone anymore.

I'm not sure why I thought I had to go to Ed to get the fire bow. So you're saying it's a different guy, where is he?

[Sheikah]

When you said to get that amount of stuff I just assumed you hadn't asked me to get enough. I don't understand as a design point of view why it can't be upgraded beyond +7 to get the fire version.

I bought some shards/chunks from different people as well as spamming lizards to get what I want, yet now that's all been a waste, plus those lizards won't come back. The enemies that drop those crafting materials in the Burrow King level don't even drop stone anymore.

I'm not sure why I thought I had to go to Ed to get the fire bow. So you're saying it's a different guy, where is he?
Every boss you kill in a world, each lizard respawns once more.

So if you kill all 4 bosses in a world, any given lizard will respawn 5 times (and in 2-1 there's one hell of a lot of lizards in one place - wait until you have the clever rat's ring and morion blade, and a good bow before taking them out - google the clever rat ring and morion blade trick). If it runs away that still counts as one respawn.

As for Boldwin, in 2-1 you have to explore the whole level and there's basically a lever you end up pulling that makes an elevator go down behind where the filthy man is (very start of level). Then you can quickly get to Baldwin (he's a better blacksmith than Ed).

You need the Flamelurker's Soul to give to Baldwin and talk to him a lot to get him to take it. At least, I think that's how he takes it. Then he'll offer to upgrade weapons with demon's souls.

[dwarf gourami]

Oh right, well I had the right blacksmith then. I saw no return offer once I gave him that soul.

[Sheikah]

Once he takes the Flamelurker's soul, if you bring all the right things to make a special weapon and look at what he can make it should be one of his options to craft in upgrade.

[dwarf gourami]

Kinda at a loss as to what I should do atm. Without a Bow I feel pretty underpowered.

In the Boletaria place after killing a few red fade away people I come to a path that a blue dragon perches near, it flies down in a cutscene.

I completed the Dragon God place so nothing more to do there really.

In the Shadowmen place, I kill the Grim Reaper Guy, then go outside on a thin path that opens up after a switch. There's a lot of those annoying flying ray things that are really hard to hit with magic. They only take one shot, but landing it is difficult. I can't really do this section whilst they are there because it's likely me to hit me at a critical point when I'm fighting those golden skeleton dudes at the bottom. I have managed to reach those things before, having ditched the other tough skeleton archers and the rollers, but I've died there once already and it's pretty frustrating, could probably manage it though.

Finally, the prison section leads to a dead end (as far as I know).

I'm thinking there's probably a lot of things that change with world/character tendency but I haven't explored those yet and haven't read up on it.

Really need that bow, but all those materials need collecting again, which won't be anywhere near as easy as before. Plus I'm still confused as to the blacksmith you're referring to. You said Boldwin was the one you find by taking the lift down at the end of the Stonefang tunnel place, but that's actually Ed. Not sure where Boldwin is. Plus, why do you need both the Hard Demon's Soul and the Flamelurker one? Gah.

[Domstercool]

It will be interesting to see how much Demon's Souls sells over here in the UK. Since the game is very hardcore gamer audience based, most people would of probably imported this game already.... so I wonder...

[Sheikah]

Hopefully it'll spread in popularity by word of mouth. I think that's what happened in the US; friends recommended it to friends, and what have you. As well as that, it has rave reviews and some pretty awesome awards (like best RPG of the system), so I can see it selling pretty well.

I'll probably pick up the collector's edition this time, just because I would like the guide and I have a feeling it'll be one of those games that will become hard to find.

Kinda at a loss as to what I should do atm. Without a Bow I feel pretty underpowered.

Well I did tell you how to get the lava bow...earning souls to afford the hardstone shards/large hardstone shards shouldn't be too hard given that you can just take down the grim reapers at the start of 4-2 for mass amounts of souls. :p

I completed the Dragon God place so nothing more to do there really.

There's probably still quite a bit. likely loaaads of crystal lizards (loads in that place).

Also, this is essential. Make sure you look up where to get the pure hardstone, and I think shardstone, in 2-1. In fact, look up any pure stone fixed locations. Because they're basically free gifts; one per playthrough, and you don't have to go through the randomness of killing difficult lizards.

Also in 2-1, if you take the right path at the beginning and drop down many creaky platforms (careful you don't die), there's a cave area where if it's pure white world tendency, and you show the guy there your dragon bone smasher, you get a free pure greystone (very good, needed to upgrade weapons to max).

In the Shadowmen place, I kill the Grim Reaper Guy, then go outside on a thin path that opens up after a switch. There's a lot of those annoying flying ray things that are really hard to hit with magic. They only take one shot, but landing it is difficult. I can't really do this section whilst they are there because it's likely me to hit me at a critical point when I'm fighting those golden skeleton dudes at the bottom. I have managed to reach those things before, having ditched the other tough skeleton archers and the rollers, but I've died there once already and it's pretty frustrating, could probably manage it though.

Nay nay nay, lad. First off, are you wearing the thief's ring? If you are, you should be able to easily run past the section with the flying rays at the start of the level.

Secondly, just kill the reaper. When you save Graverobber Blige (google him) in 4-1 he appears right in the corridor before the first grim reaper, and you can buy all sorts from him, and for cheaper.

Just kill the reaper and head back the archstone. It's like 7-8k (depending on world tendency; the blacker the more difficult, but more souls earned) per 1.5 minutes. Then after a few of them you'll easily have enough to buy a short bow, 11 large hardstone shards and 30 hardstone shards from the filthy man in 2-1. Then take the short bow + 7 along with the spider demon's soul to Baldwin in 2-1.

And...you have the lava bow. :p

Finally, the prison section leads to a dead end (as far as I know).

I'm thinking there's probably a lot of things that change with world/character tendency but I haven't explored those yet and haven't read up on it.

I would recommend doing it now. Doing stuff in your first playthrough is much easier since New Game + is much harder.

Really need that bow, but all those materials need collecting again, which won't be anywhere near as easy as before.

It is...just buy them from the merchant at the beginning of 2-1, lol. See above.

Plus I'm still confused as to the blacksmith you're referring to. You said Boldwin was the one you find by taking the lift down at the end of the Stonefang tunnel place, but that's actually Ed. Not sure where Boldwin is. Plus, why do you need both the Hard Demon's Soul and the Flamelurker one? Gah.

Ok, my bad, I must have got them confused. But it's not the one in the Nexus...the one in 2-1.

[dwarf gourami]

Hopefully it'll spread in popularity by word of mouth. I think that's what happened in the US; friends recommended it to friends, and what have you. As well as that, it has rave reviews and some pretty awesome awards (like best RPG of the system), so I can see it selling pretty well.

I'll probably pick up the collector's edition this time, just because I would like the guide and I have a feeling it'll be one of those games that will become hard to find.



Well I did tell you how to get the lava bow...earning souls to afford the hardstone shards/large hardstone shards shouldn't be too hard given that you can just take down the grim reapers at the start of 4-2 for mass amounts of souls. :p



There's probably still quite a bit. likely loaaads of crystal lizards (loads in that place).

Also, this is essential. Make sure you look up where to get the pure hardstone, and I think shardstone, in 2-1. In fact, look up any pure stone fixed locations. Because they're basically free gifts; one per playthrough, and you don't have to go through the randomness of killing difficult lizards.

Also in 2-1, if you take the right path at the beginning and drop down many creaky platforms (careful you don't die), there's a cave area where if it's pure white world tendency, and you show the guy there your dragon bone smasher, you get a free pure greystone (very good, needed to upgrade weapons to max).



Nay nay nay, lad. First off, are you wearing the thief's ring? If you are, you should be able to easily run past the section with the flying rays at the start of the level.

Secondly, just kill the reaper. When you save Graverobber Blige (google him) in 4-1 he appears right in the corridor before the first grim reaper, and you can buy all sorts from him, and for cheaper.

Just kill the reaper and head back the archstone. It's like 7-8k (depending on world tendency; the blacker the more difficult, but more souls earned) per 1.5 minutes. Then after a few of them you'll easily have enough to buy a short bow, 11 large hardstone shards and 30 hardstone shards from the filthy man in 2-1. Then take the short bow + 7 along with the spider demon's soul to Baldwin in 2-1.

And...you have the lava bow. :p

Finally, the prison section leads to a dead end (as far as I know).



I would recommend doing it now. Doing stuff in your first playthrough is much easier since New Game + is much harder.



It is...just buy them from the merchant at the beginning of 2-1, lol. See above.



Ok, my bad, I must have got them confused. But it's not the one in the Nexus...the one in 2-1.
Gargh a lot of stuff you're saying is what I have done or is painfully obvious.

I jumped down the creeky platforms many a times trying to get the different items. In that cave bit, in world white tendency, there was no merchant to be seen, just a merchant's mat and candle.

I kill those reaper things and they only net around 4000 souls.

You can't just keep buying those shards. Firstly because not one man sells them, you have to go to 2 seperate men to buy them, obviously one is very close to Ed. Secondly, they only sell a certain amount before they run out and you have to wait for them to restock. Thirdly, there's some necessary stone which they don't actually sell.

I'll tell you why I wasn't wearing the thiefs ring - I need to have the fragrant and the cling rings in use at that point. I use the thiefs one a lot when I can get away without using the fragrant one but otherwise it's not quite the top priority. That's why I wish there were 3 slots.

That Prison area can't just lead to a dead end, it's a whole level surely. You must've killed the bosses within it to get the game completion trophy. I'm probably confusing you - I mean the world with the cells, and the witches that can stun you and do a lot of magic damage.

[Sheikah]

I jumped down the creeky platforms many a times trying to get the different items. In that cave bit, in world white tendency, there was no merchant to be seen, just a merchant's mat and candle.

PURE White, again, not white (every event that requires white or black tendency actually requires pure). Pure White is when you're as white as possible. And he will be there at pure white (google Scirvir), I should know. Pure white is basically neutral +3 (you get +1 for every boss killed; 0 is neutral, and -1 for ever death while in body form in that world). Google some images of how archstones look at each level of tendency, since it's not really that clear. Pure white is bright, shining white. Seeing as you have killed all bosses in world 2, it might be necessary to abuse the online colourless demon's souls trick (which coincidentally can make world tendency pure white in a few kills).


You can't just keep buying those shards. Firstly because not one man sells them, you have to go to 2 seperate men to buy them, obviously one is very close to Ed. Secondly, they only sell a certain amount before they run out and you have to wait for them to restock. Thirdly, there's some necessary stone which they don't actually sell.

Ok, well the two of them combined. And I bought loads and they never ran out, but I guess you bought far too many to get it to +10.

And as well as that, to get a short bow (no other kind of bow) to +7 you only need 1 chunk of hardstone. Read this (http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/short-bow) to see what you need to get +7. The rest can be bought from the merchants when possible.

I'll tell you why I wasn't wearing the thiefs ring - I need to have the fragrant and the cling rings in use at that point. I use the thiefs one a lot when I can get away without using the fragrant one but otherwise it's not quite the top priority. That's why I wish there were 3 slots.

Fragrant ring is shit after a bit. Seriously. It's not worth the hassle when you can easily get the lava bow and pump strength to use either the meat cleaver or dragon bone smasher.

That Prison area can't just lead to a dead end, it's a whole level surely. You must've killed the bosses within it to get the game completion trophy. I'm probably confusing you - I mean the world with the cells, and the witches that can stun you and do a lot of magic damage.

That was your quote I included accidentally. Yes 3-1 does lead somewhere...the instant you start the level and exit the first cell and turn right, there should be a door that will probably still be closed if you haven't opened it yet. But that's the way to go, so you need to open that door first (prob have to go left to open it). The level basically involves getting rings of keys to open doors, so look around for keys chains on walls. Then the rest is obvious.

