Unveiling the Best Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2: A Guide for Beginners

Dark Souls 2 is a game that requires strategy, patience, and a lot of skill. One of the most important decisions you'll make at the start of the game is choosing your starting gift. This item will affect your gameplay in various ways, so it's essential to choose wisely. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the best starting gifts in Dark Souls 2 and explain why they're worth considering.

The first gift we'll discuss is the Petrified Something. This item is an enigma, as it can be traded with a specific bird NPC in exchange for a random item. The possibilities are endless, and you could end up with a powerful weapon or a useless trinket. However, the excitement of the unknown is what draws many players to choose this gift.

If you're looking for something more predictable, the Life Ring is a solid choice. It increases your maximum HP by 5%, which can give you an edge in tough battles. This gift is especially useful for players who plan to take a tanky approach and focus on defense.

For those who prefer a more offensive playstyle, the Bonfire Ascetic is a great option. This item allows you to reset an area and make enemies stronger, but it also increases the chances of rare drops. This gift is perfect for players who want to farm items and souls quickly.

Another gift that can be useful for farming is the Golden Winged Shield. This item has high durability and good defenses against physical and elemental damage. It also has a high item discovery rate, which means you'll have a better chance of finding rare items while using it.

If you're interested in magic, the Witching Urn might pique your interest. This item can be thrown to deal magic damage and restore your own spell uses. It's a useful tool for spellcasters who want to conserve their spell uses while dealing damage.

For players who want to focus on their physical attacks, the Petrified Dragon Bone is an excellent choice. This item can be used to upgrade weapons to their maximum potential, making them more powerful and effective in combat.

The Old Radiant Lifegem is another gift that can be useful for players who plan to take a defensive approach. It slowly restores your HP over time, which can give you an advantage in long battles. It's also a good alternative to using Estus Flasks, as it doesn't require resting at a bonfire.

If you're interested in PvP, the Cracked Red Eye Orb is an essential gift. This item allows you to invade other players' worlds and engage in combat with them. It's a great way to test your skills against other players and earn some souls in the process.

For players who want to take a more cautious approach, the Homeward Bone is a useful gift. It allows you to return to the last bonfire you rested at, which can be a lifesaver in dangerous areas. It's also a good tool for farming, as you can quickly return to a bonfire to reset an area.

Finally, the Seed of a Tree of Giants is a gift that can be useful for players who are struggling with enemies. It causes enemies to attack each other, which can make tough areas much easier to navigate. However, it's a limited-use item, so it's important to save it for when you really need it.

In conclusion, choosing the right starting gift is essential for success in Dark Souls 2. Whether you prefer offense or defense, magic or physical attacks, there's a gift that will suit your playstyle. Consider your options carefully, and choose wisely!

Introduction

Dark Souls 2 is an incredibly challenging game, and every little advantage can make a big difference. When creating a new character, players are given the option to choose a starting gift. This gift can provide a small boost to your character, but choosing the right one can be difficult. In this article, we'll take a look at the best starting gift in Dark Souls 2.

The Starting Gifts

There are eight different starting gifts to choose from in Dark Souls 2. They are:

• Life Ring
• Human Effigy
• Healing Wares
• Homeward Bone
• Seed of a Tree of Giants
• Bonfire Ascetic
• Petrified Something
• Aged Feather

Overview of Starting Gifts

The Life Ring provides a small boost to your maximum HP. The Human Effigy restores your humanity, which allows you to summon other players and NPCs for help, but it also increases the difficulty of the game. Healing Wares provide some healing items, while Homeward Bone lets you return to the last bonfire you rested at. The Seed of a Tree of Giants makes enemies more likely to attack each other, while the Bonfire Ascetic increases the difficulty of an area. The Petrified Something provides a random item, and the Aged Feather lets you teleport back to the last bonfire you rested at without losing any souls.

The Best Starting Gift

After weighing the pros and cons of each starting gift, the best one is the Petrified Something.

Why Petrified Something?

The Petrified Something provides a random item when traded with the crows in Things Betwixt. While the item you receive is random, it has the potential to be something very valuable. This could include a weapon or armor that is much better than anything else you have access to early in the game. It's also worth noting that the item you receive can be traded for a Titanite Slab, which is an incredibly valuable item that allows you to upgrade your equipment to the highest level.

Other Considerations

While the Petrified Something is the best starting gift overall, there are a few other gifts that are worth considering depending on your playstyle. For example, if you're new to the game and expect to die frequently, the Human Effigy might be a better choice. Similarly, if you plan on doing a lot of co-op, the Small White Soapstone might be a good choice, as it allows you to leave a summon sign for other players to find.

