Dark Souls - Expert's Guide to Shortcuts

The first video in a new series of guides that will cover various areas of the game in greater detail than your typical beginner's guide. In this video I'll cover the major player discovered shortcuts, specifically ones that either allow you to skip large portions of an area or even allow you to access an entirely different one.
What I won't be covering are the shortcuts that are actually designed into the game, glitch shortcuts like the Kiln one(there are already tons of videos covering these) and most of the smaller shortcuts that aren't special in nature.
I plan on making more of these videos for various other topics so if there are things you're interested in knowing about in more detail let me know. Some of the things I'm considering are guide's to low level playthrough tactics, boss guides for certain bosses like Capra, 4 Kings, etc... Possibly a video on parrying, dodging and other mechanics. Keep in mind that there are a ton of beginner's guides out there so I'm not looking to just rehash those, I'm going to dig a bit deeper in whatever topic it is that I cover.

[@click4gameplay]

This dude just doesn't get hit.

[@junemorales578]

+Click4Gameplay hes a hacker cx

[@tixelch]

+June Morales I doubt that.

[@sparkplug8763]

@@tixelch 'cx' if you look carefully, its a sideways emoji. So I'd say it was satire.

[@Gnurklesquimp]

Ohh hey, thought your name was familiar! Just watched your video on enemy scaling in rpg's

[@robysword12]

His character probably reeks and none of the monsters want to go near him

[@vageta311]

2 Things about parrying. 1. Remember there is a time delay between when your eyes detect the swing, how long it takes your finger to react and then how long it takes for the game to respond. You may need to hit the button a little earlier to account for that delay. 2. Don't watch the weapon, pay attention to the enemies arm. The weapon animation can be deceiving so focusing on their arm seemed to work better for me in the beginning. Try to imagine timing it so your shield is hitting their elbow.

[@xxUrameshixxTTV]

The game should be re-titled: Dark Skills because that was some seriously awesome gameplay. Props and thanks!

[@nicholasjohnson7245]

Would be better named dank skills

[@hacnsm]

+jojo jones Your memes are shit, and you are shit.

[@lagroad]

Over 1.5k hrs and I only knew like half of these.

[@CygnusExOne]

Thanks for this. I love these unintended shortcuts. Especially the one you showed on the way to the Four Kings... I think I will have much use for that one. Thanks again!

[@unkownguy29loser19]

You missed one in undead burg.there is a jump you can make b4 you meet the drake for the first time.Right after the guy with the firebombs and the guy who ambushes you from behind there is a very small staircase which you can jump off to land on a ledge and then lower undead burg.AMAZING VID BTW!!!

[@xDRAGONSHAGGERx]

Love the new content format, please more of this!

[@GreyDawgh]

Great video, as usual. Several of these shortcuts, I had no idea they even existed. I love finding out stuff like this. Thank you.

[@MicrosoftNestleTea]

4:42 I accidentally discovered this on my own, and I always use it. Makes me feel like I'm actually good at the game, which I'm not at all.

[@Kitsunevania]

One of the most useful videos I've seen. Good job! :)

[@twosnakse]

One of the best souls vids I've ever seen. Awesome man!

[@zekky1000]

Wow that was pretty cool, I've been playing this game so much and yet i'm discovering new stuff, I love this game so much! Great vids vegeta!

[@Leezer088]

Unreal haha! I've played through 3 times now and had no idea any of these existed! Sweet vid man!

[@Sandro234]

The fact that you referenced one of the greatest games I've ever played made me smile. Thank you.

[@Ivolance]

Really nice video! Some of the shortcuts I already knew but about half of them were new to me

[@TheTonyVuko]

Awesome guide! Thanks a lot for taking the time to create and post it up!

[@MrNoneNico]

I already beat the game once, and I´m halfway the second run, this is a cool guide for second runs! Thanks for that one, subbed!

[@Ratt611]

Enb sent my. Great vid, very informative. Second burg shortcut and final dukes short cut were amazing. You have another subscriber good sir.