[dr4hkon]

I seem to get the hang of the game's mechanics very slowly. In other words, I kind of suck.
The stats display is quite confusing. I find that all the menus aren't that cleary organized. Well, I just have to get used to it.

Is there any other advantage in being in Body Form other than that your HP is not reduced? 95% of the time I've been playing in Soul Form.

You only are revived when using a special item (don't recall the name) or defeating a boss, right?

So I've defeated Phalanx, used my souls to level up a bit and now I'm lost. I explored the area that becomes available once you've defeated Phalanx but this area is kind of difficult since the red dragon incinerates me when I'm not fast enough and the enemies that block the paths don't make it much easier.

How do I know what I need to do in order to progress the story? Exploring is fun, but right now I'd like to do something that brings me further into the game.

[dwarf gourami]

PURE White, again, not white (every event that requires white or black tendency actually requires pure). Pure White is when you're as white as possible. And he will be there at pure white (google Scirvir), I should know. Pure white is basically neutral +3 (you get +1 for every boss killed; 0 is neutral, and -1 for ever death while in body form in that world). Google some images of how archstones look at each level of tendency, since it's not really that clear. Pure white is bright, shining white. Seeing as you have killed all bosses in world 2, it might be necessary to abuse the online colourless demon's souls trick (which coincidentally can make world tendency pure white in a few kills).



Ok, well the two of them combined. And I bought loads and they never ran out, but I guess you bought far too many to get it to +10.

And as well as that, to get a short bow (no other kind of bow) to +7 you only need 1 chunk of hardstone. Read this (http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/short-bow) to see what you need to get +7. The rest can be bought from the merchants when possible.



Fragrant ring is shit after a bit. Seriously. It's not worth the hassle when you can easily get the lava bow and pump strength to use either the meat cleaver or dragon bone smasher.



That was your quote I included accidentally. Yes 3-1 does lead somewhere...the instant you start the level and exit the first cell and turn right, there should be a door that will probably still be closed if you haven't opened it yet. But that's the way to go, so you need to open that door first (prob have to go left to open it). The level basically involves getting rings of keys to open doors, so look around for keys chains on walls. Then the rest is obvious.
I was quite sure that it was pure white (that's what I meant, not 'world white') because I picked up the Dragon Smasher and the tendency looked the same as when I went down those platforms.

I didn't actually buy that many but they did run out. To get it to +10 only became difficult from +6 onwards as I had collected tons of stone in the same level from the miners.

I was just saying that it's hard without the fragrant ring for that part, because my current MP meter isn't enough to take down all of those demons. With a bow my luck my change, you're right.

I seem to get the hang of the game's mechanics very slowly. In other words, I kind of suck.
The stats display is quite confusing. I find that all the menus aren't that cleary organized. Well, I just have to get used to it.

Is there any other advantage in being in Body Form other than that your HP is not reduced? 95% of the time I've been playing in Soul Form.

You only are revived when using a special item (don't recall the name) or defeating a boss, right?

So I've defeated Phalanx, used my souls to level up a bit and now I'm lost. I explored the area that becomes available once you've defeated Phalanx but this area is kind of difficult since the red dragon incinerates me when I'm not fast enough and the enemies that block the paths don't make it much easier.

How do I know what I need to do in order to progress the story? Exploring is fun, but right now I'd like to do something that brings me further into the game.
I found everything a bit confusing, and after 15 hours of play I still find navigation annoying.

You're right about the soul form thing, that is the only difference I think, bar the fact that I think you're slightly harder to detect in soul form. Crystal Lizards for example don't run away as quickly if you have lost your human form.

The dragon bit - let the dragon incinerate the first bunch, then when it's flying back, go 3/4 the way up and take down one or two enemies quickly, then run back. Do the same again until they're all dead, making returns to escape if you have to. Then you can make it across fairly easily.

I'd recommend reading the past couple of pages of Sheikah answering my questions because you could just be another identical customer for him. Ask away if you have any other questions though.

[Sheikah]

I was quite sure that it was pure white (that's what I meant, not 'world white') because I picked up the Dragon Smasher and the tendency looked the same as when I went down those platforms.

Well you can reach the DBS not just by having pure white world tendancy (far rubble gone), but also by having pure white character tendancy (closest rubble gone). Plus if you've died in the level since in body form then you're immediately not pure white. Or if you killed an NPC.

Scirvir is 100% in the cave at PWWT. Check this confirming it, as well as the image of archstone colours corresponding to what your world tendency is: link (http://www.atlus.com/mediawiki/index.php/Tendency).


I was just saying that it's hard without the fragrant ring for that part, because my current MP meter isn't enough to take down all of those demons. With a bow my luck my change, you're right.

If you kill the reaper you can buy a load of fresh spice from the nearby Graverobber Blige...they're 300 each, so if you're getting around 5k a time (it should be more than 4k) in white world tendency then you can buy 16 per reaper kill. MUCH better than waiting god damn ages for a piddly amount of MP to come back.

Ditch the fragrant ring...Thief's Ring makes everything so much easier, plus you'll have a chance to kill lizards when you first come across them.

I found everything a bit confusing, and after 15 hours of play I still find navigation annoying.

You're right about the soul form thing, that is the only difference I think, bar the fact that I think you're slightly harder to detect in soul form. Crystal Lizards for example don't run away as quickly if you have lost your human form.

Plus you don't go towards black world tendency if you die in soul form, making it EXTREMELY wise to play in body form. It's best to actually kill yourself in the Nexus after killing a boss and getting your body back; if you don't there's a chance you won't be able to get pure white world tendency on that playthrough (bosses are all dead) if you die and lower the world tendency, unless you do the colourless souls glitch which can be tedious and isn't really guaranteed.

Getting Pure Black after you did all the Pure White events is as simple as killing yourself in body form over and over. It takes 7 deaths in body form when you're pure white to go to pure black. You have to exit the world for changes to take place, though.

The dragon bit - let the dragon incinerate the first bunch, then when it's flying back, go 3/4 the way up and take down one or two enemies quickly, then run back. Do the same again until they're all dead, making returns to escape if you have to. Then you can make it across fairly easily.

I just ran past them...then they all get killed by the dragon. Fun. :p

Also, you can buy the water veil spell/miracle (I forget) which makes fire do considerably less, meaning you could probably take a hit if you're lucky.

[dwarf gourami]

You can take a hit if you have a decent amount of HP and are wearing the armour, although that goes without saying.

I'm thinking I should just get pure black tendency in World 1 now and see if I can net anything good. Kill the optional boss and whatnot. I'd like that Master Ring and the Clever Rat ring (or whatever it is). I don't know why but I remember you and another source saying it's good for killing those lizards among other uses.

Actually, won't do that as I still have a difficult last section to do before the last boss, don't want to make that any harder than it is. I will go to pure black in world 2, as I have done all bosses there. Before that I'll try and get the lava bow though.

Didn't take long at all to get the lava bow, the sellers had a lot more stock for some reason, and it's fucking quality. Kills the reaper in 2 hits very easily. It takes 10 hits with the magic and the kris blade, so I'm chuffed! I'm pretty sure there was a way of upgrading the bow with a certain soul too, and it increases in power with strength (not sure about dexterity). Awesome.

Edit: I defeated the dragon and later pressed on to get the purple flame shield, but it seems worse than my current steel shield, plus I need an extra 2 strength stats to use it. Googling it just confuses me more.

[dr4hkon]

Is there anything other I can do with "Unknown Soldier's Souls", "Lead Demon's Souls" and others of that kind besides adding souls to my soul stack?

[dwarf gourami]

The soldier's soul/unknown hero's soul/storied soldier's soul can be used to increase your number of souls. However, that lead demon's soul is from Phalanx the boss (it should say when you highlight it) which you can use for better things later on.

I usually store my boss souls so I don't accidentally click them for more souls.

[Sheikah]

You can take a hit if you have a decent amount of HP and are wearing the armour, although that goes without saying.

Yeah, I left world 1 later levels until very late on. Particularly the final boss of world 1...it can be pretty darn hard.


I'm thinking I should just get pure black tendency in World 1 now and see if I can net anything good. Kill the optional boss and wha.

I got a Clever Rat's Ring in World 3 (switch off the Ballista machine in 3-1, then it's upstairs in one of the forts). It's great. Basically if you get hold of the Magic Sword Makoto (World 4-2, fall down the hole in pure white world tendency) it depletes your HP gradually. Have the Clever Rat's Ring equipped and once you reach around 30% of your max HP, the Clever Rat's Ring will automatically activate (rat symbol under status effects). Then craft the Morion Blade using the Storm Demon's Soul (4-3 boss) and a Shortsword tnot. I'd like that Master Ring and the Clever Rat ring (or whatever it is). I don't know why but I remember you and another source saying it's good for killing those lizards among other uses+ 8 at Ed, as this basically multiplies the damage up effect alongside the Clever Rat's Ring.

Put the Morion Blade in your left hand (e.g. in place of a shield) and put your weapon of choice that you'll end up using in the right (such as a good bow, or meat cleaver). Your damage will be insane. Of course, you'll be in low HP, but casting Second Chance means if you do get hit and killed, you'll survive. It's great for bowing down lizards or for PvP.

Important: Just to let you know, if you do go pure black, use this guide (http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/colorless-soul) to get pretty much unlimited Colorless Demon's Souls (requires playing online - primeval demons appear in pure black, only 1 per world, and drop this soul that is required to upgrade ubers such as dragon bone smasher). Also, although the primeval demon stays alive this way (instead of normally being gone for good), the kill of them still counts in upping your world tendency. If you're at pure black, kill the same primeval demon 3 times this way and you're at pure white when quitting to the Nexus. This is one of only two ways to get Pure White in a world where all the bosses are dead without starting New Game +. If you accidentally kill the Primeval Demon for good, you have to wait until the next cycle OR then continue to go and kill the black phantom NPC of that world without dying (since quitting to Nexus after killing just one of them would set the WT to neutral, thus the other would not appear - a tricker method).

Actually, won't do that as I still have a difficult last section to do before the last boss, don't want to make that any harder than it is. I will go to pure black in world 2, as I have done all bosses there. Before that I'll try and get the lava bow though.

Didn't take long at all to get the lava bow, the sellers had a lot more stock for some reason, and it's fucking quality. Kills the reaper in 2 hits very easily. It takes 10 hits with the magic and the kris blade, so I'm chuffed! I'm pretty sure there was a way of upgrading the bow with a certain soul too, and it increases in power with strength (not sure about dexterity). Awesome.

Enjoy. Although you can't upgrade the lava bow...

It's great though. It will make so many things much, much easier. :p

Edit: I defeated the dragon and later pressed on to get the purple flame shield, but it seems worse than my current steel shield, plus I need an extra 2 strength stats to use it. Googling it just confuses me more.

The PFS is better. Quoted from a wiki:

Steel Shield: This shield's stats are identical to the Purple Flame Shield except for the inferior FireDamageCut%

Steel Shield blocks 70% of fire damage, while PFS blocks 90%. And given the amount of fire in this game, that's very welcome.
Is there anything other I can do with "Unknown Soldier's Souls", "Lead Demon's Souls" and others of that kind besides adding souls to my soul stack?

Woah, store any demon's souls such as the lead demon's soulls. They can be used to make great weapons, or buy unique miracles and spells.

As for the other kind (storied soldier's soul, etc.) just use them. That's what they're there for.

[dwarf gourami]

I was in the prison level, and I wanted to try out the blue stone. So I put it down, thinking it would bring another player to help alongside me, but no: A loading screen started, and then a cutscene occurred where this old mummy thing in a chair levitated it's headwrappings onto me. Then I was told that I had slayed a human, even though there weren't any in the room. I guess I was acting as a boss but they hadn't made it to me? I was trapped in the room because I couldn't pass through the fog.

