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 Nostromodamus wrote:

Karkasy wrote:
Am I correct in thinking these games are basically a series of locked-in boss battles needing fast reflexes? I'm really not into those kind of games even though I like RPGs. I ask because I bought a second ps4 yesterday and DS3 was bundled in. I'm considering selling it still in the wrap as I doubt I'll get on with it.

More timing than reflex really. Memorization of move sets and knowing when to attack, dodge, shield or heal. It can be very tactical and intense.

There's also plenty of mobs to chew through, it's not all boss battles, it's just that the boss battles are so good it's what most people talk about with regard to enemies.

Very deep RPG system in place too.

Embrace patience and know you will die a lot and you might like it. I think old school gamers get on with it better than most newer gamers as it harkens back to the days when memorization, trial & error and dying a lot were expected in a game.

This. Most of my deaths aren't from lack of reflexes, it's from not knowing the bosses' patterns, walking into an unknown trap, or getting impatient and rushing in. Also, the bonfires are pretty forgiving. Most of them are spaced at about the beginning of the level, and halfway through. Once you know a level, you can usually run to a boss and fight him.

Karkasy wrote:
Am I correct in thinking these games are basically a series of locked-in boss battles needing fast reflexes? I'm really not into those kind of games even though I like RPGs. I ask because I bought a second ps4 yesterday and DS3 was bundled in. I'm considering selling it still in the wrap as I doubt I'll get on with it.

I would say that you're not correct in that thought, and that dark souls really isn't "basically" anything. If you like rpg's and have learning capability and patience I can't see a single reason why you wouldn't fall in love with dark souls.

The game isn't like "start game, move through an area a bit, boss fight, repeat" it's full of hidden items and many areas to explore. Exploration is rewarding and difficult. In the previous installments I actually died far more on the way to a boss than I did at bosses. The environments are stunning and there is so much artistry to take in.

It's a really balanced game, and the customization is incredible. The team is dedicated to patching and rebalancing frequently. Almost any build you would want to do can be effective. I'm a fan boy, but it's hard for me to list a game that I think offers an experience resembling or on par with the one the Souls series will give you. I recommend giving it a solid go if you like rpg's. At the very least, know that you supported an incredible game design team, even if indirectly.

What has everyone been taking as their starting gifts?

I took the fire gem on my Knight, as getting a Fire Longsword from the start seemed like a pretty good deal (and it has been, so far).

 infinite_array wrote:
What has everyone been taking as their starting gifts?

I took the fire gem on my Knight, as getting a Fire Longsword from the start seemed like a pretty good deal (and it has been, so far).

I took the Fire Gem, for the same reason but on an axe!! Also, how do you make a fire axe? lol

 infinite_array wrote:
What has everyone been taking as their starting gifts?

I took the fire gem on my Knight, as getting a Fire Longsword from the start seemed like a pretty good deal (and it has been, so far).

I took a Life Ring. Seemed to be a good choice and has actually helped.

So far have reached the Undead Settlement. All the bosses so far I've killed on the first try. They're much easier than I anticipate them to be.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 jreilly89 wrote:

 infinite_array wrote:
What has everyone been taking as their starting gifts?

I took the fire gem on my Knight, as getting a Fire Longsword from the start seemed like a pretty good deal (and it has been, so far).

I took the Fire Gem, for the same reason but on an axe!! Also, how do you make a fire axe? lol

Infuse your weapon at the blacksmith (ooer).

This may be a silly question... but how the feth do you use skills?

I'm by no means a souls noob, I just don't seem to be able to figure it out?

Press or hold L2.

AncientSkarbrand wrote:
This may be a silly question... but how the feth do you use skills?

I'm by no means a souls noob, I just don't seem to be able to figure it out?

Skills are a new thing for DS3. You can use them by pressing left trigger/L2 while two-handing a weapon (not sure on PC controls).

That said, I've not had much use for them so far...

Well there it is... should have tried everything while two handing.

I'm sure further on in the game there will be weapons with useful skills.

Thanks alot guys!

Conquered a Lord of Cinder today. tHE world is massive, it's easy to lose where you're supposed to go next.

