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Crystal lizards are super-duper hard to get. Basically if you see a glimmer in the distance freeze, ascertain whether it's a lizard, then shoot it with your bow and race over while it's on its back to pummel it with your melee weapon of choice. That strategy works, oh, 4% of the time, making it the best approach I know.
Manta demons in the Shrine will attack no matter what, Pokey, but if you don't have the Thief ring on they'll see you from miles away. You have to learn to love them, as they really should call the place The Shrine of Manta Demons.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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I'm back at it after a break for a trip out of town and then guests at our house. Attacking the Shrine of Storms and making some progress. Killed the manta-ray in the courtyard and worked my way down to Blige and then up to the crow that wanted some shiny things. Left the brass telescope and then got the compound long bow. I am amazed that I have kept my body for so long but there are some nasty skeletons ahead.
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Dagnabbit! I got past the first two golden skeletons and then when I had the third with a sliver of health, I fell to my death. I didn't realize I was knocked back a bit casting soul arrow and it was the narrowest part of the cliff path. If I had made it past them, I would have had a crack at the Adjudicator boss. I guess I could just take the shortcut to him. It's been a long time since I was in soul form.
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Heck, Pokey, I spent that entire game in soul form. I don't think I ever managed to be well and truly alive for more than five minutes in a row.
There's no real tip for the golden skeletons on the ledge - it's narrow and super-easy to fall. In some instances you can get the skeletons to fall off and do your work for you. Then there's a Red Eye right before the Adjudicator, and the boss himself.
This area - the castle courtyard with all the mantas, and the silver skeletons - is the best place to gather souls and up your stats, at least at this point in the game. And Blige has a good selection of arrows and other tools to help you out. I actually wound up spending too much time there, and sort of lost muscle memory for all the other regions of the game.
As for Sparkly the Crow, she'll trade for a bunch of shiny objects - jewelry, gemstones, any odds and ends that twinkle. And she'll often leave you very special items as rewards. You can check the Demon's Souls Wiki for more instructions on what she might trade for.
If you continue to enjoy this game, then Dark Souls is definitely in your future. It improves on the original in many ways, and is even more suited to offline play.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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After missing on five crystal lizards, I found a method that works and got the next two. Soul Arrow does a good job if you keep after them. The last one dropped moonlight stones which I need to upgrade my winged spear.
I am in the Tower of Latria about to face the first boss. I had such a hard time with the Ajudicator using magic that I left that for a while. I intend to go back and try melee on him. The tower is scary, but easier than The Shrine of Storms.
Later…the Fool's Idol in the Tower of Latria is history. Melee worked better than magic. Heading over to the Ajudicator again to see if it works there.
Since I had my body back and extra health, I went after the Ajudicator again and got him. I needed that extra health since I was down to a sliver a couple times.
I'm 5 for 5 on the last few crystal lizards. [Image Can Not Be Found] Using soul ray now.
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Still playing, though not getting much time in because of the holiday goings on. I killed Flamelurker on my second try a couple days ago and then got by Old Hero tonight. Old Hero was pretty easy if you hide in the back corner and sneak out to attack with bow or magic. Storm King and Dragon God are up next. I'm not looking forward to Maneater. Once I get him, I can upgrade my bow to a Lava Bow. I have a Moon Spear +4 as well and have dumped the plate armor and am wearing leather. That's seven demons down and I feel a lot better about my chances in this game. There are still many tense moments like getting through 4-2.
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Nice work, Pokey! That's some huge progress!
I'd humbly suggest going for Dragon God next. As your first "World Boss," he's more of a puzzle and a timing challenge, which might act as a bit of a breather for you.
To be honest I never got to Maneater in Demon's Souls. I went in a different direction and got hung up late in Boletaria. I have heard that Maneater bears a lot in common with the Bell Gargoyles from Dark Souls, in all the scariest ways. But at the rate you're going you should have no trouble. Well done!