Anyway so I do that, get my body back then bam, whilst I'm in my inventory I get invaded for the first time against a guy with a pretty beasty weapon and I get well and truly smashed up. I'd been playing for a fair while so I just decided to get my souls back and quit.

[Sheikah]

I was in the prison level, and I wanted to try out the blue stone. So I put it down, thinking it would bring another player to help alongside me, but no: A loading screen started, and then a cutscene occurred where this old mummy thing in a chair levitated it's headwrappings onto me. Then I was told that I had slayed a human, even though there weren't any in the room. I guess I was acting as a boss but they hadn't made it to me? I was trapped in the room because I couldn't pass through the fog.

Bwahaha. Yeah, if you put the blue stone down (possible only in soul form) you are the one who goes to them as a blue phantom (you can only be a phantom if you are a ghost, after all). If you want help, you need to play in body form and look for the blue bloodstains on the floor.

The Old Monk (world 3 final boss) summoned you. It can often happen if you put a soul sign down in world 3, and you basically fight the opponent in his stead. The funny thing is that there's a few of the evil wizard things along the way, and noobs are prone to dying before they reach the place. Still, it's great for a nice battle and you can buff yourself like crazy as they enter the room. Some of the most fun PvP fights to be had, there.

Anyway so I do that, get my body back then bam, whilst I'm in my inventory I get invaded for the first time against a guy with a pretty beasty weapon and I get well and truly smashed up. I'd been playing for a fair while so I just decided to get my souls back and quit.

Yeah...what I do is have the clever rat's ring setup, cursed weapon (+50% damage, drains HP - Yuria spell) and a meat cleaver. Oh, and second chance. No one has killed me yet with this setup...it's insane.

[dwarf gourami]

I had an enjoyable moment just before that too:
There was this room split into 2 parts, the first section - quite small, had 2 iron maidens, and the sound they make when you open them is quite jumpy. So I open the first 2, get storied haro's souls. Pretty nice, then I go into the next section and open the 3rd iron maiden when bam! Grunt thing jumps out with a knife and a message props up saying 'you've been poisoned'. As if this hadn't scared me enough, before I had time to react, a witch entered and stunned me, then used it's tentacle grip on my face, which was quite a sight to behold. So I quickly run out, dispose of the grunt and then fire 2 brilliantly timed arrows into the witch, just as well really because I had cornered myself. So everything was safe, then I realised I had to quickly equip the lotus to cure my poison as my HP was dangerously low. I opened the menus, fumbled around finding the right icon, got there and... I died before I had the time.

Was a pretty cool moment!

[Sheikah]

lol, didn't you have just a generic HP healing herb to keep you going while you found it?

[dwarf gourami]

That's a good point lol. In the heat of the moment it didn't cross my mind :D

[Sheikah]

In world 3 you can pick up the Black Leather (http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/black-leather) equipment set which you get in a cell in 3-1 (or if you chose thief, you start with it). It's what I stick with. No penalty to stamina regeration, and great poison resistance. Probably the best. Which is extremely useful for world 5.

[dwarf gourami]

Apart from the black boots I dumped all of it :S Ah well. I knew it would come in handy somewhere with that poison resistance but then again the damage stats weren't quite as good as the standard armour. Found some flute leggings but it made the roll animation laughable.

[Sheikah]

Apart from the black boots I dumped all of it :S Ah well. I knew it would come in handy somewhere with that poison resistance but then again the damage stats weren't quite as good as the standard armour. Found some flute leggings but it made the roll animation laughable.

Create a thief and transfer the shit to your character. :p At least I'm pretty sure you can do that...

The defence of armour in this game is pretty much a joke. Anything that doesn't impede stamina or weigh you down is pretty much the best. And given that in world 5 you get poisoned every 5 seconds, poison resistance is a great bonus to have.

[dwarf gourami]

Can you explain that thing you mentioned a while back about being able to do both spells and mircales with the same thing? I don't know where to find it if it is a physical thing.
It seems a bit stupid that you can't do both as standard anyway, seeing as changing between them all is really hard.

I've remembered 1 spell and 1 miracle and they are both shite, I don't know why I chose them - they're the cloak and regeneration ones.

[Sheikah]

Can you explain that thing you mentioned a while back about being able to do both spells and mircales with the same thing? I don't know where to find it if it is a physical thing.
It seems a bit stupid that you can't do both as standard anyway, seeing as changing between them all is really hard.

You need the talisman of beasts, but it requires some faith to use it (good if you plan on getting some good miracles/spells anyway; and if you get 20 faith before rescuing Saint Urbain and talk to the woman sitting on the ledge who praises Umbasa all the time, she'll give you a pure Faintstone). You get this by killing black phantom scirvir in pure black 2-1 (if he falls off and dies during the fight, load the game you're in and the item should be waiting there in the cave by where he would have spawned). Try not to quit to Nexus until you picked it up after he dies, else it may be gone for that playthrough.

I've remembered 1 spell and 1 miracle and they are both shite, I don't know why I chose them - they're the cloak and regeneration ones.

Did you rescue Urbain and Freke to learn better miracles/spells yet with your souls? I learned Evacuate (freaking awesome; good if you hunt Reapers or for any situation where you want to get out) and Total Protection (significantly cuts damage), as well as (arguably) the best miracle Second Chance. Cursed Weapon is awesome for PvP from Yuria.

[dwarf gourami]

I've got those options open to me but I don't like upgrading faith when miracle memory doesn't increase from it. I only have 3 magic slots and 1 miracle slot right now.

I'm waiting to get second chance, needs 2 slots. Then I'll get evacuate. I was going to get it right at the start but I wasn't 100% sure I retained my souls if I used the spell. I know that I do now, kind of realised when I saw the item descriptions for the stones that can teleport you back.

Btw: My character still has a fairly rigid and slow animation for the shield parry when using steel/purple shields. Does that become smoother after strength increases?

[Sheikah]

Hmm, you can buy Shard of Archstones (5k each) that return you to the Nexus from Patches. Kinda useful when you're rich, instead of wasting a spell slot.

But yeah...2 miracle slots is a must.

[dr4hkon]

Sooo, here I am again asking questions :p

About world tendency:

How do I get white/black world tendency? I read somewhere that for a pure white tendency you need to kill three bosses of a world without dying.
Does that mean I could kill one boss three times without dying? But to do this I need to be in soul form in order to be summoned to fight a boss again, right?

And what happens if I kill a boss, be in body form again and I die in the Nexus to get into soul form. Will this reset my death count for the world I'm trying to get pure white?

Pure white makes enemies weaker and they give less souls.
Pure black makes enemies tougher and they give more souls.
Any more differences with tendencies?

About character tendency:

Again: How?
And what are the advantages/disadvantages?

I guess that dwarf asked this, too, but hey...I'm lazy. :heh:

[Sheikah]

Sooo, here I am again asking questions :p

About world tendency:

How do I get white/black world tendency? I read somewhere that for a pure white tendency you need to kill three bosses of a world without dying.
Does that mean I could kill one boss three times without dying? But to do this I need to be in soul form in order to be summoned to fight a boss again, right?

It means kill all 3 bosses of the world without dying in body form. Basically play in soul form. When you get your body back by defeating a boss, go straight to the Nexus and suicide by jumping off somewhere high. If you die in body form your world tendency gets blacker, but it doesn't count in the Nexus.

You can't kill any 1 boss more than once in a playthrough. They're gone for good. Fighting another person's boss as a blue phantom won't do anything to your tendency.

And what happens if I kill a boss, be in body form again and I die in the Nexus to get into soul form. Will this reset my death count for the world I'm trying to get pure white?

Nope. And it's recommended that if you're going for pure white world tendency, you play offline as there can be fluctuations online.




About character tendency:

Again: How?
And what are the advantages/disadvantages?

I guess that dwarf asked this, too, but hey...I'm lazy. :heh:
The most notable...

White character tendency: if you answered 'yes' to the monumental's question at the beginning and get pure white character tendency, he'll give you a ring that boosts your damage as a blue phantom.

Get white character tendency by walking around in body form and defeating black phantoms that invade. Quite simple.

Black character tendency: Get this by slaughtering NPCs. Good to do shortly before you finish the game. NOTE: Kill pointless merchant NPCs or those that offer nothing. The reason is that when your tendency reaches pure black, an NPC called Mephistopheles appears in the Nexus. She contracts you to kill certain NPCs and gives rewards. The best of which being for Yuria (her last request); you get another unique ring (boosts damage as a black phantom).

You can also get another Talisman of Beasts, and some other good stuff doing that. But remember, your character and world tendencies carry over to the next playthrough.

[dr4hkon]

You can't kill any 1 boss more than once in a playthrough. They're gone for good. Fighting another person's boss as a blue phantom won't do anything to your tendency.


Which means I won't be able to get pure white in the first two worlds now. :nono:

It means kill all 3 bosses of the world without dying in body form. Basically play in soul form. When you get your body back by defeating a boss, go straight to the Nexus and suicide by jumping off somewhere high.


But by killing a boss in soul form I won't be able to get pure white? So why should I play in soul form? And why is it wise to commit suicide in the Nexus?

[Sheikah]

Which means I won't be able to get pure white in the first two worlds now. :nono:

You should be able to. There's a glitch that's abusable online, which basically sets your tendency to pure white in a world from killing 3 of the same primeval demon:

* Get any world to pure black tendency so that a Primeval Demon will show up. It's best to do this in 2-1, because the Primeval Demon at 2-1 isn't far from the Archstone at all.
* Attack it until it has barely any health left. Enough health that you just hit it once and it dies.
* Lay down a Black Eye Stone.
* When you're being summoned, you'll see the usual words flash on the screen. When "Invading as a black phantom" pops up for the second time, kill the primeval demon, then mash X so you can take the item it drops. (You will obtain a colorless soul)
* Get killed by the people you invade, or just kill yourself. Either way works. (Keep in mind that if you kill yourself while invading, you loose a soul level).
* You can also use the White Eye Stone to return the moment you are summoned. But where is the fun in that right?
* When you return to your world, the primeval demon will have respawned with full health! Repeat this as much as you like.
* When you farm the colourless demon souls, make sure to die with your body on the map you wish to farm. So in case you kill the person you invade or if they die before you do and regain your body, you will respawn on the map you died so you can suicide your body and continue as before.


9vVt7Q10eEA

Don't kill it for good, basically. But each semi-kill still counts in upping your world tendency by a notch. Coincidentally, this gets you lots of colorless demon's souls (needed to upgrade a lot of uber weapons).


But by killing a boss in soul form I won't be able to get pure white? So why should I play in soul form? And why is it wise to commit suicide in the Nexus?

Yes you will...world tendency still goes up if you're in soul form. Then go kill yourself in the Nexus after getting your body back, before you play another stage.

Killing yourself in the Nexus is wise because the Nexus doesn't have a world tendency, thus you can kill yourself in body form without reducing the world tendency. If you instead carried on playing in a level in body form then died, it would reduce the world tendency.

[Deathjam]

A very Handy Wiki For Demon Souls (http://demonssouls.wikidot.com/home)

Helped me answer the very many questions I had about the game and has some very nice charts.

[dwarf gourami]

This game is great. I'm not sure if I'm that prepared to go through it all again in new game plus though, the whole shard collecting and tendency changes are just slightly cumbersome.

I tried to defeat the black phantom Scirvir the other day and got utterly raped by him. I tried bowing him down from range but it took quite a while, and whenever I got 80% of his HP down he would heal. I could probably kill him if I stuck with it but each time he went to heal I missed the key arrow that would prevent him from doing it. I tried beating him by going into human form, putting ring of flame resistance and the regenerator ring (because I was using the Magic Sword Makoto). I enchanted my weapon, set up my magic attack as the powerful flame eruption thing.

