Schemes of the Past (Level 1 | No Upgrades) [SOPFFO]

[@brightsuperstition]

That forward attack from Axe seems to be a bit inconsistent at going beneath the Mad Gigas' leg gap. Is it just a spacing/positioning thing? Or can you only go through the leg if you do the forward attack at a very specific moment during his grab attempt?

[@FrikXen]

It's consistent, but yes, it's also a spacing/positioning thing. If you're too far, you wont go through. More importantly (which is why it failed here), you need correct positioning (or rather, orientation). I just noticed rewatching that part, if he is facing a different direction to you, you will miss.

[@brightsuperstition]

Could Marksman perhaps have provided a smoother run against Iron Giant in phase one? Considering how often and how predictably he uses Smite and Savage Blade, you can pretty safely just point blank him while pelting at him with normal shots, pressing triangle in case he does his unblockables to hit him with Dazing Bullet and maybe soul shielding his regular swings. As for phase two, I've always used Greatsword against him, as it just allows me to use the special block stance to deal with Rush Spiral and Lightning Spiral. You're barely getting any MP back from soul shielding those multi-hit flurries anyway with how low your stats are under this challenge run restriction playstyle. Might as well use Greatsword to stay safe.

[@FrikXen]

Marksman on phase one 100% would be smoother. I forgot the channel name (it was a Japanese player with a corgi pfp) that looped him into doing the slap then Smite (on Lufenia). I just felt like trying something different. That is true, I could preserve break that way. But I feel like I'm missing something big on the offence side, unless that thing is breaking his arms, but I don't think that's possible at this point.