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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I've been enjoying this thread immensely. I just recently made the jump into Demon's Souls. I admit to being pretty intimidated at first. I puttered around with a few classes and didn't get much of anywhere, then tried Royalty and got through 1-1 without too much difficulty (soul arrow!). That really helped my confidence and I've now defeated the Armored Spider (that was a grass eater though) and am making my way to the second Stonefang boss.
I'm not that good at melee so it seemed a good fit. I'm also playing a Hunter, just to see if I can handle a more close-up style. I also admit to making much use of various FAQs, though I've intentionally avoided character build info, since I want to test out my theories with minimal outside influence. This is strange for me, since I typically get more enjoyment from RPGs by making sure I understand how to build a good character, and avoiding other FAQ info. But then Demon's Souls is no typical RPG.
Steerpike, you and I are similar, at least in the sense that Demon's Souls wouldn't normally be considered high on our list of desirable games. However, I am typically very slow and methodical in my approach to games, so in that at least it would seem a good match.
Not to put words in your mouth, but I think I may have some ideas as to why you find it so compelling (probably projecting here). First, the risk/reward system is so meaningful. The cost of failure is potentially very high, but the rewards for pressing on are just as high. It's all so clear cut. In this sense if reminds me somewhat of Shadow of the Colossus. Also, the mechanics are simple yet deep. Every strategy has value and every item has a meaningful use. There is very little fat or baggage. The tools fit the task so well. This brings to mind another PS2 game called Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, possibly the most elegent, tightly designed RPG I've ever played.
And finally, Demon's Souls engages the mind, but not in a way that's overbearing or tedious. It always encourages you to think through strategies, on the small and large scale. That combined with the visceral, exacting combat makes for a potent combination. You can't sleepwalk through Demon's Souls. Think I'll go play now.
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I'm glad to hear that someone else is playing this game. The beginning area is so hard, but as you move though the game and acquire better weapons and spells, it becomes easier as you go. Have you found a bow yet? That will make life easier. I found the Tower of Latria to be less difficult that some of the other areas, especially until you find some special weapons. Keep posting. I'm interested in how you are progressing.
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Not to put words in your mouth, but I think I may have some ideas as to why you find it so compelling (probably projecting here). First, the risk/reward system is so meaningful. The cost of failure is potentially very high, but the rewards for pressing on are just as high. It's all so clear cut. In this sense if reminds me somewhat of Shadow of the Colossus. Also, the mechanics are simple yet deep. Every strategy has value and every item has a meaningful use. There is very little fat or baggage. The tools fit the task so well. This brings to mind another PS2 game called Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, possibly the most elegent, tightly designed RPG I've ever played.
Perfectly phrased, SB. The Souls games are elegant in their design and unflinching in their self-confidence. They know what they're doing, know it won't be universally popular, and they do it anyway. They're also masterful at making you feel the place - haunted Boletaria, fetid Valley of Defilement, and so on. I'm a sucker for games that immerse me like that (read: STALKER, Thief, etc), feel like I'm in a place.
The sense of accomplishment when you succeed, also, is part of the payoff. Sure, we're not solving world hunger here, but every victory, no matter how large or small, feels hard-won and well-deserved.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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Steerpike, I completely agree. Demon's Souls knows exactly what it is. Atmosphere is very important (to me) and this game nails it.
Pokey, I have the small compound bow that's on one of the towers along the King's Way (I think it's called). The place where the red dragon does its strafing runs. Oh, and I haven't been able to kill it yet. Currently I deal from a distance with Soul Arrow and Flame Toss. My bow is comparatively weak at the moment.
I just defeated Flamelurker and the Dragon God. I'm afraid Flamelurker got caught on a bit of geometry and fell to my mighty Soul Arrows. 🙂 There was a moment when I almost felt sorry for it. It did kill me once so we're even. I had more trouble with the Dragon God until I realized that shield bash would take down the rubble in one hit.
I haven't tried Latria yet but I may give it a go. I did go there once and immediately ran into a guy who shot magic at me, so I left. I tried out the area of Boletaria after the Tower Knight and made some progress, although that fat, clown guy creeps me out.