Problem was that I missed my one use of the fire attack and so had to take him down by sword only. It was going well, the flame resistance ring was massively useful against his ranged attacks, and I managed to get him to half of his HP. Then bam, I go for a swipe and he hits me with his really powerful flame beam whilst my defence was down. Out of the game. Really annoying as he uses that move quite frequently.

[Sheikah]

This game is great. I'm not sure if I'm that prepared to go through it all again in new game plus though, the whole shard collecting and tendency changes are just slightly cumbersome.

I tried to defeat the black phantom Scirvir the other day and got utterly raped by him. I tried bowing him down from range but it took quite a while, and whenever I got 80% of his HP down he would heal. I could probably kill him if I stuck with it but each time he went to heal I missed the key arrow that would prevent him from doing it. I tried beating him by going into human form, putting ring of flame resistance and the regenerator ring (because I was using the Magic Sword Makoto). I enchanted my weapon, set up my magic attack as the powerful flame eruption thing.

Clever rat's ring + meat cleaver + cursed weapon spell (MEGA damage) + second chance to allow you to live should you get hit. Take along a brushwood shield for 100% fire damage reduction to time when to hit (then switch with the Morion Blade), and maybe even the eternal warrior's ring (defeat old King Doran) for quick stamina gain, as well as the ring of strength that lets you equip more.

Try do R2 (power attack) and he gets knocked down. As they get back up, do it again. It's literally cruel to just about any single enemy. I actually 1 hit KO people online...it's just such good fun.

Don't use the magic sword Makoto...it's shit. The only purpose for it is to get you into the low HP range so that the clever rat's ring / Morion Blade effects activate (if you haven't got this setup yet; do get it now, since it's the best thing ever). Basically put the Morion Blade in the left hand, the meat cleaver in the right and wear a clever rat's ring. Put the magic sword makoto in the alternative left hand slot; start with the Makoto so that your HP gradually decreases. When it gets low enough, you'll see a rat icon at the top left; switch the Makoto for a catalyst to enchant your meat cleaver in the left hand. Then switch the catalyst for the Morion Blade.

Boom. Damage.

[dr4hkon]

Sheika you seem to know absolutely everything about the game. May I ask how many hours you've put into it?

I have to agree with dwarf: This game is indeed great.

My first playthrough is and will be full of mistakes but I don't give a smelly shit.

Maybe I'll do a New Game+. The other alternative would be starting from scratch (o rly? :rolleyes:). Guess I leave it to spontaneity.

Btw: Killing Fool's Idol four bloody times before realizing what the heck was going on is annyoing :D

[dwarf gourami]

I killed that guy by searching him online and then axing him in the brain. He seemed really shifty (frankly they all do, and pretty much all of them are bastards) and I could see a character down below in the big hall praying so I thought he must have something to do with them, because he appeared to serve no other purpose.

The following boss maneater was much more irritating.
I kept getting the second meaneater down to very little health and then i'd roll off the edge, have the wrong stuff equipped, and generally get really unlucky. Had to make the trip up those stairs about 6 times. Using the bow and arrow on them gets their health down massively quickly but they can just be real pests. The fight isn't that hard, I just got frustrated by it over the little grievances and mistakes.

[Sheikah]

Sheika you seem to know absolutely everything about the game. May I ask how many hours you've put into it?

Ahh I don't think too many, I'm only on my second playthrough (not too far in, either). I think a lot of this stuff just sticks in my mind. Maybe 80-something hours?


I have to agree with dwarf: This game is indeed great.

My first playthrough is and will be full of mistakes but I don't give a smelly shit.

Maybe I'll do a New Game+. The other alternative would be starting from scratch (o rly? :rolleyes:). Guess I leave it to spontaneity.

Btw: Killing Fool's Idol four bloody times before realizing what the heck was going on is annyoing :D

lol, I explored the area with him in and unleashed hell on his ass.

By the way, make sure to get the clever rat's ring from 3-1, the Magic Sword Makoto from 4-2 in pure white and forge a Morion Blade using the Storm Demon's Soul (4-3 boss). My reasoning is above. :p

[dwarf gourami]

You can't exactly miss the rats ring. It must be said a lot of hints you've given haven't been necessary because a lot of it is hard to miss.

I hope to make use of that ring that nets you more souls soon.

[Sheikah]

You can miss the clever rat's ring quite easily. There's quite a few topics with people asking where it is...

Save the Ring of Avarice for later (new game +) once you get the soul sucker ability. Soul sucker + 4-2 katana skeletons = possibly the best souls in the game. Although by then, you probably don't really need souls. Going past L120 is usually inadvisable since you can only get matched against people within similar level ranges, and most people stick around this range.

[dwarf gourami]

But they're mostly asking just in case they miss it when they play. If they played independently they'd get it.
Stuff like the Thief's Ring in world 1 maybe not, but hey.

Not knocking you, just saying some of the stuff is best left as a surprise or whatever.

[Sheikah]

But they're mostly asking just in case they miss it when they play. If they played independently they'd get it.
Stuff like the Thief's Ring in world 1 maybe not, but hey.

Not knocking you, just saying some of the stuff is best left as a surprise or whatever.
Well, in a way, knowing that it's in 3-1 might make them want to play that level sooner, which is a good idea since the clever rat's ring setup will help you deal with crystal lizards throughout the game.

Also, quick tip. If you know a lizard has the capability to respawn at least once more after you killed it/it ran away (e.g. - say you've killed 2 bosses in a world and kill a particular lizard for the first time - it will respawn once more for each boss you have killed, therefore it'll respawn 2 more times).

Position yourself where you think is a good spot (far away enough so it won't run; remember to equip the thief's ring). Then go to the menu and load the file you're already playing - you'll be standing in the same spot, but the lizard will have respawned. Saves you exiting the level and re-entering.

Second quick tip - lizards don't detect rolling. So if you're good, you could roll right up to it to melee it with something powerful (although a bow with the clever rat's ring is by far the wisest and safest option).

[dr4hkon]

Ok, I need some help.

I've rescued Yuria. So she appeared in the Nexus and I could learn spells. After playing for a while and defeating some bosses I returned to the Nexus and she is gone. Why?
The World Tendency in the Nexus is black, is that the reason?

Also: Patches is gone, too. I always bought Heavy Arrows from him, but now he's not there.
I've read that I need to do something in 4-2. But he isn't there either ._.

Another question:
Should I get the Meat Cleaver? I'm tempted to get it because of its damage and bonuses, but it is so heavy Oo I like to roll without being smashed to the ground since my equipment burden is more than 50%/max.

[Pit-Jr]

Did you free Yurt from 3-2? If so he probably killed Yuria and Patches :sad:

[dwarf gourami]

That is a massive lose. I freed him but killed him straight afterwards because he looked like a prick.

[dr4hkon]

What the fuck ._. That sucks.

Is Yurt the one sitting in front of the world 5 entrance?

I need to kill two archdemons, but the blue dragon in world 1 is giving me a hell lot of trouble.
I also need to finish world 4.

Edit: Nevermind all that. I've decided that I want to start a new game. So, which class would recommend? I know that in the end it doesn't really matter which class I chose, but maybe the beginning of the game might get easier/harder depending on my decision.

[Sheikah]

Another question:
Should I get the Meat Cleaver? I'm tempted to get it because of its damage and bonuses, but it is so heavy Oo I like to roll without being smashed to the ground since my equipment burden is more than 50%/max.
Yeah, Yurt did kill them.

Definitely get the meat cleaver. Unequip some stuff if need be in order to maintain your rolls.

It's great because it knocks things down. The heavy (R2) attack is great, especially against phantom NPCs and against real players. You can basically knock them down, and strike them down as they get back up. And it's mega strong.

Edit: Nevermind all that. I've decided that I want to start a new game. So, which class would recommend? I know that in the end it doesn't really matter which class I chose, but maybe the beginning of the game might get easier/harder depending on my decision.
You know, you could have just completed the game to start new game plus. Which would have retained your levels/equipment but reset all NPCs and worlds.

But go for Royal.

[dr4hkon]

You know, you could have just completed the game to start new game plus. Which would have retained your levels/equipment but reset all NPCs and worlds.

I know, but I just felt like starting from scratch. I probably won't play online until I finished the game once.

But go for Royal.

Yeah, Royal seems to be quite good for the beginning.

How much should I invest in luck? And should I get the stat higher right from the start?

[dwarf gourami]

Online is awesome, not sure why you'd play it offline. Just seeing ghosts of people running around is somehow comforting and, I dunno. It's just cool.
Not sure when I'll start playing this again. I look forward to being in the mood for it though!

[Sheikah]

I know, but I just felt like starting from scratch. I probably won't play online until I finished the game once.



Yeah, Royal seems to be quite good for the beginning.

How much should I invest in luck? And should I get the stat higher right from the start?
1 point if a Royal, so you have 8. Then leave it there forever.

Apparently at 8 luck you have less chance of getting items but a much higher chance than people with higher levels of luck at getting better items. So it's basically worthless investing points in luck.

Strength, Vit and End :D

[dwarf gourami]

I am such a fucking tit. I used the Swollen demon's soul to get the regeneration miracle. That means I can't make the meatcleaver. Fuck sake.

Suggestions for other great melee weapons? I've been using a +5 axe for ages and it just isn't very good. Plus the Meatcleaver is so fucking easy to make. PLEEEB!

Neither can I get the demonbrand because I don't remember where Ostrava went.

Any chance of getting a meatcleaver and dropping it for me Sheikah?

Edit: Got playing this after the mentioned absence. Had a couple of hours on it, turned out to be very productive. It involved farming the souls off the grim, using them to upgrade faith so I could learn the second chance miracle because I needed an extra memory slot. Then I decided I would try and beat Scirvir with the bow, so I got black tendency, spent a while getting Scirvir's health down, and once he was at 20% or so, I managed to stop him from healing with each hit, which was less difficult than my last attempt because he kept running around.

So I get the much wanted Talisman of Beasts, only to find I needed to upgrade faith skill twice more. So I did a bit more farming for it and I can now use it.

Feels so good, plus I dumped a load of equipment and shizzle and sorted my inventory out. That can be somehow very satisfying in itself. To top of a semi-grinding, semi relearning Demon's Souls experience, I discovered the Talisman does a good 30 more damage than the catalyst. Awesome.

I was thinking to myself about not playing the game, and I wondered if it really was as great as what I had said in earlier posts, but tonight confirmed it, so good news.
If only I had a good weapon for christ sake. The axe is OK but I'd like something heroic that matches the growing prowess of my character. I'd kind of like something that you haven't had a go with Sheikah, just so I can test it.

[Sheikah]

I am such a fucking tit. I used the Swollen demon's soul to get the regeneration miracle. That means I can't make the meatcleaver. Fuck sake.

Suggestions for other great melee weapons? I've been using a +5 axe for ages and it just isn't very good. Plus the Meatcleaver is so fucking easy to make. PLEEEB!

Neither can I get the demonbrand because I don't remember where Ostrava went.

Any chance of getting a meatcleaver and dropping it for me Sheikah?

Edit: Got playing this after the mentioned absence. Had a couple of hours on it, turned out to be very productive. It involved farming the souls off the grim, using them to upgrade faith so I could learn the second chance miracle because I needed an extra memory slot. Then I decided I would try and beat Scirvir with the bow, so I got black tendency, spent a while getting Scirvir's health down, and once he was at 20% or so, I managed to stop him from healing with each hit, which was less difficult than my last attempt because he kept running around.

So I get the much wanted Talisman of Beasts, only to find I needed to upgrade faith skill twice more. So I did a bit more farming for it and I can now use it.

Feels so good, plus I dumped a load of equipment and shizzle and sorted my inventory out. That can be somehow very satisfying in itself. To top of a semi-grinding, semi relearning Demon's Souls experience, I discovered the Talisman does a good 30 more damage than the catalyst. Awesome.

