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What Gets You Banned in Dark Souls 2?

The world of Dark Souls 2, a challenging action RPG by FromSoftware, is notorious for its punishing gameplay and intricate online interactions. However, engaging in certain activities can result in a ban, isolating you from the broader online community. Generally, you’ll face a ban if you tamper with the game in ways that give you an unfair advantage or disrupt the experience for other players. This includes, but is not limited to: modifying soul memory or soul level independently, save-editing, using unauthorized mods, and exploiting glitches. These actions can lead to a soft ban, restricting your online play to other flagged players, or even a permanent ban, barring you from online features altogether. It’s crucial to play fair and adhere to the game’s established mechanics to avoid these penalties.

Understanding the Dark Souls 2 Ban System

The ban system in Dark Souls 2 (DS2) is designed to maintain the integrity of the online experience. FromSoftware has implemented measures to detect and punish players who engage in activities that undermine fair play. The severity of the ban often depends on the nature and extent of the infraction. Actions like directly altering your stats or using game-breaking exploits will likely result in stricter penalties.

Types of Bans

Soft Ban: This is the more common type of ban. Players who are soft banned can still play the game, but their online interactions are limited to other soft-banned players. This means a much smaller pool of players for summoning, invasions, and co-op. A common indicator of a soft ban is a significantly lower number displayed on the Majula monument, which tracks total player deaths.
Permanent Ban: This is the harshest penalty. A permanent ban completely restricts access to online features. You will no longer be able to summon, invade, or interact with other players online. These bans are typically reserved for severe offenses like hacking, using game-breaking mods, or repeated violations of the EULA.

Actions Leading to Bans

It’s crucial to be aware of what actions can trigger a ban in Dark Souls 2. Understanding these pitfalls will help you enjoy the game without risking your online access.

Soul Memory/Soul Level Manipulation: Directly modifying your soul memory or soul level without naturally progressing through the game is a surefire way to get banned. The game’s anti-cheat system closely monitors these stats for inconsistencies.
Save-Editing: Altering your save files to gain an advantage, such as duplicating items or skipping content, is strictly prohibited.
Using Unauthorized Mods: While some mods are tolerated, particularly those that are purely cosmetic, any mod that provides a gameplay advantage or alters the game’s mechanics in a significant way can lead to a ban. Even seemingly harmless texture mods in Scholar of the First Sin have reportedly triggered bans.
Exploiting Glitches: Taking advantage of glitches to gain an unfair advantage, such as infinite item duplication or skipping large portions of the game, is a bannable offense.
Dashboarding During Invasions: This refers to abruptly quitting the game (often by closing the application) during an invasion to avoid defeat. While difficult to prove, repeated instances may flag your account.
Item Trading (With Caveats): While the article mentions not to trade items, it’s more nuanced than that. Trading legitimately acquired items with other players is generally safe. However, receiving or trading illegitimate or hacked items can flag your account. Be cautious about accepting items from strangers.

How to Tell If You’re Banned

If you suspect you’ve been banned in Dark Souls 2, there are a few telltale signs to look for:

Reduced Online Activity: Difficulty finding summon signs or being summoned.
Significantly Lower Majula Monument Number: The death counter in Majula will be much lower than expected.
Error Messages: Receiving specific error messages related to online connectivity.
Steam Community Discussions: Check online forums and communities for reports of bans and compare your situation.

Staying Safe and Avoiding Bans

The best way to avoid getting banned in Dark Souls 2 is to play fair and adhere to the game’s rules. Here are some tips:

Play Legitimately: Avoid using cheats, hacks, or exploits.
Use Approved Mods (With Caution): If you choose to use mods, research them thoroughly to ensure they are safe and won’t trigger the anti-cheat system.
Be Careful Trading Items: Only trade with trusted players and avoid accepting suspicious or clearly hacked items.
Respect Other Players: Don’t engage in activities that disrupt the online experience for others.
If in doubt, don’t do it: If you’re unsure whether a particular action could lead to a ban, it’s best to avoid it.

Games Learning Society and Ethical Gaming

The Games Learning Society is dedicated to the responsible use of video games. Understanding the ban system in games like Dark Souls 2 can help you to play ethically and respect the developers’ intentions. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about responsible gaming practices.

