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[Mogwai]

Does this all added with free patch or only in Scholar of the First Sin?

The new enemy placements are exclusive to the SotFS edition from what I know.

 

[Easy_D]

The new enemy placements are exclusive to the SotFS edition from what I know.

Yep.

New enemy placements
New enemy behaviour
New item placement
Graphical enhancements
Expanded multiplayer (more phantoms)
All exclusive to current gen/DX11 build

 

[Lux R7]

Think i'm gonna take it (PC)

 

[CountAntonius]

Source? Sounds like April Fools...

Here

 

[dreamlock]

I was thinking about going for a high faith build like in my previous playthrough, but as I've heard of the great nerf to lightning spear I'm probably going all out str or dex for my first character.

Too bad. I liked being a lightning wielding sunbro.

 

[jbortz78]

Yep.

New enemy placements
New enemy behaviour
New item placement
Graphical enhancements
Expanded multiplayer (more phantoms)
All exclusive to current gen/DX11 build

About enemy behaviour will that iclude bosses and how their attacks "lock on" to the player?

Havent played the org myself yet but heard that was quite annoying..

 

[Bl@de]

Hmm fuck it. Wanted to buy the season pass (haven't played the DLC yet) and saw that SotFS is only 5€ more expensive (than the Vanilla Season Pass) with all the changes and DLC so I preordered that (23€ on PC). Time to beat up Drangleic again. I'm ready.

 

[Easy_D]

About enemy behaviour will that iclude bosses and how their attacks "lock on" to the player?

Havent played the org myself yet but heard that was quite annoying..

You mean the ice skate pirouttes? Nah that's still in, in that stream last night I saw the Turtle Bois still do it. I don't even know what enemy behaviour entails, it could just be the increased (seemingly infinite) aggro range.

 

[bigol]

I noticed a ton of changes in the stream.

* more enemies along the river
* more enemies after climbing the ladder, but they're not active until you go near them
* a few more items scattered around
* no white knight on NG
* sniper up top has bombs rather than arrows
* three guys in the crossbow bolt sideroom
* lifegem along the path up the stairs
* no enemy near the buckler on the roof
* halberd enemy near the bonfire is active without you going around the corner
* the room above the bonfire is pitch black, possibly more items
* one enemy moved in the room overlooking the salamanders
* the archer on the scaffolding on the way to Cale has moved to the alcove with an item
* instead of two normal soldiers, there's a turtle below the Pursuer platform
* more items on the platform

These are just things I noticed in half an hour of the stream. If it keeps up, this is a very different game.

Also noticed that there are some enemies still fighting the giant statues, like they would still be during the war, that' s a nice little detail

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

I'm not sure about the time frame but I continued playing DS2 about 4-5 months ago on PC (no DLC) and I saw patch notes for balancing, and yea my build was complete shit after the update.

Here it is, it was changed back in July of last year:

Decrease the number of uses for the following Miracles and Hexes:

Lightning Spear
Great Lightning Spear
Sunlight Spear
Emit Force
Soul Appease
Great Resonant Soul
Profound Still

Increase the damage for the following Miracle through correction to status values:

Lightning Spear
Great Lightning Spear
Sunlight Spear
Emit Force

Which I would have been okay with but they ended up decreasing the damage by accident and never fixed it.

this is shit, not sure how I feel about buying this now. Suppose I could switch up and try a magic build but my excitement has been greatly hampered

 

[StoppedInTracks]

Jesus I cannot wait... I am Souls starved (don't have a PS4 yet)... CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS GAME TO DROP.

They are shipping it to me on Thursday. Probably will not be here for the weekend (Eastern).


F U C K

 

[Chance Hale]

Have there been any details on the graphical improvements of the new pc version?

 

[Fallout-NL]

Compared to BB:

+ Build Variety
+ Build Balance

After having played 20 hours of Bloodborne, I get that idea as well. Interesting that nobody seems to mind really in the BB OT.

Understandable given how incredible the game is in other areas, but does disappoint me somewhat in that terms of the possibility of coming up with different builds.

 

[derFeef]

I will try magic this time, I never did that in the Souls games really.

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

After having played 20 hours of Bloodborne, I get that idea as well. Interesting that nobody seems to mind really in the BB OT.

Understandable given how incredible the game is in other areas, but does disappoint me somewhat in that terms of the possibility of coming up with different builds.