[@godinthismachine]

Your ToG runs has served me the most, the straight run from Patches to Nito, without you I died over and over and over trying to get around the proper path in the NG+'s, props sir.

[@EDIshames]

WTF oh my god, i wish i saw this video a LONG TIME AGO!!! Great job! I will rewatch this in awe a few more times

[@SigmaXS1x]

I didn't know about HALF of these shortcuts..you got yourself a new sub sir!

[@TheOptionalGuy]

Great video. At first I thought you were just going to show regular shortcuts so I was only going to watch it because I enjoy your videos but this actually helped me real good. That Duke's Archives Shortcut was great, definitely have to try that out because I hate the Prison Section.

[@breezyninja]

Great video with great explanations. I will use this as my go-to guide and reference to friends who are curious to dig deeper! Seriously, some of these are ridiculous. Just makes the already impressive level design that much more fun.

[@5150JamesA]

Wow man..really awesome stuff! Have about 500 hrs in PVE and didnt know alot of these! This is simply the greatest game ever. Its insane that I am still learning new things. People like you and ENB make this incredible game even better!

[@vageta311]

I'm not quite sure what you mean about accessing it before draining the water. Let me know a bit more specifically and I'll probably have an answer for you.

[@frostiproclamation]

This video was extremely helpful to my playthrough recently, thank you sir!

[@RedViviStreams]

Awesome shortcuts!! I never have even heard of quite a few of those... in particular the one at Seath's Manse is amazing! I thought I was done playing this game but damn.. you've just inspired me to go find some shortcuts! XD

[@madcow2424]

depths one is great, always get lost in there but not anymore! Awesome video dude.

[@InfernumGames]

More, MORE! :D This guide is trucking awesome.

[@TheSeraphim17]

jesus christ! that dukes archive move was genius. some i already knew, some I didn't. excellent work.

[@dgsaunders]

Amazing video man, great job

[@salmonellasam2755]

Anyone here in 2020 I completely forgot about this amazing dude 🤘🤘🤘

[@TheAudioInjection]

I have to say I'm really impressed. I'd consider myself something of a seasoned Dark Souls player considering I beat the game multiple times and I knew almost none of these shortcuts! The title "Expert's" guide really ISN'T a gimmick because apparently even "experts" can benefit from them! Thanks! :D

[@CamKhaos]

AWESOME vid man cant wait til FRIDAY!

[@vageta311]

I didn't want to cover the glitch shortcuts. Not because I have anything against them, just that it's already covered on youtube numerous times and the ToG shortcut is already in one of my playthroughs. I may however make a video specifically about glitches and cover all of the known ones in it.

[@mako8091]

WTF KZbin?! I finished this game twice last year but the algorithm finally decided to put this video in my feed. I seriously needed the Catacombs and Duke's Archives Skips. Better late then never I suppose. Thanks guy! ✌ Here's a sub.

[@KaaReccommends]

Wow, I have to say you're possibly the greatest parry-er I've seen in dark souls lol, kudos to you :P

[@TheCsukar]

In 600 hours of playtime i have never noticed the shortcut at 4:09 lol, it's cool that DkS still surprises me when i think i have seen everything, great video man =)

[@le4ndroh1]

dude, this is awesome...so we actually have a way to finish the game with zero deaths, great job... +1 subscriber ^^

[@mozartfx1]

Great looking character! Hair color, armor set, weapon and shield set...nice style. Thanks for the tips.

[@EricLeeStepp]

That last shortcut and the one to get into Lower Undead Burg are amazing!

[@daniels3401]

Thanks for doing these I'm really trying to get into dark souls and these are really helpful to keep from getting too frustrated

[@Freefidy]

that dukes archive one is incredible, in the 50+ playthroughs of this game i have done iv never really thought of that one

[@adolfoahernandezm]

this video was amazing dude, many thanks

[@tomdaboss2885]

that dukes shortcut is so difficult. I tried it for hours non-stop and never ever pulled it of

[@jaheim123]

But I figure it out on duke was actually put me a smile on my face but it made me really mad and I don’t care about it anymore I don’t get speedrunners get it on first try it took me hour and I got it

[@Bearforceone]

I legit did the same thing, I spent at least an hour trying to get it after being confident with pretty much every other shortcut in the game, never pulled it off once. I paid close attention to exactly how to roll and when, and still couldn't get it, extremely difficult.

