Video Games

[dbagchee]

Finally! Only took 52 hours

 

[Jynx]

All this talk of stats and levelling, just know that in Souls games it's a bit of a red herring. And it's one of the traps a lot of new players fall into, including myself back in 2011 when I played Dark Souls, in that they think they can level their way into making the game easier for themselves.

This is usually true of games. We've all played games where we've done so many side-missions, and so much grinding we make the games easy for ourselves because we've out-levelled everyone.

Souls games aren't like that. In most cases all you do is eke out a bit of survivability for yourself. You can take three hits instead of one. Or you can kill a boss slightly faster. But you still have to 'git gud', as they say.

There is no real substitute in this game for learning the mechanics and attack patterns of the enemies. Even at level 150 a mob of low level enemies can take out the unwary.

Sure, I like to start a new run by running around to spots I know and levelling straight to level 45 to prep myself for the whole rest of the game early, but I can also just go straight to Margit and just grab a few things on the way and beat him sub 20. I can walk up to him toe to toe and dodge and parry (and you need two successful parries to stagger a boss) as needed with no fear. No panic rolls. And it probably only takes about four extra good hits to take him out.*

In short; levelling is a crutch in these games. Learn the mechanics for success early because once those diminishing returns kick in late game you will not be able to level your way out of it.




*And I'm only moderately good at these games. Let's not forget about the freaks who do the whole game at level one with no weapons or armour without getting hit once.

 

[Jynx]

Something to watch after you've finished.

 

[laxu]

All this talk of stats and levelling, just know that in Souls games it's a bit of a red herring. And it's one of the traps a lot of new players fall into, including myself back in 2011 when I played Dark Souls, in that they think they can level their way into making the game easier for themselves.

This is usually true of games. We've all played games where we've done so many side-missions, and so much grinding we make the games easy for ourselves because we've out-levelled everyone.

Souls games aren't like that. In most cases all you do is eke out a bit of survivability for yourself. You can take three hits instead of one. Or you can kill a boss slightly faster. But you still have to 'git gud', as they say.

There is no real substitute in this game for learning the mechanics and attack patterns of the enemies. Even at level 150 a mob of low level enemies can take out the unwary.

Sure, I like to start a new run by running around to spots I know and levelling straight to level 45 to prep myself for the whole rest of the game early, but I can also just go straight to Margit and just grab a few things on the way and beat him sub 20. I can walk up to him toe to toe and dodge and parry (and you need two successful parries to stagger a boss) as needed with no fear. No panic rolls. And it probably only takes about four extra good hits to take him out.*

In short; levelling is a crutch in these games. Learn the mechanics for success early because once those diminishing returns kick in late game you will not be able to level your way out of it.




*And I'm only moderately good at these games. Let's not forget about the freaks who do the whole game at level one with no weapons or armour without getting hit once.

The actual leveling is leveling your weapons. It's a shame Elden Ring doesn't have the blood gem mechanic of Bloodborne that let you pile more stats on your weapons beyond the level of the weapon. Like just straight up "+X percent against specific enemy type" stuff.

Another thing the game does not explain is that different weapon types are more effective against different enemy types. Like blunt weapons are strong against crystal enemies, some enemies are weak to bleed, poison, rot or elemental/magic damage.

Those no hit runs are basically the extreme of min/maxing your build to make the most damage against each boss by stacking buffs, while making sure regular enemies don't hit you on the way. It's kinda boring to watch as the tactics are so finetuned and they know exactly which boss attacks have a window to do big damage that they are over in a few hits.

 

[dbagchee]

My character is currently level 36 (V:21,M:13,E:15,S:20,D:13,I:9,F:14,A:10) - I haven't really done any severe grinding for levels so far, so it's been slow progress but it's been a more natural progression of "now I'm a little tougher or upgraded my weapon a little" so can get through the next milestone.

I do need to work on actually figuring out how to parry and fight cleaner - I'm still relying a lot on stealth, panic rolling, spam attacking, and drinking the red stuff to restore my health and survive battles. As you mentioned @Jynx, there are several times I've just gotten taken down by a swarm of weak enemies just because I'm not very sophisticated with my attack methods.

I've been using the Lordsworn's Greatsword (at +4 currently) as my main weapon - sometimes two handing it to try and do more damage. To beat Margit, I used the Jellyfish, summoned the wizard to help, and used the blood grease to try and cause more bleeding damage. I know if I fought better I should have enough stats to win without all those extras.

 

[Devin]

As you mentioned @Jynx, there are several times I've just gotten taken down by a swarm of weak enemies just because I'm not very sophisticated with my attack methods.

I've been using the Lordsworn's Greatsword (at +4 currently) as my main weapon - sometimes two handing it to try and do more damage.

May I recommend putting the Stormcaller ash of war on your Greatsword - makes a perfect GET THE FUCK OFF ME button if you get surrounded

It's dropped by a dung beetle right outside the boss fight room in Stormveil castle

 

[Mongillo19]

May I recommend putting the Stormcaller ash of war on your Greatsword - makes a perfect GET THE FUCK OFF ME button if you get surrounded

It's dropped by a dung beetle right outside the boss fight room in Stormveil castle

Speaking of ashes of war, if a weapon already has a passive bleed, would you add to it with a bleed ash of war or diversify?

 

[Devin]

Speaking of ashes of war, if a weapon already has a passive bleed, would you add to it with a bleed ash of war or diversify?

