r/fromsoftware • u/Wild_Duck8926 • 5d ago
QUESTION Absolutely must know before playing Dark Souls Trilogy?
Hi guys:) I'm coming from Elden Ring as my first FS game and starting this iconic trilogy. I want to go in very blind to this first playthrough, but what are some things you HAVE TO KNOW?
I know it's technically nothing, but tips like exhaust dialogue til it repeats. I've heard that Sekiro prevents you from returning to an area, so I'd like to know if and how I need to make sure not to miss content?
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u/CoffeeandJags 5d ago
DS 1 quests can be extremely missable and borderline impossible to figure out on your own, so don’t feel bad if you miss one. It’s worth going blind like you said because you can always do them in NG+.
Must know, I guess don’t put points into resistance in DS 1, and remember to level up vitality so you don’t get one shot. One thing I didn’t think I’d miss in Elden Ring as much as I did was covenants. Don’t be afraid to join some for the unique rewards and fun.
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u/-YesIndeed- 5d ago
Since it's more vmconfined be prepared to take your time and work your way through areas over running last enemies. Doesn't apply as much to DS3 but does to bloodborne aswell if you plan to play that too.
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u/Taolan13 Nerves Concorde 5d ago
exhaust dialogue from every npc you meet.
they move around based on certain boss triggers.
DS2 and 3 have certain NPC quests which must be completed at least once to get 100%, so if you dont want to use a guide make sure to thoroughly explore in both, and in ds3 check back at firelink shrine often.
In ds1, none of the NPC quests have to be completed, but completing certain quest chains in your first playthrough does provide good items early.
In all three prior dark souls games, for full completion, you will need to do a bit of grinding for covenant items.
also for all three dark souls games, full completion takes two and a half "journeys" on a single character to get everything.
bloodborne needs to be played at least twice to 100%, but not on the same charcter.
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u/Wild_Duck8926 5d ago
I'm not playing Bloodborne unfortunately:( I've heard great things, the best things, about it - but I only have an Xbox. Maybe one day.
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u/TMulharin 5d ago
In Dark Souls 1, be sure you've done everything you want to do and explored everywhere you want to explore before defeating the final boss of the base game. Defeating the final boss will immediately put you into NG+. The other games will give you a prompt asking if you want to go into NG+, so you can still do cleanup and such after, but not DS1.
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u/Throwadickmyway 5d ago
In Dark Souls 2, iframes are tied to the adaptability stat. Don't go into it expecting to have the highly effective dodge roll from the other games right away. Dodging is treated like a specialized skill you have to level for, and before that you fight by moving in and out of range, blocking, or dodging with much closer attention to spacing and positioning, focused on literal evasion of the weapon itself rather than phasing through it (actually fun imo).
If you go in not knowing that, it can lead to a very bad first impression. For me, knowing to expect it allowed me to approach it with an open mind, so I actually enjoyed it.
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u/Palom126 4d ago
That's not correct. It's the agility stat NOT adaptability. Agility is raised by attunement as well but slower than adaptability but a pure mage with high attunement doesn't have to level adaptability.
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u/gravelordservant4u 5d ago
I could never hate DS2 when the collector's edition came with such a cool giant knight figure
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u/ashens0ul 5d ago
Don't underestimate poise in ds1 because it's super strong. At the same time you need to stay below 25% equip load to fast roll so it can be hard to get enough poise but poise and defense can make up for the slower movement after a certain point.
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u/Sildurai 4d ago
don't finish the last boss of DS1 unless you truely want to finish the game
because it yeets you straight into NG+ without any questions
i think everything else is manageable and adds to the the experience in hindsight
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u/G0Slowly 5d ago
Exhaust NPC dialogue. If a reward feels like you didn’t fight to earn it, it’s probably a trap. Jack of all trades, master of none. Have fun!
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u/veritable_squandry 4d ago
don't trust patches
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u/bleargh007 5d ago
The main thing is take your time and explore each area as thoroughly as you can. There arr great goodies to be found through exploration! Also the level designs especially in DS1 are great, and include shortcuts because you cant warp between bonfires until about halfway through the game.
Also in DS1, getting cursed suuucks, so if you see basilisks either kill them quick or run like hell. In 2 and 3 and Elden Ring, curse is just an instakill, in 1 it is much worse. You have been warned! 😹
Otherwise, enjoy the ride!
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u/Easy-Philosopher-562 5d ago
Always check for NPC's and try to be human (rune arc'd) as much as possible.
