Elden Ring: New Fromsoft rpg

[Meteor_of_War]

Absolutely correct, there are players who have beaten it at SL1.

However, I was talking about pure melee characters. Or to casual or new players asking about why are they getting 1-shot. A large portion of the playerbase will not have the 'damage avoidance' skills of the hardcore Souls fanbase and will be eating heavy damage occasionally.

There is a reason the new diminishing returns on stats kick in higher, FROM is clearly indicating that in this game, for the majority of the playerbase at least, the typical old school Souls stat layouts no longer apply.

I understand the thing about players with low Vigor complaining about being one-shotted. But when you are above 40 I wouldn't consider that low Vigor anymore, especially if in a non end game area. Also I would wager no one actively posting in this thread that is still playing the game can be considered a casual or new player. Pretty sure we are all fairly experienced Souls-like players here and understand the build attributes system of Elden Ring.

My gripe of this particular boss was due to the actual mechanics of the fight. This thing has a move that essentially drains all my HP at 45 Vigor, and is very hard to avoid even if you see it coming. Also, I'm pretty sure if my Vigor was even higher I'd still get one-shotted, since the bleed proc is guaranteed. Other than that its a pretty standard fight. Its just that one stupid move it has that I feel borders on unfair territory.

I am honestly not one who generally complains about this sort of thing. I am fine with tough one-shot attacks from bosses, especially when its a totally optional and out of the way boss fight of no real consequence. They suck but its to be expected in these games sometimes. Ultimately I just really don't like the fact that its so hard (impossible?) to block or avoid that move.

[shrike126]

Yes, the duo.

Edit: So I decided to give the Sword of Milo’s a try.

https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/Sword+of+Milos

This thing is just…wicked. L2 debuffs enemy protections for a minute and the result is just ridiculous. I’m going for the dung eaters ashes next. I didn’t know they existed until I stumbled across a yt video. I might well have been wrong about Tiche and the mimic being the best in the game. Wrong by a lot lol.

Okay. That worked pretty ****in' well. I only used the NPC summon and blood flies because my Mind stat isn't leveled up enough yet to use Tiche, so I went in a few times with just the two of us. First off, the NPC really handles himself pretty well in this fight. So that was helpful. I tried a strategy a few times of putting one of them to sleep with Sleepbone arrows but the NPC kept waking up the fat one. Not that it was his fault, it's just that the skinny one kept backing up into the fat one so they'd both get hit.

Gave your suggestion of bone flies a try this time and it went much better. Worked on only the second try with the NPC keeping skinny guy busy while I introduced the fat one to some pillars and blood flies over and over again.

For God Skin chat: Apparently I went the long way round to that fight as there's multiple ways to enter it. There's a route if you drop down the hole instead of jumping to the grace that will place you at a different grace that has a summon sign for NPC help if you did the first volcano manor quest, you can summon one of the recusants in the volcano manor. . Having an NPC, a normal summon, and yourself makes the fight not bad. I found out that this doesn't seem to be the normal way people get to the fight, but it was the way I stumbled into it and made it pretty manageable.

Also, at that vigor chat. I stopped at 46 or something on my playthrough, probably explains some things.

That route is the one I took but it's not ideal. If it's the door I'm thinking of, you walk into the room directly next to the Duo, so you basically start the fight having to run away to get some distance. There is another entrance that has the NPC summon sign too. I think there's 3 doors into their room and 2 of them must have that summon sign, maybe all 3. But the door on the right, right next to the Duo, doesn't have any knights to deal with between the Grace and the door, so that was nice.

[Lazy8s]

Okay. That worked pretty ****in' well. I only used the NPC summon and blood flies because my Mind stat isn't leveled up enough yet to use Tiche, so I went in a few times with just the two of us. First off, the NPC really handles himself pretty well in this fight. So that was helpful. I tried a strategy a few times of putting one of them to sleep with Sleepbone arrows but the NPC kept waking up the fat one. Not that it was his fault, it's just that the skinny one kept backing up into the fat one so they'd both get hit.

Gave your suggestion of bone flies a try this time and it went much better. Worked on only the second try with the NPC keeping skinny guy busy while I introduced the fat one to some pillars and blood flies over and over again.



