Yumcha

Easy! Just the Madmen's Knowledge and boost your Insight past 10.

You should have a few of the MK's now. Do it! Once you have 10 Insight, the bath unlocks for you to buy more items.

Otherwise, you're going to have a hard time with the Martyr. With that Elixir used, you can march up to him and slash away (I also charged my weapon with shock or fire, I forget) because he'll miss you.

Doom878

Ok I went at him right after getting home from the gym. It was legs day and I was tired but with my gf and her daughter monopolizing the big TV, I had to get in some reps. So I went after him and practiced the parrying in his second phase. It's tricky but you get your timing better each time and learn his patterns so he doesn't come up on you and whoop you up. The easiest way was being at the top of roof because you can get an easy shot on his sword for the sword magic as he just follows you in a straight line on the same plain. Plus he only has 2 options other than magic. A slash combo that you can parry or the flying move that you can parry but I never could. Anyways I was getting tired and kept dying. I went for a few laps of echoes and bullets just in case. I equipped the runes for more vials, bullets, and regaining health for a visceral attack. Even upgraded the sword to +7 because I was using the huge sword for the first stage because reach and the small sword for phase 2 so I can use the gun. Even +4 the pistol. So after that died and then was like ok last one because I'm just mentally tired. Boom got his ass! Probably got in like 4 viscerals. His 1st stage is super easy unless you completely careless. Certainly easier than Father G because you're stronger, you play the game better, and that giant beast mode is FAST. Met the queen, wore the crown rightfully, and joined her crew for all those yummy items

Yumcha

Congrats! And now, go back to Alfred.

Yumcha

Glad you're persevering and enjoying this game, Doomie.

With each WTFBBQ-MOMMY-type boss fight and when you finally beat the boss, isn't such a rush and feeling of achievement? I guess this is what makes this game so good...

Doom878

Of all the manly stuff I've accomplished in my life, when i walked out of my car last night to the store, I felt the most coolest thing I've done was beat Logarious.

Yumcha

Toldja...this game is a rite of manhood.

If you are gunning for a "real" ending, the 2nd last boss (and I THINK YOU MAY KNOW WHO HE IS!) is probably the ultimate test...but, again...Father G warmed you up.



Which weapon are you using now?

Doom878

Still on the Ludwig Sword +7. Rather than slash foes to a million pieces with the cleaver I enjoy bashing the shit out of them in 1-3 hits. It's so damn strong.

Yumcha

Oh! Okay...so, you've discovered the power of Ludwig's Blade? Sweet. Yeah, as I said, it's the best weapon, ever.


Although, there's one you get late late late late in the game that is apparently the BFG of weapons/swords. On my second playthrough, I'll power it up...

Doom878

Yeah don't think I'll second playthrough. MGSVPP was $15 on Gamefly yesterday and I missed it. Plus my game queue is pretty thick. These NBA Finals also eat into my time.

Yumcha

I know! This is why I have yet to play the latest Batman Arkham game still...


Only so many hours in a day. Phantom Pain will take up alot of time.

Doom878

Ohhh Batman was soooo good.

Yumcha

After Batman, it'll be the new Uncharted...so, yeah, I'll be playing for awhile...these adventure games definitely are time-consuming...



FWIW, at least Phantom Pain won't have pwnage bosses like Bloodborne. After you've played the latter, most games just aren't that severe.

The closest may be the Team Tecmo's updated Ninja Gaiden (the 1st game) when it was released on the Xbox. But, Bloodborne is still much harder.

Doom878

You'll be playing Batman half asleep. Nothing is as hard as the Souls series.

Yumcha

The next gauntlet for you Doomie is the Nightmare of Mensis. Be ready. And ensure you have the proper gear/items.

Doom878

Productive weekend

Visited the Nightmare Frontier which was pretty tough. Those giants tossing boulders at you and the brain dude that Frenzies you to death. Plus I HATE levels with poison since you get shit of antidotes in this game. Didn't feel like exploring since most of the treasure I didn't bother with were Coldbloods which is just more echoes. UGH. But Amygdala the giant spider really easy. Beat her my 3rd try. Just hit the glowing limb and overhead slash to the face when possible. Really not that hard.

Then on to Byrgenwerth which was quick. I think the Hunter fight by the stairs was harder than the boss, Rom the Vacuous Spider. Beat that first go.

On to Yahar'gul a 2nd time. Good God that was a freaky stage. Everything made of bones or just kept coming back thanks to the bell ladies. And the huge spiders hanging from the wall one of them firing lasers at me WTF that was annoying. The one by Cathedral Ward (now that I can see them) scared the shit out of me when I first saw it. Really tough stage and I skipped the 3 hunters at once part. But so many Chunky Blood that my sword is +9 now. Was thinking oh The Reborn is going to kick my ass. But when you take out the wizards up top it's loleasy. Took that one our my first go as well.

I skipped to the Lecture Building 2F so I met Patches and promptly killed him Thought he was a beast man. Plus that fucker pushed me off the ledge. Sadly I missed out on a good endurance rune that I could've used. Oh and I did go through the Alfred thing so RIP him and the Queen.

I did briefly hit Nightmare of Menesis since I was already at the Lecture Building 2F. I just wanted to light the lamp in there because I'm going to hit the Upper Cathedral Ward first. But jesus if you venture past the lamp you get hit with 12341234 Frenzy spears from nowhere and have to fight those wolf dudes. However I've heard the boss in the UCE is one of the hardest in the game so might be stuck there this week.

