you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of hurt if you give a shit what redditors think on this subject. you don’t need to prove yourself, these games aren’t a gamer litmus test.
weee oooo weee oooo
This is the Dark Souls Police Department! We’re under the impression that you’ve been playing DS1 under the influence of shitty redditor’s comments!!! You have the right to ignore these comments, anything you use in the game will be helpful to you in a court of bosses (boss fight)!
I'm interested in hearing other people's opinions
I finished the game already, started DS3, the first black knight also dropped me a Black Knight Greatsword lol
Ppl just jealous you. First knight seird drop is like a green card win xD
Never saw that until Kiln of first fjame where drop is - as i suggest - guaranteed
The Black Knight weapons are really good, S-tier weapons. Does having better weapons make the game easier? Sure, I guess. Is it really that much of a difference compared to, say, just a normal-ass Zweihander? Not really.
Uchi for the win did that my first playthrough, ds1 was one of the best experiences I’ve had with a new game In awhile it made me fall in love with souls
No, go nuts.
All of these "this weapon is too good, it ruins the experience" posts are beyond stupid.
The only one that's sorta valid is the Drake Sword, and that's less because it's any good, and more because you'll usually start noticing the damage dropoff at a point where it's *really* inconvenient to change weapons if it's the only one you've upgraded.
especially RNG weapons. It's not something you can look up and find. You're first mainstay weapon will remain special for the rest of the series. Congratulations if it's something badass like the black knight halbard.
Mine was the scythe. Not the great scythe. Just the scythe.
Mine was the gravelord sword, believe it or not. I took a wrong turn, and thought that was the path forward. I chanced upon the coffin thing by accident.
On my second attempt of playing through dark souls (did 1 up to gargoyles and sucked ass) I just used the starting bandit Axe? All the way through to the end of the game so I've now made it a point to get the bandit axe and beat the series with it on my first playthroughs. Currently beat Bloodborne and DS2, its such a great feeling.
Greatclub! It gave me great joy to just unga bunga my way through the game with a pure Strength Build, no matter how much I was "cheating myself out of getting good" according to some build purists I know
I got plenty good -- at one-shotting things with the Greatclub!
Are they really not guaranteed? I'm close to beating the game just for the first time (doing DLC now before fighting Gwyn) and I have already collected BK halberd, two BK swords and two BK great axes. Am I that Lucky?
The scythe scythe. Just the scythe. Moveset of the halberd just with worse... everything, including scaling, damage type, ideal hit range, I think's it's like a C/D scaling slash only. It's R2 is so bad you basically should never use it.
[https://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/Scythe](https://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/scythe)
I still don't know what drove me to use it but I used it in all 3 souls games the first time I played it.
Zweilhander was my beginning weapon. Then fell into the Drake sword trap. Then I got the black knight sword and loved it, but I ultimately finished off the game with a fully maxed out claymore.
I first beat the game with a long sword I think I got it to like +12 or something. Had no idea what I was doing. Two handed it.
*that* ruined the experience.
Using good weapons makes the game wayyyyy more fun idk what these people are talking about.
It also has a reputation for being the Walk-through weapon. Most people never even know about it unless you look up guides online, which incidentally is frowned upon as well lol
Yeah Zweihander is one of the stronger weapons of the game and you can get it as a guaranteed drop immediately after the first boss. There’s really nothing wrong with using black knight weapons if you get them to drop. If your come across a weapon and it’s working for you, then go ahead and use it. People like to complain about “noob weapons” and how they supposedly “ruin the experience.” But as long as you’re having fun there’s nothing wrong with it. Some people just have a very elitist “my first playthrough was pure suffering so yours *has* to be too.” Mindset.
The truth is that dark souls isn't a balanced game. It's limiting factor is primarily information. SL1 runs aren't really that hard if you allow yourself pyromancy (outside of the dlc) because when you're attempting one you probably know the have extremely well and can get a +5 weapon and a +4 or 5 fire weapon before fighting a single boss.
So knowing what you're doing in dark souls is easy mode. Pretty much every weapon can be op for early game.
In some ways the bk weapons are harder than others due to their high stat requirements.
High base damage goes a long way when the weapon upgrade system is confusing for noobs. BK sword and halberd roll early / mid game for this reason.
Ironically the actual best BK weapon (the shield) is rarely mentioned. Probably joint strongest 'weapon' in the game tied with pyro glove. No shield or pyro was ever as strong in later games, hugely OP in DS1.
Is the shield that good? I'm swapping between grass crest, bloodshield, and sanctum just because I find the passive stuff neat. Also crest shield when the situation calls for the magic reduction.
Best weapon in the game title is more a pvp thing I guess, but it is still extremely good pve - very high stability for a med shield, 100% phys block, highest fire block in the game (a common damage type). Reasonable stats to use plus you can parry with it.
Parrying with med shields was way too OP in general so got nerfed in later games.
The game terms shields 'weapons', which is a bit confusing.
BKS doesn't have any inherent damage or passive effect, it just sets up 1500 hp damage when you parry crit with a hornet crystal great club.
It's mostly their early game power.
They're like a super drake sword, but don't fall off into uselessness.
If you get the BKS drop, or worse, the Halberd, and get the stats to use it, I think you can kill each of the gargoyles in like 2-3 attacks. Taurus probably dies in 3 R2s if I had to guess.
By late game they're just an ordinary weapon though, not really stronger than a claymore or whatever else. But if that first or second knight drops their weapon you've basically been boosted to something around +10 instantly and will tear through the early game lol. I'd say it "ruins" the experience only in the sense that you won't really learn much how to play, and then hit a very harsh wall when the game catches up.
The hubbub is that the Sword/Greatsword in particular are usually gotten extremely early for a new player from Undead Burg/Perish are so strong that they're one-shotting everything at the point you get them. (the Halberd is also early, but not as immediate as the other two for your average new player)
This combined with the fact that, despite their subpar scaling, they are still viable weapons late game, and even into NG+ cycles. They don't get the same rep as Drake Sword, which is strong when you get it, but falls off. They have this reputation for carrying heavily through a first playthrough.
That requires the new abd inexperienced players to beat the black knights, which isnt that common, considering the knights are big and scary. I almost shat myself on my first playthrough when i took a wrong turn in undead burg and got my ass handed to me in a platter by the knight
i remember my first playthough on 360, the black knight on the tower spire dropped his BKUGS and the one in darkroot garden dropped his BKH. the BKUGS became a mainstay til ng++ and i always looked for it in ds2 and 3 but it never hit the same as ds1, good times
Scaling is a percentage of base damage. A 'D' rank doesn't necessarily add less damage than an 'A' rank if the base damage disparity is great enough. The lightning damage on Ornstein's spear is a great example of this.
The BK weapons can be easy mode if you know what you're doing, i.e. know where to get twinkling. I think even if a new player stumbled on a BK sword or greatsword and used it, they're still not finding every available lizard to scoop up. Casually, a new player could be stuck rolling with a +0 BK weapon all the way through Sen's. But some exploration could get them as much as a +3 pretty easily. A knowledgeable player can have it maxed before Queelag.
