Line #96 Memes/DarkSouls


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/memesdarksoulsimage_giantdadocristo_7958.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:300:[[BlasphemousBoast "Died for your sins?" Wat r u, casul?]] The Legend ''never'' dies!]]
3	''Videogame/DarkSouls'', having gained considerable popularity through the sheer amount of mouth-to-mouth praise which cemented its status as a step-up from ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'' (leaping from SleeperHit to BreakthroughHit for Creator/FromSoftware), is also prone to spawning endless amounts of [[MemeticMutation memes]] among gamers. Here is a list detailing them:
4
5	!General
6	* PrepareToDie [[labelnote:Explanation]]The game's TagLine, which many consider [[NintendoHard quite accurate]].[[/labelnote]]
7	* YOU DIED [[labelnote:Explanation]]The series' GameOver message, which lives on in infamy due to [[NintendoHard how frequently it gets drilled into players' heads]]. And [[http://i.imgur.com/Tw6qQ.gif some]] [[http://i.imgur.com/J5shf.gif variations]] [[http://i.imgur.com/2zIGT.jpg of the]] [[https://i.imgur.com/K11FMBP.jpeg text]], [[http://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/162/images/801-2-1407137950.png as well]].[[/labelnote]]
8	* "The ''Dark Souls'' of X." [[labelnote:Explanation]]A meme that stems from gaming news outlets and critics comparing modern NintendoHard games like ''VideoGame/{{Cuphead}}'' and ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootNSaneTrilogy'' to ''Dark Souls'', particularly when their difficulty [[SmallReferencePools is the only thing they have in common]]. Gamers were quick to mock these kinds of comparisons, and began jokingly labelling other difficult games as "the ''Dark Souls'' of X" -- for example, referring to ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' as "the ''Dark Souls'' of ''Franchise/{{Persona}}''" or to ''VideoGame/Splatoon2: Octo Expansion'' as "the ''Dark Souls'' of ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''".[[/labelnote]]
9	** This game is just like Dark Souls! [[labelnote:Explanation]]Something said often from [[{{WebVideo/Retsupurae}} slowbeef and Diabetus]] when playing other games, usually even if the game being compared to predates Dark Souls.[[/labelnote]]
10	** [[https://twitter.com/xmeetsdarksouls "It's like Dark Souls"]]
11	* "Every Soul has its Dark." - John Darksoul. [[labelnote:Explanation]]There is a joking agreement between fans to pretend that the series title comes from this fake TitleDrop by a fictional cliche-ridden ActionHero protagonist.[[/labelnote]]
12	* Calling the series [[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/322064623656239122/379173727423823882/szriz21uryuy.jpg "Stab Old Men to Sad Music"]][[labelnote:Explanation (spoilers)]]Fans are noticing a trend in Soulsborne games that pivotal bosses, including True Allant, Gwyn, Vendrick, Aldia, Gehrman, and Gael, are often old men who you MercyKill in fights set to [[SadBattleMusic piano music]].[[/labelnote]]
13	* Dark Souls logic [[labelnote:Explanation]]A stock phrase that tends to show up whenever something in the game seems nonsensical, from the unbalanced weapon stats to incorrectly translated item flavour texts.[[/labelnote]]
14	* The games feature a HintSystem that lets players string together words and phrases from a predefined list to make short messages, which can then be left for other players to read. It naturally has a lot of memes in regards to which messages are left and where, which leak into other forms of online communication.
15	** [[VideogamePerversityPotential You can write stuff that normally wouldn't be appropriate]], such as "Need head" and "Try holding with both hands". The tradition continues with the sequel, giving us such classics as "Beware of toxic, but hole." and "Praise the sun, [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment and then Praise the sun!]]"
16	** [[BuxomBeautyStandard Amazing Chest Ahead.]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]A BoobBasedGag and one of the more common messages found in front of [[MsFanservice Gwynevere]]'s chamber, although it occasionally appears near [[WalkingShirtlessScene blacksmith Andre]] and [[GodivaHair Quelaag]].[[/labelnote]]
17	*** And in ''Dark Souls II'', "wheel ahead" for Gavlan, referencing his CatchPhrase (see below).
18	** Players in ''II'' often put "horse" at complete random, simply because of how baffling it is that the limited vocabulary would include a "horse" phrase in a game with exactly one horse in it (the [=DLCs=] have expanded this to ''two'' horses and one respawning horse-like enemy).
19	** Don't give up, skeleton! [[labelnote:Explanation]]A common message in the Iron Keep, since one of the giant smelting pots there houses a skeleton that appears to be trying to climb out of it.[[/labelnote]]
20	*** This then extended to numerous "Skeleton" messages placed throughout Drangleic, as players either offer advice to or congratulate random skeletons that can be found lying on the ground, as though they are a fellow adventurer. Players on discussion boards will also often refer to each other as "skeleton" in reference to the meme.
21	** There's also the ubiquitous "[[SchmuckBait Try Jumping]]" message, found next to damn near every cliff and {{Bottomless Pit\|s}} across all three games.
22	*** Just as ubiquitous is "Illusory Wall Ahead", found next to nearly every wall ''except'' the illusory ones. Since ''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII'' secret walls are operated with the "interact" button rather than your sword, some enterprising players have even perfected the art of leaving an "illusory wall ahead" message in exactly the spot where, if it was an illusory wall, you'd need to stand to open it, so your attempts to verify it only get the message to pop up again.
23	** There is a straight passage with no enemies or hidden areas in the Shaded Woods of the second game where, years ago, a player left a message that simply read "[[ShapedLikeItself message]]". Since then, the entire area has devolved into dozens and dozens of messages warning you of messages, or [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment warning you of warnings of messages]].
24	*** This has been extended to apply to the winding, uneventful passage leading to the Huntsman's Copse, also in the second game.
25	* [[http://i.imgur.com/R3FJq.png Never alone.]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]A ''Dark Souls'' take on the "forever alone" meme, meant to convey the players' solitude, despite being able to see other players when resting at bonfires.[[/labelnote]]
26	* Because the [[HealingPotion Estus Flask]] somewhat resembles a bottle of Sunny Delight and its animation is ambiguous due to model limitation (simply being raised to your face when used), it's popularly depicted in fanart as a bottle of Sunny D that one uses by pouring on their face.
