Does anyone have insight on the best spots to place down summon signs in the early game? I was thinking Bell Gargoyles at around LVL 20, but other spots would be cool.
Bell Gargoyles is for sure a good one… Taurus Demon (outside the Burg bonfire… you’ll need to get the sign from Solaire and walk back without levelling too high)… bonfire behind the locked door in the Depths… and the bonfire at the bottom of Blighttown in the sewer where Mildred invades. All spots that have decent activity on the first day of a Return.
I’m level 28 and was getting summoned back to back alot for blight town today at the bon fire below. +5 on weapons. Just wanted to put this here so I can see where it’s gonna be most active in low levels
Level 20 should be good. You can be summoned by level 9 characters and you'll be able to summon down to level 8. If you're doing invasions you'll want to be a bit lower than that.
You also need to think about weapon level in the Remaster. A +5 weapon is the highest level that can match with unupgraded weapons. But if they've upgraded to +5 at Andre (or had a black knight weapon drop), then you can match with them up to a +11 weapon. I personally stay at +5 for Gargoyles just in case someone is running around without knowing about weapon upgrades.
The sheer number of “playing Dark Souls for the first time” playthroughs I’ve seen where folks are adamant about never upgrading til Queelag is astounding, so the folks that need help will likely be down at +0 for a while.
Alternatively, any special weapon (like Black Knight, Astora SS, etc.) will immediately pop them to +5, and Mimic weapons get them to +10. I usually go +10 at Sen’s, +15 after Anor Londo, but those drops mean you could get away with higher upgrades for more exploratory/competent folks.
We have a major community event coming up—really the only one of its kind thru the year—and we'd love some assistance in drawing attention to it, through a pinned post, an up-to-date event calendar (it's currently showing 2023), or any other sort of effort you can muster.
If the team doesn't have the time, can we expand the the ability to pin/update these things to others in the community? We'd love for events like Return to Lordran to grow every year!
I tried my absolute best last year. the mods are a brick wall. They don't give a damn anymore. But I will try again, hopefully this year there is a chance.
Last weekend I was running a level 60ish and still getting summoned for O&S, so I think anywhere from 45-65 is probably going to be okay (lower will have more, but don't feel like you have to run a low-level twink just to get summoned!)
I promise, if you just play through the game, you'll see plenty of activity! Don't sweat it too much, and remember that being under-level'd is also a dampener to your online experience!
Do we know if it’s worth jumping with the Switch 2? Haven’t played in years so not sure if there is a switch 2 presence or if switch and switch 2 are using the same servers?
The game runs quite well on it with a stable 60fps. You can even run it 108060 if you connect it to a monitor I believe. Its a very good game for handheld.
I've been holding off on a replay for just the occasion. I've already got my build in mind for this new playthrough. I hope to coop every boss possible a few times.
I started playing on PC and plan on participating on PC, how can I avoid hackers? I've heard and read stories of people getting invaded during Anor Londo and the invader killing important NPCs and bosses.
you could try the pvp overhaul maybe. it has its own version of anti cheat which I think is better anyway. it's a good get if you're also going to be using any mods, even just texture ones, as it stops you from getting banned
It also allows me to use textures while avoiding getting banned? I saw a Shaggy mod that replaced one of the armor sets with him, and wanted to invade others with it
Yeah, that would be fine. It basically completely disables the vanilla anti-cheat and replaces it with its own version, which doesn't trip out over mods. I think if it thought you were cheating, it wouldn't let you PVP until you weren't cheating anymore, but I recommend reading the mod's page (it's on nexus and I think github) for full details.
Crazy that the only thing I'm looking forward to in 2026 so far is a playthrough of a 14 year old game I've already played a bunch but I wouldn't want it any other way
Sounds fun! I’m on my first play through and 2/3 way thru the dlc rn. Happy to help slay the gargoyles but guessing my sl180 character won’t be in high demand there lol. Start a new character or should I hang out in base late game and DLC?
For PC peeps, are people sticking with vanilla Remastered or using the Seamless Co-op mod? Thinking of joining in, but I need to make sure I actually find people lol.
I wanna do the same thing I did when remastered came out and re-enact "The Wall" by OnlyAfro.
