Dark Souls II official thread of telling us your journey through Drangleic

[lestatdark]

SvennoJ said:

lestatdark said:

SvennoJ said:
I run into a bunch or Gargoyles... Well that's in a different league of difficulty compared to the bosses so far. I hold out for a bit, deal some damage while dodging three at a time, until 1 decides to go high and blast me with fire from above, 1 hit death. Guess I'll need some help there, although that means going online and having to do pvp most likely, bah.

Or I could first go to No man's wharf, Exile holding cells, or whatever that huge blue fort is you reach from Sinner's rise. Where should I go first.

Sinner's Rise has a very difficult boss (which is one of the main bosses at the same time), so I suggest you leaving that for later. Especially since the boss is very far away from the only bonfire in that area, not mentioning that you need the key from the area after the Gargoyles to make that battle manageable (a.k.a - with a bit of light, since it will be pitch dark otherwise).

Gargoyles, I suggest you bringing your best 100% Damage Reduction shield with at least 60% Stamina reduction. That's for melee builds. Dodging is worthless, keep shields up at all time and try to isolate a single gargoyle until it's HP is critical. When it starts its fire routine, focus on another and put that one on critc HP as well. Try to down both at the same time and you'll have at least 30 seconds with a solo gargoyle. That'll make the battle manageable.

If you don't want to go there, then if you've got a fragant branch of yore, you could go to that tower with the petrified woman on Majula and unpetrifiy her. That'll unlock the next area, Shaded Woods, which is a bit more manageable. Or try your luck on Huntsman Copse after Heide's Tower of Flame.

Ok blue castle is out for now, and indeed there are tons of locked doors down there, guess I need to key first anyway. Gargoyles look to be a waste of effigies for now. I don't have a lot of damage reduction, caster build, dodging is all I have... I'll check if I can even hold a heavy shield. No branches of yore yet. I guess I'll check down that elevator in the Exile holding cells, and explore No man's wharf first.

Your first branch will be either on Sinner's or Haverst Valley then. No Man's Wharf is a easy area, especially if you have a Pharros Lockstone to use the contraption in the middle of the area to lighten up the majority of the place. It won't take you anywhere new afterwards, but it's a good place to farm souls at least. 

Be mindful of the oil throwing enemies there though. If you're reliant on Fire spells, you'll set yourself on fire. Also most enemy archers use Fire arrows there too to set you on fire if you've got oil on yourself. 

Caster builds will have a bit more difficulty on Gargoyles then. Keep always away from them and bring lots of casts. You're gonna fight through 6 gargoyles so you'll need most of the spells available to you. If that's still not enough, I guess co-op it's the only way to go. Try to bring someone that's melee oriented, because you'll need a tank more than anything.