From Software 'n such

[Blinge]

Eternal Ring Melee Only https://youtu.be/ctkxfLhGjUw

^just in case

Anyway- The trend of Blinge sucking azz at DS3 continues.
I've been struggling for my pyro build to find its soul. However it's gotten a lot more fun when offhanding the Pyro flame.
The ability to disengage melee, roll out and start spamming fire orbs makes the playstyle feel varied and chaotic and... fun!?

Boulder Toss/ Great Combustion > Guard Break > instant kill/riposte makes me hard
Typically only for blocking enemies though.

I've taken a trip down to Lost Izalith at lvl49, which has been utterly fucking me up. My relatively weak melee combat with Astora Straight sword. Pyro only useful with boulders and flash sweat.
Old Demon King I had to actually pay attention to for the first time in order to beat.

Back in Irithyll, not quite at Pontiff yet. I've now respecced hard into chaos and will infuse Creighton's Axe with chaos once i've gone back and cleared the rest of Izalith, that's the plan anyway.

Edit: Man. i still hate Pontiff and get rekt by him regularly.

[Blinge]

I now own a copy of Elden Ring.


.. but autumn in the UK makes me wanna play Bloodborne again first

[BIL]

BB aka Violent Weapons Porn The Game will always be there 4 U

Been enjoying muh LOST CHICKYCAGE @ 640 BLOOD ATK tremendously - yo! So that is where they put muh DS1 Bleed mechanic! CHARGE SHOT + CHARGE SHOT THE 2ND is TOO FOOKIN SWEET M8, when they pancake only 2 eat that golf swing and fly off into the distance DEAD N SHIT, you know THIS TAHN'S FINISHED!

Relaxing as a MUHFUCKA doin FRC Depth 5 Root Chalices, spelunkin 4 gemz while convalescing in Overly Literal Berserk Cosplay aka ONE FUCKIN GOOD EYE (Miyazaki-san would surely approve!). Noticed with some amusement that the hooded greatsword dudes have one eye just like my BFF VALTYR aka MISTER BUCKET - I wonder if the daft fucker took it out heself! Hmm. Well, with all the practice I got on em, I no longer fear Bloody nor BLOODY W/WORMS, whackin' em down with a couple heals at most, and no taint-diving. MUH FAVES though are Pthumerian Gramps n' Junior, wicked intense ninja combat!

Got so many gifs to make and probably full weeb AMV too (FORCES.mp3 intensifies) once I'm back to 100% Stake Driver run awaits Got like two dozen others to try out first including some big names like teh Whirligig and Blade of Mercy. Suffice 2 say BB is muh MAXING UND RELAXING Violent Action Favourite

[Blinge]

But how can you enjoy it, BIL?

The game is objectively impossible to enjoy, because it is not 60FPS.

no sane or self respecting person would play Bloodborne until sony stop disrespecting all gamers and release a 60FPS version on PS5 and/or PC. ? ? !?
a legit bb player would recognise this

[BIL]

You know it's weird, I came back after an obscene rack of hours in the 60fps PS4 DS1+DS2, and initially said "Whoa!" as I hopped down from the Workshop to the Bath Bois. Felt kinda like going from a daytime soap to a 24fps film. But just like there, having re-adjusted, I can't for the life of me re-grasp that feeling. The mechanics are exceptionally well-tailored to the framerate, it's a snap nailing parries and quicksteps.

60fps with quickloading is obviously an instabuy - I can imagine the nirvana of duelling Pthumerian Junior at blazing-fast, silky-smooth 60fps, his hooks whistling past my neck - but I could very happily stick with just this. You'd think BB ran like SFC Starfox, the way some carry on (and yo I love Starfox ).

(also, I'd love to see 'em rebuild/recode the architecture, so I could fully enjoy the amazing views; like seeing Djura's watchtower from the Central Yharny elevator, next to the bridge that's directly above Marv's church)

[Air Master Burst]

BB ran well enough on my OG PS4, I beat it a few times and loved it, but I'm not playing it again unless it gets a proper PC release so I can enjoy unlocked fps and ULTRAWIDE, the way the elder gods intended. I've never tried it on the PS4 Pro or the PS5, though.

