Whether you’re a seasoned Tarnished looking for fresh builds in Shadow of the Erdtree, a newcomer trying to master Guard Counters, or just curious about upcoming Soulslikes, we’ve got something for everyone.
So grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and let’s revisit October’s gaming journey together. Think of this as your quick-reference guide to all the tips, tricks, and tales we’ve shared this month.
Elden Ring 2: Will We Return to the Lands Between?
The burning question on everyone’s minds since conquering the Lands Between is whether we’ll get to do it all over again in Elden Ring 2. Our crack team of lore hunters has scoured the internet for clues, and here’s the lowdown:
The Good News: Elden Ring’s mind-blowing success (25 million copies sold!) and the recent triumph of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC have fans clamoring for more. The rich, expansive world practically begs for further exploration.
The Not-So-Good News: Miyazaki, our cryptic mastermind, says there are no current plans for a sequel. Plus, FromSoftware has a habit of creating new IPs between sequels – they’re like the restless adventurers of game development.
The Verdict: It’s a solid “maybe, but don’t hold your breath.” While a sequel seems inevitable given the game’s success, FromSoftware isn’t rushing to the drawing board just yet.
Surviving and Thriving in The First Berserker: Khazan
Let’s dive into The First Berserker: Khazan, where we’ve died more times than we can count and somehow keep coming back for more! As fellow survivors of this frostbitten nightmare, we’ve learned that managing stamina isn’t just important – it’s the difference between looking like a legendary berserker and face-planting into the snow for the hundredth time.
Want to dish out pain? We’ve got options! There’s the spear for those of us who like to poke from a safe distance (guilty as charged), the greatsword for when we’re feeling particularly hulk-smash-y, and dual-wielding for the absolute madlads who think “too fast” isn’t in their vocabulary.
Speaking of pain, let’s talk about our good friend Yetuga – a charming yeti who’s made it his personal mission to teach us humility through repeated snow-eating lessons. We’ve all been there: dodging like we’re in a dance competition, only to find out we’re actually in a “how quickly can you deplete your stamina and die” speedrun.
But hey, whether we’re fumbling through the skill trees, desperately trying to recover our dropped Lacrima (it’s fine, we didn’t need those levels anyway), or turning our berserker into a one-person army, one thing’s clear: Khazan may be brutal, unforgiving, and colder than our ex’s heart, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Best New Shadow of the Erdtree Fun Builds – Part II
Let’s dive into Part II of our Shadow of the Erdtree build bonanza, where we’re cooking up some deliciously deadly character builds that’ll have you cackling like a mad Tarnished!
First up, we’ve got the Bloody Slasher – because why stop at making enemies bleed when you can make them hemorrhage their entire existence? We’re dual-wielding Backhand Blades with Swift Slash (because running at people with glorified letter openers never gets old), and keeping a Bloodfiend’s Arm handy for when we need to make a bigger splash. Throw in some Dragon Communion spells, and you’ve got yourself a build that would make Mohg weep tears of joy!
Then there’s our Thunderscale Templar, aka “Zeus on a Budget.” This build turns the Flowerstone Gavel into your personal lightning rod, combining it with enough lightning incantations to make Thor jealous. We’ve carefully balanced our stats and equipment to ensure maximum zappiness while still being able to take a hit or two (because sometimes those lightning bolts have a way of attracting attention).
Whether you’re turning the battlefield into a blood fountain or cosplaying as a walking thunderstorm, these builds prove that in Shadow of the Erdtree, there’s more than one way to send your enemies to their maker – and they’re all absolutely glorious!
Elden Ring’s Guard Counter: Your Key to Victory
Let’s talk about the unsung hero of Elden Ring’s combat system – the Guard Counter! You know, that beautiful moment when you turn an enemy’s attack into their worst nightmare with a perfectly timed “No U” response.
We’re here to tell you why this mechanic is basically your new best friend, especially if you’re fresh meat in the Lands Between. Think of it as your training wheels for becoming a certified badass – it’s easier to pull off than a parry, more stylish than panic rolling.
The beauty of Guard Counters? They’re like a beginner-friendly cheat code: block an attack, smack that R2 button, and watch your enemies question their career choices. Sure, you’ll need to mind your stamina (because nothing says “oops” quite like an empty green bar), and yeah, sometimes you’ll whiff the timing and end up eating dirt. But when you nail it? chef’s kiss It’s like serving a five-star revenge dish with extra stance break on the side!
Whether you’re a fresh-faced Tarnished or a seasoned warrior looking to add more tools to your “ways to not die” arsenal, Guard Counters are your ticket to looking cool while staying alive. Just remember – like everything else in Elden Ring, you’ll probably die a few (hundred) times practicing, but hey, at least you’ll die with style!
