When playing Dark Souls, I found a weapon that was both visually appealing and statistically impressive. I usually test the weapon’s attack module to see if it suits my playstyle. If it does, I check the attribute requirements. If the attributes don’t match my build but the weapon is excellent, I might consider changing my build path to accommodate it. For example, in Elden Ring, I can respec directly. If the weapon is a blue flame katana, it might require Intelligence and Dexterity, designed for mages lacking in melee (unfortunately, it sacrifices some Agility points that mages don’t need). If it’s a hammer glowing with golden light and has healing properties with excellent attack modules, it might be intended for strength-based paladins.
Now, let’s look at your game. The first weapon introduced is a great hammer with fire skills, requiring 26 points in Faith and 26 points in Intelligence. What does a strength-based warrior need with Faith and Intelligence? Next, a stylish dagger appears, which suits my agility-based warrior. But why does it need 26 points in Intelligence to meet the agility requirements? Why do I need Intelligence to use a dagger? Then comes a katana, which looks like it should require Faith and Agility, but it actually needs Intelligence and Faith?
When I finally allocate enough attribute points to use the weapon, I discover the attack modules are terrible. Because I couldn’t wield the weapon initially due to insufficient attributes, I couldn’t test its effectiveness. At this point, it’s too late to go back: resources have already been invested in what I thought was a powerful weapon, and the game doesn’t support respecs, so if I want to try a different build, I need to start over.
I’ve played 27 hours since the game’s release and have only used six weapons with different attack animations. Why don’t I try other weapons?
- The game doesn’t allow respecs, and many weapons not only require absurdly high attributes but also often need Intelligence and Faith for something like a two-handed hammer.
- If your attributes aren’t high enough, you can’t wield a weapon, so you have no way of knowing what the attack modules are like.
- Weapon skills only have an icon and a name. I can’t judge if a weapon’s skill is useful or not. To find out which skills are effective, you need to first find weapons you can handle, then configure and use them one by one because you can’t judge if multiple installed skills are all effective. If you decide to uninstall one, you have to give up another skill. But where do I find so many weapons that I can wield?
The game’s stats design team should bow to your artists and map designers because they bring the distinctive features to this game, not the trash.