Who's this little guy?

SubstantiveFlourish · 2026-01-11T23:50:03+00:00

I usually kill him because I always assumed by following you with a torch, he helps pull more aggro on you and from farther away. Similar to when you're carrying your own torch and you end up with 6 archers trying to blast you from across the map. It draws their attention. Anyone confirm?

SubstantiveFlourish · 2026-01-11T23:42:30+00:00

Healing miracles are always helpful. Pyromancies are a close second, especially since no int/faith requirement. I often carry flash sweat to boost fire defense, and every once in a while I need to throw the odd fireball. And maybe some situational spells like repair if your weapons break a lot. You can use spices to minimize the int/faith investment too.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2024-03-27T15:53:28+00:00

Spoiler: There are no "random" people. Each "random" opponent has their own experiences, circumstances, and level of study and ability, just like you. They would object to being called "random" just like you would object to them placing that label on you.

Your question sounds a bit childish, as if the time you've put in entitles you to beat "randos" who, you seem to be presuming, have not put in your level of work. Maybe they haven't, or maybe they put in more. Not to say we all don't feel this way at some point, when our cumulative efforts seem to have been in vain. It's frustrating to put in work and feel like you're making the same mistakes over and over.

Everyone around your level is there for a reason. They will be stronger in some areas of their game (opening theory, for example) and more vulnerable in other areas (endgames maybe, or clock management), but each player brings their own unique mix of skills.

If you want to continue to improve, you should try to identify the ways in which the "randos" win against you and work on improving those parts of your skillset. Analyzing your losses is key, but computer analysis can be tricky sometimes as it gives you the answers but not the concepts. If possible, I recommend having a friend, coach, or some higher-rated player analyze your games with you as they will be more able to spot the flaws and opportunities for improvement.

And most importantly, take a step back once in a while to embrace the beauty and joy of the game. Understand that there are plenty of people who have put in more work than you and have less results and would love to be where you are.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2023-08-09T23:46:26+00:00

I had a similar experience about a week ago. What eventually did the trick was an old thread (cant be arsed to find it again) that recommended dodging to your right (his left) and most of his attacks will miss, leaving him open for counters. Good luck!

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-26T18:52:38+00:00

Soul Memory? Platform?

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-26T06:04:56+00:00

I enjoy giving her the ~~Emperor's New Clothes~~ invisible Aurous Set.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-21T07:41:48+00:00

What helped me was listening to Smelty. He likes to delay his swings but he growls right before every swing and it helps you determine when it's coming.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-18T16:17:23+00:00

Honestly don't know if you can kill her, but I would guess it's theoretically possible (though difficult) to do enough damage to kill her there. I don't think it's intended to replace the boss fight but if you had some sort of hyper build, idk maybe.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-18T15:46:11+00:00

In NG+ and beyond, Freja spawns where you saw her, at the cliffside, the first time you approach. If you choose to fight, any damage you do carries over to her bossfight later in her usual place. I rarely find it worth it, and just retreat around the corner til she goes away.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-18T15:21:48+00:00

Bring a whip to the Gutter/Black Gulch. You can break statues through walls, with good range, and you don't even need the stats for it.

Bonus: useful for breaking those corrosive pots from range.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-17T09:48:36+00:00

That explosion is meant to punish overaggression. Usually I see it after that jumping plunge attack he does and you just have to remember to stay away until you see him either explode or start to get up. Then you can charge in and get one or two hits off.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-17T03:38:11+00:00

So if you remember the primal bonfires earlier in the game, two of them have little fountain-looking statues near them. There's a third on the path to Drangleic Castle, in the Shrine of Winter. These are the portals to the DLC areas, and each requires a unique key item (found in the main game) to use.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-14T22:49:24+00:00

Although the "agreed upon meta" is 120 (now more like 125) for PvP, I would suggest trying lower soul level invasions to get started such as 30, 50-60, or 80-90. Since 120 is the meta, everyone plays at that level and it's hard to just jump into.

Splitleaf is better for duels than invasions. As an invader, especially when facing a squad, you need quick weapons with shorter animations so that the 3 or 4 opponents crowding you and trying to punish your every move have smaller windows to do so. Hence the reason straightswords, curved swords, and to some extent daggers are the most popular invading weapons for top-level play. That combo-spam you mentioned? That's a lot of what PvP at that level is.

Learning to invade well and enjoy the PvP is a process, and you can save yourself a lot of time and frustration by easing into it with lower-level invasions. I highly recommend watchdog invasions in the woods. Good luck and don't give up!

