"Oh fuck OFF, does it have a limp??" God, that takes me right back. 😂😭

Everyone's reaction to the size of the lordvessel is the same. 😂

Even by your standards this episode is ridiculously good. I'd pick my highlights but there are so many that I lost track of all the times I'd laughed by the end! You look in such good spirits and so happy, long may it continue! This playthrough just keeps getting better and better

Remember, that Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo sells Twinkling Titanite. You can warp now, so he's not that hard to get back to. (Its a quick jog from the Princess Chamber bonfire. Not too far from the Darkmoon Tomb either, you just have to rotate the big contraption) While you're there, might want to take another look at that weird doll you found in the Asylum. Read the description EXTRA carefully, see if there's anything you remember seeing that might be related. That big fancy town in the sky hides some pretty significant secrets. Definitely worth revisiting.

Only Amber could drop a *genuine* "ooh, you let me heal, thank you, that was very kind" in the middle of a Dark Souls boss fight. 😂

40:18 might just be one of the best dark souls moments

1:13:04 it's tradition nobody expects the ledge

*Starts as a Pyromancer... ends up as a Havel Tank?!?!* 😅👍🤣

The Artorias and Sif story and quest line is my favorite in all of Dark Souls. The Artorias DLC is absolutely amazing and worth doing!!

Ah Sif... Everybodys favorite boi of Dark Souls. We all weep for his brave soul guarding Artorias grave and protecting the world of repeating his masters mistake.

1:44:46 "F#%K OFF, DOES IT HAVE A LIMP?!" The moment we all knew was coming. Kinda feel bad for lmao, but I couldn't help it. I got lucky and never saw the limp until I watched a playthrough, due to not being willing to mess around with a literal giant dog. Still felt bad of course.

I've become a bit obsessed with this let's play. The last time I watched anything with this level of commitment was Breaking Bad. I am very glad.

Sif’s soundtrack is absolutely beautiful

The chuckles at upsidedown Frampt are precious. 🙃😂

So much of this vid shows why Dark Souls is so beloved.. it's weird, it's cool, it's creepy, it's magical, it's silly, and sad, and you never know what's going to happen next

Just a heads up, when you're ready to go to the DLC, it's basically mandatory that you will have to look up how to access it. It's near impossible to find it without it.

"Yesss now sitck it up his butt." with the animation then your reaction had me in tears. Haven't had a good laugh like that in quite some time. Thanks for that! 🤣

"People told me my halberd play-style was boring." You can tell those people to jump off a cliff. Use whatever weapons you like, how you like - discovering which ones work best for you is a significant part of the fun of the game. Feel free to try out different ones on the low-level mobs milling around firelink and the undead burg to get a feel for them. Just a word of warning: crystal weapons have high attack power, but they are fragile and cannot be repaired, save by upgrading them. You've already upgraded the halberd twice (at the point I am writing this) so you only have 3 more upgrades left. Space them out if you want to keep using it. (edit: seems you found that last one out)

"*tail wags of murder encouragement*" lmaoooo this episode was so fun! this is shaping up to be one of the best series you have done! also, try not to worry too much about what people might say about your build, it's your playthrough after all so whatever you find most enjoyable is what you should do, you 100% have the skills to beat the game with basically anything you choose looking forward to the next ep!

I definitely don't think it was cheating to look up the snuggly drops, especially given the fact your game was bugged

I love when she thinks she's done with the Undead Asylum and says, "I was expecting to find something massive!" About 3 seconds before falling thru the floor in front of the massive Stray Demon.

One tip: If you hold l1, you can't backstab

For a few extra tears, I think Sif might be the only FromSoft boss that gets weaker as the fight progresses.

How is it possible that every episode just gets better and more fun to watch? XD I am not kidding that this is one of the best 1st time playthroughs of Dark Souls I have ever seen! I know you're sceptical of yourself, but please take this compliment to heart, you deserve the praise! :)

Sif is my favorite boss of the entire dark souls series. I'm in love with wolves and I was so amazed my first time seeing Sif. If I ever get myself a husky I'm surely naming him Sif. Sad he is mandatory to defeat otherwise I would leave him alone. Another fantastic episode. I love that you laughed so much in this episode. I'm loving your entire series. You're doing so good!

I did an audible "niiiiice" when she got that last hydra head by timing it perfectly as the head withdrew. Always struggle with that one

I love those little camera edits, they are so funny. And watching you reacting to Sif having a limb both broke my heart and made me laugh so hard at the same time. Such an amazing emotional rollercoaster.