[BIL]

PS5 doesn't do much besides shaving a few seconds off the loadtimes, AFAIK Nice, but far from worth the hassle of tracking one down imo. Like seven seconds versus ten. DS3 and Sekiro run at 60fps, though, as does Elden Ring's PS4 version.

I really wonder if we'll ever see an official remaster, given Sony owns the IP. It wouldn't entirely surprise me if they farmed it out to some jokers, if anything, rather than paying Miyazaki and co to give it the TLC it deserves.

Also I dunno why, but going from the very nicely blooded DS1 to the paltry DS2 makes me fear censorship. BB absolutely needs its raucous bloodsplosions, it's truly part of the game's crazed feral aesthetic, as much as Shinobi (PS2)'s ninja slice/dice and Killer 7's insane projectile exsanguinations. Recently reminded of Miggy-sama's back gushing blood like fuckin jet thrusters / fiire hydrants, after he rips his own arms off to beat your ass with.

MIGGEH-SAMA LOEV 2 FUKKIN RAWWWWWWK



Man, that cloud-rending RRRAAAAAAAAAAAAA! when he's hurt is some primally affecting shit. 3; Beautifully HPL-inflected oneiric horror. BB is a rare game deserving of the term "weird." I wonder if That Bitch Patches wanted Migs to whack you, or the reverse? I was as a lamb to your God, you say... I ram me +10 Hoonter Torch up his lovingly-modeled arsehole for +2IN, regardless.

My nightmare is a clean 60fps+quickload remaster with nerfed blood, fuck that shit I'll just go with fanhacked PC bastardisations instead.

I'm not too fussed tbh... something hacky will inevitably surface for PC, in the years to come. (see the fuck-awful Silent Hill HD Collection versions of SH2 and SH3 that Tom Hullett and co shat out for peanuts, versus the lovely fanmade updates for PCs)

[Blinge]

But how can you enjoy it, BIL?

The game is objectively impossible to enjoy, because it is not 60FPS.

no sane or self respecting person would play Bloodborne until sony stop disrespecting all gamers and release a 60FPS version on PS5 and/or PC. ? ? !?
a legit bb player would recognise this

I couldn't even find the post I was taking the mick out of

It was literally this one side courtyard i walked into that's got me HOT for Yharnam again..

[Stevens]

BIL - Re: Blades of mersa

They're fun and they look bad ass, but it's a lot of button pressing. Like a lot. For me it was a deal breaker. As always YMMV.

Your humble servant,
Stevens

[Austin]

I now own a copy of Elden Ring.

Buckle up, it’s going to be a long ride.

[BIL]

BIL - Re: Blades of mersa

They're fun and they look bad ass, but it's a lot of button pressing. Like a lot. For me it was a deal breaker. As always YMMV.

Ta bud! Sounds interesting... I know the multiplier is supposed to be nuts, that's about it. Makes sense the chains are long I guess. Currently in love with the Chikage + Hoonter Axe team. The iaido mechanic is too goddamn satisfying; both for stagger-slicing enemies with a deft R1 draw before FLIPPIN OUT with the R1 chain, and unleashing the monstrous R2 charge draw and its "fooore!" followup, on either the primary target or anybody else tryna get cute. I thought DS1's Chaos Blade was good, but the quickdraw mechanic is is Weeb Soulz on another level



Just got PTHUMIE JR as a common enemy (Ihyll Root FRC) First time I've seen that! Fucker was behind a tree atop a raised garden. I steamed up the stairs looking for WITCH BITCH as usual, thought I saw something odd outta the corner of my eye then *boof!* Fucker boomeranged me from behind a bush.

You really wanna do this right here, cuz?! (｀w´メ)

Sadly his HP/STR ain't shit (shoulda known - eating the boomerang both ways like that is normally certain death), and my usual aggressive Bloody R1 melted he ass 3; Still, pretty rad to see.

MUH DREAM is to get a Big Spidey, brr. Seen plenty of Beast SOULJAHs, which amusingly will always go after other enemies before you.

