Elden Ring: New Fromsoft rpg

[Lazy8s]

Got the Sword of Night and Fire to maximum upgrade, thing is a beast!

Just tidying up some areas and quests now, one more story boss I believe. I'll probably have it beat today or tomorrow and then onto NG+ and maybe a new build.

I haven't been to Nokron City or that Scarlet Rot place yet and there's a few Ashes of War I wanna pick up and try still.


also, screw that Fire Giant.

Is +10 max upgrade? I haven’t looked it up but it seems that way. I’m hoarding the stone I need to take it to +10, but…I really hope there are more to be found. Just having one would be ver FromSoft, but also a bit sadistic having all these weapons choices.

[YellowBeard]

Yeah the talismans all seem to have upgraded versions in the world, which helps a ton. I’m still questioning poise, resistances and dmg reduction though.

I respecced once so I could use the clean rot armor. On paper it’s amazing, but real world it didn’t seem much better than what I already had, so I don’t know what’s up with that. I’m back to using mostly armor from near the start of the game.

I also just got into Deeproot and my only question is WHY ARE THERE SO MANY OF YOU?!?! This game is amazing. I have a fight on my hands lol.

Yeah, I finally ended up doing that three invader thing and was awarded the Great Jar talisman. It's like the arsenal talismans, but better! Though I'm sure you've picked it up by now.

Damage reductions do help. I was dicking around fighting naked while I was farming the other monk set and I was taking quite a bit more damage from hits than when I was wearing armor. So there's that. Also seems that at least at this poise I don't get staggered as much. I mean, I was at like 15 to high 20s before, but at 77 I can get the block reprisal hits off if a normal enemy is in a combo and not get staggered. I mean, I still eat an attack, but I don't get staggered out of my counterattack. Where the cutoff for that poise amount is though, I have no idea.

I do have 25 End though. I did enough where I could wear the set I was wearing at the time with my loadout and still be Medium, so I could free up talisman slots. Was that the wisest choice? Who knows. But I don't feel like I'm lacking in any certain stats right now. Aside from just wanting more.

[Lazy8s]

Yeah, I finally ended up doing that three invader thing and was awarded the Great Jar talisman. It's like the arsenal talismans, but better! Though I'm sure you've picked it up by now.

Damage reductions do help. I was dicking around fighting naked while I was farming the other monk set and I was taking quite a bit more damage from hits than when I was wearing armor. So there's that. Also seems that at least at this poise I don't get staggered as much. I mean, I was at like 15 to high 20s before, but at 77 I can get the block reprisal hits off if a normal enemy is in a combo and not get staggered. I mean, I still eat an attack, but I don't get staggered out of my counterattack. Where the cutoff for that poise amount is though, I have no idea.

I do have 25 End though. I did enough where I could wear the set I was wearing at the time with my loadout and still be Medium, so I could free up talisman slots. Was that the wisest choice? Who knows. But I don't feel like I'm lacking in any certain stats right now. Aside from just wanting more.

That endurance is a good point. I had enough to wear the armor with talismans but not enough to wear it without. I still have 7-8 larval tears left, maybe I’ll test it out.

Have you done Fia’s quest yet? I did all the way up to where she thanks me and says goodbye, then nothing. There’s a portal there, but it just zaps me to somewhere I cleared a while ago.

I might have to read up on this one….

Edit: I read up on it and I’m close, but man, that legendary FromSoft obscurity

[koralis]

Got the Sword of Night and Fire to maximum upgrade, thing is a beast!

The Night is dark and full of terrors. Praise to the Lord of Light.

Pretty sure this is a hat tip to Mr. Martin. priests of R'Hllor (or something like that) had a flaming sword if I recall correctly.

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Thoros

Thoros has a reputation as a brave madman with an absurd but dangerous firesword.

https://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/R%27hllor

They are locked in an eternal struggle over the fate of the world; a struggle that, according the ancient prophecies from the books of Asshai, will only end when Azor Ahai, the messianic figure, returns wielding a flaming sword called Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and raises dragons from stone.[6]

[YellowBeard]

That endurance is a good point. I had enough to wear the armor with talismans but not enough to wear it without. I still have 7-8 larval tears left, maybe I’ll test it out.

Have you done Fia’s quest yet? I did all the way up to where she thanks me and says goodbye, then nothing. There’s a portal there, but it just zaps me to somewhere I cleared a while ago.

I might have to read up on this one….

