Elden Ring

[Ryan81]

As much as I initially hated Lies of P, I decided to play Demon's Souls remake and couldn't stop playing. Didn't matter that I was pretty useless to begin with. Have put in 31 hours and have completed 5 % Reached the Scrapped Watchman in Lies of P.
Think I have found my masochistic side 🤣
I'm now loving these soulslike games, doesn't matter if I die 50 times doing the same thing again and again. Have installed Elden Ring so looking forward to it.

 

[Spacegoat]

So I did indeed get Elden Ring for Christmas. Just ticked over 40hrs in. Enjoying it but it maybe took about 8-10hrs to get fully into it. As cool as the open world is, it feels a little directionless? At least at the beginning anyway (Maybe that's more on me though for not fully paying attention to the story or what the NPC's are talking about. lol). As soon as I started playing with a map open on the laptop, so I could see the points of interest. It started to gel a lot more.

My build so far. Went with the Vagabond class as it seemed to be a pretty good all rounder to start off with. Mainly focused on strength but have popped some points into intelligence to have some kind of a ranged attack. Even if it is fairly weak.

 

[Spacegoat]

Closing in on 60hrs now. About to get started exploring the Altus Plateau section of the map. Just wanted to say that the Valiant Gargoyle's can go and get absolutely bent. By far the worst Boss I've encountered so far. Even worse than Starscourge Radahn (which admittedly I made a lot easier by summoning two randoms to help, who did the majority of the work ). Finally was able to beat them by summoning an NPC and using my Mimic Tear. Thankfully that was enough to distract the second Gargoyle just long enough for me to get rid of the first. So relived to be done with that fight. It gets easy from here, right?

 

[Ryan81]

Closing in on 60hrs now. About to get started exploring the Altus Plateau section. Just wanted to say that the Valiant Gargoyle's can go and get absolutely bent. By far the worst Boss I've encountered so far. Even worse than Starscourge Radahn (which admittedly I made a lot easier by summoning two randoms to help, who did the majority of the work ). Finally was able to beat them by summoning an NPC and using my Mimic Tear. Thankfully that as enough to distract the second Gargoyle just long enough for me to get rid of the first. So relived to be done with that fight.

I always wondered if summoning phantoms to help you defeat bosses is the way these games are truly meant to be played or if the whole online experience has been designed to make life easier?
I did this in Lies of P for the third boss and then it seemed like too much of a walkover. On the other hand, when I defeated Armour Spider and Tower Knight in Demon's Souls I felt such a sense of achievement.
Though I will admit, I was levelling up beyond the recommended soul level when I fought them 😉 so they were slightly easier to cope with.

 

[Spacegoat]

I always wondered if summoning phantoms to help you defeat bosses is the way these games are truly meant to be played or if the whole online experience has been designed to make life easier?
I did this in Lies of P for the third boss and then it seemed like too much of a walkover. On the other hand, when I defeated Armour Spider and Tower Knight in Demon's Souls I felt such a sense of achievement.
Though I will admit, I was levelling up beyond the recommended soul level when I fought them 😉 so they were slightly easier to cope with.

Guess it comes down to personal play style. Did Demon Souls, DS1 and Bloodborne completely solo (over leveling was my way of getting thru them too. Except with the Armoured Spidered which I cheesed with arrows. ). DS3 I ended up summoning a random for help with the final two bosses. I agree nothing at all beats the sense of achievement you get from these games, with finally beating a difficult boss you've been stuck on for ages. But summons are there for a reason. Don't think there is too much wrong with using them to help.

I'm also way too impatient to spend hours doing the same boss over and over again.

 

[Ryan81]

Guess it comes down to personal play style. Did Demon Souls, DS1 and Bloodborne completely solo (over leveling was my way of getting thru them too. Except with the Armoured Spidered which I cheesed with arrows. ). DS3 I ended up summoning a random for help with the final two bosses. I agree nothing at all beats the sense of achievement you get from these games, with finally beating a difficult boss you've been stuck on for ages. But summons are there for a reason. Don't think there is too much wrong with using them to help.

I'm also way too impatient to spend hours doing the same boss over and over again.

Actually, the Armour Spider was far worse for me than Tower Knight. It's getting close enough to it which was the tricky part. At least with the Tower Knight, you have plenty of space to play with.

