Have you been to them before? You kind of give the impression that you haven’t.

I definitely completed them all in one save but I have trouble remembering how many times had this happened:

• There must be the first time, completely spoiler-less - it wasn’t my first playthrough though since for some reason I didn’t get to the DLC for quite some time after beating the main game;
• There’s my PyroSorcerer PvP build that had to get all kinds of spells from the DLCs - but it was so minmaxxed (just enough strength/dexterity to wield a handaxe) that I probably just couldn’t qualify for most gear found there;
• Finally, there was one save when I went for all Steam achievements but it ended up being so grindy and miserable that I don’t remember anything but the covenant grind and rushing NG+ and NG+2 for the arena covenant rewards.

Then, of course, there were a few other saves when I went for one DLC but not the others. E.g., my Dragon Slayer went to Shulva to beat Sinh’s ass but the other two have no dragons so I skipped them. I also had a challenge run: I rushed the frozen DLC and went through the entire Eleum Loyce using Warmth spell as my only way to heal. I’d managed to beat Aava without healing but the Ivory King proved too much for me.

But in the end, the game is so long that most of my playthroughs ended somewhere around Drangleic Castle as my focus wanders off to something else. I’m sure I’ll have lots of fun in the DLCs thanks to my relative unfamiliarity!

Yeah that fire sword is the sword I use on probably every single character I’ve ever played at least through the end of Heide’s Tower, lol. It’s boring, but very effective.

That reminded me that I had a specific plan for the very early game in DS2: specific way to get through the Giants Forest and then I always went to the Tower with McDuff’s hammer. This was primarily due to the limitations of the Deprived, mind you, but it was still quite tedious.

Have you considered a rapier?

My problem with rapiers is that they have low poise damage and their narrow attacks are poor against groups of enemies. Since I don’t need to save on strength and dexterity (unlike casters) I can afford stronger options for my weapon.

I think you can technically defeat Nashandra and then just walk out without taking the Throne

I believe you won’t be allowed to leave (either it will teleport you to the same spot or won’t work at all) once you’ve beaten her. But maybe I’m thinking about DS1.

Throne Watcher/Defender gear is great, their swords and shields are peak.

Hm, I’ve never considered their stuff. By the time I’m fighting them by build is so well developed that I turn ignorant to the new options.

Crystal Soul Spear (excellent, off-build)

CSS (huh) is so fun in PvP actually! Most players will easily dodge it if you just straight-up shoot it at them but if you add to this Soul Shover or especially the mist spells… panic and blocked vision turn Spear into Dark Souls’ save-or-suck spell!

Flame Weapon (also excellent, might be considered)

That’s a good option if I end up with spell slots.

Crypt Blacksword is damn good

It’s interesting how it uses the greataxe movement despite being an ultra greatsword. I need to take a look at it!

No worries, I’m already in the Champion’s covenant and don’t plan on quitting!

Regular old straight swords are considered one of the strongest weapon classes in the game and are great for this.

I have a fire longsword all the way from the Giants Forest as a swap for when I need a spammy weapon - would be much harder to get through Earthen Peak without it. I neglected to mention it because my last session was just Iron Keep and Drangleic Castle and both favor poise-breaking weapons like my claymore over fast weapons.

Fist weapons and colossal swords are personal favorites of mine.

This character is a realization of my long-dreamed build of a warrior with a melee weapon (a sword, most probably) in one hand and a crossbow in another, and I’m kinda held back by this vision. As such, I avoid going two-handed or weapon-in-each-hand stances.

bone out of Nashandra’s fight

I’m glad they didn’t make a good fight for the finale so I can avoid waiting through the unskippable credits /hj

Warped Sword is largely Dex focused but is just actually the best curved sword in the game IMO

My first ever playthrough was a mage with warped sword. It was kinda silly having 50/50 attunement/int, enough str and dex for this weapon while being at 5/5 vigor and vitality. I just loved the idea of being a glass cannon I guess. Headless golems still terrify me because I always expect them to kill me in one combo.

Skip Arced though, just use the Murakumo.

Noted!

Many katanas are very strong and easy to use. Darkdrift is my favorite and is available from Agdayne, but you can really grab almost any of them and have a fine time. Do invest in the Washing Pole, it’s ludicrously long and repair powders are easy to get a million of.

I completely forgot about katanas! I’ll definitely play around with them to see which one’s best for the build.

Dragonslayer Crescent Axe is one that I often enjoy.

I used to PvP with it as a cosplay. It’s soo good! Axes might be a bit short but they are surprisingly fast in DS2. A humble handaxe can do plenty of work too if you can afford nothing more.

Also, don’t forget to upgrade your armor, as well.

I always forget that you can do it lol. My chosen armor follows the regular upgrade path so I won’t get it past +6 for awhile but it should suffice I think.

do use them to fight the four great soul bosses again and get their NG+ drops.

I recall only moonlight sword and chaos katana as the special drops. I think there’s also crystal spear? I’ll need to do it again to see what can be crafted. Would be nice if Ornifex picked a better place for their workshop

Ha, I was wondering who drops these in the main game.

Farmable chunks by Black Gulch is surprisingly generous!

Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy my time with this build! I just couldn’t help but compare it to my magic playthroughs once all the magic goodies started showing up around the Castle.

But maybe I’ll respec to get a few levels into faith to get some fun support spells online.