Conclusion

Navigating the online world of Dark Souls 2 requires a degree of caution. By understanding what actions can lead to a ban and adhering to the game’s rules, you can enjoy the challenging and rewarding experience without risking your online access. Play fair, respect other players, and you’ll be well on your way to a long and fulfilling journey through Drangleic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you get banned for using cosmetic mods in Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin?

Yes, surprisingly, there have been reports of players getting banned even for using client-side texture mods in Scholar of the First Sin. The anti-cheat system in this version appears to be more sensitive than in the original Dark Souls 2. It’s best to exercise caution and avoid using any mods unless you are certain they are safe.

2. Is it safe to trade items in Dark Souls 2?

Trading legitimately obtained items is generally safe. However, be extremely cautious about receiving or trading items that appear to be hacked or duplicated. Accepting such items could flag your account and lead to a ban.

3. What is the difference between a soft ban and a permanent ban in Dark Souls 2?

A soft ban restricts your online play to other soft-banned players, limiting your pool for summoning, invasions, and co-op. A permanent ban completely restricts access to online features, preventing you from playing online at all.

4. How do I know if I am soft banned in Dark Souls 2?

The most reliable indicator of a soft ban is a significantly lower number displayed on the Majula monument, which tracks total player deaths. You may also experience difficulty finding summon signs or being summoned.

5. Can I get unbanned from Dark Souls 2?

Appealing a ban is possible, but not always successful. You can contact Bandai Namco support and explain your situation. However, if the ban was issued due to a clear violation of the EULA, the chances of getting unbanned are slim. Permanent bans are generally not lifted.

6. What happens if I accidentally pick up a hacked item in Dark Souls 2?

If you suspect you’ve picked up a hacked item, it’s best to discard it immediately. While it’s not guaranteed to prevent a ban, it reduces the risk of being flagged by the anti-cheat system.

7. Does Dark Souls 2 have VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) bans?

Dark Souls 2 does not use VAC. It has its own proprietary ban system.

8. Can I use a save editor to respec my character without getting banned?

Using a save editor for any purpose, including respeccing, is a risky practice that could lead to a ban. It’s best to respec using the in-game mechanics.

9. Are the Dark Souls 2 servers still online?

Yes, the servers for Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin are back online after being temporarily shut down due to a security risk. However, the original Dark Souls servers remain offline permanently.

10. Is it safe to play Dark Souls 2 online now that the servers are back up?

While the servers are reportedly “much safer than it was before the patch,” it’s still essential to be cautious. Be wary of accepting items from strangers and avoid engaging in any suspicious activities.

11. What is “Sin” in Dark Souls 2, and can it get me banned?

“Sin” is a game mechanic that affects your online interactions. Having a high Sin level makes you more susceptible to invasions by Blue Sentinels. While having high Sin itself won’t get you banned, engaging in activities that generate Sin (like killing NPCs) repeatedly could draw attention and potentially lead to scrutiny if coupled with other suspicious behaviors.

12. Can I get banned for using a cheat engine to view stats or information without changing anything?

Even using a cheat engine passively to view information can be risky. The anti-cheat system might detect the presence of the software and flag your account, even if you don’t actively modify the game.

13. What are the roll limits in Dark Souls 2, and how do they affect gameplay?

Roll limits in Dark Souls 2 are determined by your equip load percentage:

100% or more = “Stumble”, you can’t roll, and movement is greatly reduced.
70-99% = “Fat Rolling”, shortest roll, slow recovery from rolls, slow stamina recovery.
50-70% = “Short Roll”, slightly longer roll, slightly faster stamina recovery.
Less than 50% = “Long Roll”, longest roll, fastest stamina recovery.

These limits do not directly cause bans, but understanding them is important for effective and fair gameplay.

14. If I see another player using obvious hacks, what should I do?

There is no in-game reporting system. You can document the encounter (screenshots or videos) and potentially report it to Bandai Namco support, but there’s no guarantee they will take action. Focus on your own gameplay and avoid interacting with suspicious players.

15. Are Dark Souls 3 bans permanent?

Similar to Dark Souls 2, bans in Dark Souls 3 are generally permanent. While it’s possible to appeal, success is unlikely if you have clearly violated the EULA.

What gets you banned in ds2?