Golem armor, snickering top hand, double giants shield/havel, Invading and blocking the buttress at the 2 giant archers. I capped humanity and went on.
But im scared of a pipebomb in my mailbox so maybe I just not...
Jump back on to DS1 on the dates mentioned and do as much co-op and PvP as possible. Just an event to make the game feel alive again. There will be events for all the other soulsborne games as well in the upcoming months
There is dates listed in the community info of r/darksouls2 but those dates are from like 2023. I assume they will be similar to those dates, but adjusted to fit the weekends etc.
From what I’ve learned about these events, it’s kind of up to us, the community, to get the dates set and start promoting.
Case in point: I saw one other person mention these dates for return to lordran so I made my meme and started tooting the horn.
kind of mid-June, basically. Think about when school's out and summer starts, really. I'll be posting to get it going then so see you there! And don't skip the return to dark souls 2, my fav of the series, end of february/early march ;)
Not sure why or when it started.l, but it’s fun to have a ton of people playing the game again and doing the multiplayer aspects of it. Makes it feel the like the good ole days when the game launched and the servers were crowded.
Just brings the community together for certain dates to help with multiplayer. Makes it easier to find companions since there's a lot of souls games out now.
The last RTL I participated in was a few years ago now, I ran a lifehunt scythe with sorcery and pyro
This time I'm thinking about utilizing my fist in dragon form and call myself Kaidou or Luffy or something (maybe some pyro because I can't help myself)
I'm happy to announce I've finished DS1 two days ago with a Quality build without any silly sorceries or miracles.
Now I'm on DS2, and the Lost Sinner is already gone. But, I'm afraid, I totally see why people don't like the second game too much. Seems like a downgrade from the first game in almost every aspect. I won't abandon it, of course, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted.
Anyway. Onwards, and here's my vow not to go hollow.
If you already got a character going, you can still participate. Just log in during the dates mentioned and look out for multiplayer opportunities. Summon others, get summoned. Hell, do some invasions just for the fun of it.
Some days ago I read something about setting a specific username for Return to Lordran, but I can't find the post/comment anymore. What do you guys suggest?
I'm on PC and have had 7 summon signs total among taurus demon, bell gargoyles, and the capra demon. I walked a few through an item hunt in one of the areas. It's so fun!
Ive been doing a playthrough over the last week or so and I have only seen one summon that wasnt an npc. I found one at anor londo and thats it. ive been human for 90%+ of the playthrough
What platform? Ngl I’ve been invaded 3-4 times but it’s only been people with normal weapons and one guy doing a full dragon character. No greifing either or repeat invasions either.
I can only speak for Xbox but I’ve seen the most summon signs on Saturday and Sunday.
Super excited for it!
Does anyone have insight on the best spots to place down summon signs in the early game? I was thinking Bell Gargoyles at around LVL 20, but other spots would be cool.
Bell Gargoyles is for sure a good one… Taurus Demon (outside the Burg bonfire… you’ll need to get the sign from Solaire and walk back without levelling too high)… bonfire behind the locked door in the Depths… and the bonfire at the bottom of Blighttown in the sewer where Mildred invades. All spots that have decent activity on the first day of a Return.
I’m level 28 and was getting summoned back to back alot for blight town today at the bon fire below. +5 on weapons. Just wanted to put this here so I can see where it’s gonna be most active in low levels
Level 20 should be good. You can be summoned by level 9 characters and you'll be able to summon down to level 8. If you're doing invasions you'll want to be a bit lower than that.
You also need to think about weapon level in the Remaster. A +5 weapon is the highest level that can match with unupgraded weapons. But if they've upgraded to +5 at Andre (or had a black knight weapon drop), then you can match with them up to a +11 weapon. I personally stay at +5 for Gargoyles just in case someone is running around without knowing about weapon upgrades.
The sheer number of “playing Dark Souls for the first time” playthroughs I’ve seen where folks are adamant about never upgrading til Queelag is astounding, so the folks that need help will likely be down at +0 for a while.
Alternatively, any special weapon (like Black Knight, Astora SS, etc.) will immediately pop them to +5, and Mimic weapons get them to +10. I usually go +10 at Sen’s, +15 after Anor Londo, but those drops mean you could get away with higher upgrades for more exploratory/competent folks.
