Elden Ring - How do I? thread

[Hawklord]

46 minutes ago, Mike S said:

A small QOL tip that I use in all the Soulsborne games.

 

When taking a lift down to somewhere that leads to a boss, or similarly tricky encounter, then run over the pressure pad to send the lift back up as you step off. That way it'll be waiting for you at the top should/when you need to make the run again. It only saves a few seconds of course but I am always very pleased with myself when I do it and always very cross when I forget.

 

Also make sure to look around while travelling up/down as it's a common place for them to hide secret/optional areas (and sometimes the actual fucking path!)

[ridgeracer]

What do I need to use my fire spells? Like what weapon/stick? 
 

all unlocked and learned and assigned to up on the d pad. 

[Hawklord]

1 hour ago, NexivRed said:

Am I understand this correctly (sorry for poor quality picture). 
 

These ashes are basically worse for my AP and defence all round (scaling goes down), but I gain the bleed effect?

 

 

 

Think I’ve got Stomp on at the moment and literally never use it because it’s too many buttons to think about and I’m just terrified of accidentally dismounting. 

 

That's correct. Your attack will reduce from 104 +34 (138) to 100 +23 (123)^*. Your Strength & Dexterity scaling will be reduced as well as your physical blocking.

 

On the bright side your Arcane gets a scaling boost and you gain Bleed. That's the trade off with these. If you hit an enemy enough times to trigger Bleed, you might kill them quicker, but if they have Bleed resist or you don't manage to trigger it, you'll kill them slower.

 

^*Not at the PS5 at the moment so can't remember the exact button but you can usually bring up your stats at the same time on the right side of this screen and these totals should show as R Armament 1 under Attack Power. R Armament 2 shows the weapon in the next slot etc etc

[Mike S]

17 minutes ago, Hawklord said:

 

Also make sure to look around while travelling up/down as it's a common place for them to hide secret/optional areas (and sometimes the actual fucking path!)

Yep, found just such a spot this lunchtime. Reward was 100 runes. All counts though I guess…

[Mike S]

1 hour ago, Graham S said:

Especially when I forget and I fall down a big hole because there's no lift waiting for me.

Haha.

 

A bit of slapstick is always a good way to start a run back to a boss.

[Cosmic_Guru]

Hold b to slide quickly back down a ladder when you glimpse trouble above.

[Pungee]

Another Ash of War question here. 
 

I’m an INT focused Astrologer currently using a Falchion+1 for up close fighting. I just found the Gravitas AoW which would change it to a Magic Falchion+1 and add INT scaling, which I assume has gotta be good for me. 
 

I see the stats would change from just 115 + 15 physical to 82+2 physical and 82+17 magic. Is that better for me? I’m not sure if both apply when hitting things or if I’d make my physical attacks weaker by adding the AoW. 

[Hawklord]

3 hours ago, Yiggy said:

As a primary spellcaster (int build)…

 

Is there any advantage to duel handing a staff for spells?

 

Is there any equivalent of a backstab with spell blasts? Or do I need to get a secondary weapon that scales with int for example to use for close combat? My instinct tells me that staff spells need to be done from distance and there isn’t much like I’m getting close but for melee weapon users that’s the only way they can play. 

 

 

No advantage to dual wielding staffs nor is there any backstab equivalent

 

Yes there are various Magic Weapons that will scale with Int but be aware that there are also a lot of enemies with magic resistance so you may want to have a back up weapon.

 

2 hours ago, Parappa said:

Why are there 3 stats each for the left and right hand - it seems to relate to the slots somehow?

 

 

One for each weapon slot in each hand

 

11 minutes ago, ridgeracer said:

What do I need to use my fire spells? Like what weapon/stick? 
 

all unlocked and learned and assigned to up on the d pad. 

 

Staff equipped to cast Sorceries, or a Sacred Seal to cast Incantations.

 

3 minutes ago, Pungee said:

Another Ash of War question here. 
 

I’m an INT focused Astrologer currently using a Falchion+1 for up close fighting. I just found the Gravitas AoW which would change it to a Magic Falchion+1

and add INT scaling, which I assume as gotta be good for me. 
 

