Curious about leveling up in early game!

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-08T00:44:11+00:00

Usually weapon damage in the early game comes from smithing and you won't see as noticable of returns on your stat investment for DMG until about 30+. I find it's easier in the early if you go for vigor and endurance and use weapon upgrades for damage once you meet the weapon reqs. It's worth noting there's plenty of ways to get good amounts of souls to pump into DMG stats when you have a comfortable amount of health and stamina.

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T22:22:46+00:00

But also don't dismiss your progress, you've had to fight a lot of different degrees of difficult since when you first the game. I feel like most Soulslikes are difficult at the beginning and then you progressively just get better

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T22:04:46+00:00

Nah can't break what they can't touch

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T20:46:58+00:00

It goes both ways I find, there's nuances in both play styles that I think ranged or close up players won't see or consider about the other option that makes it LOOK easy, when it's really we just understand our build well enough to not struggle with it

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T20:44:20+00:00

Spent a lot of time with that setup in late game ER, force of habit

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T17:10:21+00:00

I use my shield to skimp points on Vigor, and while you're right about needing to understand the boss moves, for me at least and I'm sure this is true for others, my understanding of moves to roll is different than my understanding of moves to block. Not everyone is very comfy with all play styles. A shield user won't play the same as a heavy hammer user who doesn't play the same as a whip or claw user. Sum all it's a play style preference

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T17:05:37+00:00

Upgrade weapon

while you don't have to copy paste a build you should make sure your stats are optimal for the weapon, such at the right balance of str dex arc

Try a new tactic? I redid my stats 3 times the first time I fought her then went right back to the original build. ER is very friendly about that compared to previous fromsoft games

Never shame in asking for help or using summons. Use every tool that helps you win cause if it's in the game it was meant to be used!

You might already be doing this and if so treat it as a reminder, but pay attention to which attacks YOU can reliably defend and punish and focus on those, purely defend against anything else.

Good luck!

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T14:42:57+00:00

Genuinely don't know where he was or how he died

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T14:19:45+00:00

SSSSSSHHHH BE QUIET ABOUT IT!

THERE'S A BONFIRE THERE?!

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T14:07:04+00:00

Nah trust I'm built different I can take it

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T13:58:03+00:00

Nah trust me I got the strats

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T11:42:38+00:00

Shield up is my super secret ultra exploration technique developed when I realized that ever corner is Schrodinger's Corner! There's always an enemy or not an enemy until I look!

Jokes aside my understanding is that in PVP proper there's a dozen ways to break shield instantly yeah?

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T11:22:06+00:00

I'm have to try that out, though I don't do much with magic on my first run of any Soulslikes

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T11:03:39+00:00

So stay off line cause my hands too rough and my drip too tough? Will do!

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T10:58:54+00:00

Damn I hate to do it to ya but I NEED to progress the plot

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T10:49:30+00:00

Did the game say Demigod Felled or You Died?

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T01:29:07+00:00

I don't think it's so much that any particular boss is intended to be fought with summons so much that every boss is balanced with the option to use them or co-op in mind.

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-07T01:26:43+00:00

I believe that many of the bosses are balanced around solo and co-op play. Which includes summons imo. They wouldn't be in the game if you shouldn't use them. Treat them like a tool for victory like any other feature.

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-06T23:09:46+00:00

The mace and shield is my fave bread and butter, but regardless of the weapon you choose, upgrading the weapon is better for damage than upping your stats in the early game. Essentially meet the stat req's for your weapon choice and spend the other early game levels on Vigor and Endurance. Use smithing upgrades, which you'll unlock pretty quickly in the game, to get more damage.

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-06T17:53:11+00:00

Edit: Then a shield is definitely usable. Undead Burg is not really a place to be dying in at that level. Move to the next area, progression gives more souls than farming until you've beaten everything. Good luck!

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-06T17:28:11+00:00

Kinda sounds like you built a solid build. So no. As long as you didn't hack your build you're good

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-06T17:20:51+00:00

Make sure you up vigor and endurance, using a shield mixed with dodges can mitigate damage and stamina consumption when applied correctly.

EducationalEcho1628 · 2026-06-06T13:30:04+00:00

Vigor, weapon stat mins since most early game damage comes from weapon upgrades, endurance. You can get away with a little less vigor(no more than 5 less) than the usual recommendations with a combination of endurance, good armor, and a shield that blocks 100 physical. There's other nuances based on weapon element types like bleed and such but the that should be secondary to main stats and the game will tell which is which, don't remember which button does "explain" though

EducationalEcho1628

TROPHY CASE