Dark souls II - PC Thread

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 21-04-2014 10:20pm #1

now, we can't be expected to venture into the spoilertastic main dark souls 2 thread.. at least not for a couple of weeks. people can migrate over naturally as they complete the game but we're surely entitled to have our own little playground to experience what will probably be the finest game of the year together, as a family.

so here we are. four days to go.
Dark Souls 2.

im actually going to buy it on steam as I want it asa(feasibly)p on the 25th. gona try for the DS2 equivelant of a dex build, although from the videos i saw before it was released the first time it looked like some of the str options would actually be interesting. every time I tried a non dex in DS i got bored at the slow movement and the monstrous amount of back tracking you have to do but with the

fast travel enabled from the get go in DS2, that would seem to be less of an issue.

I've read a couple of things about it before it was released but i've forgotten most of them now. One or two things are threatening to jump back into mind (and I did actually spoiler something huge on myself by accidentally clicking into the dark souls 2 thread, accidentally highlighting a spoilered post and accidentally reading a few sentences) but I'm going into this one almost completely blind. I don't even know much about the areas, the weapons, the stats, the characters... this is going to be better than a girls generation music video.

Magill · 21-04-2014 10:38pm

Good idea for the thread, have been purposely avoiding the other thread the last few weeks.... cant wait till the weekend... glad I haven't went with the console version just for the better first play-through experience.

Probably gonna go with some dex build to start off with.

ShadowHearth · 21-04-2014 11:00pm

Everyone dies!!!!!!!! How do you like that spoiler!!!

Looks like prices shot up madly. It was 25eu on most cd key websites, now it is around 38-40eu. I will be getting it on pc too, but not sure when. Sort of got my fix already on ps3 and I am really busy with diablo 3 and world of tanks.

Status Offline · 21-04-2014 11:37pm

Just a suggestion but what about having this thread over on the steam or future pc gaming forum?
That aside, good idea for a thread.I've been trying to avoid spoilers myself as much as possible.Hopefully will pick this up on launch, although I might give the first one another spin. I've attempted it about 5 times between the xbox and PC and still have never completed it.

SeantheMan · 22-04-2014 12:16am

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

I don't even know much about the areas, the weapons, the stats, the characters... this is going to be better than a girls generation music video.

Well you're already wrong there !!
Nothing is better than amazing hot k-pop vids
(you need to check out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCQpzHPYRUc

Anyways, on topic...I'll be getting this...but still trying to trudge my way through the first one on PC. Was playing it yesterday for the first time in a while, I think I might need a walkthrough or something...not sure where to go.

Is this already optimised for PC or do we need things like DSFix again ?

YouSavedMyLife · 22-04-2014 12:21am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcLNteez3c4

*runs away*

Big Knox · 22-04-2014 2:56am

Finished NG on PS3 but going balls deep on PC version. Have been itching to get back playing!

Fnz · 22-04-2014 6:21am

What are ye like with the cute K/J pop music vids?

Dark Souls calls for METAL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY

SeantheMan · 22-04-2014 8:07am

Fnz wrote: »

What are ye like with the cute K/J pop music vids?

At least in our vids they are legal, hot and have somewhat catchy tunes :P

Fnz · 22-04-2014 8:45am

SeantheMan wrote: »

At least in our vids they are legal, hot and have somewhat catchy tunes :P

Clearly, you can't handle the heavy, heavy monster sound. Go back to, err... Skyrim!? :cool:

Cravez · 22-04-2014 9:02am

Me & a buddy of mine have ours pre-ordered, can't wait to get stuck in on release!

I'v been avoiding any type of articles or info regarding the game. I want to go into this with a completely fresh head and experience everything like I did for the first time in Dark Souls 1

Fnz · 22-04-2014 9:28am

DS2 will be my entry to the series. I know there's value in going in blind, and know very little about the world, but I have a low tolerance for poorly explained systems.

Are there any good primers for DS2, particularly in regard to building a character that "works"?

