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I have started a magic-only challenge in Dark Souls 1 (piefed.cdn.blahaj.zone)
submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I have finally gotten around to play my proposed challenge where magic completely replaces weapons.

Here's a breakdown of the limitations I set for this run:

  • I can't use weapons or drink estus flask. I decided to ban the latter only after 2 hours of the run.
  • I can't level up any stats except Attunement, Intelligence, and Faith. I can't wear items that increase my HP.
  • I can't wear equipment that increases my poise.

This way I plan to beat all the bosses in the game, hopefully even in the DLC (but that one will be tough...). I also want to replicate another challenge I did years ago - to complete the catacombs using Force as my only offensive spell.

So far I've completed the easiest part of the game - the bells. I don't expect much trouble before the Great Soul hunt though.

Some thoughts on what I already experienced:
Magic is more than enough to go through the early stages of the game, I basically never had to think about my spell uses, and I tend to kill every enemy on my way. No need for Dusk's ring either, fortunately. With that said, I HATE how much soul arrows miss! It's enough for an enemy to move a little and that damn "homing" projectile flies pass them. I rely on Combustion much more than I expected to lol.

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[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

this is the way

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

As a certified magic lover, I hope to see you succeed.

[-] [email protected] 12 points 3 days ago

My condolences.

[-] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago

How many times have you played this game before?

[-] [email protected] 21 points 3 days ago

(Counts) Yes.

[-] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago

Me over here on my first playthrough like "Yay I made it to Undead Parish!" Lmao

[-] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago

Is it your first soulslike? The first blind playthrough of Darks Souls 1 was a magical experience for me.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

Nah, Elden Ring got me hooked. I made it through my first run and went back to this and Bloodborne pretty much immediately, now im juggling them haha

Im really loving it now that its clicked

[-] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago

Dark Souls 1 still holds a special place in my heart, but be warned that the bosses are going to feel very underwhelming after Elden Ring. It's a weird thing where the areas themselves are still fairly challenging even compared to ER - maybe even harder - but the bosses are much easier.

The level design of the first 2/3rds of DS1 is to this day the best level design From ever did, I think.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

I'm also going through my first DS1 playthrough and, it's just another vibe. I had no issue adjusting to what the world was giving me. It's immersive and charming; as you said traversing the world is the challenge here, and feels rewarding af. Elden ring is the culmination of all those years of perfecting boss design under this formula, it's so great to see where everything comes from. I debated hard wether to play this or demon souls first ... Now I don't want it to end.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Few things are as satisfying as unlocking shortcuts during your first blind playthrough of Dark Souls. Kicking that ladder the first time, all those moments of "...wait this goes there?", climbing back up into Firelink from the depths of Blighttown, having your buddy tell you about The Great Hollow and having your mind blown... It's just a magical experience.

I get why people start with Elden Ring, but I wish more would just do DS1 first. If this is your first soulslike even the bosses will feel epic, but they really aren't much compared to what the later games offer. Even the DLC bosses aren't too bad, though one of them is truly iconic.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Few things are as satisfying as unlocking shortcuts during your first blind playthrough of Dark Souls.

Those dopamine hits, unparalleled.

The way the world invites you to just look a little closer, walk a little further... But careful, don't indulge too much otherwise, Death. it teaches the mechanics so good.

Unfortunately yes, playing other titles first spoils some of the experience, you learn to anticipate too many things. Regardless I've still been surprised, mostly the level design. It is superb. I do not feel let down by the bosses, they are easier, but still good. I appreciate the fights, and everything arround is so well made the simplicity doesn't have an effect on my enjoyment. I think I am around halfway through, and looking forward to the rest.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I'm glad you're having a blast with it, DS1 might still be my favourite From game even though I realise nostalgia plays a huge part of course.

Just a warning for when you get closer to the end: Dark Souls 1 has a ton of hidden content that you're extremely unlikely to find on your own. You might want to look some of it up, because it does in fact include the DLC. Yes that's right, From sold you a paid DLC and hid the entry to it in a way most people would never stumble upon on their own.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

So the DLC is hidden? damn, I'm already pinning a bunch of things I feel I'll need to go back to, so thanks for the heads up.. I always try do a very thorough first playthrough, and I've noticed that everytime I've revisited an area I find new shit so yeah things are easy to miss.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I think - beside the DLC - the two things that are most hidden and most likely to be missed by a natural first playthrough are The Great Hollow and the Painted World of Ariamis, so feel free to look those up if you haven't found them after you're satisfied poking around on your own. But yeah as you've noticed the game is absolutely chock full of secrets.

Do make sure you get to the DLC too, it's got some great content, as well as the most fun bosses in DS1 - with one of them being an absolute icon. Still won't be very challenging compared to Elden Ring, but a step up from the base game.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Painted World of Ariamis

Ooh this must be what's beyond the painting in Anor Londo, one of my pinned locations. I already scratched my head a bit trying to find the way to interact with it. Even though I'm in no hurry, my concern is that if I wait too long to solve the mystery sometimes I arrive overleveled, and that kills the fun. Already happened with the catacombs. Ha. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the tips, marine friend.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

Any time!

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

NO ESTUS? guaranteed hollowing

[-] [email protected] 5 points 3 days ago

Poise 0

[-] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

hopefully even in the DLC (but that one will be tough...)

If you mean Kalameet, I think it can actually be killed without Gough using magic. You just have to have good timing and great magic sheild, and snipe each flyby.

I remember Sanctuary Guardian being more tough than Artorias and Manus for my sorcery only run like... six years ago.

Nonetheless, good luck! Challenge runs are fun. I've only just started replaying Remaster since I'd only ever had PTDE.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

I recall having trouble killing Artorias with spells back when I reached him for the first time, years ago. From Software loves boosting magic defenses for enemies and bosses from DLCs for some reason... My magic-only run in DS2 has stalled when I tried to beat DLCs - it was waaay too grindy for me.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

Oh absolutely. FromSoft looks at what players do and then troll that directly in the DLC.

Trying to remember... Artorias just required not being greedy and just casting after his full spin move. I seem to recall it to be a matter of spacing, similar to Bell Bearing Hunter in Elden Ring, you can get him to predictably chain the same punishable moves. Or like DS3's Gundyr or Pontiff for parry strats.

DS2 at least eventually despawns if you're not in the champion covenent. And hexes are really powerful. (DS2 Brume Tower DLC crown replenishes spell uses over time, so you can Dark Fog the world if you can clear that one.)

this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2025
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