That route is the one I took but it's not ideal. If it's the door I'm thinking of, you walk into the room directly next to the Duo, so you basically start the fight having to run away to get some distance. There is another entrance that has the NPC summon sign too. I think there's 3 doors into their room and 2 of them must have that summon sign, maybe all 3. But the door on the right, right next to the Duo, doesn't have any knights to deal with between the Grace and the door, so that was nice.

Glad that worked for you Shrike

I have to find that npc summons this time around. I need to level a lot before then though. I have full access to the area, but I haven’t even reached the snowfields yet. Still around level 90 and Ima scared lol.

[Meteor_of_War]

I'm still working my way through Mountaintop of the Giants region, about to raid Castle Sol. I promised myself I would not go out of my way exploring every inch of areas from now on, luckily this place does seem less dense than the earlier areas.

I have to say though, I am starting to grow slightly bored of the game. Not saying totally dropping it but the luster is starting to wear off. Also it just feels never ending. I'm at 82 hours logged and I have no clear sight of a path to the end game. I really spent too much time early in the playthrough exploring which has bloated my playtime immensely. Starting to think about taking a break for a while to get that urge to play back.

[Lazy8s]

I'm still working my way through Mountaintop of the Giants region, about to raid Castle Sol. I promised myself I would not go out of my way exploring every inch of areas from now on, luckily this place does seem less dense than the earlier areas.

I have to say though, I am starting to grow slightly bored of the game. Not saying totally dropping it but the luster is starting to wear off. Also it just feels never ending. I'm at 82 hours logged and I have no clear sight of a path to the end game. I really spent too much time early in the playthrough exploring which has bloated my playtime immensely. Starting to think about taking a break for a while to get that urge to play back.

If it helps, Mountaintop of the giants is where you open end game levels and content. If you were to stick to the story path alone, you could probably beat the game within another 5-8 hours…assuming a fairly straight path through without getting too sidetracked. Maybe not even that long.

You would have all the rest to explore after the credits roll.

Click below to see how many main story bosses you have left.

Edit: If I’m counting right (just double checked) you have 6 main story boss encounters to roll the credits once you hit the Mountaintop.

[Meteor_of_War]

If it helps, Mountaintop of the giants is where you open end game levels and content. If you were to stick to the story path alone, you could probably beat the game within another 5-8 hours…assuming a fairly straight path through without getting too sidetracked. Maybe not even that long.

You would have all the rest to explore after the credits roll.

Hmm, only 5-8 hours from where I am now? I don't care about spoilers anymore because honestly I just have zero interest in the game's story, so I looked up how many more required bosses I have left - seven. If that is true, and judging by the pacing of the game to this point I find that hard to believe I could do it in 5-8 hours. Unless some of them are grouped together which I wouldn't be surprised of. So yeah, maybe things just start to increase in pace from here.

I don't know. Just thinking I still have seven more to go that are required, it just makes me dread playing. I think I do need a break.

[Lazy8s]

Hmm, only 5-8 hours from where I am now? I don't care about spoilers anymore because honestly I just have zero interest in the game's story, so I looked up how many more required bosses I have left - seven. If that is true, and judging by the pacing of the game to this point I find that hard to believe I could do it in 5-8 hours. Unless some of them are grouped together which I wouldn't be surprised of. So yeah, maybe things just start to increase in pace from here.

I don't know. Just thinking I still have seven more to go that are required, it just makes me dread playing. I think I do need a break.

It depends on where you looked up a list. I just saw that some sites are listing certain 2 phase fights as separate encounters. Like Godfrey / Hourah Loux and Radagon / Elden beast It’s 2 encounters, not 4 as listed. that kind of thing…

I’m mainly using tags for others - I know you said you didn’t mind….

[Meteor_of_War]

It depends on where you looked up a list. I just saw that some sites are listing certain 2 phase fights as separate encounters. Like Godfrey / Hourah Loux and Radagon / Elden beast It’s 2 encounters, not 4 as listed. that kind of thing…

I’m mainly using tags for others - I know you said you didn’t mind….

