Occult Weapons and Ghost

[Stalker Fairy]

So, I heard there were a few ways to fight the ghosts in New Londo
1) get cursed by the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ bulgy eye monster
2) use an item to get cursed(but not really) for a while
3) use an Occult Weapon

Previously, i found an Occult Club in Anor Londo. I was also coincidentally cursed going through some area that resulted in finding the Dragon covenant.

I initially planned to do New Londo later(working on Lost Izalith first), but since I was cursed, tried exploring the area, maybe I can unlock some shortcuts to shorten the run when I actually do it.
Managed to easily kill the ghosts.
Then I met some guy who can uncurse me at the cost of 1 humanity(I debate whether this or 6k souls is cheaper) and proceeded to uncurse myself.

Equipped the Occult Club...
Tried fighting the ghost....
Nothing happened; the ghost werent taking any damage at all.

What gives?
Depending on the answer, it might affect whether I get the cursed or non-cursed Artorias Sword

In case it wasnt clear, Im playing this for the first time.

[Catarii]

Try using Transient Curse, it will be active for about 5 minutes. The ghosts drop this item too and some of the merchants sell it.
You can also damage them with their own weapons which they will drop every now and then. Not sure if the Occult works.

[Stalker Fairy]

Originally posted by Catarii:

Try using Transient Curse, it will be active for about 5 minutes. The ghosts drop this item too and some of the merchants sell it.
You can also damage them with their own weapons which they will drop every now and then. Not sure if the Occult works.

That was the point 2 in question.
But I heard that Occult Weapons are apparently good for anti-ghost(vs Divine is good for anti-skeletons)
Artorias' cursed sword is thus one such weapon, because it apparently has a built-in occult modifier or something.

[Hiroshi]

I understand the confusion, however in order to hit ghosts you need a CURSED weapon and not an occult weapon.

Artoria's cursed sword is cursed, the occult affix is not related to it being cursed. Just deals more damage to human enemies with the occult affix.

You only have a handful of weapons that are cursed.

[Stalker Fairy]

Originally posted by Hiroshi:

I understand the confusion, however in order to hit ghosts you need a CURSED weapon and not an occult weapon.

Artoria's cursed sword is cursed, the occult affix is not related to it being cursed. Just deals more damage to human enemies with the occult affix.

You only have a handful of weapons that are cursed.

Yeah, I was confirming with the wiki[darksouls.wiki.fextralife.com] as well

Only 3 specific weapons can be used: Cursed Excalibur, and the 2 Ghost Blades.

[Goodwin]

Hello! In fact, occult weapons have no effect on ghosts.

Only cursed weapons can harm ghosts. In our opinion, this could be useful... but we can't remember any cursed shield(s) in this game, so you can damage ghosts, but still can't block them with a shield.

Occult weapons are good against divine beings and gods... For example, the magic butterfly, Sif and everything that looks very cute and beautiful... At this point we should blame the developers, but let's move on instead.

What counts as gods in this game? Well, that's a real question, but we know for sure - Gwyn is weak against occult weapons. That's why Havel the Rock was locked in a tower.

But let's leave occult weapons aside and consider other options.

What if you try to get a curse? What does this give?
- Yes, you will be able to damage ghosts since your character is now cursed, and you will probably be able to block hits with your shield.
- However, your maximum health will be reduced to half, which can be dangerous or even fatal above NG+.

However, if you avoid any incoming attacks, you should be fine, and as we know, there is a way to make the Red Tearstone Ring work by combining the curse effect (reduced health) with the Dusk Crown Ring (higher the risk, higher the reward).

The real problem with ghosts is the area they inhabit and the fact that they can walk through walls, can attack from a long distance, and there is an advanced version of the ghost that can shoot lightning at you.

If possible, it's best to move as quickly as possible and skip some obstacles, unless you're one of those who clears everything in your path.

We've already mentioned that this can be deadly, so let's look at the last option.

"Transient Curse" - Notice how many fingers this picture has, and this was the first game in the series. Also notice that there are Dried Fingers.

Alright, this item acts as a buff, it gives you a temporary curse status so you can damage ghosts and block their attacks with your shield. This item is consumable. However, you can buy it from a merchant. Very good! What's the downside?
- While the buff is active, your character refuses to eat Green Blossom, Elizabeth's mushrooms, use "Power Within" and other buffs that are applied directly to our character (with the exception of ring/shield effects).

So waiting can be very frustrating and even fatal if you need one of these buffs but it's blocked by "Transient Curse".
- Here's a tip: you need to exit to the main menu and return to the game, then the effect of this item will disappear.

That's great, but is there a better option to do it every time?


...


Yes, there are two options:
- Plan your time, use it once, deal with the ghosts, do what you set out to do, and leave.
- Or...

The ghosts are very slow when they swing the dagger or try to grab you, you still have enough time to run away (if there is enough space), if you go light, just avoid them, collect all the important items (there is Very Large Ember) and/or go straight to the boss.

We hope you found this information helpful.

P.S. or **** Sample text separator ****

Without a special ring, you will not be able to fight the boss of this location *spoilers*.

[dcy665]

There is a Fire Keeper's soul, shiny you can see as you approach the building filled with ghosts

Early on, it is useful to suicide run for it
Spend your souls down to the amount you don't care if you lose them. Run past the entrance. Find the doorway with the underwater ramp leading to a another room. There are 2 or 3 ghosts on the sides and they are aggressive. Run to the room, grab the shiny (FK soul) and step off into the water. Wake up at Firelink Shrine
Use Fire Keeper Soul to bump Estes flask