Elden Ring

[Scuzz]

I remember in Game of Thrones when Jon Snow fought back against the White Walkers with only his wits and some Silver Winged Dung Beetle Juice.

I think I had that on my pot stickers the other night.

[hepcat]

George RR Martin cooks for you?

[Scuzz]

George RR Martin cooks for you?

That’s why he has no time to write.

[Octavious]

Well 1 of 2 impossible bosses down. Godskin Noble is freaking ridiculous. Must have taken me 50-60 tries if not more over two days.

[stimpy]

Well 1 of 2 impossible bosses down. Godskin Noble is freaking ridiculous. Must have taken me 50-60 tries if not more over two days.

But are you having fun yet?

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I’m like Stimpy, I have a bunch of hours in (not 70 though lol) but too scared to face the big bosses. I’ve finally had the courage to take out a few side bosses but that’s it. I’m around lvl 40-ish, I think when I hit 50 I’m gonna brave the first boss lmao.

There's really no harm in trying the bosses; just make sure you've spent all your runes first. I felt a bit over-leveled at 30 taking on the first main boss, so I think he'll be a breeze for you at 40.

[Scraper]

I’m like Stimpy, I have a bunch of hours in (not 70 though lol) but too scared to face the big bosses. I’ve finally had the courage to take out a few side bosses but that’s it. I’m around lvl 40-ish, I think when I hit 50 I’m gonna brave the first boss lmao.

There's really no harm in trying the bosses; just make sure you've spent all your runes first. I felt a bit over-leveled at 30 taking on the first main boss, so I think he'll be a breeze for you at 40.

This still boggles my mind. I mean I know the game is big but 70 hours to basically accomplish nothing story related and to still be low level. It just doesn't make sense. Maybe it was a typo and he meant 10 hours.

[Scraper]

I will add that part of advancing in Souls games is to take risks and try and push yourself to become better by taking on more challenging foes. Just this morning I ran into a mini castle that was infested with those bat creatures. Each one dropped between 850 to 1800 runes. The first time I went into the castle I died on the second NPC. But I went back in and eventually I was able to clear the the first 10 of them without a problem. In return I racked up a ton of runes and leveled up about 5 times in 30 minutes. In short I challenged myself, learned how to take down the enemies and got better. It's why people say "Git GUD".

[stimpy]

Just hit Level 32.
Beat Mad Pumpkinhead last night, so that's something I guess.
Cashed in alot of Golden runes and leveled.
Also noticed I was running at Heavy Load, so culled alot of equipment.

Another night like last night and I think I'll take on Margit again.
Should go better than last time......I hope.

[baelthazar]

I’m like Stimpy, I have a bunch of hours in (not 70 though lol) but too scared to face the big bosses. I’ve finally had the courage to take out a few side bosses but that’s it. I’m around lvl 40-ish, I think when I hit 50 I’m gonna brave the first boss lmao.

There's really no harm in trying the bosses; just make sure you've spent all your runes first. I felt a bit over-leveled at 30 taking on the first main boss, so I think he'll be a breeze for you at 40.

Yeah, I basically brute forced Goderick the Grafted at level 29-30. The only loss you get is time, since you don't have any item durability or other negative effects from death. I can't remember which souls game it was that had you losing "essence" as you died (Demon's Souls maybe), but I hated that. Since then, death is far less serious. They also seem to have put in closer "waypoints" to key areas, so you don't have to backtrack as much (which I hated in the other souls games).

The other night, I did have a fun bit of tension when I was trying to get to the Limegrave bridge. This requires attacking a set group of soldiers - huge numbers. The upside is that, from that direction, they stay at their post until attacked. I used up all my potions and was near the end - having to sneak past this lion mini-boss. It was tense, fun, and I genuinely felt a rush when I got to the bridge's Grace.

[hepcat]

I'm around level 44 or 45 I believe. And I'm starting to realize I'm a little too overpowered for the starter region. I'm taking down the mini bosses I've not discovered until now fairly easily in that area.

I did venture into Liurnia of the Lakes quite a bit last night.