Edit: I read up on it and I’m close, but man, that legendary FromSoft obscurity

Yeah, so far I'm happy with stats. Right now I'm just dumping into Faith unless there's something with an actual requirement to use, but I'll probably put more in Mind or Vitality at some point cause more health and FP are never bad.

Didn't even know Fia had a quest. Just killed Margott. I was thinking something isn't quite right with Fia. You find the Lionheart's armor on a deathbed with a dress of hers in the Capital. In the Deeproots there was a bunch of Fia summons at the Prince of Death throne, or whatever is was called. SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT. I also don't get hugged from her after the first time, so maybe that has something to do with it. Typical FromSoft adding in a YOU MUST BE HUGGED THIS MANY TIMES before we do something cool. I do try to make it a habit to travel back to the Roundtable more often and do a round of chatting with everyone to try to not miss things.

Oh yeah, that teleporter. Just send you to the capital ramparts right? Some teleporters are weird and I don't get them.

[Lazy8s]

Yeah, so far I'm happy with stats. Right now I'm just dumping into Faith unless there's something with an actual requirement to use, but I'll probably put more in Mind or Vitality at some point cause more health and FP are never bad.

Didn't even know Fia had a quest. Just killed Margott. I was thinking something isn't quite right with Fia. You find the Lionheart's armor on a deathbed with a dress of hers in the Capital. In the Deeproots there was a bunch of Fia summons at the Prince of Death throne, or whatever is was called. SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT. I also don't get hugged from her after the first time, so maybe that has something to do with it. Typical FromSoft adding in a YOU MUST BE HUGGED THIS MANY TIMES before we do something cool. I do try to make it a habit to travel back to the Roundtable more often and do a round of chatting with everyone to try to not miss things.

Oh yeah, that teleporter. Just send you to the capital ramparts right? Some teleporters are weird and I don't get them.

Yep that’s where it sent me. I was all dropped a choice word for FromSoft lol and went elsewhere. I did the quest right though, even though I didn’t realize it, and know what’s waiting at the end for me. I just don’t know how often I have to re-visit before it triggers the event.

I swear these guys are sadists. Just rotten

[Silent-Runner]

Is +10 max upgrade?

yes, +10 is max for this one

[Lazy8s]

yes, +10 is max for this one

Thanks man. I can’t then. I have the right stone for a standard weapon, not the somber stone though.

Anyway, Working my way through Mohgwyn Palace right now. I’m getting some great loot, but man the bleed is real. I’m actually nervous about facing the boss of this place lol.

Yellowbeard - I finished that quest. It was good No idea what to do with the item I got yet, but I’ll figure it out eventually ….maybe lol.

[Drexion]

You can use your horse outdoors to traverse poison/rot/etc swamps and you won't get affected. Only on foot you get affected. So you don't need to keep spamming the consumables or cleanse spells unless you're in an area you can't use the horse.

[Lazy8s]

You can use your horse outdoors to traverse poison/rot/etc swamps and you won't get affected. Only on foot you get affected. So you don't need to keep spamming the consumables or cleanse spells unless you're in an area you can't use the horse.

Fromsoft got a bit sadistic (no surprise) in a couple of areas. Very large, no horse allowed, although it’s a bit of a trick map, it’s still next to impossible to traverse or fight without being infected.

Some of the later game areas such as where I am now, have invaders spawn in the middle of numerous fast and deadly animals, and of course the horse isn’t allowed during an invasion.

They made sure it wouldn’t be easy I did find a way around the invasion area to the boss grace. I’m just hoping it doesn’t inflict bleed as fast or often as the common enemies in the map.

[Lazy8s]

Going around and doing some cleanup before going after the final boss(s)

I can’t believe how much I missed, part of it because I keep forgetting to pass time until sunset.

This is absolutely a “keep a list” job because of the sheer number of them. I think I’m confusing some on the list I have, so I’ll have to revisit some areas to check, but at last count I have about 75% of them down.

I really, really wish I had started writing them down when I started the game, but even so, what a ride

Quirks, bugs and all the game is currently hitting a 10/10 for me. Some of the last few quests, battles and adventures have been just insanely fun. Best game I’ve ever played I think.

Edit: If anyone is interested, RockPaperShotgun put out the best guide to all bosses I’ve seen yet. Maps and all.

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/elden-ring-boss-locations

[Silent-Runner]

really curious to hear how you'll like the final boss and the end of the game.

[Lazy8s]

really curious to hear how you'll like the final boss and the end of the game.