PASS ME DEM THANGS / LETS GET EM (｀w´メ)

Didn't know Fat Watchers, including Butt-Nekkid Watchers, can heal themselves. Pretty gross in the latter's case, looks like he EATIN HE OWN POOP Or maybe just food he'd shoved up his arsehole for later. I hear monkeys do that!

[Sima Tuna]

Kirkhammer is my baby. I'm one of those boring fucks who picks Longsword in Dark Souls every time because it has the perfect moveset for me. I also like that electric mace thing in Bloodborne. I forget what it's called. Maces in DS2 were hella OP and fun to play with.

[rapoon]

Kirkhammer is my baby. I'm one of those boring fucks who picks Longsword in Dark Souls every time because it has the perfect moveset for me. I also like that electric mace thing in Bloodborne. I forget what it's called. Maces in DS2 were hella OP and fun to play with.

Ever play with the Bloodletter in BB? That shit is so over the top. The transformation attack sends fuckers flying, including the fatties. I don't mean a bit of a stagger either, they get launched across the room. it's awesome.

[evil_ash_xero]

I really wonder if we'll ever see an official remaster, given Sony owns the IP.

I'm actually angry at Sony for not having a proper remaster of this game. It's nuts. It's such a masterpiece, everyone knows it, it still trends on Twitter all the time... and nothing.
There were tons of rumors, which all turned out to be crap. They better not do a Demon's Souls, wait until PS6, and remake it completely. I do not want the art in BB changed.
It can have better anti-aliasing, some texture touch up (60fps, obviously), but stay the hell away from the art. This is From's coolest looking game.

[Sima Tuna]

Kirkhammer is my baby. I'm one of those boring fucks who picks Longsword in Dark Souls every time because it has the perfect moveset for me. I also like that electric mace thing in Bloodborne. I forget what it's called. Maces in DS2 were hella OP and fun to play with.

Ever play with the Bloodletter in BB? That shit is so over the top. The transformation attack sends fuckers flying, including the fatties. I don't mean a bit of a stagger either, they get launched across the room. it's awesome.

I never made a bloodtinge build, tbh. All the other builds, I made. But I could never figure out exactly what weapon I wanted to use for bloodtinge.

[Stevens]

BLOODLETTER.

[BIL]

Ah yeah, Bloodletter! That's yet another I'm looking forward to.

It's funny, after cutting my teeth on BB, using the Saw Cleaver with occasional Church Pick plus Bowblade for range over literally 1000hrs... I went to DS1 and DS2, and wondered if BB would seem one-note, given the range of builds they support, and the much greater element of tinkering via the Equip Load mechanic. BB enforcing "samurai gunslinger" builds across the board, where everyone's lightning-quick and able to strike at range, seemed one-note in hindsight.

Of course in reality, BB's variety is more its arsenal, not the characters wielding them. DS1+2's various classes - dagger, longsword, rapier, club and so on - are roughly conversant families with shared tenets. BB's katanas Chikage and Rakuyo barely even resemble one another, same going for ostensible greatclubs like Amygdalan Arm and Bloodletter. Then there's the Transform mechanic letting even single weapons like the Kirkhammer blur lines between sword, club, rapier and poleaxe, plus deliberately bizarre creations like the Stake Driver and Whirligig, and doppelganger pairs like the Cleaver/Saif, Cane/Cutter and Axe/Boomhammer. Even representatives of DS classes like claws include crazy riffs, like the BeastClaw having a friggin divekick. Then there's the Hunter Tools enabling short-ranged AOE blowbacks, guided missile volleys and corridor-clearing linear scorchers, at the cleverly vexing cost of your trusty sidearm's ammo.

It's glorious, a real smorgasbord, built on the instantly-compelling contrast of ninja agility and Castlevania accountability.

You know what feels good - getting used to 2xHP up and 1xEND up runes, then switching to 2xClawmark and 1xBloodReverie for a boss duel (Marny-chan) - then forgetting to set the runes back, jumping back into the FRCs and thinking "god damn, I'm outta practice, this boss has me pounding vials all of a sudden." And gradually overcoming, before finally noticing you've been running around runically butt-naked.

