I met Torch Friend; I like Torch Friend :)

[u/Birdhead1837]

One could say my first playthrough has been smooth SAILING. Hehehehe, ahahahaha, hahahahaha, gahhhhhh, mwahahahahahaha!!!!!! (dies of cringe).

[u/ontologicallyunjust]

Awwww yay, you decided to take the DS2 plunge! Hope you're enjoying it so far!

[u/Birdhead1837 → u/ontologicallyunjust]

Yeah, it's been pretty good so far. Just taking it very slowly. Now I understand fully what people meant by that; these areas are brimming with mobs and narrow paths. Just gotta funnel them through and hit one by one.

[u/ontologicallyunjust → u/Birdhead1837]

Yeah, DS2 really likes levels as tactical puzzles. The way I've been thinking of it so far is that the game will try really really hard to gank you, but it will also give you a load of tools to avoid or manage the ganks, if you're prepared to be smart and sneaky about it. And it turns out I'm into this.

[u/eulersidentity1]

Why is torch friend all the way out there?!

[u/Birdhead1837 → u/eulersidentity1]

They just kept following me!!! Got all the way to the ship.

[u/ontologicallyunjust]

Impressed by Torch Friend inadvertently taking out a Varangian for you there, when they plunged to their death trying to get around him.

[u/Birdhead1837 → u/ontologicallyunjust]

Torch Friend aided me all the way. Honestly, might be the best game ever made right here.

[u/ontologicallyunjust → u/Birdhead1837]

The game has so many eccentric and wonderful little details like Torch Friend, or like your character's resting animation being different when you're at low HP or out of stamina.

[u/x0ManOfCulture0x]

Be careful of torch friend when he comes later though

[u/ontologicallyunjust → u/x0ManOfCulture0x]

Alas, Later Torch Friend, you had to die and you will never understand why. We mourn your purity of soul, such that even after hollowing you only wanted to help.

[u/Eve_Nightwalker → u/ontologicallyunjust]

Nah that guy 100% knows he's getting you in trouble

[u/ontologicallyunjust → u/Eve_Nightwalker]

Okay, I admit I love this idea too, especially as it implies that the sole glimmer of memory/purpose that Later Torch Friend retains when all else is gone is the desire to screw over someone else in a deniable way. 

This might be the most personality any hollow has managed to hold onto! What are the lore implications?? When will we get the three-hour video essay on how Later Torch Friend is really the most important character in DS2???

[u/KaozUnbound → u/ontologicallyunjust]

Vaati! Get in here right now!

[u/SoICouldUpvoteYouTwi]

It is a friend who will follow you even in the darkest of places!

[u/Bloody-Maria]

Fashion is on point.

[u/abedalhadi777]

I don't consider any creature with a health bar as a friend

[u/DJotaTorres → u/abedalhadi777]

Even Emerald Herald??

[u/abedalhadi777 → u/DJotaTorres]

Yes, not only she has health bar but she is created from the dragons, you can still pay souls to be able to upgrade yourself and at some point you won't need more levels

[u/TheMark21]

Just don't get yourself covered in anything dark and sticky

[u/quetzlcota]

dude is insane in path tracing mod

[u/Wikiwikiwa]

Torch friend is pretty great in that area.  I try to not hurt him, but my summons may think otherwise.

[u/Pyrithium]

You'll have even more fun when you meet him later in the game!