You don't unlock a lot of the "magic" and extra weapons in BB until the end. A lot of the late game weapons are great and unique, you just can't get the full benefit until NG+ or chalice dungeons

 

[Flipside]

Bloodborne was (is) my first Souls game. I didn't expect to like it (I feared it was going to be too hardcore) but somehow it really clicks. The sense of exploration, unlocking new shortcuts, the sense of danger everywhere and the actual feeling of becoming better at the game.

Should I pick up DS2: Scholar of the First Sin too? Since I like Bloodborne this much. In which way is DS2 better/worse?

 

[Mogwai]

Bloodborne was (is) my first Souls game. I didn't expect to like it (I feared it was going to be too hardcore) but somehow it really clicks. The sense of exploration, unlocking new shortcuts, the sense of danger everywhere and the actual feeling of becoming better at the game.

Should I pick up DS2: Scholar of the First Sin too? Since I like Bloodborne this much. In which way is DS2 better/worse?

The game won't be as fast paced and you'll be able to play more defensively, and even with magic. At the core, it it feels like a Souls game like any of them.

Also, I think the PS4 version will have a quite some online activity. But again, that's just my guess.

 

[fvng]

Bloodborne was (is) my first Souls game. I didn't expect to like it (I feared it was going to be too hardcore) but somehow it really clicks. The sense of exploration, unlocking new shortcuts, the sense of danger everywhere and the actual feeling of becoming better at the game.

Should I pick up DS2: Scholar of the First Sin too? Since I like Bloodborne this much. In which way is DS2 better/worse?

I would say it's easier to transition into demons souls since it has a similar structure (a central hub called the nexus, and compartmentalized levels as opposed to a persistent world) and a similar tone. Then I would say jump into dark souls

 

[bidguy]

did they lower the enemy damage output in this game ?

 

[Feindflug]

I will try magic this time, I never did that in the Souls games really.

Same here, I'm going with a Dex/Hexes build this time around (I was Str/Faith in vanilla DS2).

After seeing the changes that were posted above SotFS sounds more like DS2: Director's Cut than a simple remaster...also this may sound weird but from all the changes I'm mostly interested to see the new shortcuts.

 

[ahoyhoy]

I would say it's easier to transition into demons souls since it has a similar structure (a central hub called the nexus, and compartmentalized levels as opposed to a persistent world) and a similar tone. Then I would say jump into dark souls

Dark Souls 2 will probably feel closer to BB if you use some of the faster weapons/dual wielding builds.

Overall it'll still feel slower, though. You'll still get the same sense of exploration and the varieties of DS2 are hella unique.

 

[Fallout-NL]

You don't unlock a lot of the "magic" and extra weapons in BB until the end. A lot of the late game weapons are great and unique, you just can't get the full benefit until NG+ or chalice dungeons

Interesting, time to play some more I guess.

 

[Mogwai]

I would say it's easier to transition into demons souls since it has a similar structure (a central hub called the nexus, and compartmentalized levels as opposed to a persistent world) and a similar tone. Then I would say jump into dark souls

It would be a shame to jump into either Demon's Souls or Dark Souls right now.

The online activity are always good when a Souls game is released. Would be silly to avoid that.

 

[Neoweee]

After having played 20 hours of Bloodborne, I get that idea as well. Interesting that nobody seems to mind really in the BB OT.

Understandable given how incredible the game is in other areas, but does disappoint me somewhat in that terms of the possibility of coming up with different builds.

People are still in the honeymoon phase with BB. It is likely my favorite of the "Souls" games, but there's still some giant, giant cracks in the gameplay It wasn't until near the end of my 2nd playthrough that I actually had to learn what an enemy boss does-- an actual fight, with no terrain exploits, no easy parry, and some difficulty in circle-strafing for the win.

EDIT: Doing an Arcane build, even with all of the "benefits", is shit. There's room for some points, but it ain't a separate build of any quality.

 

[Rambone]

What I want to know is if they are going to add back in removed assets and if lighting will be restored back to or close to its former pre retail glory.

Below are example shots of a before and after to detail my point. As you can see before the changes in this particular hallway we can see many more assets where as in the retail release the hallway looks stripped bare for the most part. If the entire game was neutered like this, I want to know if what my screenshots display have made a return.

 

[Seanspeed]

I haven't seen any extra environmental detail anywhere in the videos shown, so don't count on it.

 

[EatChildren]

What I want to know is if they are going to add back in removed assets and if lighting will be restored back to or close to its former pre retail glory.

