Dark Souls 2

Angelwatch

Trakanon Raider
3,053
133
That's how I felt, too. DS1 is filled with too many intentional bullshit deaths. Once you know about them, the game is actually pretty easy (people complete it naked in a few hours) but the first playthrough was so boring and annoying that I never even bothered to do most of the stuff after the Lordvessel. I'd had my fill of unavoidable, unpredictable instant deaths that you have no possible way of doing anything about until you've had it happen to you and then you can just avoid it next time. I think the second playthrough is probably the best, especially if you didn't quite explore everything the first time around, because the game will still be mechanically difficult but you won't have to spend 50% of your time doing corpse run after corpse run from nonsensical, unreasonable shit that you can't do anything about when you don't know it's coming.

There's room for some of that, being a Souls game and all, but DS1 way overdid it and it made the first playthrough boring because of how long it often takes to get back to where you were. Of course, saying so makes you a target of that special brand of pretentious "git gud nub" Dark Souls fanboys who just thrive on opportunities to tell people they're bad at gaming if they don't think DS1 is the epitome of perfection in every conceivable way. The combat difficulty is the game's strength, and I think they kept most of that in DS2, but in DS1 the developers tried too hard to make the game hardcore by just designing it to randomly kill you every five minutes until you know which floors collapse and whatnot.
I agree completely and I think you said it better than I did. Dark Souls 1 is a VERY good game and I do love it, but it also has quite a few flaws.

With that being said, Manus is now dead. I went in with a new strategy but, even more importantly, he did a perfect sequence of attacks where I was able to push him into the Dark Magic phase quickly and then he used the ball / jump attack quite a few times (probably his easiest attack to avoid and counter attack). To top things off he only used the Dark Volley once and he followed it up with his Roar/Rage attack (which is easy to roll back from and then drink up).
 

Vaclav

Bronze Baronet of the Realm
12,650
877
1h+shield is good advice anyway. The ability to walk around with shield up is really strong when you don't know what is around the next corner.
For the large majority of the game, yes - but Capra is definitely a time to deviate from it - trying to shield going in even with a great shield and Magic Shield up is still ridiculously rough versus going a divide and conquer approach.
 

Tuco

I got Tuco'd!
<Gold Donor>
45,431
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Yeah the capra is a very unique puzzle in DS2. It and the four kings are the only ones I can remember where you have a very limited time window to kill the mobs.
 

Angelwatch

Trakanon Raider
3,053
133
Finished Dark Souls one again and I accomplished my, personal, goal of killing all of the bosses solo (in fairness, this time I killed the Gargoyles with Solaire but I've killed them quite a few times solo and I wanted the medal).

As I raged above, Manus was, by far, my hardest boss. No other boss in a Souls game has given me as much trouble as him. The other DLC bosses, by comparison, weren't too bad but I spent 30+ attempts on the Guardian and Knight Artorias. Kalameet was the easiest by a good margin and the hardest part was cutting off his tail. Even though the sword isn't that great, I know that, subconsciously, I wasn't going to give up trying to cut off the tail so I just kept trying until it fell off. After that it only took me about 2 attempts to kill him.

Gwyn wasn't too bad bad he still took me a dozen attempts or so solo. I resorted to the Parry / Riposte method and after a couple of tries to get the timing down, I was shocked at how easy it was. But if you try and kill him without parrying, he's an absolute bastard.

In comparison, nothing in Dark Souls 2 comes close to the difficulty of some of these Dark Souls 1 bosses. The only exception is the Smelter Demon who is a bastard (but also, technically, optional). The Pursuer Knights are really tough at first but once you "git good" they're not too bad. And the final boss, Nashandra, is pathetically easy.

I'm not sure if I'm going to try and Platinum Dark Souls 1. I went in wanting too but it's a LOT of work to do. The Platinum for Dark Souls 2 was time consuming but it wasn't hard.
 

Vaclav

Bronze Baronet of the Realm
12,650
877
Hah, I've platinumed both and I still to this day just get instant gibbed by Kalameet every time. Rest is almost autopilot (and never bothered with Parrying on Gwyn).
 

Darph_sl

shitlord
45
0
Well I finished NG+. The DLC is at the end of the month so I'm going to play some other shit before diving back in. Need a good multiplayer game.
 

