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ELDEN RING |OT| One Ring To Rule Them All

I've hit a wall on RL1 lol - not Fire Giant (which is where my dagger-only run ended) but Morgott. I know I can do him but I also know it will take me hours to master him and the addictive nature of failing and trying again has kept me up too late too often already.

I will come back to him in time because RL1 has been enormous fun so far, way more than I thought it would and my appreciation for the game has deepened even further.

So to relax I thought I'd do a pure Moonveil run (with a club for enemies that need hammer blows) because I've not really used it before. The plan is to go super-lean, only grabbing the talismans and crystal tears I need along with the golden seeds etc. This way I only have to worry about two upgrade paths.

I killed Greyoll to get my initial stats up (I started as a wretch for the club and I don't like the 'messy' stat allocation of the set classes) but I didn't count on the Magma Wyrm that drops the Moonveil being such a pain at a low level. That took me the lion's share of the 2.5 hours it took to get set up.

Sadly I had to kill Margit to get enough runes to bring my INT up to 23 before I could use the Moonveil as well - annoying because I wanted to use the katana as much as possible. I didn't want to scratch around evergoals etc. to save up the runes because it was already 11pm at that point...

I'm going for a laser-focus run, not doing any bosses I don't need to bar Malenia, because I want to use her weapon in NG+.

Funny how this brutal, intimidating game that I only just managed to push through using all my summons and levelling at every opportunity a year ago has become something I now play casually to relax as though it's Super Mario World. Just need some DLC...
 
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Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
I've hit a wall on RL1 lol - not Fire Giant (which is where my dagger-only run ended) but Morgott. I know I can do him but I also know it will take me hours to master him and the addictive nature of failing and trying again has kept me up too late too often already.

I will come back to him in time because RL1 has been enormous fun so far, way more than I thought it would and my appreciation for the game has deepened even further.

So to relax I thought I'd do a pure Moonveil run (with a club for enemies that need hammer blows) because I've not really used it before. The plan is to go super-lean, only grabbing the talismans and crystal tears I need along with the golden seeds etc. This way I only have to worry about two upgrade paths.

I killed Greyoll to get my initial stats up (I started as a wretch for the club and I don't like the 'messy' stat allocation of the set classes) but I didn't count on the Magma Wyrm that drops the Moonveil being such a pain at a low level. That took me the lion's share of the 2.5 hours it took to get set up.

Sadly I had to kill Margit to get enough runes to bring my INT up to 23 before I could use the Moonveil as well - annoying because I wanted to use the katana as much as possible. I didn't want to scratch around evergoals etc. to save up the runes because it was already 11pm at that point...

I'm going for a laser-focus run, not doing any bosses I don't need to bar Malenia, because I want to use her weapon in NG+.

Funny how this brutal, intimidating game that I only just managed to push through using all my summons and levelling at every opportunity a year ago has become something I now play casually to relax as though it's Super Mario World. Just need some DLC...
RL1 is probably too hardcore for me. You still level your weapon, right?

It's only brutal until you understand the mechanics. Then it is one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences. Because you get your ass handed to you so much while you are learning, I feel the ass kicking never gets stale.

I enjoyed playing dual katanas so much that will probably be the emphasis of my next playthrough of ER.


Still grinding away on DS3 here and there. Just got to the profane capital region. I saw a fog door in the distance in anor londo that I need to go through (the O&S one). Fuck, irythill dungeon though. Those hot rod nuns or whatever suck because of the health bar thing. I got pretty good at baiting them out in that one room where there's like 8 of them. I'll definitely finish up DS3 but not sure what's next after. Might do the ER katana play through.
 
Oh yeah, weapon upgrades for sure. The only rules I've set are no levelling and no summons.

It is hardcore but not too crazy... you'd be surprised at how much damage you can dish out through different equipment and talisman loadouts, as well as with consumables. But the main thing is the change in approach it demands from you. No longer are bosses something you want to smash through to get to the next bit - rather they become the entire game. This mindset makes it far less frustrating. And you don't care about runes. That is very freeing.

I think the only way to become truly intimate with the weapons and bosses is a low level run. You should definitely take a wretch up to Stormveil with a +6 cold club and give it a go. It is so much fun.