I’m looking to clear the end tonight or tomorrow morning. I was going for whatever the boss is in Crumbling Faraam a little while ago. I can see what I think is the boss door, but couldn’t find the path to it, so I’ll tackle that during lunch today or something.

I’m planning on doing a review after I clear the game as well.

[Thr0tt]

On the first main boss well the other 50% of it, tough going, got my shield of barrage or something and blood sword of crutch rot again the names may not be accurate here.

Did try the magical roll into invisible which was interesting but I am not great on character control to really use that so standing ground and using the shield seems to pay dividends (as long as they dont come behind you or use fire ffs).

[Silent-Runner]

I’m looking to clear the end tonight or tomorrow morning. I was going for whatever the boss is in Crumbling Faraam a little while ago. I can see what I think is the boss door, but couldn’t find the path to it, so I’ll tackle that during lunch today or something.

I’m planning on doing a review after I clear the game as well.

personally loved it, i'm sure you'll go for a ng+

[Nunz]

I struggle so hard on these ridiculously hyper-aggressive bosses. it's so ****ing irritating..

[Lazy8s]

personally loved it, i'm sure you'll go for a ng+

I jumped in for a few and found the path to the boss. I ate dirt really fast but what a set up. That’s one of the craziest, scariest, coolest bosses I’ve seen yet. I just have to figure out how to not get one shotted in there.

Safe to safe Fromsoft dialed up the difficulty substantially, unless there’s a trick I’m missing. We’ll see.

Edit: I don’t think I’ll go for NG+ yet. I’d rather start a new character using a whole different approach. This build has been primarily sorcery / melee based and I want to see how a faith / arcane tank would do. Tough at the start I’m sure, but knowing where everything is will make a difference.

[Nunz]

Cleared up Castle Morne. It's unbelievable how much stuff there is on just this one map.. it feels overwhelming at times.

[Lazy8s]

Cleared up Castle Morne. It's unbelievable how much stuff there is on just this one map.. it feels overwhelming at times.

You aren’t going to believe how much opens up later. You’re making good progress, but still near the beginning more or less.

[Nunz]

Yeah I went east and discovered a new zone (Caelir or something?)

I killed Margit earlier and briefly explored Stormveil Castle before I headed south to do that area, but gonna clear up Stormveil Castle then figure out where to go next. I need 4 more Faith before I can use the only faith based weapon I've found so far(winged scythe)

[Lazy8s]

That winged scythe is potentially an end game weapon. I’ve watched it being used and am considering making my next build around it.

[Nunz]

I'm going Faith/Strength but I've found myself going a good amount into Dex. I need 16 for the Winged Scythe, which I have already. Dying to get the Runes for the 4 levels I need. I've yet to upgrade any items, still using the Broadsword that I started with as a Confessor.

[koralis]

Killed Edgar..


that's some Halbard. +8 out of the gate? Damn. That holy blast for getting too close sucked too.

"Oh, here's a grace to rest at. Oh, someone resents that."


But at least retries were quick, if not painless.





In other news...


The guy in the Rose Church... bleedtastic. Had him most of the way down and then he vanished. Assuming a bug, but irritating. Will have to return there at some point and try him again. If it Bleeds, it Leads.

The big ol Erdtree guardian guys are fun. Hard, but fun.

[Lazy8s]

I’ve had 2 bosses vanish. We can’t be the only ones, so hopefully patched soon.

On my end, Legend felled.

Malekith The Black Blade took 5 or 6 runs. That was intense. My heart was literally pounding and hands shaking for 2 minutes after the fight.

I haven’t felt that kind of gaming induced excitement since the 1st Dark Souls

Took a run at the next boss, cool set up and I almost had him first run. Next run he will go down…and then ????

My heart can’t take much more of this insane goodness lol.

[Lazy8s]

I made a liar out of myself.

So, I checked and I am for certain on the 2nd to last boss. First attempt I almost had it, but have not been able to repeat that.

After about 8 more attempts, I am (can’t believe I’m saying this) about ready to call it. The boss prior was epic, a perfect battle for the end of the game.

This one? Godfrey the second coming. Both phases are arena wide (literally) AOE attacks that stagger and do massive damage, and it’s literally one after the other. Grab attacks are just shy of one shots.

How can FromSoft go from so epic to such garbage between 2 bosses that are for all practical purposes, right next to each other. It’s just tedious and painful at this point.

I’ll try again obviously, but man….

And for those who would suggest using a trainer….No. Just no.

[shrike126]

And for those who would suggest using a trainer….No. Just no.

So, about that...