I see the stats would change from just 115 + 15 physical to 82+2 physical and 82+17 magic. Is that better for me? I’m not sure if both apply when hitting things or if I’d make my physical attacks weaker by adding the AoW. 

 

Yes, better as long as what you're hitting doesn't have magic resistance. Your "total attack" would be both of these values combined. Your damage would be this minus any resistances (this includes armour for physical attacks). So your attack power would be 183 as opposed to just 130 without the magic. But if the enemy is resistant to magic, you'll do less damage

[BitterToad]

As a sometimes Mage mostly axe boy, is there any point in me upgrading my Faith? Like, do my fire spells get better the higher Faith I have? Or is it just a case of having access to better fire spells with higher Faith later in the game? Also is there any point in upgrading my Finger Snap thingy with Smithstones? Will my spells be better if it is?

[Parappa]

38 minutes ago, Hawklord said:

One for each weapon slot in each hand

Thanks - So - are we saying my sword should be in Right hand slot 3 to make the most of it? 

 

[Hylian]

9 minutes ago, Parappa said:

Thanks - So - are we saying my sword should be in Right hand slot 3 to make the most of it? 

 

No, the numbers refer to the weapons in those slots. Rearrange the weapons and it just rearranges those numbers. 

[Chadruharazzeb]

Ok: how do I do the special move associated with the Bloodhounds Fang sword? Some backflip thing, apparently. 

[Captain Kelsten]

10 minutes ago, Chadruharazzeb said:

Ok: how do I do the special move associated with the Bloodhounds Fang sword? Some backflip thing, apparently. 

L2/left trigger, then heavy attack to do the blink back in. 

[Captain Kelsten]

37 minutes ago, BitterToad said:

As a sometimes Mage mostly axe boy, is there any point in me upgrading my Faith? Like, do my fire spells get better the higher Faith I have? Or is it just a case of having access to better fire spells with higher Faith later in the game? Also is there any point in upgrading my Finger Snap thingy with Smithstones? Will my spells be better if it is?

No. Faith is for incantations so if you’re not using them/only using sorceries, you don’t need to raise faith. The only magic stats you need to worry about if you’re going for a mage type are int and mind, then vigor to keep you alive. You can add a dash of dex as it makes casting slightly quicker, but don’t think it’s enough to worry about unless you’re also trying to get the stats for a dex/int weapon. 

[Dimahoo]

Fuck me that troop castle attack took me forever (the bit with the soliders everywhere). Ended up spending 10k worth of runes on bolts.

[MrCarrot]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Shark said:

No. Faith is for incantations so if you’re not using them/only using sorceries, you don’t need to raise faith. The only magic stats you need to worry about if you’re going for a mage type are int and mind, then vigor to keep you alive. You can add a dash of dex as it makes casting slightly quicker, but don’t think it’s enough to worry about unless you’re also trying to get the stats for a dex/int weapon. 

 

I think @BitterToad might be asking about Faith spells (incantations) though! I guess the "finger snap thing" is the seal you use for incantations (it doesn't sound like a staff)? When you look at the spell/incantation in your inventory, you'll see whether it has Faith or Int as a requirement - spells that use Int definitely get better as you raise your Int and upgrade your staff, so I assume the same is true for incantations that require Faith.

[NexivRed]

1 hour ago, Hawklord said:

 

That's correct. Your attack will reduce from 104 +34 (138) to 100 +23 (123)^*. Your Strength & Dexterity scaling will be reduced as well as your physical blocking.

 

On the bright side your Arcane gets a scaling boost and you gain Bleed. That's the trade off with these. If you hit an enemy enough times to trigger Bleed, you might kill them quicker, but if they have Bleed resist or you don't manage to trigger it, you'll kill them slower.

 

^*Not at the PS5 at the moment so can't remember the exact button but you can usually bring up your stats at the same time on the right side of this screen and these totals should show as R Armament 1 under Attack Power. R Armament 2 shows the weapon in the next slot etc etc

So in practice against the solo knights in the starter area, the bleed attack is now one shotting them, compared to the previous armament needing a sneak R2 attack and then another further hit to take them down. 
 