Originally I was going to do a 'only level up after bosses' run but I'm not sure I have the discipline.

lol everyone hates Irithyll but I secretly love it. You can really get your teeth into it.
 
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Soodanim

Member
I've hit a wall on RL1 lol - not Fire Giant (which is where my dagger-only run ended) but Morgott. I know I can do him but I also know it will take me hours to master him and the addictive nature of failing and trying again has kept me up too late too often already.

I will come back to him in time because RL1 has been enormous fun so far, way more than I thought it would and my appreciation for the game has deepened even further.

So to relax I thought I'd do a pure Moonveil run (with a club for enemies that need hammer blows) because I've not really used it before. The plan is to go super-lean, only grabbing the talismans and crystal tears I need along with the golden seeds etc. This way I only have to worry about two upgrade paths.

I killed Greyoll to get my initial stats up (I started as a wretch for the club and I don't like the 'messy' stat allocation of the set classes) but I didn't count on the Magma Wyrm that drops the Moonveil being such a pain at a low level. That took me the lion's share of the 2.5 hours it took to get set up.

Sadly I had to kill Margit to get enough runes to bring my INT up to 23 before I could use the Moonveil as well - annoying because I wanted to use the katana as much as possible. I didn't want to scratch around evergoals etc. to save up the runes because it was already 11pm at that point...

I'm going for a laser-focus run, not doing any bosses I don't need to bar Malenia, because I want to use her weapon in NG+.

Funny how this brutal, intimidating game that I only just managed to push through using all my summons and levelling at every opportunity a year ago has become something I now play casually to relax as though it's Super Mario World. Just need some DLC...
I did SL1 in DS1, and it was good fun. TBH, being able to level armour as well as weapons made that much less of a challenge. The thing that keeps me from RL1 in ER is the inability to make a mistake past a certain point. RL1 becomes nohit, and I have no interest in that. I just deleted my greataxe character because I got sick of Maliketh for essentially that reason. I've had barely any practice with him because he's so far in and I usually hesitate because he's a point of no return, but even with a "I'll learn him and react" at 50 vig mindset I got sick of dying to a quick 2 hit combo, sitting through the unnecessarily long "You died" message, and going back through phase one again. End game scaling + slow heavy + fast boss + black flame = no fun for me.

So after I hit delete I decided to do something fun and copied a YouTube build. Easy to hit minimum requirements, and benefits from a fair few buffs. Finding the openings and opportunities to get off a full charge is good fun for me, and when it hits it hits like a train with no brakes. Just watch the first few seconds of the video for an idea.

 
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Soodanim

Member
I can’t imagine doing some of those boss runbacks on DS1 at SL1… mad respect.
Thanks! But I think you took on the more difficult challenge with RL1, SL1 still had access to a 0 requirement pyromancy flame with full upgrade path, full starting armour upgrade path (at least that's what I stuck with), and a raw Hand axe still packs enough of a punch.

By the time I thought to start it, I wasn't really doing many runbacks. Artorias probably caught me a few times, and Manus was never one I learned well enough, but bosses like S&O I used to help people online with on lazy afternoons so life wasn't that tough. I could have done it with no upgrades I'm sure, but that's just a longer road to the same destination
 
Thanks! But I think you took on the more difficult challenge with RL1, SL1 still had access to a 0 requirement pyromancy flame with full upgrade path, full starting armour upgrade path (at least that's what I stuck with), and a raw Hand axe still packs enough of a punch.

By the time I thought to start it, I wasn't really doing many runbacks. Artorias probably caught me a few times, and Manus was never one I learned well enough, but bosses like S&O I used to help people online with on lazy afternoons so life wasn't that tough. I could have done it with no upgrades I'm sure, but that's just a longer road to the same destination
Taken it on sure, but not finished it :)
 

TintoConCasera

I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
lC8J8hh.jpg
 

Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
Don't forget the illusory wall in the chamber with Path of the Dragon gesture.
Yeah found that already. That area was kicking my ass so I went back to Lothric castle. My buddy called me so I abandoned my game. I'll pick it up today. I'm hoping I'm near the end so I can finish the game this weekend. Not sure yet if I'll try to get all the achievements.