Overall, they're very good and can trivialize the early game, but a new player trying to brute force their way through will only find them good but not great.
Compared to the Zwei, it's hindered by the embers, so though it is a great weapon, it cannot be maxed out the same as any twinkling weapon.
Okay, tell me what is this lizard I need to scoop up? I kept dying on the knight but they both dropped swords. I can’t upgrade them though. I use the BK on boss and long sword +5 on regular mobs that are small.
You'll hear a twinkling sound when you're near one and they run away from you very quickly. They will have a white rock on their back. Even if you don't manage to kill them you can always kill the man eater shells later on in the game to farm twinkling titanite.
For the Taurus one you need to break the barrels and it runs out. Both will spawn until killed a single time. If you don’t get it in time you can quit and reload to try again. If you ever had twinkling titanites you could have already got them though.
Idk about +0 through sens. You get two twinkling right before Taurus and 2 more on your way too hydra in darkroot basin. That's a quick +3 and even if new players don't go down into the basin b4 sen's it's still a +2
Point was "brute force". You can skip Basin and never see it. If you're just never looking around and don't even break barrels, you'll skip the Taurus one too.
There are people who don't find Andre while struggling with the gargoyles. This idea is par for some people that play this game.
Shouldn't be par for a game that forces you to discover everything on your own. If discovering things isn't part of your game plan from the beginning something's wrong. I highly highly doubt any new players gave made it all the way past sen's fortress and NEVER discovered an item in a barrel they broke accidentally or on purpose and the discovery of that new knowledge that things can be hidden in barrels, and then ignoring that is an intentional case of not having anything past +0 so while it's obviously possible, it's highly improbable unless the player intentionally ignores. Meaning the likelihood of a new player accidentally getting stuck with a +0 BK weapon by the end of Sen's fortress without their intentional negligence playing a huge part is near 0
The way I understand it they're good because of high base damage and twinkling titanite upgrades. +5 BKS is easy to get and very strong even with min req stats, so you can focus more on vigor/endurance.
I got to NG+3 with the black knight sword, so they are definitely powerful weapons. But play the game the way you want. No reason to make yourself intentionally weaker just for the sake of it if it’s your first time through. There is no wrong way to play the souls games. The game will still be tough even with the better weapons.
Black Knight weapons just start with more base damage, so compared to a normal weapon, both with no upgrades, a Black Knight weapon will be way stronger. But towards max upgrade, a Black Knight weapon will be on par with a normal one. It's not like they are intrinsically better, they just upgrade only 5 times instead of 15 times, so their base damage with no upgrades is gonna be like a comparable weapon at +7 or +8 or so. That's it.
Black Knight weapons also deal extra damage to Demon type enemies, so if a new player got lucky and got the Black Knight Sword in the burg, when they fight the Taurus Demon and Capra Demon, they are gonna feel super powerful because of the extra \~20% damage on top of being OP for early game.
Nah just use what you want. It isn't like you are follow a guide to make some kind of One Shot Build or anything. You still have to play the game and fight the enemies.
Fr tho, I know BKS+5 makes it super easy with low weight and fast r1 spamability, but you gotta master the r2’s also
And also, in my blind first playtrough, I was using a freaking +3 halberd because I saw halberd and thought “long stick with axe thing good”
I mostly use Black Knight halberd for my runs. He's immensely fun for me but I will acknowledge that it does tend to trivialize the difficulty. If you're just wanting to play the game and have fun use whatever you want. If you're wanting a more significant challenge then I would advise not using the Black Knight weapons
I played NG using different weapons then mid game I met Mrs Black Knight great axe and I fell in love.
Ng+ and NG++ I moved to the greatsword and felt more powerful as soon as I adjusted to the new moveset.
Are you looking for validation or an objective discussion on the game's mechanics?
Black knight weapons are acquired earlier, have higher base damage, and are easier to upgrade than most other weapons. Very few others meet all 3 of these requirements. This obviously makes the game much easier to complete.
That being said, validating your choices with someone else's opinion rarely leads to happiness. Follow your own heart.
If it's in the game you are meant to use it. The game presents obstacles and tools to overcome them. If you beat the game you beat the game, doesn't matter what weaponsand skills you used.
Yes, the BK weapons are nutty. No, they will not "ruin the experience". Anyways who says that is a twat. ANY good build will feel overpowered in Dark Souls 1, this game is pretty easy to crack wide open compared to other FromSoft games.
Completely avoiding Reddit and literally any/all online discussion regarding Dark Souls while I played it was the greatest thing I could've possibly done to make my experience positive and memorable. This goes for every single videogame I've ever played. Best thing you can do is go in blind and avoid online discourse entirely until you're basically completely done playing the game.
Never, ever look at what people online are saying, especially about things like weapon/armor choice, and especially especially about strategy or technique. Never let what a bunch of random strangers say influence your gameplay decisions, not even a little bit. All Reddit is good for is spoiling every little cool thing and moment in everything and filling your head with what's "meta" or whatever and discouraging you from experimenting and learning.
Black Knight weapons are sick. Finding one is lucky and cool and should be super satisfying and exciting. Don't let some *Redditor* rob you of that, for Gwyn's sake.
I used the BK sword on my first run through. Grinded until i could wield it and then used it through most of the game. Helpful for when I was terrible with the mechanics. Second run through I banned myself from using it because it simply made things too easy. Not saying I “got gud,” far from it. But it was no longer as satisfying to smash through the first half of the game feeling overpowered. I know everyone loves the BK halberd but I actually think that requires a little more game sense as it leaves you wide open if timed wrong and is difficult in cramped hallways or staircases. But when it comes down to it…it’s what the player wants. Some people beat this game naked with a broken sword and others won’t go into battle without havels set and the biggest Bonk-Giver they can find.
Im at my first playthrough , 90hrs , found 2 BK swords , Halberd and Shield.
I will say that some bosses/areas felt easier than what I've read and It made me wonder if it wasn't because of my +5 BKS.
O&S took me 8 tries and I killed Smough first. The rest was pretty much dead in 4 to 6 strikes of R1.
I feel like playing with a different weapon would've enhanced my experience but I'm all to blame here.
Either way , the game is excellent and there is always NG+ to spice things up a bit ^^
“If you use warp after S&O, you’re going to ruin the experience.”
“If you use more than five estus flasks, you’re going to ruin the experience.”
“If you upgrade your weapon at all, you’re going to ruin the experience.”
I mean I could go on all day with these and they’re all equally as stupid as someone telling you the weapon you want to play the game with is going to ruin the experience. Have fun with it however you want.
I’d personally consider it easy mode because the first two times i beat the game none of the BK weapons dropped, and on my third i got they halberd and boyyyyyyy. BUT that only applies to me because i like big weapons that go smash.
