Bonfire Intensity is equivalent to New-Game plus level. When you start a new game, all bonfire intensities will be at level 1. When you start New Game Plus, all intensities will be at level 2 and each area will be somewhat more difficult. In Dark Souls 2 they added a new mechanic where you have the option to burn a Bonfire Ascetic at a bonfire to increase that areas intensity a higher new game plus cycle. This also has the effect of reviving any bosses associated with that bonfire area. Once you increase the intensity of a bonfire, that increase holds-over into new game plus cycles.
Thank you so mucj for the explanation! 🍀😊 I'm looking forward to trying out bonfire ascetics! Though, I'll probably leave that for NG+ rather than attempt it during my first playthrough. This new mechanism would have been something I'd have loved to have available during my first playthrough of DS1, just so I could fight again my favourite bosses, like Artorias. 😁
If you approach the statue in Majula next to the Crestfallen Knight while you're in Offline Mode, the game will report how many times you've died. It's a fun way to keep track of your own deaths if you care about such a thing.
I'd been wondering about that! As interesting as it was to see the total/worldwide number of player deaths in the game, it made me curious about my own. I'll be sure to check it out the next time I go into the game in Offline Mode. Thank you for telling me about this! 😊
You were wondering about the meaning of the Bonfire intensity . Possible spoiler below : It is a new game mechanism they experimented with . Later on in the game you will be able to find items that allow you to completely reset the area around bonfires , including the Boss . Basically allows you to get Boss souls / weapons without having to wait for New Game + . There are some other small advantages that result from resetting an area but the Boss repeat is the most impactful . I don't think it's all that useful for a first playthrough , that you are doing currently so don't worry to much about it . Nice adventure , looking forward to the next episode 👍
@@gheorgcris2601 Thank you for the explanation! 🍀 It's definitely not something I would do in this playthrough, you're absolutely right. That said, I'm very much intrigued by this mechanic and /will/ be experimenting with it in Ng+ when I get to it - I really like the idea of having the chance to fight a boss more than once in a single playthrough. If that had been a possibility in DS1, I'd have totally done that for Artorias, whose boss fight was hands-down my favourite. 😁 I hope you'll enjoy my journey through DS2! 😊
@@tempest_creator Dark Souls 2 is also the most interesting Dark Souls when it comes to NG+. Enemy encounters in the zones are different and many of the boss battles in NG+ are more difficult (sometimes with just the addition of helper mobs for the boss). Also many bosses offer different loot in NG+ than what they do in your first playthrough. Increasing Bonfire Intensity with Bonfire Ascetics allow you access to the NG+ loot if you can defeat the NG+ bosses in your first playthrough.
@InconstantTryHard Bonfire ascetics sound like an incredibly interesting new mechanic, from what I've heard about them so far. If it had been available in DS1, I'd absolutely have used it to get another chance to fight, for example, Artorias. 😎 Needless to say, I'm very much looking forward to trying this new mechanic out. 😁
Doing great so far, some questions answered: Bonfire intensity means if you increase it with a bonfire ascetic item it behaves as if you entered new game + for that area, meaning harder enemies, fight the boss again and stuff like that, there are many levels but there is no way to turn it back though. The house in Majula can be opened with something found in the forest of the giants, there are a few unexplored areas there, you should walk on some trees. You can light your torch at your bonfire (toggle your option) and use it in different ways, mind the timer though. The pursuer is more of an appearer as he goes away if you get too far from him, he comes back after death or bonfire, until you kill him (again). And you are correct that the statues requires branches, which are rare. The merchant/hag has one, and you will find more on other paths.
