Elden Ring - Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion Announced

[Mike S]

I've had a fine old day of it.

 

Started out by beating a reasonably lairy boss my favourite way - naked, alone, and with the absolute slimmest sliver of health left:

 

 

After that, the immediate next area was small but nicely atmospheric and with outrageous views over the misty lake. Found a sneaky route to a load of loot and a merchant in the previous area before heading back and finding a dragon which I was happily cheesing with a bow until the controller battery died one me but, no problem, quick shift to M+K,  move to safety, and grab a different controller before carrying on whittling away at the dragon. It was going OK until the body thing just disappeared. No idea if that was a bug or by design but suspect design as it went out with a few sparkles.

 

Anyways, I carried on with a few tasks in that area before heading to the lakes for a wander. Found a very handy, and much need, cave which finally allowed me to get my sword up from the +8 it it had been stuck at for almost half my playthough. It is now a very handy +14 plus I got my big hammer (with a spike) up to +7 too which really helps in the caves. I've a few NPC tasks that I keep forgetting and which saw me zipping back to Limgrave and the hub  for a bit.

 

I did have a very unexpected encounter with an absolute brute of an NPC invader when visiting a shack in Cadeil to buy a few arrows. Hoped out of that one as he kicked the absolute hell out of me.

 

After a few more hours picking about randomly I ended up following the narrow gorge to the north of the Lake District and it was spectacular. 

 

I've left myself at the top of a cliff, in another mine (more smithy stones!), having battled through a few too many harpies for my liking. Finally, I found a bell bearing somewhere too! And that looks like it'll be very useful indeed.

 

I'm up to eighty odd hours now and every time I play I am still blown away by new sights, enemies, locations, etc. That the experience is as incredible now as it has been since day one is pretty extraordinary. 

[5R7]

12 minutes ago, Dark Soldier said:

New wrong warp tech in Any%. Sub 30 minute run should be done by end of day. 

 

Dist already 3 minutes ahead on previous record despite a death. Live now if you've finished the game and wanna see him grind in Twitch.

 

Game is so broken for speedrunning lol

i just watched, and posted, about distortion2 a page back lol. and those skips!!! fuck yeah lol. makes my NG+ run mmroe fun haha

 

im also watchin lobos SL1 run!

[Vulgar Monkey]

3 hours ago, StephenM said:

Started my way through the academy - so lost! Starting to regret my melee focus, what I would give for some decent range to stave of the burger kings. 
 

Still love it, though. 

 

I just finished the Academy earlier today as a pure melee build. The BKs (lol) are knobs when they lockdown a chokepoint at the top of stairs for example (happened to me in two different spots, one of which led to a pretty epic 'shootout') but thankfully they arent that smart.

 

Renalla can fuck off though

Spoiler

The first phase was dead easy once sussed, but could take between 30 seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the RNG, so was annoying. And then there's the second phase with the one-shots, plus the 'oh you thought summons was a player-only trick? Here, meet my wolves. Then a troll. Then a literal fucking dragon.'

 

Thankfully I staggered her with each hit so once I got an opening that was that.

 

Great backing music during phase one though if the kids would ever shut up.

 

 

Been visiting other spots since. Just cleared another mine and instantly levelled my sword from about +6/7 to +13. Had loads of higher-level stones knocking around in inventory for ages but was held back by lack of grade[3] stones. Result.

 

Still trying to suss out the nearby

Spoiler

walking mausoleum though. This one appears to have no weakpoints. Suspect they're either external to his body, ie a couple hundred yards away, or are tied to the local mobs?

 

[Dark Soldier]

4 minutes ago, 5R7 said:

i just watched, and posted, about distortion2 a page back lol. and those skips!!! fuck yeah lol. makes my NG+ run mmroe fun haha

 

im also watchin lobos SL1 run!

New skip is madness. Well worth checking out.

[5R7]

1 minute ago, Dark Soldier said:

New skip is madness. Well worth checking out.

..NEW  SKIP

[John0]

Ok I reached Radahn today.