27	* Let's stare at bricks for 20 minutes.[[labelnote:Explanation]]Plague of Gripes, known for his ''WebVideo/TwoBestFriendsPlay'' related animations, while doing a let's play, became legendary for spending copious amounts of time attempting to justify why certain assets were where they were. Used to refer to players that spend a lot of time piecing together the lore.[[/labelnote]]
28	* Invaded the world of This Troper as a dark spirit. / Invaded by dark spirit DarthWiki/ThatTroper. [[labelnote:Explanation]]The text that accompanies invading or being invaded by another player (or certain [[NonPlayerCharacter NPCs]]), usually a Darkwraith. Used as an InterruptingMeme or when someone enters a group or conversation uninvited.[[/labelnote]]
29	* Waifus[[labelnote:Explanation]]A common fandom term for attractive women (originating in ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'', in fact) but particularly prevalent in ''Dark Souls'' as a label for characters like Anastacia, Priscilla, Quelaag, the Fair Lady, Gwynevere, the Emerald Herald, Ornifex, the Firekeeper, [[VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}} the Plain Doll]], etc., etc.[[/labelnote]]
30	* "The flow of time itself is convoluted..."[[labelnote:Explanation]]This one statement, again from Solaire, is basically the series' (and the fanbase's) go-to excuse for any plot holes or inconsistencies in-between games. Humorously, it's also used as an excuse for laggy invasion encounters.[[/labelnote]]
31	* "Join Covenant? (Abandons previous Covenant)"[[labelnote:Explanation]]The message that appears when you're about to join a Covenant, often photoshopped over pictures of cute animals or someone/something odd that looks memetic.[[/labelnote]]
32	* On April 10, 2019, astronomers released the first ever [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Black_hole_-_Messier_87.jpg/2560px-Black_hole_-_Messier_87.jpg photo of a black hole]], which many quickly compared to the series' signature Darksign.
33	* Git gud.[[labelnote:Explanation]]This intentionally-misspelled bit of advice is used on people who are struggling with the games. Unhelpful as it may be at first glance, "git gud" is used to tell people that there's no easy way to beat a ''Souls'' game, and the best thing you can do is [[TrialAndErrorGameplay keep trying to power through it and learn from your mistakes on the way]]. This became so prevalent in the ''Souls'' fanbase that it eventually began bleeding into other video games as well.[[/labelnote]]
34	* [[{{Pun}} Dark Soles.]][[labelnote:Explanation]]Due to some female characters having bare feet that are particularly well-animated, particularly [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsI Priscilla]] and [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII Sister Friede]], people sometimes joke or ask if Miyazaki has a foot fetish.[[/labelnote]]
35	* "Fashion Souls"[[labelnote:Explanation]]Because whatever armor you equip directly affects your appearance, there is a trend wherein players prefer looks over functionality and stats. Armor looks badass even if it has lower defenses? No problem, cosplay is more important! In forums, phrases like "Your Fashion Souls is lacking." gets used as a joke against those who are worried about replacing a DiscOneNuke armor when there are better-looking armors at the endgame.[[/labelnote]]
36	* K***ht [[labelnote:Explanation]]Both ''DSII'' and ''DSIII'' have an extremely long and overzealous list of words and letter strings that get censored in character names, which suffers badly from the ScunthorpeProblem. One of said censored words is "[[NWordPrivileges nig]]", which happens to be part of the word "knight". Since the idea of the word "knight" getting censored in a game about knights is inherently hilarious, some players will always write "knight" with the offending portion censored in order to mock said censorship. ''DSIII'' eventually fixed this way later in 2022.[[/labelnote]]
37	* Naked Fuck With A Stick [[labelnote:Explanation]]A description of the Deprived starting character class (Wretch for ''Elden Ring''). Became a meme due to a lot of challenge runs using said character class.[[/labelnote]]
38	* YOU DEFEATED/VICTORY ACHIEVED/HEIR OF FIRE DESTROYED/LORD OF CINDER FALLEN [[labelnote:Explanation]]The message that appears when you defeat a boss. May show up in other instances where a boss in another game is defeated or some great feat attained.[[/labelnote]]
39
40	!''VideoGame/DarkSoulsI''
41	* Pretty much anything to do with Solaire and the Warriors of Sunlight really stands out:
42	** Jolly Cooperation! [[labelnote:Explanation]]The ability to team up with and help other players through the White Soapstone is called this by the [=NPC=] Solaire.[[/labelnote]]
43	** "If only I could be so grossly incandescent!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]One of Solaire's more memorable quotes that cemented him as a FountainOfMemes.[[/labelnote]]
44	** Praise the Sun! [[labelnote:Explanation]]One of the default messages when using the Orange Sign Soapstone for writing hints or tips on the floor, as well as the [[MilkingTheGiantCow related gesture]] earned from joining Solaire's covenant.[[/labelnote]]
45	*** "Y" [[labelnote:Explanation]]A possible comment on Website/NicoNicoDouga to mimic the "Praise the Sun!" gesture.[[/labelnote]]
46	*** [T]/ [[labelnote:Explanation]]A smiley depicting Solaire himself Praising the Sun.[[/labelnote]]
47	*** The pose is so recognizable that the Solaire amiibo is crafted in that pose for the Switch release.
48	* [[VideoGame/{{Portal}} The tits are a lie.]] [[labelnote:Explanation (spoilers)]]Upon finding out that Gwynevere is just another of Gwyndolin's illusions.[[/labelnote]]
49	* "I'm gonna cleave that asshole apart" [[labelnote:Explanation]]The Bonewheel Skeletons, infamous for their [[LightningBruiser deadliness, speed]], and most of all, [[OhCrap the overwhelming surprise]] that comes with encountering them for the first time. Most jokes play as a patch introducing absurd situations involving them such as adding ten or so to a boss fight or placing them in extremely tight spaces ([[http://i.imgur.com/Wfsg2.gif like this]], for example).[[/labelnote]]
50	** The Bone Zone [[labelnote:Explanation]]Any area containing said Bonewheel Skeletons, such as the lower levels of the Painted World or the Catacombs Area before Pinwheel, will be referred as a "Bone Zone" for [[DoubleEntendre obvious reasons]][[/labelnote]]
51	* [[https://youtu.be/nMaBZK2z1Zs 387]], from a video mocking a player doing PVP in the forest, which has no Soul Level restrictions. It's an absurdly high level to PVP with, since the community favors staying in the 100 to 125 range, if not lower.