After countless loops methodically picking off the zako before challenging Big Spidey, I'd gotten used to taking on Mensis's SPODERMANIA from the floor, Hoonter Axing the fuckers en masse. With aforementioned boned runes, was suddenly having a helluva warm time in there; what were trifling jabs, calculated expenses recouped via Rallly, turning into mortal shanks forcing fallback - at which point, Big Boi will simply camp at the entrance, effectively a win by Ring Out, spirited battle devolving into a turkey shoot on his big dumb mug!

Fixed runes and painted the place in their guts once more. Rally system is rad - it's not a license to steal, just a means of superhumanly aggressive yet coldly-calculated banzais. All debts must be paid!

[Stevens]

I went to DS1 and DS2, and wondered if BB would seem one-note, given the range of builds they support

Possible hot take?

Bloodborne and Sekiro are better games because they're more focused in regard to builds. Seriously dude when you going to get in on that ninja action?

[BIL]

Sekiro's my #1 want for sure - DS3 is more of a fond obligation, and I'm not bothered about ER tbh; will play it when I play it. I'm just biding my time until I can track down a PS5, as I'd really like to get that 60fps if possible. Was all set a few months back, then discovered a world of scarcity I'm more used to encountering when hunting down stuff from the 80s. Weird times, ah well, lots to do in BB still.

[Volteccer_Jack]

For Bloodtinge build you're mostly just choosing between Chikage and Bloodletter, with either SKL or STR as your secondary stat. Rifle Spear, Reiterpallasch, and Bowblade use BLT for their projectile attacks only. Your left hand is almost certainly occupied with Evelyn, since it's just an incredible weapon, and stylish to boot.

There's also the funny thing where Mergo's Wet Nurse gets absolutely deleted by Chikage due to poison weakness.

Ta bud! Sounds interesting... I know the multiplier is supposed to be nuts, that's about it. Makes sense the chains are long I guess.

So here's how Blade of Mercy works:
Untricked standing R1/R2--has standard damage multiplier but does subpar damage because BoM has low AR. It makes up for this with low stamina cost for attacks.
Tricked standing R1--has 0.9x damage multiplier for the first 3 consecutive swings, after which the damage ramps up to 1.2x and attack speed increases. Those first 3 hits are awful, but if you stand in place and mash until your stamina empties it's extremely damaging. In short it is for exploiting big openings, and not much else.
Quickstep/Rolling/Backstep/Sprinting R1--This is where BoM really shines. Most weapons have 0.9/0.95x damage on quickstep/rolling R1 and 1.1x on backstep/sprinting R1. BoM has 1.5x damage on all of these, significantly outdamaging other weapons. After factoring in enemy defense, quickstep attacks from BoM will often deal double the damage of standing attacks.
Backstep/Sprinting R2--Same deal as R1, BoM gets a huge 1.8x damage multiplier on these, making them comparable to some fully charged R2s.

Against bosses and large enemies you are often looking for opportunities to drop your entire stamina bar into a blender of death, but the meat and potatoes of Blade of Mercy is the deadly quickstep dance.

When building for Blade of Mercy, END is important because both the tricked combo and the constant quickstepping will leave you stamina hungry. You should completely ignore the ARC scaling. Scaling is a function of base damage, and BoM's base Arcane damage is so low that the 'B' scaling is really more like D- (and the 'S' SKL scaling is really more like an A). For reference, Burial Blade, which has the same base Arcane damage, gets more benefit from 'D' STR scaling than it does from 'B' ARC scaling. You should treat both of these weapons as if they have no ARC scaling at all.

[Sima Tuna]

I did have a lot of fun with a Reiter build one time. But, as you said, the bloodtinge on that one is secondary.

The Beast Cleaver is a fun alternative I sometimes use instead of Kirkhammer. I don't remember how it scales exactly (probably worse than the Kirk), but I like the moveset.

[Blinge]

I'm ashamed that I did a whole blades of mercy run..
.. without knowing any of that explictly.

I mean I played in a similar way organically, especially the dash and backstep attacks but fffffuuuu

also cursed rotten SHIT COVERED chalice

[BIL]

Cheers Jack! Astute technical guidance as always.

There's also the funny thing where Mergo's Wet Nurse gets absolutely deleted by Chikage due to poison weakness.