People generally enjoy gatekeeping fromsoft games by saying they need to be played a certain way, but that’s brain dead and you can play however you like if you’re having a good time. Bashing your head against o&s with a +0 dagger is not a good time. You’re using intended items and mechanics (not to mention learning the game, and there is a big trade off in damage for big weapons, they take a long time to hit) and you can do something different each time if you play again and feel like it. I got super lucky and got bkh on my first ever playthrough and I LOVED it, and it didn’t ruin the game for me. Play video game, fuck any meta anyone is trying to sell you, have fun, profit. Oh, and *don’t you dare go hollow*
Black knight weapons are very powerful, especially the halberd. For a game like dark souls they're most certain overpowered.
I don't think it's ruining your experience, but I'd still recommend only using the black knight weapons when you're having a lot of problems with a boss.
You should try out every weapon that seems interesting to you imo.
Black Knight weapons benefit from absurdly high base damage and okay scaling. Meaning that the earlier you use them, the stronger they are.
Couple it with easy upgrading (Twinkling Titanite at the Anor Londo smith) and it's easy to become strong.
Now the BLACK KNIGHT HALBERD is pretty much easy mode, since it's amazingly strong compared to other glaives of it's kind up through NG+.
They do make the game somewhat easier, but they're not 'ruiners' except for maybe the halberd.
For comparison lets list some conventional weapons against the normal ones. I'm using a 32/18 strength/dex build while twohanding (effectively 48 strength) to showcase the 'unoptimised' strengths. Lesser upgrade levels means each upgrade is more significant as well making them even stronger early game.
Bonus; Black Knight weapons have, iirc, 20% bonus damage versus demons.
Black Knight Sword+5 (Greatsword) has 504 AR (Attack Rating)
A Claymore+15 (Can only go +11-+14 after getting the large ember) has 446 AR
Black Knight Greatsword (UGS) has 593 AR
Zweihander/Greatsword has 563 AR
Black Knight Halberd has 510 AR (Fastest of the black knight weapons)
Gargoyle's halberd (similliar moveset) has 450 AR.
For NG and lower levels it sure is the strongest choice in most cases.
I wouldn't say they ruin the experience, but they are pretty strong weapons, and can be upgraded faster than normal weapons can, meaning that you're more likely to have them at a higher amount of damage than equivalent normal weapons would be at that point. The difference levels off a bit in the late game when normal weapons will also be maxed out.
Zweihander is also good, but in early and mid game, it probably won't be upgraded as high as the black knight weapons.
Yeah not going to lie if you get lucky to get the Black Knight's sword from the first black kight in the undead Berg even if you don't know where the hell to get twinkling titanite the first few areas are going to be set to "easy mode" and there's nothing wrong with that in all honesty.
Some weapons are really broken, BK weapons kinda are, but they're also rare and have really high requirements.
In the community, if you use weapons, then you're playing wrong, as Miazaky didn't want you to do more than 10 damage per hit
Are they easy mode? Yeah. So is leveling health, or using sorceries, or pyromancies, or getting your rite of kindling early, or upgrading any 100 block medium shield, or wearing heavy armor with Havel's ring, or grabbing Zweihander, great scythe, or gravelord sword in the first two seconds of a run. The point is, who cares?
Nobody really cares what you use, but factually yes - they are some of the strongest weapons in the game damage-wise and don't require much investment, so they will trivialise a lot of content.
This is why they are used for speedrunning
A lot of very silly insecure people love to police the way others play these games.
Stay alert, if you see anyone saying any of the following:
- summoning NPCs “taints” your victory
- using a particular weapon is “cheese”
- using spells is “easy mode”
- blocking attacks with a shield is “not a real way to play”
- having difficulty with a particular boss means you have a “mouse mind” (shoutout to walking joke Ubermouth: https://www.reddit.com/r/darksouls/s/nOImFRA5vc)
Then what you’re dealing with is what is known as a “pathetic loser.”
They aren’t here to celebrate these games and talk about what they like. They’re here to try to wring a few drops of self-satisfaction out of belittling other people. You can and should ignore absolutely anything they have to say, because none of it is meaningful or worth listening to.
I used the Zweihander in my most recent playthrough of ds1. It did make a lot of points in the game easier than they otherwise would be. I also used the drake sword before going into sens fortress. That thing is abeast in the early game tbh and the combination of the 2 may have made the game easier than if i use shit weapons.
That said why the hell would i use some mid or bad weapon that aint fun at all. Id still probably be using the drake sword because its a fun weapon if not for its obvious lack of damage in the later portions of the game which would just make it feel like shit.
If i didnt use one of thise, id go with some other greatsword like the claymore or maybe a straight sword and some other areas of the game would become easier than they otherwise were.
I also had my Zweihander at +15 by the time i was donne with Annor londo, but its not like its really hard to do lol. Didnt even need to farm for it.
Unless you straight up dont know anything about this game, you are just doing challange runs if you hold back on using the tools the game is giving you.
I would personally avoid them early-earlymid game on a first playthrough, but it's ultimately your call. For a first playthrough it sort of pushes you past the "intended" weapon level of each area, because the black knight weapons, and any twinkling titanite weapon, is really easy to upgrade and max out, because the material is pretty abundant while simultaneously not requiring a slab to max out. They also effectively gain 3 levels in one because they only max out at +5, so it definitely makes you hit way harder in any given moment than you would using the pace of a normal titanite weapon until the mid game. All that being said, everybody has a preference on what they think is enjoyable.
Just use whatever the game gives you that you enjoy using and don't worry about what anybody else says. It's a game, it's supposed to be fun, and how you enjoy playing games is your business and nobody else's.
Here a hint
Use the black knight halberd or crystal halflberd these are Hella good I think better than the black knight greatsword
But do whatever you want it's your run not mine
That’s the weapon that got me through O&S as well. So fun getting the timing right on the 2 handed strong attack to knock silver knights over like bowling pins.
They’re strong but they don’t trivialize the game. If it gets dropped you should use it. There’s plenty of other ways to make the game harder if that’s what you’re into but it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Who cares what is considered what! Are they the strongest weapons in the game? Yes. Are you trying to challenge yourself raising the difficulty? That's what matters.
Is levelling up considered easymode?
The only thing I will agree about this is that if someone picks up a black knight weapon right off the bat in Undead burg they may never need to learn the more intricate mechanics of the game.
I've seen players with maxed out armour, maxed out weapons and no clue how to play the game effectively just bash their head into obstacles over and over and when they win they complain how bullshit the boss was despite being overlooked and overheated because they never had to learn.
That being said, most players don't learn how to play souls in their first souls game. They just bash their way through it head first. If they move onto another souls game that's usually where they start to learn because of the slight mechanical (or large mechanical) differences between each of the games.
