As much as Namco would like to believe otherwise, what with it's super-broad marketing and memes on T-shirts, Dark Souls and it's relatives are a pretty niche subgenre. Not a lot of people are into the idea of learning by being beaten around the head with a hammer until you understand every facet of the hammer, it's wielder and it's surroundings. And an even smaller proportion of the people that do would consider themselves willing to deliberately make that experience even harder at any point.
But I say to the subset that will listen: consider the following. If you love the series, or even just DS3 specifically, then what better way to get to know it more intimately than a little restriction? Think of it like spicing up your love life, except you're alone and playing a videogame.
Screenshots are mine, for once, of my challenge run characters.
Shields Only
My personal favourite, and a run I've done on every Souls game to date (thrice on DS2, a game I've finished 50 odd times), because it's a ridiculous level of cool. I've named all my Shield-baring characters variants on Captain America, supposing America for a lore-appropriate location. Captain Lordran, Captain Drangleic, Captain Lothric, defenders of justice in lands of death.
This is a good run because it makes look at and appreciate elements of the game you'll likely not have noticed were there. There was probably a point when you stopped looking at how much damage shields did when you realised you didn't need to, and there's no weapon type with a bigger difference between left and right handed use. And you've likely never used a weapon with a moveset like shields have.
Also a good run to start off with, as depending on what sort of shield you go with you might even have an EASIER time than normal. You'll certainly get the jump on the odd invader that doesn't know how to deal with someone two handing a great shield.
Difficulty: Low
Tips: One handing a shield in your right hand won't let you block with it, so take that into account. The fun in this run is figuring out the nuances of the Art of Shieldry, so I won't give you too much.
Ranged Only
Difficulty: Moderate
Tips: Parrying and backstabbing will get you places, as it usually does. And as with Ranged Only, nothing is stopping you bringing a shield so long as you aren't hitting things with it. Oh, and there's nothing stopping you having multiple broken swords either. Having one infused with fire should help.
But I say to the subset that will listen: consider the following. If you love the series, or even just DS3 specifically, then what better way to get to know it more intimately than a little restriction? Think of it like spicing up your love life, except you're alone and playing a videogame.
Shields Only
My personal favourite, and a run I've done on every Souls game to date (thrice on DS2, a game I've finished 50 odd times), because it's a ridiculous level of cool. I've named all my Shield-baring characters variants on Captain America, supposing America for a lore-appropriate location. Captain Lordran, Captain Drangleic, Captain Lothric, defenders of justice in lands of death.
This is a good run because it makes look at and appreciate elements of the game you'll likely not have noticed were there. There was probably a point when you stopped looking at how much damage shields did when you realised you didn't need to, and there's no weapon type with a bigger difference between left and right handed use. And you've likely never used a weapon with a moveset like shields have.
Also a good run to start off with, as depending on what sort of shield you go with you might even have an EASIER time than normal. You'll certainly get the jump on the odd invader that doesn't know how to deal with someone two handing a great shield.
Difficulty: Low
Tips: One handing a shield in your right hand won't let you block with it, so take that into account. The fun in this run is figuring out the nuances of the Art of Shieldry, so I won't give you too much.
Ranged Only
A lot of room for creativity on this one. Between Bows, Crossbows and Greatbows, you've some decent options to play with. The main reason to have a go with this is to better understand your environment. You'll need to plan your attacks against significant enemies with a place to retreat to in mind, or at the very least you'll need a consistent way to get a clean line of sight against any side they aren't blocking from.
That said, the best ranged users will take advantage of that in more consistently successful ways, like finding a place the enemy can't get to and unloading arrows/bolts into their dejected face with a grin. And because tricks like that exist, this is another one that can sometimes end up easier than a standard run. You'll come out of this with a far more comprehensive knowledge of DS3's environments than before, both in terms of the nooks and crannies that offer sniper spots and cover, but the little visual details you'll pick up as you search for them.
But you're probably doing this run so you can roleplay Legolas.
Difficulty: Low
That said, the best ranged users will take advantage of that in more consistently successful ways, like finding a place the enemy can't get to and unloading arrows/bolts into their dejected face with a grin. And because tricks like that exist, this is another one that can sometimes end up easier than a standard run. You'll come out of this with a far more comprehensive knowledge of DS3's environments than before, both in terms of the nooks and crannies that offer sniper spots and cover, but the little visual details you'll pick up as you search for them.