Did you say insight? Grant us eyes
Dawg I never left
Bro still finding his own sun
So we’ll see you there then. Nice!
Where did the lord ran?
Smoking on that shit that made the Lord ran
I've modmail'd to ask for some support in spreading word about RtL this year, or in getting the 2023 Events Calendar updated for 2026.
If anyone else would like to throw their weight behind it, here's how you can mail the mods. My message is below.
I tried my absolute best last year. the mods are a brick wall. They don't give a damn anymore. But I will try again, hopefully this year there is a chance.
Hell yeahh! But i still gotta figure what type of build to run🙂
Feel like I’ll do a pyromancer build this time.
Wait I was gonna do a pyromancer. We have so much in common.
Oh wow, I played the original in 2014 I believe and only actually completed it in Jan 2025. I used to be so garbage at the game lmao
Im thinking of faith or magic
Reminder to make sure you don’t have a multiplayer password turned on!
What's the recommended level?
Normally you just play through the game as usual, co-oping and pvping whenever you can
My current nostalgia run guy is Level-50, so can you still see Sunbro summons at O-&-S, around that point ?
At SL50 you’ll have people from 35-65 summoning you which should be a good range for O&S
Thanks, Folk !
Last weekend I was running a level 60ish and still getting summoned for O&S, so I think anywhere from 45-65 is probably going to be okay (lower will have more, but don't feel like you have to run a low-level twink just to get summoned!)
Ugh level 50 coop at OnS is such good chaos. I'll see you there!
I promise, if you just play through the game, you'll see plenty of activity! Don't sweat it too much, and remember that being under-level'd is also a dampener to your online experience!
You guys left Lordran? I've been stuck here in endless cycles of linking the flame!
Is this event for every version- so also switch?
If that’s what you got then sure, you may want to start posting about it in switch forums if you know any. Spread the word, the more the merrier
r/darksoulsswitch for anyone looking for switch players.
Yes, Switch and every version
Do we know if it’s worth jumping with the Switch 2? Haven’t played in years so not sure if there is a switch 2 presence or if switch and switch 2 are using the same servers?
Same server. And definitely jump in! I beat the game for the first time on Switch.
Yeah probably its the same servers- dont know for sure, but wouldnt expect anything else
Oooh I have been meaning to play through again on my Steam Deck so this is the perfect time!
The game runs quite well on it with a stable 60fps. You can even run it 108060 if you connect it to a monitor I believe. Its a very good game for handheld.
It looks like more steam users play Remastered, do you think that's true for this subreddit/return to lordran? Or prepare to die?
I would assume remastered.
Time for new play though in new year.
HELL YEAH!!!
Oh good ornstein and smough are destroying me
So now I gotta decide between remastered and PTDE. Or maybe just both!
Imma be on remaster. Do what you feel ✌️
Remaster has higher player count on steamDB, I'll be seeing y'all on there via steam deck!
I've been holding off on a replay for just the occasion. I've already got my build in mind for this new playthrough. I hope to coop every boss possible a few times.
Just in time for my yearly playthrough! 💜
time for the 9th pyromancy run 🙏🏻
I started playing on PC and plan on participating on PC, how can I avoid hackers? I've heard and read stories of people getting invaded during Anor Londo and the invader killing important NPCs and bosses.
you could try the pvp overhaul maybe. it has its own version of anti cheat which I think is better anyway. it's a good get if you're also going to be using any mods, even just texture ones, as it stops you from getting banned
It also allows me to use textures while avoiding getting banned? I saw a Shaggy mod that replaced one of the armor sets with him, and wanted to invade others with it
Yeah, that would be fine. It basically completely disables the vanilla anti-cheat and replaces it with its own version, which doesn't trip out over mods. I think if it thought you were cheating, it wouldn't let you PVP until you weren't cheating anymore, but I recommend reading the mod's page (it's on nexus and I think github) for full details.
Awesome, thanks!
if nothing else, make frequent manual backups in a dedicated backups folder
This is what I do. Just in case. I'm using Ludusavi for easy backups.
I'll be joining via steam deck! I'll be following this as well
I've already been doing like six playthroughs so this is perfect timing. now if only i could not get backstabbed due to lag...