You can, but the passive bleed output will only increase if you specifically choose the Blood affinity while switching the Ash of War


Blood affinity will cause a portion of your weapon damage (and it's base bleed percentage) to scale off of the Arcane stat (instead of say mainly strength or dexterity)


So unless you are actually leveling Arcane, it likely won't be worth using the Blood affinity in the long run for the most part

If you're mainly leveling Strength, go with the Heavy affinity. If you're mainly leveling Dexterity, go with the keen affinity



All that said, put Stormcaller on the Flamberge with Blood affinity and high Arcane and enemies will be dropping buckets of blood. Very OP setup

 

[Mongillo19]

All that said, put Stormcaller on the Flamberge with Blood affinity and high Arcane and enemies will be dropping buckets of blood. Very OP setup

I feel like I made a mistake of dumping vitality early on I think I'm lvl 35 and have 32 or 33 vigor.

I've been adding to strength now. I picked samurai to start and the uchigatana with passive bleed is really nice. When do you have the opportunity to get flamberge?

 

[Devin]

I feel like I made a mistake of dumping vitality early on I think I'm lvl 35 and have 32 or 33 vigor.

I've been adding to strength now. I picked samurai to start and the uchigatana with passive bleed is really nice. When do you have the opportunity to get flamberge?

Honestly the Uchigatana really is one of the best weapons in the game and can get you to the very end if you stuck with it (Unsheathe is incredibly good; hold L2 and press R2 over and over to win lmao)

The Flamberge is on one of the rooftops of Redmane Castle guarded by one of the big pumpkin head dudes (Redmane castle is in the southeastern part of Caelid - the reddish rot swamp area in the easternmost part of the map)


You could actually run straight there just to grab it right now if you wanted

You will only be able to use the Blood affinity with dedicated Blood ashes of war (such as Bloody Slash or Blood Blade) until you get the Black Whetblade item (which is pretty far in to the game)

Until you get that whetblade you'll likely only have the options for Standard, Heavy, Keen and Quality when applying Stormcaller

 

[Mongillo19]

You will only be able to use the Blood affinity with dedicated Blood ashes of war (such as Bloody Slash or Blood Blade) until you get the Black Whetblade item (which is pretty far in to the game)

Yup, bloody slash was the first blood affinity I've received (can't even remember when I got it lol)

All good info though! I think I might just keep rocking the uchigatana. Also, is there no way to use ashes of war if I'm using a shield. L2 just parries with the shield

 

[dbagchee]

Yup, bloody slash was the first blood affinity I've received (can't even remember when I got it lol)

All good info though! I think I might just keep rocking the uchigatana. Also, is there no way to use ashes of war if I'm using a shield. L2 just parries with the shield

Ooh something I can answer! There is an Ash of War called "No Skill" or something similar that you assign to your shield which then frees up L2 for your weapon special attack. You can get it at the guy who sells the other ashes of war in Limgrave.

 

[Devin]

@Mongillo19 it's worth mentioning that if you keep your Uchigatana on the Standard, Heavy, Keen or Quality affinity, you can use Blood Grease items to seriously boost it's bleed output temporarily

If you did switch the Uchi to the Blood affinity you'd lose the ability to use Blood Grease on it (or any other grease for that matter)


So you do have options

 

[Mongillo19]

Hey I beat Godrick! Honestly wasn't as bad as expected? I think I went in at level 37 and did it in one go.

Can't wait to call back to this comment when I die to a boss for the 100th time

 

[Jynx]

Hey I beat Godrick! Honestly wasn't as bad as expected? I think I went in at level 37 and did it in one go.

Can't wait to call back to this comment when I die to a boss for the 100th time

After Margit, Godrick is a walk in the park. Very telegraphed. Easy enough to dodge. Simple to keep distance from when needed.

 

[Mongillo19]

After Margit, Godrick is a walk in the park. Very telegraphed. Easy enough to dodge. Simple to keep distance from when needed.

I WANT PRAISE JYNX.

 

[Jynx]

I WANT PRAISE JYNX.

\[T]/

 

[Aelred]

Easist way to level up if you really want to: ask online for Runes. 2nd easist: co-op with others. Grinding/farming is rather dull.
I play co-op a lot, so have builds from lvl 17 through various level and weapon ranges up to lvl 350. That one can use any weapon or spell in the game and DLC.

Certain weapons and spells require stat levels. You want Bleed, fine, but a Hand of Melenia or Rakshasa's Katana require certain stats to use them. It is a game of % for me. I have a Bleed build with 55 Arcane pushing for 70 with the bleed talisman, Golden Vow (+15% Attack and Defence), Sacred Bloody Flesh (+7% then combos. I get them duped online) and Rakshasa Armor set (+8%). Each % helps, especially after the first hit. Combo talismans as well, of course. A Silver Tear Mask adds 8 points to Arcane with a slightly reduced physical attack penalty. The White Mask - 10% attack bonus for 20 seconds after Bleed kicks in - you get for 3 Invasions after meeting Varre at the Rose Church (after killing Godrick).

Use a Rune Arc (Godrick's) and get 5 points on every stat until the next time you die. 40 levels. You get Rune Arcs by Co-op assisting others and/or Invasion. I have a few with more than 700, none with less than 200, so munch them at will. You lose the Arc bonus when you co-op assist others, however.

Strength weapons have that 2-handed trick.

Can you beat the game with a couple of curved bandit swords or a longsword and buckler? Yes, if you "git gud". But there's a lot of fun weapons, spells etc that require levelling up and many buffs that really do help.

 

[Devin]

Let’s fuckin gooooo

 

[Mongillo19]

Alright I see why people love this game