How to Get the Petrified Something

To get the Petrified Something, simply choose it as your starting gift. You'll find yourself holding it in your inventory when you start the game. To trade it with the crows in Things Betwixt, head to the area just past the first bonfire and look for a nest. Drop the Petrified Something into the nest and wait a moment. When you return to the nest, you'll find a random item waiting for you.

Conclusion

Choosing the right starting gift in Dark Souls 2 can be tough, but the Petrified Something is the clear winner. While it provides a random item, that item has the potential to be incredibly valuable. If you're new to the game or have a different playstyle, other gifts might be a better choice, but for most players, the Petrified Something is the way to go.

The Significance of Choosing the Right Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2 is a game that requires careful planning and execution, as every decision you make can have a significant impact on your gameplay experience. One of the most important decisions you will make at the start of the game is choosing your starting gift. This seemingly small decision can actually have a significant impact on your early game experience, as well as your overall build.

Choosing the right starting gift can give you a head start in the game, providing you with useful items and gear that can help you in combat. On the other hand, choosing the wrong gift can leave you at a disadvantage, making it harder for you to progress through the game. In this article, we will explore the different starting gifts available in Dark Souls 2 and provide you with some tips on how to choose the best one for your playstyle and build.

Understanding the Different Starting Gifts Available in Dark Souls 2

There are ten different starting gifts available in Dark Souls 2, each providing you with a different set of items and gear to begin your journey. These gifts include:

1. Life Ring

The Life Ring provides you with a boost to your maximum HP, which can be helpful in the early stages of the game when enemies hit hard and your character is relatively weak. It can also be useful later in the game, as it provides a percentage-based increase to your maximum HP.

2. Human Effigy

The Human Effigy is an item that can restore your humanity, which is necessary to summon other players for co-op play and to prevent invasions from other players. It can also be used to heal yourself, making it a useful item to have in your inventory.

3. Healing Wares

Healing Wares provides you with a set of healing items, including Lifegems and a Pharros' Lockstone. These items can be useful in the early stages of the game when your character is relatively weak and healing items are scarce.

4. Homeward Bone

The Homeward Bone is an item that can be used to return to the last bonfire you rested at. This can be useful if you find yourself stuck in a difficult area and need to retreat to safety.

5. Seed of a Tree of Giants

The Seed of a Tree of Giants is a rare item that can be used to make enemies in your world attack invaders. This can be useful if you find yourself being invaded by other players and need some extra help in combat.

6. Petrified Something

The Petrified Something is an item that can be traded with a nest in Things Betwixt for a random item. The item you receive can be anything from a common consumable to a rare piece of gear, making it a gamble but potentially rewarding choice.

7. Bonfire Ascetic

The Bonfire Ascetic is an item that can be used to reset an area to its default state, increasing the difficulty and rewards of the enemies within. This can be useful if you want to farm for specific items or challenge yourself with tougher enemies.

8. Gold Pine Resin

The Gold Pine Resin is an item that can be applied to your weapon to give it lightning damage. This can be useful against enemies weak to lightning, such as dragons and some bosses.

9. Binoculars

The Binoculars are an item that can be used to zoom in on distant objects. While not directly useful in combat, they can be helpful for scouting out areas and planning your approach.

10. Petrified Dragon Bone

The Petrified Dragon Bone is a rare crafting material that can be used to upgrade dragon weapons. It can also be traded with Chloanne for Titanite Slabs, making it a valuable item to have in your inventory.

Why Some Starting Gifts are Better Than Others in Dark Souls 2

While all of the starting gifts in Dark Souls 2 have their uses, some are objectively better than others depending on your playstyle and build. For example, the Life Ring is a solid choice for any build since it provides a straight increase to your maximum HP. On the other hand, the Seed of a Tree of Giants is a niche item that is only useful in certain situations.

The key to choosing the best starting gift for your character is to consider your playstyle and build. Are you planning on playing a melee-focused build? Then items like Gold Pine Resin or Petrified Dragon Bone may be more useful to you than items like Healing Wares or Homeward Bone. Are you planning on playing a magic-focused build? Then items like the Binoculars or Bonfire Ascetic may be more useful to you than items like the Human Effigy or Petrified Something.

The Pros and Cons of Each Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2

To help you make an informed decision when choosing your starting gift, let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of each gift:

Life Ring

Pros: Provides a straight increase to your maximum HP, making you more resilient in combat.

Cons: Doesn't provide any other benefits besides the HP boost.

Human Effigy

Pros: Can restore your humanity, allowing you to summon other players for co-op play and preventing invasions from other players. Can also be used to heal yourself.

Cons: Only provides a single use and doesn't provide any other benefits besides restoring humanity.

Healing Wares

Pros: Provides a set of healing items, including Lifegems and a Pharros' Lockstone. Can be useful in the early stages of the game when healing items are scarce.

Cons: Doesn't provide any other benefits besides the healing items.

