[shiroryu]

Oh wow. Thanx for that info. I've had humanity points on that counter thing but thought I had to reach a certain level to get human form. I'll go check that Door you said. Thanx again.! Ps: the item I foolishly picked to start was an HP ring which I thought would charge up your HP at a slow rate. Instead it just adds like 5% extra health to your total which sucks monkey balls. I should of picked that special key. Will I get a chance to buy it atleast? I remember some doors being locked on some of the starting sections of the game.

You can buy the key from Domnhall of Zena, in the Depths near the Blighttown door. Later on he moves underneath the bridge connecting the Fireline and Undead Burg.

[Zeth]

I just made it to the forest farming area with my new character but I feel like I wasted too many points spread out with int and STR/DEX, should I just start a new character for a STR build or is this negligible? Worth going INT at this point? I'd appreciate any opinions.

[shiroryu]

I just made it to the forest farming area with my new character but I feel like I wasted too many points spread out with int and STR/DEX, should I just start a new character for a STR build or is this negligible? Worth going INT at this point? I'd appreciate any opinions.

You could still go with STR/DEX, SL28 isn't that deep in IMO. It'll not be an issue with PvE, though for PvP you're not going to be the optimal build.

If it makes you feel better, many people don't nail their builds on the first playthrough. I spent 3-4 points in Faith to get Heal, but hardly use it.

[Zeth]

I never pvp exclusively so that's cool. My DEX build probably had twice as many wasted points on my first play through so it shouldn't be too bad.

[oracrest]

He looks a lot blockier.

that character looks more like an inspiration for 4K a little bit.

The final voiceover reminded me of this...

King's Field, or He's a lot blockier.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

[bone_and_sinew]

They removed the Princess from her room??? (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻ WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT

Seriously, everytime I go there I'm hypnotized by her. A dynamic theme of her just chilling there would've been more relaxing than a fishtank.

Are these just regular themes or are they dynamic? Because if it's just regular, opportunity missed. A dynamic theme with Kaathe just staring at you and swaying would've been super creepy but awesome.

[Alienshogun]

I just made it to the forest farming area with my new character but I feel like I wasted too many points spread out with int and STR/DEX, should I just start a new character for a STR build or is this negligible? Worth going INT at this point? I'd appreciate any opinions.

I don't see anything wrong with that. Also, there isn't a level cap, is there?!?

Side question, when you go NG+ do you keep your level/gear?

[elohel]

what the hell armor set is that?! with the spikes sun face thing on the first page?!

[bone_and_sinew]

what the hell armor set is that?! with the spikes sun face thing on the first page?!

Gwyndolin's

[Zeth]

I don't see anything wrong with that. Also, there isn't a level cap, is there?!? Side question, when you go NG+ do you keep your level/gear?

According to the guide, max level is 792.

[one85x]

I just made it to the forest farming area with my new character but I feel like I wasted too many points spread out with int and STR/DEX, should I just start a new character for a STR build or is this negligible? Worth going INT at this point? I'd appreciate any opinions. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/vbEiN.jpg[IMG]

The Black Knight weapons all require 18dex, so the points you have there aren't a waste. The points in INT may be a waste, but on the plus side you'll be able to engage in chameleon shenanigans.

what the hell armor set is that?! with the spikes sun face thing on the first page?!

It's part of the Gwyndolin armor set.

[Thagomizer]

I don't see anything wrong with that. Also, there isn't a level cap, is there?!? Side question, when you go NG+ do you keep your level/gear?

The level cap is absurdly high. You'd need to play for months solid to reach it legit, probably years, and there's no real point in doing so.


You keep all of your stuff into NG+, except upgrade embers, quest items, keys, and a few rings.

[Alienshogun]

The level cap is absurdly high. You'd need to play for months solid to reach it legit, probably years, and there's no real point in doing so. You keep all of your stuff into NG+, except upgrade embers, quest items, keys, and a few rings.

Does the gear get progressively better or is it just to run though?

