The Pinnacle of Perseverance: Unveiling the Hardest Trophy in Dark Souls 2
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The quest for 100% completion in any Dark Souls game is a testament to a player’s dedication, skill, and sheer stubbornness. FromSoftware’s notoriously challenging action RPGs are designed to punish mistakes and reward patience, making even the simplest achievements feel like monumental victories. But amongst the many trials Dark Souls 2 throws at you, one trophy stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of difficulty: “Master of Hexes.”
Dissecting the “Master of Hexes” Trophy
While some might argue for the “Grave Warden” or “Brilliant Covenant” trophies, which require extensive PvP grinding or covenant dedication, the “Master of Hexes” trophy demands not only time and dedication, but also specific knowledge, resource management, and a degree of luck. To obtain this trophy, players must acquire every hex in the game. This sounds simple enough on the surface, but the devil, as always, is in the details.
Why is it so hard?
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Limited Availability: Many hexes are not simply found lying around or sold by easily accessible merchants. Some are locked behind covenant ranks, requiring hours of grinding. Others are only available from specific NPCs who might disappear if you don’t follow their questlines correctly. And, of course, some are only obtainable through multiple playthroughs or through specific boss soul trades.
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Resource Intensive: Hexes require a combination of Intelligence and Faith stats, forcing players to invest heavily in both, regardless of their preferred playstyle. Some powerful hexes also consume souls or require rare materials for casting, adding another layer of complexity.
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Hidden Requirements: Unlocking certain hexes often involves completing convoluted NPC quests with little to no guidance. Miss a single step, and you could lock yourself out of a hex for that playthrough.
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Grind-Heavy Covenants: The most notorious offender is the Pilgrims of Dark covenant, requiring players to delve into the dark chasms and defeat Darklurker, which is one of the hardest Bosses to Defeat in this game.
Beyond “Master of Hexes”: Contenders for the Title
While “Master of Hexes” is often cited as the most challenging, a few other trophies deserve honorable mentions:
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Brilliant Covenant: Reaching rank 3 in all covenants can be time-consuming and monotonous, especially those covenants heavily reliant on PvP. Some covenant items, like Sunlight Medals, are notoriously difficult to farm offline.
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Grave Warden: This trophy requires winning a staggering number of duels in the Brotherhood of Blood covenant. Skill is a factor, but so is time, patience, and a tolerance for frustration.
Mastering the Art of Trophy Hunting
The journey to platinum in Dark Souls 2 is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires meticulous planning, a willingness to learn from mistakes, and a healthy dose of perseverance. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll find the reward of 100% completion incredibly satisfying. It’s the kind of thing they might study over at the Games Learning Society, analyzing the cognitive processes involved in such a demanding achievement! You can check out GamesLearningSociety.org if you want to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly are Hexes in Dark Souls 2?
Hexes are a type of magic in Dark Souls 2 that requires a combination of both Intelligence and Faith to cast. They often deal dark damage and can be used for both offensive and support purposes.
2. How do I join the Pilgrims of Dark covenant?
To join the Pilgrims of Dark covenant, you must find and speak to Darkdiver Grandahl in three different locations: Shaded Woods, Black Gulch, and Drangleic Castle. After speaking to him in all three locations, you can join the covenant by talking to him again in any of the three locations.
3. Where do I find Darkdiver Grandahl in the Shaded Woods?
He is hidden in the Ruined Fork Road bonfire area. You need to enter one of the illusory trees.
4. Where do I find Darkdiver Grandahl in the Black Gulch?
He is hidden behind the first poison statues. If you don’t have the Giants Kinship he will not be there.
5. Where do I find Darkdiver Grandahl in Drangleic Castle?
He is hidden behind an illusory wall in the room with the two Ruin Sentinels before the Looking Glass Knight boss fight.
6. What do I need to do to unlock Darklurker, the boss of the Pilgrims of Dark covenant?
You need to light the flame in the three Dark Chasms of Old within the covenant and then return to Darkdiver Grandahl to fight Darklurker.
7. How many times do I need to beat Darklurker to get all the hexes?
You only need to beat Darklurker once to get the hex “Resonant Soul.” The other covenant hexes are obtained by ranking up in the covenant.
8. How do I rank up in the Pilgrims of Dark covenant?
You need to offer Human Effigies to Darkdiver Grandahl.
9. What are the requirements for the hex “Resonant Soul”?
“Resonant Soul” requires 14 Intelligence and 20 Faith. It also consumes souls upon casting.
10. Which NPCs sell hexes?
Several NPCs sell hexes, including Felkin the Outcast, Straid of Olaphis, Darkdiver Grandahl, and Wellager.
11. What is the most efficient way to farm Sunlight Medals for the Heirs of the Sun covenant?
The best way to farm Sunlight Medals offline is to kill the Falconers in Things Betwixt after obtaining a Bonfire Ascetic. This can be tedious, but it’s often faster than relying on online co-op.
12. How important is ADP (Adaptability) for hex builds?
ADP (Adaptability) is crucial for hex builds, as it increases your agility, which in turn improves your i-frames (invincibility frames) during rolls. Higher agility makes dodging enemy attacks much easier.
13. What are some recommended early-game hexes?
Good early-game hexes include “Dark Orb,” which can be purchased from Felkin the Outcast, and “Yearn,” which can be found in No-Man’s Wharf.
14. Can I get all the hexes in a single playthrough?
Yes, it is possible to get all the hexes in a single playthrough, but it requires careful planning and execution. You need to ensure you don’t miss any NPC questlines or covenant opportunities.
15. What is the best class to start with for a hex build?
The Deprived class is often recommended for hex builds because it starts with balanced stats, allowing you to allocate points as needed. However, other classes like the Sorcerer or Explorer can also be viable options.