[@stabMyFaceOff]

I just learned the technique last week and did it again today. It's easier if you use a bow to line up.

[@dragunz8]

Awesome Phrexeus, there is a pretty decent parrying vid out there but I am eager to get your insight. indeed love the new format, to the point and "expertly" put together ;-)

[@KartoffelKonig]

Okay so i actually knew like 3 or 4 but the dukes archives one alone earned you one big like man :D

[@vageta311]

I think Epicnamebro is working on a weapons guide as we speak so probably no reason for me to bother with a video. I'm mostly going to cover things that don't already have a good quality guide. I'm currently working on a parry video which will be next in the series.

[@TCParanormalInvestigations]

So glad I found this video. You're awesome.

[@FaxanaduJohn]

I am far from a Dark Souls veteran, having only just reached my first NG, and with a mage at that, but I just wanted to post to say how much I enjoy watching your Dark Souls videos. They are highly entertaining.

[@oedalis]

Cool, I will consider this factor in my fall experiments. Thanks for the info.

[@fjm666]

another awesome video. i knew a bunch of those already (mostly from your other vids) and i think the only one i figured out by myself was the Sens/Man Serpent.

[@vageta311]

You're right. I've done that in so many of my own playthroughs that I basically forgot it was a shortcut and that most players will go the long way. At some point I'll have to make a part 2 to grab the ones I missed, or do some sort of boss run/speed run series that shows the fastest way to get through different levels.

[@NDenizen]

The first and last shortcuts just blew my mind.

[@Zombey]

This is broken in the PC version, the ring does not drop every time.

[@torpid]

Hello there

[@thebeeghoont7888]

Tf how is a dude w 2mik subs randomly here

[@RandomGameClips27]

Was geht ab Digga

[@knutaf]

This is awesome stuff. The New Londo shortcuts might have benefited the recent 59 minute speed run if he'd planned for doing it. I really like the Expert Guide idea. Picking specific topics and exploring them with really quality content is more interesting to me than just PvP duels or invasions, which are in abundance.

[@vageta311]

Yes I plan on getting it as soon as it's available and will be putting up videos of my first expedition into the new areas. It's really the only chance for me to do any sort of blind playthrough.

[@SirPender]

Fantastic video! I've played a long time, and knew 1% of this stuff. Thank you.

[@Rujewitblood]

Thanks, yeah I was confused about how the parrying worked, sometimes it would look like the shield stopped the weapon but it'd just go right through, but what you said about the arm makes sense, thanks for the help

[@v2rabb1t]

great informative video dude, im just getting in DkS, i appreciate the work u put in, hopefully DkS chanels stay alive until DkS II comes out heh

[@yourhoodratfriend]

I like that you posted that Catacombs run. Even though it wasn't necessary, I was thinking, "Wow, this guy kicks ass."

[@prestonswayze2483]

that was a badass video thanks dude

[@sommi888]

Amazing shortcut!!!

[@DSxCallOfBooty]

Impressive. I'm not going for a speedrun any time soon, so I doubt many of these shortcuts will be that useful for me (I like experiencing all of the different areas, skipping them isn't my thing) but I imagine it'll be useful for a lot of players. Well done.

[@Gievfepix]

This is REALLY cool. I've played an absolute ton of DS and I didn't even know half of these :P

[@thebailey67]

amazing video. you the master of Dark Souls!

[@vitrais1797]

Truly helpful, thank you!

[@LuxsDeluxe]

This is amazingly useful for making new pvp characters using the dragon head glitch

[@jgmweston]

The king of DS1 content.

[@atlas2555]

Hey dude I don’t know if you read comments but I wanna say you’ve always been my favorite dark souls content creator. I was 13 when I found your channel and now I’m entering college still watching your vids.

