PS3, Xbox 360 Dark Souls 2 patch fixes bugs and calibrates gameplay

If you’ve been paying very close attention to Dark Souls II, you may have noticed that it was a tiny bit different yesterday after developer From Software released a new patch.

Version 1.03 should fix some issues with multiplayer, a lot of other bugs, and make a few improvements to Dark Souls II’s interface and controls.

The gameplay itself has also been calibrated in a number of ways. If you look at the full list of changes posted to Dark Souls II’s Facebook page you’ll notice that the health and damage of some area bosses has been reduced, but so were a lot of player abilities, so it’s not like the game is suddenly a walk in the park.

The full patch notes:

MULTIPLAYER:

Failing to create Multiplayer session no longer disables use of online items, such as White Soapstone.
Starting boss fight with the Looking Glass Knight while summoning other players no longer cancels the summoning process.
Fixed an issue that prevented some bloodstains, illusions, and messages from being displayed.
Fixed an issue where “Unable to participate in Multiplayer Session” could constantly appear.
Fixed some instances where the portrait of the person you were summoning was different than the actual character.
You will no longer be able to take off Covenant rings while being summoned.
Fixed an issue that would cause some summoned players to fall through the ground at Earthen Peak.

GAME MENU / INTERFACE / CONTROLS:

Optimized Start Menu and Bonfire Menu performance.
Trophy icon for “Holder of the Fort” has been fixed.
Controller now vibrates when blocking an attack

OTHER FIXES:

Bug involving Drangleic Castle door not opening has been fixed.
Fixed an issue that would cause Souls to be lost upon death with the Ring of Life Protection equipped.
Fixed an issue that caused some players to fall through elevators while using Binoculars and Magic simultaneously.
Fixed an issue causing some enemies being hit by arrows at long distances receive 0 damage.
Fixed an issue preventing the Brotherhood of Blood duels from starting properly.
Added a message for players that displays after entering the coffin in Things Betwixt
Fixed an issue where all of the items and objects in an area would reset (Without using a Bonfire Ascetic).
Fixed an issue that didn’t unlock some items from vendors on 2nd and beyond playthrough.
Fixed an issue causing the requirements for the Brotherhood of Blood Covenant be 50 too high.
Licia’s conditions for moving have been optimized.

CALIBRATIONS:

Item “Corrosive Urn” – Strength reduced
Weapon Category “Twinblade” – Durability increased
Weapon “Moonlight Greatsword” – Made so that this weapon cannot be Enchanted, and slowed down the motion of the weapon
Armor “Gyrm Warrior Greathelm” – Wieght, Poise, Defense Increased
Ring “Ring of Thorns” – Damage reduced
Ring “Old Sun Ring” – Damage reduced
Sorcery “Soul Spear” and “Crystal Soul Spear” – This spell will now pierce through enemies and is able to cause damage to more than just one enemy
Sorcery “Soul Greatsword” – Time spell takes to take effect adjusted
Sorcery “Homing Soulmass” and “Homing Crystal Soulmass,” Hex “Affinity” – Now take less stamina and move faster
Sorcery “Soul Geyser” – Damage reduced
Recovery spell motions are now slower
Miracle “Wrath of the Gods” – Time to determine damage reduced
Pyromancy “Firestorm,” “Fire Tempest,” “Chaos Storm,” “Flame Swathe,” “Forbidden Sun” – Damage reduced
Pyromancy “Firestorm,” “Fire Tempest,” “Chaos Storm” – Time to activation made longer
NPC “Lucatiel of Mirrah,” “Pilgrim Bellclaire,” “Benhart of Jugo,” “Manscorpion Tark” – Defense increased
Enemy “ Rupturing Hollow” – HP reduced
Enemies “Hollow Mage,” “Amana Priestess” – Reduced ability to chase user
Enemy “Hammersmith” – Reduced the length of vibrations after striking ground
Area Boss “The Last Giant” – Reduced damage
Area Boss “The Lost Sinner” – HP and damage reduced
Area Boss “Royal Rat Authority” – Damage reduced
Area Boss “The Duke's Dear Freja” – Damage reduced
Area Boss “The Lost Sinner” (2nd time through) – sinner in jail who appears - HP and damage reduced
Area Boss “Flexile Sentry” (2nd time through) – Nimble Shadow who appears - HP and damage reduced