Also, thanks for the help!

This game is robbing me of sleep. I'm to that annoying part in Anor londo ATM, fucking sniper knights making me walk a tight rope.

And no, I didn't get halfbreed's dagger. I just wanted to kill that bitch and be done with it. Oh and I reiterate, fuck the guy who decided those skeleton things were a good idea (the ones on the wheels).

[Jroderton]

Nice, new thread.

So I used that grind spot in the forest for while and leveled up quite a bit. It's nice to finally have a good bit of health and stamina.

Carrying over from the last thread, someone answered my question about builds and said pump vit and endurance and either dex or strength, so I've been doing that. My question on that, is what's the difference is using strength versus dex? They both say they help weapon attack so what's the difference exactly?

[shiroryu]

Nice, new thread. So I used that grind spot in the forest for while and leveled up quite a bit. It's nice to finally have a good bit of health and stamina. Carrying over from the last thread, someone answered my question about builds and said pump vit and endurance and either dex or strength, so I've been doing that. My question on that, is what's the difference is using strength versus dex? They both say they help weapon attack so what's the difference exactly?

It's the weapons that differ in damage with strength and dex. Check the first two scaling entries for weapons in their details; the heavy weapons tend to scale with strength, the lighter ones with dex. So you'll need to adapt weapons to your melee stat of choice or vice versa.

[Jroderton]

It's the weapons that differ in damage with strength and dex. Check the first two scaling entries for weapons in their details; the heavy weapons tend to scale with strength, the lighter ones with dex. So you'll need to adapt weapons to your melee stat of choice or vice versa.

So, for example, if I had a ton of points in strength but not many in dex, and I use a weapon that scales with dex it wouldn't do as much damage as one that scales with strength?

It's like bonus points for your weapons basically?

Sorry for these dumb questions, just tying to understand it.

[Tomodachi]

I don't think it's unfair you can miss things in the first playthrough. It's actually pretty normal, it's the game telling you that you have to finish it at least twice to see it all (there are even two endings, so...), there are mutually exclusive branches. That's all.

Yes of course, it's difficult to get what you have to do without a guide but it's never something illogical once you get it, I think one of the best thing in the series is the solid logic behind everything. Like saving that certain character by taking the shortcut from demon ruins to lost izalith or the whole petrus/reah/lautrec connection that won't be clear unless you do some very specific actions.

[Zeth]

My original dex build character has been stuck at the Anor Londo snipers since last month haha. I've just been making new characters because I love the first portion of the game so fucking much (besides Blighttown). I think I'll go back and try to move forward in Anor Londo this weekend. Hell yeah.

[Jroderton]

My original dex build character has been stuck at the Anor Londo snipers since last month haha. I've just been making new characters because I love the first portion of the game so fucking much (besides Blighttown). I think I'll go back and try to move forward in Anor Londo this weekend. Hell yeah.

I watched my roommate get to that sniper part last night. Looks brutal.

I'm totally opposite of you, though. I can't wait to get past the first part. Anor Londo looks awesome. Trying to knock out the Depths this weekend and get on the way to Blighttown.

[Wool]

I just made it to the forest farming area with my new character but I feel like I wasted too many points spread out with int and STR/DEX, should I just start a new character for a STR build or is this negligible? Worth going INT at this point? I'd appreciate any opinions.

You definitely haven't screwed up yet, but it wouldn't hurt to pick a weapon or a specific stat to base your character around. There are plenty of good weapons that require at least 16 strength and 16 dex, but if you keep putting points into both of them chances are the weapon you end up on won't scale with both of them and intelligence.

I respect people who choose not to look at the wiki's at all, but you would benefit from a look at the weapons and what fits your stats.

[shiroryu]

So, for example, if I had a ton of points in strength but not many in dex, and I use a weapon that scales with dex it wouldn't do as much damage as one that scales with strength? It's like bonus points for your weapons basically? Sorry for these dumb questions, just tying to understand it.

