The Lords of the Fallen: 5 Best Tips for Beginners

The Lords of the Fallen feature not one but two treacherous alternate worlds to conquer. In that sense, it’s somewhat separate from Dark Souls and can take its toll on Soulslike fans expecting something they’re used to. Newcomers, on the other hand, may take a minute to digest the nuanced mechanics and punishing gameplay that await.

But you never have to tread blindly into Axiom and Umbral. Not when we’re here to serve as a stepping stone to a more worthwhile experience. Ready for a crash course into what really matters, pre-spirit snatching? Let’s get to The Lords of the Fallen: Best Tips for Beginners, shall we?

5. Umbral Lantern, Light My Way 

The umbral lantern is perhaps the most crucial tool you’ll find in The Lords of the Fallen. So, understanding how to use it takes precedence above all else. Just like you would hold up a lantern in the dark to light your path, so do you in The Lords of the Fallen. However, the lantern lets you peer into Umbral, the land of the dead, instead. 

It’s quite handy for solving puzzles. You may reach inaccessible points in Axiom. However, peering into Umbral lets you find a path, whether a bridge, door, and so on. Alternatively, you may set eyes on valuable items in Umbral, which you may need to unlock gear and spells later on. 

The trick is to use the umbral lantern as often as you can. Thereafter, whatever you see, you can try to interact with it. Alternatively, you can use the lantern to soulflay enemies. It essentially siphons their spirits, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Some parasites latch onto enemies, shielding them from attacks. You can use the lantern to pop them off. Lastly, the lantern comes in handy when opening treasure chests stashed away in Umbral.

4. A Friend a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

The Lords of the Fallen support online co-op. However, it only allows up to two players to team up for as long as they like. You can still take advantage of it by tagging along an online friend to explore Axiom and Umbral together and team up against the most treacherous monstrosities the game has to offer. Alternatively, you can grind for more Vigor in another player’s session or even go head-to-head with them in PvP battles.

You’ll find the game has a nasty habit of instigating an ambush every now and then. It doesn’t hesitate to throw hordes of wraith enemies at you, increasing their tenacity the longer you’re in Umbral. If not for the extra help, perhaps for the more, the merrier?

3. Wither Health Verses Damage

Among the nuanced mechanics in The Lords of the Fallen is wither damage. Players take up wither damage whenever they’re healing while in Umbral. You can sustain it from enemy attacks. Also, any blocking will chip away at your withered health. To heal from withering damage, you’ll need to land direct hits – consecutively and successfully. 

But be careful. Sustaining damage during fights drastically drains your withered health bar. And while you won’t die if your withered health bar runs out, taking even one single hit afterward is game over. The only way out is to master dodges, dashes, rolls, parries, and go on the offense – aggressively. Parries, in particular, when timed correctly, help to open up enemies for more devastating counterattacks.

Wither damage is The Lords of the Fallen’s twisted way of encouraging aggressive play. So that your withered health remains above par, be sure to prepare effectively before the battle. Make good use of ranged attacks against thin hordes of enemies. Equip reliable armor and weapons with high damage outputs. And remember to use sorcery as often as you can.

2. Visit Umbral, But Don’t Stay Too Long

The Umbral realm is the most treacherous place you could ever wish for. It’s funny because the Umbral realm is also where you’re likely to stack up on Vigor the fastest way. Wraiths respawn limitlessly, increasing in strength and numbers the longer you stay put. Each will drop Vigor, though, giving you the opportunity to grind for upgrades.

Additionally, Umbral has some pretty valuable items stashed away in treasure chests and the like. It’s labored with secrets only unraveled when you step foot in its grimdark areas. In the end, it comes down to your risk versus reward assessment strategy. But either way, every type of player will be overwhelmed if they stay too long in Umbral. Plus, nearly unkillable reapers will hunt you down the longer you stay.

1. Be Wise When Planting Vestige Seedlings 

Vestige seedlings simply mean respawn points, much like bonfires in Dark Souls. Whenever you plant vestige seedlings in a flower bed, you create a respawn point. Respawn points serve as upgrades and teleporting locations. They’re also resting points, where each time you respawn, you get your health back. 

However, renewed health comes at the cost of respawning enemies (not bosses), which you can choose to view either way. The first is that respawned enemies give you the opportunity to grind for more Vigor. On the other hand, it means fighting against enemies you have already killed before.

A quick strategy is to plant vestige seedlings when you’re near a boss fight. That way, if you die, you won’t have to tread through respawned enemies – again. Alternatively, you can plant them when you’re halfway through a tough area. So you can deal with the other half refreshed. Vestige points particularly replenish ammunition, taking away the need to loot or buy from merchants.

As handy as vestige seedlings are, you may want to use them sparingly in the early stages. The only way to get more is via boss drops or buying from Molhu at a pricey 2500 per seed. Also, make sure to scout the area before planting one. Who knows? Maybe there’s a main vestige point a mere few feet away.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our The Lords of the Fallen: Best Tips for Beginners? Are there more tips you’d like to share with us? Let us know over on our socials here.