This is the best build setting to use in Fortnite

Unfortunately, anyone who has tried playing Fortnite on a console (or watched Ninja) has realized a sad truth: the game can be easier to play on a computer because of faster, more reliable building rates. But don’t worry, there is hope! With the help of a certain build setting you can be as fast or faster than the consoles.

It’s called Builder Pro.

Now, of course, we have to admit: everyone’s play style is different and what works for one person may not be perfect for the next. Therefore, even if one build mode is great for most people, it may not be right for you.

But you should choose Builder Pro.

So, to be fair to the other styles, we’ll give them a good description and run through their pros and cons. Feel free to read through each and see which appeals to you most.

Or just skip down to Builder Pro and see why it’s the best.

A Few Terms

Since console controllers aren’t always the same, here are the terms you may like to keep in mind.

  1. Right and left triggers.
  2. Right and left bumpers: the buttons above the triggers.
  3. Right and left thumbsticks.
  4. T-Pad: generally by the left thumbstick. They are below for the Switch and Xbox controllers, above on the Playstation.
  5. Right buttons: the four buttons by the right thumbstick. They are above for almost all controllers.
  6. Left and right menu buttons: special buttons, generally in the upper middle of the controller, often used to open menus and maps.

Here are some controllers for your reference:

Old School

The Old School build setting allows you to change which building piece (wall, floor, roof, or stair) you are using with the upper right button and confirm the build with the right trigger.

Seems easy? The only issue is, your piece setting remains in the same place when you switch between building and combat. Also, you can only cycle through piece types in one direction. Best of luck building quickly in the heat of combat!

This setting is great for anyone who likes a challenge.

Quick Builder

A better idea than Old School, Quick Builder allows you to file between build pieces with the right and left bumpers and then confirm with the right trigger. However, like the Combat Pro below, this means that whenever you return to building mode you’ll still be on the last piece type and need to mentally remember how to get to another piece.

You may argue that this build setting gets easier over time, and that may be true. However, it’s still often slower and more unreliable than others.

Combat Pro

Highly similar to the Quick Builder, build pieces are cycled through with the right and left bumpers. However, the Combat Pro setting adds a few other benefits like quick-switching between building and combat, or selecting build material with the left trigger (in case you desperately need a metal wall to defend yourself from trigger-happy enemies).

Builder Pro

Builder Pro reigns supreme. This setting mimics the way computer players work: while building, the triggers and bumpers are connected individually to a piece type – wall, floor, roof, or stair. Building becomes as simple as tapping the proper button once to select your piece, and clicking again to confirm.

What does this mean, really? Once you memorize the keys, which are organized for ease of use, you’ll rarely build the wrong thing, even under fire. Also, having a quick mode-change button means you can jump from shooting to building to harvesting in a jiffy. With a bit of practice, your combat ability will improve by leaps and bounds.

One More Thing

Remember, although building helps, other strategies can further increase your chances of winning Fortnite!

 

This is everything we know about Fallout 76

Dust off your favorite set of power armor; in four short months, you’ll be on an adventure through the rolling, mutant-infested hills of post-nuclear West Virginia as Fallout 76 comes to PC, PS4 and XBOX on November 14, 2018.

Fallout 76 is easily one of the most-hyped entries in Bethesda’s popular series, and also one of the least-understood — both thanks in part to the notable transition from the familiar sprawling single-player RPG to an even larger and dynamic, online world.

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What we know so far:

Since the game’s announcement in late Spring of this year, questions have been flying about what Fallout 76 will be like, and what kinds of changes can be expected from previous games in the series.

Timeline and Premise: From the start, Bethesda has been clear that the game will be a prequel of sorts, taking place in 2102, a short 25 years after the Earth was devastated by nuclear war, and many decades prior to the preceding titles. The residents of Vault 76 (a nigh-sacred place referenced in previous Fallout entries) will leave safety on a mission to rebuild and recolonize the world.

Given that there are four games of post-nuclear hardship that take place after Fallout 76, the jury’s still out on their success with that.

Setting: As stated above, the game world exists in a space approximately four times the geographic size of Fallout 4 and, at least at launch, will be set exclusively among the country roads of John Denver’s West Virginia (the inclusion of this track in the introduction trailer was virtually obligatory).