Yes, each weapon has scaling for Str, Dex, Int, and Faith, going from E( lowest), D, C, B, A, S (highest). So a weapon with an A rating for Strength will do quite a bit more damage than a C strength rating weapon.

There's more to the story however. How you upgrade your weapon affects its scaling. For example, if you upgrade a longsword that scales with Str and Dex with a C rating into the Magic path, it gains a C rating for Magic, but the scaling drops to E for Str and Dex.

Generally for Str/Dex builds, the issue is whether to continue along a Normal path upto +15 for maximum scaling with Str/Dex, or to branch off at +5 into 'elemental' paths like lightning and fire. Doing the branching removes the Str/Dex scaling, but gives a bonus elemental damage to the weapon. Along with the fact that elemental damage isn't typically resisted, it makes more sense to go this route. Unless you go really high SL 100+, in which case the scaling bonuses along the Normal route outweigh the elemental bonuses.

I think a look at the particular Wiki page might help you understand it better:
http://darksouls.wikidot.com/battle-axe

See how the damages go for various upgrade types.

[Thagomizer]

Just started Skyrim. The combat feels so unpolished and sloppy after Dark Souls. Has a better magic system, at least.

Oh, and I named my character Ornstein, for the lulz.

[SpaceBridge]

So I made it to Lorsten (sp?), the first area after the Asylum. Spoke to the night by the bonfire who told me there were two bells to ring. One towards the top, one towards the bottom. Advice is to go to the top area first?

Also, theres a well, someone posted to jump in, is this correct?

[NEOPARADIGM]

So I made it to Lorsten (sp?), the first area after the Asylum. Spoke to the night by the bonfire who told me there were two bells to ring. One towards the top, one towards the bottom. Advice is to go to the top area first?

That's the easiest route, yes. But feel free to explore.

Also, theres a well, someone posted to jump in, is this correct?

lol, no.

[SquirrelNuckle]

Just got the guide for half off at GameStop. Every one should grab one it's amazing.

[mxgt]

Just got the guide for half off at GameStop. Every one should grab one it's amazing.

I would but I'm worried about it being out of dated because of 1.05

Is this the case?

[hey_it's_that_dog]

I would but I'm worried about it being out of dated because of 1.05 Is this the case?

Some of the equipment stats will be wrong, but the area walkthroughs, covenant guides, maps, and all that jazz are still good. If you'd mainly use it to figure out what weapons and armor you want and how to build your character, you'd be better off using the internet.

[pmj]

I just started NG++ and thought I'd finish up the last few achievements. One of them is the Sunbro covenant, and the requirements make it tough for me.

I dislike multiplayer so I'd rather not co-op with people, at least not on tougher bosses where I risk dying, but the alternative is to waste the next 16 levels on Faith, a stat I have no other use for.

At level 120 or so, is it realistic to co-op only easy bosses, and how likely is an invasion on the way to the boss?

[Broseybrose]

For your first character I recommend versatility. Magic and Faith scaling weapons make it so the only choice you really have to make is between Magic or Faith.

An example is my character. Im SL 95 and Im only finishing up my first playthrough. My build is as so:

VIT- 32
ATT- 16
END- 34
STR- 20
DEX- 20
RES- 14
INT- 34
FAI- 14

Obviously I chose Magic. These stats allow me to equip and use pretty much every weapon in the game.

My weapon of choice is my Enchanted Murakamo +5 (a weapon that requires 24 STR to equip ONE HANDED SO I ALWAYS TWO HAND IT). It is truly devastating, doing damage in the 500-600 range.

But you see my point. Unless you are creating a PVP character you need not be paranoid about stats. Just be smart about them.

As for my build, Im going to pump INT END and VIT, in that order, until I reach a SL Im comfortable with.