[@AdeyAdey]

New Londo is my most hated place in the entire game. This video blew my mind within 3 minutes. The shortcuts there were fantastic!

[@jaheim123]

Bruh this made me wanna play this game again even more dang you’re good some skill you got

[@Iyerbaby360]

Ur a boss at this game ur parry timings are good im like on a 6th play through and this vid helped a lot

[@NotYourProphecy]

Very nice. You should also make videos of good armor combinations that offer low weight and high defense. And maybe even some good pvp buills you've come up with. Keep up the good work!

[@HXMbamwam]

New format is GOOD!

[@dajok]

Thank You - Thank You - Thank You. This is so helpful.

[@eight216]

Personally i just take the master key and skip the depths all together unless i decide i want to go back for the souls from the dragon boss later

[@MatthewTheUntitled]

And the ember

[@TheBrew3]

I only do this because I'm scared of the basilisks

[@xenephorous6651]

Humanity farming is great in the depths.

[@noop9k]

@@TheBrew3 The ones before Ash Lake are even more annoying.

[@iainkilcar7463]

@@TheBrew3 if you don't fall in holes you never have to even see one in the depths

[@Seladoor]

Love this guide, I saw your 'everything done before gargoyles' video and then found this. The Ariamis shortcuts are great, it's a shame that the level is optional because you could breeze through in under 1 minute.

[@styxman911]

I'm not sure how i found this video, but nice job! 200 hours in and still learning things...

[@bryanwong3545]

I cant even jump properly in my timing and im watching this. praise the sun!

[@d33f4ult5]

The first jump in New Londo is so useful yet I've only done it one. I envy you man.

[@mutewolf9892]

Simply awesome.

[@vageta311]

I have one in the works. Been busy with work this week but it's slowly coming together. I'm taking my time to do it right so I think people will be happy with it when it's released. Hoping sometime this weekend.

[@TheAlmightyBoo]

Dude! EpicNameBro gave you a shoutout in his daggers weapon guide. That's pretty awesome.

[@byDISMAL]

the last painted world one; I was already doing that and thought it was needed, I wasn't aware it was a shortcut!

[@TheLastPhoen1x]

Nice fashion.

[@MatthewTheUntitled]

Dude that shirt is painting's guardian robe. It's so fashionable I thought it's modded

[@Kebat]

Very nice! Thanks for the info!

[@piercury]

AMAZING MAN!!

[@lrojas305]

Wow. That was amazing

[@foolmoi]

this guide was awesome

[@Fuminshou]

I have about the same amount of playtime as you and that was the ONLY shortcut I knew about in this video haha!

[@mozartfx1]

Sweet! Thanks for the tips.

[@stonechalice]

I wish you'd make a few more Dark Souls vids man, they're the best on KZbin and I know you think you've covered all there is but I'm sure we'd all love to see something more from you. There just aren't many games as entertaining to watch a Dark Souls.

[@SuperAffenbrot]

and i thought i already know everything in the dark souls levels... awesome!

[@VictorMDArt]

Que grande atalho nos Arquivos do Duke! Me impressionou!

[@Vini-zv3lr]

Acho que tiraram na ultima patch porque nao funciona mais =^(

[@VictorMDArt]

;^(

[@yiazmat9656]

funciona sim eu consigo faze isso de boas

[@Vini-zv3lr]

Breno Gonçalves de Almeida Quando foi a ultima fez q tu conseguiu?

[@djgq0042]

great vid!

[@Pupuki182]

Awesome video. Could you on the description add Times Skips for different areas? Its good for people actually trying to reach a specific area faster. Still Awesome vid and keep the awesomeness

[@abigolchezburger]

kickass guide

[@furkanozbek8157]

It would be much easier going through the archives than trying this shit. I have been rolling for hours now... Great video btw, this and your parry tutorial basically taught me the game.

[@redflags420]

never thought I'd be reading about the philosophy of an avatar, this is great