52	* The Mushroom Parents have earned a special notoriety for their first appearance in the game usually ending with most players [[MegatonPunch having their face punched out]] [[OneHitKill through the back of their head]], but a notable gif of a player [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/c79ad567780954a6cda3521b90441438/tumblr_pdtqzzwyNf1rboluk_400.gif choosing to greet them with a "Well! What is it!" gesture]] (with predictable results) has become particularly famous.
53	* While not originating from ''Dark Souls'', "[[https://40.media.tumblr.com/e8dfb00d541dafa78c6d6f3fe5bad0f4/tumblr_n6r0v8oySz1ru23uuo1_1280.png Touch fluffy tail]]" was readily borrowed from the ''Monster Girl Quest'' fandom in association with Priscilla. This then sprung forward to ''other'' instances of one's fascination with a CuteMonsterGirl's tail in various media.
54	* Relatedly, Priscilla's line when you reach her — [[BlatantLies "This land is peaceful, its inhabitants kind"]] — is infamous for evoking a FlatWhat reaction from players, who had just fought through that "peaceful" land. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMqCTR5OKeM&t=1m25s Case in point.]]
55	* The number of nicknames for [[FatAndSkinny Smough and Ornstein]] has become a [[http://i.imgur.com/Pxtzcoo.jpg meme]], with fans trying to outdo each other in picking more creative and memorable name pairs for the duo.
56	* "The Legend Never Dies". [[labelnote:Explanation]]Spawned from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyA8odjCzZ4 this video]] by [=OnlyAfro=] poking fun at the Zaphander / Chaoshander build mentioned in the GameBreaker [[GameBreaker/DarkSouls section]], specifically called the Giantdad. It got [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzHuCDDzP-E its own fan song]] by Music/KenAshcorp, and gets parodied in many fanarts, or simply photoshopped like the picture above. Needless to say, it's one giant FountainOfMemes. As of the ''Crown of the Old Iron King'' DLC, it's even (partially) an AscendedMeme.[[/labelnote]]
57	** [[CasualCompetitiveConflict "Wat r u, casul?"]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]The video and the fandom around it is [[{{Understatement}} a little disparaging towards casual players]].[[/labelnote]]
58	** "10 DEXTERITY- BUT DON'T TELL [=ANY1=] U LEVELED THAT UP." [[labelnote:Explanation]]One of the defining traits of the Giantdad build is that Strength and Dexterity are raised just high enough to use a Zweihander two-handed (the upgrade path used doesn't get any scaling), leaving as many levels as possible for {{Whoring}} Endurance and Vitality. The meme itself doubles as a TakeThat to players who rely on Dexterity builds.[[/labelnote]]
59	** "Wt ring u got bithc?" crops up an awful lot as well. [[note]]In this case, two rings that increase your carrying capacity by a lot.[[/note]]
60	** "POWER UP THE BASS CANNON... FIRE!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]Yet another line from the same video by [=OnlyAfro=], as the track used is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u0t8ZIlwuQ Excision & Downlink - Existence VIP ]]... [[CurbstompBattle Pwnage ensues.]][[/labelnote]]
61	** [[IShallTauntYou "Well? What is it?!"]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]The customary gesture when starting a fight as a Giantdad, as per the video. Also used by non-Giantdads if you just want to {{Troll}} your opponents before fighting them.[[/labelnote]]
62	*** This may have become an AscendedMeme in ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'', where you can make the Plain Doll say the line by skipping her normal dialogue on the right syllables, "bearer seek seek lest"-style. [[note]]Her actual line is "'''Wel'''come home, good hunter. '''What is it''' you desire?"[[/note]]
63	** "I GOT BACK UP AND PWNED HIM." [[labelnote:Explanation]]Giantdad builds are supposed to be unstoppable since, well, [[MemeticBadass the Legend Never Dies]]. [=OnlyAfro=] himself got parried and countered in the original video, so the quote is [[TakeOurWordForIt meant to reassure us that he won that fight, regardless.]][[/labelnote]]
64	** "SHIVA THE EAST? MORE LIKE SHIVA THE DECEASED LOL" [[labelnote:Explanation]]Near the end of the video, the giantdad goes up against a Shiva cosplayer... with predictable results (and added pun for insult).[[/labelnote]]
65	** For those that don't know, [[http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/713/532/155.png here's the basics]] for a Giantdad.
66	*** [[JustForFun/GiantDad He now has his own page.]]
67	* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXp8Th41rBs THE WALL]] [[labelnote:Explanation]][=OnlyAfro=] goes around making people ragequit by wearing two shields at once so he would be practically immune to most attacks, all while [[ShieldBash shield-bashing]] opponents into a nearby {{Bottomless Pit\|s}}. This has even extended to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNzBAWdkWfw Pokemon]], as a Mega Aggron with Substitute, Rest, Sleep Talk, and Dragon Tail is an excellent staller.[[/labelnote]]
68	* [[https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/7140905216/hBE2763B5/ NOPE]]. [[labelnote:Explanation]]While not originating from ''Dark Souls'', it still conveys player reactions as to horrifying enemies that make them want to turn back.[[/labelnote]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM0QBV3RgiI&list=UULvSMxE2w6h7iyjMEsF7Ikw Further elaboration in video form]] (first one and a half minutes).
69	* [[MemeticBadass Tarkus is better at this game than you.]] [[note]]Tarkus is an NPC you can summon to help with one boss fight who is quite capable of beating the boss without the player doing anything. Fans jokingly speculate that the game would've been outright unbeatable had the developers decided to put Tarkus [[OhCrap AS A BOSS]].[[/note]]
70	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbHtRggFsNA TARKUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!]] crops an awful lot when talking about him as well.
71	*** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmRXFTehbAU TARKUS! TARKUS! TARKUS!]], derived from this meme.
72	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of1II_srI3U Tarkus has returned for Dark Souls 3, wielding one of the best strength-based weapons in the game. And he's hostile. And if you want that sword, you'll have to beat him. Good luck.]]