Still trying to decide what I'll play next. I need to go through Death Stranding and FFVII Remake still. Maybe one of those.

Steam achievements indicate that I've got 4 more bosses plus I assume the ending achievement is another boss. Maybe I will get it done if I'm not stuck in one area too long.
 
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Still trying to decide what I'll play next. I need to go through Death Stranding and FFVII Remake still. Maybe one of those.
I’m thinking of picking at least one of these two games later this year… too bad cross-gen games are on their way out cause I’d love to play FFVII Rebirth without buying a PS5.

I made it to the end of the Farron Keep without too much trouble, then again I didn’t bother with the area filled with basilisks. Finding and putting out the three flames is a nice change of pace gameplay-wise. I guess they reused this idea for the flames you light in the Siofra river. Also, good thing poisoning doesn’t do much damage in this game. I fought the Abyss Watchers once and got the second phase down to half health. Wasted Estus flasks during the first phase and ende up dying. That’s a really cool boss, love the intros for both phases. Will try again tonight.

Oh and I finished this Ranni fanart.

abiH5zJ.jpg
 
I beat the Abyss Watchers on my second attempt, although it was a double death :messenger_tears_of_joy: I loved this boss fight! Awesome Bloodborne-like character design, beautiful theme filled with sorrow, and a badass moveset, neither easy nor overwhelmingly hard. The idea of having watchers spawn and take on the boss is very clever, you have to watch out for multiple enemies but you can also retreat and let them fight each other. I found that stamina management was key to defeating this boss especially since I use the Astora greatsword and it consumes a ton of endurance to swing around.

I progressed quite a bit in the catacombs but I've yet to find the first bonfire... talk about a tough area! Visually it's not very interesting, it's kinf of a proto version of the catacombs in Elden Rings. Or maybe it's already an iteration of a similar area in a previous Souls game?
 

Soodanim

Member
I beat the Abyss Watchers on my second attempt, although it was a double death :messenger_tears_of_joy: I loved this boss fight! Awesome Bloodborne-like character design, beautiful theme filled with sorrow, and a badass moveset, neither easy nor overwhelmingly hard. The idea of having watchers spawn and take on the boss is very clever, you have to watch out for multiple enemies but you can also retreat and let them fight each other. I found that stamina management was key to defeating this boss especially since I use the Astora greatsword and it consumes a ton of endurance to swing around.

I progressed quite a bit in the catacombs but I've yet to find the first bonfire... talk about a tough area! Visually it's not very interesting, it's kinf of a proto version of the catacombs in Elden Rings. Or maybe it's already an iteration of a similar area in a previous Souls game?
The boss soul from Abyss Watchers can be swapped for one of two fun weapons, definitely look into that.

Catacombs did exist in DS1, but it didn't look anything like DS3's. DS1's is more descending caves with some structure thrown in, but 3's is the opposite. One thing the games do share is that Holy infusions and strike weapons (holy mace!) do very well against skeletons

You're making me want to play 3 again, I need to see how I fare against the bosses after so much ER.
 
I beat the Abyss Watchers on my second attempt, although it was a double death :messenger_tears_of_joy: I loved this boss fight! Awesome Bloodborne-like character design, beautiful theme filled with sorrow, and a badass moveset, neither easy nor overwhelmingly hard. The idea of having watchers spawn and take on the boss is very clever, you have to watch out for multiple enemies but you can also retreat and let them fight each other. I found that stamina management was key to defeating this boss especially since I use the Astora greatsword and it consumes a ton of endurance to swing around.

I progressed quite a bit in the catacombs but I've yet to find the first bonfire... talk about a tough area! Visually it's not very interesting, it's kinf of a proto version of the catacombs in Elden Rings. Or maybe it's already an iteration of a similar area in a previous Souls game?
There is one bonfire past two staircases and one at the boss. The key to traversing it quickly is vertical drops acting as shortcuts. Make sure not to skip the area directly left of the first bridge from the entrance and to cut down the wooden bridge once you cross it to get access to another area. Most of the time I feel like I am playing Sonic when I am going through the catacombs.
 
