Dark Souls Catch-All

mrtomaytohead wrote:
Dakuna wrote:

Why when you're having so much fun? I started tackling the expansion today. Beat the guardian, with a tail cut, thanks to some helpful summons. I did try it alone about 10 times, but never got more than 2 hits on the tail.

Because I've got over 100 hrs in the game, and a ton of games I know I'll enjoy if I get into them. I don't think I even bothered with that first encounter's tail as I knew I'd never use it. Then again, that felt like a pretty tight-on-the-timing encounter so I didn't feel I had the time to get to the tail end.

Spoiler:

You're talking about the chimera-like Sanctuary Guardian, right?

Yup.. and yes, soloing the tail cut would be a feat indeed, and while I don't doubt with enough patience and time, I could do it, I just didn't feel like taking that much time.

How did you kill the bridge drake?

Fedaykin98 wrote:

How did you kill the bridge drake?

Explanation On Hellkite Dragon (aka source of Drake Sword):

Spoiler:

If you want the Drake Sword, go get that first, probably by using a bow.

First, make sure you kick the ladder and use the shortcut from the bonfire below so when you die trying, you can get back quick.

Next, get to bottom of the staircase at the middle of the bridge and go 2-handed. Shields won't do too much for you here.

Run up the stairs and sprint to either the alcove across the bridge or around the railing for the stair opening and hug the front wall in either facing the dragon. He will spew fire. If you don't sprint it will hit you.

Wait something like 10-15 until you see him take off from his roost and then sprint to just before the 1st post on the edge of the bridge.

When he lands start wailing on him, but try to stay as close to the edge as possible.

His attacks from here vary. In general you're ok as long as you are hugging the bridge wall and He doesn't start turning around. Even if he takes off straight up, you can just stand at the wall and will not get hit. The stomps may still deal some damage no matter how close to the wall you get.

If you see him start to turn around, sprint like your life depends on it (it does) to the bottom of the stairs and wait until you hear him fly back to his roost.

Repeat until you kill him.

I killed him back on the PS3 in the release/first couple patch days... you could shoot him from that first black knight tower in Undead Parish. But they changed that so he flies away now. Never have been able to face him down on the bridge, and I tried a couple times on PC with the DLC. Oh well.

Stele wrote:

I killed him back on the PS3 in the release/first couple patch days... you could shoot him from that first black knight tower in Undead Parish. But they changed that so he flies away now. Never have been able to face him down on the bridge, and I tried a couple times on PC with the DLC. Oh well.

He also starts regenerating when low on health. My bridge melee tactic explanation is the way I've seen it explained / video demoed in a number of places.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

How did you kill the bridge drake?

Spoiler:

You start by waiting near the stairs in the middle, where you normally wait for him to drop down if you are coming to the Sun Bros altar for the first time. 2h your strongest weapon, buff it if so desired, and it doesn't hurt to pop a green blossom, or use Cloranthy ring or Grass Crest shield on your back. As soon as he lands, sprint out and onto the bridge and hack at his leg until he dies. Do not lock on. If done correctly, it only takes 3-4 hits to kill him. He only has 2200 hp.

I used a +5 Enchanted Claymore, 1 green blossom, and I wore Havel's set with Ring of Favor & Havel's ring with Int 50. On my level 22, I used a +5 Gravelord Sword, Crimson set, 1 green blossom, with Str 24 and Dex 13, Havel's ring and Ring of Favor. I did not use the Grass Crest shield, just kept my +5 Silver Knight shield on my back in both cases.

Okay, so I killed Knight Artorias as a helpful summon and finished the fight wearing the Symbol of Avarice and the Covetous Silver Serpent ring. Somehow, this earned me 77k souls. I am trying to repeat it, no luck so far. The second time I tried, I wasn't fast enough at switching, and only got 36k souls. Normal amount is 25k, so I assume he died that second time between putting on the Symbol and putting on the ring. The math doesn't add up though, 77k is more than triple what you're supposed to get as a helper with no reward souls boost.

As per the wikidot page: The effect of this ring stacks with the soul increase of Symbol of Avarice. It will increase to 144%. (120% * 1.20 = 144%) Also stacks with 20% soul increases from overkill, increasing the amount of souls to 73%. (144% *1.20 = 173%)

Just wear the rings the whole time?

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Just wear the rings the whole time?