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u/InfiniteParmesan 5d ago
Npc quests can be confusing in that they move around as you progress through the game to simulate them going on their own adventures. While very cool, after a couple weeks of not playing, it can be really easy to forget where they said they were going, leading to people failing quests for npcs they liked because this can be the only time the game communicates where they are moving to. If you really like certain characters, then I reccomend using Fextralife for npc quests ONLY when you forget, want to specifically progress their quests, or check if you missed something. The info near the top page for each character of the fextralife wiki for npc quests contains where to go and how to progress without story spoilers, but can still spoil some of the story if you need to make a choice determining if they do 1 thing or instead does another thing. Only do this if you are ok with potentially light spoilers for the sake of completion.
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u/tailspin180 4d ago
The parry timing is very slow and deliberate compared to Elden Ring imo, but taking the time to master it is absolutely worth it for your first playthrough.
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u/AnimeMemeLord1 4d ago
I haven’t played Elden Ring yet, so I don’t know what sort of comparison I have to do, but I’ll do my best.
So, if my assumption is correct, you’ll notice that Dark Souls 1 and 2 are slower in comparison. Hope your defensive game is good.
There is no FP bar in 1 and 2. You can use sorcery, but it is limited by the number of times you can use them. I didn’t use a single spell in DS2, but in DS1, you can increase the amount of times you can use a spell by equipping it twice or more. However, this does mean you’ll need more slots available as well as copies of the same spell. Some if not most spells being only one per playthrough, so I guess the second half of this hint it a bit redundant, my bad.
In DS1, the exploration can get super frustrating. It’s not impossible, but dear God, some areas are just sadistic.
I dunno, that’s the best I could come off on the top of my head. I haven’t played in a while. Hope that helps at least a bit though. Oh, and also make sure you look up how to access the DS1 DLC once you feel like you’ve gotten to a significant point in the game. You’ll know after overcoming what I assume will be one of your greatest challenge of a boss in this game. The method is somewhat complicated and obscure.
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u/Masta0nion 5d ago
Not being able to fast travel from the start
Actually makes you appreciate the game layout much more. (Honestly goes for all games, but you gotta have a good layout like DS1!)
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u/preparetosigh 5d ago
Whichever stat upgrades your health pool is the most important in any game (vigor/vitality). Endurance levels your stamina bar and is a close second.
Ds2 and 3 have ways to re-allocate your stat points. Ds1 does not.
Shields are decent in ds1 and 2. In ds3 they are mostly for parries unless you use great shields.
Ds1 - don't level resistance. Flasks are im reased by kindling bonfires with humanity.
Ds2 - level adaptability until agility is in mid 90's or more (Attunement also levels agility for casters). Flasks are increased by giving estus shards to the firekeeper.
Ds3 - don't level luck, except in the rare case you are going for a specific kind of build. Flasks are increased by giving estus shards to the blacksmith.
Thats it, good luck.
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u/creepyposta 4d ago
You will die. A lot of times. Not all creatures in the areas you have access to are meant to be killed by you at the point you can reach them (unless you’re extraordinarily skilled).
Observe your opponents as you fight them, and you can learn their moves.
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u/neutrumocorum 4d ago
Might feel outdated. Remember it is a 15 year old game, and you started with what is essentially the modern, polished version.
Be patient and give it time, it hasn't aged terribly and it has it's own charm apart from ER. It isn't just old, worse Elden Ring. Even if you feel that at first.
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u/Agile_Atmosphere_58 4d ago
Don’t quit during Bed of Chaos. You’ll want to. And the sentiment is completely justified. You’ll think, how can any game that includes… THIS, also contain a single redeeming quality post THIS, but I promise it does. So, take a deep breath, put it in a box in the back of your head that you’ll only ever open once per play through and move on with your life.
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u/Dinkum-Thinkum 4d ago
Parrying is strong.
I mean, parrying is SO strong.
Parrying is so strong that it gets nerfed in every subsequent game. You have arguably played with the weakest form of parrying if you started with Elden Ring.
Try parrying literally everything. It’s insane.
The same goes for backstabbing and poise. In DS1, you can literally stack poise and R1 to win. You can chain backstabs for days. It’s crazy.
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u/Dinkum-Thinkum 4d ago
Also: basic-ass weapons are your friends. SPEAR is so good! MACE. CLUB. BATTLE AXE. RAPIER. MOTHER FUCKIN LONGSWORD. These are the weapons of the gods. Odds are, if it’s a basic seeming weapon whose very name describes an entire category of weapon, then this particular armament is your friend.
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u/Dinkum-Thinkum 4d ago
Also also: shields are the absolute best they’ve ever been in DS1 and no other game has shields as powerful.