Cravez · 22-04-2014 9:51am

Go with weapons/armor that suits you rather than their stats. You can do quite well in PvE or PvP with any weapon if you are skilled at using it. The only gripe I had with PvP combat in Dark Souls 1 was certain weapons had constant stunlocks such as the curved greatswords, so basically if you got hit once you literally had to watch yourself die and not do anything because stunlocking didn't allow you to parry or dodge. Other than that combat relies heavily on your skills/tactics rather than the strength of the weapon.

So if you find a weapon/armor that suits you well for your playstyle, you have found a character that "works". Stat progression is only really important for actually equipping weapons or using spells etc

Pyromancy was always viable in Dark Souls 1 because it required soul investment rather than stat investment, technically any character in the game can use pyromancy regardless of their stats because all you needed to do was upgrade your flame to cast them. Pyromancy may have changed for Dark Souls 2 but if it follows the same progression as Dark Souls 1 then Pyromancy will be very handy to have.

YouSavedMyLife · 22-04-2014 9:54am

Big Knox wrote: »

Finished NG on PS3 but going balls deep on PC version. Have been itching to get back playing!

I'm doing the exact same. Finished it once on PS3 but can't stand the fps to continue playing it. Looking forward to that smooooth 60 fps

Fnz · 22-04-2014 10:12am

Cravez wrote: »

Go with weapons/armor that suits you rather than their stats. You can do quite well in PvE or PvP with any weapon if you are skilled at using it. The only gripe I had with PvP combat in Dark Souls 1 was certain weapons had constant stunlocks such as the curved greatswords, so basically if you got hit once you literally had to watch yourself die and not do anything because stunlocking didn't allow you to parry or dodge. Other than that combat relies heavily on your skills/tactics rather than the strength of the weapon.

So if you find a weapon/armor that suits you well for your playstyle, you have found a character that "works". Stat progression is only really important for actually equipping weapons or using spells etc

Pyromancy was always viable in Dark Souls 1 because it required soul investment rather than stat investment, technically any character in the game can use pyromancy regardless of their stats because all you needed to do was upgrade your flame to cast them. Pyromancy may have changed for Dark Souls 2 but if it follows the same progression as Dark Souls 1 then Pyromancy will be very handy to have.

That all makes sense. I was more looking for tips on things that might be really oblique or inconsistent. Does weapon damage always scale of the strength stat, for example? Are there moments of 'discovery' that cause you to say "well, it sure sucks that they didn't tell me that sooner"?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 22-04-2014 10:24am

from what has been said before the game was released they've done a much clearer job of explaining what the various stats do and how the world works this time around so a new player shouldn't find it as confusing

Robert ninja · 22-04-2014 10:56am

Come in expecting Dark Souls 2 screenshots, tech info. All I see are Korean pop vids

That said, the PC version seems to be toaster-friendly so I'm glad that's not preventing too many people from being able to play it. Anyone confirmed 60fps cap yet?

Cravez · 22-04-2014 11:12am

Fnz wrote: »

That all makes sense. I was more looking for tips on things that might be really oblique or inconsistent. Does weapon damage always scale of the strength stat, for example? Are there moments of 'discovery' that cause you to say "well, it sure sucks that they didn't tell me that sooner"?

Each weapon has it's own scale stats, some weapons scale with Dexterity rather than Strength. Or some weapons may scale with both Strength and Intelligence, Intelligence Only, Both Strength and Dexterity etc. The better the scaling, the better the damage done by the weapon if you have high stat investment in those areas. Some weapons have different upgrade paths where if you upgrade it a certain way then the weapon loses it's scaling in favor for stronger base damage.

Yep there are plenty of moment's (in Dark Souls 1 anyway) where you discover things that could have been useful at the time. I'd say as Sir Digby said that they have made the game a lot more accessible to new players but I would still say there won't be a lot of hand holding still, you'll probably have to figure out things on your own or you'll notice them the second time around. To be fair, it's one of the great things about the Souls Series is how you keep learning new things about the game even if you've put in a lot of hours into it.