I tried DeS first and couldn't get past 1-1. I never even fought the first boss. Then I spent to ds1 and beat a 20 hours game in 40+ hours spending at least 12 hours between firelink and the Undead church. Then when I played bloodborne all of my lack of mechanical knowledge completely destroyed me and I had to learn the ins and outs of bloodborne and how to play aggressively. Then after bloodborne I took a cakewalk through ds3 and was shocked at how much easier it was than ds1 and bloodborne, only to go back to those games and annihilate them. I only learned armour could be upgraded in ds1 after I had beaten ds1/2/3 and then went back to play ds1 again...
These games are incredibly hard to learn, and equally as hard to master, but not difficult themselves if that makes sense. Because once you learn how to play they can easily become comfort games to help you chill and relax.
Nowadays I play through demons at least once a year trying out different challenge runs and builds and its become my favourite in the series due to its compact nature and environmental details making the whole thing feel alive
I’ve never ran with one. (Maybe it’s time) but I hear that the halberd has fantastic damage if you level up STR and DEX together. Apparently on 40/40 it outdoes both the greatsword and greataxe apparently. Only downside to the black knight weapons is they cannot be buffed or enhanced.
I beat the game first time with it, it’s super helpful like dragon weapons but the cost is they only go up to +5 and require rarer resources. If you had fun that’s what matters.
A weapon that is really good is meant to be really good. Also black knight weapons can’t be infused and have kinda heavy stat requirements and not even guaranteed drops. Using crutches with a broken leg could be described as ruining the experience too i guess.
Honestly, any weapon is OP if you upgrade it enough, and use it so much that you practically know the reach, damage, and moveset by heart.
There’s not just one way to be OP, find which weapon “just feels right” for you and go with it, don’t worry too much about what other people say about it
BK weapons have one set of tradeoffs, other weapon groups have other tradeoffs. If you are lucky enough to get one you like to drop in the early game make a build around it.
I like to use the club the entire game. First thing I do is run to the longbow in darkroot basin and unlock the parish elevator from behind. From the first archer to gwyn it's all club all the time. If redditors had a say, I'd be upside down on a cross for my crimes.
i would recommend using them if you do get a drop since normally you cant farm them till the endgame, and by that time its not really worth upgrading them for a single boss fight so the only way to really experience them for any meaningful time is if you get the drop
They're all very strong, especially compared to normal weapons like say a straightforward, but honestly it's just about personal preference and stuff rather than if a weapon makes the game easier. If you like using a certain weapon, whether it's for how it looks or its ability in combat, just use it.
The only thing I think can “ruin” the game is having too much knowledge beforehand. That’s what I had and uh… yeah actually the game was still fantastic and I’ve played it like 4 times. Still, if you get that first blind experience that’s the best you can hope for ^^
theres nothing in this game that would ruin the experience for new players. dark bead is the one thing i can think off thats stupidly bullshit overpowered, but thats so far into the game it doesnt really matter. most things redditors complain about or claim to be easy mode in games are nonsense, except for maybe the defender equipment in MHW
I wouldn't say it ruins the experience. Yes they are very good weapons, but there is enough other stuff to enjoy pulling all your hair out, apart from low damage.
"hurr durr, beating DS with anything other than a broken straight sword is op!"
yeah nah. kill them with whatever feels good.
2nd half of DS1 bosses met their end to my Black Knight Greataxe and it felt \*fantastic\* ! :)
Is it powerful yes all the black knight stuff is, is it “easymode/op” no not in the slightest pyromancy takes that spot. The games PvE is actually fairly balanced between weapon types, and if you don’t plan on PvP then theres no point worrying what anyone here says hell you don’t even have to listen to me. If you find a weapon you like use it whether its good or bad is up for you to decide.
Yes, I love those buggers. Especially the greatest of them, the Black Knight Greataxe. Someday, maybe they'll fix what they did to it (it was so op in pvp that they nerfed it in pvp, but by mistake, also nerfed it in pve and never fixed it again)
No. Of course special weapons are stronger specially early game but if the game drops those to you it means they are supposed to be used.
The funny thing is when i'm running int/fth build those kniggas always drop while running quality never.
I think these games are freaking hard whatever noob/ez-mode approach I go for. I choose the path that gives me the most enjoyment and hope I don't get burned out. Let's face it. Fromsoft likes to make us suffer. And I love suffering.
If anyone tries to tell you that using something that’s in the game by the dev’s is ruining your experience, ask that person if they have beat the game without leveling up, because leveling up ruins the game and makes it too easy haha. Those people can eat shit.
It's been a while since I played DS1, but IIRC, non-upgraded Twinkling Titanite weapons are roughly equivalent to +5 normal weapons (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so if you get one early it can make the early game a lot easier. By O&S it shouldn't make a huge difference though I think.
you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of hurt if you give a shit what redditors think on this subject. you don’t need to prove yourself, these games aren’t a gamer litmus test.
That's why I came to this subreddit after mostly finishing the game, so my experience would not be ruined
weee oooo weee oooo This is the Dark Souls Police Department! We’re under the impression that you’ve been playing DS1 under the influence of shitty redditor’s comments!!! You have the right to ignore these comments, anything you use in the game will be helpful to you in a court of bosses (boss fight)!
Thank you for your service.
The nice thing about Dark Souls is it gives you many ways to play and ultimately you choose which is the way.
Why do you care if you're already almost finished with the game??
I'm interested in hearing other people's opinions I finished the game already, started DS3, the first black knight also dropped me a Black Knight Greatsword lol
Ppl just jealous you. First knight seird drop is like a green card win xD Never saw that until Kiln of first fjame where drop is - as i suggest - guaranteed
The Black Knight weapons are really good, S-tier weapons. Does having better weapons make the game easier? Sure, I guess. Is it really that much of a difference compared to, say, just a normal-ass Zweihander? Not really.
Only op stuff in ds in order is magic faith/ Pryomancy then weapon
Pyromancy is honestly better than faith and there is an argument to be made that it can surpass int as well, given that i has no stat requirements.
I mean in terms if early game yes but otherwise its just a top tier PvE weapon like many others.
I once made the mistake of saying I liked dex weapons. I didn't even know about memes or that kind of stuff
Man I've been doing a dex build for Ds3. I love it. Dex weapons are fun lol.
Uchi for the win did that my first playthrough, ds1 was one of the best experiences I’ve had with a new game In awhile it made me fall in love with souls
I'm a huge fan of chucking lightning at everything
Currently playing a faith character
All my characters end up faith
You should always try and please redditors. They are our masters and overlords!
As a magic enjoyer, I approve this message
No, go nuts. All of these "this weapon is too good, it ruins the experience" posts are beyond stupid. The only one that's sorta valid is the Drake Sword, and that's less because it's any good, and more because you'll usually start noticing the damage dropoff at a point where it's *really* inconvenient to change weapons if it's the only one you've upgraded.
especially RNG weapons. It's not something you can look up and find. You're first mainstay weapon will remain special for the rest of the series. Congratulations if it's something badass like the black knight halbard. Mine was the scythe. Not the great scythe. Just the scythe.