Single-player or Multiplayer: Both, kind of. Bethesda has clearly (and ambitiously) designed a multi-player romp, while also declaring that single-player adventures are still viable, given that the player maintains an online connection. The proposed small population servers — with an option for private servers — seems reminiscent of the fairly successful GTA Online set-up; albeit, with a bit more environmental impact on the part of the players. Regardless of whether you want to establish a crew to plow through the wasteland or forage alone, the developers have exhibited a real awareness of the potential for griefing and trolling, with several proposed measures to minimize unwelcome interference.

‘Softcore’ Survival: Much about what makes the Fallout series attractive is the setting’s innate danger to human livelihood (see: generous interpretations of radiation poisoning), and yet the games have never truly existed in the survival genre. In Fallout 76, although players will no longer just have to worry about wandering through radioactive muck, but basic food and water needs also. Death itself isn’t so bad, either.

Gameplay: One of the big issues in transferring a single-player game to a multiplayer one is the necessary absence of a pause or turn-speed function. In previous entries, for example, the V.A.T.S. system was a critical aspect of gameplay, allowing players the time to deliberately and tactically target enemy body parts in order to maximize effectiveness. This feature, as well as other time-manipulation-dependent mechanics, will persist in Fallout 76, with the intent of players managing those strategic decision in real-time. The degree to which this will be successful, however, is not clear. Hopefully, any issues in translating these elements will be sorted out in the beta.

Roleplaying: While the series has never truly been at home in the RPG genre, classic elements of character creation and customization have always been a heavy presence. With Fallout 76, Bethesda seems intent on keeping these aspects important, yet fluid, allowing for deliberate-but-changeable traits — meaning players can mold their strengths to their preference as well as the needs of a given group set-up, similar in spirit to the specialization swap of MMOs like World of Warcraft.

Base-building: A favored feature of Fallout 4, base-building makes a limited comeback in the new title, with permanent settlements traded in for more mobile, shareable outposts. While some may mourn the loss of the well-planned settlement, moveable pack-and-go shelters seem a necessary adaptation to the unpredictable nature of online play.

Questing: Bethesda is shooting for dynamic missions and story-telling, with most quests handed out by discovered footage, terminals — even notes. Curiously, there will be no NPCS — it seems every other human you encounter in Fallout 76 will be another player. How this will jive with the RPG-heavy gameplay remains to be seen.

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Recent Developments:

Travel: If you’re excited at the prospect of roaming around West Virginia in a chugging buggy or a trusted steed, Fallout 76 may not scratch that itch. In a recent talk with Bethesda’s Todd Howard, it was made clear that mounted and vehicle travel won’t be a part of the game, though fast-travel options are still planned.

Newbie-cide and Griefing: Low-level players need not worry about being killed by experienced players fresh out of their exit from Vault 76; low-level players will be immune from PVP damage.

Nukes: Nuclear war is a big part of the Fallout lore, and the inclusion of player-generated nuclear strikes in the game itself has led to a lot of understandable debate. According to Bethesda’s Pete Hines, nukes will be tough to launch, come with a fair warning time, and are designed not to target players. Instead, nuclear explosions will change the landscape in favor of further exploration and greater potential for high-quality loot.

Mods: A beloved aspect of Bethesda’s games have been the ability for players to create their own modified game experience. With a persistent online world, the concept of game-breaking mods seems out of the question; however, Todd Howard recently assured us that mods will have a role in private servers.

DLC is DL-Free: Bethesda has expressed a commitment to substantive downloadable content— both large and small— that is free to players who have the base game. Earlier reports remain unchanged; purchases requiring actual dollars will be reserved to purely cosmetic upgrades. In the era of micro-transactions, this news is basically as good as it gets.

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What’s To Come: With only a matter of months to go, the biggest questions unresolved deal with basic questions of how it actually feels to play a multiplayer Fallout game, and how the story of the game can and will be influenced by a prequel edition. 

As to the latter question, considerations as to whether or not the game will be the final entry in the franchise are simply too soon to ask— when Elder Scrolls Online came out, it wasn’t clear if we would get an Elder Scrolls VI, but that is now, thankfully, the case.

As to the former; it remains to be seen if the soul of the series is transferable to a cooperative or competitive style of play, but much of what we’ve seen lends itself to optimism. Learning from the mistakes and successes of other studios, Bethesda has demonstrated a conscious appreciation for what makes the franchise great, as well as the potential for players to share in one another’s experiences and story.

And we will be there with them, from start to finish.

 

Why Battle Royale fans need to play this hilarious game

Looking for a little bit of extra flavor to your Fortnite game nights? Like many other battle royale games, Cuisine Royale is a shooter where the goal is to be the last man standing. In order to get there, however, you’ll need to pay a visit to the kitchen.