But you're probably doing this run so you can roleplay Legolas.
Difficulty: Low
Tips: The main difference between Bows and Crossbows is that Bows scale and Crossbows don't. So Crossbow users will likely have room for points in health, stamina and equip load while Bow-ners will want to raise their Str and Dex more. Also: So long as you aren't using it as a melee weapon, there's nothing against using shields.
Broken Sword
Another favourite of mine I've done in every Souls game, and one of the harder ones on this list. Using only the Broken Sword as a weapon leaves you with little range and even less damage, so you'll have to know DS3's upgrading and levelling systems intimately if you want to eke out of much damage as possible.
You'll also be a certified badass. Seriously, it's a Mad Fuck who takes on the task of kindling the flame with only a broken sword, it's the Maddest And Most Coolest Fuck who does it and succeeds.
That said, it's not as much of a chore as it sounds. Your fights will usually last that bit longer though, so you'll have to learn enemy movements and attacks in that bit more detail. Remember, just because you're dealing less damage doesn't mean you've been crippled on your defence. If you're dieing quicker, you've only yourself to blame.
Scrub.
The Broken Sword in DS3 is straight after Iudex Gundyr, so you can't really "start" this run immediately
You'll also be a certified badass. Seriously, it's a Mad Fuck who takes on the task of kindling the flame with only a broken sword, it's the Maddest And Most Coolest Fuck who does it and succeeds.
That said, it's not as much of a chore as it sounds. Your fights will usually last that bit longer though, so you'll have to learn enemy movements and attacks in that bit more detail. Remember, just because you're dealing less damage doesn't mean you've been crippled on your defence. If you're dieing quicker, you've only yourself to blame.
Scrub.
The Broken Sword in DS3 is straight after Iudex Gundyr, so you can't really "start" this run immediately
Difficulty: Moderate
Tips: Parrying and backstabbing will get you places, as it usually does. And as with Ranged Only, nothing is stopping you bringing a shield so long as you aren't hitting things with it. Oh, and there's nothing stopping you having multiple broken swords either. Having one infused with fire should help.
Magic Only
Thanks to Dark Souls 3 adding the Ashen Estus Flask and a good old fashioned mana bar, this run is now actually a reasonable option(though you might need to finish Iudex Gundyr off with melee since you only have so much mana). You could go two ways with this, balance Ashen Flasks with Estus as normal, or go full HARDCORE and pull all your Estus into Ashen Estus.
To clarify, Magic in this case counts all 3 of DS's disciplines, so Sorcery, Miracles and Pyromancy. So going HARDCORE means restricting healing to specific Miracles and Pyromancies, which means healing will be something to consider as part of a strategy, not just something you can do on instinct.
Obviously this is a run for those looking to try out all those tasty-sounding spells they picked up on their first run(s) and couldn't use. You'll be looking for more breathing room in fights to account for cast time, and depending on the spells you choose to main you'll probably use a few skills from the Ranged Only run.
Also, mandatory moment to appreciate how awesome this run is. It's Gandalf as FUCK mate.
To clarify, Magic in this case counts all 3 of DS's disciplines, so Sorcery, Miracles and Pyromancy. So going HARDCORE means restricting healing to specific Miracles and Pyromancies, which means healing will be something to consider as part of a strategy, not just something you can do on instinct.
Obviously this is a run for those looking to try out all those tasty-sounding spells they picked up on their first run(s) and couldn't use. You'll be looking for more breathing room in fights to account for cast time, and depending on the spells you choose to main you'll probably use a few skills from the Ranged Only run.
Also, mandatory moment to appreciate how awesome this run is. It's Gandalf as FUCK mate.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Tips: There are a few catalysts that can use more than one magic discipline, and while they usually don't make the magic cast with them as strong as more specific catalysts, the convenience will likely be something you want.
Tips: There are a few catalysts that can use more than one magic discipline, and while they usually don't make the magic cast with them as strong as more specific catalysts, the convenience will likely be something you want.
Naked
Saucy.
But seriously, this is here because it's basically the same as playing normally but sexier. Why not? It's an excuse to play the game again, and you can find a few creative ways to compensate for your lack of defence. It is VERY satisfying to pool a large number of points into health and have a lovely long health bar up top. It's enough of a difference to make playing through the game feel new again, which is one of the many reasons to do challenge runs in the first place.
Maybe pair it with another run if you feel especially spicy, though it will undoubtedly make whatever run it less forgiving.
