My next challenge run...

I am thinking of shelving my current SL1 Pyromancer Humanity intact challenge run as it feels far too easy. I was able to reach O&S with very little effort, before the annual family hols put a stop to my DkS playtime, even with the self-imposed limitation of me only being able to use equipment and weapons that my toon can use effectively, and so I was thinking about giving this one a try: -

A SL3 Sorcerer Humanity intact challenge run, with the self-imposed limitations of me not being able to use any of the sorceries/miracles/pyromancies, and only being able to use upgradable starting equipment (Dagger, Small Leather Shield, etc). With the one possible exception of me being allowed to substitute my Sorcerer's clothing with the Black Sorcerer Set when the time arises (it looks cooler). I feel I can get away with this because the increase in the Magic/Flame/Lightning defenses and the Bleed/Poison/Curse resistances that this would afford me will be pretty much off-set by a notable decrease in all of the Physical defenses. I suspect that I will feel the drop in the Physical defences a lot more than I will the increase in all of the other defences and resistances, seeing as that I will essentially be turning the Sorcerer into the lowest level melee toon possible. I was going to substitute the Black Sorcerer Boots with the Black Leather ones (again because of the coolness factor), but this would of given me a notable increase in all of the defences and resistances, and so it just didn't feel right. Also, just to prove that I am not totally mad, I have decided not to put any limitations on what rings I can use, and at this time am probably going to end up using a RoFP and Cloranthy ring combo, swapping the latter with other rings as and when the need arises.

Anyway, what do you think?

so its a dagger sl1 run? favor ring ring on an sl1 toon is a waste imo, theres other builds that might be better

No it's a SL3 dagger run, given that the Sorcerer starts out at SL3. :roll: Also the increase in Stamina that the RoFP provides will surely be a benefit to a character who will pretty much be reliant on speed in order to bring home the win.

Dagger buffed with Resin is actually quite good against bosses.

I would scrap the humanity intact part, as that just adds time and not difficulty. I don't see the point of farming rats over and over just to punish yourself. It won't make you more prone to invasions or anything at later levels.

No, but if I don't keep my Humanity intact I will be less likely to be invaded, and so for me the benefits of farming far out weigh the disadvantages, especially when you consider that I am a self-confessed farmaholic to begin with!

How often are you invaded as a SL1 or SL3? Should be next to nothing anyways.

I hate farming, so boring for me lol.

I'll admit that the likelihood of being invaded is pretty low (on my SL1 run I was invaded three times up to O&S), but all the while the chance remains I'm prepared to put up with a little bit of farming from time to time. Added to which, I could always increase the chance of invasion by offing the odd non-essential NPC from time to time, by keeping the Taurus Demon and in turn low-level berg invasion alive, or by openly inviting the community to come and have a go by broadcasting my locale on this here Wiki's message boards. Like I said for me the benefits of farming far outweigh the disadvantages, and so it's time to dust off my wellies once again methinks!

Whatever you enjoy! There's a thread on here on difficult runs. I believe vegeta put up a sorceror cursed run; must stay cursed before ringing either bell and remain cursed. Nasty.

A while back I did suggest that someone do a naked SL3 Sorcerer Humanity intact no sorcerey/miracle/pyromancy bare fisted run, but for some reason got no takers. :roll: Maybe if I had upped the stakes a bit by including the cursed element things would have been a whole lot different?

If your current challenge is too easy I think you should just continue it through NG+. I'm always surprised when I see NG challenges from experienced players. I'm not talking about you, op, but I mean you-tube challenges by people who have played the game for 1,000+ hours.

NG challenges are okay for a while, but if you really want the challenge to scale, let your +'s scale.

I hear what you are saying, but I simply will not have the drive to carry my current SL1 run over to NG+ and beyond as the ease in which I am flying through the levels is already making the play through a bit of a bore. In all honesty my current SL1 run is nothing like I was expecting, and has in fact turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. I know that I will complete it, but do I really want to, knowing that the end result was never in any doubt to begin with. That is why I am now looking to cut my loses, and begin again with a harder remit. Hopefully this time around the level of difficulty will keep me hooked right up to NG+ and beyond. If not, I will just have to keep on making things harder for myself until it does, or simply give up on the PvE side of the game altogether, which is something that I cannot see myself doing at this time.