 

Spoiler

First couple of attempts I ran around on my horse and summoned as much as I could.. seems like that was suggested :). But they don't really do much. Tried going in close but get crushed. Am I supposed to melee this guy? Is that how everyone's doing it? Is this one of those things that is less impossible than it first seems?

 

[Triple A]

Been doing the mountain today, after clearing out the manor save for one pesky iron maiden.

This game!

I thought I was done with the mountain area, but noooo it just keeps on giving!  And taking my runes off me of course.

About 75 hours on the clock now and I still have so much more to do!

[Popo]

After 2 weeks, 40 hours of play and innumerable deaths - I’ve finally reached the second big dungeon. 
 

And the door’s bloody locked!

[Parappa]

After 30 hours Margit is finally down! 😂

[kensei]

First day I've been really annoyed with it. Calvalcade of bullshit

 

Spoiler

Went to the Festival, Radahn is bullshit

 

Bullshit dual bosses at the end of a mini dungeon. Can't get my summon out grade a bullshit

Dragon on a bridge which I can get to 80% but eventually the camera spazes out and he nukes me

 

Bullshit amount of souls required to get a Colossal Sword with a moveset I like up to something comparable to what I have now. Seriously it must be like 45 stones and 100,000 souls. You can upgrade special weapons in 10 stones

 

 

[Qazimod]

Finally, finally went back to the MW/CK duo at Redmane Castle and beat them with my level 80 character, +14 weapon and the spirit ash that summons

 

Spoiler

a clone of yourself

 

Even with all of that my buddy died and I finished with one heal left. And the runes I got from it couldn't even buy me a single level.  It's nuts that an encounter like that can be accessed so soon.

[Steven]

Just hit 40hr mark with The first Rune Tower thing done. Thought the castle would take longer but Godrick went down first go. Think there may be more to uncover so might have another mooch around later tonight to clear up.

[Anne Summers]

It's amazing going back to the lake-facing cliffs grace site after you've cleared Liurnia, and looking back at that incredible vista and realising that what looked like a beautiful backdrop just a week or so ago is now an actual area that you know just about every nook and cranny of, in intimate detail.  

[NexivRed]

11 hours ago, Davros sock drawer said:

You know you can attack up or down on ladders as well right? 

I was killing one of those annoying blue ghost Minotaur things underground, and after he was dead, climbed a ladder, only to meet his mate on the way down to help him. And he started kicking me in the head for about 18 damage 

 

 

2 hours ago, Vulgar Monkey said:

 

I just finished the Academy earlier today as a pure melee build. The BKs (lol) are knobs when they lockdown a chokepoint at the top of stairs for example (happened to me in two different spots, one of which led to a pretty epic 'shootout') but thankfully they arent that smart.

 

Renalla can fuck off though

  Hide contents

The first phase was dead easy once sussed, but could take between 30 seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the RNG, so was annoying. And then there's the second phase with the one-shots, plus the 'oh you thought summons was a player-only trick? Here, meet my wolves. Then a troll. Then a literal fucking dragon.'

 

Thankfully I staggered her with each hit so once I got an opening that was that.

 

Great backing music during phase one though if the kids would ever shut up.

 

 

Been visiting other spots since. Just cleared another mine and instantly levelled my sword from about +6/7 to +13. Had loads of higher-level stones knocking around in inventory for ages but was held back by lack of grade[3] stones. Result.

 

Still trying to suss out the nearby

  Reveal hidden contents

walking mausoleum though. This one appears to have no weakpoints. Suspect they're either external to his body, ie a couple hundred yards away, or are tied to the local mobs?

 

Try a lil’ bit higher. 

 

 

2 hours ago, John0 said:

Ok I reached Radahn today.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

First couple of attempts I ran around on my horse and summoned as much as I could.. seems like that was suggested :). But they don't really do much. Tried going in close but get crushed. Am I supposed to melee this guy? Is that how everyone's doing it? Is this one of those things that is less impossible than it first seems?