73	* [[http://i.imgur.com/Fby2E.gif Can't stop the Rock.]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]Havel the Rock, another MemeticBadass known for {{No Sell}}ing almost every possible attack in the game thanks to his ridiculously high poise and his ability to one shot most players.[[/labelnote]]
74	** [[http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/darksouls/images/b/bb/Dwayne_%22Havel_The_Rock%22_Johnson_.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130629210630 Havel "The Rock" Johnson]]. [[labelnote:Explanation]]Havel isn't the only person to have been nicknamed [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson "The Rock"]].[[/labelnote]]
75	* You were indicted. [[labelnote:Explanation]]The message that appears when a player you invaded dies and uses the Indictment item to add a point to your [[KarmaMeter sin]]; made popular by yet another [=OnlyAfro=] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrkoHZKMnvM video]][[/labelnote]]
76	* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxpwABDCxOU When I'm Gravelord'n]]. [[labelnote:Explanation]]A variant of the popular "When I'm -[[InterruptingMeme insert video clip]]-" meme, featuring [[MemeticBadass the Giantdad]] and [[DemonicSpiders red phantoms]]![[/labelnote]]
77	* As a crossover meme with [[Film/SpaceJam Quad City DJs remixes]], there's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OZU3fi08-o this]], with an overabundance of parodied dialogues in the comment section.
78	--> "[[CrossesTheLineTwice The Everlasting Dragons would’ve easily taken the championship if Seath hadn’t been scoring points for the other team.]]"
79	* "Neat" and "Nito" puns are on the rise. [[note]][[SelfDemonstratingArticle Pretty Nito, huh?]][[/note]]
80	* [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/5339238a21911d5012aefa333c964436/tumblr_n98ka3cs0N1thmrjio1_500.png Ravelord Nito]] is a popular joke depiction of the Lord of Death, formed by just dropping the "G" from his title of Gravelord.
81	* I NEED GRAVITY. [[labelnote:Explanation]]A declaration made when facing hackers who have infinite HP, because percentage-based FallingDamage or colliding with a kill-plane will still kill them. The immediate response of veteran players toward facing a hacker is to knock him into the nearest BottomlessPit.[[/labelnote]]
82	* "Kill the dogs first."[[labelnote:Explanation]]Common advice to newcomers to the first game, always delivered without any context whatsoever. The advice refers to an early game boss fight, the Capra Demon, who is accompanied by two attack dogs. The Demon is ThatOneBoss all on its own, and trying to fight it with the dogs still alive is near-suicidal. Made a brief return in Dark Souls 2, with an NPC phantom invasion that, thanks to where he spawns, ends up playing out very similarly to Capra Demon, including the additional enemies being dogs.[[/labelnote]]
83	* ''"IT'S GOT WHAT IT TAKES, SO TELL ME WHYYYYYYYYYY CAN'T THIS BE LOOOOOOOOOOVE?"'' [[labelnote:Explanation]]The song "Why Can't This Be Love?" by Van Halen is often associated with Gwynevere, thanks to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9x_koRZ2bA this video]] by Plague of Gripes.[[/labelnote]]
84	* [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything "He stuck his crystal halberd in her gaping dragon."]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]Before being {{Jossed}} in ''Dark Souls III'', it was widely believed that Priscilla's parents were Seath, a dragon, and Gwynevere, a giant woman. Thus was birthed the widely-used innuendo.[[/labelnote]]
85	* "The ''real'' Dark Souls starts here." [[labelnote:Explanation]]The game contains many [[DifficultySpike jumps in difficulty]], and there are those who suggest that each such spike brings the game closer to a '''true''' Dark Souls experience. This includes the end of every NewGamePlus cycle[[/labelnote]]
86	* [[http://i.imgur.com/A3KKb14.png "WONDERFUL. GREAT. THANK YOU. I NEEDED MORE FLYING, SIX-LEGGED, TOOTH-FILLED VAGINAS IN MY LIFE."]][[labelnote:Explanation]]The Gaping Dragon's introductory cutscene is one of the greatest BaitAndSwitch moments in the game.[[/labelnote]]
87	* Sen's Funhouse. [[labelnote:Explanation]]A nickname for Sen's Fortress, which is filled to the brim with deadly traps.[[/labelnote]]
88	* "Why's he called Big Hat Logan?" [[labelnote:Explanation]]The NPC Big Hat Logan is known as such because of his [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin very big hat]]. Whenever discussions about the immensely complicated lore of the ''Souls'' games comes up, people tend to cite Big Hat Logan's name as an example. Logan wears said hat to help him filter out noise, according to its description.[[/labelnote]]
89	* Plin Plin Plon[[labelnote:Explanation (spoilers)]]An onomatopoeia for [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6sOhQan9Y the first three piano notes]] (in music theory, this would be V--IV--I) from the final boss Gwyn's theme. Due to the sudden MoodWhiplash of the soundtrack (which is normally bombastic and triumphant but suddenly turns depressing and somber) and Gwyn's tragic backstory, it is often joked that any ''Dark Souls'' player who hears the three notes after beating the game immediately breaks down in tears from PTSD. Additionally, upon the release of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses,'' some were quick to point out the "plin plin plon" in Rhea's leitmotif (''Three Houses'' itself is inspired by the dark fantasy genre).[[/labelnote]]
90	* Male pain noises. [[labelnote:Explanation]]Many players joke that the pained moans of the male Chosen Undead when they get hit sound like something out of a gay porno. This often goes hand-to-hand with the old "Yaranaika?" meme, with the face being photoshopped into the character's head or the sun symbol on Solaire's chest armor.[[/labelnote]]
91	* "If you're fighting skeletons, you went the wrong way."[[labelnote:Explanation]]At the beginning of the game, after you leave the Undead Asylum, you are in an area with two ways to go -- up and down. Going down takes you to the Catacombs, where you battle skeletons that deal ''ridiculous'' amounts of damage to a new character and cannot be killed permanently without Divine weapons, which a new character is guaranteed not to have. Going ''up'' takes you to the Undead Burg, the intended starting area. This meme is one of the first pieces of advice a new player will receive.[[/labelnote]]
92	* '''''"[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1yDewmwoqA I]] [[ItMakesSenseInContext FORGOT THE DOOOOOLL!!"]]''''' [[labelnote:Explanation]]From a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku3NV3i_Vqc Whips Only Challenge Run]] video from a user named "A Wild Deathstroke", that was spread to a dizzying extent in the Dark Souls community, for its humorously relatable context of forgetting something so plain yet so important, and for how hilarious it is ''out'' of context hearing a man screaming about forgetting a doll while [[OrchestralBombing dramatic music]] plays in the background. Context being that there is an item called the "Peculiar Doll", that allows entrance into [[BrutalBonusLevel the Painted World of Ariamis]], but is well-known for its [[GuideDangIt rather obtuse]] way of finding it, which is going to a specific spot, doing a specific emote, waiting for a specific amount of time, which takes you back to the Undead Asylum, then going ''all the way back'' to the very beginning of the level. Needless to say, it's easy to forget about, and many consider forgetting it excusable.[[/labelnote]]
