So here is the new and improved Dark Souls 2 thread.
Dark Souls 2 is the 3rd installment of the long running soul Series. A sequel to it's predecessors Demon souls and Dark souls respectively, Dark souls 2 improves upon previously implemented mechanics.
You are one of the cursed, bearer of the dark sign, a mark of the undead. You are cursed to forever remain trapped in your mortal body, as it rots and hollows. The world is filled with dangerous enemies and threats that no normal man would step up to, except you, for you have nothing else to lose.
You find yourself crossing over to the realm of Dranglank. Drawn to it like a moth to the flame, it is said to hold a cure for the curse of Undeath. Your goal as an undead is to seek out the truth, does this cure exist? Or is it more lies? And you must battle enemy after enemy, die again and again to reach this truth.

The game plays out much like the original PS3 title "Demon Souls". With an emphasis on one time use healing items such as life gems, that you must find, rather than replenishing an estus flask at a bonfire like in Dark souls. You still gain an estus flask, but not as easily, or as large of a capacity as in the first Dark Souls.
The game offers a wide variety of options of customization, through class and an improved character Design. It is truly a step above it's predecessors. Whether you wanna start out the stalwart knight, the agile swordsmen, the faithful cleric, or the wise sorcerer, there are various options to choose from, and infinite possibilities as you level up.
The game is also far more difficult than the previous titles, but as always, it is as rewarding as before. The game will not hold your hand through it, and you must think and learn as you journey onward. You will die, and die, and die, countless times.

Currently the game is available on Xbox one, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, and a PC launch scheduled for april 25th.

Alright guys, get to discussing.

>>1 Much better!

So, I've been trying to join the Blue Sentinels but TarGAY won't let me in.

What do?

>>2 Targay. that's the guy after the Old dragon slayer right? You need to get a token of fidelity from a co op game while in the way of the blue covenant.
You can also use a bonfire ascetic to spawn blue sentinels in the cathedral of blue that drop these, or find a cracked blue eye orb to invade the world of the guilty. Give Targay a token, and he'll let you in.

>>3 So I have to be in the Way of the Blue before hand?

Fuuuuuuuccccckkkkk.

I literally just left that one.

>>5 You can easily use a bonfire ascetic in the blue chapel and kill the wraiths that spawn there. Just gotta watch out for the buffed enemies.

Bonfire Ascetics are actually way more common than I thought in this game, killed the four lord's soul (not really, but what else to call em?) bosses & only found 4, then I find out Grandahl sells 10 of them....

Brother just got into blue sentinels and he doesn't even know how. He found a token of fidelity somewhere somehow. I want in because i want the miracles.

Got in
>no worlds to invade
>haven't been summoned to help out other blue bros
>haven't been invaded once
>tried a duel and they were much better than I

This cult sucks, mang.

So, I just beat the ruin sentinels.

I'm also a level 65.
Is this why I am not getting invaded or what?

>>10 I wouldn't know. Maybe there's not many people there? I know the biggest hot spot for invasions right now is the luna Bell-fry.

The only thing about pvp in Belfry Luna is that if it drags out at all you're liable to be invaded by more than one person at a time. I prefer the Tomb of Saints myself.

I just now found my way to Sinner's Rise.
I know I'm way far behind everyone in the game, but these mummies are giving me trouble like you wouldn't believe.
The exploding ones.
Fuck those guys.

>>13 actually you're further than me, here's the list of bosses i've beaten:
Last giant, pursuer, dragon rider, old dragon slayer. I'm on the sentinels in the lost Bastille. My knight now has 22 faith and i'm just healing and throwing lightning like a motherfucker.

>>14 You aren't too far away from me.
I just beat those guys.
They were pretty tough but I eventually got them.

I haven't put any points into anything except: ADP, DEX, STR, END, VIT.

I've pretty beastly so far.
But those sentinels gave me a pretty good whomping the first few times around.

>>15 They're really weak against lightning and magic. I popped two of them with about 6 of my lightning bolts, and a few soul spears from the guy you can summon to help you. Died on that round though.

>>16 I have no magic or anything.
Just my blade ans shield.
So it took me a few times, but the last time I just whomped the shit out of them.
I've gotten really pro at dodging and roll attacks.
DSII moves really really fast.

i beat the game like Wednesday so it was fun

Confirmed guys, you can get Heide knight armor and the onion head armor in NG+

I got almost a full Heide set because of bonfire ascetics.
Really made that first stage in the game a pain in the ass though.

I'm trying to decide if I like the Heide or the Alva set better.
So tough. :/

>>21 Don't be silly and just get onion armor as soon as you can.

I Googled it and holy shit it's amazing looking.

