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

[Anfebious]

SvennoJ said:

Anfebious said:

I feel ashamed but I had to use a summoned partner to beat the Smelter Demon. I use a Mage class and it's my first time using one but I think I might have made it too much of a mage. I am at Drangelic castle and I have a leather shield and a Fire Sword + 10. It isn't very strong but it gets the job done... for the most part.

I am at lvl 108 and I can't use most of my equipment because I have poor strength and Dexterity. I somehow got through the game like that. I do have the vengarl armor set which is pretty good I think, but most enemies can kill me in 3 hits at most. Even though I suck so hard at this game, I like it a lot!

Not getting hit does the trick. Sounds easy, it's not. I've been using Archdarke robe + Lion mage cuffs (faster casting) + Saints hoods (more spell uses) + Hexer boots and Archdrake shield. Keeping your weight below 50% should keep you fast on your feet. I'm using a fire sword +10 as well, it does the job when they're blocking all spells. I did put some more points into vitality and strength recently to use Mastodon chest armor +10.  I can absorb 1 hit from a boss now instead of instant death, most enemies still 3 or 4 hits away from death. Always save some stamina to roll out of the way.
For casting I've been using the Archdrake staff +10, mostly great heavy soul arrows and standard dark orbs, with a ritual band and faster spell casting ring equipped. Casting speed means everything and those 2 spells give you plenty uses, use little stamina plus they interrupt most enemies. For bosses I've mostly been using lightning spears and flame swathe.
At the start of the game I used a left handed sword to finish them off, but a bit further in the only way to survive was with a shield. Apart from switching to using a shield I've continued concentrating on damage output. Faster kills instead of better defense. Makes some parts very easy, others pretty hard. It's great fun though when it all works out, zapping them one by one like bugs while they're coming at you :)

I have a lot of equipment that I gathered through my journey but... I am kinda ashamed to say I never knew there was equip that could affect you (like faster casting speed). I will make sure to check everything and see the descriptions!

What I can't seem to find in the game are staffs! I have the first staff in the game... and I used that one for the whole game. I do have pyromancy and I have the gauntlet at level 6. I mostly use the Great Fire Orb and the Great Combustion Pyromancy. They dish a lot of damage, but they have little uses .

Btw very nice build, did you already beat the game or are you on your New Game+?