Spoiler:

At one of the grace spots, I noticed I was suddenly getting runes. I looked around and realized there was a battle going on nearby with some soldiers, some ghostly sorcerers and eventually a ghost looking giant. While everyone was getting killed, I was sucking up all their souls as runes. So I found a nice spot to perch nearby and enjoyed the show, while cleaning up on runes. I think I made about 2000 runes for about 15 minutes of doing absolutely nothing.

[Octavious]

Well 1 of 2 impossible bosses down. Godskin Noble is freaking ridiculous. Must have taken me 50-60 tries if not more over two days.

But are you having fun yet?

I'd 100% rank this as my favorite game ever so ya I'm having fun. It's just sometimes they go a bit too far on the hard scale. I could have cheesed and called in help, but I was determined to kill that guy myself. I watched some guy do a no hit run on him and he makes it look so easy.

[hepcat]

There''s few things in video gaming more satisfying than leveling up and returning to a boss or area you previously couldn't survive and just wiping the floor with everyone.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Just this morning I ran into a mini castle that was infested with those bat creatures. Each one dropped between 850 to 1800 runes.

Found that place the other day. It is clearly a bit high level for me, but I can take down the easier three or four bats near the entrance. It's a great place to grind since it nets about 2400 runes in ~2 minutes.

That's the other issue with sticking to the starting area to grind: it takes much longer since most of the normal enemies give double digit runes. So I can believe rittchard has played 70 hours but only hit level 40 if they have stayed in the starting area the whole time.

[rittchard]

That's the other issue with sticking to the starting area to grind: it takes much longer since most of the normal enemies give double digit runes. So I can believe rittchard has played 70 hours but only hit level 40 if they have stayed in the starting area the whole time.

I only have about 20 hours in game - I was referring to an older post by Stimpy (I think) who said he had played 70? I have more or less graduated from the opening area to a new farm spot. I still get one shot there occasionally but it’s worth the effort because each mob drops 1000-ish and there are a few of them spread apart from each other. That sense of improvement over time/experience is definitely very satisfying, so I do understand why people are so enamored with the gameplay.

My issue with the difficulty in the DS games is that the type of difficulty is so specific. The kind of skill/timing/reflexes required is something I’m just physically bad at, and getting older is definitely not helping. I think this is what the crowd who just spout “git gud” don’t understand; I believe there are actual physical limitations (or differences) in the way peoples’ reaction times (and the timing that their brain perceives information) that prevent them from ever overcoming some of these obstacles. It’s like telling me to “git gud” at basketball so I can beat LeBron at basketball (Ja Morant would be a better example because even LeBron is getting old, but I was afraid most people wouldn’t get the reference lol). So for instance, you can tell me I need to dodge to the right when PooPoo raises his shield hand, so I know exactly what I am supposed to do, I can recall what I’ve seen someone else do, and yet when it comes time to repeat that action exactly it just doesn’t happen. Another great example is last hitting in League of Legends. My brain knows exactly what it is supposed to do, and yet I still mess it up more times than not. While I may have gradually improved over time, I’m still far worse than most people. Ditto on games that require jumping puzzles/timing.

Anyway, I’m still finding multiple ways to enjoy Elden Ring on my own terms. I suspect I may never be able to beat any of the major bosses on my own, in spite of being far overleveled or whatever. But we’ll see…

[hepcat]

I'm far from a great combat game player, but in the DS series it's evened out by the ability to go away and level up to the point where even the most difficult boss gets reasonable. So the "get gud" in these games doesn't mean the same as it would in playing something like Madden Football.

[rittchard]

I'm far from a great combat game player, but in the DS series it's evened out by the ability to go away and level up to the point where even the most difficult boss gets reasonable. So the "get gud" in these games doesn't mean the same as it would in playing something like Madden Football.

I hope that’s the case, but I suspect the bosses are designed in a way that there is a minimum skill threshold you have to be able to overcome to beat them alone - or be prepared to call on friends for help

[Scuzz]

That's the other issue with sticking to the starting area to grind: it takes much longer since most of the normal enemies give double digit runes. So I can believe rittchard has played 70 hours but only hit level 40 if they have stayed in the starting area the whole time.