Burning Eclipse · 22-04-2014 1:57pm

Pre-loaded and waiting. I know almost nothing about this game. Very excited to just get lost in it. I'm sure many people here can appreciate what I'm about to say - Dark Souls ruined a lot of games for me... Almost anything with melee combat to be honest. Couldn't get into Castlevania because it just felt so superficial in comparison (yes, I know it's a different genre). As much as I liked Skyrim, the combat is a joke in comparison.

I don't have Friday booked off work, but you can be sure it'll be a late one Friday night. Praise the Sun!

YouSavedMyLife · 22-04-2014 2:02pm

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

Pre-loaded and waiting. I know almost nothing about this game. Very excited to just get lost in it. I'm sure many people here can appreciate what I'm about to say - Dark Souls ruined a lot of games for me... Almost anything with melee combat to be honest. Couldn't get into Castlevania because it just felt so superficial in comparison (yes, I know it's a different genre). As much as I liked Skyrim, the combat is a joke in comparison.

I don't have Friday booked off work, but you can be sure it'll be a late one Friday night. Praise the Sun!

You know almost nothing about the game? Or the series as a whole? Best you pick up a joypad if you don't already have one. The game plays really really really bad with a M&K.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 22-04-2014 2:03pm

well they apparently did a lot of work on the kb/mouse controls for DS2. ill still be joypadding it up though

Burning Eclipse · 22-04-2014 2:06pm

YouSavedMyLife wrote: »

You know almost nothing about the game? Or the series as a whole? Best you pick up a joypad if you don't already have one. The game plays really really really bad with a M&K.

I played the **** out of Dark Souls and to a lesser extent, Demon's Souls before it. When I say I know almost nothing, I mean I've been avoiding previews, reviews or forums like the plague. I have a DS4 ready and waiting. I played Dark Souls blind for the most part, and I'm gonna do the same with this. I did play the Mirror Knight demo at Eurogamer however, so it's not like I know nothing.

EDIT: I accidentally a word.

Shiminay · 22-04-2014 2:26pm

Folks, I have some interest in this game, but never really got into DS1. I know I should probably go play that first, but I hear it needs to be modded to be properly playable for the Master Race. I appreciate that this is dragging this particular thread off topic, but what should I do to move zig and is there a quick list of "essential whatsits" for DS1 for PC?

krudler · 22-04-2014 2:40pm

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

from what has been said before the game was released they've done a much clearer job of explaining what the various stats do and how the world works this time around so a new player shouldn't find it as confusing

It mostly does without a bunch of overly simplified hand holding, it is still Dark Souls after all.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 22-04-2014 2:48pm

Shiminay wrote: »

Folks, I have some interest in this game, but never really got into DS1. I know I should probably go play that first, but I hear it needs to be modded to be properly playable for the Master Race. I appreciate that this is dragging this particular thread off topic, but what should I do to move zig and is there a quick list of "essential whatsits" for DS1 for PC?

http://blog.metaclassofnil.com/?tag=dsfix

drag the .ini's into the dark souls folder, disable in game AA, done

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 22-04-2014 3:09pm

right, just purchased on steam

preloading now

i've decided i'm not gona play any when it unlocks. i'll finish the preload, go to bed and crack into it at 7am full of caffeine and bacon

Kiith · 22-04-2014 3:41pm

It unlocks on Friday, right?

I'm gonna trade in my PS3 version, as i've not really played it at all. Hopefully it grabs me a bit more after bit of a break from the Souls games.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 22-04-2014 3:59pm

midnight unlocking according to steam

well, 2300 on thursday according to steam but.. we'll see

Kiith · 22-04-2014 11:32pm

PcGamer tweak guide here. Not much in it, but gives some sample screenshots.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/04/21/dark-souls-2-pc-tweaking-guide/

SeantheMan · 23-04-2014 1:08am

Shiminay wrote: »

Folks, I have some interest in this game, but never really got into DS1. I know I should probably go play that first, but I hear it needs to be modded to be properly playable for the Master Race. I appreciate that this is dragging this particular thread off topic, but what should I do to move zig and is there a quick list of "essential whatsits" for DS1 for PC?