[B-Genius]

Oh wow. Thanx for that info. I've had humanity points on that counter thing but thought I had to reach a certain level to get human form. I'll go check that Door you said. Thanx again.! Ps: the item I foolishly picked to start was an HP ring which I thought would charge up your HP at a slow rate. Instead it just adds like 5% extra health to your total which sucks monkey balls. I should of picked that special key. Will I get a chance to buy it atleast? I remember some doors being locked on some of the starting sections of the game.

Just wanted to say, as you are someone familiar with DeSouls and new to this; you sound exactly like I did when I started this. Same questions (although I didn't spend long experimenting with the graveyard, hehe), same stupid Tiny Being's Ring mistake, same Humanity problems for half the game, etc.

As has been said, you can buy the Masterkey later on (it's really not something you should be concerned with on your first playthrough anyway). Just go with the flow, and play in a style that suits you for your first time - I found that playing in the same manner I did in DeSouls was a welcome approach.

And don't spend too much time on here (unless you're really stuk) until you've finished it! Knowing about Humanity/co-op/invasions should be more than enough to keep you going. Oh, and don't forget to upgrade your weapons/armour once every so often.

[ixix]

I just started NG++ and thought I'd finish up the last few achievements. One of them is the Sunbro covenant, and the requirements make it tough for me. I dislike multiplayer so I'd rather not co-op with people, at least not on tougher bosses where I risk dying, but the alternative is to waste the next 16 levels on Faith, a stat I have no other use for. At level 120 or so, is it realistic to co-op only easy bosses, and how likely is an invasion on the way to the boss?

At Soul Level 120 your quickest route to Sunbro-ery is probably going to be helping people in NG+ out with Ornstein and Smough and the Four Kings. Of the two, the former is probably going to be the easier. Your Soul Level puts you out of range for most people who haven't reached NG+, and most people only summon help for the hard bosses after their first playthrough. You might be able to get some NG+ Gaping Dragon action, but you'll be waiting longer since it's an optional boss. In NG+ it's an HP sponge, but otherwise not too difficult if you know the pattern. The only other highly active co-op area at that Soul Level in my experience is the Painted World, but some of the people summoning you there will want your help for the level but not the boss, and will be sending you home when you reach the fog door. Probably not your best choice if you're trying to rack up Sunbro wins.

Invasions on the way to the boss are extremely common. It's usually in your best interest when co-oping to pack a set of PvP gear and be practiced in swapping to it quickly, but if you're not planning on doing much co-op and haven't practiced in PvP you'll actually probably fare better using what you're used to. Just remember that virtually all invaders anymore are looking for a backstab, so don't give it to them. Slam your back against a wall with your shield up if need be; if they get impatient before you do you're at an advantage. And remember that if someone invades before the host summons you there will be no warning that there's an invader on the loose when you enter the game. I just assume every time I get summoned that there's an invader lurking somewhere and constantly scan for red and blue glowing figures.

[Alienshogun]

So, this is pretty cool. Just got a demon spear, but I STILL cannot get past these mother fucking archers.

Finally did it. I just put on the lightest gear possible and sprinted the whole way from the bonfire.

Jesus that was just a pain in the ass for no reason.

[mxgt]

Sen's Fortress confuses the fuck out of me

[BackdoorBeauty]

At Soul Level 120 your quickest route to Sunbro-ery is probably going to be helping people in NG+ out with Ornstein and Smough and the Four Kings. Of the two, the former is probably going to be the easier. Your Soul Level puts you out of range for most people who haven't reached NG+, and most people only summon help for the hard bosses after their first playthrough. You might be able to get some NG+ Gaping Dragon action, but you'll be waiting longer since it's an optional boss. In NG+ it's an HP sponge, but otherwise not too difficult if you know the pattern. The only other highly active co-op area at that Soul Level in my experience is the Painted World, but some of the people summoning you there will want your help for the level but not the boss, and will be sending you home when you reach the fog door. Probably not your best choice if you're trying to rack up Sunbro wins. Invasions on the way to the boss are extremely common. It's usually in your best interest when co-oping to pack a set of PvP gear and be practiced in swapping to it quickly, but if you're not planning on doing much co-op and haven't practiced in PvP you'll actually probably fare better using what you're used to. Just remember that virtually all invaders anymore are looking for a backstab, so don't give it to them. Slam your back against a wall with your shield up if need be; if they get impatient before you do you're at an advantage. And remember that if someone invades before the host summons you there will be no warning that there's an invader on the loose when you enter the game. I just assume every time I get summoned that there's an invader lurking somewhere and constantly scan for red and blue glowing figures.

