The moon pools are a kind of scrying pool used to look at the stars and the moon. Even our real world early astronomers used pools like that or early telescopes used pools of water or mercury to make smooth surfaces for looking at details in the sky.
The DLC is designed around the fragments, in order to not just crush the DLC, since a lot of players end their base game level 200+. No shame, every single non challenge runner uses them! Personally, I think the system is brilliant, but just my opinions of course.
The scadutree fragments are not about "modulating the difficulty" they are about being able to get stronger inside the dlc without levelling, so that you arent completely overlevelled when you return to the main game afterwards. Literally everyone uses them and they are basically mandatory.
EVERYONE uses the fragments! It’s how the DLC is designed, to ensure a continued sense of progression despite the main game being out for years and people having level 150-250 characters. Most people I’ve watched fight this boss have Scadu blessing level 4-7 for this fight. And as you mentioned, this is the second boss. The coming ones hit even harder. Personally I like the scadutree fragment system. It allows you to keep your base rune level for things such as matchmaking for summoning and PVP, while also allowing you to progress in strength and reward exploration with something other than armor sets you’re not going to use, meager upgrade materials for weapons you probably already have the bell bearings for, crafting resources, etc. PS: I presume the Twin Moon thing is in reference to the fact that the Lands Between has two moons in its night sky; the Full Moon that Rennala communes with, and the Dark Moon that Ranni communes with.
Yeah I think the person who described the fragments as “modifying difficulty” was doing you a disservice. They are far more like memory’s from Sekiro. A stat boost as a reward.
As much as I admire Aegon's commitment to the blind playthrough, I wish he would have at least looked at more promotional materials and From's communications about the DLC. Because they literally BEGGED people to use the scadutree fragments after weeks of player's expressing hesitation while complaining about difficulty, and after they told us well before release that the DLC area would have its own scaling system separate from your level to smooth out the difficulty. They wanted to ensure no one at any level was going to steamroll through it, while encouraging exploration to locate more fragments
It isn’t Aegons fault really. He actually would’ve went along with the fragments, but he was told by somebody trustful that the fragments were “modifying difficulty,” which threw him off. That person told him incorrect information, and I hope Aegon will soon course correct in the coming eps😅
Surely the most obvious interpretation of the Messmer Foot Soldierclothing description is that they're morally reprehensible? Their "inner faces" (souls) are stained with soot.
Man... I lost. I did bet that in Ep #04 the Fragments would get used, but my reasoning was right, I knew Rellana was gonna be a huge jump in difficulty, I just guessed wrong when he would get there. Just to clarify: the fragments are not there as an optional thing that can modulate the difficulty, the DLC is balanced around them, the further you go the more you need them. It's like the enemies have a damage type and damage negation that is only influenced by your fragment level and ignores your rune level. The Fragments were a nice experiment, the more you explore the stronger you get. Not perfect for a Souls game, but still a pretty good idea for an expansion. Glad Aegon started using them, the later areas can be a nightmare even with all of them.
I agree. I love seeing someone challenged in a Souls playthrough as opposed to seeing a cakewalk but without the fragments the tougher enemies would be a chore to watch.
Once you get to like Scadu level 12, at that point you can start considering not upgrading them anymore. I know a lot of people who went up to around level 12, but then felt like they didn't need to level it anymore to have a good time with the dlc.
I’m sure you’re already a dozen episodes deep into the playthrough behind-the-scenes, but I’d just want to reassure you that the Scadutree Fragments are pretty much exclusively made for the DLC to be as necessary as possible. Meaning, the content of the DLC was deliberately much more difficult than the basegame, so these fragments act as a sort of “reset” for any player that decides to enter the DLC, whether level 50 or level 350. Don’t feel bad about using the fragments. They’re intended in the Expansion as much as the Golden Seeds (flask quantity) were in the basegame. Whoever described the fragments as “modifying difficulty” is wrong, and it’d be like saying the Golden Seeds of the basegame are “modifying difficulty” lol
never stop doing the ghost voice, its gold. Also, don't feel bad about using the scadutree fragments, that's what they are there for, your first blind playthrough doesn't have to be a challenge run lol. i think the damage numbers are so high in the dlc to sort of equalize the difficulty for players regardless of whether they come in at level 150 or 300, wherever they finished the base game at, and be able to have a sense of progression in the dlc with the fragments.
Spoken like a true social scientist! Great Job, Aegon! Learning is power & you friend have the skills. For those less inclined to strengthen their minds, skip ahead 19 minutes of solid facts. Happy Holidays to your family! Hope Aureoles of Astora enjoys this festive time of year!!