 

You can really do him damage if you get right underneath and can stay alive through the big hits. I’ve had him down low a few times, but bailed because I had a headache and was on a downward turn. 
 

What level are you? I think we’re hitting areas at about the same. 

[NecroMorrius]

On 11/03/2022 at 13:27, Curtis said:

For swamps/rot/lava where you can't use your mount, equip a Dagger in your RH and spam the Quick Evade Art.

 

Its loads faster than trying to sprint/roll through the muck.

Never roll through poison/rot!

[Vulgar Monkey]

1 hour ago, NexivRed said:

Try a lil’ bit higher. 

 

Yeah, found it thanks!

Spoiler

Funnily enough until now I had just assumed the jumps just launched you on pre-defined trajectories. Had no idea you could point  yourself elsewhere.

 

Anyway, spent the rest of the evening looking for some cave; ended up finding a route north to altus

Spoiler

via some mine. All my favourite enemies - spaghetti monsters, roman-catholic cockbats, and underpants gnomes. And then a fucking wyrm! Still, got there.

 

Had a ride around altus to scout, got the map easy enough, but gave up on the north-west bit after finding the bridge was out, and my alt route landed me in volcano alley. I'm assuming Id have to go north from lakes via the manor.

 

I like how the classic DS shortcuts have sort of translated to larger scale maps,

 

[Dark Soldier]

Sub 30 minutes Any% by Dist. 28:57.

 

Madness.

[Stoikovich]

i started watching a speed run, but soon turned off as I realised I’d much prefer to hit later areas spoiler-free.

Once I’ve got credits to roll myself, then I’ll be all over YouTube     
Hopefully by then there’ll be some cracking “All bosses” runs, too

[Hexx]

9 hours ago, John0 said:

Ok I reached Radahn today.

 

  Hide contents

First couple of attempts I ran around on my horse and summoned as much as I could.. seems like that was suggested :). But they don't really do much. Tried going in close but get crushed. Am I supposed to melee this guy? Is that how everyone's doing it? Is this one of those things that is less impossible than it first seems?

 

 

 

No he's really hard

 

Spoiler

The summons are more to take his attention than do damage AFAIK

When they die you can keep summoning them

 

I had best luck on Torrent picking my moments to unload and run away.

If you're going to be meleeing him I believe it was best to roll towards/under him in my limited experience

 

 

[Qazimod]

10 hours ago, John0 said:

Ok I reached Radahn today.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

First couple of attempts I ran around on my horse and summoned as much as I could.. seems like that was suggested :). But they don't really do much. Tried going in close but get crushed. Am I supposed to melee this guy? Is that how everyone's doing it? Is this one of those things that is less impossible than it first seems?

 

Some notes from me here if it’s of any use.  

[Benny]

23 hours ago, Benny said:

I hate Elden Ring now, sorry.

 

I spent the best part of my entire Saturday evening and then until 3am last night trying to beat

 

  Reveal hidden contents

In a secret place. A nasty boss pair.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

Of gargoyles.

 

I am raging. The cheap asshole cunts!

 

I tried everything, even broke my "no summon help" rule. Guess it's back to the rest of the world to level up . And in the game.

 

 

 

Went back on Sunday for another crack and beat on my first try. Typical

 

And your reward:

 

Spoiler

Yet another vast area. Holy shit.

 

[Ste Pickford]

Got to Godrick last night and he went down quite easy.  I'd been dreading him from some of the comments and frustrations I'd read from faster players.  I was level 30, so maybe a bit high?  Stormveil Castle was a cracking dungeon.   There are still a couple of areas I've not properly explored yet, but will maybe leave them for a while and push on into the Lakes now.

[scottcr]

you know that thing that the best types of games like this do, where you think you're in some kind of secret area or a side-questy area and working your way through that - but then it turns out to be where you're supposed to go ALL ALONG.  Love that.

 

Spoiler

On a hunt for stones and stuff, I explored a mine/cave system - lots of bats and quite a few sirens, got to the top and fought a big dragon boss (I needed summons, I don't mind - I enjoy it!) - and then I find myself outside the capital!