Took the Golden Coins as my starting gift. Already spent 2, didn't really get any good return.

Skills, I can say I absolutely love my Uchigatana. The feeling of parrying with it is amazing and the special attack helps a lot against some enemies.
The special skill of the longbow is freakin' amazing. I'm one-shotting some enemies if I manage an headshot, besides being hilarious how much it staggers armored foes. If all that wasn't enough, my character looks absolutely FABULOUS doing it.

Second boss kicked my ass twice before I managed to beat him. First, I discovered the hard way how much of a pain frostbite is, the second time my lack of stamina got me. I do 3 swings with the Uchigatana and I'm all tapped out.
Worse than the boss were the Knights. I died SO many times against the knights, it forced me to discover an alternate path so I could avoid them and still have flasks for the boss

 TheDraconicLord wrote:

Second boss kicked my ass twice before I managed to beat him. First, I discovered the hard way how much of a pain frostbite is, the second time my lack of stamina got me. I do 3 swings with the Uchigatana and I'm all tapped out.

I went in Embered wielding a +3 Raw Longsword with the lightning resin applied. Rolled around his crotch the whole time slashing at his taint. Killed first try. Huehuehue...

So this game is great, but I'm already raging. Spent about an hour repeatedly getting killed the samurai near Firelink, then finally killed him only for him to drop the Uchigatana. Gave up, restarted as a Herald, died twice to the first boss, killed him, then carried on.

I'm about to fight frostbite, but feth, those Lothric knights are the worst. Half the time I don't fight them, I just shield up and circle strafe for a backstab.

 Nostromodamus wrote:


More timing than reflex really. Memorization of move sets and knowing when to attack, dodge, shield or heal. It can be very tactical and intense.

There's also plenty of mobs to chew through, it's not all boss battles, it's just that the boss battles are so good it's what most people talk about with regard to enemies.

Very deep RPG system in place too.

Embrace patience and know you will die a lot and you might like it. I think old school gamers get on with it better than most newer gamers as it harkens back to the days when memorization, trial & error and dying a lot were expected in a game.

Thanks! Despite your praise of the game and that of other posters my copy is still in the wrap. I don't really like games where you need to repeat locked-in battles with no save. And my 50 year old memory and reflexes don't help. I'm just about tolerating Destiny's 'no respawn' dungeons because I'm managing to survive them more often than not but if I started dying a lot and have to repeat them I'd probably just give up tbh. Boss battles aren't why I play games and I try to avoid them. It's a shame Fallout 4 was a bit disappointing as that could have satisfied my open world RPG gaming for a while.

 jreilly89 wrote:
So this game is great, but I'm already raging. Spent about an hour repeatedly getting killed the samurai near Firelink, then finally killed him only for him to drop the Uchigatana. Gave up, restarted as a Herald, died twice to the first boss, killed him, then carried on.

I'm about to fight frostbite, but feth, those Lothric knights are the worst. Half the time I don't fight them, I just shield up and circle strafe for a backstab.

I sometimes feel that those Knights are the real bosses of the High Wall. I avoided them just so I could keep my estus for the boss

Feth Irythill dungeon.

That is all.

This game's sidequests are way too convoluted

The sword wielding knights aren't too bad, the lance and greatshield ones though, feth my life...

 Melissia wrote:
This game's sidequests are way too convoluted

The sword wielding knights aren't too bad, the lance and greatshield ones though, feth my life...

The sidequests function exactly the same as they did before. I see no issue.

I never had problems getting sidequests to work before like I did his.

The only tip I can give is check for illusion walls more. There are A LOT of them.

 Soladrin wrote:
The only tip I can give is check for illusion walls more. There are A LOT of them.

No, that wasn't my problem.

 Melissia wrote:

 Soladrin wrote:
The only tip I can give is check for illusion walls more. There are A LOT of them.

No, that wasn't my problem.

Spoiler:

The problem was apparently you have to use the Toast emote back at him when you get it, or his sidequest will NOT and cannot continue on, and if you leave the area before doing so, he will forever disappear from the game.

Huh, didn't know that. I just immediately did it when I got it. That is a bit harsh though.