Those textures above the canopy of the tree are in fact the same ones they use for roots! For example those found in catacomb boss arenas connected to the Erdtree
I think whoever explained the scadutree blessings to you didn't do a good job. You shouldn't think of it as modifying the difficulty, you should think of it as raising your attack power. Like in Sekiro. The dlc was designed around using them.
I feel a more helpful way to think about the Scadutree fragments is as the DLC equivalent to the Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears. They are meant to be rewards for exploration that power up your character. The game expects you to use them, in the same way it expects you to upgrade your flask. Choosing not to use them would be the same as choosing not to upgrade your flask in order to make the game more difficult. (Of course there's probably a better way they could have communicated that, but still.)
Given that you were recording this back in August, I really hope that you soon learned that the Scadutree Fragments are, for all intents and purposes, the equivalent of leveling up in the DLC and haven't only found it out now that you're releasing these videos! Doing a no-Fragment run is basically the equivalent of doing a base game RL1 run. Sure, you can do it, but it's kind of the definition of artificial difficulty: difficulty that the player introduces by rejecting a standard mechanic of play, and it would really suck if you've been feeling anxious over the community's reaction over you using them for four months now! (I think there's a conversation to be had about how well this system was implemented, how well it was communicated to the players, and for that matter the role of challenge-reducing game mechanics in Souls-likes generally, but those are separate discussions.)
bro i dont know whos telling u these "nOoOo u cAn'T uSe tHiS or ThaAt" they need to get a life. DLC was balanced around RL 150-200 and the best Balance of Scadu blessing level i found was between 7-9 but thats just me. Where you dont get oneshot by everything. But u dont deal massive damage to Everything. Do what you must with that info
Yeah nobody expects you to not use the scadutree frag ments. They're not easy mode. Personally I dont like this implementation of power scaling either, I guess it's just a cheap way of solving the problem of their leveling system not being enough to cover the power scaling of a DLC this big in addition to the base game.
I dont agree on the cheap aspect. I think encouraging exploration and having it be an optional system is great. This game being open world is why it exists. Even people not farming usually finish base game at level 200+.
No worries about using the scadutree fragments, they’re there to be used!
The moon pools are a kind of scrying pool used to look at the stars and the moon. Even our real world early astronomers used pools like that or early telescopes used pools of water or mercury to make smooth surfaces for looking at details in the sky.
The DLC is designed around the fragments, in order to not just crush the DLC, since a lot of players end their base game level 200+. No shame, every single non challenge runner uses them! Personally, I think the system is brilliant, but just my opinions of course.
The scadutree fragments are not about "modulating the difficulty" they are about being able to get stronger inside the dlc without levelling, so that you arent completely overlevelled when you return to the main game afterwards.
Literally everyone uses them and they are basically mandatory.
EVERYONE uses the fragments! It’s how the DLC is designed, to ensure a continued sense of progression despite the main game being out for years and people having level 150-250 characters. Most people I’ve watched fight this boss have Scadu blessing level 4-7 for this fight. And as you mentioned, this is the second boss. The coming ones hit even harder.
Personally I like the scadutree fragment system. It allows you to keep your base rune level for things such as matchmaking for summoning and PVP, while also allowing you to progress in strength and reward exploration with something other than armor sets you’re not going to use, meager upgrade materials for weapons you probably already have the bell bearings for, crafting resources, etc.
PS: I presume the Twin Moon thing is in reference to the fact that the Lands Between has two moons in its night sky; the Full Moon that Rennala communes with, and the Dark Moon that Ranni communes with.
Yeah I think the person who described the fragments as “modifying difficulty” was doing you a disservice. They are far more like memory’s from Sekiro. A stat boost as a reward.
As much as I admire Aegon's commitment to the blind playthrough, I wish he would have at least looked at more promotional materials and From's communications about the DLC. Because they literally BEGGED people to use the scadutree fragments after weeks of player's expressing hesitation while complaining about difficulty, and after they told us well before release that the DLC area would have its own scaling system separate from your level to smooth out the difficulty. They wanted to ensure no one at any level was going to steamroll through it, while encouraging exploration to locate more fragments
It isn’t Aegons fault really. He actually would’ve went along with the fragments, but he was told by somebody trustful that the fragments were “modifying difficulty,” which threw him off. That person told him incorrect information, and I hope Aegon will soon course correct in the coming eps😅
Surely the most obvious interpretation of the Messmer Foot Soldierclothing description is that they're morally reprehensible? Their "inner faces" (souls) are stained with soot.
Man... I lost.
I did bet that in Ep #04 the Fragments would get used, but my reasoning was right, I knew Rellana was gonna be a huge jump in difficulty, I just guessed wrong when he would get there.