I only have about 20 hours in game - I was referring to an older post by Stimpy (I think) who said he had played 70? I have more or less graduated from the opening area to a new farm spot. I still get one shot there occasionally but it’s worth the effort because each mob drops 1000-ish and there are a few of them spread apart from each other. That sense of improvement over time/experience is definitely very satisfying, so I do understand why people are so enamored with the gameplay.

My issue with the difficulty in the DS games is that the type of difficulty is so specific. The kind of skill/timing/reflexes required is something I’m just physically bad at, and getting older is definitely not helping. I think this is what the crowd who just spout “git gud” don’t understand; I believe there are actual physical limitations (or differences) in the way peoples’ reaction times (and the timing that their brain perceives information) that prevent them from ever overcoming some of these obstacles. It’s like telling me to “git gud” at basketball so I can beat LeBron at basketball (Ja Morant would be a better example because even LeBron is getting old, but I was afraid most people wouldn’t get the reference lol). So for instance, you can tell me I need to dodge to the right when PooPoo raises his shield hand, so I know exactly what I am supposed to do, I can recall what I’ve seen someone else do, and yet when it comes time to repeat that action exactly it just doesn’t happen. Another great example is last hitting in League of Legends. My brain knows exactly what it is supposed to do, and yet I still mess it up more times than not. While I may have gradually improved over time, I’m still far worse than most people. Ditto on games that require jumping puzzles/timing.

Anyway, I’m still finding multiple ways to enjoy Elden Ring on my own terms. I suspect I may never be able to beat any of the major bosses on my own, in spite of being far overleveled or whatever. But we’ll see…

I have fought every boss solo, several many many times but after 3 DS games I no longer feel it is necessary to frustrate myself over a single boss. If after some time and many attempts if I can’t beat a boss solo I will summon help. I have done that once so far this game. Summoning still doesn’t guarantee victory, as it does make the boss tougher.

And there really is no rule about being over leveled. Just because a guy can do it at lvl 1 with his fists doesn’t mean we can all do that.

[stimpy]

That's the other issue with sticking to the starting area to grind: it takes much longer since most of the normal enemies give double digit runes. So I can believe rittchard has played 70 hours but only hit level 40 if they have stayed in the starting area the whole time.

I only have about 20 hours in game - I was referring to an older post by Stimpy (I think) who said he had played 70?

I was not going to correct him for thinking it was you........lol

[hepcat]

I'm far from a great combat game player, but in the DS series it's evened out by the ability to go away and level up to the point where even the most difficult boss gets reasonable. So the "get gud" in these games doesn't mean the same as it would in playing something like Madden Football.

I hope that’s the case, but I suspect the bosses are designed in a way that there is a minimum skill threshold you have to be able to overcome to beat them alone - or be prepared to call on friends for help

It is. If you level up enough skill isn’t that important. Also, the game includes numerous NPC and ashes summons. Use them. The game wants you to.

[Octavious]

I have used co-op for bosses I don't feel like dealing with. I have done that with every series and it just keeps me going instead of getting bogged down and frustrated. I took out enemy #2 today so that clears out my ofmg I can't beat these guys bosses.

Spoiler:

Radahn is such an annoying fight. Thankfully I finally beat his sorry ass. I'd love to know how many tries it took. It was A LOT.

[Harkonis]

think I might need help on Niall if anyone on xbox is confident in that fight.

[Octavious]

You're further than me. I haven't gotten to there yet. Should be tonight. I flew through a bunch of stuff last night. This game just keeps on going and going. It's nuts.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

I'm far from a great combat game player, but in the DS series it's evened out by the ability to go away and level up to the point where even the most difficult boss gets reasonable. So the "get gud" in these games doesn't mean the same as it would in playing something like Madden Football.