Below are example shots of a before and after to detail my point. As you can see before the changes in this particular hallway we can see many more assets where as in the retail release the hallway looks stripped bare for the most part. If the entire game was neutered like this, I want to know if what my screenshots display have made a return.

No and no. The early build of Dark Souls 2 is dead.

 

[HalfBakedProphet]

EDIT: Doing an Arcane build, even with all of the "benefits", is shit. There's room for some points, but it ain't a separate build of any quality.

I think the Arcane attacks and buffs are meant to be a spice and change of pace, not a new seperate build in and of themselves. the right handed trick weapons were always going to be the main course

The depth of BB long-term will come from the rune slots, different gems and unlocking the different weapon types in the chalice dungeons. There is meat and longevity to Bloodborne, its just a different flavor from that of DS1 or 2

Does DS2 technically have more weapons? Yup. But the number of movesets isn't nearly as large as the number of weapons, you're getting a lot of reskins with different stats and calling it a "new" weapon. Sorry for the BB talk and going off-topic, I'm done

 

[Easy_D]

What I want to know is if they are going to add back in removed assets and if lighting will be restored back to or close to its former pre retail glory.

Below are example shots of a before and after to detail my point. As you can see before the changes in this particular hallway we can see many more assets where as in the retail release the hallway looks stripped bare for the most part. If the entire game was neutered like this, I want to know if what my screenshots display have made a return.

No they won't, however if you think about how sweet the pre-release vertical slice looked and PS360 finally being dead and Fromsoft sitting on this wonderful lighting engine that's like sex for your eyes I'll be damned if they don't re-purpose it for Dark Souls 3.

That said, Dark Souls 2 looked quite fantastic on PC, DLC areas in particular had a lot of care put into them. And with them adding some post processing colour correction and dynamic contrast perhaps Aldia's won't quite look like a bleak gray mess this time around, but improved assets is a no-go.

 

[derFeef]

Same here, I'm going with a Dex/Hexes build this time around (I was Str/Faith in vanilla DS2).

After seeing the changes that were posted above SotFS sounds more like DS2: Director's Cut than a simple remaster...also this may sound weird but from all the changes I'm mostly interested to see the new shortcuts.

What starting class would you recommend? Sorcerer or Swordsman? I am too much of a wuss to try Deprived.

 

[DrROBschiz]

No and no. The early build of Dark Souls 2 is dead.

One of gamings biggest tragedies

They should have never thrown out those assets.....

One of the worst forced downgrades ever

 

[Feindflug]

What starting class would you recommend? Sorcerer or Swordsman? I am too much of a wuss to try Deprived.

Me too. :3

It depends on how much you are planning to use weapons I guess, if you want a pure mage build sorcerer is the way to go if you plan on using weapons too swordsman is a better pick.

Spoiler

I'm going with Swordsman.

 

[Schweinehund]

After finishing up Bloodborne and a couple of other games I'll be interested in giving this a whirl due to the new enemy placements geared towards greater challenge (DS2 becomes particularly easy once you've a solid build going), the DLC in the package (I only played the first, and liked it), among other changes. That being said I'm also very worried "new enemy placement" is a bad gimmick. DS2 was decently balanced in its encounters, and I worry this will just throw more and more stronger enemies at you for no fucking reason.

Just wish they would allow the option between old and new enemy placement (maybe make old offline only so they don't divide the playerbase) and also being able to switch between patch versions would be great too. I'd like to do shrine of amana pre-nerf and other bosses. I suppose I always have my pc version if I want to play the old version.

 

[Carcetti]

I've played through DS2 with claymore faith build and sorcery/hex build. After Bloodborne I now want to do either a shieldless dex melee or shieldless heavy weapon str melee, and I was wondering what weapons people would recommend after those patch notes? Not interested in something purely 'interesting' and I'd rather blitz through with actually good weapons.

 

[KainXVIII]

shieldless dex melee

does this build work outside of bloodborne?

 

[Carcetti]

does this build work outside of bloodborne?

I haven't personally tried it but I've seen one boss video of it, so I guess it does.

 

[nowarning]

I thought bollocks to it the other day and ordered a Steam key for about £17, I've only played it on 360 before so I think that's very fair for the updated game and all the DLC. I haven't really felt the need to play many games recently but I am looking forward to playing this again.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

Bloodborne has sold me on picking up DS II.

I still don't like how close they come out together.