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Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
The two princes are my wall. At this point it is purely psychological. I just cannot do them with any consistency. They own me.
My dodge timing is off, the teleportation is difficult. Pillars help. I had Lothric down to one hit when his AOE got me. I thought I could get that last hit in and it was my undoing. Taking a break for the day now to avoid the frustration. End game DS3 is no joke. Feels a bit harder than Elden Ring IMO.
 

Soodanim

Member
I distinctly remember Lorian being a boss I had to die to until I could dodge nearly everything. There was no brute forcing, it was either earn it or give up.

I played a bit of 3 today. Loaded up a save that was conveniently shortly before Watchers so I did them and Wolnir, as well as progressing Sirris' quest for my sweet sweet Silvercat Ring. No fall damage for me, thanks. Also got myself a Blessed Gem for passive HP regen.

3 reminds me of a few things I'd forgotten. One was how quick and smooth everything is. Even sitting at a bonfire feels quicker than ER. It's a very responsive game, and even the dodging feels more responsive. ER makes me feel like I have to anticipate when I might want to roll in future and press the button now so that it eventually rolls at the right time.

But on the flip side, I'm reminded of why first runs of Souls games were always more difficult. To start with you get enough upgrade materials for pretty much just one weapon, and if you decide to try something new that you found then tough shit you're stuck with what you committed to already. Or you never upgraded at all because you knew how rare the materials were and didn't commit because who knows what's next. Same with infusions. Why waste an infusion gem when you might find a better weapon round the next corner and regret it? ER gives you a lot more access to materials and allows infusion changes for free at any bonfire. The convenience of it all allows for much more experimentation.
 

Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
I distinctly remember Lorian being a boss I had to die to until I could dodge nearly everything. There was no brute forcing, it was either earn it or give up.

I played a bit of 3 today. Loaded up a save that was conveniently shortly before Watchers so I did them and Wolnir, as well as progressing Sirris' quest for my sweet sweet Silvercat Ring. No fall damage for me, thanks. Also got myself a Blessed Gem for passive HP regen.

3 reminds me of a few things I'd forgotten. One was how quick and smooth everything is. Even sitting at a bonfire feels quicker than ER. It's a very responsive game, and even the dodging feels more responsive. ER makes me feel like I have to anticipate when I might want to roll in future and press the button now so that it eventually rolls at the right time.

But on the flip side, I'm reminded of why first runs of Souls games were always more difficult. To start with you get enough upgrade materials for pretty much just one weapon, and if you decide to try something new that you found then tough shit you're stuck with what you committed to already. Or you never upgraded at all because you knew how rare the materials were and didn't commit because who knows what's next. Same with infusions. Why waste an infusion gem when you might find a better weapon round the next corner and regret it? ER gives you a lot more access to materials and allows infusion changes for free at any bonfire. The convenience of it all allows for much more experimentation.
Since I got stopped in my tracks, I decided to look up what all I would need for the rings, magic, and gestures achievements. Because I messed up the Sirrus quest I will need to play through 3 times. Last play through only needs to be to Abyss Watchers to summon Gotthard for his gesture. I am really regretting not being able to complete her questline. :messenger_sad_relieved:

I am honesty pretty happy with everything Ive been able to find on my first play through, though. There's still a ton of things to get, but overall I don't think I did too badly. I've been playing mostly blind. I think I'm just accustomed to FS' tricks and exploration.
 

Artoris

Member
My dodge timing is off, the teleportation is difficult. Pillars help. I had Lothric down to one hit when his AOE got me. I thought I could get that last hit in and it was my undoing. Taking a break for the day now to avoid the frustration. End game DS3 is no joke. Feels a bit harder than Elden Ring IMO.
ds3 sister Friede is much worse, probably the toughest boss in the series

for the princes: level up a bit and keep rolling whenever they use spells
 

Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
ds3 sister Friede is much worse, probably the toughest boss in the series

for the princes: level up a bit and keep rolling whenever they use spells
I think I'm like level 91. IDK if I need to level anymore. Just need to git gud.

Is the painted world DLC? I found it pretty early in the game but haven't gone back. Maybe I should check that out after arch dragon peak.
 
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Artoris

Member
I think I'm like level 91. IDK if I need to level anymore. Just need to git gud.

