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Post by rawshark on Apr 26, 2024 21:00:54 GMT
So finally levelled up enough to wield the Sword of Night and Flame…
But then I’ve been doing fine so far with the Bloodhound Fang, or I could invest into the Astel Wing I found along the way…
I can only level up one to +7. I hate it when games make me so indecisive.
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loto
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Post by loto on Apr 27, 2024 9:36:34 GMT
Never used the SONAF, but the Fang is very strong and stays strong. It’s a great weapon. You’ll be swimming in upgrade mats later on, but I know what you mean - you have to be choosy what you upgrade in early/mid game. I’ve just got the Somber 7 from Volcano manor, which is a real block. You can get 1-6 and 8/9/10 without much faff, but not the 7’s.
I’m currently scratching round for regular stone 6’s for claymore and great stars. Hard work to be honest. Sombers are easier and cheaper on the whole.
Edit - the fang does slash damage, the sword n&f is standard/pierce damage. Check you have a weapon that does strike damage and upgrade it a bit. Comes in very handy for miners and any crystal enemies you face.
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Zyrr
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Post by Zyrr on Apr 27, 2024 9:55:11 GMT
Yeah those somber 7s are definitely meant to be an artificial barrier to upgrading too quickly. You've either got to have killed the Godskin Noble at Volcano Manor or made it to Leyndell to farm the huge Fingercreeper outside Dung Eater's cell to get your first one.
SoN&F is a really fun weapon, but you've really got to invest at least 50 in both Int and Fai to get the maximum out of it. From what I've seen, most people focus on one or the other and just use the weapon skill associated with that stat. I might start a new game and have a play around with it, as I haven't really tried it since a month or two post launch.
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loto
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Post by loto on Apr 27, 2024 13:39:59 GMT
Yeah, spot on. I get the impression Night & flame is viable, but more for NG++ etc when you can really boost your stats.
I’m still scrabbling around for smithing 6’s, but the fang is +10 now, so the pressures off a bit. I really want the claymore higher, it’s a fantastic weapon
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Post by JuniorFE on Apr 27, 2024 13:54:30 GMT
Sword of Night and Flame worked well enough for me at base (required) stats tbh. Sure it's expensive if you want to draw out its absolute most but it's still a good and versatile weapon regardless. rawshark Bloodhound's Fang has Bloodhound's Finesse, but is the slowest of the three (not by too much since they buffed a lot of slower weapon types' attack speed, but could make a difference) and has no elemental damage option unless you buff it. Night and Flame is the most versatile in terms of damage types, but wants the harshest stat investment to get the most out of it. Wing of Astel has interesting ranged options (besides its Ash of War, it also fires a zero-FP cost projectile on heavy attacks, and you can chain multiple heavies or charge them for more projectiles) and no big downsides if you're vibing with curved swords in general. All three are great weapons and close together in terms of overall performance, though, so I'd say choose whichever one you feel suits your build and playstyle best. If you're comfortable with Bloodhound's Fang it'll serve you well for most if not all of the game, but if you have the stats for Wing of Astel and/or Night and Flame definitely give them a shot. You can always keep one or both as backup options, or even main one of them and only use Bloodhound's for dodging. (Oh, and level up a blunt weapon too, as loto mentioned. Some enemies all but require one)
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Zyrr
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Post by Zyrr on Apr 27, 2024 18:54:54 GMT
I've taken to always grabbing the Morning Star early and keeping it as my secondary main hand weapon, and dropping either Glintblade Phalanx or Hoarfrost Stomp on it ASAP. Phalanx is amazing for stance breaking bosses.
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Post by RadicalRex on Apr 28, 2024 1:34:48 GMT
Yeah the Morning Star is amazing for that (Stone Club has become my favourite hammer recently, but it has a few downsides). I also use Sacred Blade on them for the holy buff, also found at the very beginning of the game and strike + holy buff just annihilates undead enemies.
