The world of Axiom is unforgiving, and Lords of the Fallen won't hold the players' hands for long. Death comes swiftly to the unprepared and even more so to the brash and reckless. Learning a Soulslike game isn't always easy, but Lords of the Fallen can be a great entry point into the sub-genre as any other title of the same caliber, especially since this game isn't afraid to wear its inspirations on its sleeve. Here's a collection of tips to help new players get started.
Lords of the Fallen’s Deluxe Edition Gives Players a Unique Early Advantage
Lords of the Fallen features a diverse catalog of starting class builds that is emboldened further if players purchase the deluxe edition.
Lords of the Fallen Tips
Be Aggressive
Blocking an enemy attack causes a portion of the player's health bar to Wither, turning it gray without completely counting it out. Withered health can be recovered by continuously attacking enemies for as long as gray health is still visible. Much like Bloodborne, this incentivizes players to be aggressive in a fight by rewarding them with healing.
However, be careful when using this mechanic as aggressiveness is not the same as recklessness. Make sure to equip good armor and shields or weapons with high damage mitigation to dampen incoming blows.
Know When to Parry
Unlike other recent Soulslike games, Lords of the Fallen sticks more closely to the traditional Dark Souls formula. There's a smaller emphasis on parrying and deflecting attacks here compared to Sekiro or Lies of P, but that doesn't mean players should avoid parrying completely.
Landing a parry opens up enemies for strong visceral attacks. However, parry timings can be difficult to get. Players who want to parry a lot in this game will need to actively take note of how quick enemy attacks are instead of relying on pure reflex. Prediction-based parries are always more likely to connect than reactive ones, so always keep the enemy's attack patterns in mind when attempting this technique.
Use Ranged Weapons Wisely
Ranged weapons in Lords of the Fallen replenish ammunition every time players rest in a Vestige, eliminating the need to find or purchase ammo from vendors. However, ammunition is still limited based on a player's available Ranged Slots, which means relying purely on projectile-based weapons isn't as simple as in other games.
It's best to conserve ammunition for baiting enemies away from groups or taking out pesky archers, bombers, and mages from relative safety. Sometimes, the best way to take out a powerful foe is to whittle them down with ranged attacks before closing in for the kill.
Check the Other World Regularly
The shadowy Umbral realm is always within the player's reach, often opening up pathways that would otherwise be unreachable in the material world. Some secret items can only be obtained by traversing the Umbral, so players should always be on the lookout for possible paths blocked in the real world but opened in the realm of the dead.
Chasms, gaps, iron bars, and rubble often indicate a nearby hidden passage. Use the Umbral Lamp to see if these inconspicuous obstacles have any secrets worth sharing. Points of interest in Umbral will be marked on Axiom by swarms of moths.
Always Upgrade Gear
Leveling up is not enough to keep up with the horrors infesting Mournstead. Players should always be looking to upgrade their favored gear to deal the most damage possible without relying on finding better weapons and armor.
When upgrading items, it's best to dedicate resources to just a few items at a time unless players are able to afford fully upgrading something. Try to reach the highest upgrade level possible for one item before moving on to a different one.
Commit to a Build and Playstyle
There are many items in Lords of the Fallen, and it can be tempting to try them all at once. Pivoting from one build to another mid-campaign is a common mistake new Soulslike players often make. Doing so can drain resources and leave players feeling like they aren't doing enough damage. Changes in playstyle can also be jarring to some, resulting in diminished combat effectiveness across the board.
Though it's possible to respec, sticking with one build is still highly recommended. Players don't necessarily have to keep using the same weapons and armor all the time, but they should at least keep their stat distribution the same throughout the entirety of a campaign.
Lords of the Fallen is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.