93	* WHEN IT FLOATS DOWN[[labelnote:Explanation]] An AntiHumor meme started by WebVideo/{{Zerolenny}} in his "''Dark Souls'' BUT With The IGN Guide" video. In the video, the IGN guy says that sometimes the Moonlight Butterfly will "float down", with the inflections of his voice making it sound like he's telling a joke. [[OrphanedSetup He then says that everyone around the office loves that one without elaborating]]. Lenny was so perplexed by this that he made it into a RunningGag throughout the video to just randomly say "WHEN IT FLOATS DOWN" for no reason. This lead to Lenny and his fans spreading the meme around pretending like it's the funniest joke of all time, even though it's [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext just a meaningless phrase]].[[/labelnote]]
94
95	!''VideoGame/DarkSoulsII''
96	* "[[HulkSpeak Gavlan wheel]], [[CatchPhrase Gavlan deal]]." [[labelnote:Explanation]]Gavlan, a merchant from ''Dark Souls II'', is most famous for his humorously blunt slogan.[[/labelnote]]
97	** With Gavlan, you wheel? You deal...
98
99	* [[WelcomeToCorneria BEARER SEEK SEEK LEST]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]Most players end up skipping the Emerald Herald's long winded speech just to access her other dialogue options; that said, skipping doesn't prevent her from saying at least the first words of each sentence she says. The full speech goes like this: ''"'''Bearer''' of the curse, '''Seek''' souls. Larger, more powerful souls. '''Seek''' the king. That is the only way. '''Lest''' this land swallow you whole, as it has so many others."''[[/labelnote]]
100	* "Don't pull the lever!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]Dark Souls II advice given to newcomers, again, no context ever given. It refers to a lever in a late-game area (Aldia's Keep) that, if pulled, releases Royal Sorcerer Navlaan — a very dangerous NPC who will repeatedly invade you for the rest of the game. Not pulling it opens up several sidequests and a merchant selling very useful things. To hammer it home, the lever in question is preceded by numerous messages all reading "Turn back!" in-game... most players take the SchmuckBait and pull it just to see what will happen.[[/labelnote]]
101	* Ballista whiff/Ballista betrayal [[labelnote:Explanation]]The Pursuer is an early-game boss that's very difficult for the level most players are when they fight him. There are also several ballistae scattered around his arena that can be used to take off a huge chunk of his health if the player times it well. Since it's easier with a summon, it's common for players to bring along a buddy so someone can trigger a ballista while the other distracts the boss... only for the player who's not firing to suffer a OneHitKill as the ballista shot hits them instead of the boss.[[/labelnote]]
102	* [[VideoGame/TotalWarShogun2 Shamefur Dispray]]/Dishonorable Display/Commit Sudoku [[labelnote:Explanation]]Sir Alonne is a boss from the ''Crown of the Old Iron King'' DLC, and is a fairly faithful representation of a [[EverythingsBetterWithSamurai Japanese Samurai]]... including committing {{Seppuku}} if the player defeats him quickly without taking damage or healing. Given the popularity of the "Shamefur Dispray" meme and the wider memes relating to Engrish and excessive expectations of Japanese society, Sir Alonne's ritual suicide was quickly re-interpreted with a more lighthearted tone.[[/labelnote]]
103	* Fuck the [[ThatOneLevel Shrine of Amana]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]At release, the Shrine of Amana was one of the most notoriously difficult areas across the three then-released ''Souls'' games, with bottomless pits barely visible in the water, fast enemies that refused to be baited out of groups, and [[DemonicSpiders priestesses with incredibly accurate homing spells]] that took advantage of the massive sightlines the area offered to bombard you from impossible distances. A future patch nerfed the tracking on the spells of the priestesses, but the area is still infamously difficult to the point where it's often considered poor form to [[EveryoneHasStandards invade people there]].[[/labelnote]]
104	* Try torch [[labelnote:Explanation]]In the Undead Crypt, the player finds an NPC surrounded by guards in a dark room who explicitly warns the player not to light a torch (and to extinguish any torches they currently have lit). Failing to follow these instructions results in a difficult fight against four enemies that also locks you out of a useful NPC vendor for that playthrough, unless you reset using a ''different'' NPC. It's common for players to leave messages advising players to [[ShmuckBait ignore the NPC's explicit warnings]] in the hallway leading up to the character, and slightly less common to hear horror stories from new players who [[TooDumbToLive followed this advice.]][[/labelnote]]
105	* Dying to the Smelter Demon/Smelter Demon Raid Wipe [[labelnote:Explanation]]The Smelter Demon is a [[ThatOneBoss notoriously difficult]] (and [[OptionalBoss optional]]) boss hidden in the Iron Keep. Its bag of tricks include hybrid fire/physical damage (at a point in the game where most shields will adequately block physical damage, but not two damage types at once), a delayed explosion after an attack that would [[DefensiveFeintTrap leave most bosses vulnerable]], tricky timing on its sword swings and, starting in the second phase, a constant fire damage effect around it as long as you're in melee range of the boss. This combination of mechanics make the Smelter Demon one of the more difficult bosses in the game, especially if you fight it early. Its difficulty has gotten to the point where summoning for the boss usually leads to hilarious group deaths to any one of its many multi-hit combos or area attacks (as detailed [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTNUSO7Rn1c here]]).[[/labelnote]]
106	** Anus helm [[labelnote:Explanation]]Related to the above, the Smelter Demon's head/helmet resembles a [[http://i.imgur.com/YulqBH6h.jpg certain piece of anatomy]]. Compounding this is the fact that, [[http://darksouls2.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Dark-Souls-2/Smelter%20Demon%20Set.jpg once its armor set is obtainable]], the helmet is [[LethalJokeItem actually excellent for its weight]], to the point where encountering people using the [[https://www.deviantart.com/art/Dark-Souls-Havel-Mage-473997126 helmet on its own]] is incredibly common in PVP.[[/labelnote]]
107	* Reindeer Funland/Reindeer Fuckland [[labelnote:Explanation]]A nickname for the [[ThatOneLevel Frigid Outskirts]], the least well-regarded of the criticized optional "challenge areas" introduced in the downloadable content, populated almost exclusively with [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot electric frozen flying reindeer]]. The almost infinitely respawning waves of these aggressive caribou, combined with a blizzard that blocks all visibility with only a few seconds of reprieve every minute or so, has led to this area being considered one of the most outlandishly and unfairly difficult in the series. Even more than the Valley of Defilement, Blighttown, the Shrine of Amana, or Irithyll Dungeon. [[/labelnote]]
108	* FEEBLE CURSED ONE [[labelnote:Explanation]]Straid of Olaphis, one of two vendors who sell you boss items, is notable for loudly denigrating the player every time they leave his shop without buying anything... and he does it anyway when they buy something. [[DamnedByFaintPraise Even when he compliments you, he still insults you!]]