Thank you for the explanations! 🍀 I'm definitely going to experiment with bonfire ascetics in NG+. It's a fascinating new mechanic I wish were available for DS1 too, since there are a few bosses there I'd have loved to be able to fight again in the same playthrough. 😁 To be honest, I'd somewhat forgotten there were unexplored areas in the Forest of Fallen Giants, but I'm putting it on my "to do" list now. Thank you for the hint! 👀 The torches are a welcome addition here after going without any in DS1, but I have to admit I am /so/ glad they made equipping/using them so much easier/direkt in Bloodborne! 🥴 I should have known that the Pursuer is truly aptly named - he did give me the impression he was an incredibly persistent figure. *sigh* He's going to just keep reappearing, isn't he? I better get used to fighting him, then, I guess. 😅 The branches being a rare item is something I'd suspected, but... hm... can a branch be found in every area where there is a statue? Or are there statues for which a branch can only be bought? 🤔
@@tempest_creator The branches and statues are strategically placed so you have to visit multiple paths, but can still determine your own way. You will find what you need, but not necessarilly near the statue.
I ask "where did I get...?" a lot in this game, lol. In my defense, I /swear/ I'd have remembered picking up those items, since they're usually unique! 😂😅
@@tempest_creator no fr i reacted the same way a few times lol. the lost bastille area you reach after the Pursuer was confusing me for too btw, but you made the right choice in going back to Heide's Tower of Flame! i had to figure that out for myself as well. you'll see why! looking forward to the next upload
@skeletonb00biez The Lost Bastille definitely confused me for a while there, yeah. Exploring new areas is one of the best parts of these games, though, so I actually like the challenge of figuring out the answer(s). 😁 Heide's Tower of Flame is another interesting area, for sure, and I'm looking forward to exploring all of it. 😎 The next upload will be on Jan 6th, so keep an eye out for the notification then! 😉
Ooo, I've heard the Fume Knight mentioned with no small amount of dislike. I have to admit, I'm very curious about him and am looking forward to discovering why he evokes that sort of reaction. Good luck against him! 🍀🍀🍀 In the meantims, I hope you'll enjoy this episode and my first journey through DS2! 😁
@tzzeek I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying it! I've been having a great time in DS2 so far and I'm glad that's coming across in the playthrough. 😁 How is it going/has it gone with the Fume Knight for you? 👀
@@tempest_creator Yeah, I really like your style, funny, smart, engaging. Regarding the Bastille you were on the right track, just need that branch you already know about to take care of the statue on your way, you mentioned it, there are other points of access that's why it seemed you might have missed something but pretty sure eventually you'll find your way around. I beat the fume knight thank you, at this point i'm just collecting stuff for the plat before I move to ng+. It was after I saw your first video of of this playthrough that I decided to re download the game and realized I just needed a 4 trophies to get that plat. Sorry for so much text.
@tzzeek Aw, thank you! 🍀 The Lost Bastille definitely made me feel lost for a while there, but at the same time it feels like a welcome challenge. Exploring is one of the best parts of the Soulsborne games, I feel, so I really enjoy that. 😎 Wohoo! Earning a plat for a Soulsborne game always feels like such a great achievement - when I got the plat for Bloodborne I felt so thrilled. 😁 Also, I'm happy to hear that it was my playthrough that inspired you to return to DS2. 😊 I don't mind long comments/replies. If anything, I enjoy them even more than shorter ones. 😉
@@dakotaburns402 Well, I do level up during the episode, but both health and stamina are around 14 or 15 and I am using a Falchion, which I reinforce during this episode. 😊 I'm curious now, though - why are you asking that? 👀
@@dakotaburns402 Oh, you meant in terms of numbers and not levels! I don't know the exact one without looking it up, but I am fairly certain my health was below 1100 and my stamina a little over 100. 😅
@@tempest_creator oh so i just need staminia or to get better at the game btw you can upgrade your estus flask so it heals you more i think i got the item from the knight dudes
@dakotaburns402 In Soulsborne games, I've found that it often boils down to figuring out the best way to play the game, yeah. Regardless of how much health/stamina/dex/strength/etc. you have, it's using it well what allows you to move forward. 👍🏻 (that said, having levels never hurts, of course 😁)
Bonfire Intensity is equivalent to New-Game plus level. When you start a new game, all bonfire intensities will be at level 1. When you start New Game Plus, all intensities will be at level 2 and each area will be somewhat more difficult. In Dark Souls 2 they added a new mechanic where you have the option to burn a Bonfire Ascetic at a bonfire to increase that areas intensity a higher new game plus cycle. This also has the effect of reviving any bosses associated with that bonfire area. Once you increase the intensity of a bonfire, that increase holds-over into new game plus cycles.