The essential fix as posted by Chicken Ceasar is the DsFix

I've started playing through DS1 now to try get in the mood for the hype and to maybe play DS2. But it is not a noob friendly game.
I don't know what level I should be at in certain areas...so I'm not sure if I'm completely underpowered going into ridiculous boss fights that kill me when they accidentally run by me and brush me with their legs (not attacking me)......F*CK YOU GAPING DRAGON.
Spent a good hour or so last night running the fight him over and over only to get killed in the most ridiculous fashion

I'm trying to avoid going online for strategy and walkthrough guides for bosses...as I guess that will take some of the sweetness from victory.

The items as well, I hope they fix it in DS2...no clue what half of them do in DS1 or why they don't work at certain times etc

Foxhole Norman · 23-04-2014 2:45am

Have it on the 360 since launch and now have it pre loaded on Steam. With exams coming up soon though it looks like I won't be playing much until near the end of May

Overheal · 23-04-2014 4:25am

the question is Will it Run?

I spend $15 on steam for DS1 and it never once launched correctly.

Worst purchase ever.

Fnz · 23-04-2014 5:06am

Overheal wrote: »

I spend $15 on steam for DS1 and it never once launched correctly.

Sounds shocking close to the Dark Souls experience. Are we sure that's not the first challenge?

SeantheMan · 23-04-2014 5:44am

Overheal wrote: »

the question is Will it Run?

I spend $15 on steam for DS1 and it never once launched correctly.

Worst purchase ever.

Have you tried it recently, isntalling , reinstalling etc.
Give it another go....go on....I just need to know someone else is failing the way I am :P

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 23-04-2014 7:53am

never once had any issues with dark souls launching

Robert ninja · 23-04-2014 8:34am

Overheal wrote: »

the question is Will it Run?

I spend $15 on steam for DS1 and it never once launched correctly.

Worst purchase ever.

But really... On your library, RIGHT CLICK > PROPERTIES > LOCAL FILES > View integrity of game cache

I have a lot of problems with Dark Souls 1 myself - you get weird errors if you have a monitor with a higher refresh rate than 60hz, too.

Cravez · 23-04-2014 8:55am

SeantheMan wrote: »

I don't know what level I should be at in certain areas...so I'm not sure if I'm completely underpowered

Technically, leveling up isn't that important in the game. Upgrading your weapons first and then also your armor second would be best. Leveling stats is most important for weapon requirements & for casting sorceries/miracles. Vitality and Endurance are also important stats but also not a necessity to win. You can get through the game fine with your starting health/stamina if you are familiar with dodging & know when to block at the right time.

If you find you aren't doing much damage at the moment with your weapon, it might be time to either switch weapon or upgrade it.

SeantheMan wrote: »

The items as well, I hope they fix it in DS2...no clue what half of them do in DS1 or why they don't work at certain times etc

There are some items that can be a little useless, for example i'v never used the Alluring skull. But generally most of the items can be useful, if some are not useful during the actual game itself they may be more useful in PvP (for example Dung Pie)

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 23-04-2014 8:59am

I used the alluring skull a few times. it actually saved my ass once or twice when i was holding lots of souls and was low on health

Cravez · 23-04-2014 9:06am

I'v never actually used it, what does it do? The description says it lures certain enemies towards it. Does that mean they lose aggro towards you and go towards where you throw the skull?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 23-04-2014 9:07am

yep, exactly what it means

think i used it when some balder knights were giving me ****

krudler · 23-04-2014 9:17am

Cravez wrote: »

I'v never actually used it, what does it do? The description says it lures certain enemies towards it. Does that mean they lose aggro towards you and go towards where you throw the skull?

I think you can use it on the big boar in Undead Parish as well, it just runs over to it instead of attacking you

Kiith · 23-04-2014 9:43am

Real men don't run away from the Boar...we just throw firebombs from the ledge above where there's no chance of him hitting us :pac:

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 23-04-2014 9:46am

i stood at the edge of its leash range and kept double handed r2'ing it in the ass

i fought it straight up once or twice and it was such a pain in the tits i resolved never to do it again

Fnz · 23-04-2014 10:16am

Kiith wrote: »

Real men don't run away from the Boar...we just throw firebombs from the ledge above where there's no chance of him hitting us :pac:

Not since the bravely bold Sir Robin of Camelot have I witnessed such bold feats of bravery.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

i stood at the edge of its leash range and kept double handed r2'ing it in the ass

That's just gross.

