Unleash a Hero's Journey with the Best Starter Gift for Dark Souls 2

When starting out in Dark Souls 2, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing your starting gift. This decision can have a significant impact on your early gameplay experience, so it's essential to choose wisely. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned veteran, selecting the best starting gift can give you a significant advantage as you navigate the treacherous world of Drangleic.

One of the most popular starting gifts for Dark Souls 2 is the Life Ring. This item provides you with an additional 7% health boost, which can be incredibly useful in the early stages of the game when your character is still weak. With this gift, you'll be able to take more hits and survive longer, giving you more time to learn the game's mechanics and explore the world around you.

Another excellent starting gift option is the Petrified Something. This item may seem unremarkable at first, but it has the potential to give you some fantastic rewards. If you take this item to a nest located in the Forest of the Fallen Giants, you can trade it for a random item. While it might seem like a gamble, the rewards can be incredibly valuable, ranging from rare weapons and armor to helpful consumables that can make your journey a little easier.

If you're looking for a gift that can help you right out of the gate, you might want to consider the Healing Wares. This item provides you with a set of five Lifegems, which are consumables that can heal you over time. These items can come in handy when facing tough enemies or exploring dangerous areas. With the Healing Wares in your inventory, you'll be well-equipped to tackle even the most challenging challenges that Dark Souls 2 has to offer.

For players who prefer a more tactical approach, the Bonfire Ascetic can be an excellent starting gift. This item allows you to reset an area's difficulty level, making it more challenging while also increasing the rewards you can earn. This gift can be particularly useful for players looking to farm specific enemies or items, and it can give you a significant advantage in the early stages of the game.

If you're looking for a gift that can help you explore the world around you, you might want to consider the Binoculars. This item provides you with a zoom function that can help you see far-off objects and enemies more clearly. With the Binoculars in your inventory, you'll be able to scout out new areas and plan your approach to enemies more effectively.

If you're looking for a gift that can help you get a leg up on your opponents in PvP battles, you might want to consider the Seed of a Tree of Giants. This item causes enemies to attack invaders in your world, giving you an advantage in battles against invading players. While this gift may not be as useful in PvE gameplay, it can be a valuable asset for players who enjoy PvP combat.

For players who prefer a more defensive playstyle, the Small White Sign Soapstone can be an excellent starting gift. This item allows you to place a summon sign that other players can use to summon you into their world. As a summoned helper, you'll be able to assist other players in combat and earn rewards for your efforts. This gift can be particularly useful for players who prefer to play a support role in co-op gameplay.

If you're looking for a gift that can help you earn more souls, you might want to consider the Gold Pine Resin. This item applies lightning damage to your weapon, making it more effective against certain enemies. With this gift in your inventory, you'll be able to take down tough enemies and bosses more quickly, earning more souls and progressing through the game more efficiently.

Another excellent starting gift for players who want to earn more souls is the Soul of a Lost Undead. This item provides you with a set amount of souls that you can use to level up your character or purchase items from merchants. While it may not seem like much, having a few extra souls at the start of the game can give you a significant advantage as you begin your journey into Drangleic.

No matter which starting gift you choose, it's essential to remember that Dark Souls 2 is a challenging game that requires patience, skill, and perseverance. With the right gift in your inventory, you'll be well-equipped to face the dangers that await you in this unforgiving world. So choose wisely, and good luck on your journey into the darkness.

Introduction

Dark Souls 2 is a challenging game that requires players to be strategic with their approach. Starting the game can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right gift. The starting gift can be crucial for players as it can affect their gameplay experience. In this article, we will discuss the best starting gifts in Dark Souls 2.

Healing Wares

One of the best gifts to start with in Dark Souls 2 is Healing Wares. This gift provides players with a set of life gems that can be used to regenerate health. Life gems are essential items that players will need throughout the game. They can be used as a quick heal during battles or to recover lost health after taking damage from traps or enemies. Starting the game with Healing Wares can give players an early advantage and help them survive during the initial stages of the game.

Bonfire Ascetic

Bonfire Ascetic is another great gift to start with in Dark Souls 2. This item allows players to increase the difficulty of an area by respawning all enemies and bosses in that area. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, it can actually benefit players who want to farm for rare items or souls. Bonfire Ascetics can also be used to fight bosses multiple times, which can help players learn their attack patterns and improve their skills.

