Demon's Souls Tendency FAQ

[jqtaxpayer]

Demon's Souls Tendency FAQ

Understanding the concepts of Character and World Tendency is vital to playing Demon's Souls and, particularly, to obtaining all of its trophies. I've compiled this FAQ in hopes of keeping all of the information relevant to these concepts in one place, and diminishing the game's steep learning curve for those new to the game. Constructive criticism would be appreciated, acted upon and, of course, credited.

Post 1: FAQ
Post 2: Unique Black World Tendency Events
Post 3: Unique White World Tendency Events
Post 4: Tendency-Dependent Item List

Character Tendency FAQ

Q: What is Character Tendency?
A: Character Tendency is analogous to the various ‘character alignment’ systems seen in games such as Fallout 3, Infamous and most of Bioware’s games (KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, etc.). It operates completely independently from World Tendency, and carries over to subsequent playthroughs.

Q: How does Character Tendency affect gameplay?
A:

White Character Tendency:

• Talk to the Monumental with Pure White Character Tendency (PWCT) to receive the Friend’s Ring
• Increases Attack power while in Soul Form.

Neutral Character Tendency:

• Maximum HP in Soul Form reduced to 95% (stacks with World Tendency)

Black Character Tendency:

• With Pure Black Character Tendency (PBCT) and after rescuing and killing Yurt, who is found in a cage surrounded by Augites of Guidance in Tower of Latria (3-2) and drops the Gloom Armor Set when killed, Mephistopheles appears on 2nd floor of The Nexus. Mephistopheles tasks you with the assassinations of several NPCs -- a quest line that ultimately results in the acquisition of several valuable items, including the rare Foe's Ring. Note that it is best to tackle this quest line as late in the game as is practical, as several of the assassination targets are vital NPCs, whose demise will make your journey a great deal more difficult.
• Maximum HP in Soul Form reduced to 90% (stacks with World Tendency)

Q: How do I affect Character Tendency?
A:

Towards Pure White:

• Defeat invading Black Phantoms
• Defeat certain named NPC Black Phantoms (Miralda, Scirvir, Rydell, Satsuki, Selen) (PBWT only)

Towards Pure Black:

• Successfully kill a host as an invading Black Phantom
• Successfully kill the other player when summoned by the Old Monk (3-3)
• Kill harmless NPCs while in Soul Form (between 4 and 5 will take you from PWCT to PBCT)

Note that killed NPCs will be absent for the remainder of your playthrough. Killing Dregling (1-1, 1-2, 1-3), Filthy Man (2-1, 2-2), Once Royal Mistress (3-1), Graverobber Blige (4-1, 4-2), Filthy Woman (5-1, 5-2), Blue Phantom NPC (Nexus) and, after getting what you need from them, Acolyte of God (Nexus), Worshipper of God (Nexus) or Freke’s Apprentice (Nexus) will have little effect on your gameplay, whereas killing Saint Urbain, Sage Freke or Yuria could have more drastic consequences.

Q: How do I tell what my Character Tendency is?
A: Select the World Tendency menu option and note the statue in the center of the screen. While glowing white, your Character Tendency is White; while darkened, your Character Tendency is Black. Unfortunately, there is no surefire way of telling whether or not your Character Tendency is Pure White or Pure Black, other than talking to the Monumental to see if she’ll give you the Friend’s Ring or checking the 2nd floor of The Nexus to see if Mephistopheles has appeared, respectively.

World Tendency FAQ

Q: What is World Tendency?
A: Like your character, each of the game’s Worlds has a Tendency. They operate completely independently from Character Tendency, and carry over to subsequent playthroughs.