I was thinking to myself about not playing the game, and I wondered if it really was as great as what I had said in earlier posts, but tonight confirmed it, so good news.
If only I had a good weapon for christ sake. The axe is OK but I'd like something heroic that matches the growing prowess of my character. I'd kind of like something that you haven't had a go with Sheikah, just so I can test it.
Sorry, I won't be making a meat cleaver with the adjudicator's soul since I'll be using it to buy spells this time round. Maybe one day, or on your next playthrough. :p

I have most of the good weapons, although you could try a crushing miridan hammer (people say it's amazing) - scales with strength, so get good strength. Or try the blessed phosphorescent pole (regenerates MP and stacks with fragrant ring).

[dr4hkon]

Is there a better way of early Soul Farming (I'm at Soul Level 18) than killing the Red Eye Knight in 1-1?
It's annoyingly tedious ._.

And how early can you get the Lava Bow?

[Sheikah]

I am such a fucking tit. I used the Swollen demon's soul to get the regeneration miracle. That means I can't make the meatcleaver. Fuck sake.

Suggestions for other great melee weapons? I've been using a +5 axe for ages and it just isn't very good. Plus the Meatcleaver is so fucking easy to make. PLEEEB!

Neither can I get the demonbrand because I don't remember where Ostrava went.

Any chance of getting a meatcleaver and dropping it for me Sheikah?

Edit: Got playing this after the mentioned absence. Had a couple of hours on it, turned out to be very productive. It involved farming the souls off the grim, using them to upgrade faith so I could learn the second chance miracle because I needed an extra memory slot. Then I decided I would try and beat Scirvir with the bow, so I got black tendency, spent a while getting Scirvir's health down, and once he was at 20% or so, I managed to stop him from healing with each hit, which was less difficult than my last attempt because he kept running around.

So I get the much wanted Talisman of Beasts, only to find I needed to upgrade faith skill twice more. So I did a bit more farming for it and I can now use it.

Feels so good, plus I dumped a load of equipment and shizzle and sorted my inventory out. That can be somehow very satisfying in itself. To top of a semi-grinding, semi relearning Demon's Souls experience, I discovered the Talisman does a good 30 more damage than the catalyst. Awesome.

I was thinking to myself about not playing the game, and I wondered if it really was as great as what I had said in earlier posts, but tonight confirmed it, so good news.
If only I had a good weapon for christ sake. The axe is OK but I'd like something heroic that matches the growing prowess of my character. I'd kind of like something that you haven't had a go with Sheikah, just so I can test it.
Sorry, I won't be making a meat cleaver with the adjudicator's soul since I'll be using it to buy spells this time round. Maybe one day, or on your next playthrough. :p

I have most of the good weapons, although you could try a crushing miridan hammer (people say it's amazing) - scales with strength, so get good strength. Or try the blessed phosphorescent pole (regenerates MP and stacks with fragrant ring).

[dr4hkon]

Is there a better way of early Soul Farming (I'm at level 18) other than killing the Red Eye Knight in 1-1? It's very tedious.

Also: How early can you get the Lava Bow?

Edit: Is just me or is there something not right here? Two posts doubled?

[dwarf gourami]

You don't really need to soul farm. I only just started to do it, for about 15 minutes worth, and I'm level 70. Just plug away is all I will say. Rhyme ftw.

[Sheikah]

If you really do, at the start of 4-2 you can kill the first reaper (spawns ghosts) without dropping down using a bow, then walk back to the archstone/evacuate spell to repeat.

[dwarf gourami]

Yeah that would be useful if he's at level 50 or above (highly recommended), but ideally you want to be going through different dungeons and exiting entering them when you feel like you can manage.

Edit: I got the Mirdan Hammer, but instead of making the Crushing version, I went for the Quality one because it gives bonuses for strength and dexterity, plus it does more overall damage. Got it to +4, missing pure clearstone and large shard I think for +5.

Edit 2: Just to say, what a weapon. It can be hard to time, and takes a while to strike, but it does mega damage. Plus the R2 swing is so satisfying.

[Sheikah]

Crushing is better...you obviously need to pump strength but it's far better in the end. No point in stat balancing in this game.

Btw, 2-handing weapons (triangle) works wonders.

[dwarf gourami]

I have around the same level in both, plus they're fairly high, so I think I made the right choice.

Crushing Mirdan Hammer +1 105/0/0 C/-/-/- 3
Crushing Mirdan Hammer +2 114/0/0 C/-/-/- 4
Crushing Mirdan Hammer +3 124/0/0 B/-/-/- 6 1
Crushing Mirdan Hammer +4 133/0/0 B/-/-/- 6 3
Crushing Mirdan Hammer +5 143/0/0 S/-/-/- 6 5 1

Crushing Mirdan Hammer +5 deals 143+203 (346) damage with 99 Strength.

Quality Mirdan Hammer +1 109/0/0 D/D/-/- 3
Quality Mirdan Hammer +2 124/0/0 D/D/-/- 4
Quality Mirdan Hammer +3 138/0/0 C/C/-/- 6 1
Quality Mirdan Hammer +4 152/0/0 C/C/-/- 6 3
Quality Mirdan Hammer +5 166/0/0 C/C/-/- 6 5 1

Quality Mirdan Hammer +5 deals 166+222 (388) damage with 99 Strength and 99 Dexterity.

Of course you need both skills at max for that 388 damage to take effect, but the base damage is more for me at the moment with quality than what I would have with crushing.

[Sheikah]

That table surely shows you how much better crushing is. 99 dex for a measly slight improvement? No thanks.

Use those points in something better.

[dwarf gourami]

Well I figure I might get them both to max at some point, and whilst I may get a better weapon by that point, I see people using Mirdan Hammers at very high levels. You want variety afterall, plus this weapon is currently kicking enough arse as it is.

[Sheikah]

First off, you never want to get into the level range that would mean maxing both - getting to such a ridiculous level would mean that you'd be excluded from interacting with almost anyone online (due to level restrictions).

Secondly, you'd most likely not want to max strength and dex...you'd probably want to put your points in other things like VIT and END, while keeping high strength. It's just a waste to go balancing yourself with what little stats you ideally want to have (hopefully not past L130) so that you're a jack of all trades.

[dwarf gourami]

I see your point but I don't see there's any point in being all doom and gloom about it. I'll get a better weapon I can upgrade to crushing because I have a lot of materials for that job. Hopefully I'll net the clearstone trophy sometime.

I think you come across as overly serious and harsh in your posts, not just this thread, which may be due to wording, but it does wear a bit :/ . I appreciate help and stuff but...

[Sheikah]

I think you have a tendency to be completely ungrateful. :p Often I tell you some good advice or answer your question, but you'll rarely thank me and sometimes even tell me off for saying stuff too obvious!

All I'm saying is that over L120 and you will find it hard to match with people online. Which does dettract from the gameplay quite a bit...

[dwarf gourami]

I think you have a tendency to be completely ungrateful. :p Often I tell you some good advice or answer your question, but you'll rarely thank me and sometimes even tell me off for saying stuff too obvious!

All I'm saying is that over L120 and you will find it hard to match with people online. Which does dettract from the gameplay quite a bit...
I have thanked you before, and the way the conversation has been going I think it's fairly obvious I appreciate your help. If you needed me to remind you that I was finding this helpful, and my constant replies weren't indicating that, then I'm sorry.

As for 'telling you off' > :laughing:
Boohoo. You've given good advice to me and Drahcon as noobs, incl. info about tendency and bows and shizzle, but saying where one of the most easy to find rings is in the game is unnecessary really. I mean, if you told us where all of your favourite items in the game were, there'd be very little feeling of surprise and it doesn't make you feel like you're exploring levels on your own. Obviously you haven't listed all of them but you have named a good amount. Great tips, but a bit excessive on the locations (apart from where I've asked ofc).

I must've missed your bit about L120, where did you say that?

Edit: and don't say the rat's ring is necessary early on. Moar important rings are needed ealier on. LET THEM BE FREE!

[Sheikah]

There aren't any other important rings. The thief's ring and the cling ring are found in the first level (the second of which is the best ring in the game), which you no doubt found yourself. So really, after that, the only important ring is the clever rat's ring; and yes, it's pretty essential. Delving into the lizard cave in 2-1, without it, for instance, is stupid since you won't be able to 1 hit kill them one by one, and they'll probably all run away. Telling you the level you can find it is good so you can play that level sooner to get it.

Every other ring isn't important. Some are better than others, but they're never really that important. The eternal warrior's ring is nice (only if you use something heavy like the meat cleaver), but you can certainly live without it.

[dwarf gourami]

Slightly annoyed: I defeated the last archstone boss, King Allant. Went back to Nexus, cutscene plays where the monument drops the sword. There's still tons of stuff I want to do in this playthrough, but I wanted to level up with the mass souls I'd gained. So I talk to the Maiden but she takes me to the last boss and I can't go back. Great stuff.

So I defeat that really shit final boss and go back, do world 1-1 and then finally get those souls into use. Quite disappointing really though, I was expecting a tough battle and didn't get one. Plus it was all quite abrupt and NG+ starts straight away.

Even though I'll continue to play it, as a 1 playthrough experience there could've been a bit more to it. The sequel will hopefully refine the thing and make the first playthrough a bit more... Spectacular? I don't know.

[Sheikah]

I think the only thing you could say is bad is that there's no real end boss. But really, this is almost a cliche in every game now. I kind of commend them for not doing what almost every game ever does these days... and the rest of the gameplay really is top notch.

If you ever played Shadow of the Colossus it's pretty similar in this respect; you fight a number of bosses and then the game ends. None were defined as the end boss either.

[dwarf gourami]

They hyped the Old One so much though (as in very little, but it was clear it was the main goal) so I was expecting big things, especially when the monster starts moving in that cutscene. I've been building up to that moment when really I could've just mullered that thing at level 20.

If they'd said that once all bosses were complete that would be it, I would've been more content. Still, can't argue too much. Just wish I'd done a bit more stuff before starting again. Plus I really can't be arsed with NG+ atm.

I forgot to claim the prize for completing the Monumental's task too.

[Sheikah]

You don't get the prize for beating all the bosses, you get it for having pure character tendency. Since that carries over to NG+ you'd literally only have to go talk to him again to get it.

[dwarf gourami]

I probably haven't got that since I killed the friendly Ostrava to ensure I got the key to Old King Doran's hideout. I saved the knight last time but lost him somewhere down the line and never managed to claim the key. Want to get the demonbrand and forge it with the soulbrand.
Not that the North Regalia is a great weapon, I'd just like to have one.

[Sheikah]

Not that the North Regalia is a great weapon, I'd just like to have one.
Yeah, um, it's like the best sword (or at least one of them) in the game. :p

"At Pure White or Pure Black Character Tendency, the sword has 135 + 135 Physical and 135 + 135 Magic attack power"

It does insane damage at extreme character tendencies. I'm pure white and it does loads. I still prefer the meat cleaver in situations against NPCs or players, since that can knock down.

[dwarf gourami]

I think I can play with you now, at level 87, giving me a range of 18 levels. That is of course if you're still at level 105.
I can't beat the bloody flamelurker. He's such a cock.

Managed to beat him, and da da daaa get a Meatcleaver. Would've been so much easier if I hadn't used the Swollen Demon's Soul for the crappy regen spell. Had to new game + and fill a fair few requirements before I could make one.

Just tried it out and I wouldn't say it's better than the Mirdan, but I really like the two handed attacks on it. Plus it has knock-down on other enemies I remember you saying.
Not sure what my next objective on this game is. Ring hunting perhaps, weapon hunting? Basically get some trophies, and make my character a lot better so I have confidence in it, do seem to get taken out by things in a couple of hits.

[Sheikah]

I think I can play with you now, at level 87, giving me a range of 18 levels. That is of course if you're still at level 105.
I can't beat the bloody flamelurker. He's such a cock.