I hope that’s the case, but I suspect the bosses are designed in a way that there is a minimum skill threshold you have to be able to overcome to beat them alone - or be prepared to call on friends for help

I'm sure this won't always be the case, but I've been able to beat the first two main bosses with little skill. Just summon my jellybelly friend, run to a far distance, and ping them with magic till they die.

[stimpy]

Just summon my jellybelly friend, run to a far distance, and ping them with magic till they die.

Despite hearing this from quite a few different sources, ! have found him to be pretty useless.
Very slow and not able to take much damage.
Am I doing something wrong?

[hepcat]

I'm not a big fan of the jellyfish now either. Not after seeing how much damage those fanged imps do when leveled up a bit. But I believe the jellyfish has the highest HP of any of the summons.

think I might need help on Niall if anyone on xbox is confident in that fight.

I've got a way to go before I get to that one. My issue is I keep turning left when I'm going someplace and end up finding an entirely new area or section.

[Octavious]

I find him completely useless, but I also didn't level him up so I could be wrong.

I got the

Spoiler:

mimic tear

yesterday and I doubt I'll use anything else after that.

[Harkonis]

I have a problem that while it uses consumables in your inventory, it sometimes just keeps using the same one again and again

[Octavious]

I didn't even know it did that. I haven't played with it very long, but I find it super entertaining. I'm going to have a hard time playing another build after this one. It's pretty much a dex/faith paladin build. I have a bunch of respecs now so I may try another build around some weapons.

[rittchard]

Wait you can level up the jellyfish or wolves summons???


Edit: I just read about it, argh!!!!

Edit 2: I have to beat Godrick first? Double argh!!!

[Octavious]

Yes

Spoiler:

You have to talk to the girl at the fireplace in the main hub and the blacksmith. She will set up shop across from him.

[stimpy]

Wait you can level up the jellyfish or wolves summons???


Edit: I just read about it, argh!!!!

Edit 2: I have to beat Godrick first? Double argh!!!

Speaking of doing things, that piece of crap Godrick is dead. A +5 Jellyfish, +5 sword and NPC helper made it relatively simple

If that's true, how did coop go into the Godrick fight with a +5 jellyfish?

[hepcat]

Yes

Spoiler:

You have to talk to the girl at the fireplace in the main hub and the blacksmith. She will set up shop across from him.

You don't have to beat Godric for that to happen.

[stimpy]

Yes

Spoiler:

You have to talk to the girl at the fireplace in the main hub and the blacksmith. She will set up shop across from him.

You don't have to beat Godric for that to happen.

Well that is good to know. I'm on my way there!!

[coopasonic]

That's the "fun" of Elden Ring (and every Souls game) the rules are.... not always what you think they are. I have been doing more exploring, haven't touched any other story bosses, done some rune farming, the sword is now +12 and causing lots of pain to things, but the Jelly is still +5.

[hepcat]

This was me 10 minutes ago after losing 10,000 souls because I forgot to call the damn elevator first.

NSFW

Spoiler:

[Octavious]

Heh I learned many years ago that it's not worth caring about losing stuff in these games. As long as you aren't a complete pyscho you will be fine. Like if you are going into a boss fight it's a good idea to spend your ruins first.

I wish it tracked a stat for how much you lost though. I'd be really curious.

[baelthazar]

This is by far the most I have ever played a souls-like. I’m obsessed with the game. It knocked Horizons Forbidden West right off of being played. My only worry is Distant Wolds 2 comes out tomorrow.

I’m just gonna say it - this game is a masterpiece.

[hepcat]

My only worry is Distant Wolds 2 comes out tomorrow.

Holy crap, I almost forgot! And I have a preorder! Whoo Hoo! I may have to put Elden Ring aside for a bit this weekend...if I can. Does anyone know if they're adding Gold Tinged Excrement to Distant Worlds 2?

[Scuzz]

This was me 10 minutes ago after losing 10,000 souls because I forgot to call the damn elevator first.

NSFW

Spoiler:

I almost did that today as I was being chased. At the last minute I checked to make sure the elevator was there, then I remembered I had left it higher up, where I had just died because of a freakin rat.