Petrified Something

Petrified Something is a mysterious gift that can yield different rewards. When players start the game with this gift, they can trade it with the crows in Things Betwixt for a random item. This item can range from useless junk to powerful weapons or armor. Although the reward is random, Petrified Something can be a fun gift to start with as players never know what they will get.

Blessed Red and White Shield

The Blessed Red and White Shield is a useful gift for players who prefer defensive gameplay. This shield provides players with extra resistance to physical damage and can also regenerate health over time. Starting the game with this gift can give players an early advantage in battles, especially against enemies that deal heavy physical damage.

Old Radiant Lifegem

Old Radiant Lifegem is a more powerful version of the standard life gem. This item can be used to restore a large amount of health instantly. Starting the game with Old Radiant Lifegem can be helpful during boss battles or when players are facing multiple enemies. However, players should be careful not to rely too heavily on this item as it is rare and cannot be easily replenished.

Bonfire Starter

The Bonfire Starter is a useful gift for players who want to explore the game at their own pace. This item allows players to start a bonfire at any location, provided they have a torch. This can be helpful for players who want to take a break from exploring or need to restock on supplies. Starting the game with Bonfire Starter can also help players avoid backtracking to the nearest bonfire.

Human Effigy

Human Effigy is a valuable item that can be used to reverse hollowing and regain human form. This form allows players to summon other players for co-op play, invade other players' worlds, and interact with certain NPCs. Starting the game with Human Effigy can be helpful for players who want to engage in multiplayer activities early in the game.

Seed of a Tree of Giants

The Seed of a Tree of Giants is a unique gift that can be used to turn enemies against invaders and other hostile players. When used, this item will cause all enemies in the area to attack the invader or hostile player. Starting the game with Seed of a Tree of Giants can be helpful for players who want to defend themselves against invading players or those who want to take down tough enemies with the help of other enemies.

Small Smooth and Silky Stone

The Small Smooth and Silky Stone is a gift that can be traded with the crows in Things Betwixt for a random item. However, this stone has a higher chance of yielding rare items compared to Petrified Something. Starting the game with this gift can be helpful for players who want to obtain powerful items early in the game.

Binoculars

Binoculars are a useful tool that can be used to scout ahead and locate enemies or items from afar. Starting the game with Binoculars can be helpful for players who want to plan their approach before entering an area or engaging in a battle. This item can also be used to aim spells or ranged attacks accurately.