>>22 I don't like to fat roll though.

>>23 Lots of VIT for all your equipment load needs lol

>>24 Right now, on my new save.
I'm rocking a solid 79 equip load.
So not too bad.

>>23 I love it.

>>26 You're weird.
Solace loves to fat roll.

Guys, how do I get stone guys not so stoned?

>>27 It's so bubbly and weirdly cute doe.

I just love the ironic contrast that would be formed by this dumpy, harmless looking suit of armour mercilessly slaughtering hordes of enemies.

>>28 I get it.
Also, Onionbro was probably my third favorite NPC from Dark Souls.

Character screenshots when?

>>29 I'll get one of mine today. It'll be a crappy phone pic. and i havn't played a lot of DS2 lately

>>29 I'll get one of mine today. It'll be a crappy phone pic. and i havn't played a lot of DS2 lately

is that game good?

Irriating Game. Must be willing to spend hours in order to keep a decent pace.

>>32 Yes.

>>31 I'll take one here some time too.

>>33 Or you can just get good at the game.

>>33 This game isn't even as hard as games like ninja gaiden 2. Or any NES or SNES game. Silver surfer anyone? lol

>>35 The only reason a Souls game is hard is because the player is getting sloppy.
It's a game that requires timing above everything.

>>36 A.K.A You actually have to use your brain for once. Whaaatt? I don't wanna have to think while playing games chrome :/

>>37 :( I wish there were games that just played themselves for me.
Sheesh.

Just made it to the Iron Keep.
The boss from the Earthen Keep was easy as shit.

>>39 *Earthen Peak.

Wish the sun sword was better than it is.
Just spent a bit sunbroing in Earthen Peak and I feel like it wasn't worth it because my broadsword+5 just kind of trumps it.

I'm considering getting these games.
Should I play Demon Souls before Dark Souls?

>>42 Depends on what consoles you have. Demon souls is a ps3 exclusive. I personally started with Dark Souls. So i can't make a valid recommendation on which is better. From what I've read, heard and studied though. Dark souls 2 is more like Demon Souls, so if you're hoping to get Dark souls 2, try demon souls first. If not I'd just jump right into Dark souls.

>>43 I only have a PC, so I guess Demon Souls is out. Does Dark Souls II build on the first at all?

>>44 Yes.
It does.
But you have to really get into it. It's a complicated story at best, but it is a beautiful one.
Kind of.

PC release on DSII is still a bit aways, you've got time for the first one.
Highly recommend it.

This is the next GOTY, just sayin'

>>44 If you play PC only then go ahead and play Dark Souls. But I'd grab a 360 controller and hook it up to the port, it'd be much easier that way.
And what >>45 said. You have to look for the story. Oh and I remember putting the Pc release in the post description. Sholud be the 25th of this month

Started playing as a swordsman.
Power stance is kinda fun.

>>49 Been meaning to try that out. I've got a heide knight sword and a broadsword ready to use. Managed to get heide knight chain and helmet. so i'm shooting for the whole set.

>>50 The whole set is so hard to get.
But it's worth it.
Also, power stancing scimitars.
An obligatory Do'urden playthrough.

Still sad you can't augment ice damage. :(

>>51 Well, you could always get some dark magic to fully capture the Drizzt Do'Urden playthrough.

>>52 Forgive me, they're called hexes

>>53 I knew what you meant.
And that's exactly what I am doing.
Shit so far, has been dope.

>>54 Got the dark skin and white hair?

>>55 No, because at first I was going to be Entreri.
You can have poison and bleed in game so it would have worked better.
I also was kind of a dick and invaded at really low levels power stancing daggers.
Animation cancel is a biiiiiitch.

But Drizzt is such a cooler guy. :/

Also, armor set I should use?
I know you can get the dingy set in NG+...but am fag and can't make it. :(
Smelter demon is 2hard.

>>57 I dunno if you can find the original silver knight armor from Dark souls 1, but that would look pretty sweet. Maybe find the swordsman starting equipment would look good too. I'll look through the wiki and find something for you.

>>57 http://darksouls2.wiki.fextralife.com/King%27s+Set#.U0uzifldVCg
Here you go, minus the crown, the king set would look pretty good.

>>57 Llewellyn set also has a drizt look
http://darksouls2.wiki.fextralife.com/Llewellyn+Set#.U0u0BPldVCg

>>58 >>59 >>60 Silver Knight would have been perfect.

Maybe thinking Cale's chest piece?

>>61 Cale's chespeice seems to work great. I'd love to see an armor that has the fur cloak similar to the heide chain, but not so bright, that would fit perfectly for his Piwafi. But yeah, i think that llewllyn has the best look.