 

[Santiako]

I've played through DS2 with claymore faith build and sorcery/hex build. After Bloodborne I now want to do either a shieldless dex melee or shieldless heavy weapon str melee, and I was wondering what weapons people would recommend after those patch notes? Not interested in something purely 'interesting' and I'd rather blitz through with actually good weapons.

One of the playthroughs I enjoyed most in DS 2 was dual welding giant and large club. Shieldless, really different playstyle and demolishes everything.

 

[CHC]

The only thing I really want them to tweak is enemy poise in end game areas. Some of the shit in the Ivory Crown areas was really frustrating. Part of the Souls combat is all about the risk reward of keeping your enemy staggered at the expense of stamina, but so many end game mobs in DSII just felt like you were wailing on a tree trunk, you could do so much damage without ever interrupting their attack or having them even flinch. I'm talking about shit like those horses in the snow area. That zone was so stupid, just a big "fuck you".

 

[Carlius]

i still cant believe this isnt up for pre order on steam lol...

 

[Carcetti]

One of the playthroughs I enjoyed most in DS 2 was dual welding giant and large club. Shieldless, really different playstyle and demolishes everything.

Doesn't that require crazy stats? I never tried dual wielding in DS2 and the mechanics with stats seemed pretty weird all around for that.

 

[Servbot24]

One of gamings biggest tragedies

If that were true, the gaming industry would be a pillar of righteousness on the whole.

 

[Seanspeed]

The only thing I really want them to tweak is enemy poise in end game areas. Some of the shit in the Ivory Crown areas was really frustrating. Part of the Souls combat is all about the risk reward of keeping your enemy staggered at the expense of stamina, but so many end game mobs in DSII just felt like you were wailing on a tree trunk, you could do so much damage without ever interrupting their attack or having them even flinch. I'm talking about shit like those horses in the snow area. That zone was so stupid, just a big "fuck you".

Its a crying shame that people cant mod this sort of stuff.

The game is ripe for all sorts of different 'rebalancing' mods.

 

[JimmyRustler]

After having played 20 hours of Bloodborne, I get that idea as well. Interesting that nobody seems to mind really in the BB OT.

Understandable given how incredible the game is in other areas, but does disappoint me somewhat in that terms of the possibility of coming up with different builds.

IIRC most of the builds aside from Dex and Tank build were pretty useless anyway in souls games. Didn't magic build basically brake every single of the souls games?

 

[famfrit]

Compared to BB:

+ Build Variety
+ Build Balance
+ Music (imo, mileage may vary)
+ Covenants
+ General integration of multiplayer
+ Hub area
+ NPCs
+ Gear/Loot variety
+ Length
+ NG+ mechanics (by a lot)
+ It feels like a continent-spanning adventure, because it is
+ Less-linear (if you count Demon Souls as less-linear, with a bunch of extra paths and zones scattered around)

Thanks.

 

[Shmeagatory94]

One of gamings biggest tragedies

They should have never thrown out those assets.....

One of the worst forced downgrades ever

Wasnt there an interview where the team said they ran into some kinda trouble and it messed them up so they had to totally change the game in certain ways? Did that contribute to the downgrade?

 

[Neoweee]

IIRC most of the builds aside from Dex and Tank build were pretty useless anyway in souls games. Didn't magic build basically brake every single of the souls games?

Magic is usually broken, but Dark Souls 2 is the best balanced it has ever been. It's still really good, but you at least need to use the regular game mechanics, and enemies (including bosses) are much better at closing the gap so you can't just kite them indefinitely. Too many bosses in Dark Souls 1 could be beaten by walking away while casting. Almost none of DkS2's can.

 

[mtodavk]

The only thing I really want them to tweak is enemy poise in end game areas. Some of the shit in the Ivory Crown areas was really frustrating. Part of the Souls combat is all about the risk reward of keeping your enemy staggered at the expense of stamina, but so many end game mobs in DSII just felt like you were wailing on a tree trunk, you could do so much damage without ever interrupting their attack or having them even flinch. I'm talking about shit like those horses in the snow area. That zone was so stupid, just a big "fuck you".

Honestly, I'm just glad to hear that I'm not the only one pissed about the impossible to stagger enemies in the dlc. I went through the DLC with my no shield dex build literally based around constant staggering, and I was pissed almost the entire time.

 

[Elsolar]

Isn't this launching tomorrow? You'd think it'd be on Steam by now.