Ahh, OK yeah that explains why you said 6 and the article I sourced said 7. They have Godfrey / Hourah Loux as one boss fight, but Radagon / Elden beast as two separate ones. That's definitely inconsistent. So I have 6 required left.

Well maybe it would go quicker than I'm thinking. But what throws me is that's half of the games required bosses still, lol. It just seems like a lot, if thinking there's content to do in between and not just hitting each boss back to back in succession.

We'll see how this weekend goes. I do foresee having a good amount of free time so maybe I'll get through it. I am starting to feel the game is just a tad too long though lol.

[Lazy8s]

Ahh, OK yeah that explains why you said 6 and the article I sourced said 7. They have Godfrey / Hourah Loux as one boss fight, but Radagon / Elden beast as two separate ones. That's definitely inconsistent. So I have 6 required left.

Well maybe it would go quicker than I'm thinking. But what throws me is that's half of the games required bosses still, lol. It just seems like a lot, if thinking there's content to do in between and not just hitting each boss back to back in succession.

We'll see how this weekend goes. I do foresee having a good amount of free time so maybe I'll get through it. I am starting to feel the game is just a tad too long though lol.

Just for FYI on those bosses If you look up location, you can practically sprint straight to the fire giant. That opens Crumbling Faraam Azula. Between the Godskin duo and getting to Malekith….maybe 2 hours in that level.

Malekith>Godfrey>Final boss fight are all practically back to back.

Hope that fills out the set up for you a bit.

[shrike126]

So, I just finished Malekith. Which, was a fight that I was not expecting. I knew the name and stuff. But...

... I wasn't expecting it to be beast guy.

I finished him off. I think I saw the path people were talking about to go down and take on the dragon. Haven't done that yet (conference calls). So now I'm in the city of ash. Any stuff you can think of to go check out that I might've missed? I still have Haligtree to do in its entirety, and I think some more exploration in Deeproot.

[Meteor_of_War]

Just for FYI on those bosses If you look up location, you can practically sprint straight to the fire giant. That opens Crumbling Faraam Azula. Between the Godskin duo and getting to Malekith….maybe 2 hours in that level.

Malekith>Godfrey>Final boss fight are all practically back to back.

Hope that fills out the set up for you a bit.

Yeah man thanks. I guess its looking like I actually am pretty close to the end of the main story bits. Its just the fact the game is so easy to get off track with, I feel like I may waste time in a wrong direction.

When I started out I intended to try to stay on the main quest, then come back to optional content after. But the problem with Elden Ring is there's really no easy way to tell what is the most efficient direction. Its a mess really unless you're using a guide which I am not. Sure, the graces point the way, but they also sometimes point to optional areas. I have avoided spoilers regarding exploration and direction, because I do enjoy exploring and finding my own way. But its just taking too damn long because the game is just so huge and daunting.

Thinking more on it, I feel like I am ready to close out the story portion of this game and get to the point where I can put it into a state of just playing once in a while to mess around with and explore areas I may have missed. Its like, I get the point Elden Ring... uncle uncle!

[Lazy8s]

Yeah man thanks. I guess its looking like I actually am pretty close to the end of the main story bits. Its just the fact the game is so easy to get off track with, I feel like I may waste time in a wrong direction.

When I started out I intended to try to stay on the main quest, then come back to optional content after. But the problem with Elden Ring is there's really no easy way to tell what is the most efficient direction. Its a mess really unless you're using a guide which I am not. Sure, the graces point the way, but they also sometimes point to optional areas. I have avoided spoilers regarding exploration and direction, because I do enjoy exploring and finding my own way. But its just taking too damn long because the game is just so huge and daunting.

Thinking more on it, I feel like I am ready to close out the story portion of this game and get to the point where I can put it into a state of just playing once in a while to mess around with and explore areas I may have missed. Its like, I get the point Elden Ring... uncle uncle!

Uncle! I’m fortunate because this is exactly the kind of game I can play and experiment with for a loooong time

I get it though, really do. It can wear you down.

[Lazy8s]

So, I just finished Malekith. Which, was a fight that I was not expecting. I knew the name and stuff. But...

... I wasn't expecting it to be beast guy.