Is the painted world DLC? I found it pretty early in the game but haven't gone back. Maybe I should check that out after arch dragon peak.
I usually level up a bit and try again, you can kill those angel knights for that

it is DLC, and it's not that difficult except for the boss
 
3 reminds me of a few things I'd forgotten. One was how quick and smooth everything is. Even sitting at a bonfire feels quicker than ER. It's a very responsive game, and even the dodging feels more responsive. ER makes me feel like I have to anticipate when I might want to roll in future and press the button now so that it eventually rolls at the right time.
Strangely, I find Dark Souls III to be the least responsive of the lot. The time it takes to start swinging a sword or doing a simple kick takes much longer than any of the other games. I modded Elden Ring to have the Bloodborne dodge, so I have not used the roll for a long time, but it works flawlessly in this form.
 
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22•22

Doesnt need recognition
Strangely, I find Dark Souls III to be the least responsive of the lot. The time it takes to start swinging a sword or doing a simple kick takes much longer than any of the other games. I modded Elden Ring to have the Bloodborne dodge, so I have not used the roll for a long time, but it works flawlessly in this form.

Dude you're hardcore.

FFS 😅👊🏼

Saw this vid this morning and your post reminded me of said preservation and hardcore attitude. Sure, a bit offtopic but nonetheless.

 
Anything a player can simply pick up is not rare to me. The rarest item for me is the Gold Coin drop from a Fat Official in the original Demon Souls. I have killed hundreds of them and still have had no luck. I need it to max out Blueblood Sword build with level up luck glitch, but it is just unattainable for me.
 
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22•22

Doesnt need recognition
Well I found the whole journey and process quite obscure and entertaining to watch unfold. Maybe that me.
 
Done with the Catacombs of Carthus. Thank God this area isn’t too large. As usual running away does wonders and fighting every enemy is a fool’s errand. I enjoyed the bits of game design here, between the traps, the giant ball of bones, and the destroyable bridge. High Lord Wolnir was more rough than tough, the camera refused to let me see what the hell was going on around me for a good while. And I still don’t know what it is that saps my health, is it the breath attack, the shiny souls thing or the sword? Anyways I’m glad I used an Ember to outlive that attack and heal. But man, that boss was visually striking.

Started roaming in the Smouldering Lake to grab the items lying around while dodging the bolts. Somehow I quickly reached the Old Demon King and got my ass handed to me like a complete Souls beginner. Damn! I also ventured a bit into Irythill and suffered a swift death against the giant dog creature with the gaping mouth in the stomach. Looks like DS3 has decided to get serious.
 

Soodanim

Member
Done with the Catacombs of Carthus. Thank God this area isn’t too large. As usual running away does wonders and fighting every enemy is a fool’s errand. I enjoyed the bits of game design here, between the traps, the giant ball of bones, and the destroyable bridge. High Lord Wolnir was more rough than tough, the camera refused to let me see what the hell was going on around me for a good while. And I still don’t know what it is that saps my health, is it the breath attack, the shiny souls thing or the sword? Anyways I’m glad I used an Ember to outlive that attack and heal. But man, that boss was visually striking.

Started roaming in the Smouldering Lake to grab the items lying around while dodging the bolts. Somehow I quickly reached the Old Demon King and got my ass handed to me like a complete Souls beginner. Damn! I also ventured a bit into Irythill and suffered a swift death against the giant dog creature with the gaping mouth in the stomach. Looks like DS3 has decided to get serious.
I think you get the lore from his crown, but the gist is that Wolnir was succumbing to the darkness, which is why he gets dragged away when you smash his light bracelets rather than just dying.
Dark slowly winning/taking over the aeons of linked fire as that world moves towards the end of time where the world and even time has begun to fold into itself and merge into one is the general theme of the game, and why far away lands that weren't in DS1 are right next to familiar places. The high wall of Lothric is the wall of Anor Londo from DS1 but it's not like it once was, things are all different at that point
The Ringed City DLC moves even farther forward, with the background just before the last boss including several areas we already visited all mashed together and folded as if the world is being balled up, and the last boss of the DLC is everything having been reduced to sand/ash. There's almost nothing left.