Really appreciating the zooms on the item description. I'm proud of you Amber,the channel is growing fast!

So that doll... and that painting...

1:08:03 "Wait, this is you." Maybe. The armor description says that it's armor worn by one of Havel's warriors. But their equipment was patterned after his. It's left ambiguous, but most people think that ut is not the actual Havel that you fight.

good boi walton helping you deal with the feels Btw, now that you've killed Lautrec you should check out the balcony in the Ornstein and Smough bossroom

The saddest boss fight of all time 😭

It's really difficult to just get one Black Knight Sword because there are only a few Black Knights in the hole game and the drop ratio of the weapon is very low, and you just get two in one run😅

literally started tearing up when you didn't want to kill sif, it's such a sad moment in every playthrough. as always, super entretaining! sending you sweet thoughts

Play what you like - all of the different weapons are there for you to have preference. You're doing great!

The cat ring is essentially pvp. If someone is human and attacks those ghosts that you fought if you have the cat ring on you will be in a pool of people selected to come in to the attackers world to kill them. As for twinkling titanite there is an infinite supply from the Anor Londo blacksmith. The ember are used to ascend +10 weapons to give them the element of the ember (thunder/fire/divine/magic) certain blacksmiths only take certain embers. Boss weapons are made from boss souls and a corresponding +10 weapon type.

So great to see you laugh so much through this play through. These games have a much stronger sense of humour than most people give them credit for, and it’s great to hear you enjoy it on that level too.

10:53 Do you remember finding a spot with 3 alcoves, but only 2 statues? Yeah, they don't talk about Gwyn's firstborn. The environmental storytelling in this game is top notch. Where bodies are placed, ehat loot is found where, curious details of the geometry... There's usually some significance to nearly every aspect in the game.

36:20 in regards to that knight in the Asylum (who helped you at the start of the game) attacking you, it's because they have turned Hollow. All Undead eventually lose their memories and sanity, becoming Hollow. It's worth keeping that in mind for any NPC that attacks you.

I highly recommend looking up Sif's lore once you beat the game!

Wielding a sword like Sif does is not recommended by any dentist 🦷

I was crying in the end)))) Well done. Your walkthrough is like a hot knife through butter.

Just a heads up: any weapon you have "slotted" counts against your equip load. So if you unequip the spear/halberd you might be able to medium roll again (probably not tho, because Havel's set is REALLY heavy).

Wow a 2nd Black Knight Sword drop. RNG has blessed this run. So glad you're enjoying the game! Also, the Giant Blacksmith in Anor Londo sells twinklies if I remember correctly. No farming necessary.

"I have no idea where any of that was" is like the dark souls motto

25:44 "look at his flailing cheek bits!" 😆

Well done! As for the doll you found. Look at the description. Try & recount if you remember coming across something in that description. 😉 Good luck!

What an amazing episode! I am really loving this lp. I think the fact that you are a game designer (coupled with the fact that you've already played BB) helps give you a keen awareness of what the game wants from you, as obscure as it can be. Much more so than most blind runs I've seen. It's made for a really fun and stress-free watch-a-long. Much appreciated 😊

This episode was soooo good!!! Good job today, your seriously outdid yourself as far as skill, humor and overall content and you’re already very good.

I hope you watch Vaatividya Videos for the lore after the completion of the game.Specially the one with Sif and Artorias.

When you said "this might kill me." It was the best kind of foreshadow ive seen in your playthrough thus far.

36:59 He had a name. It was Oscar. And he had an interesting role. But as the game developed, much of his role ended up being cut, some of it given to another character.

"Check out this cute puppy I found" "Amazing". So glad, and sorry for you, that you had to witness his limp when he gets low enough.

The one piece of lore you need to understand is "going Hollow". The cycle of dying and coming back repeatedly drives people mad in the end. That's why the guy from the first scene in the asylum attacked you when you returned. It's called "going Hollow". People can't take it any more, or can't hold onto a purpose, and they just become enemies that attack you. Andre the blacksmith sometimes says to you "don't want to see you go Hollow".

i had no idea the devs added a limp animation! so devious

This was such a good episode! Reminded me how funny these games can be, which is an aspect a lot of "soulslikes" unfortunately seem to miss. I love this short zoom and freeze when the bird brings the player back to the asylum.

Looking forward to this one, killing Sif is such a bittersweet experience and if you play the DLC it feels like a complete betrayal. Also a heads up if you do plan to play the DLC, its very convoluted to access and involves that cave at the back of the lake you fought the hydra at, i would recommend looking up how to start it.