Needless

Toe Sucker
9,172
3,268
No healing in PVP? suddenly things got a little more legit!
Defender's Greatsword can be enchanted? Awwww yissssss

-Dark Souls II Version & Regulation File Update-

[schedule]
We would like to thank everyone for your patronage and support of Dark Souls II.This message is to inform all users
of the refinements to gameplay that will be made with the next Version and Regulation File update.
The online server will go into Maintenance Mode on Friday, July 18th following this schedule:
- PlayStation3 & STEAM versions:7/18 7:00 to 10:00AM GMT
- Xbox 360:7/18 7:00 to 11:00AM GMT

When the online server goes back online, all Versions and Regulation Files will be updated.
Once users have downloaded and installed the updates, you will see the following displayed in the upper
right corner of the Title Screen:
- PlayStation3 & Xbox 360 Ver: 1.06 Regulation: 1.08
- STEAM Ver: 1.04 Regulation: 1.08

The following is a list of bug fixes, changes and refinements to gameplay included in the Version update:
? Fixed abnormal amounts of damage being caused by certain weapons
? An upper limit has been set to the number of Souls a player can earn when fighting off invading players
? Fixed the phenomenon where the player is not able to talk to Licia of Lindeldt
? Fixed the progression-stopping phenomenon at Heide?s Tower when the host falls off right before the Dragonrider Boss Fight
? Fixed the phenomenon in Majula where the door does not open even after moved by Licia of Lindeldt
? Fixed the progression-stopping phenomenon when the player talks to Laddersmith Gilligan in Earthen Peak
? Fixed the phenomenon when the poison pond does not disappear when the windmill is burned down and immobilized
? Fixed the phenomenon when that the poison pond returns after the windmill is burned down and immobilized, and the player is
summoned into another world as a Blue Savior then returned to their own world
? Fixed the loading screen issue when you lose a deathmatch in the Undead Purgatory
? Fixed the issue where saved data cannot be reloaded if the game is shut down right after the player is caught by the Darksucker, in an oil puddle in Black Gulch
? Fixed the phenomenon where items do not disappear from inventory if they are thrown away while they are also being used
? Fixed the ability to use parry while back-stepping
? Fixed the ability to use parry while invincible
? Fixed the phenomenon where the player floats in the air if attacked while hanging onto a rope
? Fixed the phenomenon in Brightstone Cove Tseldora when the Duke's Dear Freja stops moving after defeating a summoned player in a NG+ playthru
? Fixed the phenomenon where the Tseldora Den Key cannot be acquired after the confrontational event between Mild-mannered Pate and Creighton the Wanderer in Brightstone Cove Tseldora
? Fixed the phenomenon where sound effects volume does not comply with the optional settings during the fight with the Looking Glass Knight
? Fixed the jumping shortcut at the Shrine of Winter
? Fixed the phenomenon where a summoning signature can be written near a bonfire in Belfry Sol Approach
? Fixed the phenomenon where the floor trap in the Iron Keep is displayed differently on host and client worlds during multi-play
? Fixed the phenomenon where the resume point is different from where the game was forced-quit after the player died
? Fixed the issue where the selected message for deletion is not deleted, but a different message is deleted
? Fixed the Halberd weapons sound effects that sometimes do not play when the weapon is swung
? Adjusted the sound made when the Silver Eagle Kite Shield is hit
? Fixed the issue where the player holding thrusting swords in both hands can cause continuous damage until the opponent?s stamina runs out
? Fixed the phenomenon where the player dual-wields whips and only the Right-hand weapon hits the enemy
? Adjustments were made so players can get out of the continuous attacks from Syan's Halberd
? Adjustments were made so players can get out of the continuous attacks from a player who is dual-wielding with a Straight Sword and with the Red Rust Sword in their left hand
?Defender Greatsword can be enchanted
? Fixed the phenomenon where a heavy attack while holding Pate's Spear with both hands produces only one hit
? Adjusted the Strong Attack of the Spider?s Silk when Dual-Wielding
? Lucerne Strong Attack will penetrate shields
? Corrected the description of the attack type for the King's Ultra Greatsword
? Corrected the description of the attack type for Manikin Claws
? Corrected the description of the attack type for Drakekeeper's Warpick
? Fixed the Symbol Markings of ?Galib, God of Disease? and ?Caitha, Goddess of Tears? on the Name-Engraved Ring
? Fixed the issue where the Information text sometimes does not display properly
? Correction to the amount of damage inflicted against other players and enemies
? Shortened the amount of time stunned when taking damage from multiple attacks

Adjustments that will be made with Regulation 1.08 (all following changes):
?Health Recovery Items can no longer be used during any PvP
? Increased the matching range for users in online play
? Over-all balance adjustments made to weapons, armors, accessories and spells
*Please refer to the detailed descriptions below.