I eventually managed to find a safe spot on the left directly in front of it by a wooden post. Camped there briefly and then divebombed with my +6 Falchion. Sliced through his armour pretty easily.

But I'm totally in agreement with you when it comes to bosses and summons. If I find I'm doing the same boss time after time, I get fed up eventually 🤣

 

[Meythia]

I always wondered if summoning phantoms to help you defeat bosses is the way these games are truly meant to be played or if the whole online experience has been designed to make life easier?

You are supposed to use the tools that are present - that includes the summons.
But you may make it as unnecessarily difficult as you want.

In Demon Souls the worst boss definitly was the Flamelurker with his absurd levels of aggression, that was close to Bloodborne in general.
Everything else in comparision cant be called anything but easy 😜

 

[Ryan81]

You are supposed to use the tools that are present - that includes the summons.
But you may make it as unnecessarily difficult as you want.

In Demon Souls the worst boss definitly was the Flamelurker with his absurd levels of aggression, that was close to Bloodborne in general.
Everything else in comparision cant be called anything but easy 😜

Yep, I heard that about the Flamelurker. Although I did see a video where a guy kept all the way to the right when entering the fog and the Flamelurker just stood there. Even when he started slashing, he didn't react....

Not sure how hard or easy the other bosses are but they're challenging enough for me 🤣 Mind you, DS and Lies of P are the only soulslike games I've played. Still learning a lot about their mechanics. However, when I began Elden Ring, everything felt so much easier and more familiar.

 

[Meythia]

Although I did see a video where a guy kept all the way to the right when entering the fog and the Flamelurker just stood there

This is the games easy mode

Spoiler: part 1

equip this

then enter boss room and go behind.

Spoiler: part 2

Then simply use poison cloud.
As this spell is not considered an attack, the boss will not look around from where he is attacked but simply lose hp until defeat.
The same method can be used on a few other "difficult" bosses.

 

[Ryan81]

See, I never knew you could hop over wooden fences in DS. Absolutely no tutorial to tell you. Just found out on a YouTube video. I didn't even know how to hold a weapon or shield with both hands.
It was only thanks to the tutorial in Elden Ring that I found the same controls worked for DS.

 

[Spacegoat]

Actually, the Armour Spider was far worse for me than Tower Knight. It's getting close enough to it which was the tricky part. At least with the Tower Knight, you have plenty of space to play with.

Yeah, Tower Knight isn't bad. Altho strangely in my second playthough of DS. He took me around 6 tries, vs the two attempts I did the first time. Armour Spider was just a pain. Could not for the life of me get even remotely close to him. Found the cheese where you can stand behind a pillar, just to the left of the fog door after you enter, and hammer him with arrows.

But I'm totally in agreement with you when it comes to bosses and summons. If I find I'm doing the same boss time after time, I get fed up eventually 🤣

Don't know if you have started Elden Ring yet so I won't spoil the Valiant Gargoyle fight completely. That one just felt a little unfair with a certain attack they would perform. Its ones like that I just end up getting really frustrated with.

In Demon Souls the worst boss definitly was the Flamelurker with his absurd levels of aggression, that was close to Bloodborne in general.
Everything else in comparision cant be called anything but easy 😜

I'd put the Maneater above the Flamelurker. Felt that fight was more difficult (albeit a bit broken) but overall yeah, there's maybe only three or four bosses in DS that I'd say are even remotely hard.

 

[Ryan81]

Yeah, Tower Knight isn't bad. Altho strangely in my second playthough of DS. He took me around 6 tries, vs the two attempts I did the first time. Armour Spider was just a pain. Could not for the life of me get even remotely close to him. Found the cheese where you can stand behind a pillar, just to the left of the fog door after you enter, and hammer him with arrows.


Don't know if you have started Elden Ring yet so I won't spoil the Valiant Gargoyle fight completely. That one just felt a little unfair with a certain attack they would perform. Its ones like that I just end up getting really frustrated with.


I'd put the Maneater above the Flamelurker. Felt that fight was more difficult (albeit a bit broken) but overall yeah, there's maybe only three or four bosses in DS that I'd say are even remotely hard.