I finished him off. I think I saw the path people were talking about to go down and take on the dragon. Haven't done that yet (conference calls). So now I'm in the city of ash. Any stuff you can think of to go check out that I might've missed? I still have Haligtree to do in its entirety, and I think some more exploration in Deeproot.

There’s at least one higher version of a talisman in Ash city - did you get into the Shunning Grounds by any chance?

That’s all that comes to mind at the moment…I post more if I remember anything.

That said, you don’t have to start NG+ after the final boss. Just choose to keep playing NG

[Meteor_of_War]

Uncle! I’m fortunate because this is exactly the kind of game I can play and experiment with for a loooong time

I get it though, really do. It can wear you down.

Yep that's exactly the words for it - worn down.

I have been pushing my normal gaming time to the absolute limits this past month with Elden Ring. I do not normally play this much with a single game. Even recently with the two Nioh games, I put this much time into those as well but I believe it was over a longer period.

Also, Nioh's mission based structure is more clear and you can better see you path of progress. With Elden Ring part of the issue for me was putting in all this time already, and still not knowing how much I have left. Looking at the remaining [required] boss list I can see what the path looks like now.

But yeah, without knowing its a daunting thing. Plus, I know there's at least a few big areas I skipped that I wanted to return to at some point. That will be saved for much later on though. So much to this game! I think I am officially burned out.

[Lazy8s]

Yep that's exactly the words for it - worn down.

I have been pushing my normal gaming time to the absolute limits this past month with Elden Ring. I do not normally play this much with a single game. Even recently with the two Nioh games, I put this much time into those as well but I believe it was over a longer period.

Also, Nioh's mission based structure is more clear and you can better see you path of progress. With Elden Ring part of the issue for me was putting in all this time already, and still not knowing how much I have left. Looking at the remaining [required] boss list I can see what the path looks like now.

But yeah, without knowing its a daunting thing. Plus, I know there's at least a few big areas I skipped that I wanted to return to at some point. That will be saved for much later on though. So much to this game! I think I am officially burned out.

When Meteor_Of_War is burnt out over open world Souls > END OF DAYS!

[Meteor_of_War]

When Meteor_Of_War is burnt out over open world Souls > END OF DAYS!

Eh, honestly I just don't think I am into these From Soft games as much as I used to be. Nioh was a real wake up call for me.

I think Miyazaki needs to overhaul their combat system, its definitely getting stale in some areas. As of now if they were to release another game with this same slow feel to the combat with all the same tropes I think I might pass on it.

[shrike126]

There’s at least one higher version of a talisman in Ash city - did you get into the Shunning Grounds by any chance?

That’s all that comes to mind at the moment…I post more if I remember anything.

That said, you don’t have to start NG+ after the final boss. Just choose to keep playing NG

I thought I did but then a friend mentioned a boss that is down there and now I'm exploring it again and realized there's a whole area down here that I missed. The big round stairs area.

[Lazy8s]

Eh, honestly I just don't think I am into these From Soft games as much as I used to be. Nioh was a real wake up call for me.

I think Miyazaki needs to overhaul their combat system, its definitely getting stale in some areas. As of now if they were to release another game with this same slow feel to the combat with all the same tropes I think I might pass on it.

In all honesty, the combat in this game is really lacking. Ashes of war are great IF you can get your hit off, AOEs and grabs with massive damage are just disappointing.

this play through (3rd lol) will be my last for a while - I just want to over level as much as possible, tweak, troll whatever lol.

[Lazy8s]

I thought I did but then a friend mentioned a boss that is down there and now I'm exploring it again and realized there's a whole area down here that I missed. The big round stairs area.

Yeah it’s easy to miss. I know who’s down there. GL man

J/k

[Meteor_of_War]

In all honesty, the combat in this game is really lacking. Ashes of war are great IF you can get your hit off, AOEs and grabs with massive damage are just disappointing.

this play through (3rd lol) will be my last for a while - I just want to over level as much as possible, tweak, troll whatever lol.

Of course I think From Soft's combat is still head and shoulders above most other similar genre games. I just think it might be time for an overhaul to the fundamentals.