Homeward Bone

Pros: Allows you to return to the last bonfire you rested at, which can be useful if you find yourself stuck in a difficult area and need to retreat to safety.

Cons: Only provides a single use and doesn't provide any other benefits besides returning to the last bonfire.

Seed of a Tree of Giants

Pros: Can make enemies in your world attack invaders, providing you with extra help in combat.

Cons: Only provides a single use and is only useful in certain situations, such as when being invaded by other players.

Petrified Something

Pros: Can be traded with a nest in Things Betwixt for a random item, potentially rewarding you with rare gear or consumables.

Cons: The item you receive is random and may not be useful for your build or playstyle.

Bonfire Ascetic

Pros: Can be used to reset an area to its default state, increasing the difficulty and rewards of the enemies within. Can be useful for farming specific items or challenging yourself with tougher enemies.

Cons: Can also be used to make the game much more difficult, potentially making progress harder for inexperienced players.

Gold Pine Resin

Pros: Can be applied to your weapon to give it lightning damage, which can be useful against enemies weak to lightning.

Cons: Only provides a single use and is only useful against enemies weak to lightning.

Binoculars

Pros: Can be used to zoom in on distant objects, which can be helpful for scouting out areas and planning your approach.

Cons: Not directly useful in combat and may not be necessary for all players.

Petrified Dragon Bone

Pros: A rare crafting material that can be used to upgrade dragon weapons. Can also be traded with Chloanne for Titanite Slabs, making it a valuable item to have in your inventory.

Cons: Only provides a single use and is only useful for upgrading dragon weapons.

How to Choose the Best Starting Gift for Your Playstyle in Dark Souls 2

Choosing the best starting gift for your playstyle in Dark Souls 2 requires careful consideration of your build and playstyle. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision:

1. Consider Your Build

Before choosing your starting gift, consider what type of build you want to play. Are you planning on playing a melee-focused build? Then items like Gold Pine Resin or Petrified Dragon Bone may be more useful to you than items like Healing Wares or Homeward Bone. Are you planning on playing a magic-focused build? Then items like the Binoculars or Bonfire Ascetic may be more useful to you than items like the Human Effigy or Petrified Something.

2. Balance Your Needs

When choosing your starting gift, try to balance your needs between combat and exploration. While items like the Life Ring can provide a boost to your HP in combat, items like the Homeward Bone can help you retreat to safety if you find yourself in a difficult situation. Consider what items will be most useful to you in both scenarios.

3. Consider Your Playstyle

Consider your preferred playstyle when choosing your starting gift. If you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, items like the Gold Pine Resin or Life Ring may be more useful to you than items like the Binoculars or Healing Wares. If you prefer a more cautious playstyle, items like the Homeward Bone or Bonfire Ascetic may be more useful to you.

4. Experiment

If you're unsure which starting gift is best for your playstyle, don't be afraid to experiment. Try out different gifts and see which ones work best for you. Remember that your starting gift is only a small part of your overall gameplay experience, so don't stress too much over making the perfect choice.

The Importance of Considering Your Build When Choosing a Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2

Your build is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your starting gift in Dark Souls 2. Different builds require different items and gear to be effective in combat, and choosing the wrong starting gift can leave you at a disadvantage.

For example, a melee-focused build will benefit more from items like Gold Pine Resin or Petrified Dragon Bone, which can be used to upgrade and enhance weapons. On the other hand, a magic-focused build may benefit more from items like the Binoculars or Bonfire Ascetic, which can help them scout out areas and challenge tougher enemies.

When choosing your starting gift, consider your build and what items will be most useful to you. Don't be afraid to experiment and try out different gifts to see what works best for your playstyle.

Which Starting Gift is Best for a Beginner in Dark Souls 2?

For beginners, the Life Ring is a solid choice for a starting gift. The extra HP it provides can make the early stages of the game easier, giving you more room for error in combat. Additionally, the Life Ring's percentage-based increase means it will continue to provide a useful boost to your maximum HP throughout the game.

The Human Effigy is also a good choice for beginners, as it can restore your humanity and prevent invasions from other players. This can make the game less stressful for new players who may not be ready for PvP combat.

The Best Starting Gifts for a Melee Build in Dark Souls 2

Melee builds require strong weapons and armor to be effective in combat. Here are some of the best starting gifts for a melee build:

1. Life Ring

The Life Ring provides a straight increase to your maximum HP, making you more resilient in combat.

2. Gold Pine Resin

The Gold Pine Resin can be applied to your weapon to give it lightning damage, which can be useful against enemies weak to lightning.

3. Petrified Dragon Bone

The Petrified Dragon Bone is a rare crafting material that can be used to upgrade dragon weapons, making them stronger and more effective in combat.

