Dark Souls II

So, I recently downloaded Dark Souls 2 from Steam. I'm loving the game, so far, and it seems to be a good successor to the original Dark Souls.

I'm wondering about equipment and stats, though. I'm looking to make either a tank, pyromancer, or paladin (miracles) build using the Knight class. I'm also looking for gear that will be good for late game, preferably doesn't upgrade solely with twinkling titanite, and won't make me absurdly heavy.

Namely, I'm looking for armor sets and a sword and shield. I'm currently using the Broadsword, Drangleic Armor, Drangleic Shield, and Heide Knight Iron Mask. I just made it through Heide's Tower of Flame and am heading for No Man's Wharf.

I'm considering taking the Elite Knight Armor or the Alva set. In Dark Souls I used the Elite Knight Armor and Quelaag's Fury Sword for most of the game. But I'm not sure how well the armor holds up in DS2.

If anyone has played the game and has any suggestions for builds, armor/weapon sets and their locations, or just general advice, it would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. ^-^

I'll post my gear and current stats below.

Thanks, guys!

Gear:

Spoiler

Stats:

Spoiler

 

I have quite a lot of experience in the Soul Series myself. Now it depends on what kind of player are you whether it be PvE or PvP, but I'm just going to assume for now that you want something in multiplayer. For Dark Souls II, you might want to go for an all-around build(preferably a "quality build")having beaten the game at least once to get an idea about what kind of weapons you like that tailor to your play style. I advice you not to use a shield whatsoever as with "guard break" replacing the "kick" from Dark Souls I generally makes them utterly useless in the midst of combat. To tell you the truth, the sequel is favorited towards those who just play PvE as many of the games mechanics has changed quite a bit such as a single roll animation, back stab/parry animations, alterations to the poise system... and worse of all *gulps* different swing set on curved swords :'(

 

I've actually already beaten the game and am currently working through NG+. =P I ended up going with a STR/DEX build and using the Drakekeeper set, Sun Sword, Heide Knight Sword, Dragon Rider Bow, and the Throne Defender Shield. I can't remember which rings I used/am using, I would have to check.

In NG+ I'm focusing on building up my FTH in order to use miracles. I find the healing/buff and lighting miracles complement my high STR/DEX pretty well.

 

I've only played a bit of Dark Souls 2 and my only real problem with it was how loose everything was control wise and the jumping. From what I saw DS2 had the same thing as DS1 did and that's thin as string bridges you have to cross and when the movement is so loose.... yeah. And yeah I know you can change the jumping button to how it was on the first game, which I did, the jump seemed a bit useless in DS2. It felt more like a bunny hop then a jump. All in all I didn't hate what I played of it, but I have yet to actually play it. Seriously I'm still have yet to beat "The Last Giant"

 

It does have ledges/bridges like that but they are really few and far between, not enough to be a real problem. Keep playing and I think you'll really like the game, especially if you enjoyed the first one.

 

I just finished Dark Souls II a few days ago and I quite liked it. It doesn't seem to have the same charm the first Dark Souls had though. I remember the first time I fought the Moonlight Butterfly I just stood there completely taken in by how beautiful it was. I also always felt bad killing Sif too, especially once the DLC came out but with the DkS II bosses I just entered the fog, killed the boss and walked out. The only feelings I had toward bosses were excitement when I saw the Old Dragonslayer but you can hardly call him a DkS II boss, and anger towards the RRA and Darklurker. Maybe once I play through NG+ I'll pick up on a few things I missed.

That's not to say it wasn't a fun game. I enjoyed fighting all the bosses except RRA and Darklurker and most of the other enemies in the game gave me some challenge when first facing them. Plus Lucatiel was a great NPC. She was kind of like a travel buddy, always there when you wanted to see a friendly face.
Being a devout SunBro it was nice to see the matchmaking was much more smooth too not to mention the return of the Sunlight Covenant.

I haven't started NG+ yet as I'm stuck in the Crown of the Sunken King DLC. The Gank Squad's Havel got a cheeky hit on me while I was chugging an estus when it was only him and two hands left at 20% health so I've decided to come back to them once that's further back in my memories. Elana is wrecking me at the moment too, always summoning Veldstat while I'm trying to RTSR her. Suggestions for either fight are welcome but I pretty much have The Gank Squad down.