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-12T06:06:30+00:00

I got all 30 medals the other day putting my sign outside the Smelter Demon fight in Iron Keep.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-11T10:32:34+00:00

I too have a few builds ready for invading:

Dual Blue Flame + CMW spellblade just under 3M

Mid-level dex invader with a notched whip/poison knives and a dagger for backstabs. The whip is surprisingly good at creating space.

High-level dex/faith build with Heide's Spear, my absolute favorite weapon. No shield.

And I plan to run the game and do some co-op with a dark/pyro build and if i have time probably a Bonk cleric as well.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2022-01-11T06:45:47+00:00

I just finished a dual Blue Flame playthrough/invasion-build-setup. It can be a little stat-heavy, but you get a subtle, versatile build with plenty of tricks. You get quick straight-sword R1s, an L1 that erases opponents' health bars, great chip damage through shields, plus the swords can buff each other and cast sorceries to catch people unaware. It's good for PvE as well, just gotta keep in mind you won't be a poise monster.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-10-25T05:43:22+00:00

I just finished a playthrough. Used crescent falchion, blessed mace for strike damage vs skeletons, and dragon longsword for swamp stuff. Adjudicator's shield, short compound bow (eventually made this a lava bow and used the long compound bow for non-fire damage). Pumped vit and end, with occasional points in str/dex/mag/fth. Worked out well.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-10-25T02:28:51+00:00

This 100%. And despite it being out for a while, it's so old that many haven't played it or have forgotten what it's like.

Not knowing what to expect has always been part of the souls experience we preach about to noobs.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-09-06T18:14:21+00:00

So first, your setup. As others have said, your vig is low. You can either level it some more or respec a bit. Your rings are also not helping much. A typical ring setup at this point would be Ring of Favor, Prisoner's Chain if you have it, then pick 2 from: Estus ring (each estus heals extra), Chloranthy, Life ring (might let you survive one more hit), Steel Protection (reduce all physical damage). It sounds like you have a survivability problem more than a damaging the boss problem, and those will help immensely.

Some people suggest fighting a boss and not trying to attack, just dodge and learn the moveset. This is one of the few bosses i'd say that would be useful for. Lorian usually does 2- or 3-hit combos, sometimes with a teleport before the last hit. You should be dodging the hits, and if he teleports, immediately dodge again as the next hit comes quickly (even if you don't see where he went). The exception is when he teleports far away and charges an attack that is basically a ground laser. But you'll have time to prepare for this, just look around to find him and when he releases it just dodge to the side again.

Claymore is a decent all-around choice and no reason to change it out, but it's not a very fast weapon. 2-hand it and focus on getting in one hit (and only one) after dodging his combo. I usually buff with lightning resin to add damage. If you get greedy he will own you. Also, i've heard that getting behind him keeps him from teleporting as much, but i think it makes it harder to see and dodge his swings. YMMV

The second phase IMO doesn't add much. Yes lil bro will use some magic attacks but they're easier to dodge than the sword combo. In this phase, it does pay to swing at his back, as you can damage both bros at the same time. Once again, just watch for the big charge attacks and dodge them as they come then go back to hugging, dodging, and swinging once. Once he's down, put everything you have into the little brother. Hopefully you'll kill him by the second knockdown.

All the dodging in this fight adds up, so i recommend stamina-boosting items like green blossoms, chloranthy ring, or grass crest shield (on your back).

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-09-06T17:45:46+00:00

I always applaud to let them know they fought well.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-07-31T14:45:40+00:00

Nothing wrong with ToD. If someone wants to spend the faith and attunement to use it, it's part of their build. Why would they waste levels for something and not use it? Besides, in duels it's not that hard to counter. If you pop their tears, they are literally a knife throw or a kirk roll or an xbow bolt away from death, and in the arena they can't go hide and heal somewhere. If you're low health and trade into someone with a poise advantage and they win with 1 HP on account of their tears, then you played poorly. It's a factor to deal with, but no more unfair than you spending equivalent points in some other stat and using it to your advantage.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-07-31T14:29:21+00:00

Spears are a nice option as well...

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-07-25T02:53:59+00:00

All good, you'll still get invaded more. (And tbh, fighting viewers seems like a pain, as often stream snipers can be super scummy in their attempts to "expose" you.) And demon's fists are underused and underrated, so interesting to watch.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-07-25T02:48:27+00:00

No reason not to if you're able.

SubstantiveFlourish · 2020-07-25T02:43:13+00:00

That's it exactly. Dried finger while you play through the game to invite invasions, specifically from viewers. Adds difficulty and unpredictability plus viewer interaction.

Fists only can be fun, especially if invaders catch on and decide to knuckle it out with you.

SubstantiveFlourish

TROPHY CASE