Tips & Secrets

Beyond the basics, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin holds many advanced strategies, hidden mechanics, and secrets that can give you an edge. Master these to truly conquer Drangleic and emerge victorious from its many challenges.

Core Combat & Survivability

Understanding Adaptability (ADP) & Agility (AGL)

Unlike other Souls games, your i-frames (invincibility frames) during rolls and backsteps are tied to a stat called Agility (AGL). AGL is primarily increased by leveling Adaptability (ADP), and to a lesser extent, Attunement (ATN).

• Why it matters: Higher AGL means more i-frames, making dodging significantly easier and safer. This is crucial for avoiding boss attacks and enemy combos.
• Target AGL Breakpoints:
  • 86 AGL: Equivalent to Dark Souls 1's fast roll i-frames. A good early-game target.
  • 92 AGL: Provides 10 i-frames, a noticeable improvement.
  • 96 AGL: Provides 11 i-frames, often considered the sweet spot for most builds.
  • 100 AGL: Provides 12 i-frames, excellent for advanced players.
  • 105 AGL: Provides 13 i-frames, the maximum achievable.
• Recommendation: Invest points into ADP early on, aiming for at least 96 AGL. This will drastically improve your survivability.

Equip Load Management

Your equip load percentage directly affects your roll distance, stamina regeneration, and i-frames (though AGL is more impactful for i-frames). Keeping it low is key.

• Fast Roll (0-29.9%): Longest roll distance, fastest stamina regen. Ideal for agility-focused builds.
• Medium Roll (30-69.9%): Standard roll distance, good stamina regen. Most common.
• Fat Roll (70-99.9%): Shortest roll distance, slow stamina regen. Avoid if possible.
• Overburdened (100%+): Cannot roll or sprint. Extremely dangerous.
• Tips:
  • Use the Ring of Blades and Royal Soldier's Ring to increase your equip load capacity without investing heavily in Vitality.
  • Consider lighter armor sets if you find yourself consistently above 70%.

Mastering Parries & Backstabs

These critical attacks offer significant damage and i-frames, making them invaluable for conserving resources and dealing with tough enemies.

• Parrying:
  • Timing: Parrying in DS2 is slightly different from DS1. The parry window is often at the very beginning of the enemy's attack animation, as their weapon starts to move towards you.
  • Parry Tools: Small shields (e.g., Target Shield, Buckler) have the largest parry windows. Daggers and curved swords can also parry when held in the left hand.
  • Practice: The Forest of Fallen Giants is an excellent place to practice on Hollow Soldiers.
• Backstabbing:
  • Positioning: You need to be directly behind the enemy, almost touching them.
  • Execution: Use a light attack (R1/RB) without holding any directional input.
  • Enemies: Many humanoid enemies and even some larger beasts are susceptible to backstabs.
  • Strategy: Circle strafing or baiting attacks to get behind enemies are common tactics.

Advanced Exploration & Hidden Mechanics

Illusory Walls

Unlike DS1, most illusory walls in DS2 are opened by pressing the "interact" button (A/X) rather than attacking them. Always try interacting first.

• Common Locations:
  • Forest of Fallen Giants: Near the Cardinal Tower bonfire, leading to a chest with a Flame Butterfly.
  • Lost Bastille: Several, including one near the Exile Holding Cells bonfire leading to a path with a Soul of a Brave Warrior.
  • Drangleic Castle: Many in the King's Passage and Throne of Want areas, often hiding bonfires or valuable items.
• Tip: If you see a suspicious blank wall, especially in a dead-end, try interacting with it.

Phantoms & Summons

Summoning phantoms can make difficult areas and boss fights much easier, but it comes with a cost: increased boss health.

• NPC Summons: Look for white summon signs near boss fog gates.
  • Lucatiel of Mirrah: Can be summoned for the Flexile Sentry, Smelter Demon, and The Rotten. Completing her questline earns you her equipment.
  • Benhart of Jugo: Can be summoned for the Prowling Magus & Congregation, Looking Glass Knight, and Giant Lord. Completing his questline earns you the Bluemoon Greatsword.
  • Jester Thomas: An incredibly powerful pyromancer summon for the Mytha, the Baneful Queen boss fight.
• Player Summons: Use a White Sign Soapstone to place your sign or look for others' signs.
  • Soul Memory: DS2 uses Soul Memory for matchmaking. Ensure you and your co-op partners are within a similar tier.
  • Name-Engraved Ring: Purchase from Sweet Shalquoir in Majula to narrow down matchmaking to players who have chosen the same deity, making it easier to connect with friends.

The Covenant of Champions

Found in Majula, near the cliff edge, by interacting with the Victor's Stone. Joining this covenant significantly increases game difficulty.

• Effects:
  • Enemies deal more damage and have more health.
  • Enemies do not despawn after being killed 12 times.
  • You cannot summon phantoms (NPC or player).
  • You can be invaded more frequently.
• Benefits:
  • Certain items (e.g., Awestone for the Vanquisher's Seal) are only obtainable while in this covenant.
  • Excellent for farming specific enemies indefinitely.
  • Provides a significant challenge for experienced players.
• Warning: Only join if you are prepared for a much harder experience. You can leave at any time by speaking to the cat in Majula.

Farming & Resource Management

Soul Farming Spots

Efficiently gaining souls is crucial for leveling and purchasing items.

