Demon's Souls - Gameplay, etc.

[Morfiend]

So, I have been playing Demon's Souls all day, and it has been kicking my ass. I figured we could use a thread to talk about gameplay that wasn't full of other stuff.

I have some questions and and comments.

First, when you die during the tutorial, are you supposed to get your body back? Because I seem to be in Soul Form, and have -50% health or some such. It wasnt really explained.

I made a bunch of characters, Wanderer, Knight, Soldier, Thief, Mage. I deleted the mage. I have been doing the best with the Knight, but the style is pretty much the same, just seems like the weapon is more to my liking.

How do I join someone else's game? Also, whats the deal with Black Soul Players?

[schild]

Also, whats the deal with Black Soul Players?

People who have found the black soul thing can enter your game on whatever level you're on and can replace the boss. And then they can kill you.

[apocrypha]

Dying at the end of the tutorial appears to be non-optional, and I've not managed to find any way to get back there, so no, don't worry about getting your body back from that one. You exit soul form when you either kill an end-level boss or use an Ephemeral Eye (I think that's the right thing) but those are rare. You'll spend most of the game from what I can tell in soul form.


Agree about the Knight, I've found that relatively easy to play, at least in Act 1 which is as far as I've got. I recommend getting some ranged ability though - learn to use a bow or crossbow (my first task this morning I think) or keep a stack of throwing knives and/or flaming oil.

[LK]

Counter-attacking is hard but can one-shot most foes. You want to have two different weapons, one for open spaces, another for corridors (Daggers / Spears). As my Wanderer I'm utilizing a falchion for weak foes / normal encounters and a Winged Spear for fighting armored baddies. The way a weapon handles is different with each one. Thrusting with the spear is more effective to take down an opponent at range than slashing, for instance.

You can have a second weapon on your left hand but that's where I put my crossbow since my Shield is useless with a crossbow. But it's all about learning each weapon's strengths and weaknesses and utilizing them properly. Also, enemy attack patterns need to be learned (and can be unforgiving and timing sensitive).

The messages most players leave are useful. I found for instance it would instruct me when thrusting attacks were more effective than slashing ones.

[Morfiend]

I finally beat 1-1, sheesh. Got a blue stone so I can do a coop match.

[Allenstergess]

Yea I love how your character uses the weapons in the game even using both hands on a normally 1h weapon, I've seen guys goofing around with a shield in both hands, anyway hope I can join you guys soon!

[LK]

I spent a lot of time in 2-1 simply because it was more fun and easier to do than 1-1 and 1-2. However, going into 2-2 and dying in the first room to a booby trap, I spent a lot of time slowing making my way through the map. This is a game where I'm not going to rush through the level or have this sense of "Oh I am mighty, if I get surprised by something I'll be fine."

The level design of this game has a LOT of ambush points and the such, and that's where player messages come in and shine. The game will fuck with you like having one of those white glowing treasure lizard mobs run down into a hallway where two uber-mobs will spawn if you give chase.

Slowly moving through 2-2's dark tunnels having to deal with "bearbugs" was the most intense dungeon crawling experience I've had in some time. I still haven't figured out the trick to take care of them.

[Morfiend]

How important is the class you pick at the beginning is it only stats and gear? I started with a knight, just cause I liked the long sword, but I was hoping to ether give him some dex for better dodging, and/or some magic.

Can anyone thats gotten a bit further along talk about character customization.

[LK]

Apparently you can do whatever you want, so long as you spec for it. All stats can be raised. I'm not sure there is a level cap. The class you pick can give you an idea of how to play and what stats to emphasize.

The key is that what you wear affects properties like speed, stamina regeneration, etc, and what you wield determines your combat tactics.

It'll be awhile before anyone on here gets far enough along to comment further, but this game has a lot to it. I saw a high level character join my game as a Blue Phantom to help me with a boss, and she was using some outlandish weaponry that I couldn't even begin to fathom how to acquire. But it made me want to see the end-game loot.

[apocrypha]

From what I can tell the starting class only really makes a difference in the early stages of the game. As Lorekeep says there's no restrictions on how you develop your char.

I've tried 4 different starting classes, each of which I played to at least the end of 1-1, before settling on my current Royal, who's now soul level 40ish and working his way through 2-1 and 3-1. As in real life it seems that being a royal gets you an easy start 

[LK]

I noticed Royal has the lowest starting level (1), so that they can go down any path you desire.

The guy who teaches Magic / Miracles won't teach them to my Wanderer. Apparently I'm an unsophisticated heathen brute who couldn't possibly appreciate the teachings they have to offer.

So... just like real life.

[Morfiend]

I wish I had a chart of what skill levels get you what. Like what level do you need for specific spells and weapons. Also, like at what point you can roll instead of "flop" when you dodge with dex.

[LK]

It might have to do with armor and load. I was able to do it straight away with the starting dex of the Wanderer.

[apocrypha]

Morfiend, check the items section of the wiki for stat requirements. As for other things like how much Faith for another Miracle etc it's pretty much trial and error at this point 

[Morfiend]

Anyone know what order I should do the levels?

Like 1-1 then 2-1 or 1-2?

[apocrypha]

Do them in whatever order you want and/or can cope with really.