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Covered from head to toe in pots and pans, you’ll have the whole kitchen as your ally. You can even gain some cooking-related weapons, like ladles and frying pans. Additionally, the game features some non-cooking items to improve your stats, such as a medical dropper for health regen, and cigars to make you tougher. 

Your character starts the game in brightly colored boxers, with only a knife to his name. Loot boxes are scattered throughout the field, and often have food to heal you, or kitchenware to protect yourself with. Once you’ve found a few, you’ll be able to take on the other players.

Cuisine Royale takes the humor of Totally Accurate Battlegrounds and perfectly blends it with the aesthetics and gameplay of PUBG. The game was originally made as an April Fool’s mode for the MMO shooter Enlisted. The mode was so popular that they started developing it as a stand-alone game. 

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Despite being a parody game in early access, the graphics are on par with some already well-established battle royale games. Since it started as a mode for Enlisted, there is clearly some resemblance between the games. The graphics and scenery are the best example of this. These aspects are sure to get even better as the game gets closer to a full release. 

You can find Cuisine Royale free here until it’s out of early access. If you get it now though, you’ll get to keep it even after it’s no longer free. It’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of the kitchen.

 

3 ways to get better at Overwatch

Once you get the hang of it, Overwatch is a tremendous amount of fun. Here are three easy tips to help you improve your game and start racking up wins.

Overwatch is arguably the biggest thing to happen to first person multiplayer gaming in years. With distinctive characters and unique gameplay, it’s not hard to see why it’s taken the gaming world by storm. If you’re unfamiliar with class-based multiplayer or objective-based gameplay, Overwatch can be a tough game to jump into. Once you get the hang of it, though, Overwatch is a tremendous amount of fun. Here are three easy tips to help you improve your game and start racking up wins.

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1. Play To Your Strengths

Overwatch has 28 playable characters, all with their own unique play styles and characteristics. Finding the characters that are right for you will take some trial and error. Before you even think about jumping into your first match, head to the practice range and take a few characters for a spin. This map is populated with AI controlled bots and allows you to switch characters at any point, making it easy to figure out which playstyles suit you best. Used to first-person shooters like Call of Duty? Take Soldier 76 for a spin. Fan of fighting games? Try Doomfist. It may take a bit, but such a huge cast of characters means there’s someone for everyone.

2. Play What The Team Needs

Once you’ve found a character that suits your style, it may be tempting to stick with that one character. This is a common mistake. Winning matches in Overwatch depends on a solid team composition, meaning a good balance of Damage, Support, and Tank classes. Having too many players in any one class is an easy way to lose, and if you main a single character, you won’t have the versatility that’s necessary for team play. Though specializing in one of these classes is a great way to get into the game, learning at least one character in each class is what separates good players from great players. Whether it be slicing and dicing as Genji, lobbing grenades with Junkrat, holding down the point as Orisa, or rallying your team as Brigitte, you’ll always be prepared to fill whatever role your team needs to win.

3. Play The Objective

Above all else, Overwatch is an objective-based game. Though it may be tempting to simply rack up the kills, unless you’re playing a Deathmatch game type, you won’t actually be helping your team win. Pay attention to your objective, whether that be capturing a point or escorting a payload. Your first priority should be the objective, and although getting kills might help with that, it shouldn’t be at the forefront of how you play. You’re not in this alone; work with your team. If you work well as a unit and keep playing the objective, you’ll find yourself playing better overall and achieving far more wins than lone-wolf players.

Now that you have these tips under your belt, you should be well on your way to becoming an Overwatch MVP. To quote the chipper British-accented words of Tracer, “The world could always use more heroes!”

 

How Overwatch raised a jaw-dropping amount of money for breast cancer research

Over the past couple of weeks, Blizzard’s Pink Mercy campaign has raised over $12.7 million for breast cancer research. Donations were sent to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in what was the largest corporate donation in the BCRF’s 25-year history. These millions will fund the BCRF’s research into treatment, prevention methods, and the search for a cure for breast cancer.

Blizzard ran the campaign through its hit class shooter Overwatch. For $15, players could purchase an exclusive new pink skin for the hero Mercy, the sales of which went directly to the BRCF. In Overwatch, Mercy is far and away most popular healer in the game, making her thematically fitting for a breast cancer awareness skin.

The runaway success of this campaign is a testament to the generosity of the Overwatch fanbase. For more information on the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, you can check out their website here.

