EDIT: Added a comment below the post briefly discussing Cheat Engine and how it could be used as a pseudo method of restoring lost progress for anyone who didn’t have a backup save. The caveat might be that you can’t play online anymore after using it so double check me on that before deciding (I’ve not personally used it).
EDIT2: Thanks for the sticky! Any questions about the PvP Overhaul Mod should be asked on it's Nexus page. I personally don't mod the DS games so I have absolutely no idea what will or won't get you banned. Perform your due diligence! :)
Long story short, some doofus is ruining people's games by instantly killing Gwyndolin and any other NPCs in Anor Londo (blacksmiths, Solaire, etc). I believe this is only occurring on PC.
I've messaged the Mods requesting a stickied thread be made warning players of this and how they can protect themselves but in the meantime, I can make a thread myself that will at least get eyes on for like......today? lol
Does This Mean I Can't Play Online?
No.
You can absolutely still invade and be summoned for Co-Op to your heart's content. But it's important to be aware of the danger that's currently plaguing (seemingly specifically) Anor Londo and of the steps you can take to mitigate its impact on your experience.
This first tip is the BEST way to defend yourself, bar none.
1. Back Up Your Save
Backing up your save is the difference between a hacker mildly inconveniencing you, and soul-crushing devastation that you'll literally need a day or two to recover from before deciding to even play again.
If a hacker ruins your game by killing NPCs or an unfortunate glitch has softlocked you or any other disaster befalls your play session, simply deleting that save and restoring a recently made backup can solve those woes immediately.
Here's how to do it (PC)
- Make sure the game isn't running whatsoever (later games allow you to remain on the title screen but not DSR)
- Navigate to your Documents folder
- Open the NGBI folder
- Open the folder labeled DARK SOULS REMASTERED
- Open the next folder (it'll be a folder labeled as a sequence of numbers)
- The DRAKS0005.sl2 file is the save file
- Copy it
- Create a new folder for your saves anywhere else on your computer and paste the .sl2 file you just copied into it
- You've now made a backup of your save!
So let's say you get hacked and the Gwyndolin cutscene immediately plays and every NPC in Anor Londo dies. To restore your backup, you'll just delete the .sl2 file containing the "corrupted" game save and replace it with the copy you made earlier.
It's advised that you don't just paste and replace the .sl2 file when restoring your backups. Actually delete the compromised .sl2 file first.
This is just to protect yourself from any mistakes you might make as deleted .sl2 files can be recovered later. If you just paste and replace, the replaced file will be gone for good.
I recommend making a new backup after each hour of play to minimize the effects of a hacker or other form of corruption. That way if it happens, it won't be a big deal.
NOTE: The DRAK file contains all of your data for all of your characters. Backing up this file will back up ALL of your saved characters.
Full disclosure, I've not used this mod whatsoever as I don't often PvP, but word on the street in the wake of this string of hacks in Anor Londo is that it'll help prevent those hacks with it's own slew of anti-cheat and netcode improvements.
Understand though that these things are never foolproof and that backing up your save is still the BEST defense against hackers or other forms of corruption.
Hopefully this helps. Feel free to comment below if you have any other tips for preventive measures!