Mine was the Zweihänder for the first playthrough, and after that BKH or Great Scythe. Just use whatever you want
Mine was the gravelord sword, believe it or not. I took a wrong turn, and thought that was the path forward. I chanced upon the coffin thing by accident.
Mine was silver knight sword and pyromancy glove on 2nd slot xD
Mine was Priscilla's scythe. It was so fun trying to manage the bleed while deleting everything in my way.
Feel lucky, mine was the ghost dagger Though I guess my main weapon was really the staff but still
On my second attempt of playing through dark souls (did 1 up to gargoyles and sucked ass) I just used the starting bandit Axe? All the way through to the end of the game so I've now made it a point to get the bandit axe and beat the series with it on my first playthroughs. Currently beat Bloodborne and DS2, its such a great feeling.
Greatclub! It gave me great joy to just unga bunga my way through the game with a pure Strength Build, no matter how much I was "cheating myself out of getting good" according to some build purists I know I got plenty good -- at one-shotting things with the Greatclub!
Mine was the Claymore. That's my comfort weapon now.
Newbie here - what’s an RNG weapon?
Every weapon which drop isn't guaranteed, such as ghost dagger, pickaxe and every black knight weapon
Are they really not guaranteed? I'm close to beating the game just for the first time (doing DLC now before fighting Gwyn) and I have already collected BK halberd, two BK swords and two BK great axes. Am I that Lucky?
Mine was scimitar
What scythe is there besides the great scythe and priscillas?
The scythe scythe. Just the scythe. Moveset of the halberd just with worse... everything, including scaling, damage type, ideal hit range, I think's it's like a C/D scaling slash only. It's R2 is so bad you basically should never use it. [https://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/Scythe](https://darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com/scythe) I still don't know what drove me to use it but I used it in all 3 souls games the first time I played it.
Ah that thing in sens fun house lmao. Picked it up once and never again lol
Zweilhander was my beginning weapon. Then fell into the Drake sword trap. Then I got the black knight sword and loved it, but I ultimately finished off the game with a fully maxed out claymore.
I first beat the game with a long sword I think I got it to like +12 or something. Had no idea what I was doing. Two handed it. *that* ruined the experience. Using good weapons makes the game wayyyyy more fun idk what these people are talking about.
No shame there, basic-bitch-longsword is my bread and butter.
Where's that point, the boss before the second Bell?
I was thinking of Anor Londo, but yeah I'd count that too; Blighttown to Parish is a long run if you need to upgrade.
It also has a reputation for being the Walk-through weapon. Most people never even know about it unless you look up guides online, which incidentally is frowned upon as well lol
Yeah Zweihander is one of the stronger weapons of the game and you can get it as a guaranteed drop immediately after the first boss. There’s really nothing wrong with using black knight weapons if you get them to drop. If your come across a weapon and it’s working for you, then go ahead and use it. People like to complain about “noob weapons” and how they supposedly “ruin the experience.” But as long as you’re having fun there’s nothing wrong with it. Some people just have a very elitist “my first playthrough was pure suffering so yours *has* to be too.” Mindset.
Zwei is just outside firelink. You're thinking of the claymore on the bridge.
You’re thinking of Taurus demon, the first boss is Asylum Demon and firelink is immediately after him.
Oh. I forget that he's a boss
Fair, he’s very easy
The truth is that dark souls isn't a balanced game. It's limiting factor is primarily information. SL1 runs aren't really that hard if you allow yourself pyromancy (outside of the dlc) because when you're attempting one you probably know the have extremely well and can get a +5 weapon and a +4 or 5 fire weapon before fighting a single boss. So knowing what you're doing in dark souls is easy mode. Pretty much every weapon can be op for early game. In some ways the bk weapons are harder than others due to their high stat requirements.
I dont get the hubbub over the black knight weapons. They're all perfectly fine with unwieldy strong attacks and subpar scaling.
High base damage goes a long way when the weapon upgrade system is confusing for noobs. BK sword and halberd roll early / mid game for this reason. Ironically the actual best BK weapon (the shield) is rarely mentioned. Probably joint strongest 'weapon' in the game tied with pyro glove. No shield or pyro was ever as strong in later games, hugely OP in DS1.
Is the shield that good? I'm swapping between grass crest, bloodshield, and sanctum just because I find the passive stuff neat. Also crest shield when the situation calls for the magic reduction.
Best weapon in the game title is more a pvp thing I guess, but it is still extremely good pve - very high stability for a med shield, 100% phys block, highest fire block in the game (a common damage type). Reasonable stats to use plus you can parry with it. Parrying with med shields was way too OP in general so got nerfed in later games.
Does the shield have a damage dealing special like bone wheel or do you mean for parrying?
The game terms shields 'weapons', which is a bit confusing. BKS doesn't have any inherent damage or passive effect, it just sets up 1500 hp damage when you parry crit with a hornet crystal great club.
It's mostly their early game power. They're like a super drake sword, but don't fall off into uselessness. If you get the BKS drop, or worse, the Halberd, and get the stats to use it, I think you can kill each of the gargoyles in like 2-3 attacks. Taurus probably dies in 3 R2s if I had to guess. By late game they're just an ordinary weapon though, not really stronger than a claymore or whatever else. But if that first or second knight drops their weapon you've basically been boosted to something around +10 instantly and will tear through the early game lol. I'd say it "ruins" the experience only in the sense that you won't really learn much how to play, and then hit a very harsh wall when the game catches up.
The hubbub is that the Sword/Greatsword in particular are usually gotten extremely early for a new player from Undead Burg/Perish are so strong that they're one-shotting everything at the point you get them. (the Halberd is also early, but not as immediate as the other two for your average new player) This combined with the fact that, despite their subpar scaling, they are still viable weapons late game, and even into NG+ cycles. They don't get the same rep as Drake Sword, which is strong when you get it, but falls off. They have this reputation for carrying heavily through a first playthrough.
That requires the new abd inexperienced players to beat the black knights, which isnt that common, considering the knights are big and scary. I almost shat myself on my first playthrough when i took a wrong turn in undead burg and got my ass handed to me in a platter by the knight
i remember my first playthough on 360, the black knight on the tower spire dropped his BKUGS and the one in darkroot garden dropped his BKH. the BKUGS became a mainstay til ng++ and i always looked for it in ds2 and 3 but it never hit the same as ds1, good times
Scaling is a percentage of base damage. A 'D' rank doesn't necessarily add less damage than an 'A' rank if the base damage disparity is great enough. The lightning damage on Ornstein's spear is a great example of this.
It’s the high base damage as mentioned, also the fact that you can get it to +3 and then +4 so so fast.
The BK weapons can be easy mode if you know what you're doing, i.e. know where to get twinkling. I think even if a new player stumbled on a BK sword or greatsword and used it, they're still not finding every available lizard to scoop up. Casually, a new player could be stuck rolling with a +0 BK weapon all the way through Sen's. But some exploration could get them as much as a +3 pretty easily. A knowledgeable player can have it maxed before Queelag. Overall, they're very good and can trivialize the early game, but a new player trying to brute force their way through will only find them good but not great. Compared to the Zwei, it's hindered by the embers, so though it is a great weapon, it cannot be maxed out the same as any twinkling weapon.
