Elden Ring - Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Announced

[Opinionated Ham Scarecrow]

This game just surprises you at every turn. It's unbelievable the amount of adventures you can stumble into. As an open world, BotW is no longer fairest of them all.

 

Some proper Symphony of the Night shenanigans at the mo and I'm guessing this whole questline could be entirely missed. Crazy.

[cassidy]

Only a brief visit to the Lands this morning. 

 

Which saw me activate my Great Rune, meet the Two fingers and complete my Knight Armour set from the Sisters in Roundhold. 

 

Oh and lose 4k runes being shit at jumping down to retrieve them just at the start of the Lake. 

 

Explored West of the Lake and just discovered another Map for the Eastern side as well.  

 

 

[Alask]

I think far more than enemies, bosses or running around with lots of runes and no grace in sight. The thing that scares me most of all is deciding what to spend my smithing stones on. 
 

I’ve got quite a few now but I’m not sure about spending them. I basically alternate between the Claymore and the Battle Hammer at the moment, but they’re not flashy. They’re not rare, do they deserve the stones? I just know as soon as I spend those stones I’m going to regret it..

[Uncle Nasty]

28 minutes ago, Alan Stock said:

@Uncle Nasty I am also a sword wielding Confessor and slowly building up Faith (praise the lord) in order to eventually use some 30 Faith weapon I think I got at the Roundtable. I'm rocking medium armour though, currently almost a full Godrick soldier set. Because I'm not using a shield any more and rely on roly-poly, I should really switch to light armour, but I quite like the challenge of medium roll timings plus it looks cool.

 

In terms of miracles I've only really been using heal and element mitigation spells, plus fire burst for the occasional encounter. I played as a pyro in Dark Souls 3 so trying to save fireball for special occasions rather than rely on it. I do have a poison weapon miracle but it seems a bit OP and I picked it up into the unexpected foray to the East, so I'm saving it for later. I've started using the miracle that pushes enemies back a bit more, good for pushing folk off edges and it even knocks some enemies over, I need to try using it more! Looking forward to seeing what other miracles lay down the road because this is my first ever Faith character in a Souls game.

 

That's very disciplined of you to save powerful abilities for later on, pyro can make you lazy and just circle around enemies lobbing from a distance can't it, not very satisfying but a good backup as you said. That 30 Faith weapon sounds interesting, is that a sword? I'm using a +5 Falchion which dropped early, really lovely moveset which makes my guy look a bit Prince Of Persia, very twirly spinny cutty.

 

This game reminded me of why the original Tomb Raiders were so great last night. The enormity of the underground levels, breathtaking views and scale, the sense of plundering and exploring. It's just pure magic.

 

I really love Dark Souls 1 and Bloodborne and they're amongst my favourite games, but this, it's just something else. The gampleplay, the feel of it, the movement and combat, it's so addictive and satisfying. There's nothing contrived, dodgy or cynical about it, it's kind of wholesome, a really honest and confident game. Just amazing.

[matt0]

5 minutes ago, Alask said:

I think far more than enemies, bosses or running around with lots of runes and no grace in sight. The thing that scares me most of all is deciding what to spend my smithing stones on. 
 

I’ve got quite a few now but I’m not sure about spending them. I basically alternate between the Claymore and the Battle Hammer at the moment, but they’re not flashy. They’re not rare, do they deserve the stones? I just know as soon as I spend those stones I’m going to regret it..

 

I've been using all mine on a flail I found in a cave in the opening area.

 

I have no idea what I'm doing.

[Davros sock drawer]

5 minutes ago, Alask said:

I think far more than enemies, bosses or running around with lots of runes and no grace in sight. The thing that scares me most of all is deciding what to spend my smithing stones on. 
 

I’ve got quite a few now but I’m not sure about spending them. I basically alternate between the Claymore and the Battle Hammer at the moment, but they’re not flashy. They’re not rare, do they deserve the stones? I just know as soon as I spend those stones I’m going to regret it..

 

I'm assuming that at some point we'll be able to buy them?

 

I'm not too concerned about pumping them all into my basic Longsword, but I do think I'm missing a lot of the variety by not using spells. I remember on my first Dark Souls play through I spread my points a lot more, just to survive really. Healing miracles, magic sword etc, all played a part. So I've put a few points into Dex and Intelligence, so that I can use a bow and cast the odd spell at least. Why not eh?

