Who Just Attacked Me in New Londo Ruins? Understanding the Spectral Threat
The short answer? In the treacherous New Londo Ruins, the most likely culprits attacking you are Ghosts. These aren’t your typical spectral apparitions, though. They’re aggressive, numerous, and immune to most conventional weaponry. Preparing to face them requires specific strategies, understanding their lore, and choosing the right equipment. Navigating this flooded city is one of Dark Souls’ most notoriously challenging segments.
Unpacking the Threat: The Ghosts of New Londo
The Ghosts of New Londo are not merely remnants of a fallen civilization; they are the tormented souls trapped within the ruins after the city was flooded to contain the spread of the Darkwraiths and the influence of the Four Kings. Their spectral form grants them immunity to standard physical attacks, making them a significant threat to unprepared adventurers. These beings attack relentlessly and their ethereal nature means regular tactics won’t work.
Understanding the nature of these enemies and the circumstances that birthed them is crucial to strategizing effectively. The lore tied to New Londo adds a layer of depth to their existence. They are victims of a terrible decision, forever bound to the place of their demise. This context isn’t just window-dressing; it shapes the gameplay experience and fuels the tension inherent in exploring the ruins.
Strategies for Confronting the Unseen Foes
Defeating the ghosts involves utilizing specific tools or conditions that allow you to bypass their immunity. There are a few primary ways to accomplish this:
- Transient Curse: Consuming a Transient Curse grants you the ability to interact with and damage ghosts for a limited time. This is the most common method and many players will equip the Ring of the Covetous Gold Serpent to increase the drop rate of this consumable in the New Londo Ruins.
- Cursed Status: Being afflicted with the Cursed status also allows you to attack ghosts. This is a less practical method as the Cursed status has detrimental effects like halving your HP, but it does serve as an alternative if you’re struggling to find Transient Curses.
- Occult and Divine Weapons: Weapons imbued with Occult or Divine properties are capable of damaging ghosts without the need for a Transient Curse. These weapons provide a permanent solution, but require investment in Faith to use them effectively.
The Importance of Preparation
Entering New Londo unprepared is a surefire path to frustration and death. Before venturing into the ruins, it is advisable to gather a sufficient stock of Transient Curses, consider acquiring a weapon with Occult or Divine properties, and ensure that your character is adequately leveled (levels 50-70 are usually recommended).
FAQs: Delving Deeper into New Londo
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the challenges and lore of New Londo Ruins:
1. Why do the Ghosts in New Londo attack?
The Ghosts of New Londo attack because they are trapped, tormented spirits bound to the ruins after the city was flooded. They are driven by a mixture of pain, resentment, and a primal instinct to defend their territory, even in its ruined state.
2. What level should I be to enter New Londo Ruins?
A character level of 50-70 is generally recommended before tackling New Londo Ruins. The enemies deal significant damage and their immunity to standard weapons makes them challenging for lower-level players.
3. How do I obtain Transient Curses?
Transient Curses can be found as item drops from the ghosts themselves, purchased from certain merchants like the female Undead Merchant, or occasionally found as loot in various locations throughout the game. The Ring of the Covetous Gold Serpent will drastically increase the drop rate from Ghosts.
4. What is the significance of Ingward in New Londo?
Ingward is one of the three sealers tasked with containing the Darkwraiths and the Four Kings by flooding New Londo. He is the only one who remained at his post, diligently guarding the seal that controls the water level in the ruins.
5. Can I skip New Londo Ruins entirely?
Yes, it is possible to skip New Londo Ruins by performing the Seal Skip. This involves a specific sequence of actions that allows you to bypass obtaining the Key to the Seal from Ingward and lowering the water level. This involves tricky jumps, usage of Fall Control, and a Save & Quit.
6. What is the reward for completing New Londo Ruins?
The primary reward for completing New Londo Ruins is access to the Four Kings boss fight. Defeating them allows you to progress towards obtaining the Lordvessel and furthering the main storyline.
7. How does the flooding of New Londo factor into the game’s lore?
The flooding of New Londo was a desperate measure taken by the sealers to contain the spread of the Darkwraiths and the influence of the Four Kings. It was a sacrifice that destroyed the city but prevented a greater catastrophe.
8. Are there any other unique items to find in New Londo Ruins?
Besides Transient Curses, New Londo Ruins contains other valuable items, including a Fire Keeper Soul, which can be used to upgrade your Estus Flask. There are also various pieces of armor and weapons hidden throughout the area.
9. What is the best strategy for dealing with multiple Ghosts at once?
When facing multiple ghosts, crowd control is crucial. Use area-of-effect spells or attacks to damage multiple enemies simultaneously. Backpedaling and creating space can also help prevent being overwhelmed.
10. How does the curse status affect my ability to play?
The Cursed status halves your maximum HP, making you significantly more vulnerable to damage. It is generally not recommended to intentionally become cursed unless you have a specific strategy in mind.
11. Are the Ghosts in New Londo susceptible to any status effects?
While immune to most physical attacks, ghosts are susceptible to certain status effects such as bleed, poison, and toxic. However, applying these effects can be challenging due to their rapid attacks.
12. Why can’t I hit the ghosts even with a Transient Curse active?
Ensure the Transient Curse is actually active. There is an icon in the upper-left part of the HUD. Also, some players may try to strike the ghosts before the character completes the casting animation of using the Transient Curse.
13. Is there a recommended weapon type for fighting Ghosts in New Londo Ruins?
There isn’t necessarily a single “best” weapon type. However, weapons with decent range and speed are generally preferred. Many players swear by Divine weapons because it allows the player to not waste Transient Curses and use the weapon the entire time they are in the New Londo Ruins.
14. Does humanity affect the drop rate of Transient Curses from Ghosts?
Yes, having higher humanity increases item discovery, which in turn increases the chance of Transient Curses dropping from ghosts. You can also further increase the drop rates by equipping the Ring of the Covetous Gold Serpent.
15. What is the deeper meaning behind the New Londo Ruins area in the context of the game’s overall themes?
New Londo Ruins serves as a poignant example of the consequences of unchecked power and the sacrifices made in the name of maintaining order. It explores themes of morality, duty, and the tragic cost of attempting to control the forces of darkness.
Beyond the Ruins: A Deeper Understanding of Dark Souls
New Londo Ruins, with its spectral enemies and haunting atmosphere, embodies the core design philosophy of Dark Souls: challenging gameplay intertwined with rich lore and a compelling narrative. Understanding the mechanics, the history, and the underlying themes allows players to appreciate the game on a deeper level. Learning about game design can enhance this understanding and appreciate the intricacies that go into a successful game. Resources like the Games Learning Society can help players and educators to do just that. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.