 

On the academy

 

Spoiler

Felt pretty small compared to Stormveil - although exploring the rooftops was fun.  Can't quite defeat Bayonetta's final form yet but summons, but I'll get there tonight methinks.

 

[PeteJ]

Query - I'm a Dex/ int build and having a great time, but still using the sword uchigatana. Is it worth continuing to upgrade this or wait for another? Only just found some smithing stones 3, already have 4 and 5 so can probably level it quite a bit...

 

Last night's adventure. I'm feeling a bit aimless in the Lakes area, just roaming around getting my bearings a bit like when you go on holiday somewhere. Noped around a big fiery looking giant, took a lift down somewhere. Ants. Ants everywhere. 

 

Continued through the cave slow but steady, came across some weird enemies which were rock hard so legged it by them. Saw a massive monster weird thing hurling rocks at me, noped around that. Killed some enemies that I swear were in Dark Souls and were complete fuckers in that. Saw lots of red in a massive area, noped out of that. 

Found the boss in one of the coolest, most foreboding encounters yet. Took it down on my second try, with my tactics immediately falling apart in the second phase as I somehow panic rolled to victory. The second phase looked incredible, I still can't believe I made it. 

 

For info the boss was

Spoiler

Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella

 

I also found a ghost in a boat, the same as I had fought before. It amusingly bugged on me and spawned up the hill, so all of its summons were a safe distance away and it couldn't move. An easy kill. 

 

I keep telling myself I'll give it a rest tonight and get on with one of the many other jobs I have stacking up, but as soon as the kids go to bed I'm on it immediately. Can't. Stop. Playing.  

[Captain Kelsten]

When all you have is a hammer, every enemy looks like a nail…

 

[Qazimod]

16 minutes ago, PeteJ said:

Query - I'm a Dex/ int build and having a great time, but still using the sword uchigatana. Is it worth continuing to upgrade this or wait for another? Only just found some smithing stones 3, already have 4 and 5 so can probably level it quite a bit...

I can’t help with that build or weapon, but generally I pick a weapon I like and work on improving it… but at the same time, the early upgrade materials eventually become easier to get hold of, and in time you won’t be using them on your favourite weapon, so there’s no harm in using them on others you want to experiment with (provided they suit your build.)

[kensei]

What the fuck is up with fucking mage enemies spamming hadoken all the fucking time. If I let two start they'll kill me almost instantly.

 

The worst are the centipede spearmen things, that have an insanely annoying homing spell that stops my ability to move forward but any common or garden bighead can have the same effect.

[John0]

9 hours ago, NexivRed said:

What level are you? I think we’re hitting areas at about the same. 

 

I'm 67. With a +15 main weapon. That roughly the same as you?

 

Cheers for the other replies too folks. Will keep having goes at him in between other stuff 👍

[Benny]

I've been trying to work out how to get on the plateau on the large South Western peninsular for absolutely bloody ages. When I finally work it out or end up there via other means it's going to be FRICKIN' SWEET.

[Anne Summers]

1 hour ago, scottcr said:

you know that thing that the best types of games like this do, where you think you're in some kind of secret area or a side-questy area and working your way through that - but then it turns out to be where you're supposed to go ALL ALONG.  Love that.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

On a hunt for stones and stuff, I explored a mine/cave system - lots of bats and quite a few sirens, got to the top and fought a big dragon boss (I needed summons, I don't mind - I enjoy it!) - and then I find myself outside the capital!

 

On the academy

 

  Hide contents

Felt pretty small compared to Stormveil - although exploring the rooftops was fun.  Can't quite defeat Bayonetta's final form yet but summons, but I'll get there tonight methinks.

 

On the academy:

 

Spoiler

How do you know you have seen it all yet? I didn't realise that Stormveil was half as big as it is until people in here started saying how massive it was and I realised I must have missed a good chunk. I thought I had rinsed the academy pretty thoroughly too but every time I go back I find something new.