Thank you so mucj for the explanation! 🍀😊
I'm looking forward to trying out bonfire ascetics! Though, I'll probably leave that for NG+ rather than attempt it during my first playthrough. This new mechanism would have been something I'd have loved to have available during my first playthrough of DS1, just so I could fight again my favourite bosses, like Artorias. 😁
If you approach the statue in Majula next to the Crestfallen Knight while you're in Offline Mode, the game will report how many times you've died. It's a fun way to keep track of your own deaths if you care about such a thing.
I'd been wondering about that! As interesting as it was to see the total/worldwide number of player deaths in the game, it made me curious about my own. I'll be sure to check it out the next time I go into the game in Offline Mode. Thank you for telling me about this! 😊
You were wondering about the meaning of the Bonfire intensity . Possible spoiler below :
It is a new game mechanism they experimented with . Later on in the game you will be able to find items that allow you to completely reset the area around bonfires , including the Boss . Basically allows you to get Boss souls / weapons without having to wait for New Game + . There are some other small advantages that result from resetting an area but the Boss repeat is the most impactful . I don't think it's all that useful for a first playthrough , that you are doing currently so don't worry to much about it . Nice adventure , looking forward to the next episode 👍
@@gheorgcris2601 Thank you for the explanation! 🍀
It's definitely not something I would do in this playthrough, you're absolutely right. That said, I'm very much intrigued by this mechanic and /will/ be experimenting with it in Ng+ when I get to it - I really like the idea of having the chance to fight a boss more than once in a single playthrough. If that had been a possibility in DS1, I'd have totally done that for Artorias, whose boss fight was hands-down my favourite. 😁
I hope you'll enjoy my journey through DS2! 😊
@@tempest_creator Dark Souls 2 is also the most interesting Dark Souls when it comes to NG+. Enemy encounters in the zones are different and many of the boss battles in NG+ are more difficult (sometimes with just the addition of helper mobs for the boss). Also many bosses offer different loot in NG+ than what they do in your first playthrough.
Increasing Bonfire Intensity with Bonfire Ascetics allow you access to the NG+ loot if you can defeat the NG+ bosses in your first playthrough.
@InconstantTryHard Bonfire ascetics sound like an incredibly interesting new mechanic, from what I've heard about them so far. If it had been available in DS1, I'd absolutely have used it to get another chance to fight, for example, Artorias. 😎
Needless to say, I'm very much looking forward to trying this new mechanic out. 😁
Doing great so far, some questions answered:
Bonfire intensity means if you increase it with a bonfire ascetic item it behaves as if you entered new game + for that area, meaning harder enemies, fight the boss again and stuff like that, there are many levels but there is no way to turn it back though.
The house in Majula can be opened with something found in the forest of the giants, there are a few unexplored areas there, you should walk on some trees.
You can light your torch at your bonfire (toggle your option) and use it in different ways, mind the timer though.
The pursuer is more of an appearer as he goes away if you get too far from him, he comes back after death or bonfire, until you kill him (again).
And you are correct that the statues requires branches, which are rare. The merchant/hag has one, and you will find more on other paths.
Thank you for the explanations! 🍀
I'm definitely going to experiment with bonfire ascetics in NG+. It's a fascinating new mechanic I wish were available for DS1 too, since there are a few bosses there I'd have loved to be able to fight again in the same playthrough. 😁
To be honest, I'd somewhat forgotten there were unexplored areas in the Forest of Fallen Giants, but I'm putting it on my "to do" list now. Thank you for the hint! 👀
The torches are a welcome addition here after going without any in DS1, but I have to admit I am /so/ glad they made equipping/using them so much easier/direkt in Bloodborne! 🥴
I should have known that the Pursuer is truly aptly named - he did give me the impression he was an incredibly persistent figure. *sigh* He's going to just keep reappearing, isn't he? I better get used to fighting him, then, I guess. 😅
The branches being a rare item is something I'd suspected, but... hm... can a branch be found in every area where there is a statue? Or are there statues for which a branch can only be bought? 🤔
@@tempest_creator The branches and statues are strategically placed so you have to visit multiple paths, but can still determine your own way. You will find what you need, but not necessarilly near the statue.