Q: How does World Tendency affect gameplay?
A:

Black World Tendency:

• Enemies have more HP, deal more damage and drop more souls when killed
• Enemies drop more upgrade stones and fewer healing items
• Black Phantom versions of enemies appear in some areas
• Named NPC Black Phantoms and Primeval Demons appear in some areas
• Unique World Tendency events

White World Tendency:

• Enemies have less HP, deal less damage, drop less souls when killed
• Enemies drop more healing items and fewer upgrade stones
• Unique World Tendency events

Q: How do I affect World Tendency?
A:

Towards Black:

• Die while in Body Form
• Kill the Body Form of Miralda, Scirvir, Rydell, Satsuki or Selen – even if they attack you first
• Kill Old King Doran (killing him by Poison Cloud or Death Cloud does not affect WT)

Towards White:

• Kill a boss
• Kill named NPC Black Phantoms
• Defeat Primeval Demons

To Pure Black:

• While in body form, commit suicide in the World you want to alter the Tendency of
• Use a Stone of Ephemeral Eyes to regain Body Form
• Repeat 7 times to get from Pure White to Pure Black World Tendency

From Pure Black To Pure White (requires having at least one boss alive):

• Find and kill the named NPC Black Phantom of the world:
  • Boletarian Palace, (1-1): Miralda
  • Stonefang Tunnel (2-2): Scircir
  • Tower of Latria (3-1): Rydell
  • Shrine of Storms (4-1): Satsuki
  • Valley of Defilement (5-2): Selen
• Without returning to The Nexus, kill the Primeval Demon (videos courtesy of YouTube user byakokoko):
  • Boletarian Palace (1-3)
    
    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Boletarian Palace

    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Boletarian Palace

  • Stonefang Tunnel (2-1)
    
    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Stonefang Tunnel

    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Stonefang Tunnel

  • Tower of Latria (3-2)
    
    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Tower of Latria

    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Tower of Latria

  • Shrine of Storms (4-2)
    
    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Shrine of Storms

    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Shrine of Storms

  • Valley of Defilement (5-2)
    
    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Valley of Defilement

    YouTube - Demon's Souls Primeval Demon location - Valley of Defilement

• Finally, killing a boss in that same World will place you at Pure White World Tendency

From Software World Tendency Events: From Software has organized several themed World Tendency Events, which have temporarily shifted the World Tendency for those playing the game online. For example, World Tendencies have shifted to Pure Black for Halloween 2009, Pure White for Winter Solstice 2009, and both for the week of Valentine's Day 2010.

Q: How do I avoid affecting World Tendency?
A: Dying in Soul Form has no effect on World Tendency, so whenever you regain Body Form, return to The Nexus and commit suicide. Dying in The Nexus has no Tendency-related repercussions, just don't forget to collect the souls from your bloodstain afterward.

Q: How do I tell what my World Tendency is?
A: Much like Character Tendency, there is no way to definitively tell what your World Tendency is, but in the World Tendency menu option, the shade of the archstones will indicate whether you're leaning towards Black or White. Some events only occur during the Pure World Tendencies and seeing whether or not those are taking place are the only surefire way to tell whether or not you're at Pure Black or Pure White.

[jqtaxpayer]

Unique Black World Tendency Events

Boletarian Palace (1-1):

• The gate to the left of the archstone unlocks, granting access to Crystal Geckos and a building housing Black Phantom Miralda, who drops the Guillotine Axe when killed, and the Brushwood Armor Set.
• Two unnamed Black Phantoms appear near the Red-Eyed Knight.

Boletarian Palace (1-2):

• Two unnamed Black Phantoms appear shortly before the Tower Knight archstone.

Boletarian Palace (1-3):

• Two unnamed Black Phantom Fat Officials appear after the encounter with the Red-Eyed Knight.
• Primeval Demon appears (see video in first post).

Stonefang Tunnel (2-1):

• A total of four unnamed Black Phantoms appear throughout the level.
• Primeval Demon appears (see video in first post).

Stonefang Tunnel (2-2):

• Black Phantom Scirvir appears, who drops the Talisman of Beasts when killed.
• A total of three Black Phantom Bear Bugs appear throughout the level.

Tower of Latria (3-1):

• Black Phantom Rydell appears outside of his cell, who drops the Phosphorescent Pole when killed.
• A total of three unnamed Black Phantoms appear throughout the level.

Tower of Latria (3-2):

• A total of three Black Phantom Celebrity Vermin ("Face Bugs") appear throughout the level.
• Primeval Demon appears (see video in first post).