109	--> ''Straid (giving his set to the player)'': "Cursed one, take these. Put them on, and please, stop being so weak. Heh heh…"[[/labelnote]]
110	* Felicia the Fucking Strong/Felicia: 99 STR, [[ArtificialStupidity 1 INT]]. [[labelnote:Explanation]]In the Shrine of Amana (and, in ''Scholar of the First Sin'', the Lost Bastille), there is an NPC summon named Felicia the Brave, equipped with a heavy weapons and armor. She will frequently charge ahead of the player, aggroing more enemies than her summoner might have been prepared for, and she is at high risk of dying before reaching the bosses she's supposed to help with. Naturally, this led to the community interpreting her as a LeeroyJenkins whose massive strength [[DumpStat was only achieved]] by [[DumbMuscle sacrificing her intelligence]]. The nicknames themselves are courtesy of LetsPlay/EpicNameBro. [[/labelnote]]
111	* Everyone hates/loves Maldron the Assassin.[[labelnote:Explanation]]In the Crown of the Old Iron King DLC, there is an NPC invader named Maldron the Assassin. They seem like a pretty standard invader at first, if one with high health, lots of strafing, and a penchant for throwing Corrosive Urns... except that when they get below half HP, they ''book it'' down the tower you fight them on, hiding behind buffed enemies and cursed fog that you have few ways of dealing with, giving them a chance to heal. If you die, they'll mock you with gestures. Essentially, Maldron is the developers making fun of the most despised tactics that human invaders can employ in PVP: [[CombatPragmatist equipment-destroying items, backstab fishing, running behind enemies (that normally ignore invaders) to buff or heal]], and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking being rude with gestures in victory.]] Combined with Maldron's damage, poise, and health, and you have an NPC invader that will ruin most people's day. Maldron the Assassin is usually the standard against which all other silly NPC invaders in the series are held up to and compared against.[[/labelnote]]
112	** Taken up to eleven with the Crown of the Ivory King DLC, where Maldron returns, and is somehow even ''more'' devious. [[labelnote:explanation]]Maldron will [[BitchInSheepsClothing disguise themselves as a White Phantom]] using the White Ring and welcome the player with friendly gestures... and then try to backstab the player when they pull a lever near them, jeering with a "No Way" gesture if they succeed. If they fail, or if you catch on and attack them, they'll flee to hide behind the icy hedgehogs in the area or the white Covetous Demon in the cave below, to try to double-team you with the miniboss and taunt you with a "Decapitate" gesture if you die. And this is in ''addition'' to their usual tactics of backstab fishing, tossing Corrosive Urns, and generally being very strong.[[/labelnote]]
113	* The tradition of officially retiring a character by committing suicide (most often seppuku with the bewitched Allone sword) right outside Things Betwixt, so the sheer number of bloodstains will scare new players. Others who choose to exploit the Rings of Life/Soul Protection will make sure their final bloodstain (since dying with the ring on doesn’t move your bloodstain) is there, just to add to the pile. Other players chip in by leaving vague disheartening messages like “despair...” or “I can’t take this...”