Managed to beat him, and da da daaa get a Meatcleaver. Would've been so much easier if I hadn't used the Swollen Demon's Soul for the crappy regen spell. Had to new game + and fill a fair few requirements before I could make one.

Just tried it out and I wouldn't say it's better than the Mirdan, but I really like the two handed attacks on it. Plus it has knock-down on other enemies I remember you saying.
Not sure what my next objective on this game is. Ring hunting perhaps, weapon hunting? Basically get some trophies, and make my character a lot better so I have confidence in it, do seem to get taken out by things in a couple of hits.
The Meat Cleaver has an S/S modifier for strength and dex, while the miridan hammer has only C/C. It's also great for the knock down...if you can knock someone down you can essentially get multiple hits on someone. Make sure you're 2 handing it and using dash and attack as well as R2. Combined with cursed weapon (get that spell), the clever rat's ring and the morion blade off hand, and second chance to give you breathing space it's unstoppable.

Probably the best weapon for PvP (IMO). I might be on later tonight, hopefully. Also, kill Old King Doran if you haven't already. :p

[dwarf gourami]

Yeah sounds good.

I'd add soul ray to that, it's great if they try to pussy away.

I made the North Regalia btw, just can't seem to finish Doran off though because he heals a lot. You could possibly help me out on that front.

[Daft]

So just ordered the Black Phantom Edition European version.

http://images.play.com/banners/content/12510143%20Contents.jpg

Still not sure I'm going to like this. The difficulty sounds...yeah.

[Rinha]

I ordered mine today. :) And i really can't wait to have it in my hands... This is going to consume my days, my nights... pfff...

[dwarf gourami]

So just ordered the Black Phantom Edition European version.

http://images.play.com/banners/content/12510143%20Contents.jpg

Still not sure I'm going to like this. The difficulty sounds...yeah.
It really isn't, it just throws you in the deep end without much explanation. Once you get over that stage, it's just a fairly hard RPG.

Some bosses can be bastards, but then again they all have AI flaws that can be exploited for lilt.

[Rinha]

My D'sS has arrived today. Took it for a spin to see if i still remembered how to play it. I did. But the game also remembered how to give me a run for my souls. Aaaah... "congratulations, you died a stoopid death!"

Bye bye, life...

[Daft]

Can someone please tell me how you save the game?!

[MATtheHAT]

It just saves when you return to the title screen I think.

[Daft]

So just killed the first boss. Only died once in that tutorial bit.

I picked the Temple Knight...not sure if that was a good idea or not.

I LOVE the almost passive online; the messages left on the floor, the other souls running about. Really adds to the story's atmosphere. The threat of death is kind of stressful. :p I'm playing quite cautiously.

[dwarf gourami]

So just killed the first boss. Only died once in that tutorial bit.

I picked the Temple Knight...not sure if that was a good idea or not.

I LOVE the almost passive online; the messages left on the floor, the other souls running about. Really adds to the story's atmosphere. The threat of death is kind of stressful. :p I'm playing quite cautiously.
The online experience is insanely good, it remains awesome throughout the whole thing. The game saves almost constantly so if you quit abruptly you'll likely not lose much if any data.

As for class picking, it really doesn't matter.

[MATtheHAT]

The passive online portion (not the PvP) reminds me of thatgamecompany's Journey. Which is another game I can't wait for.

[Aimless]

Hmm, I think I might pick this up again now the PAL release has come about; I sent my Asian copy off to a worthy home a few months back.

Does anyone have any idea what brick-and-mortar availability is like? ShopTo are all out, so I might have to give the highstreet a try instead.

[MATtheHAT]

Hmm, I think I might pick this up again now the PAL release has come about; I sent my Asian copy off to a worthy home a few months back.

Does anyone have any idea what brick-and-mortar availability is like? ShopTo are all out, so I might have to give the highstreet a try instead.

I did the same thing Sam, I kinda regretted not giving the game a chance. So decided to get the Black Phantom Edition last week.

As for availability, they were out of stock at my local GAME on Saturday. I think stores under-estimated the demand for it, its debuted in the UK charts at number five..........just above Just Dance!

[Aimless]

I actually made it to the penultimate boss in the Asian version, but then something happened that made me stop playing... possibly something save related, I can't quite remember.

As an aside, I know someone who's just bought the Euro release so they can make it their third Demon's Souls Platinum. You might say they like the game.

[dr4hkon]

...tempted to get the Black Phantom Edition even though I have the US version already :D

[Strange Cookie]

I bought the collector's edition yesterday, with guide, artbook and soundtrack.

Haven't played it yet. :woops: Cursed music and your timeconsuming antics!

I'll give it a try this evening, if all goes well.

[Daft]

I WANT TO GET HOME TO PLAY THIS!!!!

...stupid work...

[dwarf gourami]

I've been meaning to get the trophies but when I tried a couple of weeks back I realised that I'd have to play through another 2 times to get certain souls for the All-miracles and the All-spells gold trophies. I think I may just come back to it at a later date. I'm working my way towards the rings trophy quite nicely though.

I'm going to have to get someone to do the 'best weapon of' trophies for me through online lending because they're ridiculous and crystal lizards are cock-ends.

[Sheikah]

It just saves when you return to the title screen I think.
It actually saves most of the time. :p

You can get around it (there's sometimes a short delay before it saves), but generally doing most things saves the game. Entering/exiting dungeons, or connecting to other players is a good example.

But yeah, if you select quit game it will always save your position and everything else (unless you're in a boss in which case it starts you just outside the boss area).

This game is possibly my favourite on the PS3. It's awesome. The online (PvP, messages, bloodstains), the gameplay, the lack of the gaming nanny culture with easy retries and a resilient main characters (who somehow take 20 times as many hits as your regular enemies).

[Daft]

Gah! I'm on that bridge after the Phalanx boss and I got to the end but those archers and the blue knight slaughtered me twice (the second time I forgot I was still in soul form and forgot to pick up my body :indeed: ). I don't want to back up too much and get roasted by the flame. There's such little space to manoeuvre....gah!!

[dwarf gourami]

Gah! I'm on that bridge after the Phalanx boss and I got to the end but those archers and the blue knight slaughtered me twice (the second time I forgot I was still in soul form and forgot to pick up my body :indeed: ). I don't want to back up too much and get roasted by the flame. There's such little space to manoeuvre....gah!!

You don't get your body back if you go to your soul, you just reclaim the souls that you've temporarily lost. Also, if you die again, you lose those souls forever. Btw there's 2 blue knights there. If you have magic you could use the horse cart as cover and keep popping in and out of it, picking them off as you do.

[Daft]

Ah right! Just levelled up so didn't have that many souls anyway, thank goodness. I have no magic. I'm a Temple Knight with a lance type thing. I could deal with the two knights normally it's just the added archers.

The knight parried me and insta-killed me. That hurt.

[dwarf gourami]

That happens, a lot. Not so much the parrying, just the instant kill. :P You get your soul back if you kill a boss, but when in body form you're susceptible to an invading player in any place bar the nexus and boss battles. If you find a rapier you could use that and your shield against the archers, as you can attack with it whilst your shield is raised, so you won't take damage at all.

[Daft]

Wait...so now I don't have a soul?...unless I defeat a boss?

I'm confused.

[dr4hkon]

You get your body back when you kill a boss. I guess that's what dwarf wanted to say.

[dwarf gourami]

You get your body back when you kill a boss. I guess that's what dwarf wanted to say.

That happens, a lot. Not so much the parrying, just the instant kill. :P You get your soul back if you kill a boss, but when in body form you're susceptible to an invading player in any place bar the nexus and boss battles. If you find a rapier you could use that and your shield against the archers, as you can attack with it whilst your shield is raised, so you won't take damage at all.
That's what I did say to be very frankly honest.
If you have any questions you can ask me, but if you read the thread I pretty much was as lost as you. I'd recommend giving it all a check.

[Daft]

Ah, will do. So now I've died I have diminished health and no body. I think I get that. And I have to kill a boss to get my body back. But aren't there a limited number of bosses? Isn't that just an absurd requirement?

I've got the Cling Ring so it isn't too bad.

[dwarf gourami]

It isn't once you get into the game, the bosses are on the whole pretty piss and you'll realise body form ain't that important.

There are a hell of a lot of 'wtf?', 'why?', 'how the hell was i meant to know that?' moments in terms of game design and weirdness. You could call it charm, but I'd say it's a little irritating.

Just read back through the thread and lold at some of my comments (either because they were funny/harsh/or just plain n00bish)

Basically 3 important things you should know for now:

-Whenever you collect shards/chunks of stuff (raw materials basically) go to the stockpile guy and dump them on him. He has unlimited capacity for the lolz, and it saves you carrying the weight around. You never need them on your person.

- You can get your body back ALSO by using the stone of ephemeral eyes. However, the item really isn't as good as it seems. If you die in body form in any world, something called world tendency goes down. This makes the enemies much stronger, so it's best to complete a level in soul form if possible as it may be easier this way. The ephemeral stone isn't really that rare and I've basically got a ton of them that just won't be used. World Tendency changes a lot of things but you'll figure it out down the line.

- There's various useful or evil Non-Player-Characters in the game that you can talk to/rescue & talk to. Once you've freed them, they appear in the Nexus somewhere, and you can either trade or learn stuff from them. However, some NPCs are evil and could cause a ruckus in the Nexus.

[Sheikah]

That's what I did say to be very frankly honest.
If you have any questions you can ask me, but if you read the thread I pretty much was as lost as you. I'd recommend giving it all a check.
Sorry to be pedantic, but you really always have your soul (hence soul form). It's all about getting your body back. :p

Body form has its cons (namely losing world tendency when you die), which in turn bars you from obtaining various weapons (see Demon's Souls wikia). As you defeat bosses your world tendency goes closer to pure white; don't die at all in body form in any world (as you kill a boss and regain your body, suicide in the Nexus as that has no world tendency) and you will progress to pure white world tendency as you kill the world's final boss.

On the other hand, if you don't care about technically cheating you can go online and use the colorless demon's souls farming glitch and set yourself to pure white world tendency that way. So you needn't worry about dying in body form

Either way, being in body form can make things much more easy and interesting since you can summon blue phantoms (other players) to help you either at the beginning of levels or before bosses using blue bloodstains on the floor. If you're playing the game for fun, just stay in whatever suits you.

Did you get the thief's ring? It's in the first level and is easily one of the best rings in the game.

Also, I wouldn't say all bosses are pretty piss. Some are abusable, but this requires you to find their AI flaw by looking online. Some bosses can be actually quite challenging.

[Daft]

I need to find the Thief's Ring. Sounds really useful.

[Sheikah]

It's probably the best ring in the game (along with clever rat's ring). It even works on bosses; some don't see you if you're too far away (including Flamelurker). And essential for killing crystal lizards for rare ore.

Oh, and it makes you invisible to players in PvP from a reasonable distance. So it's great for launching an ambush. :)

[Daft]

Okay, I definitely need to find it. World 1-1, right?

Not sure I'm going to be able to play this today. :( After I get home from work I've got parkour and then I'm usually too tired and this game need/deserves concentration.

[Sheikah]

Yeah, it's inside the castle area and I think you have to move against the wall to auto-jump down and land on a platform. It's where Ostrava stood while he first wanted you to take down dreglings.

[dwarf gourami]

Also, I wouldn't say all bosses are pretty piss. Some are abusable, but this requires you to find their AI flaw by looking online. Some bosses can be actually quite challenging.
Can't remember saying they all were but that's completely fine.

Other useful rings for me were - Ring of Avarice (more souls per kill. I basically put it on if I can get away with it just before I finish off a boss, as many of the boss arenas have purposeful spots where you can evade them completely, so just pop it on for a pisstake victory soul-rape festivity winrar), Ring of flame or poison Resistance & Ring of Magical sharpness (although this one probably won't be the case for you).