The developer note in Undead Asylum is extremely clever. "Good job, go straight ahead" congratulates you on beating the tutorial boss and tells you to go up to the peak and get grabbed by the bird. Then again, it congratulates you on finding your way and sneakily tells you to "go straight ahead" right into the trap floor.

This is the most satisfactory Dark Souls gameplay i've ever seen and you're the most inteligent and perceptive player i wacthed play it. The way you discovered how something was wrong with that tomb in Anor Londo is simply amazing. I can't wait to see you discovered the secret, and hidden history about that place.

43:00 "he presented his bum to me, he wanted it..." lmfao

You should definitely read Sif's lore. It's a very beautiful and moving story, him and Artorias, bros until the end, fighting side by side, protecting one another... It's these stories, these hidden gems, that make these From Software games truly special and moving.

augh sif.... aaauuuggghhhh iirc the playerbase searched for YEARS for a way to avoid killing poor Sif. they spent thousands of hours combing the game, chasing loose ends, wild geese, trying everything they could to bypass that, following hypothetical leads of imaginary lore in the hopes that there might be some way, some possible way, to change the outcome. Nothing worked. Nobody wants to kill Sif. Nobody ever does. He's such a good dog, still guarding his master's grave after all this time.... he doesn't deserve to die... Fantastic episode, looking forward to more. And yeah, looking up a Snuggly guide isn't cheating, don't worry about that. As for the doll I'm sure you'll get it if the comments haven't already said something.

Glad you're enjoying the game. First playthroughs are always the most fun ones to watch!

I honestly enjoy seeing someone play a game full of secrets that I know all already and watching the gears rotate and the bulb illuminate. Its a joy. Thank you

"Press X to curl up like a ball" definitely ranks among gaming's weirdest prompts! 😀

What a great session! I love how many secrets you've discovered just through tenacity and persistence. Don't worry too much about your build. You managed Bloodborne, so you can handle anything DS throws at you! The embers you've given the blacksmith allow the various weapon ascensions you saw under "Modify Equipment", eg, the ability to ascend the +5 halberd to Divine Halberd. Once a normal weapon is +5 you have 2 choices: 1. Continue ascending it up to +6 through +15 as a "normal" weapon with regular titanite chunks, slab etc via the giant ember *OR* 2. ascend the +5 normal weapon to a mystical weapon (e.g. magical, divine, lightning, etc) thanks to the various special embers. Special weapons tend to have more total damage, but their damage is split between lesser physical damage and their special damage type, so may be less effective against enemies with resistance to their special damage type. The black knight sword you are using and various other "unique" weapons that upgrade via twinkling titanite cannot be upgraded beyond +5. I think the giant blacksmith in Anor Londo sold it if you need more. Weapons you have equipped in hand but are not using count against your equip load. You might want to try lightening your load and see if you like the more nimble play style.

"Everything is trying to kill me". Dark Souls in one sentence.

"It's time for sobbing" Not good boi Sif :( For real though, I love the whole Sif and Artorias story!

My own dogs definitely did not approve of me battling Sif. One of them actually howled when I delivered the final blow

Been watching your episodes, love them and youre really getting the hang of it. Keep it up, cant wait to watch more 👍

Loving the series so far Amber. Are you planning on reacting to any story recaps for the game after playing it? I know for me "A Dark Souls Story Retrospective" by Gingy was useful for cluing me in to things I'd missed during my run, and he has three (one for each game in the series) which fit together nicely to sum up the story of each game and they refer to each other to clarify the narrative of the series as you go. I'd enjoy seeing you react to those after completing each game cause the story in Dark Souls is Fromsoft games is not always made explicit and it would be cool to get your reaction to anything you might have missed (not through any fault of your own. Dark Souls' narrative is interesting but very obscure due to it mostly being told through environmental storytelling).

I'm glad that despite how Symbalily has been able to figure out a surprising amount of obtuse secrets in this game just by intuition, even she has to stop and look up how she's supposed to answer Alvina.