Doom878

Oh and someone spotted Vicar Amelia in Madrid

p5eAbNG.jpg

Yumcha

Nicely done! I had more trouble with Rom than you as he took a few tries...but, glad you passed it easily.

You can get revenge on that "Eye of Sauron" if you are thorough...and frankly, it's worth it...you get the ultimate powerup if you go through that path...so, be sure you keep that in mind.

The boss in the Upper Cathedral Ward wasn't hard for me. He's just a giant-version of the mushroom-looking aliens. If you took out the bosses so far easily, I think you won't have issues with him. That area, is the ultimate farming run...inside the dark cathedral is full of werewolves and brainsuckers...the brainsuckers are awesome for $$$$ if you have the Runes that give bonus points for visceral attacks. The werewolves, you can take out in the doors and avoid damage. They drop Chunks...

Each run through the church and back to the lamp gets you heaps of $$$ and items. I would encourage you use this area as a place to farm.

at you killing Patches.

Doom878

Hmm. My sword is fully upgraded. Should I upgrade my Saw Cleaver or wait for a better weapon? A lot of dudes like the Tonitrus.

Yumcha

Well, FWIW, I spent time farming to upgrade all my weaponry.

So, I guess that's why I plowed through the end game as some uber-powerful character.



I like the idea of "power overwhelming" approach. Father G taught me that one can never be too powerful...

Yumcha

And the final item gives your Sword a +10...that's from going after the Eye of Sauron...well, indirectly...

Doom878

What level were you when you beat the game? I'm like 86 and I think I'm like 30 each for Vitality, Endurance, Strength, and Skill.

Yumcha

I think 199...?

Doom878

Good God!!!!!!!!!!

Yumcha

As I said..."Power Overwhelming"...

FWIW, even as high-powered as I was, this game still makes you vulnerable. It became less stressful and fearful and I was generally able to play it without that "dread" you get knowing even the lowest peon could kill...at least less.

I spent some time farming to power-up my weaponry and I guess the byproduct was a very powerful character. Still, the moment I disrespected the enemies, I was reminded exactly where I stood...

Doom878

How was your build breakdown?

Yumcha

It's been awhile...but, it was initially towards stamina, strength, and health. I then basically just started to upgrade anything...with the exception of Bloodtinge which I didn't give much build to until later when I needed it to wield certain weapons.

Same went for Arcane. Not a priority initially.

Doom878

OH I was going to ask. When did you mess with the Chalice Dungeons?

Yumcha

And while I can no longer dedicate the hours I used to play back when I was younger, my goal usually is to max out characters to the highest level possible for games...I am kinda wondering what the max level is in Bloodborne and again, if I can start up a 2nd run at some point, I'll probably aim for that.

Doom878

Ok Celestial Emissary won 2nd time. First time I rolled into a wall and that big one is strong.

Ebrietas I almost had on like my 3rd go but I had 4 vials left and I thought I could power her down. Plus I was stuck in her ass so I thought she couldn't hit me. I was very aggressive with her. I tried a defensive strategy as well but it takes forever and the stupid one shot laser got me. Time to rune up.

Yumcha

I started exploring them around where you are...the first few are easy. Could be done with your eyes closed because you're so powerful...but, once you hit the deeper levels, it's like how you first experienced the game: a slap in the face or kick in the gonads.

The bosses can be...tough. And even the "mid" bosses.

Yumcha

I chuckle at how dying in this game is just so darn routine...we just shrug about it towards the end.

And you have the right idea about Ebrietas. I was ultra aggressive and I recall being literally next or under her and whaling away with my Blade in its 2nd form.

Doom878

This game man. I'm at work and I have stuff to do after work and I'm just looking forward to killing a boss I'm stuck on. Father G, Vicar, BSB, Logarious, now this bitch.

Yumcha

That's how you know it's a freaking great game...keeps pulling you back despite the times you want to throw the controller at the TV.

Yet...you keep coming back for more. Like some bad addiction. Hahaha.


I recall also having the lightning effect item before fighting that she-bish. So, hope having that helps for you.

Doom878

Ok took her out. Glad I worked on that rather than watch part of the game. Overhead slashes hitting the face were key and I even got in some sick 5 hit combo that fucked her up good. I wore the garb that had high frenzy defense so frenzy wasn't affecting me. I'll wear that for the Nightmare next which indeed looks to be one.

Plus I opened the first chalice dungeon, the Pthumeru dungeon. Pretty simple but yeah layer 1. Didn't have the balls for layer 2 yet since I wanted to see the game.

Yumcha

Cool. Apparently, if you go deep enough into the dungeons, super versions of your current weapons (i.e. Ludwig Blade) are available.

That's probably my only motivation. And apparently, EACH NG+ you start is more difficult than the other.

Doom878

Yeah there are 3 versions of each weapon but with different gem sizes. Not sure how hard I'll go at the dungeons. It's a lot more game as it appears I only got one more area and a few bosses left. But this last place seems HUGE

Yumcha

Yeah, some of the chalice dungeons are BIG. Very big. I stopped going when the last boss I fought took a number of tries...cuz, that meant whatever was AFTER, was going to wipe the floor with me.

Yes, this is me Level 199 or something like that.

Yumcha

BTW, guessing that since you're getting help online via guides, you know what ending you're going for...?

Doom878

Fighting the Moon! I think I have 2 of the umbilical cords and I'll get #3 when I fight the Wet Nurse.

Yumcha

Yeah...just don't consume any.

So, you know who waits for you BEFORE the moon?



Power up sufficiently. The fight BEFORE Moonie is the hard one.