Well, the ring I could see, but the symbol of avarice drains your life. I would also be giving up a lot of spell power to wear them the whole time, as that would replace my Crown of Dusk and my Bellowing Dragoncrest ring.

Manus down, solo in about 10 tries. Yes, this is on my caster, so I just had to learn the fight then perfect my technique. I'd hate to try it solo melee.

Dakuna wrote:

Manus down, solo in about 10 tries. Yes, this is on my caster, so I just had to learn the fight then perfect my technique. I'd hate to try it solo melee.

I found the run from bonfire to Manus was a hassle too. It took me a while to figure out how to deal with the archer who would occasionally kill me as I ran down the ramp from the crowd of dark-blob guys.

S0LIDARITY wrote:
Dakuna wrote:

Manus down, solo in about 10 tries. Yes, this is on my caster, so I just had to learn the fight then perfect my technique. I'd hate to try it solo melee.

I found the run from bonfire to Manus was a hassle too. It took me a while to figure out how to deal with the archer who would occasionally kill me as I ran down the ramp from the crowd of dark-blob guys.

Once the shortcut is open, you should use the Oolacile Township Bonfire, it's the least hassle. I was stupid and used the Sanctuary one, no hassle there either, but it's a bit far away.

Wait, archer? There's archers in the chasm of the abyss? Are you thinking of Nito?

So I'll admit to some Wiki-ing for my Dark Souls playthrough, frankly, I find the game challenging enough even with the benefit of some advanced knowledge that I don't feel like it's that cheap. However, I'm wondering about what your guys thoughts are on Katana acquisition. I know you can kill the Undead Male Merchant early for the Uchigatana, but will I miss the repair powder, etc that he provides that you can't find elsewhere? Should I just wait until I get the Iato? I get the sense that I won't get to Shiva of the East until much later. I want to start leveling a sword to use with my dex build and am not a big fan of my scimitar and it's slash-only moveset.

Dysplastic wrote:

So I'll admit to some Wiki-ing for my Dark Souls playthrough, frankly, I find the game challenging enough even with the benefit of some advanced knowledge that I don't feel like it's that cheap. However, I'm wondering about what your guys thoughts are on Katana acquisition. I know you can kill the Undead Male Merchant early for the Uchigatana, but will I miss the repair powder, etc that he provides that you can't find elsewhere? Should I just wait until I get the Iato? I get the sense that I won't get to Shiva of the East until much later. I want to start leveling a sword to use with my dex build and am not a big fan of my scimitar and it's slash-only moveset.

I haven't enjoyed the Uchigatana that much on my dex build, you are definitely better off waiting for the Iato, and even then I don't find it that great. While the moves look awesome they are terribly slow. I'm finding my Dex character the most difficult to get through the game with.

The Uchi is one of my favorite weapons. The attack animations can be used in narrow areas, and if you want to fire, chaos, or lightning upgrade it, it's amazing for damage, at least through your first NG.

I don't think I've ever used repair powder. You buy the boxes for repairing at a bonfire and you're good to go.

Stele wrote:

I don't think I've ever used repair powder. You buy the boxes for repairing at a bonfire and you're good to go.

This. I never think about the repair powder until I'm scrolling past it on my way to another item.

Dysplastic wrote:

So I'll admit to some Wiki-ing for my Dark Souls playthrough, frankly, I find the game challenging enough even with the benefit of some advanced knowledge that I don't feel like it's that cheap. However, I'm wondering about what your guys thoughts are on Katana acquisition. I know you can kill the Undead Male Merchant early for the Uchigatana, but will I miss the repair powder, etc that he provides that you can't find elsewhere? Should I just wait until I get the Iato? I get the sense that I won't get to Shiva of the East until much later. I want to start leveling a sword to use with my dex build and am not a big fan of my scimitar and it's slash-only moveset.

Get the uchigatana for early on, as long as you have bought the forever lost items from that merchant (Orange Guidance soapstone, repair box, bottomless box, residence key) it's pretty safe to crush him like the weasely piece of crap that he is.

Alternatively, the winged spear can be gotten early on from the graveyard, and although the damage isn't that great, it will allow you to attack keeping your shield up, and scales with dex. You can also get an estoc very early, and might get a rapier drop from one of the guys in the cathedral area.

Dakuna wrote:

Wait, archer? There's archers in the chasm of the abyss? Are you thinking of Nito?

Maybe it was a caster. There was some Oolacile resident that had a ranged attack and pegged me a few times. I was starting at the abyss bonfire though.