>>62 You're right.
At first I was a little discouraged because I'm not even close to where I can get the set, but I found out you can make it through a door with a high soul memory.
So, I'll be heading that way today.

>>63 I made it into the castle!
I played a good majority of it at about a third of my actual HP.
Fuuuuuck.
Those dickface elephant guys really took some focus.
But I did it.
I feel pretty good about my skillz.

Got the Faraam set.
For being the title armor, it sure is way the fuck out here...

Started this game with a complete shit-build, wound up loving it. <3

Currently power-housing my way through NG+.

>>66
>40 Vigor

I have four Vigor because I'm hard as fuck.

I really really like Hexes in this game.
Dat guard break.
Rekkin Havelfags all day on the Iron Bridge.

I didn't like this game as much as I wanted to, and I really wanted to like it, but I just found that it disappointed me in several aspects.

>>68 My faith knight is coming full circle, got 4 attunement slots and 28 faith, i can full heal like 5 times cuz my heals are op. Still trying to get the heide set though, that's kicking my ass.
All i have to say is. EAT LIGHTNING CHARIOT!

>>70 That Heide set is a real trucker to get, man.

>>71 I'm gonna need to just check all the areas that have bonfire ascetics and farm up, i' hoping to get at least one more piece of armor before i have to carry over to new game plus. But my biggest fear is I won't get anymore till then.
For now though I need to get the gutter, or Blight town 2.0 as I like to call it. Already hating the place too.
Next character will likely be a swordsman. All dex and light armor, and lots of stamina. Might shoot for pyromancy too.

>>72 I'm convinced that the Gutter really is Blight Town.
Also, swordsman is sick.
Low Vigor though.

Yesterday I started over for a Mundane build.
Rolled Deprived.
Been pretty easy game so far.

it's easier than Dark Souls: PDE, i think.

it's easier than Dark Souls: PDE, i think.

it's easier than Dark Souls: PDE, i think.

it's easier than Dark Souls: PDE, i think.

it's easier than Dark Souls: PDE, i think.

>>74 I think both games have parts that are hard and easy.
Also, all the Dark Souls I played helped me ̶g̶i̶t̶ ̶g̶u̶d̶ for DSII.
That's why I think I'm pretty much destroying DSII as compared to DS.

But holy shit did they really dumb down the series for this one.

>>79 I say it's part to do with beating dark souls a dozen times for me. I know they definitely made it more accessible to others, and i believe that accessibility has contributed. I'll say they did a good job balancing it out with the estus, and re works to parries and back stabs.
I'll also say stamina loss and shield breaks are really detrimental, and for a bit, I really couldn't get the hit boxes and rolls down, but it came finally.
Overall, i'll say that DS2 is a bit easier than DS1, though not by much, and those who think it's too easy get to have NG+10 sooo, there's that.

>>80 The hitboxes took me the longest to actually get.
They are a bit off from DS, but they are also just as easy to get the hang of if you pay attention.
Demon Souls, Dark Souls and DSII are not hard games, they just have a tough learning curve really.
Now, I can no shield most of the first half of the game.

>>81 Again, you actually need to use your brain and train your reflexes. Brings me back to the pre xbox gamecube era. lots of think games, man I loved playing conker back then.

Killing me. Havn't been able to play DS2 for 2 weeks now. Need to beat the gutter. uuggghhhh

I just spent a day trooping through Aldia's Keep and the Undead Crypt.
Them magic spammers really made me reconsider my build and his Magic RES.

>>83 The Gutter really pissed me off.
I lost to the boss at least three times.
It was so dumb.

>>85 In similar blight town fashion. Lets make the journey to the boss incredibly difficult. Fuck tons of poison for life. Havn't even gotten to the boss yet lol

>>86 I dumped a good amount of souls into ADP so my poison resist was pretty alright.
I also had like 20 dragon charms.

Just kill butterflies until you have a metric ton of moss.

The most ridiculous part of that place imo is that the darts stagger you as you're going across these tiny VoD style walkways. I mean, that's officially my most embarassing death in all of DS, to be knocked off the edge by a dart, of all things >.>

>>88 I don't remember what I killed to farm moss, but by the time I finally went down to Blight town 2, I had at least thirty some mosses as well as dragon charms.
So, I was pretty set and ready for it.
But the boss, he wiped my face all over the floor.
My pathetic 4 Vigor pretty much was my downfall.

Obviously, my brothers and sisters, there is an insufficient amount of sun praising happening here.

Say it with me, now...

>>90 Can't.
I'm a Bell Tower Boy these days.
I roll with my bell buddies and we slice 'em and dice 'em.
I can't praise the sun anymore.