AI Limit Demo: A Stylish Soulslike Steps into the Spotlight
Let’s talk about AI Limit‘s demo, which just dropped like a stylish cyberpunk bomb in our gaming lives. Because apparently, we haven’t died enough times in Khazan, right?
Picture this: a soulslike that looks like it raided anime’s coolest wardrobe, complete with a protagonist who’s giving strong “robot with a fashion degree” vibes. We’ve got our usual suspects – the punishing combat we all love to hate, checkpoints that feel like old friends, and bosses that definitely need therapy. But wait, there’s a twist! Enter the Sync Rate meter, which is basically a “how awesome are you being right now?” gauge that affects your damage output.
Our leading lady, Alisa, might be giving us the silent treatment (seriously, even robots have more personality these days), but she makes up for it by looking absolutely fabulous while demolishing enemies in those derelict buildings and creepy aqueducts. The demo’s letting us test drive different weapons, play dress-up, and get our butts handed to us by some particularly nasty bosses – you know, the usual soulslike welcome party!
So, whether you’re a glutton for punishment or just appreciate your death screens coming with extra style points, AI Limit’s demo is waiting to either wow you or wound you – probably both! Just remember, those 24 hours in a day aren’t getting any longer, and our gaming backlog isn’t getting any shorter!
Elden Ring Patch 1.16: A Short Summary of the Latest Changes
Heads up, Tarnished! Patch 1.16 just dropped for Elden Ring, and it’s less “game-changing update” and more “spring cleaning.” No buffs or nerfs this time around – your favorite builds can rest easy!
We’re saying goodbye to those stubborn stat boost bugs that wouldn’t take a hint after restarting, and hello to some quality-of-life improvements. PS5 players having framerate issues? Try the “Rebuild Database” option (it’s like a spa day for your console). PC players? Keep an eye on that Ray Tracing setting – it’s being sneakier than a Patches questline!
Remember to update if you want to keep playing online, because nothing says “fun” like getting locked out of invasion opportunities! It might not be the meatiest patch, but hey, sometimes all your Elden Bling needs is a little polish, right?
I played The First Berserker: Khazan – My First Impressions
Let’s dive into my first dance with The First Berserker: Khazan‘s technical Beta, where I’ve been dying more times than I can count – and loving every minute of it!
Picture this: You’re a prisoner in a carriage (classic protagonist situation, right?), when suddenly a mysterious Phantom Blade decides you’d make a great roommate and possesses you. Next thing you know, you’re trudging through snow-covered landscapes that would make any Stark proud, all while trying not to get your behind handed to you by every enemy in sight.
The game’s looking like an anime came to life and decided to punch you in the face – in the best way possible. We’re talking cel-shaded characters in semi-realistic environments that somehow work better than a perfectly timed parry. Speaking of parries, forget everything you learned in Elden Ring, Tarnished! No more rolling around like a hyperactive hamster – we’re doing quick backward jumps and dashes now. And jumping? What’s that? Apparently, our protagonist never learned that particular life skill.
The difficulty? Let’s just say my casual stroll through this winter wonderland feels more like Purge Day. Three healing charges that restore about as much health as a band-aid, and a stamina bar that depletes faster than my will to live after the tenth boss attempt. But hey, at least when you die (and you will die… a lot), you only lose your Lacrima (think runes, but frostier) instead of your sanity.
So here I am, still pressing all the wrong buttons because my muscle memory is stuck in the Lands Between, but you know what? There’s something oddly addictive about this frozen dance of death. Stay tuned for more insights once I figure out how to survive longer than five minutes!
Elden Ring Guard Boost Explained: Your Secret for Survival
Let’s talk about that unsung hero of Elden Ring’s combat system – Guard Boost! You know, that mysterious number on your shield that’s more important than your character’s fashion choices (okay, maybe not that important, but close).
Think of Guard Boost as your shield’s efficiency rating – like a miles-per-gallon stat for blocking attacks. The higher the number, the less stamina you lose when playing defense. With a Guard Boost of 0, you’re basically holding up a paper plate; at 50, you’re working with a decent wall; and at 100? Well, you’ve basically got an impenetrable fortress that would make even Malenia think twice!
We’ve got options, people! Great Shields are like mobile walls but might have you fat-rolling like a cheese wheel. Medium Shields offer that sweet spot between protection and mobility, while Small Shields are perfect for those “parry or die trying” moments. And don’t forget about upgrading – those Smithing Stones aren’t just fancy paperweights!
