Dark Souls Catch-All

I just picked Divine because I knew how to get green titanite. I still want to lean towards dexterity. I have another scimitar from the merchant in the undead burg.

EDIT: I do have the wooden shield. I have picked up a lot of shields so far. I also have the grasscrest and spider but I had my knight shield up to +5 before I found either one.

EDIT: Also Havel wasn't too bad. He killed me twice, but once I fought him patiently and cautiously I found it pretty easy to dodge his attacks and step in for a couple of two-handed swipes before retreating.

Running Man wrote:

For somebody who's never played this or Demon's Souls, what's an all round good weapon or magic to start with?

I like the Longsword. I think it is the best all around weapon in the game. It is even pretty good at breaking shield guards with its leaping power attack, although I usually use a kick to conserve stamina for a double power attack (thrust followed by an upward slash).

I like Spears as well. Being able to keep your shield up and poke at the enemies little by little can be useful. If you rely on a strong shield, poise, and a good stamina reserve, then spears can be very effective.

Lightning Spear is tricky to get and it requires a Faith level of twenty to cast, but it is powerful. Most enemies are weak to lightning. Pair it Astora's straight sword (scales with Faith, Dex., and Str.), less tricky to get, and you have a powerful arsenal through the first two acts of the game (~lvl 60).

Longswords are definitely easy to use. My sorceror tried all kinds of things and decided on that. Now my cleric is using Astora's, which has the same attacks. I'd actually wanted some variety, but I really wanted to pair Astora's with my cleric.

Once I have the ember and mats, I'll pick a different type of weapon to go Occult for my cleric's end-game weapon. I like his mace, but it's slow to swing compared to a longsword, and you can't get into a back and forth rhythm with it like you can with a longsword. LOVE the backstab animation, though.

Dyni wrote:
Running Man wrote:

For somebody who's never played this or Demon's Souls, what's an all round good weapon or magic to start with?

Any weapon is fine to start. It's more about how if feels to you than raw stats. Animations are different for nearly every weapon, so finding one that feels comfortable is most important.

heavyfeul wrote:
Running Man wrote:

For somebody who's never played this or Demon's Souls, what's an all round good weapon or magic to start with?

I like the Longsword. I think it is the best all around weapon in the game.

This is exactly what I am talking about. I don't like the Longsword much because I prefer how some of the other starting weapons handle. The other starting weapons don't have better stats, but they handle more fluidly for me, so they're better weapons. There is no best all around weapon in the game.

Experiment with every new weapon type you find. Try attack, heavy attack, jump attack, attacking with your shield up, dodge attack, and anything else you can think of. Try attacking with it in a tight corridor. Maybe it seems good at first, but it is actually a Female Doggo to use if you're close to walls. If it doesn't feel good after a few encounters, scrap it and go back to something that does.

After looking at how most upgraded weapons scale on the dark souls wikidot, it looks like my character won't get big scaling benefits from putting points into dexterity. I guess I should put points into intelligence to get the most from magic/enchanted weapons that appeal to me. I'd then be able to cast a bit. I'm getting confused.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

After looking at how most upgraded weapons scale on the dark souls wikidot, it looks like my character won't get big scaling benefits from putting points into dexterity. I guess I should put points into intelligence to get the most from magic/enchanted weapons that appeal to me. I'd then be able to cast a bit. I'm getting confused.

I understand completely, I almost think trying to min max your first character is a bad way to go. I have spent way too much time looking at spreadsheets.

I settled on the longsword because it scales decently with STR and I like the power attack it has first attack of stab then a quick upward thrust which seems to stagger most enemies pretty good.

I am at +10 right now, need to get the ember to get to +11

Wow the combat feels nice and solid. I was having a hell of a time killing the Asylum demon with my sword hilt. Then I noticed an open doorway hehe. Much easier with an actual sword and shield

All those earlier deaths were good dodge practice though.

The combat is arguably the best in any game ever, imho.

Solidarity - It's very common to do Dex builds, though. I imagine googling Dark Souls dexterity build will give you some great tips.

S0LIDARITY wrote:

After looking at how most upgraded weapons scale on the dark souls wikidot, it looks like my character won't get big scaling benefits from putting points into dexterity. I guess I should put points into intelligence to get the most from magic/enchanted weapons that appeal to me. I'd then be able to cast a bit. I'm getting confused.

I wouldn't worry too much about your scaling with your first character. Also, I recommend a Fire or Lightning weapon to use because those don't scale with stats but still pack a really solid punch. That way you can have your magic, dex, str, or faith weapons at hand any time you feel like going for scaling, but you can always fall back on your elemental weapon if the damage isn't high enough for you.

Btw I'm pretty sure Duffman's first (and only that I know of) character was a Dex build, and he finished the game with it.

Some of the coolest weapons are for Dexterity users, like scimitars, and Quelaag's Furysword.

I should make an elemental weapon. I haven't, and my main character has just the final boss of the game left to go.

My 2nd run was with a Dex build. That's why I was hyping up the Silver Knight Spear a while ago. Fantastic dex weapon.

Hi. I just got gifted Dark Souls by a warm and fuzzy Goodjer.

It's the PC version and I'm ready to enjoy the awesome high-res graphics and 60 FPS. Where do I go to get that sweetness?