[Uncle Nasty]

1 minute ago, matt0 said:

 

I've been using all mine on a flail I found in a cave in the opening area.

 

I have no idea what I'm doing.

 

It's not uncommon to use the same weapon for the entire game. Everything is viable so if you like the moveset and it suits your playstyle, don't stress about it. There's always NG+ and new builds to try other stuff. Scaling obviously helps but I've never let that restrict me if I really loved a weapon.

 

In Dark Souls 1 my favourite build was the Cleric Knight which used a starting weapon, the Mace, to carry you through the entire game.

[therearerules]

Did a mini dungeon last night which was all about dropping down, then jumping across water. Most precarious dungeon yet!

[matt0]

2 minutes ago, Uncle Nasty said:

 

It's not uncommon to use the same weapon for the entire game. Everything is viable so if you like the moveset and it suits your playstyle, don't stress about it. There's always NG+ and new builds to try other stuff. Scaling obviously helps but I've never let that restrict me if I really loved a weapon.

 

In Dark Souls 1 my favourite build was the Cleric Knight which used a starting weapon, the Mace, to carry you through the entire game.

 

It is fun riding past knights and cracking them over the head with it before disappearing off over the nearest hill.

[Uncle Nasty]

3 minutes ago, Davros sock drawer said:

 

I'm assuming that at some point we'll be able to buy them?

 

I'm not too concerned about pumping them all into my basic Longsword, but I do think I'm missing a lot of the variety by not using spells. I remember on my first Dark Souls play through I spread my points a lot more, just to survive really. Healing miracles, magic sword etc, all played a part. So I've put a few points into Dex and Intelligence, so that I can use a bow and cast the odd spell at least. Why not eh?

 

Nothing wrong with a hybrid build at all, lot of fun and less restrictive. Even the overview trailer mentions hybrid builds.

[Mike S]

14 minutes ago, Alask said:

I think far more than enemies, bosses or running around with lots of runes and no grace in sight. The thing that scares me most of all is deciding what to spend my smithing stones on. 
 

I’ve got quite a few now but I’m not sure about spending them. I basically alternate between the Claymore and the Battle Hammer at the moment, but they’re not flashy. They’re not rare, do they deserve the stones? I just know as soon as I spend those stones I’m going to regret it..

I found a fancy weapon yesterday, a four pronged anchor, but it just doesn’t suit me (not least as I am not strong enough to single hand it) so have reverted to my basic longsword (up to +5) combined with the club that I started with for those enemies that prefer to be smashed rather than sliced.

 

Both are simple, non flashy, but are getting things done at this stage in the game. Poison ash in the sword is very effective against poison susceptible enemies too.

[Kirby]

Oh my goodness. So I'm rocking my Lady Maria katana of blood smiting.

 

And a merchant just sold me ....

 

Spoiler

The hand lantern from Bloodborne!

 

 

This game.

[John0]

Quick question about Stormveil and a knight guarding a chest...

 

Spoiler

I ran in there to nab whatever item is in the chest but I must have immediately got distracted because I forgot to check what it was. Can someone tell me what it's called so I can look for it in my inventory?

 

[Captain Kelsten]

Last night I jumped into @moosegrinder game to lend a hand with Margit. 
 

Things I learnt:

 

- it caps your level to closer to the person you’re joining, reducing your damage, health and number of flasks, so expecting to stroll in all cocky and two shot the boss because you’re much higher level was soon shown to be stupid

 

- doesn’t matter how high level you are, rolling off the cliff in the first 30 seconds of the fight will kill you just the same

 

- poison bombs poison you and the person you’re meant to be helping, in case you’re wondering

 

- if the person you’re helping dies, but you manage to kill the boss as they’re phasing out, it still counts!

[Uncle Nasty]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

 

- it caps your level to closer to the person you’re joining, reducing your damage, health and number of flasks, so expecting to stroll in all cocky and two shot the boss because you’re much higher level was soon shown to be stupid

 

Miyazaki you bastard!

[hmm]

8 hours ago, Len said:

 

 

 

That seems like a fairly incredible bug to disable the GPU! Wonder how many of the PC players suffering severe performance issues this affected. @Moz?

[moosegrinder]

8 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

Last night I jumped into @moosegrinder game to lend a hand with Margit. 
 