Such an awesome game.

[Alienshogun]

So, uh, I accidentally backstabbed through a silver knight and hit that onion guy, he aggroed me and I had to kill him. Am I screwing myself from here forward now?

[Booshka]

So, uh, I accidentally backstabbed through a silver knight and hit that onion guy, he aggroed me and I had to kill him. Am I screwing myself from here forward now?

You wont be able to get a rare and valuable upgrade item Titanite Slab through his quest line, but it doesn't ruin your game at all. You probably would have missed the opportunity to get the upgrade item anyway, you almost need to read a guide on how to get it. Don't worry about it.

[Saya]

I'm SL130 and I have no idea where to put my next points in.

VIT 40
ATT 10
END 40
STR 50
DEX 20
RES 12
INT 10
FAI 30

Should I raise my INT higher or put some points in ATT for more slots? Any suggestions?

[Alienshogun]

You wont be able to get a rare and valuable upgrade item Titanite Slab through his quest line, but it doesn't ruin your game at all. You probably would have missed the opportunity to get the upgrade item anyway, you almost need to read a guide on how to get it. Don't worry about it.

Thanks, I think I got one of those somewhere else, but I can't remember.

[Booshka]

Thanks, I think I got one of those somewhere else, but I can't remember.

You got it from killing the Stray Demon back in the Undead Asylum, those are the only two you can get per playthrough. Unless you want to farm Darkwraiths for hours in New Londo Ruins.

I'm SL130 and I have no idea where to put my next points in. VIT 40 ATT 10 END 40 STR 50 DEX 20 RES 12 INT 10 FAI 30 Should I raise my INT higher or put some points in ATT for more slots? Any suggestions?

You could raise VIT, it's still worth it to go to 50, after that the gains are diminished severely. Otherwise I would suggest ATT for more slots. If you aren't using much magic though and want to just focus on melee, take your VIT to 50.

[pmj]

Oh wow. At soul level 126 I figured I would have basically no chance of being summoned for the Gargoyles, but I decided to put my sign down anyway just in case. After a few minutes the sign disappeared, so I did it again and a minute or so later I was summoned right into a PvP battle. The red phantom was quick, but fortunately focused only on the host. I had to chase him for a good while before I could finally embed my Black Knight Greataxe in his backside. Probably not the best weapon if you're chasing a quick enemy who is trying to stay away from you.

The host messaged me about having to get more flasks so he sent me home, but summoned me right back a few minutes later. Then onto the Gargoyles, who definitely had more health than when I did it solo. I killed the first gargoyle in 3 hits half an hour ago, this time me, the host and Solaire had to whack him a similar amount of times each. Either co-op bumps boss HP, or he was in NG++++ or something. Still easy, but I was nervous and reckless and could very well have died, but luckily I didn't.

It was rather neat, but I think one of these experiences is quite enough.

[K.Sabot]

Dark Souls GAF better be ready to come out in full force for GotY voting or it'll be Skyrim all day.

On my 4th character this time around, never really given a faith build a try.

[Booshka]

Oh wow. At soul level 126 I figured I would have basically no chance of being summoned for the Gargoyles, but I decided to put my sign down anyway just in case. After a few minutes the sign disappeared, so I did it again and a minute or so later I was summoned right into a PvP battle. The red phantom was quick, but fortunately focused only on the host. I had to chase him for a good while before I could finally embed my Black Knight Greataxe in his backside. Probably not the best weapon if you're chasing a quick enemy who is trying to stay away from you. The host messaged me about having to get more flasks so he sent me home, but summoned me right back a few minutes later. Then onto the Gargoyles, who definitely had more health than when I did it solo. I killed the first gargoyle in 3 hits half an hour ago, this time me, the host and Solaire had to whack him a similar amount of times each. Either co-op bumps boss HP, or he was in NG++++ or something. Still easy, but I was nervous and reckless and could very well have died, but luckily I didn't. It was rather neat, but I think one of these experiences is quite enough.