@@cheshirepuss42 Thank you for confirming that! I feared that I'd run out of branches and there would be paths I'd not be able to open. 😅😊
"when did i get a whip" LOL i literally had the same thought when i saw it in my inventory too, i do not remember picking it up
I ask "where did I get...?" a lot in this game, lol. In my defense, I /swear/ I'd have remembered picking up those items, since they're usually unique! 😂😅
@@tempest_creator no fr i reacted the same way a few times lol. the lost bastille area you reach after the Pursuer was confusing me for too btw, but you made the right choice in going back to Heide's Tower of Flame! i had to figure that out for myself as well. you'll see why!
looking forward to the next upload
@skeletonb00biez The Lost Bastille definitely confused me for a while there, yeah. Exploring new areas is one of the best parts of these games, though, so I actually like the challenge of figuring out the answer(s). 😁
Heide's Tower of Flame is another interesting area, for sure, and I'm looking forward to exploring all of it. 😎
The next upload will be on Jan 6th, so keep an eye out for the notification then! 😉
Got this recommended while I am in pursuit of the plat for this game. I'll be fighting the fume knight while you struggle with the pursuer.
Ooo, I've heard the Fume Knight mentioned with no small amount of dislike. I have to admit, I'm very curious about him and am looking forward to discovering why he evokes that sort of reaction. Good luck against him! 🍀🍀🍀
In the meantims, I hope you'll enjoy this episode and my first journey through DS2! 😁
@@tempest_creator I am greatly enjoying your let's play. You're a lot better than me.
@tzzeek I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying it! I've been having a great time in DS2 so far and I'm glad that's coming across in the playthrough. 😁
How is it going/has it gone with the Fume Knight for you? 👀
@@tempest_creator Yeah, I really like your style, funny, smart, engaging. Regarding the Bastille you were on the right track, just need that branch you already know about to take care of the statue on your way, you mentioned it, there are other points of access that's why it seemed you might have missed something but pretty sure eventually you'll find your way around.
I beat the fume knight thank you, at this point i'm just collecting stuff for the plat before I move to ng+. It was after I saw your first video of of this playthrough that I decided to re download the game and realized I just needed a 4 trophies to get that plat. Sorry for so much text.
@tzzeek Aw, thank you! 🍀
The Lost Bastille definitely made me feel lost for a while there, but at the same time it feels like a welcome challenge. Exploring is one of the best parts of the Soulsborne games, I feel, so I really enjoy that. 😎
Wohoo! Earning a plat for a Soulsborne game always feels like such a great achievement - when I got the plat for Bloodborne I felt so thrilled. 😁
Also, I'm happy to hear that it was my playthrough that inspired you to return to DS2. 😊
I don't mind long comments/replies. If anything, I enjoy them even more than shorter ones. 😉
how much health and staminia do you have and what weapons are you using do you not have the ring that gives resistiance to physical damage
@@dakotaburns402 Well, I do level up during the episode, but both health and stamina are around 14 or 15 and I am using a Falchion, which I reinforce during this episode. 😊
I'm curious now, though - why are you asking that? 👀
@@tempest_creator oh my health is i think around 1246 but i need to level my staminia
@@dakotaburns402 Oh, you meant in terms of numbers and not levels! I don't know the exact one without looking it up, but I am fairly certain my health was below 1100 and my stamina a little over 100. 😅
@@tempest_creator oh so i just need staminia or to get better at the game btw you can upgrade your estus flask so it heals you more i think i got the item from the knight dudes
@dakotaburns402 In Soulsborne games, I've found that it often boils down to figuring out the best way to play the game, yeah. Regardless of how much health/stamina/dex/strength/etc. you have, it's using it well what allows you to move forward. 👍🏻
(that said, having levels never hurts, of course 😁)