Description of the modifications made to the main components and spells
? Increased the durability and lowered the defense levels of the following armor sets (Helm, Armor, Gauntlets, Leggings)
o Havel's Armor Set
o Steel Armor Set
o Gyrm Warrior Armor Set
o Ironclad Armor Set
o Old Ironclad Armor Set
o Smelter Demon Armor Set
o Alonne Knight Armor Set
o Vengarl's Armor Set
o Mastodon Armor Set
o Rusted Mastodon Armor Set
o Old Knight Armor Set
o Drakekeeper Armor Set
o Velstadt's Armor Set
o Looking Glass Armor Set
o Imperious Armor Set
o Dragonrider Armor Set
? Increases the damage of special single attack moves of the following weapons
o Bandit's Knife
o Manikin Knife
? Increased the attack power of the following weapons
o Thief Dagger
o Broken Thief Sword
o Foot Soldier Sword
o Black Flamestone Dagger
o Mail Breaker
o Chaos Rapier
o Spider's Silk
o Black Scorpion Stinger
o Ricard's Rapier (Strong Attack only)
o Warped Sword
o Manikin Sabre
o Scimitar
o Red Rust Scimitar
o Melu Scimitar
o Shotel
o Monastery Scimitar
o Uchigatana
o Darkdrift
o Chaos Blade
o Blacksteel Katana (Strong Attack only)
o Berserker Blade (Strong Attack only)
o Bluemoon Greatsword
o Royal Greatsword
o Flamberge
o Key to the Embedded
o Zweihander
o Smelter Sword
o Drakewing Ultra Greatsword
o Drakekeeper's Ultra Greatsword
o Lost Sinner's Sword
o Battle Axe
o Bandit Axe
o Bound Hand Axe
o Hand Axe

o Infantry Axe
o Butcher's Knife
o Crescent Axe
o Bandit Greataxe
o Black Dragon Greataxe
o Giant Stone Axe
o Gyrm Greataxe
o Morning Star
o Reinforced Club
o Craftsman's Hammer
o Blacksmith's Hammer
o Homunculus Mace
o Mace of the Insolent
o Black Dragon Warpick
o Aldia Hammer
o Barbed Club
o Iron King Hammer
o Malformed Skull
o Giant Warrior Club
o Old Knight Hammer
o Drakekeeper's Great Hammer
o Dragon Tooth
o Malformed Shell
o Archdrake Mace
o Spear
o Winged Spear
o Pike

