2. The first day in Dark Souls 2 Dark Souls II Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
From this chapter, you will learn how to survive your first day in Dark Souls 2 without too many problems and not do die too often. Also, you will find here the general information concerning the gameplay. You will learn how to travel the game world without exposing yourself to too much risk. Also, you will find here a description of the first location that will take you to the central place in the game, where you start your actual journey.
Gameplay basics
Dark Souls 2 is a difficult game, you could even say it is very difficult. The most important asset, while playing this game, is patience. You cannot dash headlong and hope that you will handle it. You need to be careful with each step that you take. The game has been designed in such a way, that you will never know what is lurking around the corner. The road may look safe and friendly but, out of a sudden, you may fall down a chasm, or encounter an enemy that deals with you in one blow and see "YOU DIED!" on the screen.
While fighting your enemies, always try to use the shield. At the beginning of the game, t will be your best friend. At the moment at which you will have to face off against a larger number of enemies, try to lure them one-by-one. Then, combat becomes much easier and more enjoyable. The best tactic, while fighting, is to block the enemy's attack with the shield and to skip away from them. At the moment at which you stop the enemy's attack, it is your turn to strike. Hit once and go into the defense. This will allow you to retain as much health as possible and decrease the number of times that you die.
Also, you need to remember that not always does it pay off to kill an enemy. For example, if you are trying to defeat a boss, you do not need to attack all of the enemies that you encounter on your way to his "chamber". Maybe it is enough to ignore the weaker opponents to focus your attention on the man himself. You simply need to sprint and perform several dodges. This way, you will save a lot of time.
The game is very vast and non-linear. Once you walk into a location, and you decide that it is too difficult for you, go elsewhere. Maybe there it will be easier with your lower experience level. The rule at work here is very simple, go where you can handle things. If, at the beginning of a location, it is too difficult, ahead it is going to be even more difficult. At the same time, do not fear to noose through various corners - sometimes it may pay off to take the risk, or even to die, while exploring some recess. Remember that you do not lose the items that you have collected (unlike souls).
Spend your souls with consideration - not always developing your character is the most important thing. It is the best prepared ones that manage to survive. Always have a supply of arrows, gems, healing potions and the other valuable items on you.
The most important rule: do not lose your heart. The beginnings are difficult, but you are guaranteed to feel satisfaction after you beat the game. And keep telling yourself that you are going to make it.
Things Betwixt - walkthrough
At the very beginning, go upstairs and collect the Human Effigy. Then, walk through the door, into another location, where you will find a soul and a torch, behind the cart. You can also start your first campfire here. Keep going ahead and, once you go past the tunnel, walk through the mist on the left. As you go deeper into the cave, you will encounter two opponents. They are relatively weak, block the first strike and attack yourself. Of course, try to lure them to you one-by-one. Several steps ahead, you should be especially careful, because there is another enemy around the corner.
Once you exit the cave and reach the rocky ledge, go left. You will notice an enemy ahead, with its back turned at you. This is an ideal moment to strike by surprise. Approach him, very carefully, and perform an attack. At this moment, you will see a short cutscene, where your character lands several lethal blows. Go a bit ahead and collect the item at the end of the ledge. Then, go deeper into the cave, where you will encounter further enemies. One of them is an archer. First of all, deal with the first bandit and try to be n constant movement, to avoid taking damage from arrows. An ideal way to deal with the archer is to run up to him, while strafing to the sides, every now and then. Once you are close to the enemy, he will try to produce his sword so, seize the opportunity and attack. As you follow the caves, you will encounter more enemies, who you need to deal with. After the fight, you can collect the item in the corner on the left side of the grotto.
Once you are on another rocky ledge, the first thing that you should do is kick the ladder. This way, you will unlock a shortcut that you will be able to use later into the game. Also, note the nest on the left of the entrance. If you already have the Small Smooth & Silky Stone, you can leave it in this nest. At the moment, at which you take rest at the campfire and return here, you will be able to collect Amber Herb. On the right, there is another ledge that you can jump down onto and collect the item. Then, jump down and walk through the mist. This way, you will reach another cave, where you will encounter two enemies that you have already fought. After you defeat them, leave through the other exit and climb up the ladder on the right wall. At the other side of the wall, there are two enemies, below. You can defeat the first one of them, practically, with one blow, jump off the ledge and, when you are still in mid-air, attack, which will prove lethal to the opponent below. Defeat the other opponent and, before you leave, open the door on the right. Inside, you will find a Cracked Red Eye Orb. Then, walk through another mist.
Keep going ahead and, after you reach a stone bridge, jump off it and walk through another mist. At this point, be especially careful, because the cave is quite dark and there is a chasm in front of you. Avoid the arrows of the archer at the other side, approach the tree and tip it over to create a bridge for yourself. Run over the fallen tree and defeat the enemy. In front of you, there is a hole in the ground, which you can jump into. While still in mid-air, perform an attack to kill the enemy below. Immediately, run up to the ladder and climb, because there is another archer here. After you defeat the enemy, walk through the mist.
Once you leave, a bandit will approach from the left side. After you kill him, do not attack the big beasts at the lake; right now they are too strong for you to handle them and fighting them may be fraught with consequences. In case you still want to challenge them, you can use the fact that the monsters are too big to fit into the cavern that you came from against them - you can lure them there and try to eliminate them with a hit & run tactics (get in - attack - jump back). Follow the road that the previous opponent approached from. At the end of the ledge, there is another tree that you need to kick to create a footbridge for yourself, over the chasm. Then, turn left and keep running ahead.
Enter the narrow passage and keep going ahead. This way, you will reach the central location, named Majula.