Mastering Dark Souls Remastered: Tips for New Players
Dark Souls Remastered is a critically acclaimed action RPG that challenges players with its deep combat mechanics, intricate level design, and unforgiving enemies. Whether you're a beginner or returning player, this guide will walk you through character creation, combat strategies, boss tactics, and essential tips to master the game.
1. Character Creation: Choosing the Best Class and Gift
1.1 Best Classes for Beginners
Picking the right class sets the tone for your playthrough. Here’s a breakdown of some beginner-friendly classes:
- Pyromancer: Starts with a powerful fire spell (Fireball) and solid melee stats. Great for beginners as it offers both offensive magic and strong close-range abilities.
- Knight: Equipped with heavy armor and a strong shield, this class is highly defensive. The high vitality stat makes it easier to survive early game hits.
- Warrior: A balanced choice for players who prefer melee combat. High strength and dexterity make the Warrior versatile for various weapons.
1.2 Starting Gifts: What to Choose
The starting gift is an important choice that can make certain areas of the game easier. The most recommended options include:
- Master Key: Unlocks doors and shortcuts early, giving you access to areas otherwise unreachable until later in the game. This is the most popular choice among veterans.
- Black Firebombs: A powerful consumable that can be used to defeat the first boss, the Asylum Demon, quickly.
- Divine Blessing: Heals you fully and cures ailments, but it's a one-time-use item, making it less valuable for long-term progress.
2. Mastering Combat: Essential Mechanics and Strategies
2.1 Stamina Management and Dodging
Every action in combat, from attacking to blocking or dodging, consumes stamina. Managing stamina is key to surviving battles. Avoid draining it entirely by pacing your attacks and dodges. Always leave enough stamina for an emergency dodge.
2.2 Blocking vs Dodging
Dark Souls Remastered gives you two defensive options: blocking with a shield or dodging. Blocking reduces damage but consumes stamina, while dodging allows you to avoid damage completely. Lightweight builds often favor dodging, while heavier builds rely on blocking with a sturdy shield.
2.3 Weapon Scaling and Upgrades
Weapons in Dark Souls scale with certain stats, such as Strength or Dexterity. Each weapon has a scaling grade, from E to S, which determines how much extra damage is added based on your attributes. Prioritize upgrading weapons that match your build to maximize damage output.
3. Progression: Navigating Through Key Areas
3.1 Northern Undead Asylum: Your First Challenge
The game begins in the Northern Undead Asylum, where you face your first boss, the Asylum Demon. If you picked the Black Firebombs as your starting gift, you can defeat this boss quickly. Otherwise, evade its attacks until you retrieve a proper weapon. Afterward, you'll be transported to Firelink Shrine, your first hub area.
3.2 Firelink Shrine: A Safe Haven
Firelink Shrine serves as a central hub where you can level up, rest, and interact with NPCs. From here, you'll have several options for progression, but most players head to the Undead Burg first.
3.3 Undead Burg and Parish: The First Major Areas
Undead Burg introduces tougher enemies and ambushes. Make sure to kindle the bonfires to increase your healing Estus Flasks. After navigating through this area, you'll reach the Undead Parish and fight the Bell Gargoyles, a challenging early-game boss.
3.4 Blighttown: Toxic and Dangerous
Blighttown is infamous for its toxic environment and tough enemies. Be sure to carry antidotes (Purple Moss Clumps) to deal with poison. The swamp at the bottom is especially dangerous, so proceed with caution.
3.5 Anor Londo: The Heart of the Game
Anor Londo is a critical location in the game, where you'll face some of the toughest enemies, including the boss duo Ornstein and Smough. Ensure you're well-prepared with upgraded weapons and healing items before taking on this area.
4. Boss Strategies: Overcoming the Game's Toughest Foes
4.1 Asylum Demon
The Asylum Demon is your first boss encounter. You can either run past it and fight it later with a proper weapon or use Black Firebombs to defeat it early. Avoid its wide swings by staying behind it and striking when it's recovering from an attack.
4.2 Bell Gargoyles
These two gargoyles fight you on a rooftop, making dodging crucial. Focus on defeating the first gargoyle quickly before the second one joins the fight. Using fire or lightning-based attacks can give you an edge here.
4.3 Quelaag
Found in Blighttown, Quelaag deals both melee and fire damage. Keep your distance and attack between her lava-spitting attacks. Using a lightning weapon can help exploit her weakness.
4.4 Ornstein and Smough
This duo boss fight is one of the toughest in the game. It’s important to focus on one boss at a time. Most players choose to defeat Ornstein first to avoid Smough's massive area-of-effect attacks later in the fight. Having a summoned ally can make this fight more manageable.
5. Humanity, Hollowing, and Online Mechanics
5.1 Humanity: How It Works
Humanity is a critical mechanic in Dark Souls Remastered. In human form, you can summon other players for help or be invaded by hostile players. Humanity is also required to kindle bonfires, increasing the number of Estus Flasks available.
5.2 Hollowing: Pros and Cons
In hollow form, you can’t summon players or be invaded, which provides a safer experience. However, staying hollow limits your ability to engage in co-op gameplay. Dying in human form reverts you to hollow status, so it's important to use Humanity wisely.
5.3 Summoning and Multiplayer
Dark Souls Remastered features robust multiplayer elements. You can summon NPCs or other players to help with bosses, or you can invade other players' worlds to test your combat skills. Engaging with the online community can make difficult areas more manageable and adds a unique layer of gameplay.
6. Advanced Tips and Tricks
6.1 Suicide Runs for Loot
If you're confident in your ability to recover your souls, you can do "suicide runs" through dangerous areas to collect powerful items. Even if you die, you'll keep the loot, making it a useful strategy for obtaining key equipment early in the game.
6.2 Upgrading Weapons and Armor
Upgrade your weapons at a blacksmith as soon as you can. Focus on a couple of weapons rather than spreading your resources too thin. For armor, prioritize mobility over defense—lighter armor allows for faster dodging, which is often more valuable than heavy protection.
6.3 Managing Souls and Leveling Up
Souls are both currency and experience points in Dark Souls. Always use your souls to level up or purchase items before heading into difficult areas, as dying can result in the loss of unspent souls. Focus on leveling up key stats like Strength, Dexterity, and Endurance depending on your build.
Conclusion
Dark Souls Remastered is a game that rewards perseverance, strategy, and learning from your mistakes. With the right approach and patience, you’ll find immense satisfaction in overcoming its challenges. Use this guide to get started on your journey, and remember: Prepare to die, but never give up!