o Partizan
o Stone Soldier Spear
o Spitfire Spear
o Silverblack Spear
o Heide Spear
o Pate's Spear
o Dragonslayer Spear
o Channeler's Trident
o Gargoyle Bident
o Great Scythe
o Great Machete
o Silverblack Sickle
o Crescent Sickle
o Full Moon Sickle
o Scythe
o Lucerne
o Santier's Spear
o Roaring Halberd
o Old Knight Pike
o Helix Halberd
o Blue Knight's Halberd
o Old Knight Halberd
o Drakekeeper's Warpick
o Twinblade
o Red Iron Twinblade
o Curved Twinblade
o Dragonrider Twinblade
o Claws
o Malformed Claws
o Notched Whip
o Spotted Whip
o Sorcerer's Staff
o Witchtree Branch
o Light Crossbow
o Heavy Crossbow
o Shield Crossbow
? Decreased the amount of attack power of the following weapons
o Drangleic Sword
o Defender Greatsword
o Large Club (Strong Attack only)
o Pickaxe (Strong Attack only)
o Great Club (Strong Attack only)
o Gyrm Great Hammer (Strong Attack only)
? Increased the status values of the following weapons
o Shotel
o Monastery Scimitar
o Curved Dragon Greatsword
o Chaos Blade
o Flamberge
o Key to the Embedded
o Drangleic Sword
o Defender Greatsword
o Greatsword
o Hand Axe
o Infantry Axe
o Butcher's Knife
o Giant Stone Axe
o Gyrm Greataxe
o Morning Star
o Reinforced Club
o Craftsman's Hammer
o Blacksmith's Hammer
o Gyrm Great Hammer
o Spear
o Winged Spear
o Pike
o Partizan
o Stone Soldier Spear
o Spitfire Spear
o Channeler's Trident
o Gargoyle Bident
o Full Moon Sickle
o Helix Halberd
o Blue Knight's Halberd
o Old Knight Halberd
o Work Hook
? Decreased the durability of the Defender Greatsword and Watcher Greatsword
? Increased the enchantment statistics Defender Greatsword and Watcher Greatsword
? Increased the weight of the Defender Greatsword
? Decrease the weight of the Butcher's Knife and Old Knight Halberd
? Status value added to the Handmaid's Ladle
? Decrease the amount of damage for the following weapons
o Malformed Skull (Strong Attack only)
o Giant Warrior Club (Strong Attack only)
o Old Knight Hammer (Strong Attack only)
o Drakekeeper's Great Hammer (Strong Attack only) o Dragon Tooth (Strong Attack only)
o Malformed Shell (Strong Attack only)
o Archdrake Mace (Strong Attack only)
o Channeler's Trident (Strong Attack and Dual-wielding)
o Helix Halberd (Strong Attack and Dual-wielding)
o Drakekeeper's Warpick (Strong Attack and Dual-wielding)
? Increased the amount of self-inflicted damage when using the Chaos Blade
? Adjusted the hit detection for the Scythe of Want (Strong Attack only)
? Increased the physical cut rate of the Shield Crossbow
? Changes were made to the point of explosion and Blast area of the Old Sun Ring ? Changes made to the effect of the Gower?s Ring of Protection ? does not negate damage anymore, will reduce damage received
? Improvements made to the penetrability of Soul Speak and Crystal Soul Spear
? Improvements made to the tracking of the following Spells, Hexes, Pyromancy and Miracles
o Soul Bolt
o Soul Shower
o Shockwave
o Soul Spear Barrage
o Blinding Bolt
o Perseverance
o Caressing Prayer
o Heavenly Thunder
o Fireball
o Fire Orb
o Great Fireball
o Great Chaos Fireball
o Lingering Flame
o Dark Orb
o Dark Hail
o Resonant Soul
? Decreased the amount of stamina consumed for the following Spells, Hexes, Pyromancy and Miracles
o Soul Bolt
o Soul Shower
o Fire Orb
o Great Fireball
o Great Chaos Fireball
o Lingering Flame
o Iron Flesh
? Increased spell usage for the following Spell and Miracle
o Cast Light
o Unveil
? Improvements to the durability damage for the following Spells
o Shockwav
e o Soul Spear Barrage
? Decrease the number of multi-hits to the following Spells, Hexes and Pyromancy
o Soul Vortex
o Firestorm
o Fire Tempest
o Chaos Storm
o Scraps of Life
o Lifedrain Patch
o Darkstorm
? Decrease the attack power of the following Miracle
o Blinding Bolt
? Decreased the number of attunement slots required for the following Miracle and Pyromancy
o Unveil
o Immolation
? Decrease the number of uses for the following Miracles and Hexes
o Lightning Spear
o Great Lightning Spear
o Sunlight Spear
o Emit Force
o Soul Appease
o Great Resonant Soul
o Profound Still
? Increase the damage for the following Miracle through correction to status values
o Lightning Spear
o Great Lightning Spear
o Sunlight Spear
o Emit Force
? Increase the hit radius for the Miracl
e o Force
? Increase the effectiveness of the following Pyromancy and Hex
o Iron Flesh
o Whisper of Despair (duration and effect)
? Decrease the self-inflicted damage of Immolation
? Increase the speed of chanting the following Hexes
o Repel
o Twisted Barricade
? Decrease to the amount of durability damage done from Dark Hail
? Increase the attacking power of Great Resonant Soul
? Decrease character mobility while using the following items
o Amber Herb
o Twilight Herb
o Wilted Dusk Herb
 

LiquidDeath

Magnus Deadlift the Fucktiger
4,899
11,319
Impressed they didn't fix the binocular bug and parry-rolling that makes speed runs so fast. Like hell I want to watch several hours worth of video of people running at normal speed.
 

Sir Funk

Lord Nagafen Raider
1,251
155
Huh? Bino boost and parry walking were fixed a while back. Anybody you're watching speedrunning with that shit is on an old version.
 

eXarc

Trakanon Raider
1,605
502
I love pyromancy in the Souls games and to me it just seems like shit in DS2.

Please tell me I am not alone?
 

Tuco

I got Tuco'd!
<Gold Donor>
45,431
73,493
aWZwG8n_460s_v1.jpg
 

eXarc

Trakanon Raider
1,605
502
...You got lucky, lol.

(then again, I make it a point to collect everything even on my first playthrough)