Things I learnt:

 

- it caps your level to closer to the person you’re joining, reducing your damage, health and number of flasks, so expecting to stroll in all cocky and two shot the boss because you’re much higher level was soon shown to be stupid

 

- doesn’t matter how high level you are, rolling off the cliff in the first 30 seconds of the fight will kill you just the same

 

- poison bombs poison you and the person you’re meant to be helping, in case you’re wondering

 

- if the person you’re helping dies, but you manage to kill the boss as they’re phasing out, it still counts!

 

This was hilarious, and I'm very thankful for the help. I'll get @paulamagaula to add you tonight. I recorded the fight for shits and giggles, I'll upload it later.

[Stanley]

It seems From have been true to their word here, whilst you probably won’t be able to complete the game you can explore a hell of a lot without beating bosses - I’ve only done one and it’s not even on the main story. But I’ve been all over huge areas of the map, and I mean huge, this game is massive! 

[Fused gamer]

I love running into an area and coming across a random battle and watching it take place whilst getting free sweet runes.

[Captain Kelsten]

So obviously don’t open this if you don’t want spoilers, but in case you’re wondering just how big the Elden Ring map is…

 

Spoiler

[Melon_Bread]

26 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

Last night I jumped into @moosegrinder game to lend a hand with Margit. 
 

Things I learnt:

 

- it caps your level to closer to the person you’re joining, reducing your damage, health and number of flasks, so expecting to stroll in all cocky and two shot the boss because you’re much higher level was soon shown to be stupid

 

- doesn’t matter how high level you are, rolling off the cliff in the first 30 seconds of the fight will kill you just the same

 

- poison bombs poison you and the person you’re meant to be helping, in case you’re wondering

 

- if the person you’re helping dies, but you manage to kill the boss as they’re phasing out, it still counts!

 

haha sounds like he'd of been better off without you

[CarloOos]

Can someone please explain how to use the Ash Summons/spirits. My character just looks confused when I try to ‘use’ one, can’t bind them to a staff or weapon, can’t memorise them at checkpoints etc. Just no idea what I’m supposed to do with them, also can’t see a stat requirement I might be missing.

[Uncle Nasty]

9 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

So obviously don’t open this if you don’t want spoilers, but in case you’re wondering just how big the Elden Ring map is…

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Thought I'd seen nearly all of the map, turns out I've only visited 1/4 of it.

[Captain Kelsten]

1 minute ago, CarloOos said:

Can someone please explain how to use the Ash Summons/spirits. My character just looks confused when I try to ‘use’ one, can’t bind them to a staff etc. 

 

You can only use them in certain areas (you’ll see a white glowing portcullis type icon on the left of your screen) and if you have enough mana to use them. 

[Number 28]

2 minutes ago, CarloOos said:

Can someone please explain how to use the Ash Summons/spirits. My character just looks confused when I try to ‘use’ one, can’t bind them to a staff or weapon, can’t memorise them at checkpoints etc. Just no idea what I’m supposed to do with them.

*Taps sign*

Rest till night at the Church of Elleh.

(Plus the above)

[CarloOos]

Thank you both.

[Majora]

Does it ever properly explain why you can and can't use ash summons in certain areas. Saying you can only use them when you have a glowing gate icon on the left of the screen seems unusually lazy for From otherwise. Feels like a weird band-aid/UI crutch.

[Jamie John]

38 minutes ago, John0 said:

Quick question about Stormveil and a knight guarding a chest...

 

  Reveal hidden contents

I ran in there to nab whatever item is in the chest but I must have immediately got distracted because I forgot to check what it was. Can someone tell me what it's called so I can look for it in my inventory?

 

 

It's 

Spoiler

Called Marika's Veil, I think. It lets you spend FP to disguise yourself as an object in the world, like a pot or candelabra or something. In previous games it would be a good way to hide from invaders, but in this game the invaders can see where you are on their compass, so I'm not sure what function it serves.

 

The lore it gives you is interesting, though, all about how Godrick is a massive coward and was expelled from the capital.

 

[Uncle Nasty]

10 minutes ago, Number 28 said:

*Taps sign*

Rest till night at the Church of Elleh.

(Plus the above)

 

That doesn't always work though, depends on story events and what you've triggered.

[Tomdominer]

4 hours ago, therearerules said:

You can buy'no skill' from the warmaster which if applied to your shield means you use your sword skill. Either that or double hand your sword

Oh my god, really?!