I just finished the NG+ with this build.
I also use the Black Dragon Armor for PvP

Praise the Sun \[T]/

I'll take a pic of my build today.
Tried to respec yesterday as a straight magic user, but that shit is retarded.
I had blue flames powerstanced and magic crystal weapon.
Was fun for PVP but sucked massive cock for PVE.

Forgot to take pic.
Fuck my life.

Started my adventure into NG+ this morning.
Pretty happy about it.
I've been dumping points into other stats and whatnot.
Will take another pic sometime.

Wish more people would play with me. :(((((((((
TFW 5.5+ million SM. :(((((((((((

This game it's awesome... But die a million times it's ok...

I wish there was a personal death count.
Would be nice to know exactly how many times I've died so far.

>>101 I hear if you play offline, that one stone in Majula that tells you how many total deaths there are for everyone only says yours.

NG+ has defeated me, i need to go back and give it another go

>>102 No shit?
I'll check it out.

>>103 NG+ is so much better than NG.
This should have been DSII to begin with.
That Flexile battle had me so stressed I didn't want to play anymore.
It was excellent.

No one ever gets to ring the bell when I'm around.
lol

>>105 Some men just want to watch the world burn. Must be hilarious watching their desperate attempts trying to hit you lol.

>>106 it is. Casters, Faith users, and havelfags get rekt. Strength builds are pretty funny too, swinging around dat big ol sword and junk.
Bell boize go hard.

Starting a new game, how should I play it?
Why is deprived the best class?
What is the worst?

>>108 deprived is not the best class unless you are going for a magic and hex build. Personally it is based off how you play. Are you a heavy armor guy who can take hits or a light guy who can not get hit.

Also starting person is not the person you will turn out to be. What will you put all your stats in, are you comfortable with fighting close to your target or do you want to fight away from them. These are all the things you need to take into account before saying a class is the best class. Also on a side note join the Sunbro army today.

Hey Chreggome, did that offline suggestion work?

Hello everyone, Doug's brother here. Right now Im on NG+ and I am just loving the game. Currently I'm using Velstadt's armor set and boy is it amazing. Great defence and no fatty rolls. :D. If only I had online so I could invade and troll some more ;P

>>105 >>110 >>109 This is my other main save.
I know how to play the game bruv.
Also, Deprived is best starting class.

>>111 I forgot to try it out, I'll remember and do it in the AM.

THE LEGEND WILL NEVER DIE!!!!!

bump

Dark souls 2 is so bad compared to 1 or demons i want to kill myself.

>>116 Excellent analysis.

sooooo many shops

>>116 I hate faggots like you.
Demon Souls was shit and you guys fucking know it.

>worst graphics
>worst game mechanics
>worst story
>worst NPCs

I've said it a million times and I'll say it a million more times, the only decent thing about Demons was the Maiden in Black and the fact that it paved the way for the Dark Souls series.

Fuck off.

>>116 >>119

Oh yea, another great thing about Demons: "You have a heart of gold, don't let them take it from you." and "You fool. Don't you understand? No one wants to go on."

But that's it.
Aside from those quotes and Maiden in Black the game was a 6/10 at fucking best.

>>119 Nah, didn't you know? In every series that has more than one concurrent release, only the first and games that are at least one extra game before the most recent release are any good.

It's a great system of logic that a lot of people seem to use.

>>121 Works for movies too!

>>121 >>122 Oh yea!
Thanks for the tip guys! :D

DLC coming next month.

So the Devs have given everyone a special present for the DLC coming out.
Just go to the majula mansion and the chest in the basement is suppose to give out a "special prize in celebration".
Massive troll alert guys, go check it out but i suspect a mimic XD

>>126 I heard that it's going to be a different gift every week until the DLC is out.

Pretty stoked for the dlc, but I kind of wish it was part of the original game.

I haven't heard anything about dlc, what's going on?

>>128 http://www.denofgeek.com/games/dark-souls-ii/30818/three-dark-souls-ii-dlc-packs-announced

I wonder if they will be addressing any more imbalances in the game like soul memory or heavy armor being easily worn.

I wonder if they will be addressing any more imbalances in the game like soul memory or heavy armor being easily worn.

>>131 elaborate

Soul memory allows people to reach any level past a specific point of souls amassed (15million, I think it is.) It stifles diversity in builds, and allows everyone to do anything. Heavy armor especially becomes a problem this high, because if you don't wear the same heavy armor which provides insane defense, then you're just going to get worn out by the people who do.

>>133 Sounds like you need to get good, bruv.

I have never worn heavy armor, stayed the whole game under 30%, and I am a monster in PVP.

