Dark Souls II is the most device entry to the Soulsborne series. Among other issues, many criticize the game for its influx of bosses to kill and areas to traverse, claiming that it waters-down the experience and is a case of quantity over quality. Others, however, enjoy the increase, saying that it improved their experience and made the game feel like more of an explorative adventure than other titles.
Regardless of which side of the fence people sit on, most people will agree that Dark Souls II is the toughest game to fully traverse and explore without the help of a guide. Because of this, many players will miss numerous things when first playing Dark Souls II that won't become clear to them until subsequent playthroughs or when resorting to YouTube for help.
10 Struggling to Kill Vendrick
The once-mighty Vendrick, who is frequently foreshadowed as being the game's final boss; is reduced to a skeletal, near-lifeless optional boss in Undead Crypt.
Despite the old king's state, he is still extremely difficult to kill, as his powerful attacks are coupled with an incredible amount of health. This isn't because the player is under-leveled though, it's because they don't have any Souls of a Giant in their inventory. Carrying these souls will reduce Vendrick's health, although obtaining them is far easier said than done.
9 Not Utilizing Life Gems
One of the many gameplay aspects that changed from Dark Souls to Dark Souls II is the healing mechanics. Although the Estus flask is still present, it initially has far fewer uses than that of the first game.
Compensating for the lack of Estus Flasks are Life Gems, which many first-time players overlook as they're seemingly in limited supply. However, if players exhaust Merchant Hag Melentia's dialog after defeating The Last Giant, she will move to Majula and have an infinite amount of life gems available for players to buy at a cheap price.
8 Attacking The Majula Pigs
As anyone who has played a Soulsborne game will tell you, the series is one in which any enemy can cause the player serious problems. Despite this, many players will attack the three small pigs in Majula, believing they'll probably squish them with a single hit. However, the Enslaved Pigs are, for some reason, one of the toughest non-boss enemies in the game.
What's worse, is two Undead Boars will spawn if the player takes revenge by killing the pigs multiple times. Moreover, killing the two new enemies a total of twelve times will spawn a Giant Undead Boar.
7 Missing The Well's Estus Flask Shard
Although the pigs should be avoided, there is a well near to them that it is definitely worth swinging a sword at. Hitting the roped rock that is sat on the well's cusp will cause a corpse to spring up that contains an Estus Flask Shard.
There are many Estus Flask Shards in the game, so players shouldn't be too hard on themselves for not finding all of them, but not finding one in the game's hub-world will have players kicking themselves.
6 Not Setting The Windmill On Fire
Mytha, the Baneful Queen has the potential to be one of the toughest boss fights in the game, as her boss room is filled with poison. Thankfully, the amount of poison in the room can be considerably reduced by setting fire to the blades of a windmill.
Players can be forgiven for not figuring this out, as not only is it rare that the torch is used in Dark Souls II, but the part of the windmill that must be ignited appears to be made of metal.
5 Ignoring or Killing Manscorpion Tark
Found in the Shaded Woods, Manscorpion Tark is sat in a small arena-like area that makes him look like an optional boss. Attacking Tark would be a big mistake though, as the NPC can aid the player in their fight against Scorpioness Najka, and will give the player a Fragrant Branch of Yore once she is defeated.
Befriending Tark is easier said than done though, as the player is initially unable to communicate with him. To do so, players must obtain the Ring of Whispers, which can be purchased from Sweet Shalquoir for 5,800 souls.
4 Not Utilizing The Power Stance
The lack of hand-holding in Dark Souls II doesn't just cause players to miss NPC's or hidden areas, but gameplay mechanics too.
To initiate the Power Stance, players first need to dual-wield two weapons of a similar class, then simply hold Y/Triangle to enter the stance. Players must be leveled 150% over the strength and dexterity requirements of the weapon.
3 Missing The Shortcut In Forest Of The Fallen Giants
One of the many criticisms that players had with Dark Souls II is that it lacked the interconnectivity of Dark Souls. The way that the first game constantly looped back on itself was incredibly well designed, so it's understandable why people were disappointed by its absence in Dark Souls II.
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There are a few connected sections though, one of which being in Forest of the Fallen Giants. If players ignite a group of explodable barrels, it will destroy a wall creating a convenient shortcut to the Cardinal Tower bonfire.
2 Getting Into The Coffin In Things Betwixt
Things Betwixt has an inconspicuous coffin that is placed in a way to suggest that it may take players for a ride across a stretch of water to a new location. Entering the coffin will seemingly have no effect though, and it will soon seem like it was just a trap as enemies will swarm the player.
Removing armor will make the coffin's purpose clear, as it changes players to the opposite sex. Changing sex isn't really an issue, but it can be a pain as the coffin is located just a few minutes after players have created their character, and they likely won't notice the change until they've left the area.
1 Not Sticking To A Build Strategy
An issue that applies to any of the Dark Souls games; not sticking to a build strategy can make Dark Souls II a hundred times tougher than it already is.
To ensure that they aren't fighting an uphill battle, players should ensure that their rings, armor, weaponry, and leveling choices matches that of their starting class.