I found the first thing the Armour Spider would do is shoot web at you as soon as entering the fog door. I just rolled or lurched diagonally left or right. Sometimes it worked, sometimes not.
Then avoided the fireballs, shield up the whole time and got right in front of him to the left.
Then it makes the melee attack so much easier. Also tried cheesing with arrows but hardly did anything. Would have needed an absolute ton of them 🙄

I started Elden Ring a few days ago. Died by the yellow tree at the beginning against the Scion Griffon or whatever he's called. Then killed the knight in the underground cave and have just emerged at the entrance looking down over a valley with the yellow tree slightly in the distance. I read it's not a good idea to head there straight away 🤣
Looking forward to the whole open world aspect. That's something which is unique to ER over DS, Lies of P and Bloodborne. Should make for a more diverse and interesting experience.

 

[Spacegoat]

Scion Griffon

Man, that thing completely destroyed me in the beginning. Didn't even get the chance to get one hit in.

And I'd say just stay exploring around Limgrave for now. There's a few caves and ruins you can do first, so you can level up a bit. Don't try and push your luck too much.

 

[Ryan81]

Man, that thing completely destroyed me in the beginning. Didn't even get the chance to get one hit in.

And I'd say just stay exploring around Limgrave for now. There's a few caves and ruins you can do first, so you can level up a bit. Don't try and push your luck too much.

I may have got a hit in. Doesn't mean it did anything 🤣

Thing is, I don't know where Limgrave ends and another area begins. So far, I have reached the Gatepost Ruins, the burnt out Dragon Ruins and have just entered the catacombs where there is another site of grace. I thought those Rowa Fruits were the equivalent of DS' Crescent grass.
Found out I need to buy a Crafting Kit from a merchant and I need to find at least 3 sites of grace before meeting Milena to level up. I have already visited 4 but still nothing.

Do they mean 3 excluding the one by Varre, Stone Graveyard and the Cave of Knowledge?

 

[Spacegoat]

hing is, I don't know where Limgrave ends and another area begins.

Yeah, it can be confusing at first. Don't be afraid to use the wiki for help. Every Souls game I've played. Used either the wiki or another guide to help me thru bits of it.

I thought those Rowa Fruits were the equivalent of DS' Crescent grass.

They are but only for your horse, thankfully. As much I loved Demon Souls and enjoyed Bloodborne. Health items being consumable are the worst. Always fearful that I'll run out.

Do they mean 3 excluding the one by Varre, Stone Graveyard and the Cave of Knowledge?

Possibly. To be honest, I did not even know that you had to rest at three Sites of Grace first before Milena appears. She appeared at Gatefront for me. Maybe try resting at the very first site of grace again and then the one at Church of Elleh (which isn't too far from the very first one, just beyond from where the Tree Sentinel Knight roams) and then GateFront? That's the path I took.

 

[Ryan81]

Yeah, it can be confusing at first. Don't be afraid to use the wiki for help. Every Souls game I've played. Used either the wiki or another guide to help me thru bits of it.

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They are but only for your horse, thankfully. As much I loved Demon Souls and enjoyed Bloodborne. Health items being consumable are the worst. Always fearful that I'll run out.

Possibly. To be honest, I did not even know that you had to rest at three Sites of Grace first before Milena appears. She appeared at Gatefront for me. Maybe try resting at the very first site of grace again and then the one at Church of Elleh (which isn't too far from the very first one, just beyond from where the Tree Sentinel Knight roams) and then GateFront? That's the path I took.

Thanks, I think I would definitely always check for tips with these games. Yesterday, reached the fog gate just before the Flamelurker but was too chicken to go in as I'd accumulated 8,500 souls along the way 🤣
So, went all the way back through the tunnels to the Tunnel City Archstone.
Good to know there's a shortcut to get to him but it's quite treacherous. Really can't be bothered going all the way back again 😭

Ah yes, Torrent. I've heard of him. Apparently, Milena summons him when you meet her.
I think I reached Gatefront but didn't explore that much. I sort of took a sharp right from Varre to avoid the guy on horseback down in the valley. That then took me to the Dragon Ruins along with those delightful giant dragonflies and huge crab-like creatures that remind me of the 'lobstrosities' in Stephen King's "The Dark Tower"

Sounds like you took a slightly more linear path towards the giant yellow tree. Perhaps I should try that. Does she just appear out of nowhere or...?

