Yumcha

Yeah, the Old King is a walking tank...I don't have any other suggestions other than what the others have suggested on Reddit. The issue is he heals and so, the chipping away at him approach is not ideal as he'll just undo all your hard work.

Mephisto is a quest I never unlocked due to my good-boi tendencies. But, in regards to INT, you are definitely not a walking scholar.

What level are you right now overall? I think, by this late stage, I was late-20s if not approaching 30? I don't really remember my build anymore but, I do know that getting the magic and miracles I had posted were a priority after I realized what they were capable of. So, once I knew what they could do for my chances of success, most of my upgrades in leveling up were towards traits that upped both qualities. I suggest as you start to grind for souls and leveling up to focus on buffering them.

So, you'll have to defer fighting Doran for awhile then?

Yumcha

If you are a Claymore guy, maybe the Meat Cleaver is your weapon. It restores HP.

Doom878

Meat Cleaver, I already used the boss soul and have to up my faith. As for Doran, I might have to defer to NG+. Someone recommended a faster weapon like my +5 Crescent Falchion. Another recommended just backstabbing as he is very prone to it. I'll try it some and see how I feel.

Yumcha

I agree on speed. IMO, your character is just too slow...I mean, the 2 handed weapons have some huge damage potential but they just not quick enough. Like, you may as well use the giant FF7-esque dragon-bone sword then? Haha.

It's fine...you'll be playing it through again and likely complete it another 2-3 times I think. The replay value is exceptionally high, haha.

Doom878

I definitely need to bang out a few more NG's. I saw some videos of Elden Ring and that game looks hugggge. The graphics didn't impress me as much but Bluepoint is always on point. Unless there was a crackhead sale on ER, I'll wait a while longer.

Yumcha

Yeah, I'm keeping an eye on ER and seeing when it drops a bit more. Sometimes Amazon has it posted at 10% off which isn't terrible but I'm in no rush at the moment. Maybe next month?

Doom878

You can go to Walmart and buy it for $50. For some reason since release, they have it cheaper in-store. Online it's $60.

Yumcha

You forget I live in Canadark, sir. It's still $80CAD online and in the store.

Doom878

Oof that's right.

Yumcha

How are you progressing, Doomie? Walking God yet?

Doom878

Wow been like 3 weeks since I played. Too busy with life lol. Maybe next weekend as this weekend is

Yumcha

Get to it!

Doom878

This was easy as I expected but the bastard took away a soul level in our first fight.

Did a couple of hours in NG+ and holy shit the enemies are strong as shit. The Phalanx was still easy but this time I hit him up with firebombs and pine resin on my sword. Dude still had tough defense. Spider was a little tougher but the patterns to beat him still work and I forget that the Crescent Falchion is better for him than my Crushing Claymore. Went for Flamelurker because I want to build the Northern Regalia and the fucker is strong as shit. I kind of flamed out after a few runs (the run back jumping down the cliff is so annoying) so I'm either going to level up before tackling him or getting a different game

Yumcha

Nice!

Poison Cloud is your friend against Flamelurker...see if you can spray some on him and then have that consuming his HP as you duke it out. And yeah, NG+ is another level of difficulty just on the damage you take. Time to level up in your usual farming spots.

Doom878

I didn't get the Cloud in NG. I have to gather some souls. I did use Soul Ray on him but he moves FAST. My style of dodge, walk in and slash, roll out, works pretty well. I was kind of impatient when I played thus needing the break.

Yumcha

Ah okay. Yah, you're a much more aggressive player than I am. I am a combo of slashing and projectile attacks...usually the latter as my starting attack if I cannot backstab.

I don't use heavy weaponry much and prefer the quick slashes versus the overhead smashes. In ER, I used a dagger to start but now fully use a katana...though, I do on occasion swap to a large curved sword to overpower some bosses.

Doom878

Took your advice and leveled up some. First had to get the trophy for Adjudicator by arrowing the birdie on his head. Easier said than done given his annoying tongue. Look at this BS. I got turned around on the stairs and UGH.


So after leveling up to the high 80's in 4-2, went after Flamelurker. Man he is so strong in NG+ but between Crescent Sword +4, Soul Arrows, and tons of grass, took his ass down. Dreading Maneater but the rest of the bosses should be ok. However the trophy kills of Tower King and Fool's Idol will be a PITA. Time to build the Northern Regalia!!!

Yumcha

Yeah, time to tank up, bud.

The Storm King stage, as boring and mindless as it is, is truly the place to level up...use the Storm Ruler sword, and just time your attacks to hit as many of the flying mantas as possible, repeat, until you basically 'break' the weapon. Leave the stage, repair...repeat. For Maneater and etc., I urge you to get yourself up a bit more and good stuff on splitting melee and projectile attacks...it'll likely have to be the way going forward given how strong the enemies are in the + games.

Doom878

I leveled up in 4-2 for a while with the first grim reaper. Getting to the Blind Giant is a bitch of a run though.

Yumcha

Yeah, make it a priority to get the Storm King stage as soon as reasonably able.

The boss you're talking about is all about applying MGS skillz in your attack. It is not honorable but, yeah...you basically trigger him, slice once or twice (with your heavy weaponry, likely just once)...run like hell to the entrance's corner...stay there for him to lose you. When he turns around, sneak up...slice again. Repeat. I also use poison cloud I think.

Doom878

Yeah dude I've already beaten him a couple of times. This time I'm going to Thief Ring it and magic the fuck out of him For Poison Cloud, I got to get the key to get the Sage out in 3-1 where that one dude resurrects the boss. Then I gotta beat the 5-1 boss to get the soul.

Yumcha

That's a good way to take out the blind boss.


Ahhh...okay. You're talking about that leech-thing boss? When you beat him, what did you do with his soul?

Doom878

I probably used the Leechmonger soul for the other spell. Some of those souls offer multiple uses.

I beat the Blind dude using the Thief Ring as stated. Dude is super strong to magic but it's only at level 20. I did slash him to death with the Northern Regalia. That thing is powerful especially when you up faith to the right level. I also beat the flying Manta so now souls will be unlimited. Going to level the fuck up my magic, free the sage from 3-1, and get two more trophies rolling through the arrow thing and beating the Fool's Idol without touching the clones.

Yumcha

W00t. Yep yep...that manta stage is where you go to buff up.

It's boring, tedious...but, if you played the Souls stuff -- and are probably even more expert than me since you started PRIOR to Bloodborne -- you know it's part of the approach. Once you tank up, nothing stopping you.

Doom878

Started getting serious about possibly going platinum. Got the trophy below for Tower Knight which I thought would be worse. Then got the one for the Fool's Idol which was annoying. Now I can't get through 5-1. The first giant troll is uber powerful. I'm going to have to level up yet again more if I want to proceed. Very frustrating and I think I'm about done. I still have to farm a Pure Bladestone and a Gold Coin. Mehhhh. Plus I still have to coordinate killing a boss online and killing an invader. Too much brain damage. I think I'm going to wrap up this game for a while since ER is coming in tomorrow.

Yumcha

Yeah, I tried and passed on Platinum...I am too much an introvert playing these games and don't engage in any of the online stuff/options.

Doom878

Worst case, we can use each other for that. I personally hate online gaming but it was fun when I did it in Rock Band years ago.

Yumcha

Let me know and we can coordinate something I think.

But, I see you've opened the Pandora's Box of ER...so, nice knowin' ya.

We'll talk in a few........years.