I'd argue Regenerator's ring can be pretty helpful too. In all honesty you shouldn't worry too much about rings. If you were to ever use one, thief's ring is the essential. However it is largely dependent on your situation and the world you're in, and sometimes it's better to not have thiefs ring on if you are fairly confident when playing, in which case Avarice can be potential lullification or whatever emotion you want.

Imma stop bombarding you naow, just play ze game constantly and you'll have a ball with the superb ambience only rivalled by a select few games, like Mario Kart.

[Daft]

Yeah, it's inside the castle area and I think you have to move against the wall to auto-jump down and land on a platform. It's where Ostrava stood while he first wanted you to take down dreglings.

Okay...that last sentence means nothing to me. :heh:

Imma stop bombarding you naow, just play ze game constantly and you'll have a ball with the superb ambience only rivalled by a select few games.

I can't play it now so reading/talking about it is the next best thing. :hehe:

[Sheikah]

Ostrava was the glowing yellow NPC guy in 1-1 that you may not have noticed. He reappears throughout world 1 and you get some decent stuff out of him should you help him out each time.

Play world 3 when you can, especially for the clever rat's ring. Then try forge a morion blade using the world 4 final boss demon's soul for mega damage. :)

[dwarf gourami]

[COLOR="Navy"]

Okay...that last sentence means nothing to me. :heh:
He likes to do that. And yeah on his latest - just go craft a Morion blade & get the clever rats ring tbh. Simples. Ya know, just stroll in and craft one, no explanaish needed. You're taking notes right? No need seeing as you'll deffo remember all this.


Seriously though:
There's no rush to go to these worlds in any particular order, just do what is manageable. Trying to get through the slog and annoyance of world 3 is not what you want to be doing, especially just for that ring.

[Daft]

Yeah, I'm just going to stumble around, I think.

[MATtheHAT]

Need to get home to play this. Damn you work. DAMN YOU.

[Sheikah]

He likes to do that. And yeah on his latest - just go craft a Morion blade & get the clever rats ring tbh. Simples. Ya know, just stroll in and craft one, no explanaish needed. You're taking notes right? No need seeing as you'll deffo remember all this.


Seriously though:
There's no rush to go to these worlds in any particular order, just do what is manageable. Trying to get through the slog and annoyance of world 3 is not what you want to be doing, especially just for that ring.

Or just refer to this thread? I don't know why you're being an ass about me giving some very clever advice. Especially since it has often been you coming to me for advice (and me spending a great deal of my time always answering you). Don't forget that I defeated your blue dragon (and nearly all of False King Allant on new game+) for you. :p

I mentioned some things he could do; he'll eventually know how to forge (so it's good advice to keep in mind), and there's nothing hard about world 3 up to boss 1. In fact, it's easily one of the most atmospheric levels and definitely one of my favourites. The fact it has a great ring in it just adds to the awesomeness of the level.

[dwarf gourami]

It's a good level, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to start out on it.
All I'm saying is that there's no need to bombard newbies with advice like that, when it makes no sense. I doubt anyone would want to go back and read it all here, getting the morion blade and the rats ring just doesn't have to be done at this stage, plus it isn't the priority when you've not even levelled up.

Ize gonna give relevant/general/useful advice for what people need to know at the start, going off on tangents is failblog-bound.

Why you're bringing up the co-op sessions in your argument is beyond me, seeing as I was playing for the funz, seeing as it is, but learning a bit from a more experienced player at the same time. I thought I was helping you out a bit, seeing as you wanted me to play through a level and a certain couple of bosses with you. I'm not going to hold it as a grudge seeing as it's tit for tat and enjoyable for winrar. Try not to get too caught up in all this man.

[Sheikah]

Ize gonna give relevant/general/useful advice for what people need to know at the start, going off on tangents if failblog-bound.

Well if you would take an eye away from ReZ's thesaurus for the mentally impaired (TM) you'd realise that the clever rat's ring is useful straight off to kill the many crystal lizards you encounter throughout the game.

World 3-1 is realtively easy. It's creepy, but by no means hard. I say go for it. My advice regarding body form and world tendency is incredibly poignant: it's up to you whether you wish to try hard to maintain good world tendency to get good weapons this playthrough, or just play for a laugh. But it's a choice you kinda need to make at the beginning, or else it's too late.

[dwarf gourami]

It's actually a fusion language that isn't solely Rez-filled.

I'm pretty sure that very few people are going to bother with crystal lizards that much because it's hardly worth going for those trophies by doing it the long way. I never used the CRR for those situations and I killed more than enough lizards to do what I wanted. I have tons of shit ores that just aren't going to be useful simply because they aren't necessary.

Basically I spent most of the game not using the ring and was very happy without it.

BED.

[Sheikah]

No, it's definitely because you practically bum ReZ. You're clearly impressionable so whatever.

But I digress. The purpose of crystal lizards is pure ores that come only rarely. And it's to make the best weapons, not just for the sake of trophies. And if you ever want to kill other players / fend off invaders, it's definitely worthwhile.

I'm pretty sure that very few people are going to bother with crystal lizards that much because it's hardly worth going for those trophies by doing it the long way.

...Except we're typing this for Daft and not the general population. I know that Daft has a good few platinums so it's hardly rocket science to make the connection that he likes to complete games.


Basically I spent most of the game not using the ring and was very happy without it.

Because as you often pointed out, you didn't have the Morion Blade. Without the Morion Blade equipped at the same time the damage is absolute shit.

[dr4hkon]

I'm actually not in the mood but I want to play the game again (that makes no sense at all...).
Thank you Daft for reviving the thread :D

[Daft]

...Except we're typing this for Daft and not the general population. I know that Daft has a good few platinums so it's hardly rocket science to make the connection that he likes to complete games.

Yeah, I'm kind of hoping this is one of those games I really get into so I actually want to get the Platinum. Your help is very much appreciated! (And even if I don't understand stuff I'll most likely come back and check this thread again when I do.) :smile:

...this might just be the 10th Platinum. (Although more importantly my 60th Gold. I've been stuck on 59 for AAAAAAAGEESS!! :mad: )

I'm actually not in the mood but I want to play the game again (that makes no sense at all...).
Thank you Daft for reviving the thread :D

I really can't wait until the weekend. When I get home from work I just want to zone out and DS is not a game you want to zone out with. :heh:

[Sheikah]

Another good thing to remember is that if you plan to platinum the game you can save yourself a whole playthrough (so 3 playthroughs instead of 4) by using a little trick. It lets you play a new game + after completion and you keep your character stats and items, but everything gets a lot harder in NG+.

If you hang onto the demon souls of the bosses from world 2, 3 and 5 and don't use them to forge weapons until you have obtained every other weapon required for a gold trophy, you can basically go to the blacksmith, forge these weapons without closing the menu, let the trophy ding and quit the game. You'll have the trophy but when you reload you'll still have the souls unused (so you can then use them to get spells).

You might not make much sense of that now, so just remember to hang onto the demon soul of the final bosses in worlds 2, 3 and 5. It'll all make sense later. :)

[Daft]

Gotcha! Hang onto the souls.

I'm a Temple Knight. I upgraded my strength and endurance a bit. I'm going to try and find that Theif's Ring. Any tips on what I should go for weapon wise? I've got the starting weapon still although needs space to swing which is kind of annoying and just found a bow.

I don't know how to forge weapons, and if I'm honest I never really bother...in games...ever. :heh: It's not too complicated, is it? Where do you do it? At the old dude seller in the Nexus?

[Sheikah]

Nope it's really easy. You basically defeat the second boss in world 2 (so it's a good idea to do that sooner) which is the Flamelurker. Then in world 2, somewhere before you fought the first boss you'll have encountered a blacksmith like the one in the Nexus, but this one is called Ed. After you talk to him a few times you basically give him the Flamelurker's demon soul (have it on hand) and he'll offer to forge good weapons with demon's souls.

Basically for many of the weapons you want to make you just bring along a specific weapon and a demon's soul.

Here's a great tip for a weapon. Go into world 4 and defeat the first boss - take that soul, along with a club (bought from the dregling merchant in the first level in world 1). He'll make the meat cleaver, my favourite weapon. :p Pump stength now to be able to equip it though.

[Daft]

Awesome. Cheers!

I wandered into world two and there are these slow moving zombie guys right near the start (I think they're susceptible to fire) and they take a right battering to kill. So I backed off. Might check out World 3 first. Decisions decisions....

[Sheikah]

World 4 is amazing, definitely my favourite world. The first level has a crescent falchion+1 literally on the floor near the entrance, which instantly does great damage as it stacks magic damage on top of the hit damage, as well as constantly regenerating your MP. Worth just grabbing that sword and doing another level if you like, as World 4 is probably one of the most difficult worlds.

[Daft]

Smash and grab job, eh?

I like it! :heh:
Sod it. I'm not going to the gym after work. I'm heading straight home to play this!!

[dwarf gourami]

No, it's definitely because you practically bum ReZ. You're clearly impressionable so whatever.

But I digress. The purpose of crystal lizards is pure ores that come only rarely. And it's to make the best weapons, not just for the sake of trophies. And if you ever want to kill other players / fend off invaders, it's definitely worthwhile.



...Except we're typing this for Daft and not the general population. I know that Daft has a good few platinums so it's hardly rocket science to make the connection that he likes to complete games.
Practically bum Rez? I do bum him.
The thing is, whenever I make a post I do know if I'm making a Rez-influenced one and when I'm not. It's not like I'm unaware of it. Maybe I like to incorporate some of that stuff because I find it to be pretty funny personally. Whether you do or not I don't care so much.

You've obviously misinterpreted me there - Of course pure ores are important but you find enough of them just lying around or by killing the occasional crystal lizard without having to consciously go out with the CRR and Morion blade. (or whichever way you can get them) Yes you can make great weapons with ores, and you've tried to turn that on me by suggesting I didn't relise that.

Oh shit he might want to complete games? I'm aware that many players here like trophies, I'm a massive completionist myself, but I do not believe mining crystal lizards is enriching, fun or needed to be a 'completionist' in this game. Getting stuck into this game does not mean you have to do the chores of killing these creatures, they're just fuck annoying.

By doing what I said for the trophy - getting a player to give you the weapons - it is a lot less hassle and you really aren't missing out on anything by doing this. Do pay special attention to killing the ones you come across, it's fairly easy if you have a hammer type weapon and you roll/use thiefs ring (heck using a bow obviously works quite well), but apart from a select few times when you're trying to forge a particular weapon it isn't that important to go out of your way to find their spawns.

I condone finding all the rings/making the unique weapons yourself, but ores.... No.

[Daft]

Demon Souls doesn't always boot up for me. Does anyone else have this problem. Basically it switches resolution to whatever and then just stays dark.

It happens about 50% of the time. And only after the latest firmware update.

[Sheikah]

You've obviously misinterpreted me there - Of course pure ores are important but you find enough of them just lying around or by killing the occasional crystal lizard without having to consciously go out with the CRR and Morion blade. (or whichever way you can get them) Yes you can make great weapons with ores, and you've tried to turn that on me by suggesting I didn't relise that.

Bollocks. Pure ores are quite rare; you don't just find them by killing the occasional lizard (unless very lucky). And you don't know how good the Morion/Clever Rat setup is because you never had the Morion Blade (although it did dictate why my arrow shots were something like 5X more damaging than yours when we were killing False King Allant).

Oh shit he might want to complete games? I'm aware that many players here like trophies, I'm a massive completionist myself, but I do not believe mining crystal lizards is enriching, fun or needed to be a 'completionist' in this game. Getting stuck into this game does not mean you have to do the chores of killing these creatures, they're just fuck annoying.