I mean despite additional features like ashes of war, guard counters, critical strike chances from staggering, etc, which are great quality of life improvements, it still plays very much like their games from over a decade ago. There are a lot of things they have never really changed and newer game series like Nioh have come along and improved the game style in almost every way. Yet here we are with another new game from them that plays very much the same. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying its bad. I just want to see some bigger evolution in the basics of the combat. More of those quality of life improvements especially. I'm bad at making examples, but one thing that always bothers me is the queued inputs and overall sluggish feel of the moment to moment combat. I know this is the very foundation of their combat mechanics, but it just feels a bit dated now which is why I wish they would just rebuild it from the ground up and make it feel more modern.

Its starting to remind me of Bethesda's RPG engine. They just keep churning out game after game on the same tired old engine with little to no improvements and its showing its age. From Soft, like Bethesda, sells a ton of copies of their games. They can afford to rework things. I think they are just reluctant to take the risk.

[Lazy8s]

Of course I think From Soft's combat is still head and shoulders above most other similar genre games. I just think it might be time for an overhaul to the fundamentals.

I mean despite additional features like ashes of war, guard counters, critical strike chances from staggering, etc, which are great quality of life improvements, it still plays very much like their games from over a decade ago. There are a lot of things they have never really changed and newer game series like Nioh have come along and improved the game style in almost every way. Yet here we are with another new game from them that plays very much the same. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying its bad. I just want to see some bigger evolution in the basics of the combat. More of those quality of life improvements especially. I'm bad at making examples, but one thing that always bothers me is the queued inputs and overall sluggish feel of the moment to moment combat. I know this is the very foundation of their combat mechanics, but it just feels a bit dated now which is why I wish they would just rebuild it from the ground up.

Its starting to remind me of Bethesda's RPG engine. They just keep churning out game after game on the same tired old engine with little to no improvements and its showing its age. From Soft, like Bethesda, sells a ton of copies of their games. They can afford to rework things. I think they are just reluctant to take the risk.

I completely agree. My take on it is that Fromsoft added enemy mechanics, mostly to their boss fights, that would almost fit a TN Nioh enemy style. Speed, big flashy AOEs and ranged attacks etc, but they didn’t give the player really adequate tools to deal with those changes the way Nioh did, speed being one of the most obvious. By the time I catch up with it after it flies/jumps to the other side of the map it’s ready for it’s next attack/jump/flight etc. I get tired of chasing them down and while I handled them all, as you are, it gets tiresome. I’m yelling at the screen JUST STAY PUT DAMMIT!

Yeah, I completely agree with you buddy.

[Meteor_of_War]

I completely agree. My take on it is that Fromsoft added enemy mechanics, mostly to their boss fights, that would almost fit a TN Nioh enemy style. Speed, big flashy AOEs and ranged attacks etc, but they didn?t give the player really adequate tools to deal with those changes the way Nioh did, speed being one of the most obvious. By the time I catch up with it after it flies/jumps to the other side of the map it?s ready for it?s next attack/jump/flight etc. I get tired of chasing them down and while I handled them all, as you are, it gets tiresome. I?m yelling at the screen JUST STAY PUT DAMMIT!



Yeah, I completely agree with you buddy.

It's pretty obvious to me, and I'm sure lots of other long time Souls players feel similarly. Even some of the devs probably, but there's likely higher ups that weigh the profit benefits of a combat engine overhaul over just keeping things status quo and go with the latter. Especially when seeing current sales numbers, which will likely reinforce the decision to keep things as they are in that department.

Have to say with complete certainty, the only reason i decided to buy and play Elden Ring was for the change to big open world. That has been great and definitely sold me on it, but if they continue to keep the core gameplay unchanged i probably won't bother with their next game(s). At least at launch for full price.

[Lazy8s]

It's pretty obvious to me, and I'm sure lots of other long time Souls players feel similarly. Even some of the devs probably, but there's likely higher ups that weigh the profit benefits of a combat engine overhaul over just keeping things status quo and go with the latter. Especially when seeing current sales numbers, which will likely reinforce the decision to keep things as they are in that department.

Have to say with complete certainty, the only reason i decided to buy and play Elden Ring was for the change to big open world. That has been great and definitely sold me on it, but if they continue to keep the core gameplay unchanged i probably won't bother with their next game(s). At least at launch for full price.