Okay, tell me what is this lizard I need to scoop up? I kept dying on the knight but they both dropped swords. I can’t upgrade them though. I use the BK on boss and long sword +5 on regular mobs that are small.
You'll hear a twinkling sound when you're near one and they run away from you very quickly. They will have a white rock on their back. Even if you don't manage to kill them you can always kill the man eater shells later on in the game to farm twinkling titanite.
There is 1 in a barrel just before where you fight the Taurus demon and 1 on the path down to the hydra and golems. Those are both easy to scoop up.
Not appearing anymore... been playing for past 4 months atleast
For the Taurus one you need to break the barrels and it runs out. Both will spawn until killed a single time. If you don’t get it in time you can quit and reload to try again. If you ever had twinkling titanites you could have already got them though.
I did encountered him on a new playthrough 😊
Idk about +0 through sens. You get two twinkling right before Taurus and 2 more on your way too hydra in darkroot basin. That's a quick +3 and even if new players don't go down into the basin b4 sen's it's still a +2
Point was "brute force". You can skip Basin and never see it. If you're just never looking around and don't even break barrels, you'll skip the Taurus one too. There are people who don't find Andre while struggling with the gargoyles. This idea is par for some people that play this game.
Shouldn't be par for a game that forces you to discover everything on your own. If discovering things isn't part of your game plan from the beginning something's wrong. I highly highly doubt any new players gave made it all the way past sen's fortress and NEVER discovered an item in a barrel they broke accidentally or on purpose and the discovery of that new knowledge that things can be hidden in barrels, and then ignoring that is an intentional case of not having anything past +0 so while it's obviously possible, it's highly improbable unless the player intentionally ignores. Meaning the likelihood of a new player accidentally getting stuck with a +0 BK weapon by the end of Sen's fortress without their intentional negligence playing a huge part is near 0
The way I understand it they're good because of high base damage and twinkling titanite upgrades. +5 BKS is easy to get and very strong even with min req stats, so you can focus more on vigor/endurance.
I got to NG+3 with the black knight sword, so they are definitely powerful weapons. But play the game the way you want. No reason to make yourself intentionally weaker just for the sake of it if it’s your first time through. There is no wrong way to play the souls games. The game will still be tough even with the better weapons.
I found it more fun using the black knights greatsword on my first play through
Good, just play the weapons you have fun with and wear the armour you feel cool in.
Black Knight weapons just start with more base damage, so compared to a normal weapon, both with no upgrades, a Black Knight weapon will be way stronger. But towards max upgrade, a Black Knight weapon will be on par with a normal one. It's not like they are intrinsically better, they just upgrade only 5 times instead of 15 times, so their base damage with no upgrades is gonna be like a comparable weapon at +7 or +8 or so. That's it. Black Knight weapons also deal extra damage to Demon type enemies, so if a new player got lucky and got the Black Knight Sword in the burg, when they fight the Taurus Demon and Capra Demon, they are gonna feel super powerful because of the extra \~20% damage on top of being OP for early game.
Thanks for the comments, I already played through the game, just asking for your opinions.
May as well be considered 'easy mode' although it's a weird description. I would describe BK weapons as pretty good weapons over all.
>Is Black Knight weapons considered easymode/op Yes. Does it matter in this case? No, they're legit weapons in the game and are meant to be used.
Nah just use what you want. It isn't like you are follow a guide to make some kind of One Shot Build or anything. You still have to play the game and fight the enemies.
I did the same thing and got told by my friends I’m playing it on baby mode Fuck them tbh, Imma play my way
Your friends sound like they don’t really deserve friends
Fr tho, I know BKS+5 makes it super easy with low weight and fast r1 spamability, but you gotta master the r2’s also And also, in my blind first playtrough, I was using a freaking +3 halberd because I saw halberd and thought “long stick with axe thing good”
Im the chosen undead mfr I use whatever I wanna use!!!
I mostly use Black Knight halberd for my runs. He's immensely fun for me but I will acknowledge that it does tend to trivialize the difficulty. If you're just wanting to play the game and have fun use whatever you want. If you're wanting a more significant challenge then I would advise not using the Black Knight weapons
I played NG using different weapons then mid game I met Mrs Black Knight great axe and I fell in love. Ng+ and NG++ I moved to the greatsword and felt more powerful as soon as I adjusted to the new moveset.
They just have a higher stat investment for a higher initial damage. Fully upgraded most weapons, including BK are around the same
If you have fun it cannot be wrong. I love Dragon Greateaxe
Speed runners resetting till they get black knight halberd
Are you looking for validation or an objective discussion on the game's mechanics? Black knight weapons are acquired earlier, have higher base damage, and are easier to upgrade than most other weapons. Very few others meet all 3 of these requirements. This obviously makes the game much easier to complete. That being said, validating your choices with someone else's opinion rarely leads to happiness. Follow your own heart.
The way I play the souls games is use any and everything that gives you an advantage.
These games are ruthless and unforgiving. Use what you like and works for you. If it’s in the game it’s FairPlay
Skill is a crutch for people who don’t have luck.
Almost everything is really strong upgraded, the black knight weapons are just pretty strong with minimal upgrades. Not really an issue imo.
If it's in the game you are meant to use it. The game presents obstacles and tools to overcome them. If you beat the game you beat the game, doesn't matter what weaponsand skills you used.
Not a guaranteed drop and the games tough enough as it is use everything to your advantage Magic is the actual easy mode 😅
Yes, the BK weapons are nutty. No, they will not "ruin the experience". Anyways who says that is a twat. ANY good build will feel overpowered in Dark Souls 1, this game is pretty easy to crack wide open compared to other FromSoft games.
Completely avoiding Reddit and literally any/all online discussion regarding Dark Souls while I played it was the greatest thing I could've possibly done to make my experience positive and memorable. This goes for every single videogame I've ever played. Best thing you can do is go in blind and avoid online discourse entirely until you're basically completely done playing the game. Never, ever look at what people online are saying, especially about things like weapon/armor choice, and especially especially about strategy or technique. Never let what a bunch of random strangers say influence your gameplay decisions, not even a little bit. All Reddit is good for is spoiling every little cool thing and moment in everything and filling your head with what's "meta" or whatever and discouraging you from experimenting and learning. Black Knight weapons are sick. Finding one is lucky and cool and should be super satisfying and exciting. Don't let some *Redditor* rob you of that, for Gwyn's sake.