Gonna keep running tests. I’ve been levelling up my Dex as it affects my halberd, and I’ve been using it a lot whilst mounted.
But I’d like to feel as confident when on foot as well. I’m not too good at using my shield (as you have to absolutely be facing the right way, so no good for multiple mobs), so I’ve unequipped it for a weight reduction. Now I can wear a helmet and still only be medium load. 

[jcee]

Hours in I just realised you can jump and press heavy attack to do a special attack 🙃  also jumping seems to be a useful dodge for some attacks 

[NexivRed]

6 minutes ago, jcee said:

Hours in I just realised you can jump and press heavy attack to do a special attack 🙃  also jumping seems to be a useful dodge for some attacks 

My philosophy has been; when you can’t sneak, jump. 

[Captain Kelsten]

17 minutes ago, MrCarrot said:

 

I think @BitterToad might be asking about Faith spells (incantations) though! I guess the "finger snap thing" is the seal you use for incantations (it doesn't sound like a staff)? When you look at the spell/incantation in your inventory, you'll see whether it has Faith or Int as a requirement - spells that use Int definitely get better as you raise your Int and upgrade your staff, so I assume the same is true for incantations that require Faith.

 

Sorry I just saw “mage” and presumed he meant sorceries. 
 

If you’re using faith based incantations @BitterToad then yes, increasing your faith will boost the power of faith scaling incantations. 

[JPL]

How do I get those spirit companions in battle (jellyfish, etc) that I keep hearing people talk about?

[Qazimod]

9 hours ago, Eighthours said:

How much are you guys looking things up as opposed to finding them out yourself? I've definitely looked up quite a bit of stuff in the early game (I'm still to beat Margit!), but am wondering if it's too much. I did need to find out some things about certain systems and how to upgrade particular items/skills (for example, the Spirit Ashes), but when I find something out completely by myself it's very satisfying. So it's a balance to not get too frustrated but also not have too much stuff revealed for me in advance. How are you all managing this? Do you look stuff up or not?

 

I look stuff up, but so far it's only been for confirmation of directions. Like, a character will tell me to go somewhere, or a grace point will point somewhere, and even when going there I won't know where I'm supposed to be, and then I look it up and find that the thing I was after was just behind a cliff face and I was ten feet away but needed to turn the camera more, or something daft like that.

[ph0rce]

15 minutes ago, JPL said:

How do I get those spirit companions in battle (jellyfish, etc) that I keep hearing people talk about?

 

Spoiler

Go back to the church in the starting area, not sure if the time of day matters.

 

[Parappa]

1 hour ago, Hylian said:

No, the numbers refer to the weapons in those slots. Rearrange the weapons and it just rearranges those numbers. 

Ah gotcha! Cheers 

[JPL]

4 minutes ago, ph0rce said:

 

  Hide contents

Go back to the church in the starting area, not sure if the time of day matters.

 

Spoiler

Where I met the first merchant, the Santa Claus fella? I’ve been back there plenty, but what should I be looking for?

 

[ph0rce]

Just now, JPL said:

  Hide contents

Where I met the first merchant, the Santa Claus fell? I’ve been back there plenty, but what should I be looking for?

 

 

Spoiler

A witch, you can’t miss her if she’s there. 
 

It was night time when I went back, maybe that matters. 
 

She gives you the item you need. 

 

[wretcherd]

You get one with the item needed to summon them, and others are found in the world. I got an amazing one for killing a boss at the end of a little dungeon in a cave.

[JPL]

3 minutes ago, ph0rce said:

 

  Hide contents

A witch, you can’t miss her if she’s there. 
 

It was night time when I went back, maybe that matters. 
 

She gives you the item you need. 

 

Spoiler

Hmm, been back there plenty at all times of the day and not seen anyone else hanging around. I wonder if there’s another quest step I’ve missed or something.

 

[ph0rce]

They really are a game changer, it’s such a clever idea. 

[ph0rce]

1 minute ago, JPL said:

  Hide contents

Hmm, been back there plenty at all times of the day and not seen anyone else hanging around. I wonder if there’s another quest step I’ve missed or something.

 

I’m at the end of my useful help I’m afraid, I assumed she wasn’t related to anything else but maybe you have to have made a certain amount of progress somewhere?

 

sorry.