You could try a Cursed throwing-items only run? Trying to take down the 4 Kings with Throwing Knifes when you run out of Firebombs is sure to be a challenge!

Gazman0169 wrote:I hear what you are saying, but I simply will not have the drive to carry my current SL1 run over to NG+ and beyond as the ease in which I am flying through the levels is already making the play through a bit of a bore. In all honesty my current SL1 run is nothing like I was expecting, and has in fact turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. I know that I will complete it, but do I really want to, knowing that the end result was never in any doubt to begin with. That is why I am now looking to cut my loses, and begin again with a harder remit. Hopefully this time around the level of difficulty will keep me hooked right up to NG+ and beyond. If not, I will just have to keep on making things harder for myself until it does, or simply give up on the PvE side of the game altogether, which is something that I cannot see myself doing at this time.

When I did my Infinity6 run I pretty much ran through NG. The fun started in NG+ (the terror in +++, the hopelessness in +++++, the satisfaction in +++++++). All that I'm suggesting is that maybe you've moved beyond valid NG challenges, and if you start over with your sorcery-free sorcerer you'll experience the exact same thing. Daggers are super-effective in PvE once you're used to the lack of reach, they're especially useful against the Kings and Gwyn. I think the only boss that would be really challenging with a dagger would be the Capra Demon fight.

I appreciate the input cal, and I totally understand where you are coming from.

Anyway, I started my SL3 sorcery free run last night, was invaded the once whilst going through the berg, and so far I am enjoying it a heck of a lot more than my previous run. Whether this lasts remains to be seen, but for now it's all good.

Let us know how it goes. I'm especially interested in the Dagger vs. Capra+Dogs fight. Seems like that might be pretty exciting.

Firebombs would kill him quick.

Killing Capra is not the problem, it's those damn dogs of his! :evil:

If you can make it passed them in one piece, and can then take out the mutts without getting hit by ol cow face, then the rest of the fight becomes a bit of a cake-walk.

Hmmm... I'm beginning to think you're right callipygias. Looking back at it the Asylum Demon fell far too easy to my ungraded dagger, and now that it's been upgraded to a mere +5 my current run appears to be a lot easier than my previous one! :evil:

Short of doing the aforementioned naked bare fisted run, which sounds too much like a porno for my liking , I think I'm going to have to grin and bare it and simply push on through to NG+ for the challenge that I am craving for. "Sigh!"

I honestly don't think you'll find challenge until some of the later bosses, or NG+. At least not until O&S.

Well the Taurus Demon was pretty easy (down in the first attempt with my +5 fire buffed dagger), and the Capra Demon was a heck of a lot easier than I was anticipating (down on the forth attempt, I really hate those f-ing mutts, again with my +5 fire buffed dagger). Funny thing is I found it lot harder making my way through the Lower Undead Berg to get to ol cow face and his two mutts. :evil:

All of the early access shortcuts are now open, and Larry is pushing up daisies after I robbed his lifeless arse of the RoFP.

Next stop the Bell Gargoyles.

Well having had a lil PvP break in the Garden (which netted me a Divine Blessing and the Fog Ring, being Alvina's lil b.... and all), I then trotted my merry lil butt off to the Parish to pay a surprise visit on Greg and Steve.

(see page 4 here- https://soulswiki.forumotion.com/t3823p45-those-silver-knight-archers-have-a-crappy-job#63984 to get the joke)

I then made a beeline for the Depths, and having made mincemeat out of Captain Kirk I then sliced and diced the Gaping Dragon (thanx for axe btw, not that I'm ever going to be able to use it mind), putting an end to his dental antics.

(again see the above link to know what I'm talking about)

Next stop I have a date with a sexy lil beast in a prime locale between a poison swamp and a fiery pit. :cyclops:

Consider using the Jagged Ghost Blade. It is an amazing weapons early on for a low level sorcerer run.

I'd luv 2, but I can't Fruit as it's a starting equipment only run. The good news is that Quelaag fell to my trusty +10 un-buffed dagger, and a shed-load of throwing knives last night, with the invaluable help from ol Mildred I might add, which means the Iron Golem is next on my list.

That'd be a long fight lol.

Unless Tarkus has a say.