Experiences like these are the best part of Dark Souls, don't shy away from them, embrace them, that sounds like a ton of fun to me. You were definitely on a host's NG+. You wouldn't be summoned at that level there otherwise.

By the way, Black Knight Great Axe is always the right weapon, as long as it isn't slowing you down too much with equip burden, it is one of the best weapons in the game.

[ixix]

Oh wow. At soul level 126 I figured I would have basically no chance of being summoned for the Gargoyles, but I decided to put my sign down anyway just in case. After a few minutes the sign disappeared, so I did it again and a minute or so later I was summoned right into a PvP battle. The red phantom was quick, but fortunately focused only on the host. I had to chase him for a good while before I could finally embed my Black Knight Greataxe in his backside. Probably not the best weapon if you're chasing a quick enemy who is trying to stay away from you. The host messaged me about having to get more flasks so he sent me home, but summoned me right back a few minutes later. Then onto the Gargoyles, who definitely had more health than when I did it solo. I killed the first gargoyle in 3 hits half an hour ago, this time me, the host and Solaire had to whack him a similar amount of times each. Either co-op bumps boss HP, or he was in NG++++ or something. Still easy, but I was nervous and reckless and could very well have died, but luckily I didn't. It was rather neat, but I think one of these experiences is quite enough.

I'm kind of amazed you got summoned that fast for Gargoyles at that level. Maybe the connectivity improvements have inspired people to summon for everything; most of my high-level co-op time was on 1.03. I might actually try throwing my sign down for bosses I never used to get takers for.

Your first time doing co-op can be a bit nerve-wracking, and getting summoned into the middle of an invasion in progress is always a bit of a shock, but if you keep at it you'll be able to start reacting to that sort of thing with a sort of resigned ennui. Co-op is my favorite part of the game by far.

[pmj]

Experiences like these are the best part of Dark Souls, don't shy away from them, embrace them, that sounds like a ton of fun to me. You were definitely on a host's NG+. You wouldn't be summoned at that level there otherwise.

I just don't like multiplayer. I have a fear of being a liability to other people, or not entertaining them enough, or being useless. It's irrational, I know, but I can't seem to shake it. Even now, when everything went according to plan and I did my part, my feelings are a mix between good and bad instead of all bad.

By the way, Black Knight Great Axe is always the right weapon, as long as it isn't slowing you down too much with equip burden, it is one of the best weapons in the game.

I'm definitely a fan! It took me a while to warm up to it, seeing as it's so slow, but man, it hits like a truck and interrupts most anything. I was a tank build that played through NG and most of NG+ with spears and other lighter weapons. Yeah...

[Alienshogun]

Is sorcery work going into?

I want to use the moonlight butterfly spear, but I haven't gone into magic at all.

[ixix]

I just don't like multiplayer. I have a fear of being a liability to other people, or not entertaining them enough, or being useless. It's irrational, I know, but I can't seem to shake it. Even now, when everything went according to plan and I did my part, my feelings are a mix between good and bad instead of all bad.

One of the nice things about Dark Souls co-op is that, as a phantom, you are almost completely expendable. If you die you lose nothing, and the host can always summon a replacement. If you aren't too great at a boss it's not a big deal because against most bosses you can help out just by being another target so that the host doesn't have to dodge or block all of the attacks. And unlike Demon's Souls there's no rating system, so making a boneheaded move every now and again isn't going to earn you a permanent mark of shame. It's really a very accommodating system.

Is sorcery work going into? I want to use the moonlight butterfly spear, but I haven't gone into magic at all.

