I always forget how ridiculously unfair this game feels.

[Vincent]

Using what are generally regarded as the strongest guns in the game, upgraded, gnosis 2, and it feels like I'm slapping with a pool noodle. I come back after not playing for awhile (I quit for the exact same reason) and now it's even worse. Now we have "stay inside the circle" side objectives while it spawns in a million enemies and half of them knock you back 30ft when they melee you. I want to have fun with the game, I've tried over and over, but I'm really not.

[Polyp]

I just unlocked gnosis 2, that was a crazy leap. It's kicking my ass, but it's kind of cool how you have to be more careful with how you work through the maps so you don't piss off the witch. Best I can say is you probably don't want to try full clears right away. I only made it out of Velmorne alive a few times. I'm afraid to go back to Scarlet Coast. And I don't even touch those duel summon circles.

[Spellfork]

It has been said over and over again that this game is the most punishing at the start, I remember my first time trying to do Scarlet Coast on Gnosis 0 and just getting obliterated by the regular trash mobs, it felt brutal at first. Especially when all your weapons, spells and items lack the power of their mysterium unlocks but going up against the odds makes you learn how enemies behave, you learn how to use cover and more importantly you learn to dodge and avoid damage. It is a trial at the start.

Once you've gotten the basic pacing down and you can survive under those initial harsh circumstances your goal changes and you're now building your character and making it a murder machine. Building your character power is 90% of this game, that is how you win the easiest. Learn to synergize your spells and weapons in order to melt the opposition, build smart and find the stuff that you like to use.

My last advice is to just avoid the hazards and events that you don't like, they start to suck the fun out of things so I had to work against my OCD-tendencies that make me want to clear everything... So thanks game I guess :D

All that being said it is very much up to you to decide if you want to go in deeper and learn or if you'd rather invest your time into something else.

Also, don't be afraid of Gnosis you've got it all backwards. It doesn't make the old enemies stronger and better, it just introduces new stuff but with all the enemies comes plenty of good gear to unlock. Instead of dreading to increase your Gnosis, think of it as boon that makes the game more fun as it introduces new and crazy stuff. And don't forget your Placebo Pills if you ever find yourself trapped by insane spawns.

[Kryten]

Agree, this game is hardest when you are underpowered and new to the maps. it really gets easier the more you advance though, as having M3 gear, better stats/beads and knowledge of maps and enemies makes a huge difference. It gets a bit chaotic at times when a lot is going on , but advanced gear makes it fun to deal with :)

[hex_eye]

That’s really the point. You need to keep trying and not give up so easily. Learn from the mistakes you’re making. Learn how enemies behave. Experiment with your loadouts for max efficiency. Work on fully upgrading the gear you’re using, to unlock the intended powers. You’re not a Doom Slayer. You’re a weak Preyer at start, working your way up to become a powerful Witchhunter. A match for the Witch herself by learning the dark arts as you progress. It isn’t hard once you understand how to dance around threats and melt them with your synergized kit. You just have to keep playing as difficult as it may feel. Playing a bit and stepping away from it for months isn’t going to get you there. It requires some dedication.

[evancampbell]

Are you sure you're not using them outside their effective range?

This game is not easy but weapon damage shouldn't be the issue. Unless you're very early on, then yeah it can be rough until you at least get a "full loadout"...

[30 seconds to Uranus]

You play early access, this version has early accessible Striga - probably the best weapon in the game, get it as soon as possible( it is in the hermitorium, but you have to get to gnosis 3 if I remember it correctly for that though) - it will make the game so much easier. 2nd mysterium makes it so powerful and 3rd is even stronger.

[Hogscreech]

I don't know, once I get a few perks I feel like a god with the basilisk.

[Donovan]

What do you mean you don't like infinitely spawning enemies? Skiiiiiiiil issuuuuuuuuue.

[SillyHeatsink]

Completely agree. I played for 6 hours or so, got up to Gnosis 2 level 40, unlocked and levelled up absolutely everything I could and cannot touch the Scarlet Coast boss (the few times I do manage to fully clear the map to allow you to fight him). Most of the time a huge number of enemies spawn in mid fight. I reckon it's best to leave this for now and hope for balancing at release.

[Hogscreech]

Originally posted by SillyHeatsink:

Completely agree. I played for 6 hours or so, got up to Gnosis 2 level 40, unlocked and levelled up absolutely everything I could and cannot touch the Scarlet Coast boss (the few times I do manage to fully clear the map to allow you to fight him). Most of the time a huge number of enemies spawn in mid fight. I reckon it's best to leave this for now and hope for balancing at release.

That dude, the witches first familiar, I don't think is meant to be easy but with my hunters blood at 20-25 I just fought him from on top of the cliffs and use the scoped sniper rifle with the set fire effect. At that blood level you can hop between the big gaps to dodge his range attacks. That made the familiar pretty easy. I believe also you don't even need to kill him to get to gnosis 3. Good luck.

[hex_eye]

Originally posted by SillyHeatsink:

Completely agree. I played for 6 hours or so, got up to Gnosis 2 level 40, unlocked and levelled up absolutely everything I could and cannot touch the Scarlet Coast boss (the few times I do manage to fully clear the map to allow you to fight him). Most of the time a huge number of enemies spawn in mid fight. I reckon it's best to leave this for now and hope for balancing at release.

You can skip these objectives and come back later when you have gained more power. You're not forced to immediately complete any task in the game if you're character (or skill level) struggles with the encounter in the beginning. The point is to continue leveling and revisit challenges when you're ready. It is possibly to melt the Galley Slave once you're strong enough. It is also possible to run a level 1 character at higher Gnosis levels if you're skilled.

[RandomNoun]

Originally posted by SillyHeatsink:

Completely agree. I played for 6 hours or so, got up to Gnosis 2 level 40, unlocked and levelled up absolutely everything I could and cannot touch the Scarlet Coast boss (the few times I do manage to fully clear the map to allow you to fight him). Most of the time a huge number of enemies spawn in mid fight. I reckon it's best to leave this for now and hope for balancing at release.

Eventually you should be able to beat that familiar at G0 on your very first trip to the coast, without triggering a calamity. But if you dont think the idea of getting to that point is fun than go do something else that is instead

[ShadowArcanist]

I felt weak until I started taking advantage of the elemental combinations.

[Polyp]

Yeah it's more than just the guns. You got your rosary beads and stats to line up, lots of different spells and combinations of effects to try together. Lot of pressure from stamina management as well.

I wonder if OP was helped by this thread at all.

[Barrogh]

The community actively sabotages our newcomers by scaring them into staying at low Gnosis while many newcomer-friendly problem solvers are found on G3 and there's a huge potential spike at G4.