The Thief's Ring is great for thinning out crowds. I started with a rapier and liked its stabbing properties (nice in tight places) then ditched it for the Winged Spear since it does the same attack but with longer range. I don't quite understand the upgrades though. My spear is currently Quality +4 I think (clearstone is it?). Once I max out that particular upgrade path I can move on to another, no?
You may have mentioned earlier in this thread, but what type of character are you playing?
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SB, you are doing well to defeat Flamelurker so early. I probably used the same method against him—involved a spine that provided a fairly safe spot to use soul arrow. I used the small compound bow +3 to kill the red dragon with 80 arrows. I haven't had a chance to go against Dragon God. Maybe today.
The patrols in Latria have powerful magic. I approached them from the back and had a quick kill with my Moon Winged Spear, my favorite weapon now at +4.
If you have gone with the Quality Spear at +3, then you are set on that path and cannot change. The wiki has valuable information on upgrades. I went with the basic winged spear till I could switch to the Moon Winged spear. I did start the game as a Knight in heavy armor but have traded that for leather. It seems that there is little difference in protection and you are much more agile. I do have the Purple Flame Shield and the Ajudicator's Shield. I have also invested quite a bit in magic.
Later…Dragon God keeps killing me. I get to the first spear gun, but on the way to the second, he sees me when I try to hide. The pillars are pretty narrow.
Dragon God is dead. Finally found places to stand and not get barbequed. I used my long sword +5 two handed and it took two swings to clear rubble.
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Pokey, I was at about level 32 or so when I killed Flamelurker (I'm at 39 now I think). I don't know if that's typical. I killed the Dragon God with just a few Soul Arrows after pinning him with the spears. It was kind of sad really. I had the same trouble after the first spear, until I used shield bash.
Since I only started to really get into the game after the winter solstice, I've been playing nothing but Pure White. Maybe that's why the two dragons weren't sitting in that big field where the Purple Flame Shield is found (freebie!). I only realized they were (normally?) there when I played for a bit offline due to connection problems.
I ran into those Latria patrols - the squid-headed guys - and got my rear end handed to me. I assume there's a way at some point to defend against their spells?
So based on your info, I reverted my Winged Spear back to its original form and started the normal upgrade path. I gave the red hot soul to Ed, which seemed the best use of it.
I also realized that I had completely missed the area in 1-1 where the Executioner hides. I killed her without *too* much trouble and then promptly lost part of the Brushwood set. I probably wouldn't use it anyway since it's too heavy, thankfully. I was too chicken to try for that item on the catwalk above the armor set.
I spent most of my recent time farming for Sharpstone. It'll be interesting to see how things are different now that the World Tendency is no longer Pure White.
I'm now working on 1-4 and keep making stupid mistakes against those assassin guys. I tried out Shrine of Storms and did ok against those skeletons as long as I kept them away from me, but I'm going to wait on that stage. I also tried out the Valley of Defilement, got poisoned by the first creature I ran into, and left. I'll come back when I get the cure poison miracle now that I've found a Talisman of God.
This is quickly becoming a potent addiction.
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It does that, SB, but it sounds like both you and Pokey are in good shape. I never got access to Executioner Miralda in 1-1 (you need full-black world tendency for her to appear, I think). World Tendency can make significant changes to the game, and From Software often does funny things with tendency on holidays.
I'm currently focused on Uncharted 3 but I'll be back to Dark Souls as soon as this little diversion is over. In Demon's Souls I played a Temple Knight - started with a Winged Spear but moved on to the Crescent Falchion. I had a lot of trouble upgrading that thing, though, and in the end I just wasn't doing enough damage with it.
Life is the misery we endure between disappointments.
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You guys sounded like you made mincemeat of the Flame Lurker! I got toasted time after time after time. It got to the stage where I was hopping down that mine shaft from beam to beam almost absent-mindedly. That shortcut to the boss became so ingrained in my memory. In the end I killed it only because it got stuck behind a pillar. For shame I know.
On the other hand, the Dragon God posed no trouble whatsoever. :-S
And yes Botch, those assassins after the Tower Knight are punishing! I think it's there where I stopped playing. I really need to pick this back up. All this talk of Dark Souls as well as a quick go on it the other day when a friend brought it over has made me want to jump back in.