114	* "Pursuer actually pursues"[[labelnote:Explanation]]One of the most noted changes from ''Scholar of the First Sin'' is the Pursuer's relentlessness, being faced three (four if he kills you in the Forest of Fallen Giants) times in the vanilla game with two optional fights, to twice that in ''[=SotFS=]''.[[/labelnote]]
115	* Nearly everything from [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kr7KDCsIws "Happy Souls"]], an animated and affectionate parody of ''Dark Souls II''[='=]s co-op experience. Some highlights and their origins in the game include:
116	** "I'VE GOT BOSS WEAPONS!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]Ornifex is one of only two characters who can turn boss souls into weapons (the other being Straid, who can also turn them into spells) and she announces her usefulness in the video with a megaphone, while she doesn't clarify her use in-game when she's rescued.[[/labelnote]]
117	** "Right down the road!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]Ornifex's home is not, in fact, right down the road from where she's freed: she's past two bosses, the tail end of the Shaded Woods, and half of the Doors of Pharros and Brightstone Cove Tseldora. Plus her house is surrounded by spiders, hostile casters, and a giant sand pit.[[/labelnote]]
118	** "I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]The Executioner's Chariot is a boss that, for most builds, requires a CorridorCubbyholeRun until you get to the end of the track and can kill the rider, and in co-op, it can be tricky to fit multiple players in the safe spaces. Failing to get to safety in time usually results in death.[[/labelnote]]
119	** "Why is everyone stabbing me in the back?" "Cause it's easy. And it does a lot of damage." [[labelnote:Explanation]]There are invisible enemies in the Shaded Woods who can backstab you, and as always, it's a favored tactic in PVP.[[/labelnote]]
120	* Ill-fitting Aldia exposition. [[labelnote:Explanation]]It has become increasingly common to find ridiculous ways to fit Aldia and his monologues into existing meme formats, such as [[https://www.reddit.com/r/shittydarksouls/comments/crpo2r/aldia_scholar_of_the_first_chad/ Virgin]] versus [[https://www.reddit.com/r/shittydarksouls/comments/gmvdj4/memes_aside_aldia_is_underrated_af/ Chad]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqiSBr2W6Os Babe Please Stop,]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duURSCktuJY Why Do Women Only Like Stupid Jerks Who Treat Them Like Shit?,]] and even [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk4_-tPvxFs announcement trailers]] for VideoGame/SuperSmashBros[[/labelnote]]
121	* [[Music/SmashMouth SomeBODY once told me...]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]The fact that the large, horned, portly DemonicSpiders throughout the early areas, including two swamps, are called "ogres" basically ensured that they'd be compared to ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'', with the associated memetic pairing of ogres and [[Music/SmashMouth All-Star.]] Perhaps best illustrated by WebVideo/TBSkyen's use of a cover of All-Star when the Ogres burst through the walls of Aldia's Keep in [[https://youtu.be/PO4ve-NUjDY?t=1277 this video]].[[/labelnote]]
122	* Gender Coffin/WHAT THE FUCK?!?!? [[labelnote:Explanation]]In Things Betwixt, there's a coffin guarded by two ogres and a Pursuer that can be used to change a character's gender at no cost. While this was a welcome addition for a lot of players, as noted below, there is also the fact that there is ''absolutely no'' indication for what the coffin does until one does use it. Combine that with the tendency of ''Dark Souls'' armor designs to be completely unisex with no indicator of gender, and Hollowing removing any facial hair and making other facial features difficult to discern, it's not uncommon for players to climb into the coffin expecting it to do something, then climb out, see that nothing have apparently changed, and carry on with their day. Only to then realize hours of gameplay later that something ''did'' indeed happen.[[/labelnote]]
123	** ''Dark Souls II'' said trans rights[[labelnote:Explanation]]The existence of a coffin in the starting area that does nothing but change your character's gender was received very well by the game's trans and non-binary fans and fit into the social media memes around "X character said 'trans rights'." It helps that ''Dark Souls II'' is the only game in the series to allow the player to change gender after character creation: ''Dark Souls I'' had no mechanic for altering appearance after creation, and while ''Dark Souls III'' does have such a mechanic, gender is the one thing (besides name) that cannot be changed.[[/labelnote]]
124
125	!''VideoGame/DarkSoulsIII''
126	* Bonfires are the hardest enemy in the series. [[labelnote:Explanation]]A rather annoying GameBreakingBug in the 1.00 version of ''Dark Souls III'' caused the game to outright '''crash''' when using a bonfire. The irony wasn't lost on the fans.[[/labelnote]]
127	* Best Ass in the Boreal Valley [[labelnote:Explanation]]The Dancer of the Boreal Valley boss has a very well-modeled and distracting ass, which has already become notorious/beloved. Thanks [=OnlyAfro=].[[/labelnote]]
128	* Catacombs Ledge Mimic is the real MVP![[labelnote:Explanation]]There's a mimic hanging out on a ledge in the same room as a fire demon mini-boss. The fire demon, with some regularity, accidentally aggros the mimic with his fire breath. The mimic is more than capable of killing the fire demon on its own, and even if it doesn't, it'll probably weaken the demon so much that the player won't have difficulty finishing the job.[[/labelnote]]
129	** Skeleton Gank Squad[[labelnote:Explanation]]A large group of skeletons present in the room with the above mentioned mimic and fire demon. The skeletons can also be tricked into fighting the demon, and will probably demolish it [[ZergRush with sheer numbers]].[[/labelnote]]
130	* Christmas in Yharnam[[labelnote:Explanation]]A common FanNickname for Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, due to it resembling the Cathedral Ward from ''Bloodborne'' except with snow.[[/labelnote]]
131	* Knights give this game a thumbs up![[labelnote:Explanation]]The cover of the third game depicts a knight in armor, holding dust or ashes in a clenched fist, but their pose could be easily construed as giving a thumbs up.[[/labelnote]]
132	* Darth Sulyvahn [[labelnote:Explanation]]Pontiff Sulyvahn fights the player by dual-wielding swords, one imbued with fire and the other with magic. Many players took notice of how much they look like [[Franchise/StarWars lightsabers]], leading them to refer to Sulyvahn as a Sith Lord. Additionally, his magical clone has also been deemed to be his [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure Stand]], earning him comparisons to Dio Brando.[[/labelnote]]
133	* While most often in-game Mound Makers players tend to play very similarly to normal invaders, their reputation as the "Mad" covenant leads to [[http://i.imgur.com/JSR9T2y.jpg quite a]] [[http://i.imgur.com/Dh62se5.gif few depictions]] of them being shown as nearly suicidal StupidEvil.
134	* That no pickle-pee. That no pump-a-rum.[[labelnote:Explanation]]The response of the crow from ''Dark Souls 3'' if you bring something they don't want. Given that this crow's item list is [[GuideDangIt confusing]] even by ''Souls'' standards, you will be hearing this a lot.[[/labelnote]]
135	** For some reason, the [[TheGhost unseen]] crow is often drawn by fan artists as a [[Manga/MonsterMusume Papi]]-like [[http://2static2.fjcdn.com/comments/Isn+t+the+same+from+papi+_a8c93b2b71cfcd7d44125876cd3a71dd.jpg harpy.]]
