Here's something I noticed recently as I was suiting up my current main with new gear. I've turned to farming the first 4-2 Reaper in PBWT for the time being, and learned Thirst from Yuria using the Yellow Demon Soul to further increase souls earned in the process.

Now while going my usual melee strategy against the Reaper (i.e. dropping on his head from above before nuking him with 3 slashes of my Dragon Long Sword+2 from 2-2), it's occured to me that the Reaper not only began noticing me while I'm dropping down from above, but in fact starts charging his shining finger of DOOM. This means that if I don't actually manage to land on the sucker's head (to cancel his attack), I stand a chance of being zapped to holy heck.

I don't believe I've ever seen this behavior from the Reaper before in my prior farming runs, which are certainly numerous. In fact it was more likely the Reaper would start to turn only AFTER I landed behind him (if not on him). I'm trying to narrow down what could be the cause for his increased awareness. Could it be the Silver equipment I've donned in order to increase my max MP to be able to cast Thirst (at a whopping 200MP)? I'm in soul form most of the game to help with WT runs, and I usually have the Thief's Ring equipped.

The only other change I can think of is maybe the armor I've started to equip, which includes the Gloom body and leg armor (for increased poison/plague resistance). But I thought being in soul form negated most issues armor usually creates for stealth? It's particularly bugging me because I also noticed I can no longer sneak up behind the giant Depraved One before the first fog gate in 5-2 without it noticing me now; heck it catches a whiff of me as soon as I approach the wooden bridge behind it, never mind get right behind it.

Maybe I'm moving too fast in both cases? I still have the Thief's Ring equipped, and despite the armor I'm in soul form.

I should probably run more tests, like going back to the trusty black leather for light armor. Your experiences are also appreciated.

[size=1][color=#666666]This message was edited by Wolfwood on Nov 16 2009.

Hmmm....tell us what you suit up with, including your rings. And your weapons. I'm wondering if there's a latent penalty in one of the pieces. Also has your tendency shifted at all?

Yo! Off the top of my head, my 4-2 "farming" setup which grants me the dreaded ability to Obey Your Thirst includes the Silver Coronet, Silver Catalyst in left hand (both Silver gear are intended to boost my max MP so I don't need to farm so much for INT to get the MP needed to pull off Thirst), Dragon Longsword+2 in right hand (dual wielded when actually in attack mode). Armor is Silver Bracelet for arm (for more Souls), and usually Gloom body and leg pieces, or Dull Gold body and leg. Rings are Thief and Avarice (yup, even more SOOOOOULS). Before I was using the Blinded leg armor which I ganked off of body form Miralda from PWWT 1-1.

I'm pretty sure I have the END level to be able to sprint and roll properly with my farming setup w/o need for the Ring of Great Strength, but I'll want to double check just to be sure. I can post my character stats later for more reference once I get back.

WT is still pure black for world 4 and I have the path to the archdemon open.

As for my issue with the 5-2 giant Depraved One, I usually have the same gear but with heavier weapon loadout, like the Blessed Mirdan Hammer+2 and Meat Cleaver (for fun!), plus Adjucator Shield+1 and a Quality Compound Long Bow+4 for range (swapped with Talisman of Beasts when I need to cast Second Chance). Guess what build I am? In this case, I still have the Thief's Ring, but in this case I do need the great strength ring to increase equip weight max for better mobility.

Sorry I didn't read the whole thing you wrote, Wolfwood, too long. But if you are wearing heavy armors it makes more noise if you sprint, so maybe that is the case. If not, then I don't know, I usually snipe the reaper so I'm not of help in here.

Soul Thirst + PBWT = Increased aggro radius even with thief ring.

Heavy Armor doesnt matter in soul form

What i do is cast anti magic and jump down. This way you dont need to worry about his strong magic attack. With anti-magic casted it makes everything so much easier.

Uh, just a quick question regarding stealth in general.

Can the effect of the thief's ring be stacked with cloak?

Yes, but its a small difference and its not worth casting cloak is youre wearing the ring

Low level thief + cloak + thief ring = sneak past dragons in 1-1 with little effort to steal boat load of booty.

*grins*

quote RGZ Archer

Low level thief + cloak + thief ring = sneak past dragons in 1-1 with little effort to steal boat load of booty.

*grins*

In theory only Im afraid

Wait so wearing heavy armor in soul forms doesn't make noise? That make sense.

quote Cangriman

Wait so wearing heavy armor in soul forms doesn't make noise? That make sense.

Well you ARE a ghost, and only physical solid things can make noise, unless you count ectoplasma as a soild (its what you bleed when a ghost) I think its more or less that they sense you/see you when you get to close as a ghost in this game rather than they hear you. Most people have a limited sixth sense for when someone is around/watching them, only not as many are developed with it.

quote Aeirou

In theory only Im afraid

Wont know till I try though, which I will be doing this afternoon. Either I get some good loot, or I die again trying lol.

quote RGZ Archer

Wont know till I try though, which I will be doing this afternoon. Either I get some good loot, or I die again trying lol.

You can easily kill the red dragon from the first tower on the bridge if you have a LOT of arrows, or use soul arrow and Fragrant ring. Takes a while, but you won't be a Dragon snack either.

Hmmmm....might be time to open up a GD thread.

The dragon in 1-2 can also be handled with a poison cloud rather effectively, actually. Just cast it where he first swoops down. Much easier than trying to shoot him with arrows.

And i'm all for a GD thread.

Yeah, it could well be the enemy's increased awareness in PBWT in general that catches me off guard. =\ Still haven't uncovered what I've been doing to attract attention just before the first fog gate at 5-2 though, since I got that in PWWT after beating BP Selen, the Primeval Demon AND the Dirty Colossus there.

Thanks for the little nugget of info behind Soul Thirst too, had no idea that increased aggro range. Guess it's safer to stick with ranged attacks for now... or farm at 4-3 with the Storm whacker sword instead.