Edit: I didn't actually say that the invisible damage you take in that fight is the darkness also attacking you
 
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Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
LhHJQ4P.mp4


I backed up my save and will get the other endings. Not sure yet if I'll go for the rest of the achievements.

I've also still got Nameless King & Sister Friede to beat. The second DLC hasn't been touched yet and TBH, I might skip it for the time being. The end of the game was no joke in terms of difficulty. It feels like there is some input delay on the game. IDK if it's just the Deck or something else but it's noticeable. It makes dodge rolling these last few bosses a pain.
 
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I’m kinda itching to return to Elden Ring and play for a bit. Go straight to Stormveil Castle to fight Margit and see if I can make my way to Godrick easily. Do the bosses retain the same stats in NG+ or are they stronger?
 

Kindela

Neo Member
What level were you guys at? That seems like a lot.
I am 182 I think, and my buddy was 125 roughly. We had to use password to scale myself to his level.
It's just a very difficult boss, much more than when playing solo. We probably died 50 times to the waterfowl dance. Ridiculous attack, she would be much more fun without it.
 

Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
I am 182 I think, and my buddy was 125 roughly. We had to use password to scale myself to his level.
It's just a very difficult boss, much more than when playing solo. We probably died 50 times to the waterfowl dance. Ridiculous attack, she would be much more fun without it.
Yeah that was my thought too. I didn't realize how much more having a second player adds to the boss fights. Were the Souls games like that too? I've never actually summoned someone (excluding NPCs) before Elden Ring.

I totally summoned for Malenia though. :messenger_beaming:
 
I have three different characters all sat at the grace outside Malenia lol. I’ve only done her once. I didn’t realise how lucky I was on that one.
 
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It’s good to be back to Limgrave (pardon the image quality).

s1SPfn1.jpg


I had fun clearing out the camp in front of the third site of grace. At level 176 I'm absurdly strong for these guys, but the ballista on the way to the castle still packs a punch. I found myself pressing X to pick up items like in Dark Souls 3 :messenger_tears_of_joy: I missed being able to jump everywhere.

I made short work of Margit yet again :messenger_tears_of_joy: I shouldn't have summoned Rogier.

ukQnPbs.jpg

L97cTUN.jpg

0gYIQPt.jpg

Hmmm I wonder if I can brute-force my way to Godrick through the main entrance?
 

Kindela

Neo Member
Yeah that was my thought too. I didn't realize how much more having a second player adds to the boss fights. Were the Souls games like that too? I've never actually summoned someone (excluding NPCs) before Elden Ring.

I totally summoned for Malenia though. :messenger_beaming:
Yep, I think that the boss would get a health buff. I'm guessing they're also harder to stagger in ER with multiple people. It was much easier when it was just me and my mimic.
 

Maiden Voyage

Gold™ Member
It’s good to be back to Limgrave (pardon the image quality).

s1SPfn1.jpg


I had fun clearing out the camp in front of the third site of grace. At level 176 I'm absurdly strong for these guys, but the ballista on the way to the castle still packs a punch. I found myself pressing X to pick up items like in Dark Souls 3 :messenger_tears_of_joy: I missed being able to jump everywhere.

I made short work of Margit yet again :messenger_tears_of_joy: I shouldn't have summoned Rogier.

ukQnPbs.jpg

L97cTUN.jpg

0gYIQPt.jpg

Hmmm I wonder if I can brute-force my way to Godrick through the main entrance?
Did you finish DS3?
 

Soodanim

Member
Hmmm I wonder if I can brute-force my way to Godrick through the main entrance?
I rarely bother with the long route, once you realise that going diagonally means the ballistas usually miss and that it doesn't take long to get past where they're a threat, you barely even have to dodge.
Stormveil for me is front gate > bonfire > kill dog (optional) > stick to the right and avoid explosive ballistas but usually take a hit > up and inside the building > avoid the not-boss and up to the bonfire > make the jump outside and either get claw talisman or head towards Godrick
 

Kindela

Neo Member
Trying to find areas that my buddy hasn't finished yet so we can coop. I randomly went back to redmane castle to figure out I can explore it now and even get a new duo boss fight lol
 
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