That’s where From cranks out the patches.
Ahead of the release of Crown of the Old Iron King next, Dark Souls 2 will be getting an new Calibrations 1.10 patch tweaking various things. It’s not quite as gigantic as the 1.08 patch (which made lightning spear users like myself a bit sad,) but still includes a fair few interesting changes.
The update means the Dark Souls 2 servers will be down between 7.00am and 10.00am (GMT, so Midnight and 3am Pacific) on 25 August. Sadly, there’s still no sign of a fix for the increased durability wear bug present in the PC version (which breaks your weapons faster at higher frame-rates for some bizarre reason.) Instead they’re lowering more spell damage. Including lightning spears.
Why do you suddenly hate lightning spears so much, From? I know they were kind of an easy mode, but this just feels like a vendetta now.
Spell parries appear to be improved across the board, and crystal soul spear looks like it’s getting the lightning spear treatment. Some self-buffing is getting toned down, too.
Update: Good news sorcery fans, the reduced damage references may very well be a mistranslation from the Japanese patch notes. Looks like it should just be reduced poise damage. Time will tell.
Here are the translated update details from Beyond the Bonfire.
The following fixes, changes, and refinements are included in the update:
• Undead Crypt: Fixed the bell not ringing if you continuously attack the bell that appears after Ledia’s shaman appears.
Adjustments that will be made with Calibrations 1.10 (all following changes):
• Balanced fatal blows done on other players in online multiplayer
• Spell parry time and area of effect has been raised:
o Cleric’s Parma
o Cleric’s Small Shield
o Cursed Bone Shield
o Spirit Tree Shield
o Golden Wing Shield
o Shield of the Insolent
o Grand Spirit Tree Shield
• Spell parry time has been raised:
o King’s Mirror
• Lowered damage caused by the following weapons:
o Defender’s Shield
o Havel’s Greatshield
o Gyrm Greatshield
o Dragonrider Greatshield
• Lowered defense of:
o Gyrm Helm
o Gyrm Warrior Helm
o Gyrm Warrior Greathelm
o Smelter Demon Helm
o Velstadt’s Helm
o Black Witch Robe
• Raised effect of:
o Stone Ring
• Changed so the effect does not apply to spells:
o Red Tearstone Ring
• Raised defense against enemies in offline play only (multiplayer not affected)
o Ring of Steel Protection
• Lowered effect of:
o Clear Bluestone Ring +2
• Raised casting time and lowered strength of:
o Soul Spear
• Raised casting time, lowered strength, raised required magic slots, and raised usage count for:
o Crystal Soul Spear
• Lowered effectiveness of:
o Strong Magic Shield
• Lowered damage of:
o Soul Geyser
o Soul Shower
o Lightning Spear
o Great Lightning Spear
o Sunlight Spear
o Emit Force
o Blinding Bolt
o Heavenly Thunder
o Fire Whip
o Affinity
o Scraps of Life
o Resonant Soul
o Great Resonant Soul
• Spells “Sacred Oath” and “Bountiful Sunlight”
o Casting this on one’s self will now diffuse all support effects
o Having it cast by someone else will not diffuse other support effects
o Casting spells on yourself to create other support effects after having these used will diffuse the effect of the above spells
(players cannot use the effects of these spells in conjunction with other effects from spells they cast on themselves)
• Spells “Numbness” and “Resonant Flesh”
o Casting this on one’s self will now diffuse all support effects
o Casting spells on yourself to create other support effects after having these used will diffuse the effect of the above spells
(players cannot use the effects of these spells in conjunction with other effects from spells they cast on themselves)