But wait, there’s more! Throw in some Scholar’s Shield sorcery and the right talismans, and suddenly your average shield is performing like it got a motivational speech from Let Me Solo Her. Even weapons can get in on the blocking action, though maybe don’t try stopping Radahn’s meteors with your dagger.
Remember, Tarnished – in a world where everything wants to kill you, sometimes the best offense is not getting hit in the face. So check those Guard Boost stats, upgrade those shields, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see fewer “YOU DIED” screens!
Best New Shadow of the Erdtree Fun Builds – Part I
Let’s dive into Part I of our Shadow of the Erdtree build bonanza, where we’re cooking up some spicy new ways to paint the Lands Between with enemy tears!
First up, we’ve got the Thrusting Shield Build – because who said you can’t stab people while hiding behind a wall? The Carian Thrusting Shield is your new best friend, offering 94% physical damage negation while still letting you poke enemies like an annoying younger sibling. Pair it with some fancy armor (fashion souls is still meta, folks), and you’re basically a walking tank with attitude!
Then there’s our Deflecting Hardtear Build, aka the “Sacred Black Steel Sentinel” – for when you want to be both an immovable object AND an unstoppable force. Picture this: you’re wielding a Black Steel Greathammer infused with holy power, deflecting attacks like they’re paper airplanes, then countering with enough force to make even Malenia think twice. It’s like being a holy bouncer at the coolest club in the Lands Between!
Both builds are perfect for NG+ or late-game DLC shenanigans, because let’s face it – if you’re going to get repeatedly smacked around by new bosses, you might as well look awesome doing it!
Prepare for Khazan: The First Berserker is Coming!
Let’s talk about The First Berserker: Khazan, the upcoming title that’s making waves in the Soulslike community!
Picture this: You’re a fallen general who’s somehow cheated death (classic protagonist move), now armed with a mysterious Blade Phantom and a burning desire for revenge. Sound familiar? Well, hold onto your estus flasks, because Khazan is doing things a bit differently!
While it’s got those Soulslike elements we all know and love (hello, maze-like environments and parry systems!), it’s not just another Dark Souls clone. For starters, it’s actually telling us its story upfront – no more piecing together lore from item descriptions while crying in a corner! Plus, it’s rocking this gorgeous cel-shaded anime art style that’ll make you feel like you’re playing through a dark manga come to life.
The combat? Oh boy, it’s looking spicy! Whether you want to swing around a greatsword like a medieval bodybuilder or poke things with a spear from a safe distance (no judgment here), Khazan’s got you covered. And with deep character progression, you can build your berserker exactly how you want – assuming you survive long enough to do so!
Sure, it’s not dropping until 2025, so we’ve got some waiting to do. But if Khazan delivers on its promises, we might just have a new contender in the “games that make you throw your controller” category. And honestly? We’re here for it!
Elden Ring Patch 1.15: A Summary of the Latest Changes
Looks like the Lands Between got another tune-up! Patch 1.15 might not be breaking the game wide open, but it’s bringing some neat fixes that’ll make your Tarnished life a bit smoother. The Golem Fist finally remembers how to punch properly (no more phantom fist-bumps!), and Aspects of the Crucible: Thorns is now faster than Malenia’s blade when spammed.
Got a thing for throwing weapons? The Smithing Talisman is now properly buffing everything you can yeet at your enemies. They’ve also fixed some wonky skill combinations that were never meant to exist (sorry, cheese lovers!), cleaned up some cutscene loops in the Shadow Keep Church District, and gave Rellana, Twin Moon Knight a bit of an AI makeover.
It’s not the biggest patch we’ve seen, but hey – smoother performance, better weapon reliability, and fewer bugs make for a happier Tarnished! Just remember to update both your app and regulation versions before you go testing those buffed-up Golem Fists on the nearest boss!
And there you have it, folks – October 2024 wrapped up neater than a perfectly timed parry! From our early excitement about Khazan to our hands-on experience with its technical beta, from crafting devastating builds in Shadow of the Erdtree to mastering the art of Guard Counters, it’s been quite a month for gaming discoveries.
Whether you’re still perfecting those Guard Counters in Elden Ring, experimenting with our new builds, or counting down the days until Khazan’s release, remember that every death is just another learning opportunity (at least that’s what we keep telling ourselves).
Stay tuned for more gaming adventures, build guides, and first impressions coming your way in November. Until then, may your rolls be precise, your builds be mighty, and your rage quits be few!
What was your favorite post this month? Drop a comment below, if you like and let us know what kind of content you’d like to see more of in the future!
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