 

[Spacegoat]

Yesterday, reached the fog gate just before the Flamelurker but was too chicken to go in as I'd accumulated 8,500 souls along the way 🤣
So, went all the way back through the tunnels to the Tunnel City Archstone.
Good to know there's a shortcut to get to him but it's quite treacherous. Really can't be bothered going all the way back again 😭

Went the long way to the Flamelurker too. Saw the other way but I wasn't sure what the correct path to jump down was and it just looked and sounded too risky, so I didn't bother.

Does she just appear out of nowhere or...?

Yeah, a cut scene should start as soon as you interact with a site of grace.

 

[Ryan81]

Went the long way to the Flamelurker too. Saw the other way but I wasn't sure what the correct path to jump down was and it just looked and sounded too risky, so I didn't bother.

Yeah, a cut scene should start as soon as you interact with a site of grace.

I know the route down where the shortcut is. It's just that it takes half your health getting there after falling from great heights.
Died loads of times to the sodding Flamelurker. Soul Arrows are too cumbersome and take ages. Imbuing my Falchion with magic does far more damage. But I can't seem to effectively dodge without getting knocked severely at some stage. Used so much grass items up until now. At this rate, I'll have to go back to Boletaria 1-1 and 1-2 to farm for health items 🙄

I mean, I'm on SL 40, ffs! Surely, that's high enough to get rid of the thing. I've used flame resistance ring, thief's ring (doesn't do anything), my ordinary Falchion does very little damage even though it has 145 damage. I always need to imbue it with magic (which also loses you precious seconds)

I heard that the Crescent Falchion in Storm of Shrines is very good against him. Is that perhaps a better weapon than the standard Falchion?

As for ER, nah, no sign of her yet. Interacted with 4 so far, I can only assume I haven't found 3 other site of graces excluding the 3 you first come across....

 

[Spacegoat]

At this rate, I'll have to go back to Boletaria 1-1 and 1-2 to farm for health items 🙄

Yeah, the joy of consumable health items, right? 😅

The two Blue Eye Knights just before the Tower Knight area are good for farming Half Moon Grass. Its a good grinding spot as well. I assume any weapon would be good enough. Is your Falchion upgraded in anyway? I just went for a strength build with turning the Claymore into a Crushing Claymore. It did the job against the Flamelurker quite nicely. Altho, I did two hand for the enitre fight.

As for ER, nah, no sign of her yet. Interacted with 4 so far, I can only assume I haven't found 3 other site of graces excluding the 3 you first come across....

Don't know why she hasn't turned up for you yet. Maybe time to look up some Youtube vids or something?

 

[Ryan81]

Yeah, the joy of consumable health items, right? 😅

The two Blue Eye Knights just before the Tower Knight area are good for farming Half Moon Grass. Its a good grinding spot as well. I assume any weapon would be good enough. Is your Falchion upgraded in anyway? I just went for a strength build with turning the Claymore into a Crushing Claymore. It did the job against the Flamelurker quite nicely. Altho, I did two hand for the enitre fight.


Don't know why she hasn't turned up for you yet. Maybe time to look up some Youtube vids or something?

I think I've found out my problem with the Flamelurker. Some say not to use shields against him. But my Heater Shield is at +6 and I did try blocking against him and it did quite a good job.
My Falchion is +7 but without enchanting it with magic, it's not that effective. With magic, it gets his health going pretty quickly.
Where I was going wrong was being too greedy. Running at him and trying to slash him 6 times in one go.
Patience is key- slash him a couple of times, run away. Wait for him to attack, run out of range, slash, repeat.
Even if it takes half an hour, I don't care 🤣 Yet to go back, though. Ain't losing any souls until I get my magic right up.

I've got a nice number of souls saved up 🤗 Keep on organic farming in Boletaria 5, 10, 15 times, not worried. It's satisfying slicing and dicing my way through dredglings and Boletarian Knights. It puts a particularly big smile on my face when I use the Dragon Long Sword +3 (thanks Ed!) to carve through the Blue Eyed Knights 🤩 It works wonders against those skeletons in Shrine of Storms. Carves 'em up like Thanksgiving turkeys.

Only ones I try to avoid are the Black Katana Skeletons and the Red Eye Knight. Sometimes, if I can be bothered, I'll lead him to fall down the steps to his death, hehe. Perhaps in another 15 levels, I'll be strong enough to view them as complete jokes and slice them like dredglings.

As for ER, I think many people are saying what you told me. You have to go to the site of grace at Stormgate? and then she appears. No doubt I'll get to her eventually 👍