Conclusion

Choosing the best starting gift in Dark Souls 2 can be a daunting task. Each gift can provide players with different advantages and disadvantages. The gifts mentioned above are some of the best options for players who want to start the game on the right foot. However, players should also consider their playstyle and preferences when choosing a gift. With the right gift and strategy, players can overcome the challenges of Dark Souls 2 and emerge victorious.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2Dark Souls 2 is a notoriously difficult game that requires quick thinking, strategic planning, and a lot of patience to complete. One of the most important decisions players will make when starting the game is choosing the right starting gift. This item can have a significant impact on your early game experience, affecting everything from your combat abilities to your inventory management. In this article, we will explore the top starting gifts in Dark Souls 2 and how they can benefit different playstyles.How Starting Gift Affects Your Early Game ExperienceThe starting gift you choose in Dark Souls 2 can have a big impact on your early game experience. Some gifts can give you an advantage in combat, while others can help you manage your inventory more effectively. The gift you choose can also affect your playstyle, as some gifts are better suited for certain types of builds than others.For example, if you choose the Life Ring as your starting gift, you'll start the game with an additional 7.5% health. This can be a huge advantage in combat, especially in the early game when enemies hit hard and Estus Flasks are in short supply. However, if you're playing a magic-focused build, the Life Ring may not be the best choice as it doesn't improve your spellcasting abilities.On the other hand, if you choose the Petrified Something as your starting gift, you'll have the opportunity to trade it for a random item at the crows' nest in Things Betwixt. While this can be risky, as you may end up with a useless item, it can also lead to some great rewards. Experienced players often choose the Petrified Something as their starting gift because of the potential rewards it offers.The Top 3 Starting Gifts for Players New to Dark Souls 2If you're new to Dark Souls 2, choosing the right starting gift can be overwhelming. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of the top 3 starting gifts for new players.1. Healing Wares - The Healing Wares starting gift gives you five Lifegems and five Radiant Lifegems, which can be a huge help in the early game. These items can be used to heal yourself outside of combat, allowing you to conserve your Estus Flasks for when you really need them.2. Life Ring - As mentioned earlier, the Life Ring can give you an additional 7.5% health, which can be a big advantage in combat. If you're new to Dark Souls 2 and are struggling with the difficulty, the Life Ring can help you survive longer.3. Human Effigy - The Human Effigy starting gift gives you one Human Effigy, which can be used to restore your humanity. This is important because when you die in Dark Souls 2, you lose your humanity and become Hollow. Being Hollow reduces your maximum health and makes it harder to summon other players for co-op play. Restoring your humanity can help you avoid these penalties.The Best Starting Gift for Players Who Want to Focus on MagicIf you're planning on playing a magic-focused build in Dark Souls 2, the best starting gift for you is the Bonfire Ascetic. This item allows you to respawn defeated bosses, which can be useful for farming rare spells and items. It also increases the difficulty of the area, giving you more souls and improving your chances of finding rare loot.Why the Petrified Something is a Popular Starting Gift Among Experienced PlayersThe Petrified Something is a popular starting gift among experienced players because of the potential rewards it offers. When traded at the crows' nest in Things Betwixt, it can give you anything from a rare weapon to a useless item. However, the chance of getting a rare item is high enough that many experienced players consider it worth the risk.The Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing the Bonfire Ascetic as Your Starting GiftWhile the Bonfire Ascetic can be useful for players who want to focus on magic, it's not without its disadvantages. The increased difficulty can make it harder to progress through the game, and respawning bosses can be time-consuming and frustrating. However, if you're willing to put in the effort, the rewards can be significant.How the Healing Wares Starting Gift Can Help You Conserve Estus FlasksThe Healing Wares starting gift can be a huge help in conserving your Estus Flasks. Lifegems and Radiant Lifegems can be used to heal yourself outside of combat, allowing you to save your Estus Flasks for when you really need them. This can be especially useful in boss fights, where every Estus Flask counts.The Best Starting Gift for Players Who Want to Focus on Strength or Dexterity BuildsIf you're planning on playing a strength or dexterity-focused build in Dark Souls 2, the best starting gift for you is the Petrified Something. While it doesn't directly improve your combat abilities, the potential rewards it offers can be useful for any build. Rare weapons and items can give you a significant advantage in combat, making the Petrified Something a great choice for players who want to focus on combat.How the Seed of a Tree of Giants Starting Gift Can Help You in PvPThe Seed of a Tree of Giants starting gift can be useful for players who engage in player versus player (PvP) combat. This item causes enemies to attack invaders, making it easier to defend against invading players. While it's not a guaranteed win, the Seed of a Tree of Giants can give you a significant advantage in PvP.The Starting Gift That’s Best for Players Who Want a Challenge: the Old Radiant Life GemIf you're looking for a challenge in Dark Souls 2, the Old Radiant Life Gem is the starting gift for you. This item slowly restores your health over time, but it can only be used once. This means that you'll have to be careful with how you use it, as wasting it could leave you vulnerable in combat. The Old Radiant Life Gem is a difficult starting gift, but it can be rewarding for players who are up to the challenge.In conclusion, choosing the right starting gift in Dark Souls 2 can have a significant impact on your early game experience. Whether you're new to the game or an experienced player, there's a starting gift that's right for you. Consider your playstyle, build, and goals when choosing your starting gift, and remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. With the right starting gift and a lot of perseverance, you can conquer the challenges of Dark Souls 2.

Best Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2

Point of View

As a seasoned player of Dark Souls 2, I believe that the best starting gift for new players is the Healing Wares. This gift provides players with a set of healing items that will prove to be invaluable in the early stages of the game.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Healing Wares provide players with an ample supply of healing items, which are essential in keeping them alive in the early stages of the game.
The Healing Wares gift frees players from the burden of having to purchase or find healing items, allowing them to focus on other aspects of the game.
Healing Wares are also useful when players encounter bosses or tough enemies, as they can quickly heal themselves without having to retreat and rest at a bonfire.