Spears and a good stable shield works great with a Dex. build. I compliment it with Magic Weapon.

To open up Shiva early:

Spoiler:

Join Forest Hunters before going to Blighttown. Talk to Shiva. Take shortcut from the Valley of the Drakes to the bottom of the swamp elevator and Shiva should be there.

I recommend the Demon's Spear.

Dakuna wrote:

Alternatively, the winged spear can be gotten early on from the graveyard, and although the damage isn't that great, it will allow you to attack keeping your shield up, and scales with dex. You can also get an estoc very early, and might get a rapier drop from one of the guys in the cathedral area.

Thanks for the tips. I played a Spear/Shield Royal in Demon Souls, so want to go for a more aggressive offense/dodge based character in this game. Will be killing the merchant shortly.

So I found a rather boring way to farm ~8k souls a minute. It's certain, relatively easy, and has the additional bonus of providing occasional items, some of the useful like chunks of titanite and Dragonslayer arrows. Does anyone have a faster method?

Dakuna wrote:

So I found a rather boring way to farm ~8k souls a minute. It's certain, relatively easy, and has the additional bonus of providing occasional items, some of the useful like chunks of titanite and Dragonslayer arrows. Does anyone have a faster method?

I used to just farm the Forest Covenant NPCs in Darkroot Garden. Takes ~1 minute, faster once you get a pattern going, and is 8k souls (24k in NG+) with a nearby bonfire for easy resets.

ahrezmendi wrote:
Dakuna wrote:

So I found a rather boring way to farm ~8k souls a minute. It's certain, relatively easy, and has the additional bonus of providing occasional items, some of the useful like chunks of titanite and Dragonslayer arrows. Does anyone have a faster method?

I used to just farm the Forest Covenant NPCs in Darkroot Garden. Takes ~1 minute, faster once you get a pattern going, and is 8k souls (24k in NG+) with a nearby bonfire for easy resets.

ahrezmendi wrote:
Dakuna wrote:

So I found a rather boring way to farm ~8k souls a minute. It's certain, relatively easy, and has the additional bonus of providing occasional items, some of the useful like chunks of titanite and Dragonslayer arrows. Does anyone have a faster method?

I used to just farm the Forest Covenant NPCs in Darkroot Garden. Takes ~1 minute, faster once you get a pattern going, and is 8k souls (24k in NG+) with a nearby bonfire for easy resets.

My method is to kill the royal sentinels, one silver knight and 2 sentinels at Anor Londo while wearing covetous silver ring and symbol of avarice. It's very boring, but sounds easier than killing those jokers in the forest, maybe cause I've done it so many times.

Dakuna wrote:

So I found a rather boring way to farm ~8k souls a minute. It's certain, relatively easy, and has the additional bonus of providing occasional items, some of the useful like chunks of titanite and Dragonslayer arrows. Does anyone have a faster method?

My favorite farming spot has been the Painted World, as (on a good day) I'd get summoned often, and the area (as well as the fight against Priscilla) is fun to play. I definitely didn't net 8k souls/min with this method, but when summoned I could still earn a good amount.

Must. Resist. Urge. toplaynothingbutDarksoulsthisweekend.

Any tips to get through the valley of the drakes? I have cleared out Hydra and Havel - SL35, Elite Knight armor and Claymore + 5. - trying to get through to Blight Town but those Drakes are pretty tough!

MadGav wrote:

Any tips to get through the valley of the drakes? I have cleared out Hydra and Havel - SL35, Elite Knight armor and Claymore + 5. - trying to get through to Blight Town but those Drakes are pretty tough!

Yeah. Don't go that way You should be headed to the Depths before Blighttown.

MadGav wrote:

Any tips to get through the valley of the drakes? I have cleared out Hydra and Havel - SL35, Elite Knight armor and Claymore + 5. - trying to get through to Blight Town but those Drakes are pretty tough!

Blighttown is not accessed by fighting the drakes. You should go through the Depths to go the normal way, the shortcut is through the Valley of the Drakes, but you you don't have to fight any drakes to do it.

Spoiler:

To take the shortcut from FirelinkSshrine to Blighttown, you need the master key. Then you go through New Londo Ruins into the Valley of the Drakes, but stay right after crossing the bridge. You'll know you're in Blighttown when come across two big club wielding barbarians that inflict poison build-up.