I'm playing on Xbox but seriously considering picking up the PC version because eventually there will be mods for this and I want to play those. Trouble is, I am 50+ hours into this game, and likely going to add another 50+ hours before I'm done.

I do not want to start from scratch on PC, so considering something to bump up stats to get a head start like 40 pts in each (but I'd still go collect all the armor, weapons, and items on my own). But don't want to do that if it means getting banned and unable to play on PC with friends.

Is that doable or is using anything like that pretty much insta-ban from playing online co-op? I don't invade or do PVP literally EVER so no I'm not going to go ganking anyone.

[Lazy8s]

So, about that...

I'm playing on Xbox but seriously considering picking up the PC version because eventually there will be mods for this and I want to play those. Trouble is, I am 50+ hours into this game, and likely going to add another 50+ hours before I'm done.

I do not want to start from scratch on PC, so considering something to bump up stats to get a head start like 40 pts in each (but I'd still go collect all the armor, weapons, and items on my own). But don't want to do that if it means getting banned and unable to play on PC with friends.

Is that doable or is using anything like that pretty much insta-ban from playing online co-op? I don't invade or do PVP literally EVER so no I'm not going to go ganking anyone.

I honestly don’t know…with Dark Souls 3 mods, if caught you weren’t VAC banned on steam, just on FromSofts servers. Always play offline and delete character builds before going back online in the game.

This game? I don’t know if you would get VAC banned or not.

I actually thought about grabbing this on the PS5, but haven’t yet.

This is still GOTD for me, but I’m just at a loss at how they gave the ok to such wildly varying extremes as far as boss design goes.

They brought me to the top of the mountain. I didn’t know it was so they could throw my hairy ass off

[Lazy8s]

Second to last boss down. Gotta be honest, there might be players that enjoy that kind of an encounter, but I don’t.

AOEAOEAOEAOEAOEAOEAOEAOEAOEAOEAOE

[eNforcer]

Why oh why did I wait until now to get the Mimic Tear , so good. I fully upgraded it.

[YellowBeard]

Thanks man. I can’t then. I have the right stone for a standard weapon, not the somber stone though.

Anyway, Working my way through Mohgwyn Palace right now. I’m getting some great loot, but man the bleed is real. I’m actually nervous about facing the boss of this place lol.

Yellowbeard - I finished that quest. It was good No idea what to do with the item I got yet, but I’ll figure it out eventually ….maybe lol.

Nice. I ended up skipping like 4 or 5 steps of it from my own exploration. I pretty much had all the items she wanted already. Now I just gotta meet her down in the deeps and continue from there. We'll see what happens from here.


Moved on to the mountain path now, kinda surprising the difference in encounters. Margot went down easy, but everything on the mountain path is tankier and hits harder than what I've been doing. Also, don't really give a lot of runes. I'm used to hitting a wall and the area provides the needed resources to make it manageable. Just a weird transition.

[YellowBeard]

Yeah I went east and discovered a new zone (Caelir or something?)

I killed Margit earlier and briefly explored Stormveil Castle before I headed south to do that area, but gonna clear up Stormveil Castle then figure out where to go next. I need 4 more Faith before I can use the only faith based weapon I've found so far(winged scythe)

It's not bad and the weapon skill is pretty nifty in that it also prevents invaders from using potions for a time.

You'll find another faith based scythe later on. They're kind of mirrors of each other? One scales better with Faith, the other scales better with Dex.

Can't remember which of the two the winged scythe is.

I'm still using primarily the grave scythe, but that's mainly as it's a "normal" weapon that I can pick and choose weapon arts in it so I can play around with it a little more.

I still need to decide on a decent striking weapon to use as an alternate when there isn't a grace nearby for me to mess with my weapon arts at.

[Lazy8s]

Nice. I ended up skipping like 4 or 5 steps of it from my own exploration. I pretty much had all the items she wanted already. Now I just gotta meet her down in the deeps and continue from there. We'll see what happens from here.


Moved on to the mountain path now, kinda surprising the difference in encounters. Margot went down easy, but everything on the mountain path is tankier and hits harder than what I've been doing. Also, don't really give a lot of runes. I'm used to hitting a wall and the area provides the needed resources to make it manageable. Just a weird transition.

If you need runes look up Mohgwyn Palace. How’s a million and hour sound?

[Lazy8s]

Why oh why did I wait until now to get the Mimic Tear , so good. I fully upgraded it.

It is.

Have you beat the game yet? It seemed you were a step or 2 ahead of me.