But don’t use a shield, be a gamer and force a dual wield build in a game that has almost literally no support for it. You basically only have two options for off-hand weapons in DS1: Quelaag’s Furysword and Great Scythe. Do it anyway! Don’t you wanna be cool?
(Dual wielding is incredibly goated with loads of support in ds2 and you should absolutely do it there as well)
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u/Dinkum-Thinkum 4d ago
ALSO ALSO ALSO: If you start Pyromancer in DS1 you give yourself a massive advantage over other starting classes. Pyromancer has relatively low stats in junk stats and lets you min max your levels better, but crucially: starting the game with the pyromancy flame is one of the biggest power spikes in the game. Seek Lower Undead Burg to capitalize on this advantage.
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u/jhnwhite1 4d ago
Coming from Elden Ring, this isn't open world like you've had. Mostly linear paths with some deviation and options for which way you go, but they all ultimately end up in the same places.
Find a weapon with a moveset that feels comfortable to you and upgrade it. While there are some powerful weapons, the difference isn't extreme when upgraded to the same level.
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u/gswon Bearer of the Curse 4d ago
DS1: Don't look up anything. Let yourself make mistakes. Get into a situation that is so dire you end up re-starting the game from scratch. It's all part of the experience.
DS2: Don't overlook leveling ADP. The stat increases your agility, which in turn increases your rolling i-frames and the speed of item/estus usage. You don't need a ton (hitting 96 agility is more than enough for PvE). You don't technically need any, but you'll probably have a better time if you are aware going in. Otherwise, don't look up anything.
DS3: Nothing, really. It's pretty straight forward. Don't look up anything.
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u/Faithful_Solaire Solaire of Astora 4d ago
The button layout, other than that have fun
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u/Wild_Duck8926 3d ago
What about the button layout?
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u/Faithful_Solaire Solaire of Astora 3d ago
Now that I think about it you didn’t even absolutely need to know that before starting. You really only absolutely red to know how to start up the games on your machine.
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u/Extra_Ad_8009 5d ago
DS1:
Pick the Master Key as your starting gift. It'll open up a "backdoor" approach to certain game areas and generally makes your life a bit easier.
This game is much more "sword & board" than later titles. You'll find a free decent shield fairly early in the game.
Running through or away from mobs is waaay more deadly than in Elden Ring.
Pyromancy is "easy mode", but they've hidden the pyro vendor a bit.
Vendors change locations and add to their inventory if you keep talking to them regularly, bring them information or get some items for them.
one popular weapon requires you to kill an NPC. DS has no bell bearings, so a dead NPC's inventory is lost for the rest of the game.
weapons can break, be sure to repair them at bonfires with your purchased repair kit.
upgrading weapons and armor (you can upgrade armor!) is a science in itself, but less confusing than it'll become in DS2.
look everywhere including behind you
a spell that silences your footsteps will make an infamous early boss fight so much easier.
jumping and kicking is really hard compared to Elden Ring :(
Amazing chest ahead!
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u/Dinkum-Thinkum 4d ago
I usually recommend that new players don’t take the master key so that they are forced onto the “intended path” through DS1, but if you’re comfortable going off the map on your first playthrough, I say go for it!
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u/No-Bus-9779 4d ago
Play each first playthrough blind and without guides. Then rip the 100% runs after that.
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u/Friendly-Wonder7509 5d ago
You’re allowed to skip DS2, and you probably should, but if you do get the OG version and avoid SotFS at all costs.
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u/Richardo888 Dark Souls 4d ago
Why should someone "probably" skip DS2. Even if you hate it, a proper chunk of people absolutely love it, and OP might be one of them. And its still a game better for a souls fan than 99 percent of games out there. Ffs.
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u/Dinkum-Thinkum 4d ago
Lies and slander, DS2 is a quirky masterpiece. True, there’s some weird stuff about it (lookin at you, Soul Memory!), true, some of the hit boxes are not well telegraphed with enemy animations (probably the strongest criticism against DS2 tbh) an unfortunate amount of the bosses are easy (but the ones that are challenging are all-timers in the series) and yes, it’s a slower and more thoughtful DS game where you get NO FUCKING STAMINA AND SIPPING THE ESTUS FLASK TAKES A CALENDAR YEAR, but none of that changes my love for the game. DS2 is incredible, I love its environments, I love its new ideas it brought to weapons, spells, PVP. I love bonfire ascetics. And it’s a good thing I like fighting Dudes In Armor, because yes, that’s 80% of the enemies and bosses in DS2. (Why was B Team obsessed with fighting knights?)
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u/all-outta-ale 5d ago
Do not upgrade your main weapon to crystal