The Best Starting Gifts for a Magic Build in Dark Souls 2

Magic builds require strong spells and equipment to be effective in combat. Here are some of the best starting gifts for a magic build:

1. Binoculars

The Binoculars can be used to zoom in on distant objects, which can be helpful for scouting out areas and planning your approach.

2. Homeward Bone

The Homeward Bone can allow you to retreat to safety if you find yourself in a difficult situation, making it easier to survive tough encounters.

3. Bonfire Ascetic

The Bonfire Ascetic can be used to reset an area to its default state, increasing the difficulty and rewards of the enemies within. This can be useful for farming specific items or challenging yourself with tougher enemies.

The Best Starting Gifts for a Hybrid Build in Dark Souls 2

Hybrid builds require a balance of melee and magic abilities to be effective in combat. Here are some of the best starting gifts for a hybrid build:

1. Human Effigy

The Human Effigy can restore your humanity, allowing you to summon other players for co-op play and preventing invasions from other players

The Best Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2

Point of View

Pros and Cons

• Provides a set of healing items that can be used to restore health.
• Useful in the early game when healing options are limited.
• Can save you from dying in a tough fight or boss battle.

• The healing items are consumable, meaning they can be used up quickly if not managed properly.
• If you're a veteran player, you may prefer a different gift that provides more unique benefits.
• The Healing Wares may not be useful in later stages of the game when you have access to better healing options.

Table Comparison

The Best Starting Gift in Dark Souls 2

Welcome to our guide on the best starting gifts in Dark Souls 2. As a new player, it can be overwhelming to decide which gift to choose at the beginning of your journey. With this guide, we hope to make that decision easier for you. After hours of research and gameplay, we have come up with the top three gifts that will benefit you the most in your journey through the treacherous world of Dark Souls 2.

Firstly, let's discuss the Life Ring. The Life Ring is an excellent starting gift that will increase your maximum health by 5%. This may not seem like much, but in a game where every hit counts, this small increase can make all the difference. It can also be used throughout the entire game, so it's a gift that will continue to benefit you long after you begin your journey.

The next gift on our list is the Petrified Something. This gift is a bit more unique than the others as it requires some luck to obtain its benefits. When you start the game, you will come across a nest in the tutorial area. If you leave the Petrified Something in the nest, you will receive a random item in return. This could be anything from a powerful weapon to a rare piece of armor. While the randomness of this gift may not appeal to everyone, it's an exciting option for those who like to take risks.

Finally, we have the Bonfire Ascetic. This gift is for those who want to challenge themselves early on in the game. The Bonfire Ascetic allows you to reset an area and make it more difficult, but in return, the enemies within the area will drop better loot. This gift is perfect for players who want to test their skills and reap the rewards.

Now that we've discussed the top three starting gifts, let's talk about which one you should choose. Ultimately, it comes down to your playstyle. If you're a cautious player who wants to increase their chances of survival, then the Life Ring is the best option for you. However, if you're looking for a bit of excitement and a chance at rare loot, then the Petrified Something may be more appealing. And if you want to challenge yourself early on, then the Bonfire Ascetic is the way to go.

It's important to remember that your starting gift is not the end-all-be-all of your gameplay experience. You will find many items throughout your journey that will benefit you just as much, if not more than, your starting gift. So don't stress too much about your choice, and remember to have fun!

In conclusion, we hope that this guide has helped you in choosing the best starting gift for your Dark Souls 2 journey. Whether you choose the Life Ring, Petrified Something, or Bonfire Ascetic, we wish you luck in your adventures. Remember to stay vigilant, keep your shield up, and never give up!

People Also Ask About Dark Souls 2 Best Starting Gift

What are the starting gifts in Dark Souls 2?

The starting gifts in Dark Souls 2 are as follows:

1. Life Ring - Boosts maximum HP by 5%
2. Human Effigy - Restores human form and full HP
3. Healing Wares - A set of healing items that includes a Lifegem, a Radiant Lifegem, and a Homeward Bone
4. Homeward Bone - Returns the player to the last bonfire visited
5. Bonfire Ascetic - Raises the difficulty of an area and respawns enemies
6. Petrified Something - Can be traded with the crows in Things Betwixt for a random item
7. Bear's Blessing - Increases the player's resistance to damage for a short time

What is the best starting gift in Dark Souls 2?

The best starting gift in Dark Souls 2 depends on the player's playstyle and preferences. However, some popular choices are:

• Life Ring - Provides a small but useful boost to maximum HP, which can be helpful in the early game
• Human Effigy - Allows the player to restore their human form and full HP, which can be useful in tough situations or for co-op play
• Petrified Something - Can be traded with the crows for rare and valuable items, making it a potentially rewarding choice

Can you change your starting gift in Dark Souls 2?

No, once the player has selected their starting gift in Dark Souls 2, it cannot be changed. However, the starting gift is not a major decision and does not significantly impact the game, so players should not worry too much about making the wrong choice.