You read my mind, I'm in the middle of doing the same thing after dying a bunch. Turns out Dark Souls and scotch aren't a good mix, I'll give it another go in the morning.

Link

That DSfix201 makes a huge difference in rendering quality!

edit: Not to mention removing the cursor at game startup, en-smallening the HUD, and removing the intro logos.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

...Once I have the ember and mats, I'll pick a different type of weapon to go Occult for my cleric's end-game weapon...

Occult weapon...

Spoiler:

Anor Londo. Mimic. Occult Club. Save white titanite.

I don't want one of those, but thanks!

Running Man wrote:

You read my mind, I'm in the middle of doing the same thing after dying a bunch. Turns out Dark Souls and scotch aren't a good mix, I'll give it another go in the morning.

Link

That DSfix201 makes a huge difference in rendering quality!

edit: Not to mention removing the cursor at game startup, en-smallening the HUD, and removing the intro logos.

As part of the new patch, don't unlock the frames the game won't start

Just picked this up, looking forward to trying it out. Leaning toward a dex character with some bow and fast melee.

Any advice on seeking a light source? Seems like the Sunlight Maggot will take me a while to get from my current point in the game, as would the requisiting standing with the right covenant. I notice there is a spell too, but I hate non-permanent lightsources. Reason I'm asking is because I want to go into the catacombs, but I'm concerned about the visibility issues.

You do not need the light source until the Tomb of Giants. I have only played through the area once, but there is a chance of getting a skull lantern as a drop before you get to that point.

Cast Light is not a bad alternative. I bought it in anticipation of that section and tested it out. It lasts for a good amount of time. It seemed to last quite a bit longer than Hidden Body anyway. It is probably simpler to get than the Sunlight Maggot too.

I did finish the game with a Dex build, though I leveled the crap out of him. Finished around SL 85 or so. My main weapon was Quelaag's Furysword, though I also used a lightening Iato +10 and Lightning Spear. If and when I start a new character, i'm probably going to roll a sorcerer or paladin-type build (i.e. faith + heavy weapons/armor)

I'm using the Furysword right now as well. My backups are a lightning spear and a Zweihander (so satisfying knocking enemies down with that). I'm about to dig into New Londo now I think, around SL 60-ish.

Duffman wrote:

I did finish the game with a Dex build, though I leveled the crap out of him. Finished around SL 85 or so. My main weapon was Quelaag's Furysword, though I also used a lightening Iato +10 and Lightning Spear. If and when I start a new character, i'm probably going to roll a sorcerer or paladin-type build (i.e. faith + heavy weapons/armor)

You need to play again and see the DLC!

Dakuna wrote:

Any advice on seeking a light source? Seems like the Sunlight Maggot will take me a while to get from my current point in the game, as would the requisiting standing with the right covenant. I notice there is a spell too, but I hate non-permanent lightsources. Reason I'm asking is because I want to go into the catacombs, but I'm concerned about the visibility issues.

You can find a lantern in the Catacombs, but you have to hold it up in your shield slot, so it makes that area very difficult. Cast Light is fine if you have the Int for it, but I would suggest just plowing through Demon Ruins first so you can get the Sunlight Maggot before you worry about heading to the Catacombs and Tomb of the Giants. There is no bonfire you can warp to down there, so you're going to have to run through that whole zone anyways, even if you just clear the Catacombs now.

Yeah, just delay Catacombs until you have a light source.

Running Man wrote:

You read my mind, I'm in the middle of doing the same thing after dying a bunch. Turns out Dark Souls and scotch aren't a good mix, I'll give it another go in the morning.

I myself do a six pack for Dark Souls sit-downs now and again. I've gotten so used to the games' rhythms that it doesn't affect my performance. When I first started the game, though, that was another story.

Manus just handed my ass to me a few more times today. Got close twice. Then explored, found Help...

Spoiler:

lil' Sif

And that got my a slight bit closer. After venting frustration, I went to the township and found a little item that should help me, now. We will see if tomorrow Manus still stands.

The lizardmen in Sen's Fortress can go f*ck right off.

But on a happier note, I finally killed the hydra in Ash Lake.

I cannot believe it took me so long to get into this game. It's unbelievable.

It sure is. I can't stop playing it, except to start the previous game.

Demiurge wrote:

The lizardmen in Sen's Fortress can go f*ck right off.

But on a happier note, I finally killed the hydra in Ash Lake.

I cannot believe it took me so long to get into this game. It's unbelievable.

They are a bit less bad now that I use my longsword the double power attack staggers them so after tanking out the first hit I can kill them before they attack again.

Should I do the stuff down in Darkroot before I do Sens? The enemies don't seem too bad but all the wiki stuff says do it after

Demiurge wrote:

The lizardmen in Sen's Fortress can go f*ck right off.

But on a happier note, I finally killed the hydra in Ash Lake.

I cannot believe it took me so long to get into this game. It's unbelievable.

You get used to them. Except the ones that shoot you while you walk across narrow platforms. I still hate them.

Kamakazi010654 wrote:

Should I do the stuff down in Darkroot before I do Sens? The enemies don't seem too bad but all the wiki stuff says do it after

Doesn't matter. All Darkroot Garden and Basin is optional except for the part locked behind the crest. If you want to get more souls and level up before Sen's, do Darkroot. If you want to progress, go to Sen's.