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Post by rawshark on Apr 28, 2024 7:11:57 GMT
That’s some good advice on a strike weapon. Haven’t really invested in one yet - just been smacking miners and crystalians with resisted damage.
Will have to review what I have. Haven’t got the highest strength stat so might not have many options.
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LFace
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Post by LFace on Apr 28, 2024 7:52:09 GMT
I originally platinum the game on release taking around 130 hours and it was such a good experience that I rate Elden Ring as my number one game of all time. Soon after the platinum I started a new character trying out a mage build which was quite fun and I put about 15 hours in. Then something else shiny came along and I quit. After DLC announcement I started a new character as my first was in NG+3 I think to mop up trophies, and I thought it would be fun to kill every boss including optionals. Fast forward to now and I've cleared everything I can up to the last couple in the capital pre mountains. Currently sitting at 60 hours on this character.
Went strength build and using two Great Omenkiller Cleavers specced to use Arcane. 50 strength and around 53 arcane. Boy howdy. These pack a punch and it's fun with power stance! This game just isn't boring yet at nearly 200 hours in
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Post by RadicalRex on Apr 28, 2024 13:26:15 GMT
Will have to review what I have. Haven’t got the highest strength stat so might not have many options. That's one of the many great things about the Morningstar, its low requirements of 12 STR and 8 DEX, which means any class can use it at least two-handed without even levelling up. And it's still a very good weapon overall, even late in the game, I used it to kill Radabeast on my 2nd PT.
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loto
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Post by loto on May 1, 2024 10:32:39 GMT
I wasn’t feeling the Mage/ Int build. Just too squishy and not my style to cast spells from the edges.
So I made a strength build. Initially Greatsword (most expensive thing to upgrade ever), but it kept on whiffing the imps and small enemies. So I ditched it for Great Stars and the claymore which are ace. I’ve got the Fang as a backup for anything weak to slash. The GStars is a lovely weapon, staggers well, bit of bleed and good damage- it wrecked the vampire gravity large enemies in Yelough tunnel and they gave my Dex build a lot of bother. Just got to the Haligtree, so I’ll see how I get on…
Lastly, Latenna’s quest is just so well written and voiced. I’d love to meet her voice actor- really gets you in the feels.
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Post by rawshark on May 1, 2024 11:37:17 GMT
So finally got the stats to wield Sword of Night and Flame.
My thoughts are… mixed. Was really expecting the comet azur skill to be more useful. It feels like half the time, even if the target is locked on and stationary, it just fails to connect. Even with massive enemies like the giant silver balls in Nokstella.
So I’ve been using the fire skill more, which is strong (and helped a lot with the Baleful Shadow) but the wind up isn’t ideal.
Overall I just miss the range and poise-breaking potentialthat that Bloodhound Fang has. I barely use the Bloodhound Step and have gotten by so far with its awesome bleed build up.
Anyway - it’s different that’s for sure. If anyone has some tips on how to actually get the comet Azur to connect I’d love to hear it.
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Post by JuniorFE on May 1, 2024 13:01:44 GMT
rawshark get closer. That's... really kind of it. They nerfed the range on it a while ago and never reverted it AFAIK, it's a good bit shorter than the actual spell
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Post by rawshark on May 1, 2024 14:37:05 GMT
Bah. Wish there was an easier way to know where the cut off is.
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hedben
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Post by hedben on May 1, 2024 16:39:34 GMT
I wasn’t feeling the Mage/ Int build. Just too squishy and not my style to cast spells from the edges. So I made a strength build. Initially Greatsword (most expensive thing to upgrade ever), but it kept on whiffing the imps and small enemies. So I ditched it for Great Stars and the claymore which are ace. I’ve got the Fang as a backup for anything weak to slash. The GStars is a lovely weapon, staggers well, bit of bleed and good damage- it wrecked the vampire gravity large enemies in Yelough tunnel and they gave my Dex build a lot of bother. Just got to the Haligtree, so I’ll see how I get on… Lastly, Latenna’s quest is just so well written and voiced. I’d love to meet her voice actor- really gets you in the feels. Heavy Great Stars with Wild Strikes is how I beat Malenia \o/
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loto
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Post by loto on May 2, 2024 9:17:31 GMT
@ hedben- this is what I’ve got cheers and I’ve just reached Malenia. Even at 70 Strength, the damage is still going up by 3 or 4 per level; it’s mad
The only negative thing I’ll say about the strength build is the talismans. For my dex character, I can get damage multipliers on strike, on blood loss and on skills which all stack for brutal, brutal damage. I love the stagger and outright damage on STR builds, but I need to get a bit creative with the jump and charge attack talismans to maximise it, and it doesn’t feel as good.
