Dark Souls III

Did you fight Hodrick a second time alongside Sirris in the pit that holds the Mound Makers Covenant altar yet? If so, just talk to her one last time at the Firelink Shrine and then she'll probably disappear permanently. Afterwards, you're free to re-spec with no consequences as you please... well, just don't do it more than 5 times. Bad stuff happens if you push that limit.

I only respecced once, so I should be fine. And yeah, I had already dealt with Hodrick in Sirris' world.

Oh, and I just defeated the Nameless King. That new shield made it a LOT easier. Working on the Grand Archives now.

Edit:

Grand Archives done and the Twin Princes defeated, along with all npc sidequests. All that's left is the Soul of Cinder. Then...the DLC stuff. <scare chord> But that is for another day.

Edited by M84 on Nov 22nd 2018 at 3:49:42 AM

Since this is where all the Dark Souls discussion is, I hope no one minds me live blogging my series of [PvE/PvP] build runs of Dark Souls 1 here.

I'm starting off with a Quality build, so I picked the classic Warrior. So far I've rung the first bell after beating both Taurus Demon and Bell Gargoyles. I have the Drake Sword as well, though sadly I was not able to get the Black Knight Sword or Great Sword to drop for this build either. On the other hand I have a +5 Claymore I can eventually build-up into my replacement weapon for the Drake Sword. Current stats are SL 21 with 14 VIT, 20 END, 16 STR and DEX, and the rest left at default level.

Edited by VeryMelon on Nov 21st 2018 at 6:53:46 AM

Actually, we have a thread for the first Dark Souls.

That said...if you haven't done so already, I recommend making a run into the skeleton filled cemetary to grab the Zweihander.

Edited by M84 on Nov 21st 2018 at 10:13:56 PM

I know about the first DS thread, as I've posted in it many times over the years, but I didn't want to bump it if everyone was just going to post here from now on. Looking it over, I think I can just move my livebolgs over there since the last post was made a week ago.

I'll also get he Zweihander ASAP now that you reminded me. Right now I just rang the second bell and failed to get the Black Knight Sword from the 2 Knights at the Undead Asylum even after getting the Gold Serpent Ring.

Edited by VeryMelon on Nov 21st 2018 at 11:26:59 AM

I gotta say the faster pace of DS III combat (especially compared to DS II) has made me really appreciative of smaller faster weapons like the good old Longsword and Mace. When I played DS II I was all about the Ultra Greatswords. Especially in NG+ when I was finally able to dual wield two Greatswords at once.

I miss DS II's dual wielding. The paired weapons in DS III just aren't the same.

But seriously, I've killed almost every boss so far using the Longsword or Mace. I used the BK Sword to kill the Old Demon King since it does extra damage to Demons and I used it again to kill Wolnir (that little bit of extra reach made the fight less annoying).

Edited by M84 on Nov 22nd 2018 at 12:40:17 AM

Last update for a while due to family vacation plans:

Welp, beat the Soul of Cinder. In hindsight I shouldn't have summoned Yuria and the Londor Pale Phantom, but I wanted Yuria's set and katana and you need to summon her and keep her alive for that.

Ariandel is next. But I likely won't be able to play much if at all next week on account of a busy vacation schedule.

Mini-update:

Managed to get in a little time before leaving. Made some good headway in Ariandel. So far I've beaten Vilhelm and obtained the Earthseeker. Refined Mace made both opponents a lot more manageable.

Ariandle can be a tough place. I remember my first time there and after that first clawed Corvian tore me up several times, I just thought "screw this" and ran past it. Luckily there was a ladder and the dumbfuck didn't know how to climb.

Pelted that fucker with projectiles until it ded.

I actually never had too much trouble with the Corvians once I switched to Bleed-resistant gear.

The Millwood Knights and their wolves otoh...well, it was only that one area in the Snowfield with the tower that annoyed me.

I tell you what area and enemies I hated...that bug basement and the flies. Easy, but...ugh. I really don't like flies and such. Creep me the hell out.

Double post:

Annnd that's Friede done. Took about four or five tries. Definitely one of the harder boss fights. And once again I beat it using the Longsword.

I'll admit to her surprising me that first go around when she got that extra healthbar

Yeah, the first two phases/bosses were tough enough. Then I saw the third phase start and was like 'oh no. Please no.'

Defeated Gravetender Champion and the Greatwolf. So much easier it was ridiculous. First try.

I'm starting Ringed City now. And wow, is it tough. I've only gotten to the Earthen Ruins bonfire — admittedly I spent more time getting all of the loot on the way. Though I did not realize at the time that Murkmen were vulnerable to the Hollowslayer Greatsword.

Still working on the same Quality Build and haven't used magic yet. Still relying mostly on my Refined Longsword and Mace.

Edited by M84 on Nov 26th 2018 at 10:57:39 PM

Yeah, I found Ringed City to be very difficult, though mostly due to the hazards along the way than the bosses specifically.

Well, at least I more or less finished Dreg Heap. Even killed those three angels. Though I still think there's one or two items I missed.

Place look familiar yet?

The windmill, the sorceress, the fact that the bonfires are labeled after Earthen Peak...

Edit: Beat the Demon bosses and gotten to the bonfire past the summoner giant. Haven't quite worked out how to get past the two Harald Legion jerks, but that's for another day.

Edited by M84 on Nov 27th 2018 at 7:36:07 PM

Mini-update:

Finally got past that damn staircase and those Harald Legion assholes. Now I'm in the swamp and got the bonfire. Ledo took a couple tries — I actually had to do something a little different this time around. I used the Profaned Greatsword's R2 fire thrust — the damage and range on that thing are near perfect for dealing with Ledo.

Planning on taking on Darkeater Midir first, or Slave Knight Gael? FYI you can summon Shira from earlier for the Midir fight if you talked to her behind that door just before the staircase leading to the swamp. You'll get a Titanite Slab out of the deal too, so I'd say it's worth it.

Midir already has double the HP he ought to, no need to double it again by bringing a useless phantom.

Probably Midir first, when I eventually get there. Gonna be a while though — trying to loot everything in the DLC content too. Lots of sweet +3 rings. The Ringed Knight gear looks pretty cool too.

Edited by M84 on Nov 29th 2018 at 3:47:09 AM

I'm guessing you're summoning for these fights? I can't see you creaming these fights so easily otherwise.

Her and demon princes are some of the few fights in soulsborne that'd I consider outright unfair solo. Possible no doubt, but unfair. Especially the princes because the camera is jank city in that fight.

I loved ringed city's aesthetic design but I hated the level design, ugh. I don't think level gimmicks in themselves are bad things but these gimmicks were just annoying and the weird mismash of environments, justified or not wasn't quite my cup of tea. It's probably my least favorite soulsbourne dlc overall. Gael fight was incredible though, easily one of the best bosses in the franchise. I don't mind him not being that hard because honestly the game's already hard enough lol just give me something fun to end on.

Yeah I summon the npc summons. Did Aldrich and Nameless King solo.

Edited by M84 on Nov 30th 2018 at 1:28:45 AM

Alright, I can now challenge Midir. Beating him otoh...

So far I've managed to get him to the phase change soloing him. I'm currently too tired to try again, but I've got plenty of embers in reserve (90+).

Any tips on the right weapon? I'm trying the Lothric Greatsword currently. I've decided shields are useless and have Grass Crest shield equipped.

And yes, Shira is pretty useless in this fight.

Edited by M84 on Nov 30th 2018 at 7:59:32 PM