Experience with dark spells (Spoilers, obviously)

I have an SL70 build that gets a ridiculous amount of win/loss ratio, due to the new spells. Here are some things I've found out about them.

Pursuers:
* Don't dodge them sideways like HCSM. They will keep coming after you and nail you after you're done rolling. Instead, try to outlast them. I've seen people roll backwards several times (I do it to, it works), or run around me in a circle; that works too.
* Pursuers DO NOT FIRE if the target is using hidden body or ring of fog.
* You can block their damage with a greatshield. You'll still take damage but not too much. I've had take 80-200 damage when blocking with a stone guardian shield or havel's.

Beads:
* Beads have a wide dispersion pattern and a quick cast. I can hit people almost 90 degrees to my side at close (but not point blank) range.
* Be careful about doing a roll forward attack when against a bead user. I've nailed people when coming out of their roll in front of me for 1700 damage (no joke).
* Side rolling and/or keeping to the sides is successful for avoiding them, but you still need to be careful, the outmost one might get you.
* Beads (like all dark spells) can break your guard. If that happens, it's game over, since you won't be able to dodge the next bead shot.

Beads and pursuers together are a deadly combo. Cast pursuers, wait for dodging/running, cast beads right out of the roll. Any momentary stun and pursuers will catch up -> game over.

And if someone uses the pendant? That's what CSS is for.

Magic is pretty damn powerful now in PvP.

Shush, don't tell people how to beat my babies. Also, Silver Pendant > all Dark Magic spells if timed right. Especially Pursuers.

Pendant stops dark magic, but while you're going through the ~2 second animation, I'm lining up a CSS...

You never attune ONLY dark spells.

Thankfully a fog ring + Artorias leggings shall save the day.

I've been rocking a level 100 mage with great succes, exactly as you've said.

Cast Pursuers, then cast CSS if invader uses silver pendant, then cast Dark Beads.....it's almost always a guaranteed victory

Sorcery is a big deal in pvp now. It's not that Dark spells are themselves overwhelming (imo) but as you said using them in concert with CSS and a half decent weapon to punish obvious rolls makes them matter. Where are pre DLC even HCSM into CSS was a bit trite and not all that threatening.

Magic Iron shield +10 meet your new home, my left arm.

This sounds very exiting.

What weapons do you guys recommend for going 40int for pvp?
Guess buffable with CMW?


Edit:
How do these stats look?
http://tinyurl.com/ccza74q

CazzMatazz wrote:This sounds very exiting.

What weapons do you guys recommend for going 40int for pvp?
Guess buffable with CMW?


Edit:
How do these stats look?
http://tinyurl.com/ccza74q

I myself use a +15 Uchigatana or +15 Baldetr Side Sword with CMW.
Or if I don't use a buf, I like to use Velka's Rapier.

But is uchi and Bss +15 worth it with low stats in dex and str?


Or is it better to go dex build with GMW and 16int splashed for Dark Bead?
http://tinyurl.com/cv6ezzm

suleo wrote:Pendant stops dark magic, but while you're going through the ~2 second animation, I'm lining up a CSS...

You never attune ONLY dark spells.

Silver Pendant's affect lasts for approx 1-2 seconds, so cast when your firing a dark spell, then roll out of the CSS' way. Easy peasy.

CazzMatazz wrote:But is uchi and Bss +15 worth it with low stats in dex and str?


Or is it better to go dex build with GMW and 16int splashed for Dark Bead?
http://tinyurl.com/cv6ezzm

I guess it might be, but my character is a caster primarily, and OHKO someone with Pursuers or Beads is worth it