• Early Game (Forest of Fallen Giants):
  • Method: From the Cardinal Tower bonfire, clear the area of Hollow Soldiers, especially the ones near the ballistae. Reset at the bonfire.
  • Yield: Decent early-game souls, plus potential for Titanite Shards.
• Mid Game (Iron Keep - Alonne Knights):
  • Method: From the Iron Keep Threshold bonfire, clear the bridge of Alonne Knights. They drop good souls and sometimes upgrade materials.
  • Yield: Good souls, Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, and occasionally Titanite Slabs in later NG cycles.
  • Tip: Equip the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring and Nahr Alma Hood/Tseldora Set for increased soul gain.
• Late Game/Endgame (Giant Lord - Memory of Jeigh):
  • Method: This is the most efficient soul farm in the game. After defeating the Giant Lord, you can re-enter the Memory of Jeigh by interacting with the Giant's Kinship in the Forest of Fallen Giants.
  • Strategy: Sprint past the giants, climb the ladder, and defeat the Giant Lord. He is easily cheesed by standing on the platform to his left and attacking his ankles.
  • Yield: ~50,000 souls per run (more with soul-boosting gear) in NG, increasing significantly in NG+.
  • Recommendation: Use a Homeward Bone or the Aged Feather (obtained from the Emerald Herald) to quickly return to the bonfire after defeating him, saving time.

Item Farming & Rare Drops

• Covetous Gold Serpent Ring: Increases item discovery. Found in the Shaded Woods, after defeating the Scorpioness Najka, in a chest behind an illusory wall.
• Jester's Cap / Prisoner's Hood: Also increase item discovery. Jester's Cap is found in a chest in Iron Keep. Prisoner's Hood is a rare drop from Undead Prisoners in Huntsman's Copse.
• Rusted Coins: Consumable that temporarily boosts item discovery. Can be bought from merchants or found as loot.
• Bonfire Ascetics: Use these at a bonfire to increase the area's New Game cycle difficulty, respawn bosses, and reset item spawns. This is invaluable for farming boss souls, rare drops, and specific upgrade materials.
  • Warning: The effect is permanent for that area and carries over into subsequent NG+ cycles. Use with caution.

Notable Secrets & Missables

Vendrick's Blessing

To deal significant damage to King Vendrick, you need to collect Giant Souls. Each Giant Soul reduces his defense by 50% (up to 5 Giant Souls for a 90% reduction).

• Giant Soul Locations:
  1. Black Gulch: Defeat the two Giant Lords in the hidden cave (requires a Fragrant Branch of Yore to unpetrify the path).
  2. Memory of Orro: Found in the Forest of Fallen Giants, accessible after obtaining the King's Ring.
  3. Memory of Vammar: Found in the Forest of Fallen Giants, accessible after obtaining the King's Ring.
  4. Memory of Jeigh: Defeat the Giant Lord boss.
  5. Ancient Dragon: Defeat the Ancient Dragon in Dragon Shrine (optional boss).
• Recommendation: Collect at least 4 Giant Souls before attempting Vendrick.

The King's Ring & Drangleic Castle

The King's Ring is essential for progressing through the game. It allows access to several key areas.

• Obtaining: Defeat Velstadt, the Royal Aegis, in the Undead Crypt.
• Usage:
  • Forest of Fallen Giants: Opens the door to the Giant's Kinship and the memories of the giants.
  • Shaded Woods: Opens the door to Aldia's Keep.
  • Drangleic Castle: Opens the door to the Throne of Want.

Ring of Blades

A crucial ring for any melee build, increasing physical attack rating.

• Ring of Blades +0: Defeat the Pursuer in the Forest of Fallen Giants (the optional encounter on the platform, not the boss fight).
• Ring of Blades +1: Defeat the Ruin Sentinels in the Lost Bastille.
• Ring of Blades +2: Defeat the Pursuer in the Drangleic Castle throne room (NG+ only, or by using a Bonfire Ascetic at the King's Gate bonfire).

Royal Soldier's Ring

Increases maximum equip load, allowing you to wear heavier armor or weapons without sacrificing roll speed.

• Royal Soldier's Ring +0: Found in No-Man's Wharf, in a chest behind a breakable wall near the shortcut to the boss.
• Royal Soldier's Ring +1: Found in Drangleic Castle, after the Looking Glass Knight boss, in a chest.
• Royal Soldier's Ring +2: Dropped by the Velstadt, the Royal Aegis boss in the Undead Crypt (NG+ only, or by using a Bonfire Ascetic at the Undead Crypt Entrance bonfire).

The Old Iron King DLC Entrance

Access to the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC is often missed by new players.

• Location: After defeating the Old Iron King in the Iron Keep, interact with the primal bonfire. You will be transported to a new area.
• Key Item: You need the "Dragon Talon" to open the DLC door. This item is found in a chest in the Majula mansion, after obtaining the King's Ring and talking to Cale the Cartographer.
• Entrance: The DLC entrance is a large obelisk located in the main room of the Iron Keep, near the first bonfire.

The Sunken King DLC Entrance

Access to the Crown of the Sunken King DLC.

• Location: In the Black Gulch, after defeating The Rotten, interact with the primal bonfire.
• Key Item: You need the "Dragon Stone" to open the DLC door. This item is found in a chest in the Majula mansion, after obtaining the King's Ring and talking to Cale the Cartographer.
• Entrance: The DLC entrance is a large obelisk located in the Black Gulch, near the first bonfire.

The Ivory King DLC Entrance

Access to the Crown of the Ivory King DLC.

• Location: In the Shrine of Winter (the area connecting Shaded Woods to Drangleic Castle), after obtaining the King's Ring.
• Key Item: You need the "Frozen Flower" to open the DLC door. This item is found in a chest in the Majula mansion, after obtaining the King's Ring and talking to Cale the Cartographer.
• Entrance: The DLC entrance is a large obelisk located in the Shrine of Winter.