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Watch: Fortnite rap battle features some of the game’s biggest stars

What happens when some of Fortnite’s biggest stars get together for a rap battle? You have to see this to believe it.

Fortnite: Battle Royale is a freight train. More than 125 million people play it around the world. And when something gets that popular, it’s inevitable that musical tributes will follow.

This rap battle features some of the game’s biggest stars, including Ninja, CDNThe3rd, Dakotaz, and H2O Delirious. Can these all-stars spit rhymes as well as they drop bodies? Take a listen and vote for your favorite performance below!

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What can we expect from Respawn’s upcoming Star Wars game?

In case you missed it, at E3 EA revealed the title of their upcoming Star Wars game as “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.” The game is being developed by Respawn Entertainment, a team made of up of former Infinity Ward developers who worked on the “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” and “Titanfall” series. Details on the game are scarce; there are no trailers or screenshots to be seen and the platforms the game will be playable on have not been announced. Just about the only thing we do know is that the game will be a large-scale single-player adventure where the player controls a rogue Jedi Padawan in hiding after the events of “Revenge of the Sith.”

Since 2013, Disney signed a deal with EA that would grant the publisher the exclusive right to develop and publish Star Wars games. The results of this deal have been shoddy for fans so far, with “Star Wars Battlefront” and the infamously microtransaction-ridden “Star Wars Battlefront 2” receiving middling reviews. Rebellions are built on hope, however, and many fans have placed their hopes in Respawn’s upcoming Star Wars single player epic. Here are a few ways it can give fans the single player adventure they’ve been craving for years:

Show unexplored corners of the galaxy

The Star Wars franchise has shown us countless alien worlds with their own distinct landscapes, creatures, and cultures. From the sandy bazaars of Tatooine to the hellish fires of Mustafar, we’ve seen countless unique planets and alien societies. Instead of returning players to Hoth for the countless time, the game should feature all-new locations to explore. The expanded universe comic books and novels alone feature plenty of locations ripe for the big screen, and Respawn should be unafraid to tread new ground.

Have an in-depth lightsaber combat system

“Star Wars Jedi Academy II: Jedi Outcast” is considered one of the best Star Wars games ever made for its lightsaber combat. The game features many lightsaber styles and techniques, and these different techniques can be combined into combos. These techniques, combined with an assortment of light and dark Force powers, turn each lightsaber duel into a flashy but nuanced fight. Similar to a fighting game, players must anticipate and react to their opponents quickly, as one missed strike could spell death. The fast-paced combat is a near 1:1 match with the choreographed duels seen in the prequel trilogy. “Jedi Outcast” came out 16 years ago, and Star Wars fans are long overdue for another in-depth dueling system. Footage of Jedi Outcast lightsaber duels in action can be viewed here:

Focus on new characters and stories

Despite taking place in a galaxy with limitless possibilities, Star Wars famously recycles themes and character arcs to tie major stories together. Speaking on this method of storytelling, George Lucas has said,

“It’s like poetry. It rhymes. Every stanza rhymes with the last one.”

While the franchise has been home to many iconic and memorable stories, its time for the storytelling to break away from the rhymes and get more experimental. Whether you love it or hate it, last year’s “Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi” told a story that deconstructed all of the storytelling “poetry” told by the original and prequel trilogies. “Fallen Order” should continue this trend by telling its own unique story, free from the rhyme schemes of the rest of the franchise. Additionally, the Star Wars universe allows for an infinite number of character possibilities, so Respawn should focus on creating new characters rather than falling back on old favorites to drive the story. Fan-favorite characters should make brief appearances or cameos only, giving the narrative freedom from establish continuity and allowing Respawn untapped access to the rich Star Wars universe. May the Force be with them.

 

The power of peace: Somebody built a Mario Kart track inside Fortnite!

A guy on Reddit built an epic Mario Kart track inside Fortnite, with his pals, in less than an hour and then raced around it in shopping trolleys.

Fortnite’s new Playground LTM (Limited Time Mode) hasn’t been around for long. First released a few days ago, it offers up to four players a low-pressure environment that isn’t filled with people trying to kill them. Friendly fire options are active, but players will automatically respawn unless the storm kills them so players have the freedom to pretty much do as they wish.

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Playground matches last an hour, but the storm doesn’t start closing in until after 55 minutes have passed. This gives players quite a bit of time to goof around but still turns the heat up if they want to build anything complicated.

