When to use Branches and Lockstones

[Vynira Snowy]

There are lots of areas where I'm able to use Fragrant Branch of Yore and Pharros Lockstone. Are there any peticular areas that are more useful than others where I can use these as I would hate to waste them since they are rare to come across.

[Scorpion62]

Save them at first. You will need a few at key points to get through the game. Then at the end of the game you can go back and play around, using the rest for small items.

Here's what I remember:
1.) In Majula, at the room where Vendrick is outside and there is a statue inside blocking a pull switch.
2.) To get in the door to the Ruin Sentinels boss from McDuffs workshop bonfire.
3.) Dragon Arie ? to get across the bridge to the dragons.
4.) If you are a mage, the blocked chest in Shaded Ruins bonfire. Why? Because it's a 1 for 1 trade. You use a branch of Yore, and you get one back in the chest you open, plus you get armor that increases your cast speed.

Can't remember the rest.

[40+13x-3=17x-363]

http://darksouls2.wikidot.com/fragrant-branch-of-yore

So, the important stuff would be:

-Unpetrify either the hollow at Things Betwixt or Heide's Tower of Flame for the 12th estus shard.
-The Lost Bastille, Straid and to kill the Ruin Sentinels.
-Unpetrify Rosabeth for pyromancy trainer and continue to Shaded Woods.
-Shaded Woods, here you can unpetrify the lion blocking the path to the chest with the lion mage set and another branch. Also unpetrify another lion warrior for the key to open the door to Ornifex and another branch. Another lion warrior blocking a chest with the repair spell. And last would be one of 2 lions blocking the path to Vengarl's body.
-The Black Gulch, bonfire behind the hollow.
-Shrine of Amana, bonfire, Milfanito "sidequest" and some goodies like the manslayer katana and fire seeds.
-Aldia's Keep, one hollow has 2 bonfire ascetics, another one has 2 Elizabeth Mushrooms and 2 Wilted Dusk Herbs. Burn an ascetic on the first bonfire for unlimited farming of those items.

[Call Sign: Raven]

As for the lockstones, you need one for Lost Bastille to access the Belfry Covenant, and one also in Iron Keep for the same reason. You get the Judgement set if you use a lockstone at the beginning of Dragon Shrine. Not a lot of people realize it, but if you see a small square in front of a lockstone contraption it will produce a pool of water that you can stand in and slowly heal. Very useful in Iron Keep, especially for PVP because it gives red invaders a chance to heal. Keep that in mind, by the way, if you plan on summoning a lot of reds it might be wise to leave that one untouched.

In Doors of Pharros, go straight all the way until you reach the first ladder. Continue straight and put a stone in the first contraption you see. This will unlock a door immediately below you that will give you access to a Faintstone and Twinkling Titanite in a wood chest. Also in the same area, right at the beginning where the Rusty Mastodon Warrior is, if you look to the right there is a giant door made up of 3 triangles. Right in front of it is a contraption on the ground in the water. Place a stone there to get Santier's Spear.

I can't think of anymore useful lockstone uses off the top of my head. Anyone else got some that I missed?

[Visi]

Originally posted by Scorpion62:

Save them at first. You will need a few at key points to get through the game. Then at the end of the game you can go back and play around, using the rest for small items.

Here's what I remember:
1.) In Majula, at the room where Vendrick is outside and there is a statue inside blocking a pull switch.
2.) To get in the door to the Ruin Sentinels boss from McDuffs workshop bonfire.
3.) Dragon Arie ? to get across the bridge to the dragons.
4.) If you are a mage, the blocked chest in Shaded Ruins bonfire. Why? Because it's a 1 for 1 trade. You use a branch of Yore, and you get one back in the chest you open, plus you get armor that increases your cast speed.

Can't remember the rest.

I don't remember Vendrick, King of Drangleic, hanging out in Majula. I think you mean Benhart of Jugo.

[Iury]

Originally posted by Scorpion62:

Save them at first. You will need a few at key points to get through the game. Then at the end of the game you can go back and play around, using the rest for small items.

Here's what I remember:
1.) In Majula, at the room where Vendrick is outside and there is a statue inside blocking a pull switch.
2.) To get in the door to the Ruin Sentinels boss from McDuffs workshop bonfire.
3.) Dragon Arie ? to get across the bridge to the dragons.
4.) If you are a mage, the blocked chest in Shaded Ruins bonfire. Why? Because it's a 1 for 1 trade. You use a branch of Yore, and you get one back in the chest you open, plus you get armor that increases your cast speed.

Can't remember the rest.

You dont need to spend branch on Dragon Aerie, there is a ladder next to the bonfire which leads to a shortcut to the other side of the map. From there you can do all the way back (which is pretty short tbh).

Edit: Just spent a brach and there is only sorrow and regret for me...

[Call Sign: Raven]

Originally posted by Ace, o Batcão:

Originally posted by Scorpion62:

Save them at first. You will need a few at key points to get through the game. Then at the end of the game you can go back and play around, using the rest for small items.

Here's what I remember:
1.) In Majula, at the room where Vendrick is outside and there is a statue inside blocking a pull switch.
2.) To get in the door to the Ruin Sentinels boss from McDuffs workshop bonfire.
3.) Dragon Arie ? to get across the bridge to the dragons.
4.) If you are a mage, the blocked chest in Shaded Ruins bonfire. Why? Because it's a 1 for 1 trade. You use a branch of Yore, and you get one back in the chest you open, plus you get armor that increases your cast speed.

Can't remember the rest.

You dont need to spend branch on Dragon Aerie, there is a ladder next to the bonfire which leads to a shortcut to the other side of the map. From there you can do all the way back (which is pretty short tbh).

Edit: Just spent a brach and there is only sorrow and regret for me...

That is the single most useful thing I have learned about this game in a long while. Thanks for that! It really cuts the time spent in that area, which will be useful for my speed runs! Thank you!!!!

[Iury]

Originally posted by Elpam Purys:

Originally posted by Ace, o Batcão:

You dont need to spend branch on Dragon Aerie, there is a ladder next to the bonfire which leads to a shortcut to the other side of the map. From there you can do all the way back (which is pretty short tbh).

Edit: Just spent a brach and there is only sorrow and regret for me...

That is the single most useful thing I have learned about this game in a long while. Thanks for that! It really cuts the time spent in that area, which will be useful for my speed runs! Thank you!!!!

Yeah, Ive finished the game a few times times before Schoolar but somehow I've always skipped the ladder till now...maybe the DX11 lightning is real.

[Scorpion62]

I just like to do the dragons due to all the crystal bugs that give you twinkling titanite. It's a great place to get lots of the crystal bugs.