[Traveller]

Did you find the right turn in Darkroot garden, between the garden entrance by the Smith, and the bonfire you found by the gate? There's a winding path there down to the lake. With a Hydra in it. There's another bonfire down the path too, but its guarded by a Black Knight.

But before you do that, I think that you'd be better off taking on the Depths. You need to go through the fog door down the stairs from the female undead merchant, to get the key for the Basement area. Which leads to the Depths, and the Gaping Dragon.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 03 April 2013 - 05:51 PM

[Defiance]

No, the red one is the Hellkite Dragon. The Gaping Dragon is an actual boss that you'll encounter fairly soon.

The Forest Hunter Covenant is just through the 20k souls door in Darkroot Gardens. Here's a wiki link to the advantages of the various Covenants: http://darksouls.wikidot.com/covenants . Many of them are based around PvP, although most of them have items that you can use regardless of whether you're online or not.

The slowing that the stone giants do on you is a miracle called Tranquil Walk of Peace. I believe it has 3 uses and can be used at either 16 or 18 faith.

Don't worry about discovering everything on your first time through. The only way to be sure of that is to use an online guide, which I wouldn't recommend on your first time. It's always fun to discover new things on a second playthrough. That said, as Traveller suggested you should make your way to the Depths. You'll be able to kill the Hydra later on, and if you have the Artorias of the Abyss add-on (Prepare to Die edition on PC) you really don't need to kill it until you've started Duke's Archives which is quite a ways off for you.

[Traveller]

I'm only joining the Forest Covenant to get a Ring.

You don't have to join it yet, especially if you want to farm souls there as once you join you won't be able to kill the other hunters that give you thousands of souls.

Plus, there are better ones to join.

[amphibian]

For the Giant Stone Knights, use some sort of "bashing" weapon like a Reinforced Club. They go down easy with those and are more difficult to damage with slicing weapons.

I flipped back and forth between spear and club in that section and then promptly WTF'ed when the Garden's boss came out and was something completely different. This game just doesn't let you cruise through sections. There has to be premeditation (and the buying of the bottomless box is really useful to make the I effed up moments regarding weapon selection not that damaging).

[Traveller]

I found that you don't even need to engage them if you choose not to. You can sprint round the side to reach the steps and fog door.

Just as the path opens out into the area with the Stone Giants, there is a false wall on the right. Hit it to find a path to the Wolf Ring.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 03 April 2013 - 07:13 PM

[tiam]

So ive been through the locked forest door then spent sometime killing those 4 hunter people that people have been on about. I actually enjoy fighting them and you get 7k souls per round so i did that got up a few levels and have also got that dragon ring that boosts sorcery. As for the stone giant bit there ok but i turned back before going through that foggy door up the steps. I also didnt go too far into the bit with that talking cat after the four guys though i did see the hydra from a distance. Gonna go back and farm for a bit 2moro then go the undead burg foggy door. Hope fully uts a self contained area i can check off my ocd kist of places.
Is firelink a base camp throughout the game that all paths sort of lead back to. That would be good.

[tiam]

Also got that wolf ring thanks. No idea hwat it does but i improved my strength so i can wield a long sword in one hand now which is nice.

[Traveller]

Firelink is the hub, yes. That's where most of the npcs gather when you free them, too.

Wolf ring boosts poise, which determines how much knockback you take when you get hit.

I finally got the ring I was after from the covenant, after a bit of a slip up which resulted in me losing 16k souls... oops. The ring is ok, but maybe less suited to my character this time round. I might have to invest in some endurance to give me a speed boost without Havels ring.

Time to farm some hunters for the bellowing dragon ring. I'm finding being a sorcerer way easier in some areas like the depths, but find Im still having to rely on my sword for anything that gets too close. The drake sword is still a godsend early-game.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 04 April 2013 - 07:46 AM

[Tattersail_]

I didn't get to play yet again last night. However I just snuck off work for an hour and defeated the Demon by the blacksmith and found out what you were talking about regarding the gardens. One tree creature thing tried to suck my whole head off. Left me with very little life, quick regen and then 4 chops to dispatch.

[Defiance]

Chomping your head off? Just wait until you meet the Mimics. And don't spoil it if you already know what they are.

[tiam]

I have no gf tonight and will be playing dark souls all night. Will i need the ring that extends the time for sorcery even though im not using an magic weapon spells? Also i never change between sword and catalyst even when theyre up close btw traveller, i think my armour is much lighter than yours allowing memore mobility.

The combat reminds me of a souped up version of the combat in zelda tbh and while i enjoy my sorcerer file i find i wish id gone straight warrior

[Traveller]

Start one, and see what you think. So far I think I preferred it, as you have to learn the enemy moves, and which weapons they are weakest to.. rather than just shooting them repeatedly.

You can still get pyromancy spells to roast stuff. And you'd be surprised at how quickly you catch up.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 04 April 2013 - 06:23 PM

[tiam]

Im at that forest door place and have been farming. Ive been just killing them which can still be quite a challenge as they can 2 hit me. Farmed about 100k souls so far id say. Do i need the ring that allows longer duration of spells if i dont use any of that type yet.

That capra demon thing raped me aswell as its reach in that small space is crazy

[Malaclypse]

as previously stated, run up the stairs immediately when fighting the capra demon, if they follow you drop off and when they follow you, run back up the stairs, rinse and repeat, kill the dogs, block and circle round the capra demon, it should be fine - may take a few tries but it will work. There are much harder fights to come

[amphibian]

Actually, Mal, the problem is that it's very hard to go up the stairs initially. The dogs and the demons are rushing you right as you go through the door and the stairs are right behind the enemies.

Thus, the strategy is initially to go right - away from the stairs - to get around the demon and dogs and then go up the stairs. From then on, kill the dogs first and then go after the demon.

Best of luck.

[Traveller]

Yot don't need that ring.. you can only equip 2 at a time, and there are others you'll use more.

The Capra.. block or roll away to the right when you get in, and get up thd steps, and onto the ledge. It will take a few goes to get round the dogs, but once up there you can lock on and hit the demon with heavy soul arrow or whatever you've got.

I went for the steps first initially, but you get tangled in the dogs and then one-hit by the demon while you're stuck.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 04 April 2013 - 08:12 PM

[tiam]

Thanks for the advice. Amphs right its difficult to rush the stairs initially. I tried going right aswell. I only need to hit the demon 4times with my my fastest spell but its not happening. My style of play does not fare me well against quick opponents. Is there a closer bonfire than fireshrine aswell? Also maybe more armour as im still very lightly armoured. Gonna try and tank it see if thats helps

[Malaclypse]

amphibian, on 04 April 2013 - 08:07 PM, said:

Actually, Mal, the problem is that it's very hard to go up the stairs initially. The dogs and the demons are rushing you right as you go through the door and the stairs are right behind the enemies.

Thus, the strategy is initially to go right - away from the stairs - to get around the demon and dogs and then go up the stairs. From then on, kill the dogs first and then go after the demon.

Best of luck.

eat a bag of dicks, you pretentious git - it's not 'very hard' - unlike you, I despise micro-managing - you achieve the results in your own way. Get up those fucking stairs any way you can and work from there, you will figure it out eventually.

[tiam]

Easily done with that eastern armour and me actually using the longsword to kill the dogs. I also think the game glitched a bit as he got stuck but he could still hit me. Always gonna carryy heavy armour around now i think.

Got the key to the depths no idea where that is so gonna try my luck in the forest basin place where i think that hydra is.

[Silanah]

Wrong thread

This post has been edited by Silanah: 04 April 2013 - 08:56 PM