We’ll cover Player versus Player (PvP) battles in-depth in its own section later in the guide. But for now it’s worth noting that the weapons and tactics you’ll use on computer-controlled enemies (Player versus Enemy - PvE) will, usually, be completely different.

For a start, all PvE combat revolves around learning a set number of ‘tells’ that indicate what attack is coming up (allowing you to prepare with how to deal with it). When facing off against a human opponent you don’t know what they’re going to do (at least not at the beginning of your PvP experiences).

View Full-size

Then there’s the added complication of internet lag (where your button pushes don’t seem to match-up with what’s happening on the screen) and people who resort to using various strategies that many find to be over-powered or simply unfair.

This is worth noting now as invasions (other human opponents entering your game world who are looking to kill you) can happen at any time now - even when you’re hollow (unlike in Dark Souls 1 where you could only be invaded whilst in human form).