Anyways, I’m off to yeet a haligtree soldier off his balcony.
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hedben
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Post by hedben on May 2, 2024 10:23:47 GMT
Yeah I’m not sure my choice of talismans was optimal for STR, but I didn’t use charge or jump attacks much to be honest. I think I had the soreseal and the starscourge heirloom to boost my strength even higher than its already ridiculous level- it was basically a race with Melania to smash her before she could land a waterfowl dance or the one with zigzag phantoms, because those would drain 80% of my health if any of them connected.
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loto
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Post by loto on May 2, 2024 11:16:04 GMT
The 'easiest' Malenia fight was on my Dex/Arcane character:
Level 160ish - high dex, arcane, decent vigour, endurance Eleonora's pole blade +10 Lord of Blood's Exultation, Millicent's Prosthesis, Shard of Alexander, Sword Insignia Physick - stamina boost and thorny cracked tear (boosts consecutive attacks) Miimic Tear +10
This just shredded her, but you need a bit of luck/RNG too - if the Mimic chews an entire waterfall dance, she gets all her health back
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Post by f00b_inc on May 3, 2024 7:39:00 GMT
Got a bit distracted but explored the consecrated snowfield last night after finishing off Castle Sol earlier in the week. Doesn't seem a lot to do here and the snowstorm can fuck off. I think from here it's off to Mohgwyn Palace!
Saying that.. I have been putting map markers down on catacombs and caves through the past couple of areas and think I will go back and complete some now as starting to feel a bit of a struggle.
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loto
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Post by loto on May 3, 2024 9:49:09 GMT
There’s a bit more to Castle Sol than I realised. There’s another roof section with explosive ballista enemies and I found a painting in there.
If you’re after smithing stone 8’s to get up towards +24, Yelough Anix tunnel is well worth a visit. It’s in the southwest I think, look for the small orange cave on the map near Yelough ruins.
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Post by f00b_inc on May 3, 2024 12:47:32 GMT
I actually am still mainly using the Moonveil which I've now got up to +9 (haven't been able to get to grips with the darkmoon greatsword which I'd also upgraded) so I think I'm probably where I should be on upgrades. I'm probably just still not very good after 100+ hours I believe I got handed an ancient stone when I got into the consecrated snowfields last night so I think I can upgrade the weapon to +10 finally. I'll go back to that Yelough tunnel to get some +24 upgrade stones though as would be good to try a few other weapons out.
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Post by rawshark on May 4, 2024 7:22:19 GMT
I’m up to the Valiant Gargoyles in Siofra Aqueduct. I reckon it’s worth investing into Great Stars for it as I haven’t got a powered up strike weapon yet. Can anyone recommend a decent ash of war for it? I reckon as I progress I’ll add Golden Land to it but that’ll have to wait until I get to Deeproot Depths.
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Post by JuniorFE on May 4, 2024 7:50:23 GMT
I’m up to the Valiant Gargoyles in Siofra Aqueduct. I reckon it’s worth investing into Great Stars for it as I haven’t got a powered up strike weapon yet. Can anyone recommend a decent ash of war for it? I reckon as I progress I’ll add Golden Land to it but that’ll have to wait until I get to Deeproot Depths. Something else with multiple hits like Golden Land could work well. Wild Strikes, Stormcaller, Prelate's Charge etc. Alternatively, double up on the heals with Prayerful Strike
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