Same here. I love this open world. It’s still a little intimidating, but the exploration is just top notch, but I really do want to see some QoL improvements for player combat. I would also just love to see the ability to co-op with no invasions. I watched some pvp on YouTube and…my feelings on haven’t changed. Niche to the max, and way over rated in Myazaki’s eyes apparently.

[Meteor_of_War]

Same here. I love this open world. It’s still a little intimidating, but the exploration is just top notch, but I really do want to see some QoL improvements for player combat. I would also just love to see the ability to co-op with no invasions. I watched some pvp on YouTube and…my feelings on haven’t changed. Niche to the max, and way over rated in Myazaki’s eyes apparently.

Agreed, there should be an option to do the MP aspect however the player wants. I don't see why they can't just add more options for that sort of thing. An opt-in setting to just have co-op with no invasions would be fine. Or a private/password setting so you can restrict to only playing with friends. Its no secret most people who do co-op are not looking to get invaded, and honestly I'd bet most of them hate being invaded.

I suppose it just goes against From Soft's vision of how multiplayer should be. Want to make the game easier by having a co-op partner? Then you need to have the risk/reward of invasions as well.

Personally I have just soured on PvP. I just don't care for it anymore. In the beginning the concept seemed great. Since the game allows for so many build types, you would never know what kind of crazy match ups there would be. But unfortunately a lot of PvP'ers end up using the same weapons/armor/skills/spells, whatever is most OP for PvP. It gets old really fast. Also, you need to play a lot and have a good understanding of the PvP meta to really compete. Just don't have any desire to get into it anymore.

[Lazy8s]

Agreed, there should be an option to do the MP aspect however the player wants. I don't see why they can't just add more options for that sort of thing. An opt-in setting to just have co-op with no invasions would be fine. Or a private/password setting so you can restrict to only playing with friends. Its no secret most people who do co-op are not looking to get invaded, and honestly I'd bet most of them hate being invaded.

I suppose it just goes against From Soft's vision of how multiplayer should be. Want to make the game easier by having a co-op partner? Then you need to have the risk/reward of invasions as well.

Personally I have just soured on PvP. I just don't care for it anymore. In the beginning the concept seemed great. Since the game allows for so many build types, you would never know what kind of crazy match ups there would be. But unfortunately a lot of PvP'ers end up using the same weapons/armor/skills/spells, whatever is most OP for PvP. It gets old really fast. Also, you need to play a lot and have a good understanding of the PvP meta to really compete. Just don't have any desire to get into it anymore.

Agree on all of this, again I don’t mind increased enemy hp/damage for co-op, again like Nioh does it, but invasions? I watched a couple where all the invader does is run around spamming ashes of war, that’s it. That’s not even a duel. I’ve also seen 3 person co-op just stamp out an invader in seconds, so what’s the point?

Yeah, if there’s any other cue I would like FromSoft to take from Nioh, it’s the co-op model.

[Lazy8s]

So the Shunning grounds…killed the main boss, then found out there is yet another secret grace, and secret past the final boss.

And….wtf did it do to my character? Time for Google search because what the heck???

[Meteor_of_War]

Just took down the Fire Giant. Have to say, I was not at all impressed by that fight. First phase was fine, not much fun, but fine. But that second phase was a real drag until I figured out the only thing I could possibly do to inflict decent damage - get behind its foot and slowly chop away bit by bit. It was the only reliable safe spot I could find. Of course you could not lock on to the foot in second phase, which was an added PITA.

But whatever he's dead and I just got to Crumbling Farum Azula. Amazing visual design of this place, very nice. I didn't play much of it yet. Just got to that lightning dragon, killed it and it dropped an ancient dragon smithing stone which is awesome, but I need a somber one. Hopefully there's one I can access soon enough. I kind of stumbled upon the Fire Giant unknowingly, so I do still have a good bit of the Mountaintops of the Giants to explore. Will quickly run through it later at least to see if there's any seeds. Oh, I did find the invader that drops the Rivers of Blood sword. Awesome katana!

Anyways I plan to play a good chunk tonight and hopefully make some decent progress towards the end.