We made Mario Kart in Fortnite from FortNiteBR

Now ordinary people might see this as a chance to explore the map, or maybe build a fort or something silly. Not Reddit user JoshB_C and his friends though. Mere hours after Fortnite had a stable version of Playground LTM online, they posted a video on Reddit showcasing their very own Mario Kart track inside Fortnite. Yep, they built an epic Mario Kart track inside Fortnite, in less than an hour, and then raced around it in shopping trolleys.

This is just the beginning people. Playground LTM hasn’t been around for long at all, and already we’re seeing impressive results. We’re in for a treat over the next few weeks as we get to see what crazy things people can do with an hour in Fortnite when nobody is shooting at them.

The time has come to make love, not war!

 

Watch: Heroes raise millions of dollars for charity playing video games

Gamers have raised millions of dollars for charity by playing their favorite video games. Watch all of the epic action and find out exactly how they did it.

“Do your homework,” they said. “Get a job.” “What are you going to do with your life?” “How are you going to make a difference?” Non-gamers always assume that playing video games is a waste of time and that people who play games too much are a waste of space.

We’ve got news for people who think that way. Thanks to the participants in the recent Summer Games Done Quick event, all gamers can come together and say shut it. In your face. Summer Games Done Quick has just raised over $2 million for Doctors Without Borders.

Speedrunning is the name of the game at Games Done Quick events. This means that by learning how to complete some of the most popular games in the world as quickly as is humanly possible, these gamers have been able to raise a lot of money for a fantastic cause. We’re proud of our gaming brethren and salute their efforts. It is events like this that make gaming a little easier for the rest of us. We’ve included videos of some of the best speed runs below, but we thought we’d a little about Doctors Without Borders. Games Done Quick is still taking donations so if you’re in a giving mood, click here to donate.

Altogether, Games Done Quick has raised over $16 million for good causes

Doctors Without Borders provides medical aid where it is needed most. This aid is offered independent from political influence, is neutral and impartial. This independence is dependent on private donations, which Games Done Quick have now helped to secure. According to the Doctors Without Borders Wikipedia page:

“In 2015, over 30,000 personnel—mostly local doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, logistical experts, water and sanitation engineers and administrators—provided medical aid in over 70 countries.[ The vast majority of staff are volunteers. Private donors provide about 90% of the organization’s funding, while corporate donations provide the rest.”

OK, so thanks for reading about the charity. Remember you can still donate here, but as promised here are some of the best speed runs from the amazing gaming event that took place between June 24 and July 1:

Cuphead

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Golden Axe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

 

How to survive your first playthrough of Dark Souls: Remastered

Dark Souls honors the age-old tradition of difficult video games. The newest release, Dark Souls: Remastered, holds true to itself with familiar enemies and environments. Don’t let the improved frame rates, graphic textures, and summoning abilities fool you – this game still enjoys thrashing unsuspecting players into oblivion.

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If you’re new to the game, welcome!

Whether an old fan coming back for a second taste or a first timer looking to prepare themselves for the challenge, we’ve got a few lessons from Soulsborne veterans that will help smooth your experience.

Prepare to Die

This isn’t just a catchphrase, it’s a tenet inseparable from the game’s core.

On the surface level, Dark Souls’ design is meant to kill in a number of different ways; sneaky corners conceal hidden enemies, boss attacks are often timed to catch those who dodge too soon or too late, and deadly cliffs are generously spread throughout your precarious path. However, in a strange way, these pitfalls are also fair: masterful players have historically completed no-hit, no-death runs, which means that skill and knowledge can overcome any trial within the game.

On a spiritual level, Dark Souls is meant to give you a REAL sense of pride and accomplishment. Dying once, twice, or even 50 times isn’t a sign of failure to a Soulsborne player, it’s a spice that makes victory 100 times more satisfying. Our first attempt to defeat the bosses Ornstein and Smough on a solo playthrough ended after 20 deaths, but was probably the greatest single gaming moment of all time.

Basically, if you’re prepared to die and get back to the fight, you’ll eventually overcome any difficulties. Even Blighttown, we promise.

Speaking of which…

A Quick Note on Blighttown

We suggest running. There aren’t many good items here, and it’s not great for farming souls. Sprint down to the poison swamp, hug the right wall until you find the drain bonfire, and use that as your Forward Operating Base (FOB) to fight Chaos Witch Quelaag.

If you really want to fight your way through, we commend you. Battling through Blighttown’s hellish quagmire automatically awards you with Dark Souls Veteran status.

