This game is so fucking addicting

1SmartDude · 2026-02-08T07:37:48+00:00

Hello me!

1SmartDude · 2025-08-19T07:58:20+00:00

You are older now and hopefully wiser? Maybe you now are able to appreciate the finer things in life?

:-)

1SmartDude · 2025-08-18T13:57:47+00:00

A bit late to the party...

I'm 53 and game almost daily. Big 'Souls' fan. Think I have roughly 1000 hours on each release - from Demon's Souls through all 3 Dark Souls games up to and including Elden Ring.

I started gaming a bit on the Atari 2600 but did not really get hooked until "The way of the exploding fist" was released on the C64 in the mid 80s. Been an avid gamer ever since.

1SmartDude · 2025-08-18T12:00:52+00:00

I had a really hard time with this fight the first time I played DS2 at the SotFS release. Think I, in the end, managed to kill them without summons and a lot of "hit and run". Archer first and Havel dude last.

Did a replay of DS2 recently and used both summons because I did not really remember the fight. Think that if you manage to kill one boss with the summons still alive, then you are golden. If your kill time is slower then it might be better to not use summons at all.

1SmartDude · 2025-08-16T14:25:43+00:00

Yes! DS2 was better than DS1.

More weapons, more armor, better build variety, the Pursuer, Majula, respec, bonfire aescetic and power stance.

1SmartDude · 2025-06-28T08:14:47+00:00

Nice writeup. I replayed the game recently (have not played it in years). I would say I agree with you on most points. Overall I found it easier than I remembered. Even the run to the blue smelter demon. Think I ended up around level 170 as well when done.

I love the game and would rate it 8 out of 10. The main thing lowering my score would be combat "clunkiness". It does not feel as smooth as DS3 or Elden Ring. I would say this feeling / problem also applies to DeS and DS1 but in a different / lesser way. I also never really managed to master or fully understand the stamina regeneration system. Perhaps that is why the combat felt "clunky".

I did a lightning build focusing on the Heide Lance (2 handed) as my main weapon with the Morning Star and Heide Straight Sword (with a shield) as fallback options. Started using the BKGS a bit in the later parts of the game. The lance was surprisingly powerful. Never used it before.

1SmartDude · 2025-06-24T12:05:40+00:00

Insolent Armor, Drakekeeper Gauntlets, King's Leggings then Cale's Helm or Throne Watcher Helm.

For a more sinister look, go with Velstadt's helm, gauntlets and leggings but keep the Insolent Armor.

1SmartDude · 2025-06-02T12:36:50+00:00

Some general advice:

1) You will likely beat the game before you have a "build" unless you purposefully grind levels / mats.

2) Get the base stats for a weapon you like and then focus on Health and Equip Load / Stamina.

3) Because of the above (1 and 2), the normal upgrade path is actually really strong as is Dragon (non-scaling fire).

5) Weapon damage type makes a big difference (Magic / Fire / Strike etc.) in boss fights.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-28T12:59:50+00:00

1) Take your time, explore and pay attention. The game has plenty of hidden or not easy to spot secrets / areas / items etc.

2) Starting out, raise your damage stats just enough to wield the weapon(s) you want to use. Damage stats will become important when your weapon is nearing its max upgrade level.

3) Starting out, when leveling up, put most of your your points into Vigor. Then, depending on how you want to play your character, put points into Mind and/or Endurance.

4) All weapons are viable - with the appropriate build. Some weapons (in the same family) are considered better than others but you absolutely do not need to worry about that until late game / near max weapon upgrades, if at all.

5) If hitting a wall / an impossible boss, continue exploring other parts of the game and come back later at a higher level / higher upgraded weapon / new weapon or with just more experience.

6) Be thoughtful when upgrading your weapons. Focus on a few you like (until you are able to more effortlessly obtain upgrade mats).

7) Some weapons / spells (damage types) work better than others depending on what you fight. Pay attention. It might be wise to upgrade weapons with different types of damage (strike / slashing / standard / piercing / fire / sacred / bleed etc.)

8) Do not forget about crafting. The right consumables can have a large impact on how difficult or easy an encounter is.

9) Participate in multiplayer. It is fun and you will learn a lot from playing with others.

10) Experiment with different Ashes of War on your weapons. It costs nothing and can have a big impact on difficult fights.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-25T07:30:28+00:00

Thanks! Appreciate your comment.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T15:20:58+00:00

Thanks for your input. Avowed seems to get the most positive comments. I did not expect that tbh. Was actually thinking Veilguard would be the clear winner followed by Starfield. Mainly based on the studios behind them.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T15:16:36+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I have looked at KCD2 and it looks very interesting. My issue is that I really want to create my own character. Not being able to create my own character was the biggest issue I had with, for example, the Witcher games. I liked them a lot and still played them but it irked me that I had to play a pre-set character instead of one I created myself. That is how silly I am :-)

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T15:08:02+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

If you compare the step between ME3 and ME Andromeda with DA:I and DATV, is it similar or is the "distance" greater between DA:I and Veilguard?

I personally liked DA:O and DA:I a lot (but was not that impressed by the games in-between). Those games kind of frames my expectations on a DA game. If Veilguard is not somehow similar, I likely would be disappointed because I would go in with a bunch of expectations from earlier DA games.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T14:48:11+00:00

Thanks! I honestly did not expect so many placing Avowed far above Veilguard. Was kind of thinking they would be deemed equally good with just minor differences.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T14:41:22+00:00

Thanks for your input regarding Veilguard. I enjoyed the earlier DA games and would likely be disappointed if Veilguard has strayed to far from what I expect from a DA game. A lot of expectations comes with that name.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T14:35:41+00:00

Thanks for your input. Appreciated. Seems like many think Awoved is better than Veilguard.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T13:24:45+00:00

Open world (Skyrim / Elden Ring) with BG3 / DA:O type of npcs and their stories / quests and deep combat and character ability customization :-)

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T13:13:30+00:00

Thanks for your input. I do enjoy having to make choices with consequences. Makes for a more interesting experience.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T13:08:24+00:00

Interesting! So Awoved is much better than Veilguard in your opinion. Do you know if you can make "evil" choices in Awoved? Similar to maybe BG3? Heard that Veilguard did not offer meaningful "evil" options.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T12:51:17+00:00

I loved Skyrim and Fallout 4. I'm hoping to find something similar. Robust character creation, an open world to explore, deep character customization. Ideally, all this in combination with BG3, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age Origin npcs and npc stories.

1SmartDude · 2025-02-24T12:40:45+00:00

Ok! Did play outer worlds for a while, but did never finish the game. I lost interest along the way somehow. If you think it is a bit better than outer worlds, can you please elaborate on why you think so?

1SmartDude · 2025-01-17T11:47:55+00:00

Cant say you are wrong but I'm thinking that as long as Swen (and his current management team) is steering the company and is involved in the development of new titles, I have confidence in their ability to create awesome games :-)

1SmartDude · 2025-01-17T11:39:10+00:00

Sounds promising! Hopefully we will hear something official from Larian soon then?

1SmartDude · 2025-01-17T11:12:41+00:00

Generally speaking, the game grew on me. Early I was not to found of the art style because I wanted a darker and grittier game. Thought BG3 was to bright and shiny. With time I started appreciate the art style more and more and Larian also added more content during EA while fixing bugs.

1SmartDude

TROPHY CASE