20 hours in and my last boss was the Crystal Sage, still exploring the Cathedral of the Deep.

I'm so slow at this game Still, hands-down best Dark Souls, I'm having a blast!

 TheDraconicLord wrote:
20 hours in and my last boss was the Crystal Sage, still exploring the Cathedral of the Deep.

I'm so slow at this game Still, hands-down best Dark Souls, I'm having a blast!

About as far as I am, except I've just got through the gate at the Farron swamp area.

Crystal Sage has been the first boss to really challenge me. He kept beating me until I decided to not focus him during the second stage and take out his doppelgangers first. Reducing the amount of magic missiles coming at you really helps!

 Nostromodamus wrote:

 TheDraconicLord wrote:
20 hours in and my last boss was the Crystal Sage, still exploring the Cathedral of the Deep.

I'm so slow at this game Still, hands-down best Dark Souls, I'm having a blast!

About as far as I am, except I've just got through the gate at the Farron swamp area.

Crystal Sage has been the first boss to really challenge me. He kept beating me until I decided to not focus him during the second stage and take out his doppelgangers first. Reducing the amount of magic missiles coming at you really helps!

Same here. Beat Crystal Sage yesterday. Pissed me really off and was the first time I summoned help. Phase 2 kept fething me over.
Went to Farron's Keep after that and man, this is one annoying area. I couldn't stand it any longer after 1,5 hours and quit for that day (even though it was just 8 PM).

 Nostromodamus wrote:

 TheDraconicLord wrote:
20 hours in and my last boss was the Crystal Sage, still exploring the Cathedral of the Deep.

I'm so slow at this game Still, hands-down best Dark Souls, I'm having a blast!

About as far as I am, except I've just got through the gate at the Farron swamp area.

Crystal Sage has been the first boss to really challenge me. He kept beating me until I decided to not focus him during the second stage and take out his doppelgangers first. Reducing the amount of magic missiles coming at you really helps!

Interesting, I'm loving the difference between playstyles:
You easily beat the first "real" boss, the "dog": (hell, even the tutorial boss, that one kicked my ass so many times) that one obliterated me twice before I decided to switch weapons and finally managed to kill him.
The Crystal Sage is my "Jolly Co-op farm" boss because of how easy it was for me: I died the first time, figured out his trick, killed him the next try without any problems. It was the easiest boss so far for me.

PRAISE THE SUN!

 TheDraconicLord wrote:

Interesting, I'm loving the difference between playstyles:
You easily beat the first "real" boss, the "dog": (hell, even the tutorial boss, that one kicked my ass so many times) that one obliterated me twice before I decided to switch weapons and finally managed to kill him.
The Crystal Sage is my "Jolly Co-op farm" boss because of how easy it was for me: I died the first time, figured out his trick, killed him the next try without any problems. It was the easiest boss so far for me.

PRAISE THE SUN!

Yeah probably took me about a dozen tries at the Crystal Sage. I'm on the Abyss Watchers right now. Only had time for a couple of tries but this seems like a tough fight too.

Guess I need to "git gud", or whatever the kids are saying these days...

I've been tearing through this game over the weekend, and picked up a fire scythe and a frost sword. However,

 jreilly89 wrote:
I've been tearing through this game over the weekend, and picked up a fire scythe and a frost sword. However,

Spoiler:

things I expected to see in a Dark Souls game: not a giant fething crab. Seriously, that thing left me speechless for like a minute

Oh those big bastards have quite a lot of my deaths on their conscious. Don't worry though, you haven't seen the last of them.

Started another new character to see if making a Luck build using hollowed infusion is worth the effort.

 Soladrin wrote:

 Melissia wrote:

 Soladrin wrote:
The only tip I can give is check for illusion walls more. There are A LOT of them.

No, that wasn't my problem.

Spoiler:

The problem was apparently you have to use the Toast emote back at him when you get it, or his sidequest will NOT and cannot continue on, and if you leave the area before doing so, he will forever disappear from the game.

Huh, didn't know that. I just immediately did it when I got it. That is a bit harsh though.

oh balls, thats why i can't find him anymore