Haha, discovered this firsthand. Was going ham on his back as usual, when *BOOF* Thought I'd seen a bug, he keeled over with 1/3rd HP remaining. From what I understand, his shadow clone will be accumulating Rapid Poison damage on every hit too, even before he gets to deploy it - so he's fucked basically, with both RP gauges blowing up on him.

Man I love DS1's Bleed. Perfect incentive to FLIP OUT ninja-style, and it just feels viscerally (haw!) satisfying when the enemy eats a chunk of damage in an explosion of BLAHD.

[Steamflogger Boss]

I'm ashamed that I did a whole blades of mercy run..
.. without knowing any of that explictly.

I mean I played in a similar way organically, especially the dash and backstep attacks but fffffuuuu

also cursed rotten SHIT COVERED chalice

Yeah I couldn't have told you the exact numbers but most of that is pretty apparent once you play around with the weapon.

But how can you enjoy it, BIL?

The game is objectively impossible to enjoy, because it is not 60FPS.

no sane or self respecting person would play Bloodborne until sony stop disrespecting all gamers and release a 60FPS version on PS5 and/or PC. ? ? !?
a legit bb player would recognise this

Oh and I chortled, this is gold.

[Rastan78]

But how can you enjoy it, BIL?

The game is objectively impossible to enjoy, because it is not 60FPS.

no sane or self respecting person would play Bloodborne until sony stop disrespecting all gamers and release a 60FPS version on PS5 and/or PC. ? ? !?
a legit bb player would recognise this

Oh and I chortled, this is gold.

30 fps is also the reason BIL hates the Metal Slug games and won't be caught dead playing them. Maybe with the power of the new gen we will finally get playable remastered Metal Slug at 120hz 4K? AI upscaling to get rid of those ugly pixels?

[Stevens]

But how can you enjoy it, BIL?

The game is objectively impossible to enjoy, because it is not 60FPS.

no sane or self respecting person would play Bloodborne until sony stop disrespecting all gamers and release a 60FPS version on PS5 and/or PC. ? ? !?
a legit bb player would recognise this

Oh and I chortled, this is gold.

30 fps is also the reason BIL hates the Metal Slug games and won't be caught dead playing them. Maybe with the power of the new gen we will finally get playable remastered Metal Slug at 120hz 4K? AI upscaling to get rid of those ugly pixels?

I for one love filters that make my screen look like it's covered in Astroglide. Pixels eew.

[BIL]

30 fps is also the reason BIL hates the Metal Slug games and won't be caught dead playing them. Maybe with the power of the new gen we will finally get playable remastered Metal Slug at 120hz 4K? AI upscaling to get rid of those ugly pixels?

I seethe in silent fury at Nazca's impertinence, throughout each kill-crazed credit! (■｀w´■)
During the staff rolls, I throw cheetos at the monitor with all my might - a ritualistic show of anger, and confidence! (◎w◎;)

[Rastan78]

Just go easy on those Cheetos. We all know what happened to Lil Xan


https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-45655859

[BIL]

Indeed, it's not something for amateurs! (■｀w´■) Few appreciate the discipline - or the belt-mounted canister, heavy-duty underarm hose, and wrist-actuated autonozzle that facilitate the ancient technique of compassionate murder: ANSATSUKEN no CHEETO DUST.



I guarantee you, the silly bugger lacked the shoulder and wrist strength (not to mention the stance) to control the 10,000psi jet blast - merely gassing himself in the process!

Speaking of oldschool: mein head asploden @ encountering PTHUMIE GRAMPS armed not with his usual Cane Halberd of Teleportation / Minelaying, but his grandson's vicious shotel! Hmm. I wonder if the Gramps/JR distinction relates to something else. My favourite duelling partner, at any rate. That diagonal cross-cutting upper he starts some combos with be HAWT, I always eat a few readjusting when it's been a while.

Ain't mean shit if you can't get it up, Gramps! You best stick to the EZ-activation cane! And daytime soaps! (｀w´メ)

Spoiler

PTHUMIE GRAMPS back in the day, when still had he health (｀w´メ)

Spoiler

[Rastan78]

You think the dust is your ally? I was born in the dust, molded by it?