136	* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg3xyYH226M Gives me conniptions.]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]A very particular line uttered by Hawkwood the Deserter that caught on with fans. Conniptions means a fit of rage or hysterics. [[/labelnote]]
137	* Kill Emma.[[labelnote:Explanation]]Emma, High Priestess of Lothric Castle, is an NPC you meet early on who primarily exists to prevent you from entering Lothric Castle too early. You ''can'' bypass her by simply killing her, but doing so forces you to fight the [[ThatOneBoss Dancer of the Boreal Valley]] far earlier. In the grand tradition of ''Dark Souls'', the majority of messages left in her area [[SchmuckBait tell new players to kill her]].[[/labelnote]]
138	* "Working as intended." [[labelnote:Explanation]]These were the exact words used by From Software to describe ''Dark Souls 3''[='=]s poise system, which has been widely considered the absolute worst in the series (it was initially thought that it was outright turned off, but testing eventually proved that it had an effect on hyperarmor that rarely mattered). This phrase is used mockingly about From Software just about any time a GameBreakingBug or incredibly poor balance choice is found.[[/labelnote]]
139	* "Ignorant slaves, how quickly you forget!"[[labelnote:Explanation]]Oceiros the Consumed King stands out as one of the only bosses to [[EnemyChatter talk while you fight him]], and his insane ramblings during your fight have made him a FountainOfMemes. This particular quote is said when he kills the host, and has a similar put-down feel as Straid's "Feeble cursed one!"[[/labelnote]]
140	* An ascended meme of sorts: Priscilla from the first game is fairly popular enough for players to wish she had her own covenant, which is reflected in the [[http://kissmanga.com/Manga/Dark-Souls-Priscilla-Doujinshi/Vol-001-Ch-000--Priscilla-?id=185843#9 Priscilla-tan doujinshi]]. Come the third game, and Yorshka's Darkmoon Blades is the closest we'll ever get to an ''actual'' Priscilla-tan covenant.
141	* Provide thee succ [[labelnote:Explanation]]The full quote is "If I can '''provide thee succ'''our, only tell me how", but the unfortunate coincidence with the already existing Succ meme was not overlooked by fans.[[/labelnote]]
142	* ''Ashes of Ariandel'' brought on a couple memes:
143	** "MY FLAIL... BRING ME MY FLAIL." [[labelnote:Explanation (massive spoilers)]]A line uttered by Father Ariandel before the fight with Sister Friede.[[/labelnote]]
144	** No pants. [[labelnote:Explanation]]Mocking the Champion's Gravetender's lack of any leg garments, among other things.[[/labelnote]]
145	* ''The Ringed City'' proved to be quite memetic.
146	** "Fear not the dark, my friend. And let the feast begin". [[labelnote:Explanation]]The CatchPhrase uttered by the locust preachers in the titular location caught on due to being particularly memorable and unsettling.[[/labelnote]]
147	*** "I SHALL PARTAKE!" [[labelnote:Explanation]]The also unsettling line the locust preachers shout when using their grab.[[/labelnote]]
148	** "Hand it over. That thing, your dark soul. For my lady's painting." [[labelnote:Explanation (massive spoilers)]]Upon finding the frenzied Slave Knight Gael at the literal end of the world in the final area of the DLC, he says this particularly memorable quote.[[/labelnote]]
149	*** This line in particular has also been the subject of many, many, snowclones, usually photoshopping (or scribbling in MS Paint) [[spoiler:Gael's red hood and white beard]] over the subject of the photo.
150	** [[WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants And if you take a look on your right, you'll see two naked guys fighting over a can of paint!]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]It's implied the reason Gael cannibalized the Pygmy lords and attacks the Ashen One is because he wants them to slay him and take his now Dark Soul infused blood to the Painter, so she can use it to paint a new world. Just the fact that the FinalBoss of the entire series can be summed up with a ''Spongebob'' line is worth a chuckle. [[/labelnote]]
151	** THE WALL. AND NOBODY CAN MAKE IT FALL. [[labelnote:Explanation]]While this meme already existed, it gained a lot of steam regarding the Giant's Doors, a pair of greatshields that can be used in conjunction.[[/labelnote]]
152	** ...And then the host led me to fight Midir. [[labelnote:Explanation]]A lot of players have trouble fighting Darkeater Midir, leading them to summon other players to try to help. Sometimes they will go looking for summon signs quite far away from Midir's fight and lead the summon back there, frustrating co-op players who are ''very'' tired of fighting Midir over and over. People began joking about being led to fight Midir from other areas or even entirely separate games.[[/labelnote]]
153	* [[{{Pun}} Slav]] Knight Gael [[labelnote: Explanation]]Depicting Gael as a Russian [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopnik gopnik]], complete with a Slav squat and Adidas tracksuit.[[/labelnote]]
154	* [[GiantEnemyCrab "Time for crab."]] [[labelnote:Explanation]]A possible message in ''Dark Souls 3'' thanks to the Great Crab enemies. Became popular even outside of ''Dark Souls'' when applied to anything crab-related.[[/labelnote]]
155	* Plin Plin Plon [[labelnote:Explanation (spoilers)]]This represents the three notes that begin Gwyn's theme, which occur when the Soul of Cinder attains its final form and begins using Gwyn's tactics. Some have said that the nostalgia and tragedy brought on by the abrupt incursion of these three simple notes has driven them to tears.[[/labelnote]]
156	* Vordt of the Boreal Valley [[labelnote:Explanation]]Vordt's dramatic boss theme has become iconic 'boss music', even outside of the ''Dark Souls'' fandom itself, often used to convey a sense of [[OhCrap horror]] in memes. One standout video of the meme is [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=c7BVtGnlxT8 this]] video of chess wunderkind Misha Osipov facing off against Anatoly Karpov, with Karpov in particular being labeled like a ''Dark Souls'' boss, having a healthbar with name appear as Vordt's theme starts playing. The video went viral in March of 2021, accruing almost 10 million views in just 2 months. Many ''Dark Souls'' fans have started to jokingly say that Karpov usurped Vordt, as pretty much everyone outside of the fandom will probably know it as "the Anatoly Karpov meme music" for a long period of time to come.[[/labelnote]]
157	* [[VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}} Bloodborne II]] [[labelnote:Explanation]] Due to the faster pace of Dark Souls III's combat in comparison to the first two games, a common joke among the Dark Souls community is the III is the follow-up to Bloodborne. An extension of this meme is that ''VideoGame/EldenRing'' is [[VideoGame/DarkSoulsII Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin 2]] due to the brighter color palette of both games in comparison to other games in the series as well as Elden Ring being a full open world RPG while Dark Souls II was the first game in the series to incorporate open world elements. [[/labelnote]]
158	----
159	Go back to the ''Dark Souls'' of work pages [[VideoGame/DarkSouls here]].

Context Memes / DarkSouls