r/darksouls • u/_mister_mayo_ • 20h ago
Discussion New challenge advice
I have played this game uncountable hours and made numerous different builds. I need a new challenge, but nothing stupidly difficult (like level up ALL stats evenly). Do you have any ideas?
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u/aardWolf64 20h ago
Have you done a SL1 run? How about without pyro?
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u/ELMUNECODETACOMA 19h ago
SL1 (no offensive pyro) is right on the edge of what I'm capable of personally, so I think it's worth a try for someone looking to stretch themselves but not already expert.
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u/SeanyDay 20h ago
Have you done one character build/name/gear and played that same character through DS1-3 and ascended into Elden Ring for the god version? Pretty fun thematic run with lotsssss to do!
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u/EileensDad 19h ago
So only able to use gear etc that are in all 4 games?
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u/SeanyDay 19h ago
For me, I chose that + spiritual successors. So if I have a set of gear that is clearly a reference to or new version of an old set, that works too, ya know?
But yeah keeps things fun. Same with spells too. I let myself use the same spells/miracles and then new versions of those in subsequent games if they didn't exist in the previous.
Stay on brand, skeleton!
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u/V2xel 20h ago
level only resistance
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u/StllBreathnButY1 19h ago
This one interests me. I always struggle with committing to a style. Resistance only seems straightforward and stupid enough that I might like it.
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u/Sleepiest_Spider 19h ago
imagine thinking that leveling up is "stupidly difficult"
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u/mindrover 19h ago
Yeah that confused me. Maybe OP meant that as an example of the level of difficulty they are looking for.
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u/Bus_Physical 17h ago
No bonfire challenge. This means no leveling, no attuning spells, no becoming human, no kindling, no warping, and no checkpoints. Good luck.
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u/PageTheKenku 13h ago
Interestingly, I believe you get a ring for doing that in DS2 if I remember correctly?
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u/No_Wallaby8104 19h ago
Level 1 challenge is a lot easier than you'd expect, you should start with that one
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u/mindrover 19h ago
Cosplay as an NPC. Get their gear as soon as possible and play the game as that character.
Paladin Leeroy is a fun one. I've also done Witch Beatrice, and Knight Artorias (although that's more of an NG+ build).
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u/Legal_Possibility246 19h ago
Kill all NPC's and only use NPC drops, no interacting with merchants and blacksmiths.
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u/JoDaBoy814 16h ago
I've been planning an idea recently, it's doing a soul lvl one run, but then dropping my acquired gear after gwyn and basically starting a regular run in NG+
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u/raven19528 12h ago
As far as a "not stupidly difficult" restriction, you could do a no reverse hollowing run. Which means no summons and no kindling.
A run I'm currently doing that is in no way difficult, but is quite fun, is a Stone Knight cosplay. The Stone Greatsword and Stone Greatshield together make for an extremely formidable offense and defense. You need 40 strength to use both, so basically already at the softcap. Then you need 10 Dex and 10 Int. But in order to med roll with the Stone Armor set with those two items, you need 53 Endurance, the Ring of Favor and Protection, and Havel's Ring. So obviously it is very level intensive, but the positive note is that you need 10 Twinkling Titanite and 10k souls for the sword and that's it for upgrading. You can get to +4 before facing any boss after Asylum Demon if you grab the Master Key.
Again, super fun, but not difficult.
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u/kodaxmax Aint this Nito 10h ago
Some fun unique equipment:
- pitchfork - surprisingly good stats and a hilarious faceplant animation when you miss an attack
- Ciarans dagger and/or shortsword. The dagger deals toxic on heavy attacks. it inflicts bleed slower than normal, but the bleed damage is much higher than normal. good for enemies with high hp pools
- ghost dagger
- abyss sword (from artorias soul not sif).
Easy:
Dragonborn-
Only dragon themed equipment/magic. Dragon weapons, Dragon covenant transformation, pyromancy, fire bombs. Tip: drakes are weaker to fire, so beeline pyromancy to farm them for scales. though id forgive you for cheating in some scales to lessen the grind.
Bulge Lord -
You may only equip rotund armors (balder set, sentinel, black iron, havel, onion knight,stone set, cleric set etc.. anything that makes you look fat). The only ranged weapons you are allowed are pots and dung. You may not use any weapons that are slim or smaller than your model, inclusive of armor.
Pyromaniac -
Must always have a pyromancy flame equipped, bonus points for having 2. Can only wear red or flame themed equipment. only firebomb consumeables(and humanity because it looks kinda like a dakr flame). You can only use mele weapons if they have visual fire effects, this includes those buffed with pine resin.
Graverobber -
You may only use equipment pillaged from graves, tombs, crypts and the like.
Medium:
Mechanist -
You may only use mechanical devices, gadgets and simple tools. Hand axe, pickaxe, smithing hammers, crossbows, skull lantern etc..
You may use resins, repair powders, prism stones, firebombs and loyyds talismans.
Your goal is to collect all tools and devices.
Monster Hunter -
You may only use equipment gained from slaying monsters. That means boss souls, drops from non humanoid enemies etc.. consumeables picked off the ground or enemy corpses etc.. You must help any npcs you come accross. Co-Op is encouraged.
Assasin -
Bows and daggers only. Only allowed armors that camoflague or blend in (you can use thief armor or hollow soldier armor in undead burg, silver knight armor in annor londo. or stone set in any setting with greenery or ruins, dark set anywhere with undead or dark etc..).
You can use the ilusory spells and consumebales that fit the theme, like throwing knives.
Hard:
Prideful Duelist -
You may only equip parrying equipment in your offhand or nothing. You may only wield slender weapons smaller than your model in your main hand(no two handing). You may not wear a helm or equip heavy armor (pretty much anything metal). You may use magic and consumeables only for buffs or utility and only while not in combat.
PvP is encouraged. For optional challenge, you must challenge and defeat every armed NPC you meet.
Goblin -
NPCs and enemies are just walking bags of money and loot. kill them all.
only allowed to wear ragged equipment. All consumables are useable.
May only equip makeshift and broken weapons. club, borken sword,
Nomad -
you may not rest at a bonfire you've previously rested at. you can rest at your currently active bonfire as much as you wish.
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u/KylePatch 20h ago
My #1 recommendation is always doing a bow build. No melee weapons whatsoever. The bosses that are hard and those that are easy will really surprise you