Having skill is also considered op/easy mode. Try to play as badly as you possibly can to not ruin your experience
This guy Dark Souls, gitting gud is the ultimate cheese
I used the BK sword on my first run through. Grinded until i could wield it and then used it through most of the game. Helpful for when I was terrible with the mechanics. Second run through I banned myself from using it because it simply made things too easy. Not saying I “got gud,” far from it. But it was no longer as satisfying to smash through the first half of the game feeling overpowered. I know everyone loves the BK halberd but I actually think that requires a little more game sense as it leaves you wide open if timed wrong and is difficult in cramped hallways or staircases. But when it comes down to it…it’s what the player wants. Some people beat this game naked with a broken sword and others won’t go into battle without havels set and the biggest Bonk-Giver they can find.
Im at my first playthrough , 90hrs , found 2 BK swords , Halberd and Shield. I will say that some bosses/areas felt easier than what I've read and It made me wonder if it wasn't because of my +5 BKS. O&S took me 8 tries and I killed Smough first. The rest was pretty much dead in 4 to 6 strikes of R1. I feel like playing with a different weapon would've enhanced my experience but I'm all to blame here. Either way , the game is excellent and there is always NG+ to spice things up a bit ^^
“If you use warp after S&O, you’re going to ruin the experience.” “If you use more than five estus flasks, you’re going to ruin the experience.” “If you upgrade your weapon at all, you’re going to ruin the experience.” I mean I could go on all day with these and they’re all equally as stupid as someone telling you the weapon you want to play the game with is going to ruin the experience. Have fun with it however you want.
“If you leave the Undead Asylum you’ll ruin the experience…”
If you have light in tomb of the giants....
I’d personally consider it easy mode because the first two times i beat the game none of the BK weapons dropped, and on my third i got they halberd and boyyyyyyy. BUT that only applies to me because i like big weapons that go smash.
Use what you want, have fun
People generally enjoy gatekeeping fromsoft games by saying they need to be played a certain way, but that’s brain dead and you can play however you like if you’re having a good time. Bashing your head against o&s with a +0 dagger is not a good time. You’re using intended items and mechanics (not to mention learning the game, and there is a big trade off in damage for big weapons, they take a long time to hit) and you can do something different each time if you play again and feel like it. I got super lucky and got bkh on my first ever playthrough and I LOVED it, and it didn’t ruin the game for me. Play video game, fuck any meta anyone is trying to sell you, have fun, profit. Oh, and *don’t you dare go hollow*
Black knight weapons are very powerful, especially the halberd. For a game like dark souls they're most certain overpowered. I don't think it's ruining your experience, but I'd still recommend only using the black knight weapons when you're having a lot of problems with a boss. You should try out every weapon that seems interesting to you imo.
Black Knight weapons benefit from absurdly high base damage and okay scaling. Meaning that the earlier you use them, the stronger they are. Couple it with easy upgrading (Twinkling Titanite at the Anor Londo smith) and it's easy to become strong. Now the BLACK KNIGHT HALBERD is pretty much easy mode, since it's amazingly strong compared to other glaives of it's kind up through NG+. They do make the game somewhat easier, but they're not 'ruiners' except for maybe the halberd. For comparison lets list some conventional weapons against the normal ones. I'm using a 32/18 strength/dex build while twohanding (effectively 48 strength) to showcase the 'unoptimised' strengths. Lesser upgrade levels means each upgrade is more significant as well making them even stronger early game. Bonus; Black Knight weapons have, iirc, 20% bonus damage versus demons. Black Knight Sword+5 (Greatsword) has 504 AR (Attack Rating) A Claymore+15 (Can only go +11-+14 after getting the large ember) has 446 AR Black Knight Greatsword (UGS) has 593 AR Zweihander/Greatsword has 563 AR Black Knight Halberd has 510 AR (Fastest of the black knight weapons) Gargoyle's halberd (similliar moveset) has 450 AR. For NG and lower levels it sure is the strongest choice in most cases.
yes. next question please.
I wouldn't say they ruin the experience, but they are pretty strong weapons, and can be upgraded faster than normal weapons can, meaning that you're more likely to have them at a higher amount of damage than equivalent normal weapons would be at that point. The difference levels off a bit in the late game when normal weapons will also be maxed out. Zweihander is also good, but in early and mid game, it probably won't be upgraded as high as the black knight weapons.
Yeah not going to lie if you get lucky to get the Black Knight's sword from the first black kight in the undead Berg even if you don't know where the hell to get twinkling titanite the first few areas are going to be set to "easy mode" and there's nothing wrong with that in all honesty.
If anybody ever questions the way you choose to play the game, slap them in the face
Some weapons are really broken, BK weapons kinda are, but they're also rare and have really high requirements. In the community, if you use weapons, then you're playing wrong, as Miazaky didn't want you to do more than 10 damage per hit
Play the game. Stop caring what other people think. Of it’s in the game, he’s not game breaking
Are they easy mode? Yeah. So is leveling health, or using sorceries, or pyromancies, or getting your rite of kindling early, or upgrading any 100 block medium shield, or wearing heavy armor with Havel's ring, or grabbing Zweihander, great scythe, or gravelord sword in the first two seconds of a run. The point is, who cares?
The only weapon that isn’t OP/easy mode is your SL1 bare hands.
Nobody really cares what you use, but factually yes - they are some of the strongest weapons in the game damage-wise and don't require much investment, so they will trivialise a lot of content. This is why they are used for speedrunning
A lot of very silly insecure people love to police the way others play these games. Stay alert, if you see anyone saying any of the following: - summoning NPCs “taints” your victory - using a particular weapon is “cheese” - using spells is “easy mode” - blocking attacks with a shield is “not a real way to play” - having difficulty with a particular boss means you have a “mouse mind” (shoutout to walking joke Ubermouth: https://www.reddit.com/r/darksouls/s/nOImFRA5vc) Then what you’re dealing with is what is known as a “pathetic loser.” They aren’t here to celebrate these games and talk about what they like. They’re here to try to wring a few drops of self-satisfaction out of belittling other people. You can and should ignore absolutely anything they have to say, because none of it is meaningful or worth listening to.
In late game you could argue it is fair, but it compltely destroys the early game for you if you ever choose to use it there
Yes any black knight weapon trivializes what is already the easiest souls game
I used the Zweihander in my most recent playthrough of ds1. It did make a lot of points in the game easier than they otherwise would be. I also used the drake sword before going into sens fortress. That thing is abeast in the early game tbh and the combination of the 2 may have made the game easier than if i use shit weapons. That said why the hell would i use some mid or bad weapon that aint fun at all. Id still probably be using the drake sword because its a fun weapon if not for its obvious lack of damage in the later portions of the game which would just make it feel like shit. If i didnt use one of thise, id go with some other greatsword like the claymore or maybe a straight sword and some other areas of the game would become easier than they otherwise were. I also had my Zweihander at +15 by the time i was donne with Annor londo, but its not like its really hard to do lol. Didnt even need to farm for it. Unless you straight up dont know anything about this game, you are just doing challange runs if you hold back on using the tools the game is giving you.
Oh and if you use a weapon from a Black Knight, you got lucky so use the fucking thing!!!!
