FromSoftware Video Game • Page 151

Player's Log: Elden Ring.

Following the walkthrough I've using, I stopped at a graveyard near the Stormveil Shack in search of the Godrick Spirit Ashes. I was told about the jellyfish, I was not told about the skeletons.

At first, I thought they were indestructible because they revived after I knocked them down, and I got scared. Eventually I figured out I had to hit them while they were down to destroy their bones, and I relaxed again.

That done, my next stop per the walkthrough is the Coastal Cave. In searching for it, I accidentally attracted the attention of a giant tree-looking thing, and I ran away until it lost interest.

I eventually confirmed elsewhere that I needed to get to the beach, but I couldn't see a path down. I was 99.9% sure that this game had fall damage, but I decided to risk it and jump anyway. I am now 100% sure this game has fall damage.

After some searching of the cliffside, I finally found a path down by dropping onto a nearby ruin and made my way down from there.

I then stopped to murder some rascals outside the entrance, and now I am at the Site of Grace inside the cave.

I'm a little nervous because I'm not sure how this dungeon and upcoming boss battle is going to go. I have no idea if I'm truly prepared.

I'm also a little annoyed because I can't hold a torch, a shield, and a sword all at once. Why can't the Tarnished have three arms? Ridiculous.

 

There’s a glowing chain thingy you can buy and wear to illuminate dark areas without having to hold a torch. I forget which merchant tho

 

Looked it up and I believe you're thinking of the Lantern, which based on what I'm reading, I'm a long long long long way from being able to get.

 

The very first merchant you meet. Also, where you meet Ranni.

Nevermind, that’s the crafting item.

 

I was one moment away from teleporting back there to check.

 

The lantern is key but my friend who’s like 100 hours into doesn’t even use it lol

 

Also really wanted to use the Sword of Night and Flame but my INT was too low cuz Im a faith boi. Though said fuck it and put 22 points into INT and then popped a Rune Arc. Using it now will report back. Apparently it does fire AND magic damage!?

 

That’s one of the ones they nerfed I believe?

 

Update: I have now cleared not just Coastal Cave, but also Groveside Cave, where I had died last week to the Beastman. I got revenge. The Godrick Spirit Ash made it easy.

Next on my checklist is Stormfront Catacombs, which I understand is going to be a challenge.

 

I've decided I fucking hate imps.

 

You clearly haven’t met the Elden Ring birds yet

 

Update: Left the Imps. Been dicking around trying to find somewhere to get stronger without doing anything meaningful. It's not really working out.

Explored the beach a bit. Fought a slug thing that was tough to kill but easy to dodge. Didn't give me a lot of experience though. Also found a weird glowing trail that looks like someone moving around, but I can't interact with it, so I guess it's a mystery for another time.

On my wanderings, I found Boc. Freed him from the tree and then I gave him his needle.

I guess I have no choice but to go back to the Imps. I'm not getting anything else done otherwise...

 

oh shit i need that. rn i'm using TWO swords for either magic or fire damage lol

 

oh, you can interact with those (specifically take a swing at it) it's tough to get the timing down tho

 

Just watch the path and then stand where it will go. Smash it. Ash of War in the bag.

 

Went back and did it. Unfortunately, I think it must've been the same Ash I already have, cause I got it, but I still only have one Ash. It's all good, now I know what to do if I see that again.

I went back to where the Imps are. Gonna quit for today and tackle it tomorrow.

 

I have a question about stats. I know Vigor is important, but should I concern myself with anything else right now? I put a level in Endurance and another in Strength and now I'm wondering if that was a mistake to do that. Should I just all in on Vigor right now?

 

Just depends on what build your going for. I highly recommend watching some of fightingcowboys build videos on yt to see where you wanna put points in.

 

Well I'm a Vagabond. I'm going for the build that helps me win.

I could look stuff up and watch videos, but I wanted to get feedback here first since most of you have finished the game already.

 

Player's Log: I'm continuing to pump into Vigor until someone tells me otherwise.

I beat the Imps! And the weird guardian boss that was there, the one that looks like a cat carved from a tree or some such.

