1789

You don’t have to two-hand it and cast the buff. You can just use it on demand a stronger block button.

1790

From the opening gifts, one of them talks about reinforcing flasks. That one is fantastic for all classes. Other than that, you probably won’t find more equipment for quite a while. You start with a pretty great sword for a low strength build, and it’ll be quite a few hours before you’ll find anything else (or at least, it was a quite a few hours for me!). I switched my sword out for a small spear which is also a great low strength weapon, you’ll get access to buy it later in the game at a pretty obvious point.

Other minor Astrologer tips in spoilers: Spamming magic pebble is really strong for a long time. The arc spell is fantastic for dealing with groups of enemies. You can hit opponents with both spells slightly closer than your lock-on distance. So lock on, step slightly closer, and start shooting.

1791

You know, I don’t think about using my horse enough in battle. I generally only have been using it against other mounted enemies.

Question: One of the few things I’m not crazy about in a Dark Souls game is the trial and error sometimes needed to determine what type of damage a boss is vulnerable / resistant to. Do you guys like that part of the game or do you just look that info up if there is a boss that’s giving you trouble.

1792

I… completely ignore that part lol.

1793

If it works, it’s not cheese

1794

I also have ignored that part of the game in all the soulsy games. I notice it mattering when I’m playing a magic build and an enemy is magic resistant, or when I’m running a knight and something’s physical resistant, but then I just switch tactics for just that fight.

1795

I’ve only needed to look it up once in Elden Ring but I had to many times in Dark Souls games. Maybe I’m not that good and need more help :-)

1796

One of the best things i’ve found for shields is the arcane spell that enchants your shield. Makes it better against everything, including increasing the guard bonus which makes it so that even huge hits don’t stagger you.

1797

Same. No boss in the series is immune to brute force type of damage.

1798

Is that Barricade that was mentioned upthread? I really should look into those, since I don’t use weapon arts at all.

1799

Negative, it’s a spell, not a weapon skill.

1800

Oh wow then I REALLY need to look into it. I bet it’s held by that mage that is still hostile to me lol.

1801

I would put money that it’s both.

1802

Last night, since I came back to the starting area, I went down to the Southern Peninsula.

I could see why someone would be bored by this area. It has a lot of empty spaces with no enemies, just pleasant scenery. It makes for a nice change though. When I got down to the castle in the Southern tip, I got to the end, and I didn’t have the guts to talk to the guy sitting there. I was completely out of potions, so I chose to backtrack all the way to the grace point to bank my runes and level up a couple of times instead. I guess tonight I have to find the courage to talk to the guy without any potions handy. Or do better on the way there and still have potions left.

1803

I suspect that you could probably find a grace point that’s closer to the castle. There are often grace points all over the place, that I don’t initially notice.

1804

You will still need to melee, at least early on. I’m only level 21 and while the basic magic bolt spell can kill lower level enemies, bosses require you take that sword out and use it as well. You just run out of focus before they go down (plus the focus used up to summon anything).

There are also those knights with the large shields that seem to have high magic resist; the bolt spell only tickles them.

1805

Also, as others have mentioned, buy a shield with 100% Physical. Has made a huge difference for me as a squishy Astrologer.

1806

This is essentially required for everyone, unless you have mastered parrying.
If you have a 100% physical defense shield, then you can block and guard counter, which is hugely useful.

1807

I still haven’t found a sorcery vendor, other than that academy drop out sad sack in the church. His aoe wave spell is actually really good, rips through trash enemies.

God damn work I want to be playing Elden Ring.

1808

You win the dad competition!