Cons:

The Healing Wares gift may be less useful for experienced players, who may prefer to start with a more specialized gift that caters to their preferred playstyle.
The Healing Wares gift may also be redundant for players who plan to use a healing-oriented build, as they will already have access to powerful healing spells and miracles.

Table Comparison

Starting Gift	Pros	Cons
Healing Wares	Provides ample healing items Frees players from burden of finding or purchasing healing items Useful for tough enemies and bosses	Less useful for experienced players Redundant for healing-oriented builds
Bonfire Ascetic	Allows players to respawn bosses for additional rewards Can be used to farm souls and items Useful for players who want to challenge themselves	Not useful for inexperienced players May make the game unnecessarily difficult for some players
Petrified Something	Can be traded for random items Provides an element of surprise and randomness Useful for players who enjoy exploration and experimentation	May not provide useful items Can be frustrating for players who want specific items Not useful for players who want a more predictable experience

In conclusion, while there are many starting gifts available in Dark Souls 2, the Healing Wares gift is the best choice for new players. It provides them with a reliable source of healing items and frees them from the burden of having to find or purchase healing items. While it may be less useful for experienced players or those who plan to use a healing-oriented build, it remains an essential gift for those just starting their journey through the game.

The Best Starting Gift for Dark Souls 2

Greetings fellow adventurers! If you are reading this, you are likely about to embark on a journey through the unforgiving world of Dark Souls 2. As you prepare to create your character, one of the first decisions you will make is selecting a starting gift. This seemingly small choice can have a significant impact on your early game experience. In this article, we will explore the best starting gift for Dark Souls 2.

Before we dive into our top pick, let's briefly discuss the other options available to you. The starting gifts in Dark Souls 2 include:

Life Ring
Human Effigy
Bonfire Ascetic
Healing Wares
Petrified Something
Old Coin
Blessed Seed

Each of these gifts has its own unique benefits, but some are more useful than others. For example, the Life Ring provides a small boost to your maximum health, while the Bonfire Ascetic allows you to respawn enemies in an area at a higher difficulty level. However, after careful consideration and analysis, we have determined that the best starting gift for Dark Souls 2 is the Human Effigy.

The Human Effigy may not seem like the most exciting or glamorous gift, but it is incredibly useful for surviving your early encounters. When consumed, the Human Effigy restores your humanity, which allows you to summon other players for cooperative play and also prevents your maximum health from decreasing over time due to being hollow. Being hollow can significantly decrease your survivability, so having a few Human Effigies on hand can be a lifesaver.

Another benefit of the Human Effigy is that it can be used to reverse the effects of dying. When you die in Dark Souls 2, your maximum health decreases until you use a Human Effigy or successfully defeat a boss. By starting with a Human Effigy, you can immediately restore your humanity and avoid the penalties associated with being hollow.

Now that we have established why the Human Effigy is the best starting gift for Dark Souls 2, let's discuss some strategies for making the most of this valuable item. First and foremost, it is important to conserve your Human Effigies. These items are relatively rare and cannot be easily obtained in the early game, so you should only use them when absolutely necessary.

One way to conserve your Human Effigies is to make use of the game's cooperative play mechanics. By summoning other players to assist you in defeating bosses and clearing areas, you can significantly increase your chances of success without having to use a Human Effigy to restore your humanity. Additionally, by helping other players defeat bosses as a summoned phantom, you can earn Human Effigies as a reward.

Another strategy for maximizing the benefits of the Human Effigy is to explore thoroughly and take your time. By carefully navigating each area and defeating enemies one at a time, you can minimize your risk of death and avoid having to use a Human Effigy to restore your humanity. Additionally, by exploring every nook and cranny, you may discover hidden treasures and shortcuts that can make your journey easier.

In conclusion, the Human Effigy is the best starting gift for Dark Souls 2 due to its ability to restore your humanity and reverse the effects of dying. By using this item wisely and conservatively, you can increase your chances of survival and make the most of your early game experience. Good luck, and may the flames guide your way!