[Mangler]

So the Shunning grounds…killed the main boss, then found out there is yet another secret grace, and secret past the final boss.

And….wtf did it do to my character? Time for Google search because what the heck???

You basically unlocked the route to the chaos ending.

[Lazy8s]

You basically unlocked the route to the chaos ending.

Yeah and lost my spirit waifu. She said she gonna kill me lol.

[Lazy8s]

Just took down the Fire Giant. Have to say, I was not at all impressed by that fight. First phase was fine, not much fun, but fine. But that second phase was a real drag until I figured out the only thing I could possibly do to inflict decent damage - get behind its foot and slowly chop away bit by bit. It was the only reliable safe spot I could find. Of course you could not lock on to the foot in second phase, which was an added PITA.

But whatever he's dead and I just got to Crumbling Farum Azula. Amazing visual design of this place, very nice. I didn't play much of it yet. Just got to that lightning dragon, killed it and it dropped an ancient dragon smithing stone which is awesome, but I need a somber one. Hopefully there's one I can access soon enough. I kind of stumbled upon the Fire Giant unknowingly, so I do still have a good bit of the Mountaintops of the Giants to explore. Will quickly run through it later at least to see if there's any seeds. Oh, I did find the invader that drops the Rivers of Blood sword. Awesome katana!

Anyways I plan to play a good chunk tonight and hopefully make some decent progress towards the end.

You’re getting close

Edit: I have to go back to the Shunning Grounds. Missed the best shield in the game….

[Meteor_of_War]

Just took down Godskin Duo. Much more fun than Fire Giant. I kind of liked the gimmick - they kept respawning until you depleted the health bar. Also felt more fair and balanced aggression-wise, I didn't feel completely overwhelmed the whole time. Oh, and only took two attempts which is always nice.

Then as a slight side track I did go over to that Castle Sol just out of curiosity, because I did find it earlier but didn't go in. So that's where Commander Niall is. What a bastard that fight was. He wouldn't stay the hell off me so I ended up just running away and continuously spamming the magic skill from the sword of n&f over and over down his throat. That guy was a total dick.

Other than that I guess I finished Latenna's quest, found her summon in a church far up north in Consecrated Snowfield, after getting the Secret Medallion. That was awesome because the reward was an ancient dragon somber smithing stone. So I was able to take a +10 sword of n&f to Farum azula.

Since just focusing on the main quest today I actually been enjoying the game a lot again. I think I just needed to get some focus and direction back. Farum azula was a fun area. Fighting those banished knights was a blast. the ones in that area remind me of the knights from the original Dark Souls.

[Lazy8s]

Commander Niall is just stupid frustrating. Necessary for the item past him though.

Looking forward to your thoughts in the endgame Meteor

I’ve got my melee build to around level 120 and using the Veterans armor and Great Jar Arsenal talisman this is tanky as heck. I’ve just been messing around the Haligtree map and put the first major boss in the area away with zero problems. Being able to trade hits is nice.

I needed ranged without getting back into sorceries, so went with a standard longbow and I’m not missing the incantations and sorceries like I thought I would.

[Meteor_of_War]

Commander Niall is just stupid frustrating. Necessary for the item past him though.



Looking forward to your thoughts in the endgame Meteor



I?ve got my melee build to around level 120 and using the Veterans armor and Great Jar Arsenal talisman this is tanky as heck. I?ve just been messing around the Haligtree map and put the first major boss in the area away with zero problems. Being able to trade hits is nice.



I needed ranged without getting back into sorceries, so went with a standard longbow and I?m not missing the incantations and sorceries like I thought I would.

Wow you are already back up to level 120? Holy crap man you're fast. I'm just about there now - level 119. But i guess on successive playthroughs you know right where to go for everything.

I think either today or tomorrow I'll reach end game. Planning to set aside a lot of gaming time if all goes well. I just want to check Elden Ring off my list as beaten, then i can casually explore the rest of the game at my leisure.

[Lazy8s]

Wow you are already back up to level 120? Holy crap man you're fast. I'm just about there now - level 119. But i guess on successive playthroughs you know right where to go for everything.

I think either today or tomorrow I'll reach end game. Planning to set aside a lot of gaming time if all goes well. I just want to check Elden Ring off my list as beaten, then i can casually explore the rest of the game at my leisure.