I did 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, part of 2-2, half of 3-1 then back to 2-1 and 1-2 for some soul farming and then the rest of 2-2 (except not done the boss yet) and then finished 3-1 and moved onto 3-2 (which is totally awesome, turn your volume & bass up for 3-2!). Tried 4-1 a couple of times but get slapped silly by the skellies there in no time. I think I'm going to try 2-2 again next and have a pop at the boss before going back to 3-2, even though it's scary as fuck :p

Occasionally I do a fast run through 1-1 for some herbs too, glad I pumped my Luck a bit at first :)

[MrHat]

Do them in whatever order you want and/or can cope with really.

I did 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, part of 2-2, half of 3-1 then back to 2-1 and 1-2 for some soul farming and then the rest of 2-2 (except not done the boss yet) and then finished 3-1 and moved onto 3-2 (which is totally awesome, turn your volume & bass up for 3-2!). Tried 4-1 a couple of times but get slapped silly by the skellies there in no time. I think I'm going to try 2-2 again next and have a pop at the boss before going back to 3-2, even though it's scary as fuck :p

Occasionally I do a fast run through 1-1 for some herbs too, glad I pumped my Luck a bit at first :)

I have no idea what 1-1, 1-2 means.

[LK]

Simplified area names. 1 is Boletarian Castle, 2 is Stonefang Tunnels. Each sub-number is the Archstone shortcut you unlock by beating the demon boss for each section.

[Morfiend]

I am getting destroyed by the boss on 1-2. Sheesh.

[LK]

He's a bastard. I think I posted a strategy in the other thread. If you keep getting raped, try 2-1.

[apocrypha]

The Tower Knight is indeed a complete fucker. I ended up rolling a new character because I couldn't work out how to do him with my melee guy. I should have just gone and levelled up a bit and got a bow :p

[LK]

The bosses are all about getting a couple hits in then GTFO. You aren't going to sit there and unleash an ultra combo. There is no "HAHA I GOT YOU NOW" moments. Position for an attack, take two good strikes, then reposition.

[Morfiend]

I cant even get close to him. He just fucks me up to quickly, and then I have to run away to heal.

[LK]

Position 1 - Stay at range, facing him, wait for him to attack, typically an AOE one, then run as fast as you can on his right, your left when facing him. Get behind him by taking the most direct path that his shield isn't blocking.

Position 2 - Stay at range behind him but not so far that you can't run in and attack him.

He'll do one of three attacks: Another AOE (stay at range, then move in), a foot stomp (not as large an AOE, you can run in faster), or a back jump (he'll likely catch you with this in most cases, the trick is to stay behind him but slightly to his side).

Attack Position - After the AOE / Foot Stomp, run in, get two strikes in (heavy, target the legs), then run out to Position 2 and wait for his next action. I recommend a slashing weapon for its higher chance to hit over a thrusting one. If you have to (especially after back jumps that put him against a wall), run away from him as fast as you can and start from Position 1.

To make the fight easier, you can run up the sides and deal with the archers, but stay out of line of sight of the knight or you'll get a lance of light up your ass.

[MrHat]

Uh, guys, he's SUPER easy.

Clear all the archers out along the top.  Then stand in one of the positions they were in.  When he goes to do his long stabby move, fire a ranged shot and roll back.  Rinse.  Repeat.

[LK]

If you have ranged options, that is. That's also a costly way to kill him if you're using bows.

[MrHat]

If you have ranged options, that is. That's also a costly way to kill him if you're using bows.

Grind out 3000 and go buy the soul arrow spell.

[LK]

I don't have access to it. I'm not sure what stats I need to get it. I can't even open the merchant window from those I suspect are the people I buy it from.

[MrHat]

I don't have access to it. I'm not sure what stats I need to get it. I can't even open the merchant window from those I suspect are the people I buy it from.

Hrm. I  think it was 10 in Faith to get 1 miracle spot, and like 10 in magic? not entirely sure

[Morfiend]

I don't have access to it. I'm not sure what stats I need to get it. I can't even open the merchant window from those I suspect are the people I buy it from.

Hrm. I  think it was 10 in Faith to get 1 miracle spot, and like 10 in magic? not entirely sure

That is correct.

[Nonentity]

I still haven't figured out how to get stats. Then again, I haven't beat the 1-2 boss yet, so I dunno.

[Morfiend]

I still haven't figured out how to get stats. Then again, I haven't beat the 1-2 boss yet, so I dunno.

After you beat 1-1, talk to the Maiden in Black in the Nexus, she will sell stat upgrades for Souls.

[MrHat]

I still haven't figured out how to get stats. Then again, I haven't beat the 1-2 boss yet, so I dunno.

After you beat 1-1, talk to the Maiden in Black in the Nexus, she will sell stat upgrades for Souls.

She's blind and carries a big stick and is RIGHT THERE in front of the main vendors.

After you beat the boss of 1-1 the magician guys open up too on the side rooms in the Nexus.

[LK]

Fuck me. I missed the ramp up at the beginning of 3-1 and fell to my death when a message said to take a step out =\

[schild]

Decided to jump in the grate at 1-1, there goes 800 souls. Bahaha.