Now the next thing the walkthrough wants me to do is fight the Mad Pumpkin Head, but it also wants me to be level 20 or above, so I'm just exploring the area around where I'm supposed to go, since I hadn't even set foot over here until now. Got a couple Sites of Grace going.

In my exploration, I've seen a couple of interesting things. This game really does feel like things are happening in real time that you're not privy to.

I saw a caravan of soldiers going through the area with a carriage being pulled by two giant tree guys. I chose to not bother them.

I then stumbled across a battle between some soldiers and some imp-like creatures. I waited until the imps killed all the soldiers, and then I slaughtered the imps, because I'm not a good person.

Anyway, I'm gonna explore some more and try to go up more levels before I attempt to fight this Pumpkin Head dude.

 

Found that one chest everyone talks about when starting the game. Sensing danger, I backstepped away when I saw the smoke. Then I looked up what it was, and walked away.

 

having a good amount of Vig/End can never hurt!
i had to respec after a while cuz i changed my mind on what i wanted out of my build and distributed my points across Str/Dex/Int to use a variety of weapons and some spells.

after i finish my current first playthrough i'm definitely gonna go in again and do a Int/Fai build and focus and a bunch of spells

 

Update: I'm calling it a night. This is my progress thus far.

I defeated the Mad Pumpkin Head and met Sellen. I don't have any magical capacity, so she's useless to me for the time being.

I then went to a church to obtain the Flask of Wondrous Physick. On the way, I met Kenneth Haight. I also at some point got a map of Eastern Limgrave, and saw a huge bear attacking a tree that I decided to avoid.

I had taken up Haight's quest, so next I followed the path to the fort, picking up items along the way, including some Crystal Tears.

I find it amusing that I just killed a Mad Pumpkin Head and now I'm encountering another one right off the bat at the fort, although I guess it's a weaker version? Wonderful. Took me a couple of tries, but I cleared out the fort.

Funny thing, I got killed just after killing the knight boss, and when I went back the fort was now empty. I guess it was a load-bearing boss. Very happy cause he gave me something to Bleed things with.

Anyway, I agreed to become Kenneth's knight, except he can't make me one yet, so whatever. I also note the dagger he gave me isn't something I can equip properly yet. Kind of wondering if I should put something in other stats than VIgor.

Next, I was told to go to the lake for a surprise. Surprise! It's a dragon.

Anyway, after a few tries, I killed the goddamn dragon. Just kept running under it with my horse and swatting it blindly like a gnat until it flew away. Rinse and repeat. Very cinematic fight. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Next I went to the Limgrave Tunnels, and that's where I'm stuck again. I keep dying, and I feel like I should stop and come back fresh... whenever I play next.

I'm now Level 24. Besides one level in Endurance and another in Strength, it's all Vigor, baby.

Things I'm noticing:

Messages are fucking useless. Except for the very few that actually told me something useful, like where to find Kenneth. But most of them are useless garbage trash. The same messages over and over. It's frustrating.

I've also started getting the hang of sneak attacks and counter attacks. I'm still not 100%, but I'm better than I was, and I know more of what to look for now.

I've also noticed that my previous strategy of letting the enemy hit me while I parry and then counter does not always work, as I expected. For the guys in the Tunnels I'm fighting now, I'm using more of a "dodge then strong attack" move that seems to be working out on them.

I both love and hate this. As a guy who appreciates gameplay mechanics, I like that I have to switch up my maneuvers depending on who I fight. It is fun finding something that works. But there's also a whiny part of me that just wishes I could hack and slash. I know, I'm a pleb.

I also notice I can't use my spirits in some areas, which is frustrating. Like in the Tunnels, I don't have the ability to use them. Don't really understand why that is.

Anyway, that's it for today. Looking forward to the next expedition. Once I finish the Tunnels, I guess my next stops are Murkwater Cave, Murkwater Catacombs, and Highroad Cave. What fun, all this spelunking.

 

Backstabbing "people" in Elden Ring is much easier than in previous titles. Especially if you break their poise.