Does Killing Old King Doran Affect Tendency in Demon’s Souls?
Yes, killing Old King Doran does affect your World Tendency (WT), specifically making it move towards Black. However, it does not affect your Character Tendency (CT). So, if you’re aiming for a Pure White World Tendency (PWWT) or a Pure Black World Tendency (PBWT), knowing the impact of eliminating Doran is crucial. He is a powerful NPC located in Boletarian Palace 1-1 and defeating him has specific consequences for the world around you, but not for your character’s moral standing within the game. Consider the implications before you draw your weapon!
Understanding Tendency in Demon’s Souls
Before diving deeper into the specifics of Old King Doran, it’s essential to grasp the nuances of the Tendency system in Demon’s Souls. Both World Tendency and Character Tendency are hidden mechanics that influence various aspects of the game, from enemy difficulty to item drops and even the availability of certain events and NPCs.
- World Tendency: Affects the game world itself. It’s specific to each of the five Archstones and can range from Pure White to Pure Black. PWWT typically makes enemies weaker and increases item drop rates, while PBWT makes enemies stronger, but offers better rewards.
- Character Tendency: Reflects your character’s moral alignment. It ranges from Pure White to Pure Black. PCT is mainly influenced by your actions towards other NPCs and players, such as killing invaders or NPCs.
The Doran Dilemma: World Tendency Impact
As stated previously, dispatching Old King Doran will shift your World Tendency towards Black. The consensus is that it shifts it by -30%, the equivalent of dying once in body form in that world. This isn’t a minor change. If you’re meticulously working towards PWWT, this single act can significantly set you back. However, if you’re aiming for PBWT or simply don’t mind the repercussions, go for it. Doran’s gear is excellent, making him a tempting target regardless of the WT penalty.
Why Doesn’t Doran Affect Character Tendency?
Despite being a named NPC, Old King Doran is treated differently by the game’s mechanics. The game does not consider the battle an active choice against an innocent as he is not an innocent NPC. Certain specific NPCs are specifically excluded from affecting the character’s tendency. He falls into this group, even though he appears friendly and powerful. This can be particularly confusing when other named NPCs, depending on the circumstances of their death, do affect Character Tendency. It is crucial to understand these nuances to avoid accidentally shifting your character’s alignment.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Deciding whether to kill Old King Doran requires careful consideration. Here’s a breakdown of the factors:
Pros:
- Acquiring valuable loot: Doran drops the Ancient King’s Set, a good medium armor set, and the Demonbrandt, a unique sword that grows stronger as your Character Tendency leans towards White.
- Challenge: The fight against Doran is a significant test of skill, especially at lower levels. It’s a rewarding accomplishment for many players.
- No Character Tendency penalty: You can acquire these rewards without affecting your character’s moral standing.
Cons:
- Negative World Tendency shift: Killing Doran moves the world closer to Black, potentially making the game harder and locking you out of PWWT events.
- Missed opportunity for cooperation: While not a cooperative NPC in the traditional sense, some players prefer to leave him alive for role-playing or completionist reasons.
Alternatives to Killing Doran (For Now)
If you need Demonbrandt for story reasons but want to leave the area for later, you can defeat him until he yields the sword and then use Evacuate or the Nexus to leave the area before looting the rest of his items. You can then return later once your WT is where you desire it to be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to tendency and its impact on your gameplay:
1. How many deaths does it take to change World Tendency to Pure Black?
It typically takes around four deaths in Body Form to shift World Tendency from neutral to Pure Black. Each death in Body Form shifts the WT by approximately -30%.
2. Does dying in Soul Form affect World Tendency?
No, dying in Soul Form does not affect World Tendency. Only deaths in Body Form have an impact.
3. How can I quickly achieve Pure White World Tendency?
The fastest way to reach PWWT is to defeat bosses in a world without dying in Body Form. Killing a boss shifts the World Tendency significantly towards White. Alternatively, killing Primeval Demons and Black Phantoms (which appear in PBWT) also pushes WT towards White.
4. Does killing other NPCs affect World Tendency?
Yes, killing most friendly or neutral NPCs will shift your World Tendency towards Black. Be cautious about who you attack!
5. Does killing other NPCs affect Character Tendency?
Yes, killing friendly or neutral NPCs will usually shift your Character Tendency towards Black. However, as seen in the case of Old King Doran, there are exceptions.
6. How does being invaded affect Tendency?
Being invaded by another player impacts both World and Character Tendency. Killing the invader moves both towards White, while dying to the invader moves World Tendency towards Black.
7. What are the benefits of Pure White World Tendency?
PWWT generally makes enemies weaker, increases item drop rates, and unlocks certain events and areas that are only accessible in PWWT.
8. What are the benefits of Pure Black World Tendency?
PBWT makes enemies stronger and tougher, but they yield more souls and have better item drop rates. It also spawns Primeval Demons and Black Phantom NPCs.
9. How can I check my World Tendency?
World Tendency is not explicitly shown in the game. However, the color of the Archstone icon in the Nexus provides a visual indication. A brighter, more vibrant icon signifies a whiter tendency, while a darker, murkier icon indicates a blacker tendency. The light shining on the archstone while traveling to that world can be a tell as well.
10. Does killing a boss as a Blue Phantom affect my World Tendency?
No, helping another player defeat a boss as a Blue Phantom does not affect your World Tendency.
11. What happens if I die in the Nexus?
Dying in the Nexus does not affect World Tendency because the Nexus isn’t associated with a specific world tendency. It’s considered a safe haven. However, if you die in Body Form, you reduce your overall World Tendency, and increase the difficulty of the game.
12. Is it possible to lock myself out of Pure White World Tendency?
Yes, it is possible. If you die too many times in Body Form or kill too many friendly NPCs, you can permanently shift your World Tendency towards Black in a specific world. You then might have to wait until New Game+ to reach PWWT in that area.
13. What is the Demonbrandt good for?
The Demonbrandt sword is particularly effective against demons and becomes stronger as your Character Tendency leans towards White. It also combines with the Soulbrandt to create the Northern Regalia.
14. Where can I learn more about game mechanics and the impact of games on learning?
You can find valuable resources and research on game mechanics and their impact on education at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is a great way to improve your understanding of the field.
15. Can you reset World Tendency by starting a New Game Plus?
Yes, starting a New Game Plus resets all World Tendencies to neutral. This allows you to start fresh and pursue a different World Tendency strategy.