This makes for a lovely start to the weekend 😊 You're doing great 👍

Way how all pieces of this game intertwine.. it is so well put together.. you will never see this again, nor in DS2, DS3 or anywhere else :[ Please don't worry what you wear or how you play. You are doing so good and we all love it. Regards from Prague

Yeah reloading an area after doing some development in there triggers an event, a new dialogue, or an npc to appear (like snuggly the crow and that left side of the stairs beside the falls). You can go back there like you did in undead asylum. The ring of FAP (favor and protection) is usually paired with havel's ring to enhance tankiness, stamina and weight load on low levels due to lack of stats to spare, hence the character classes if you are min maxing stats depending on your play style would it be defense, damage, maneuverability or a combination of 2. I'd say your build is suited enough for your first playthrough and for exploration. Good job in beating the hydra and Sif with the patience wearing havel's full set armor with that movement and that much bothering noise lol

Another great episode today, I'm really enjoying watching you play this game. Animal friends always know when their companions need attention. 😁

33:20 I'M NOT AN EGG AT ALL!! AAAAAHAHA

Awesome episode! Man, can't hear Sif song without ThePruld parody in my mind...

i almost cry too seing you been so emotional there..that's the spirit👉🥦👍

That wasn't "falling off the map", that was just the deep end of the lake.

Really glad you are enjoying this gem. A timeless masterclass in level design. It still blows my mind.

The way I was screaming for you to place the Lord Vessel 😂

You're getting these out so quick! I feel spoiled! I'm really glad you're enjoying the game! First playthru's are special. DS1 is so non linear that no two playthru's are ever the same! The fact that you have a Black Knight +5 sword before even slaying any of the old great ones is amazing on your first play thru. Just don't forget to two hand your weapon to!

This episode - Adventure, Discovery, and a lot of Giggles.

Tip: If you're up against a boss where your shield won't be that useful like against the Stray Demon, you might as well wield your weapon with two hands (Y or Triangle) to do more damage. The Grass Crest shield still gives you the quickened stamina regeneration even if it's on your back while two-handing. :)

Trying all the weapons and their moves is half of the fun imo you're doing fine, don't give up skeleton! Looking forwards to the next part : - )

After going through the door that requires the crest, if you turn left and stay along that edge, you will only have to fight one enemy on the way to Sif.

Your stamina regenerating slowly is a side effect of being in heavy load, not something specific to Havel's armor. The closer you are to maximum equip load, the slower you stamina will regenerate (and if you go over it, it gets even worse). Equip lighter armor or level endurance and put on the Ring of Favor and Protection to try to get back to medium load if you want to have a mid roll, and decent stamina regeneration, in Havel's set.

Wait till you play the DLC Sorrow goes over 9000 😢

What an insane episode from start to finish. I can't believe you heavy-rolled Sif and won. That's basically handicapping yourself just for the fun of it lol.

You're a monster. Welcome to the club

best episode so far

Im loving this playthroug soo much. Its so good how you are finding out everything in the game by exploring it and being legit interested in this melancholic world. Also you play so well, I don't think I would have the patience to fight anything with such heavy loadout. Also a hint, remember that enormous painting you saw on Arno Londo?

Ah now I'm all caught up with the playthrough and loving it so far! First playthroughs of any Souls game are always the best, and I hope you come back for other games in the series eventually. Also, don't worry too much about your exact armor and weapons for your build. It's fun to experiment, and you have a good stats spread, and can farm any upgrade materials that you need other than slabs(though some are more of a pain than others.)

I see you're experiencing much of what folks sometimes overlook with fromsoft games - the humor! lol There are so many times where something is just so silly you have to have a chuckle.

Nice job taking out the Hydra, Amber you’re doing great and your playthough is fun to watch

you figured out a lot of stuff in this episode! there are still a couple big things that you *could* do in Anor Londo - not necessarily that you'll *want* to, but *could* ... hard to say more without giving spoilers tho. btw, you'll definitely want to use the FAP ring for the entire rest of the game. it's well-known as the best ring in the game - i've never seen anyone disagree with that sentiment. when you asked if the people you'd been killing in Darkroot were the grave defilers you were signing up to kill...nope, you got it backwards. they were your teammates, and you're the one who was there to do some graverobbing. they were trying to defend Sif from you, basically, and then you joined their team after killing them, but continued doing the things you signed on to prevent. and you were right to think that area behind the hydra looks like it should have something...don't forget that.

Thanks for uploading this so frequently. Loving it so much! Also, the Silver Knight weapons are *Divine* already, so you don't need another divine weapon.. they will become very handy in the future.. Also, that doll is very important, I'd read the description and think carefully about where to take it. Definitely recommend 2-handing weapons more often too, different movesets are really useful. Altogether amazing video!

Amber, Remember Lautrec was imprisoned near where you found a Fire Keeper's soul.

I fucking love it. So glad you played this game. Now you know my pain trying to play it. So hard and unfair lol