Mohgwyns Palace helps on the leveling by a lot. It’s not only the best farming the game offers if you need quick levels for item stats, but just the regular course of game play from entry to boss yields ~a million runes lol. The boss alone is 500k.

But yes, knowing where things are is a huge help too. Right now I’m just running around collections incantations / spells / talismans and weapons. This last playthrough is my relax and do everything run.

And I want to see how the final bosses are at level ~250ish because screw those guys

[Meteor_of_War]

Mohgwyns Palace helps on the leveling by a lot. It?s not only the best farming the game offers if you need quick levels for item stats, but just the regular course of game play from entry to boss yields ~a million runes lol. The boss alone is 500k.



But yes, knowing where things are is a huge help too. Right now I?m just running around collections incantations / spells / talismans and weapons. This last playthrough is my relax and do everything run.



And I want to see how the final bosses are at level ~250ish because screw those guys

I still don't even know where that place is yet. Should i already have access to it?

[Lazy8s]

I still don't even know where that place is yet. Should i already have access to it?

If you’re in The Consecrated Snowfield, or if you’re not but have both halves of the Haligtree medallion you’ll have access. If you have the medallion, go to the Grand Lift Of Rold. You’ll see a prompt to switch actions when you are in place to activate the lift. Switch and use the secret medallion. That brings you to the consecrated snowfield. There’s a portal on the extreme west end of the map that brings you there.

If you need it I’ll post a map for you showing the location.

Edit: You can also follow White Faced Varre’s (First NPC you meet in the game at the very start) quest line to get there, but that requires invading 3 other players. A quick google on his name will bring up the steps…

[theshadowcult]

**** me, margit was hard, and only killed them with luck. Now im in the castle and damn me those knights are strong. Im like lvl 40-50 and im struggling here. Any tips?

[Lazy8s]

**** me, margit was hard, and only killed them with luck. Now im in the castle and damn me those knights are strong. Im like lvl 40-50 and im struggling here. Any tips?

Backtrack down to Weeping Peninsula and level up some more. That’s an easier (still hard but easier) area to work.

I found that leveling vigor and stamina was best while searching for stones to upgrade equipment.

Generally, find the path of least resistance and keep leveling your build. You got this

Edit: What kind of build are you doing?

[Meteor_of_War]

If you’re in The Consecrated Snowfield, or if you’re not but have both halves of the Haligtree medallion you’ll have access. If you have the medallion, go to the Grand Lift Of Rold. You’ll see a prompt to switch actions when you are in place to activate the lift. Switch and use the secret medallion. That brings you to the consecrated snowfield. There’s a portal on the extreme west end of the map that brings you there.

If you need it I’ll post a map for you showing the location.

Edit: You can also follow White Faced Varre’s (First NPC you meet in the game at the very start) quest line to get there, but that requires invading 3 other players. A quick google on his name will bring up the steps…

Oh yeah, I got to the The Consecrated Snowfield. Was my reward for finishing Castle Sol. I'll have to go back there later.

I'm kind of on a roll at the moment and don't want to go off track. Just beat Maliketh and closed out Farum Azula. That second phase was tough, did not like that bleed attack. Very similar to the Alecto fight. Took a good amount of attempts but finally managed to get it, mostly on luck. Also, they just had to put a damn Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the boss room didn't they. I swear between that and the boss itself I must have spent an hour in that spot.

[Lazy8s]

Oh yeah, I got to the The Consecrated Snowfield. Was my reward for finishing Castle Sol. I'll have to go back there later.

I'm kind of on a roll at the moment and don't want to go off track. Just beat Maliketh and closed out Farum Azula. That second phase was tough, did not like that bleed attack. Very similar to the Alecto fight. Took a good amount of attempts but finally managed to get it, mostly on luck. Also, they just had to put a damn Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the boss room didn't they. I swear between that and the boss itself I must have spent an hour in that spot.

Nice! I had the same thoughts on that particular bit, although on the second phase of that fight I was grinning like an idiot lol. Something about just struck me as one of the coolest things I had seen yet.

You’re on the verge - very little left to do now