Hmm that sounds very reasonable apart from a few small details. First, the European version has not been out for very long, so the chance of people having these weapons lying around to give away to stranges is slim. Second, I very much doubt that the duplication glitch still exists, or that most Europeans even know of it. Third, maybe some people like to make their weapons? They are very, very useful weapons to make (and you only need the best weapon by ---stone, so you're free to choose whatever weapons you wish to make).

it's fairly easy if you have a hammer type weapon and you roll/use thiefs ring (heck using a bow obviously works quite well), but apart from a select few times when you're trying to forge a particular weapon it isn't that important to go out of your way to find their spawns.

Just wait for new game +. Oh wait, we were on NG+! And you missed a hell of a lot of them. Also, remember that large cave in 2-1? There must be at least 10 lizards in that room. Should you walk in, even with the thief's ring, they all start running and you'd be lucky to kill 2. Morion setup essential.

I condone finding all the rings/making the unique weapons yourself, but ores.... No.
The thing is, MOST of the ores you can get from quests or as treasure; still, killing lizards is good to get hold of chunks since they're not exactly that common (some types).


Sorry Daft, I've got the US version and I haven't tried playing since the FW update. I could try during the weekend (at my girlfriend's atm).

[Oxigen_Waste]

How important is the online in this?... cause I have no internets right now at my new house and won't till september (or better, I do have one of my neighbours' connection but it's signal is too weak for the ps3 to establish a stable connection. So, should I wait and play Mass Effect 2 and save this one for when online is pristine again, or isn't it that important?
Because I can already tell I'm going to spend at least 100 hours with this beauty... it's right up my alley!

[dwarf gourami]

Bollocks. Pure ores are quite rare; you don't just find them by killing the occasional lizard (unless very lucky). And you don't know how good the Morion/Clever Rat setup is because you never had the Morion Blade (although it did dictate why my arrow shots were something like 5X more damaging than yours when we were killing False King Allant).



Hmm that sounds very reasonable apart from a few small details. First, the European version has not been out for very long, so the chance of people having these weapons lying around to give away to stranges is slim. Second, I very much doubt that the duplication glitch still exists, or that most Europeans even know of it. Third, maybe some people like to make their weapons? They are very, very useful weapons to make (and you only need the best weapon by ---stone, so you're free to choose whatever weapons you wish to make).



Just wait for new game +. Oh wait, we were on NG+! And you missed a hell of a lot of them. Also, remember that large cave in 2-1? There must be at least 10 lizards in that room. Should you walk in, even with the thief's ring, they all start running and you'd be lucky to kill 2. Morion setup essential.


The thing is, MOST of the ores you can get from quests or as treasure; still, killing lizards is good to get hold of chunks since they're not exactly that common (some types).


Sorry Daft, I've got the US version and I haven't tried playing since the FW update. I could try during the weekend (at my girlfriend's atm).
I was rolling in and missing a lot of them because I don't think they're as necessary as you. I may attempt and fail but that's what happens sometimes. I've not argued that the morion blade/CRR isn't great (I know I don't have it) I've just said it isn't essential. Ok it might make lizards and Allant pretty piss but frankly you don't have to hunt for it, especially not as a new player.

So what other amazing weapons do you need pures for? Getting round with standard weapons and the odd forge is more than enough. Like you mentioned - the Meat Cleaver is easy to get and it's absolutely insane. No need for pures.

[MATtheHAT]

How important is the online in this?... cause I have no internets right now at my new house and won't till september (or better, I do have one of my neighbours' connection but it's signal is too weak for the ps3 to establish a stable connection. So, should I wait and play Mass Effect 2 and save this one for when online is pristine again, or isn't it that important?
Because I can already tell I'm going to spend at least 100 hours with this beauty... it's right up my alley!

Personally I would say very important. Just for the atmosphere the Ghosts/bloodstains/messages create.

[dwarf gourami]

Seeing ghosts walking around is just a completely brilliant idea. Gives a little confidence to see there's other people playing irl/irt and shows you aren't alone (even though you are).

Plus they can make you jump if you know you've cleared an area and one pops round a corner as you've left your guard down.

I think it would be a great experience on and offline, though online is definitely the way to go if you can. There's nothing like it.

[Sheikah]

So what other amazing weapons do you need pures for? Getting round with standard weapons and the odd forge is more than enough. Like you mentioned - the Meat Cleaver is easy to get and it's absolutely insane. No need for pures.

There's every need for pures. Get moon weapons maxed to stack magic damage on top of physical (good for magic users). Use dragonstone to add fire attack to stun lock enemies. Use bladestone for certain katanas. Or get a maxed blessed phosphorescent pole, adjudicators shield and a regenerator ring to stack all 3 HP regen effects (seriously good).

[Daft]

Got that sword from 4-1. It's damn slick. Way better than that painfully slow thing I was using before. Cheers Sheikah!

I had some weird glitch where when I was fighting my shield would randomly unequipped itself and sometimes my weapon would switch to the secondary. Was so fucking annoying and got me killed twice. I had to restart the console. Grrrrr...

[Sheikah]

Yeah, it's great until you've properly built your character for whatever weapon you want to eventually use. The damage as well as MP regen is awesome. In 4-1 there's also a talisman of god on the floor that will let you perform miracles, which will then let you cast some nice miracles that reduce damage or evacuate you straight back to the nexus.

As for stats, I think it's great to go with vitality (for HP), definitely endurance (for stamina and equip burden) and strength. It's good to increase your magical stats a little to let you memorise a few spells.

[Daft]

I already had a Talisman of God because I was a Temple Knight. Didn't realise the sword did magic regen, too. I only have the Heal spell at the mo.

Those are the stats I've been building but my magic is quite low. I think I have 49MP. I should start thinking about upgrading that, it seems.

What are some good spells to start with? (Also where do you get them? :heh: )

[Sheikah]

I was never much of a spellcaster, but I did start as a Royal therefore had Soul Arrow which did a flat 80ish damage and was useful earlier on. I mostly got the spells that were best for support in some way or another. Most good spells are got by trading Demon's Souls to either Sage Freke (free him from world 3-1 - the -1 being the first stage before the first boss in world 3 using a pair of keys found near the NPC on the balcony who is chanting a spell to revive the boss; incidentally, make sure to pick up the silver catalyst in the room opposite this guy to let you cast spells, Saint Urbain (go near the hole Patches asks you to inspect in 4-2) and Yuria the Witch (rescued in world 1, the area after Tower Knight).

For instance, Warding (spell) from Freke heavily reduces damage from enemies (trade for Iron Demon's Soul). My personal favourite is Second Chance, a miracle got by trading the Hero Demon's Soul to Urbain. If you take a hit that would normally kill you, you go to half health and the spell wears off.

There's also Curse Weapon from Yuria (need Silver Demon's Soul) which increases your right hand weapon damage by 50%, but reduces your HP constantly.

You can also get lesser spells and miracles already without rescuing these people. The apprentice of Freke and Urbain should be hanging around in the Nexus on the ground floor; notably they sell the evacuate miracle for 5,000 souls which can be very worthwhile (instant teleport out of the Nexus - good for farming souls at the 4-2 entrance).

You might also want to think about shifting your world tendency in world 2 to pure black later on (which basically involves you dying a lot in body form anywhere in that world). If you do this and go to where Scirvir the NPC is in 2-2, he's replaced by a black phantom version of himself. Killing him (although beware; he's quite difficult) nets you a Talisman of Beasts; a really useful charm that lets you cast both spells and miracles, so you don't need to switch out equipment.

[dwarf gourami]

Second chance is intense, I only bothered with 2 miracle slots so I could use that. Once your Intelligence/MP is high, Soul Ray is v.good, although not that important.

I found the Poison to be very useful, especially for when someone invades, because fairly few actually enter with antidotes, and so many end up trying to get away and find it quickly in their inventory, and you'll just be able to attack them when they try. You can also back into a corner and cast it a few times, which makes many unwilling to come towards you, giving you the chance to power up or get ready.

It's also great when fighting mini-bosses or strong standard enemies if you get the chance, it's a pychological thing almost as you know you're constantly inflicting damage for a minute or two and every hit feels better than usual. It worked great when I was fighting the Old King for instance.

One spell I haven't trialled is the homing soul arrow. It doesn't do massive damage but it creates several orbs that fire towards the target and it keeps going for a little while. Someone used it against me in the player boss fight and it was quite effective at breaking up my movements and generally pissed me off. Killed him eventually anyway.

[Sheikah]

One spell I haven't trialled is the homing soul arrow. It doesn't do massive damage but it creates several orbs that fire towards the target and it keeps going for a little while. Someone used it against me in the player boss fight and it was quite effective at breaking up my movements and generally pissed me off. Killed him eventually anyway.
Yeah the Old Monk's headgear that is automatically equipped to the summoned player's head does that automatically, it has a mind of its own. I'm not sure what determines the magic damage in that instance, but it's very damaging on NG+/NG++.

[dwarf gourami]

Oh right, is it just a one shot per cast thing if you're using the spell normally? If so then mehhry.

[Daft]

There should be a toilet break pause where you have 60 seconds to take a dump and you can only use it once every hour.

[MATtheHAT]

Is there a 'best' order to complete the levels? At the moment I'm doing 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 etc... then will probably go back and do 1-2, 2-2, 3-2 etc...

Is this the preffered method for a noob dungeon crawler such as myself?

[Stewilo2005]

Is there a 'best' order to complete the levels? At the moment I'm doing 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 etc... then will probably go back and do 1-2, 2-2, 3-2 etc...

Is this the preffered method for a noob dungeon crawler such as myself?

I think you've got it right doing that, some of the later ones in some you can't do till you've done something in the other levels. I'm quite a noob at this game too :P had it since Christmas and I only seem to look good on it because my friends suck worse than me at it xD. Which version do you have? I only have the USA one as I imported it, but I guess everyone here is going to buy the new European version :(. I only bought it at the time because they said that the uk wasn't getting it.

[Sheikah]

Is there a 'best' order to complete the levels? At the moment I'm doing 1-1, 2-1, 3-1 etc... then will probably go back and do 1-2, 2-2, 3-2 etc...

Is this the preffered method for a noob dungeon crawler such as myself?
4-1 is good to start with because you pick up a crescent falchion. World 2 is good to do 2-1 and 2-2 on to enable you to forge weapons. Leave world 5 until the end I say; it's a bloody pain in the arse. 3-1 is also good to pick up the clever rat's ring. Then finish off world 4 if you like to get the adjudicator's demon soul to make a meat cleaver, as well as the storm demon's soul to make the morion blade.

Once you have the morion blade and the clever rat's ring, you become unbelievably powerful when on low health. Best of luck to you.

[dwarf gourami]

I think you've got it right doing that, some of the later ones in some you can't do till you've done something in the other levels. I'm quite a noob at this game too :P had it since Christmas and I only seem to look good on it because my friends suck worse than me at it xD. Which version do you have? I only have the USA one as I imported it, but I guess everyone here is going to buy the new European version :(. I only bought it at the time because they said that the uk wasn't getting it.
Incorrect information.

[Sheikah]

Incorrect information.

Well no he is right, I think he's talking about world 1. In world 1 you can't go any further than the tower knight boss (ie. Onto 1-3) until you kill one of the archdemons in the other worlds (ie 2-3, 3-3, 4-3 or 5-3 bosses). But that's the only instance.

If anyone can put up with some of the trickiest enemies in world 4, they'll have a great time since the bosses are all easy and there's good loot and souls on offer.

[Daft]

Really enjoying this. I've played about 6 hours and I've barely done anything really. I love just dipping into worlds, smash and grabbing anything I can. :D

Also, I love how you open up shortcuts.

[dwarf gourami]

The whole shortcut thing is really neet, but it goes underused in many cases in favour of just archstones as levels become more linear and shorter in some cases.

And yeah, forgot about that one case, but he was using plurals so I am right ;).

[Daft]

The Armour Spider boss is a bitch. I just get raped at close range and have nowt long range... Grrr..