ProjectColossus · 23-04-2014 10:53am

I'm going in blind, but I'm fairly certain that I'll cave and resort to the wikis as soon as I spend an hour stuck on something. If I know what I'm doing and it takes hours (as was the case for O&S), that's one thing, but not knowing what I'm doing and wasting hours doing the wrong thing, I don't have enough game time for that anymore.

Anyone got a suggestion for good value legit keys or have I missed that boat?

And this pre-order items crap - the purist in me doesn't like the idea at all. Any idea if they can be disabled before starting NG?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 23-04-2014 11:01am

i hope they can be disabled alright, i don't want to get weapons or items before i'm supposed to

oh and technically there's no "legit" way to get cheap steam keys, you're more or less always going to be buying from regions you're not allowed to

krudler · 23-04-2014 11:06am

Kiith wrote: »

Real men don't run away from the Boar...we just throw firebombs from the ledge above where there's no chance of him hitting us :pac:

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

i stood at the edge of its leash range and kept double handed r2'ing it in the ass

i fought it straight up once or twice and it was such a pain in the tits i resolved never to do it again

I just went up the small stairs right beside it and jump attacked it as it was walking away. Failing that, firebomb that mofo.

krudler · 23-04-2014 11:08am

ProjectColossus wrote: »

I'm going in blind, but I'm fairly certain that I'll cave and resort to the wikis as soon as I spend an hour stuck on something. If I know what I'm doing and it takes hours (as was the case for O&S), that's one thing, but not knowing what I'm doing and wasting hours doing the wrong thing, I don't have enough game time for that anymore.

Anyone got a suggestion for good value legit keys or have I missed that boat?

And this pre-order items crap - the purist in me doesn't like the idea at all. Any idea if they can be disabled before starting NG?

Without getting anyway spoilery there's a few areas to go early on, in the same way DS1 had the catacombs, new londo ruins and undead burg all in different directions. Where you should be going and where you're woefully underpowered for,well...that's half the fun :pac:

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 23-04-2014 11:12am

from reddit

Laughs You already missed when every one was mad about this. A little behind the curve are you? It's a completely optional bonus. You don't have to use the weapons, you can even opt to have them not show up in your inventory, but they can be found in the game. And if you're hurt about other people using them, it just increases the challenge, and challenge is what this game is really about isn't it?

marvellous

ProjectColossus · 23-04-2014 11:33am

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

oh and technically there's no "legit" way to get cheap steam keys, you're more or less always going to be buying from regions you're not allowed to

Are you sure? I've bought keys from the likes of g2play in the past, and I would agree that region rules are being subverted, wholesale.

But you can buy keys from places like Amazon, and places like game.co.uk

I've just found that Game are selling a digital download for £30, which is better value than Steams direct version for €50. Still a grey area perhaps since I'm not in the UK, but fair game in my opinion. But even still, for someone in the North or in London, the key from Game is better value than Steams price of £40, and you can't tell me that's not legit.

Anyway, I would consider places like gamers gate, or green man gaming to be "more legit" than places like g2play, and that's more what I'm talking about. The Game deal seems good to me anyway now that I've found it, I'll probably get that.

Burning Eclipse · 23-04-2014 11:35am

ProjectColossus wrote: »

Anyone got a suggestion for good value legit keys or have I missed that boat?

GreenManGaming have it for €39.99 (after using a 20% off code). You'll get the code immediately so you can pre-load if that's important to you.
G2A had it for €29.99 the last time I checked. No code up front, based on what reddit folks are saying.

GMG is certainly legit. G2A seems too good to be true. They had Watch_Dogs for €23.99 over the weekend. Even now, it's only €27.99. Anyone know how they do it?

Dark souls II - PC Thread

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