Shrine of Storms (4-1):

• Black Phantom Satsuki appears, drops Hiltless when killed.
• A total of three Black Phantom Silver Skeletons and two Black Phantom Golden Skeletons appear throughout the level.

Shrine of Storms (4-2):

• Two Black Phantom Golden Skeletons and one Black Phantom Dual-Katana Skeleton appear after the second Reaper encounter.
• Primeval Demon appears (see video in first post).

Valley of Defilement (5-1):

• Black Phantom Goblins appear throughout the level.

Valley of Defilement (5-2):

• Black Phantom Selen Vinland appears, who drops Blind when killed.
• A total of three Black Phantom Giant Goblins appear throughout the level.
• Primeval Demon appears (see video in first post).

[jqtaxpayer]

Unique White World Tendency Events

Boletarian Palace (1-1):

• The gate to the left of the archstone unlocks, granting access to Crystal Geckos and a building housing NPC Miralda, Brushwood Armor Set and a Colorless Demon Soul. Note that killing Miralda in Body Form will push your World Tendency towards Black.
• Red and Blue Dragons disappear

Stonefang Tunnel (2-2):

• Show Scirvir the Dragon Bone Smasher to receive a Pure Greystone

Stonefang Tunnel (2-3):

• The debris blocking the left-side path to the Dragon Bone Smasher is cleared

Tower of Latria (3-1):

• Rescue NPC Rydell with the Cell Key found in 3-2 for a Dull Rat’s Ring.
• Debris blocking 2F path to Three-Cornered Hat and Venerable Sage’s Armor Set is cleared.
• 2F area containing Parrying Dagger, Rogue’s Armor Set and 2 Chunks of Mercury Stone is accessible.

Tower of Latria (3-2):

• A bridge to the Cell Key used to rescue Rydell appears on top of the tower where you release the first brazier chain.

Shrine of Storms (4-1):

• NPC Satsuki appears near the archstone looking for Magic Sword ‘Makoto’. Having the sword while encountering him will result in him attacking you; killing him pushes your World Tendency towards Black. Note that avoiding this encounter has no effect on trophy progress.

Shrine of Storms (4-2):

• Magic Sword ‘Makoto’ accessible in the pit that Patches kicks you into.

Valley of Defilement (5-1):

• A ladder leading to the Istarelle appears before the first Giant Goblin.

Valley of Defilement (5-2):

• NPC Selen Vinland appears after the first fog gate, providing a side quest that results in the Ring of Devout Prayer.

Valley of Defilement (5-3):

• Black Phantom Garl Vinland appears after killing Maiden Astraea; when killed, he drops the Bramd and Crest of Vinland (given to NPC Selen Vinland in 5-2 with PWWT in exchange for the Ring of Devout Prayer).

[jqtaxpayer]

Tendency-Dependent Item List

This list is not exhaustive; it focuses entirely on items related to the acquisition of the "Soldier's Trophy" and "Rogue's Trophy" trophies that require the manipulation of Character or World Tendency.

Pure White Character Tendency:

• Friend's Ring (Nexus, The Monumental)

Pure Black Character Tendency:

• Foe's Ring (Nexus, Mephistopheles Side Quest Reward)
• Talisman of Beasts (Nexus, Mephistopheles Side Quest Reward)

Pure Black OR Pure White World Tendency:

• Large Brushwood Shield (1-1) +

+ Biorr also drops a 'Large Brushwood Shield' when killed (1-X).

Pure Black World Tendency

• Guillotine Axe (1-1)
• Talisman of Beasts (2-2)
• Phosphorescent Pole (3-1)
• Hiltless (4-1)
• Blind (5-2)

Pure White World Tendency:

• Dragon Bone Smasher (2-3)
• Dull Rat's Ring (3-1)
• Magic Sword 'Makoto' (4-2)
• Istarelle (5-1)
• Ring of Devout Prayer (5-2) ++
• Bramd (5-3)

++ Saint Urbain also drops this ring when killed. Additionally, Sparkly the Crow (4-1) will exchange one for a 'Large Sword of Moonlight'.

