The Forest

Ever since my first play through of dark souls way back when my favorite covenant has been the Forest Hunters. I loved the idea of having a section of the game that belonged to my covenant and having the chance to be able to help a fellow hunter against the terrors of gnakers.

I like to think of myself as a pretty honourable pvpr. I bow before the battle, let my opponent buff themselves and generally avoid spamming and back stabbing. I tried to bring this mentality to the forest. I wan't so naive to think that everyone I came across would share this sentiment but I would hold true in the face of this adversity.

The thing I didn't expect was that the forest would change my attitude. After facing wave after wave of gnakers and healers who would then bow after the battle was over. (This is what really pissed me off) I began to change my tactics. I would only bow if my opponent bowed first but usually would strike at first sight. I would now heal if my opponent would do so, which I was adamantly against before so.

Guess what I'm trying to say if that the forest can bring out the worst in dark souls if you let it

Dont't let the dark Dark Forces guide you, but die as a honorable Knight.
Honor survives countless deaths.

As a Hunter, I bow to all lone hosts. From a safe distance.

As a Hunter, I do not heal.....unless you chug estus, in which case I taunt by using Great Heal

As a Hunter, I will die with honor to any one warrior....to any two or three warriors I say, come my trees. Help me drink their blood. Come my kitties. Help me purr and coo on their corpses. Come my fungi. Let us punch them into next week!

When in Rome . . .

When I'm in the Forest, there are no rules, no etiquette. In a strange way, that is nice. It is the expected norm and people look for that kind of PvP. So, I will attack as soon as I can. I won't let them get ready (they should be ready already since I'm invading their world). And, I expect them to do the same for me.

When I'm invading, it is a little different. I will bow if the host bows. If the host is solo, then I'll let them get ready.

When I'm dueling (summoning reds or getting summoned), I'll bow, let my opponent get ready, and not jump the host.

The Forest won't change you if you don't let it. It is just a different meta.