Just to clarify: the fragments are not there as an optional thing that can modulate the difficulty, the DLC is balanced around them, the further you go the more you need them. It's like the enemies have a damage type and damage negation that is only influenced by your fragment level and ignores your rune level.
The Fragments were a nice experiment, the more you explore the stronger you get. Not perfect for a Souls game, but still a pretty good idea for an expansion.
Glad Aegon started using them, the later areas can be a nightmare even with all of them.
I agree.
I love seeing someone challenged in a Souls playthrough as opposed to seeing a cakewalk but without the fragments the tougher enemies would be a chore to watch.
Once you get to like Scadu level 12, at that point you can start considering not upgrading them anymore. I know a lot of people who went up to around level 12, but then felt like they didn't need to level it anymore to have a good time with the dlc.
I’m sure you’re already a dozen episodes deep into the playthrough behind-the-scenes, but I’d just want to reassure you that the Scadutree Fragments are pretty much exclusively made for the DLC to be as necessary as possible. Meaning, the content of the DLC was deliberately much more difficult than the basegame, so these fragments act as a sort of “reset” for any player that decides to enter the DLC, whether level 50 or level 350.
Don’t feel bad about using the fragments. They’re intended in the Expansion as much as the Golden Seeds (flask quantity) were in the basegame. Whoever described the fragments as “modifying difficulty” is wrong, and it’d be like saying the Golden Seeds of the basegame are “modifying difficulty” lol
never stop doing the ghost voice, its gold. Also, don't feel bad about using the scadutree fragments, that's what they are there for, your first blind playthrough doesn't have to be a challenge run lol. i think the damage numbers are so high in the dlc to sort of equalize the difficulty for players regardless of whether they come in at level 150 or 300, wherever they finished the base game at, and be able to have a sense of progression in the dlc with the fragments.
Fret not over scadutree fragments Aegon. Use them without doubt! It won't cheapen any of your victories. From a loving souls veteran!
Spoken like a true social scientist! Great Job, Aegon! Learning is power & you friend have the skills. For those less inclined to strengthen their minds, skip ahead 19 minutes of solid facts. Happy Holidays to your family! Hope Aureoles of Astora enjoys this festive time of year!!
Huzzah for victory over Rellana !
Such an excellent fight. The "Pontiff Sulyvahn" and "Double-Triple Full Moon Blast Attack" were real treats for me.
Those textures above the canopy of the tree are in fact the same ones they use for roots! For example those found in catacomb boss arenas connected to the Erdtree
I think whoever explained the scadutree blessings to you didn't do a good job. You shouldn't think of it as modifying the difficulty, you should think of it as raising your attack power. Like in Sekiro. The dlc was designed around using them.
I feel a more helpful way to think about the Scadutree fragments is as the DLC equivalent to the Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears. They are meant to be rewards for exploration that power up your character. The game expects you to use them, in the same way it expects you to upgrade your flask. Choosing not to use them would be the same as choosing not to upgrade your flask in order to make the game more difficult. (Of course there's probably a better way they could have communicated that, but still.)
It looks like lightning spear would go well with your stats and playstyle. Please consider using it.
Given that you were recording this back in August, I really hope that you soon learned that the Scadutree Fragments are, for all intents and purposes, the equivalent of leveling up in the DLC and haven't only found it out now that you're releasing these videos! Doing a no-Fragment run is basically the equivalent of doing a base game RL1 run. Sure, you can do it, but it's kind of the definition of artificial difficulty: difficulty that the player introduces by rejecting a standard mechanic of play, and it would really suck if you've been feeling anxious over the community's reaction over you using them for four months now! (I think there's a conversation to be had about how well this system was implemented, how well it was communicated to the players, and for that matter the role of challenge-reducing game mechanics in Souls-likes generally, but those are separate discussions.)
bro i dont know whos telling u these "nOoOo u cAn'T uSe tHiS or ThaAt" they need to get a life.
DLC was balanced around RL 150-200 and the best Balance of Scadu blessing level i found was between 7-9 but thats just me. Where you dont get oneshot by everything. But u dont deal massive damage to Everything. Do what you must with that info
Great thumbnail, very moody!
lets go!
Hype
Yeah nobody expects you to not use the scadutree frag ments. They're not easy mode. Personally I dont like this implementation of power scaling either, I guess it's just a cheap way of solving the problem of their leveling system not being enough to cover the power scaling of a DLC this big in addition to the base game.
I dont agree on the cheap aspect. I think encouraging exploration and having it be an optional system is great. This game being open world is why it exists. Even people not farming usually finish base game at level 200+.