It's also worth noting that killing a Primeval Demon, which are found exclusively in Pure Black World Tendency, is one of the requirements for obtaining the Recovery Miracle, which is required for the "Saint's Trophy" trophy. See the videos in the first post for locations of the Primeval Demons.

[solracthesin]

Thanks for the heads up jqtaxpayer. I think I messed up though because I died in 1-2 in Body form. So now that I'm in Soul form I can just continue as I was right?

[jqtaxpayer]

Originally Posted by solracthesin

Thanks for the heads up jqtaxpayer. I think I messed up though because I died in 1-2 in Body form. So now that I'm in Soul form I can just continue as I was right?

Sure -- basically, so long as you've got one boss left, haven't killed the World's unique NPC Black Phantom and haven't killed the World's Primeval Demon, there's no problem.

For Boletarian Palace, for instance:

• Kill at least Phalanx (1-1) and Tower Knight (1-2).
• Get Pure Black World Tendency by dying several times in Body Form.
• While in Soul Form, kill Black Phantom Miralda.
  • Take the Guillotine Axe she drops.
  • Take at least the Large Brushwood Shield from the building from which Miralda emerged.
• Without returning to The Nexus, kill the Primeval Demon in 1-3. It's not a problem if you die as you'll be in Soul Form.
• Return to The Nexus if necessary.
• While in Soul Form, kill a boss (Penetrator or, if you killed Penetrator as well, False King).

Following those steps, you'll be at Pure White World Tendency.

Keep in mind that the game requires more than one playthrough, so if you screw it up on your first, you'll have more chances to make it right.

[solracthesin]

Originally Posted by jqtaxpayer

Sure -- basically, so long as you've got one boss left, haven't killed the World's unique NPC Black Phantom and haven't killed the World's Primeval Demon, there's no problem.

For Boletarian Palace, for instance:

• Kill at least Phalanx (1-1) and Tower Knight (1-2).
• Get Pure Black World Tendency by dying several times in Body Form.
• While in Soul Form, kill Black Phantom Miralda.
  • Take the Guillotine Axe she drops.
  • Take at least the Large Brushwood Shield from the building from which Miralda emerged.
• Without returning to The Nexus, kill the Primeval Demon in 1-3. It's not a problem if you die as you'll be in Soul Form.
• Return to The Nexus if necessary.
• While in Soul Form, kill a boss (Penetrator or, if you killed Penetrator as well, False King).

Following those steps, you'll be at Pure White World Tendency.

Keep in mind that the game requires more than one playthrough, so if you screw it up on your first, you'll have more chances to make it right.

Ok I finally understand something for this game lol. Question though, in order to kill myself in body form I have to get my body right? How can I keep going into body form so I can kill myself over & over? I know you can get your body back by Killing Bosses & using that rare (is it rare?) item. So is there another way.

Also I was reading the wiki and it said while playing online, it could effect the WT? Should I play offline?

[jqtaxpayer]

Originally Posted by solracthesin

Ok I finally understand something for this game lol. Question though, in order to kill myself in body form I have to get my body right? How can I keep going into body form so I can kill myself over & over? I know you can get your body back by Killing Bosses & using that rare (is it rare?) item. So is there another way.

Also I was reading the wiki and it said while playing online, it could effect the WT? Should I play offline?

Helping another player defeat a boss as a Blue Phantom will also allow you to regain Body Form. Stones of Ephemeral Eyes aren't exactly rare, though they're far from common. Throughout the course of the game you'll end up with plenty. I recommend getting used to the game's mechanics before delving into Pure Black World Tendency, however, as the game does get quite a bit harder.

Apparently some individuals have had some issues with World Tendency resetting while playing online. That being said, I played online the whole time and still ended up with the platinum trophy. Per the Wiki's suggestion, I never quit my game while in The Nexus, but if you're still having problems with World Tendency resetting, it's something you may want to consider.

[FatMaserati]

Thank you so much for this! This really clarified a lot of things for me.

[Str8Flushin']

Not enough love for this post. Very well written and helped me understand the game much better.

Thanks a lot.