Choose your Playstyle

Dark Souls doesn’t provide enough levels to become excellent at every classification: you need to choose what to be, then invest in that. Here are a few general categories, along with their pros and cons.

  1. The Two-handed Boss. This is our favorite. Rather than using a shield, the two-handed boss should wield a damage-heavy weapon like the Zweihander (which is available early on) and keep weight down in every other way.
    Pros: You deal massive damage, roll quickly, and feel awesome.
    Cons: Player vs. player (PvP) is hard because Ultra Greatswords can be parried (knocked away by a shield, during an attack, to create an opening for deadly counterattacks). Also, you’ll take slightly more damage, but armor in Dark Souls doesn’t do much anyway.
  2. The Tank and the Knight, two sides of the same coin. Both use a shield in one hand and a weapon in the other, but tanks wear more armor and heavier shields to increase poise at the cost of speed.
    Pros: Shields are a great way to keep safe while learning the mechanics of the game.
    Cons: One-handing weapons reduces damage considerably!
  3. The Sorcerer. Grab a catalyst and fire soul weapons! This has been called the game’s “Easy Mode” because sorcerers can stand far away from enemies.
    Pros: Safety and cool-looking spells.
    Cons: A much slower playthrough, weakness to quick enemies, difficult PvP, and low damage against enemies with magical defense. Don’t be scared, sorcerers are really great.
  4. The Pyromancer. Like the sorcerer, pyromancers cast magic from a distance. However, the pyromancer’s tool – a pyromancy flame – can be used by almost anyone and weighs nothing. Many users fall in love with this build because the game makes starting out with a few fireballs quite easy, and leads to greater attacks.
    Pros: Damage, fun, and FIRE.
    Cons: Numerous levels must be allocated that could be used for endurance, health, and other aspects.
  5. The Thief. Here, everything about speed matters! Keep weight low, carry a fast-moving weapon, and hold the buckler shield. Dodging easily is a pro, but the biggest benefit comes from the ability to avoid parries, parry others, and punish slower attacks. The con is high damage taken.
  6. The Creative. Many players find interesting combinations with surprising results. Want to use a whip or a claw weapon? Cast dark spells exclusively? Go for it, and let us know how it works for you!
  7. The no-no’s. There are two things you should probably stay away from: Clerics and archers. Throwing lightning as a Cleric may sound awesome, but the slow casting and low damage make the build terrible. Archers also do very little damage with arrows and need to constantly buy arrows, since they do not regenerate at bonfires like miracles or sorceries. We’re not saying you can’t try these builds, we just strongly advise against it.

Remember, whatever you choose, have fun with it! Any type of character can be used well in the right hands and the game rewards those who are clever and persistent.

Keep Notes

What locked doors did you see? Where did you find that one pathway? Since Dark Souls has no mini-map, navigation can become difficult. This becomes even more of an issue as the game progresses and new areas open up, forcing the player to backtrack multiple times. Even after fast traveling becomes available, locations still are difficult to find. A journal might be the key to remembering if you’re avoiding walkthroughs.

Friend Up

Having too much trouble with a boss? That’s what the summoning system was created for! It allows you to bring other Dark Souls players – called “Phantoms” – into your world to help. There are a few things to know:

Summon signs will appear as glowing white runes on the ground. Pressing the interact button over one will allow you to summon the player into your world, after about 20 seconds.

A number of restrictions affect summoning sign visibility:

  1. Internet connection. If you’re not playing online, you can’t connect to other players. Also, consoles may require you to have a special account: Xbox Gold or Playstation Live, for example. Joining the online community is well worth the cost, in our opinion.
  2. Humanity. Only a character that is human can summon phantoms, a hollow cannot. Humans become hollow by dying: the icon at the top left of your screen will become dark, and your character will suddenly look like a zombie. To solve this issue, gain humanity by killing enemies or using the “humanity” item. Then, rest at a bonfire and select “Restore Humanity”. Boom.
  3. Character considerations. Your weapon, the item you’re invading with, and your covenant can affect what players are available. This was designed to ensure early players aren’t being invaded by godlike, high-level masters. The system can complicated, but you can get around summon restrictions by password-matching in the settings menu.
  4. Password. If you’re not seeing summon signs, you may still have a password restriction set. Removing this will allow you to see the summon signs of random players once again.

Finally, remember that you can place your own summon sign by getting the White Sign Soapstone from Solaire of Astora, and NPC found on a balcony just after defeating the Taurus demon in Undead Burg.

Good luck and welcome to Dark Souls!