Topic: Elden Ring Hype Thread

@kyleforrester87 I know the feeling, I bought this one in 2019 for same cash and I don't care what advances in TV tech come, there's not a new TV coming in this house for another 5-7 yrs unless it breaks! To be fair, the dips didn't bother me to much, I've played bloodborne 😂

@Jimmer-jammer Nice. I only made it to the Manor the other day (via the front door!) and have done the first two contracts but haven’t got to the area of the third.

I found the secret area in the Manor too but haven’t been beyond the door..

@Thrillho @Jimmer-jammer I had no idea there was a questline to get to the volcano Manor! I got there through Mt Gelmir and running past the Fallingstar boss (they are on my list to go back). I've also only done the first two contracts and haven't been to the area for the third. When you find the secret room, there's a bloodhound knight like enemy down there, make sure you explore the door past them!

@Jimmer-jammer The Mt Gelmir route is definitely… interesting. A few bosses along the way, including the one @R1spam mentions (and I think I mentioned recently).

Rya hints at the secret area but some online messages also pointed the way for me too. I think it’s a way of getting to the big fight you mentioned in the Manor as well.

I only got to Volcano Manor by getting abducted there.... a normal day in a FromSoftware game lol. Had a few goes at the boss duo then decided to warp outta there. Will get back there eventually.

I'm currently at Deeproot Depths. It is... interesting how you get there, and where it is. I've progressed Fia's quest line a bit after beating her goons. That last wave was sometimes tough depending on who you got.

The area can be quite tricky due to navigating on the roots at times, and I'm surprised I've not fallen to my doorm yet.

@Jimmer-jammer A word of warning, there are a few types of enemies that can cause death blight to build up in the area. I've almost ran out of Rejuvenating Boluses, so am a bit FUBAR if that happens as I don't have the receipt to craft them. 😬

@JohnnyShoulder The Depths is another area I’ve yet to find.

I’ve been circling around Leyndell and just beat the Tree Sentinel to get in but might just back as I just remembered there’s Nokron to find to continue the Ranni storyline. Plus, Siofra still needs to be completed.

@Jimmer-jammer And yes, this game is ludicrously big. I think I’m just about up to the 90hr mark!

@Thrillho You will be in the right area to reach the Depths if you are going to Nokron. It is still not straightforward though, and I might have missed it if I did not know beforehand. I always think there is nothing to be found in a boss area after you have beaten it, and weigh up if I should waste precious minutes searching the area.

@Jimmer-jammer I think you can buy the recipe from the merchant in the Mountaintops of Giants, where I have not been yet.

@Jimmer-jammer @JohnnyShoulder I got through Siofra pretty quickly as I didn't realise half the map was actually part of Nokron.

I've picked up the special item in Nokron and am know just trying to defeat the Regal Ancestor Spirit with his BS healing move.

@Thrillho Yeah the map makes more sense now I know that. It didn't when I was exploring Siofra (fun fact: that is actually pronounced She-fra) initially.

For RAS I found a spirit summon that damages either fire or magic damage from range really helpful. If you get caught when it rolls up into a ball, I found that tough to survive from.

@JohnnyShoulder I only had a couple of goes last night and did okay against it. I have some backup weapons with fire and holy so should be alright, especially now I know I need to save up my health for how long it goes on.

@Thrillho Don't forget to use your Flask of Wondrous Physic and Rune Arc. I've started to use these a bit more recently.

@JohnnyShoulder As is always the way, I just beat it first time after just loading the game up.

I still have never used a rune arc and should probably look at the new abilities I have for the Wondrous Physick.

@Thrillho Well done! As with most bosses in the game it only took a few goes to beat it. Will be interesting to see how you get on with the next boss fight, as it take take me a fair bit longer than normal.

@JohnnyShoulder I’m through Siofra Aqueduct and past the Gargoyles on my second attempt.

I had much more difficulty with the Crucible Knight at the beginning of the area but got rather lucky with him in the end…

Making steady progress through the Depths with the mausoleum downed and beat the special Crucible Knight there too.

I just lost a record 90k runes making my way up the tree to those fire breathing enemies though. Not sure quite which way to go to find Fia though.

@Thrillho @Jimmer-jammer Ha ha yeah seen a few vids of the Crucible Knights flying off to their doom lol.

Fia is up the massive roots, past the fire breathing enemies and the buildings. You should eventually spot a grace nearby, Fia is close the other side of a gap.

@Jimmer-jammer It did make me laugh; if I'd have known that was a viable tactic, I'd have done it much sooner!

@JohnnyShoulder And I found that spot now. I'd previously been up a different route and ended up falling down a hole into a cave with a Runebear. So I've re-met Fia now, gone back to Renni and been across to get her key item in the upside down tower. Now off to Ainsel River!

@Jimmer-jammer I’ve finally moved on from the axe I’ve been using for ages. I picked up the Godskin Peeler from the boss in the Windmill Village and put blood effect on it.

I mostly went for that as I’ve been lacking the item to upgrade the axe for ages but upgraded that no problem. Damage is similar but blood effect is more damaging. Quite useful to swap between the two though.

I’ve pretty much gone all in on dex, then vigor and stamina.

@JohnnyShoulder I just found her yesterday and did that fight, was really fun. It would be good if they did some sort of variation of that fight but with multiplayer for as part of a dlc for a pvp arena.

Hi All, this is slightly OT... but keen for some perspective from people who have played (or are still playing) Elden Ring.

I've just made the decision to put down HZD, which I can appreciate is an 'objectively' good game... but it just feels so bland after ER!

Since ER, the only game that has scratched my itch is Returnal (going back for the DLC trophies).

I have played most/all of FromSoftware's back catalogue, and now looking for something with that same level of challenge and RPG/build mechanics... but also something relatively 'next-gen'(ish)

Google and Reddit seem to consistently propose Nioh 2, and this is the way I am leaning.... how similar is this in difficulty to ER? Would anyone recommend N2 or advise against? I see it has a PS5 upgrade which is nice, and it seems to feature quite high on numerous 'top PS4/5 games' lists.

Thoughts guys? Or failing that I could just hit up NG+ on ER... ha!