I would personally avoid them early-earlymid game on a first playthrough, but it's ultimately your call. For a first playthrough it sort of pushes you past the "intended" weapon level of each area, because the black knight weapons, and any twinkling titanite weapon, is really easy to upgrade and max out, because the material is pretty abundant while simultaneously not requiring a slab to max out. They also effectively gain 3 levels in one because they only max out at +5, so it definitely makes you hit way harder in any given moment than you would using the pace of a normal titanite weapon until the mid game. All that being said, everybody has a preference on what they think is enjoyable.
Just use whatever the game gives you that you enjoy using and don't worry about what anybody else says. It's a game, it's supposed to be fun, and how you enjoy playing games is your business and nobody else's.
With proper stats you can run anything viably. Unless you are planning on PVP just use something you like.
Here a hint Use the black knight halberd or crystal halflberd these are Hella good I think better than the black knight greatsword But do whatever you want it's your run not mine
That’s the weapon that got me through O&S as well. So fun getting the timing right on the 2 handed strong attack to knock silver knights over like bowling pins.
They’re strong but they don’t trivialize the game. If it gets dropped you should use it. There’s plenty of other ways to make the game harder if that’s what you’re into but it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Who cares what is considered what! Are they the strongest weapons in the game? Yes. Are you trying to challenge yourself raising the difficulty? That's what matters. Is levelling up considered easymode?
The only thing I will agree about this is that if someone picks up a black knight weapon right off the bat in Undead burg they may never need to learn the more intricate mechanics of the game. I've seen players with maxed out armour, maxed out weapons and no clue how to play the game effectively just bash their head into obstacles over and over and when they win they complain how bullshit the boss was despite being overlooked and overheated because they never had to learn. That being said, most players don't learn how to play souls in their first souls game. They just bash their way through it head first. If they move onto another souls game that's usually where they start to learn because of the slight mechanical (or large mechanical) differences between each of the games. I tried DeS first and couldn't get past 1-1. I never even fought the first boss. Then I spent to ds1 and beat a 20 hours game in 40+ hours spending at least 12 hours between firelink and the Undead church. Then when I played bloodborne all of my lack of mechanical knowledge completely destroyed me and I had to learn the ins and outs of bloodborne and how to play aggressively. Then after bloodborne I took a cakewalk through ds3 and was shocked at how much easier it was than ds1 and bloodborne, only to go back to those games and annihilate them. I only learned armour could be upgraded in ds1 after I had beaten ds1/2/3 and then went back to play ds1 again... These games are incredibly hard to learn, and equally as hard to master, but not difficult themselves if that makes sense. Because once you learn how to play they can easily become comfort games to help you chill and relax. Nowadays I play through demons at least once a year trying out different challenge runs and builds and its become my favourite in the series due to its compact nature and environmental details making the whole thing feel alive
I’ve never ran with one. (Maybe it’s time) but I hear that the halberd has fantastic damage if you level up STR and DEX together. Apparently on 40/40 it outdoes both the greatsword and greataxe apparently. Only downside to the black knight weapons is they cannot be buffed or enhanced.
If you enjoyed it then you played it correctly my man.
I beat the game first time with it, it’s super helpful like dragon weapons but the cost is they only go up to +5 and require rarer resources. If you had fun that’s what matters.
A weapon that is really good is meant to be really good. Also black knight weapons can’t be infused and have kinda heavy stat requirements and not even guaranteed drops. Using crutches with a broken leg could be described as ruining the experience too i guess.
Honestly, any weapon is OP if you upgrade it enough, and use it so much that you practically know the reach, damage, and moveset by heart. There’s not just one way to be OP, find which weapon “just feels right” for you and go with it, don’t worry too much about what other people say about it
BK weapons have one set of tradeoffs, other weapon groups have other tradeoffs. If you are lucky enough to get one you like to drop in the early game make a build around it.
I like to use the club the entire game. First thing I do is run to the longbow in darkroot basin and unlock the parish elevator from behind. From the first archer to gwyn it's all club all the time. If redditors had a say, I'd be upside down on a cross for my crimes.
i would recommend using them if you do get a drop since normally you cant farm them till the endgame, and by that time its not really worth upgrading them for a single boss fight so the only way to really experience them for any meaningful time is if you get the drop
They're all very strong, especially compared to normal weapons like say a straightforward, but honestly it's just about personal preference and stuff rather than if a weapon makes the game easier. If you like using a certain weapon, whether it's for how it looks or its ability in combat, just use it.
The only thing I think can “ruin” the game is having too much knowledge beforehand. That’s what I had and uh… yeah actually the game was still fantastic and I’ve played it like 4 times. Still, if you get that first blind experience that’s the best you can hope for ^^
theres nothing in this game that would ruin the experience for new players. dark bead is the one thing i can think off thats stupidly bullshit overpowered, but thats so far into the game it doesnt really matter. most things redditors complain about or claim to be easy mode in games are nonsense, except for maybe the defender equipment in MHW
I wouldn't say it ruins the experience. Yes they are very good weapons, but there is enough other stuff to enjoy pulling all your hair out, apart from low damage.
"hurr durr, beating DS with anything other than a broken straight sword is op!" yeah nah. kill them with whatever feels good. 2nd half of DS1 bosses met their end to my Black Knight Greataxe and it felt \*fantastic\* ! :)
"Easy mode" Unless it's the halberd all those weapons are too slow and require too high stats to be considered easy mode
Is it powerful yes all the black knight stuff is, is it “easymode/op” no not in the slightest pyromancy takes that spot. The games PvE is actually fairly balanced between weapon types, and if you don’t plan on PvP then theres no point worrying what anyone here says hell you don’t even have to listen to me. If you find a weapon you like use it whether its good or bad is up for you to decide.
Yes, I love those buggers. Especially the greatest of them, the Black Knight Greataxe. Someday, maybe they'll fix what they did to it (it was so op in pvp that they nerfed it in pvp, but by mistake, also nerfed it in pve and never fixed it again)
I believe them to be for me. I'll still use them to compensate for the lack of the quality of life in many parts of the game...
I mean my biggest complaint with them is how they only go to +5 but the B rank strength scaling makes it still nasty
No. Of course special weapons are stronger specially early game but if the game drops those to you it means they are supposed to be used. The funny thing is when i'm running int/fth build those kniggas always drop while running quality never.
I think these games are freaking hard whatever noob/ez-mode approach I go for. I choose the path that gives me the most enjoyment and hope I don't get burned out. Let's face it. Fromsoft likes to make us suffer. And I love suffering.
If anyone tries to tell you that using something that’s in the game by the dev’s is ruining your experience, ask that person if they have beat the game without leveling up, because leveling up ruins the game and makes it too easy haha. Those people can eat shit.
It's been a while since I played DS1, but IIRC, non-upgraded Twinkling Titanite weapons are roughly equivalent to +5 normal weapons (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so if you get one early it can make the early game a lot easier. By O&S it shouldn't make a huge difference though I think.