Sorcery is very much worth going into. Your priorities there are actually a bit backwards: Sorcery is the real reward for pumping your Int, being able to equip a couple of weapons is a minor additional benefit. And of the Int-build weapons it's the Moonlight Greatsword, not the Moonlight Butterfly Horn that's the standout.

[SpaceBridge]

So, I went up as previously advised and made it to the Undead Burg or whatever that area is called. Got myself chaimail and reinforced club. Leveled up some more.

Is it appropriate to hang around and area and use a bonfire to respawn enemies to farm souls before moving on?

Also, what happens when you kill human npcs?

[Alienshogun]

One of the nice things about Dark Souls co-op is that, as a phantom, you are almost completely expendable. If you die you lose nothing, and the host can always summon a replacement. If you aren't too great at a boss it's not a big deal because against most bosses you can help out just by being another target so that the host doesn't have to dodge or block all of the attacks. And unlike Demon's Souls there's no rating system, so making a boneheaded move every now and again isn't going to earn you a permanent mark of shame. It's really a very accommodating system. Sorcery is very much worth going into. Your priorities there are actually a bit backwards: Sorcery is the real reward for pumping your Int, being able to equip a couple of weapons is a minor additional benefit. And of the Int-build weapons it's the Moonlight Greatsword, not the Moonlight Butterfly Horn that's the standout.

Well I'm heavy dex now, like 35 in dex. I don't know what's better atm. Using my raw +5 butterfly spear, or leveling up this demon spear, It's hard to tell how good the demon spear is since everything in anor londo resists lightning (I think.)

Any tips on what weapons I should be looking for as a Dex build? I've not really begun going down a magic tree yet, but that's my next step once dex is at 40.

[Booshka]

Well I'm heavy dex now, like 35 in dex. I don't know what's better atm. Using my raw +5 butterfly spear, or leveling up this demon spear, It's hard to tell how good the demon spear is since everything in anor londo resists lightning (I think.) Any tips on what weapons I should be looking for as a Dex build? I've not really begun going down a magic tree yet, but that's my next step once dex is at 40.

Katanas are great for Dex, Iaito, Uchigatana and Washing Pole. You can find the Iaito in the beginning of Blighttown, you have to do a pretty ballsy jump to get to it. The Uchi can be bought from a merchant or you can kill another merchant and loot his. The Washing Pole must be bought from the same merchant that sells the Uchi. If you upgrade a Rapier a lot, it becomes an extremely powerful critical weapon, backstab and riposte damage is very high on an upgraded Rapier.

[pmj]

One of the nice things about Dark Souls co-op is that, as a phantom, you are almost completely expendable. If you die you lose nothing, and the host can always summon a replacement. If you aren't too great at a boss it's not a big deal because against most bosses you can help out just by being another target so that the host doesn't have to dodge or block all of the attacks. And unlike Demon's Souls there's no rating system, so making a boneheaded move every now and again isn't going to earn you a permanent mark of shame. It's really a very accommodating system.

Being expendable makes me feel a bit better, but not much. Now that I think of it, I'm not sure I managed to cut off the Gargoyle's tail. I tried to do it. I think I did it. But I'm not positive.

As a phantom, you could partly ruin someone's playthrough by denying them weapons and armor.

So, I went up as previously advised and made it to the Undead Burg or whatever that area is called. Got myself chaimail and reinforced club. Leveled up some more. Is it appropriate to hang around and area and use a bonfire to respawn enemies to farm souls before moving on? Also, what happens when you kill human npcs?

It can be a good idea to hang around in the Burg for a while. The levels aren't all that important, but it's good to practice the combat and learn the layout.

The biggest drawback to killing an NPC is that it'll be gone for the rest of the playthrough. The NPC could have been selling things, or be a blacksmith, or be part of an optional quest. Or maybe it did nothing but standing around. And now it's gone. You also incur sin, but that will have to be explained by someone else. I think it affects online play in some way.