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SB, I'm at level 50 now, so was probably in the high 40s when I killed Flamelurker. I am in the early part of 1-3 now. I have nearly finished the Shrine of Storms and need only to get Storm King. Also have 3-2 to get back to. I went up against Maneater once and died very quickly. I did get to the Blessed Mace in 5-1, but no further yet. I have some items that resist poison, Hope that helps.
As for Latria, there is a spell that guards against their magic but I don't have it. I just hid and then attacked as they turned away. I used Soul Arrow very effectively against them later.
I have a lot of sharpstone but no use for it. I need hardstone and moonstone. I just struck out with the lizard near the Dragon God, the one that had hardstone.
Steerpike, I haven't been brave enough to attack Miralda, but I think she is there in pure white. I think you need pure black to get her axe. Maybe I should kill her and see if I get better hardstone drops.
I've got my body now and that makes me more cautious. I'm even afraid to try the elevator down to Ed. I've fallen off several times.
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Let me be clear - I had a great deal of trouble with Flamelurker, or rather I would have if I hadn't gotten lucky. I was standing in the rubble near the passage to the Dragon God and he couldn't reach me. That was my second attempt. Oh, that reminds me, there is a lava lake in the tunnels with some items floating in it. Is a Flame Resist ring sufficient to protect one long enough to grab stuff? I witnessed several bloodstains and was too scared to try.
Miralda shows up under Pure White (human form) or Black (soul form) conditions, according to the wiki. She dropped her (female-only, and hideous) armor and a Master Ring I think (already had one). She really wasn't unreasonably difficult, and trust me, I'm not a very skilled gamer. She rolls around a lot and is melee-only from what I saw. I did OK so long as I kept my distance and shot her when she stood still.
Pokey, you may know this, but the blob-shields after the Phalanx archstone carry hardstone. The filthy man also sells them, but those are both examples of the low-level shards.
Stonefang seems to follow Boletaria pretty closely in difficulty. Is Latria the next or is it not that clear-cut? 3, 4 & 5 all seem pretty intimidating in different ways. Oh and I meant to say I was working on 1-3, not 1-4.
"I'm even afraid to try the elevator down to Ed. I've fallen off several times." Maybe that was your bloodstain I saw the other night 🙂 I lost my body once falling in the mineshaft on 2-2. Infuriating.
C'mon back geggis, misery loves company you know.
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SB, I doubt that the ring would be enough protection against the lava. You could dip your toe in and find out. I didn't think there was anything I wanted out there, so I left it. Those blobs are not dropping much now. I'm lucky to get a hardstone shard now and then. I can buy large shards from the filthy merchant in 2-2 and moonstones are sold in 3-1.
I thought that Latria was fairly easy compared to 4-1. There are not that many enemies and they are not that strong for the most part. There are times when you will not see any for quite a bit while you complete needed actions. Even 3-2 seemed easier than other areas. I liked the looks of the place.
I was wondering how you got past 1-3 so fast, but I see you are still there. I'm a bit worried about rescuing Ostrava. I hear he has a bunch of red eyes around him. A couple others need rescuing as well. This may take a while.
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Grrrgh, you people and your-- your-- TEMPTATIONS! I will try and get back on Demon's Souls this week at some point and weigh in on my progress 😉
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Yes, I sense a major beat-down coming to me in 1-3. Maybe I'll give 3-1 another shot. Those moans and screams kinda got to me, not to mention the squid-heads. I've been trying to upgrade my gear a bit, especially my Purple Flame Shield. But I'm going to have to bite the bullet and press on to new areas so I can find new stuff.
I didn't realize the filthy man in 2-2 sold better items. Good tip.
One thing I'm still not clear on is the notion of Str and Dex in relation to weapons. Both increase attack power, but I've seen mention of weapons that are Str-based or Dex-based. What does this mean? Is it just referring to the E/D/C/B/A/S rating for a given stat bonus on weapons? Is a Str-based weapon one which gives a better bonus for high Str than high Dex?
Looking forward to your report geggis.
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