But seriously, this is here because it's basically the same as playing normally but sexier. Why not? It's an excuse to play the game again, and you can find a few creative ways to compensate for your lack of defence. It is VERY satisfying to pool a large number of points into health and have a lovely long health bar up top. It's enough of a difference to make playing through the game feel new again, which is one of the many reasons to do challenge runs in the first place.
Maybe pair it with another run if you feel especially spicy, though it will undoubtedly make whatever run it less forgiving.
Difficulty: Low
Tips: I mean, it should go without saying, but you should definitely do SOMETHING to compensate for your lack of clothes. I gave a few suggestions above, but really, so long as you do SOMETHING you should be fine.
Tips: I mean, it should go without saying, but you should definitely do SOMETHING to compensate for your lack of clothes. I gave a few suggestions above, but really, so long as you do SOMETHING you should be fine.
Soul Level 1
The big one, so to speak. One of the most popular because of it's simple premise and HUGE impact on how you play. It changes the way the game works so much that you could easily make a game designed around it's principles. It's also the run I'm in the middle of right now, and the reason I'm writing this list.
Stat requirements change from minor hurdles to your entire focus. If you don't meet the stat requirements for a weapon you may well just have to deal with that, unless you can find ways to obfuscate it. There are rings that give stat bonuses, and you can two-hand weapons to cut the strength requirement, but the rings are few and far between and you can only obfuscate the strength requirement so much, not to mention being restricted to two-handing that weapon. There's a challenge in trying to find the best weapon you can equip with your very limited options, trying to see just how far you can push your weak frame.
Stat requirements change from minor hurdles to your entire focus. If you don't meet the stat requirements for a weapon you may well just have to deal with that, unless you can find ways to obfuscate it. There are rings that give stat bonuses, and you can two-hand weapons to cut the strength requirement, but the rings are few and far between and you can only obfuscate the strength requirement so much, not to mention being restricted to two-handing that weapon. There's a challenge in trying to find the best weapon you can equip with your very limited options, trying to see just how far you can push your weak frame.
And there's your health, stamina and mana being stuck so low. And equip load. And your Intelligence and Faith.
You can only work on so many of those things. there's no combination of rings that will let you have a decent health and stamina pool AND wield the best possible weapon, probably, depending on your standards. You have to specialise, settle for a standard weapon and buff your health, go for the best weapon possible and try not to get hit, maybe even try and get some magic going on, if you can.
You'll also be squeezing out damage from weapons without the benefit of scaling, or at least very little benefit of it.
There's a lot of potential for a game that takes Dark Souls' ground work and makes overcoming weapon requirements into something that requires that bit more legwork, but for now you can have a go at a SL1 run and see DS3 from a new light.
And also probably die a lot, but you're used to that, right?
Difficulty: Hard
Tips: You won't find a 100% physical damage block shield with less than a 10 strength requirement, but you'll likely still want a shield anyway for what little you CAN block. And you could always two-hand a shield to maybe be able to use it properly, if you want to take some tips from the first item on this list.
So there's a few ideas of how to make life with your lover more interesting. Good luck!
Next week, could be Owlboy, Could be Punch Club, could be something about Phantom Hourglass being good for kids, all these things and more are in the works in the brilliant mind of This Asshole.
You can only work on so many of those things. there's no combination of rings that will let you have a decent health and stamina pool AND wield the best possible weapon, probably, depending on your standards. You have to specialise, settle for a standard weapon and buff your health, go for the best weapon possible and try not to get hit, maybe even try and get some magic going on, if you can.
You'll also be squeezing out damage from weapons without the benefit of scaling, or at least very little benefit of it.
There's a lot of potential for a game that takes Dark Souls' ground work and makes overcoming weapon requirements into something that requires that bit more legwork, but for now you can have a go at a SL1 run and see DS3 from a new light.
And also probably die a lot, but you're used to that, right?
Difficulty: Hard
Tips: You won't find a 100% physical damage block shield with less than a 10 strength requirement, but you'll likely still want a shield anyway for what little you CAN block. And you could always two-hand a shield to maybe be able to use it properly, if you want to take some tips from the first item on this list.
So there's a few ideas of how to make life with your lover more interesting. Good luck!
Next week, could be Owlboy, Could be Punch Club, could be something about Phantom Hourglass being good for kids, all these things and more are in the works in the brilliant mind of This Asshole.
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