[Lazy8s]

Game is finished

Ok so I rolled the credits a few minutes ago, game beaten fair and square. As nearly as I can tell I cleared about 90% of all the games bosses and opened all maps there are to open.

This is my GOTD no doubt. But not all of it sat well with me. Suffice to say there is something for everyone in this, all types of battles and I’ve never bashed a game because I simply didn’t like something about it. What I don’t enjoy many others probably do.

So…I’ll probably write a short review on it after I gather my thoughts. For the moment though I’m going to start a new build and focus on entirely different attributes and play style. This 2nd run will be the one I relax and take my sweet time on.

[Exposed]

My weak wretched mage is still trudging along. This one ended in a double KO.

[yt]jkVoAyYmklM[/yt]

[Meteor_of_War]

Ok so I rolled the credits a few minutes ago, game beaten fair and square. As nearly as I can tell I cleared about 90% of all the games bosses and opened all maps there are to open.



This is my GOTD no doubt. But not all of it sat well with me. Suffice to say there is something for everyone in this, all types of battles and I?ve never bashed a game because I simply didn?t like something about it. What I don?t enjoy many others probably do.



So?I?ll probably write a short review on it after I gather my thoughts. For the moment though I?m going to start a new build and focus on entirely different attributes and play style. This 2nd run will be the one I relax and take my sweet time on.

Awesome, congrats.

In your review be sure to let us know what you ended up for level and loadout by the end. I am curious what would be considered a good ending level, and what would be considered OP.

[Lazy8s]

Awesome, congrats.

In your review be sure to let us know what you ended up for level and loadout by the end. I am curious what would be considered a good ending level, and what would be considered OP.

Will do.

[Lazy8s]

Mini-review time

Ok here we go. I'll keep this spoiler free, but here's the stats and gear I beat the game with.






-CleanRot Knight armor set
-Sword of Night and Flame +9
-Brass Shield +20
-Arsenal Charm talisman
-Erdtree's Favor talisman
-Mottled Necklace Charm
-Pearldrake talisman

Great Rune used was Morgott's.

I'll keep this short. GOTD for sure. That said, there were extremes for me regarding preferences. But I'll start with the world itself.

I have 111 hours on this build per Steam, and the world is a crowning achievement. The variety of flora and fauna, the use of great depths to lower maps to towering, palm sweaty type climbs up massive structures is beyond anything I've ever played before.
Caves are hidden from beach level to mountain tops, and sometimes on cliff faces that require some very cool equine parkour to reach.
Enemies are as varied and densely packed as anything else in the game, including loot.

Obscure clues are everywhere, on items you pick up to ghostly shades you can speak with to any of the many NPCs scattered throughout the game.

And sometimes, night time can bring special and unexpected challenges to an other wise seemingly boring area.

I said I would keep it short, but I simply can't give this world enough praise.

Bosses and combat > This game literally runs the gamut from some of the most annoying enemies and bosses to some that are among the best I've seen in a video game. Some hilarious, some annoying, and some just terrifyingly beautiful as they rip you to pieces.

FromSoftware has added some, for me, unwelcome boss tactics. So there's my chief complaint. Their games were always known and admired for the "Tough but fair" boss battles.

Throw that notion out the window. Some of these bosses are made to murder, anger, annoy and disillusion players. I'm fairly good at Souls type games, and I had to walk away multiple times.

The other side of the coin though, is that after battling through just to get to the boss in some occasions, and then meeting and eventually defeating that majestic, terrifying and beautiful monster, well done. You know you've earned it.
This game brought back ALL of the magic from my very first Dark Souls play through, and then some. Terror at not being able to find the next grace, disbelief at what I had to go through to reach the end.

Meteor_of_War asked me to tough on what I think might be OP for endgame. The truth is, I do not know. At level 146, and being able to wreck most everything in the game, the final 2 bosses required much more skill and timing than most other bosses. I lost many times to both. It was quite painful and quite a relief when they went down.

That's all for now. Enjoy the game people.

FromSoft > I hate you, and I love you.
Thanks for the ride

[eNforcer]

It is.

Have you beat the game yet? It seemed you were a step or 2 ahead of me.

I've been really grinding looking in all the nooks and crannies for new stuff lol. There's so much to find, and in surprising ways. The game is massive. So I'm focused on that, as well as trying to kill Malenia . I've probably spent 3 hours on her trying different tactics lol.

[Mangler]

I think that there is too many things that can kill you in 1-2 shots in elden ring.