>>132 When people are bad at games they try to save their ego by blaming the game mechanics instead of learning how to play the game.

Also if you're getting to the point where you are at the max spilt point of soul memory lvls maybe it is time to start a new character, or don't kill every single thing you see

>>136 This.

So it's always the ego. Of course. There are never any issues with changing core mechanics. Sorry for being so ignorant.

Well you are complaining about having a hard time after hitting 15 MILLION souls, which is a value that is barely reached when you put every single soul you have ever gathered into levels minus a measly 137k.

>>138 Not to mention most people prefer not to go into pvp at that lvl anyways simply because it gets to ridiculous. People like yukasleigon and peeve stay within a niche lvl cap to keep the flavor of their builds, and so few people are even doing pvp at that level. The collection of pvp in dark souls has always stayed between the lvls of 120-300. That's around the normal distribution, it thins out at higher adn lower levels.

>>139 my number is off. stat page only went up to 260ish so yeaa.. but even then, thats probably quite a bit more lvls than any focused build would ever need

Wish there were more guilty to invade, then this covenant wouldn't be shit.

Oh well, back to bell boyin'.

190 deaths, checked with the offline thing.
I am in NG++++.
190 deaths.

288,635,497+ deaths worldwide and I have 190.
SWAGSWAGSWAGSWAG!

Have 7 Characters over 150, played every passage nearly 3 times and i have to say i loved Dark Souls more then Dark Souls 2

Started playing vidya again, so here I go to whomp some fags

void_traveler

This game has one thing that makes it completely worth it...Priscilla's....FLUFFY TAIL!

cant play dark souls without breaking my controller

I've got 800> lvl char. This game is awesome. But 1-st one was much harder and more interesting (because I didn't know how to play).

Anybody getting the scholar of the first sin Driect x11 PC version?

>>150 I'm getting it on PS4, my dude.

Really, I just want the updated graphics.

>>151
I'm getting it on the PS4 as well, not just for the updated graphics but because I never bought the DLC on the PS3. Who knows maybe we'll meet in battle.

>>152 Yea, that is a really neat part about the new version, bu I have already bought the DLC. :/
You don't want to meet me in battle, mang. I'm a guy you want on your side.

MMMMM the taste of noobs tears. I love trolling in the first game sooooooo much. DkS2 was horrid. Fashion souls... lol

It looks fantastic, but I can wear leather armor for the entire game no problem. Anything that does better in weight/def ratio (Alva's set) and I feel OP. I can take too many hits... I can crush nearly anything at that point with parries, and backstabs. PVP is negligible. Pivot Backstabs completely wreck, and it's hard as hell to counter.

Dark Souls was more challenging, and the PVP was more fair. I'd win some, and lose some. 9/10 I'd always win against modders (inf stats). I never win against mods in DkS2.

To each their own for sure, but Dark Souls was infinitely better to me.

>>154 Literally everyone that isn't retarded or 12 years old likes DS over DS2.
DS2 wasn't horrid. It just couldn't live up to it's papa.
Which is fine, not all sons grow up to be their father, you know?

Also, you sound like a scrub.
>not playing fashion souls in the first game
top pleb

What's your build?

Oresteen's (no helm), Crown of Dusck, Oolacile Catalyst, MLGS. I don't care what you think I sound like. I would rek probably 99% of people on this board. I have over 800 hours on my main, and win ganks all the time at SL 150 - 175 (depending on character.) I forget what level I stopped at for my lovely mage. Oh, and armor accounted for LARGE sums of damage in DkS1. Like I could fuck up three times, and still not be dead (most of the time because of evasion), but if I did get hit, that was rarely the end. If they get hit? Stun lock city.

You sound like the reason nobody likes pvp in either games

Wow, that quickly turned into a child like squabble. I was hoping for more lore discussion about the First sin and Aldia. I now know why no one came back to this thread.

Started playing first sin on my PC actually. I'm enjoying it. Pursuer actually pursues and there are actual Heide Knights in Heide's tower of flame.

Oh the continuity! There is actually a heide knight in the gutter now, protecting a nice little chest that has some goodies in it. (New goodies I might add).

>>160 On a different note I have yet to get their leggings and armor. I burnt an ascetic and i'm using a +1 gold serpent ring. All im getting are great helms lol

It's a really good game !

Sorry if I sound.. Toxic? But are you guys serious? Cheat engine exists for a reason and unless youre going through your first playthrough (I can't imagine that all of you are) you have no reason not to use it for asquring items... Also if you have more than say two characters dedicated to PvE and you;re not a speedrunner, than what the fuck are you doing with the game?