I beckon the call~ see everyone out there
My buddies. I will see you there
Will you be mad if I invade / invite invasions like crazy around Undead Burg / Undead Parish?
As long as it’s not just mega ping backstabs, I think you’ll be fine. Fight with honour.
\ [T] /
will be their ps5 version.
I’ve already started, Christmas souls goes hard.
Oohhh i get to dust off me ol sens vader... cause i deserve nothing nice
Crazy that the only thing I'm looking forward to in 2026 so far is a playthrough of a 14 year old game I've already played a bunch but I wouldn't want it any other way
Holy jolly.
I was actually planning to replay the Souls games (most of them). I forgot about return to Lordran. Right in time.
Looking forward for my first time participating in this event 🤗
I’m starting now if anyone wants to coop. Want to be faith. Any tips
Sounds fun! I’m on my first play through and 2/3 way thru the dlc rn. Happy to help slay the gargoyles but guessing my sl180 character won’t be in high demand there lol. Start a new character or should I hang out in base late game and DLC?
I'm trying to finish my first run of DS2 first T_T
It’ll still be there when you’re done returning to Lordran 😉
That's fair.
God help you
Also PC or console? I've got a PC run going myself
PC, just finished the Iron Keep and now moving past the Shrine of winter.
Godspeed hollow!!
Thank you !
One of my favorite annual holidays!
I wish that, you could see, your scars Turn into beauty
Welcome back to Lordran I love you all.
For PC peeps, are people sticking with vanilla Remastered or using the Seamless Co-op mod? Thinking of joining in, but I need to make sure I actually find people lol.
I'm using vanilla and finding lots of signs. Get summoned quick and seen 3 gravelord signs.
Great fun!
Thanks for the reminder, I’ll start playing today. I knew it was coming up but I thought it was later.
Ps5 name xxjimbodennyxx. Ready for jolly cooperation
Well I just linked the fire. Absolutely enjoyable experience playing with those that I summoned/summoned me.
Did the DLC for the first time. Felt super strong with my build.
I wanna do the same thing I did when remastered came out and re-enact "The Wall" by OnlyAfro.
Golem armor, snickering top hand, double giants shield/havel, Invading and blocking the buttress at the 2 giant archers. I capped humanity and went on.
But im scared of a pipebomb in my mailbox so maybe I just not...
What's going on?
Jump back on to DS1 on the dates mentioned and do as much co-op and PvP as possible. Just an event to make the game feel alive again. There will be events for all the other soulsborne games as well in the upcoming months
Starting this Friday, make a fresh character and replay through the game with everybody! Jan 2 - 16! https://www.reddit.com/r/darksouls/comments/1pta7r0/return_to_lordran_2026_january_2_16/
I'm sorry for asking but does anyone know when return to dark souls 3 is gonna happen?
There is dates listed in the community info of r/darksouls2 but those dates are from like 2023. I assume they will be similar to those dates, but adjusted to fit the weekends etc.
From what I’ve learned about these events, it’s kind of up to us, the community, to get the dates set and start promoting.
Case in point: I saw one other person mention these dates for return to lordran so I made my meme and started tooting the horn.
Ok thanks
kind of mid-June, basically. Think about when school's out and summer starts, really. I'll be posting to get it going then so see you there! And don't skip the return to dark souls 2, my fav of the series, end of february/early march ;)
Im here for it, i gotta go back and finish the game anyways!!
I've already did 4 new character runs in December... not sure I have it in me for January also 😅
I've been playing the game for a year but I didn't know about this tradition, why does it happen?
Not sure why or when it started.l, but it’s fun to have a ton of people playing the game again and doing the multiplayer aspects of it. Makes it feel the like the good ole days when the game launched and the servers were crowded.
Just brings the community together for certain dates to help with multiplayer. Makes it easier to find companions since there's a lot of souls games out now.
I’m curious so now I just gotta make up my mind if I’m gonna replay on console or start my run on pc?
I can’t speak for everyone else, but I’m on console. I have no idea if console or PC has a bigger presence on these games
We'll be out of town so I'm starting on my steam deck, but maybe I'll hit PS5 too!
I’m in
Looks like I got a head start, I just started playing again and made some new characters the other day
I am in, this is great!
Oh nooo, fine I'll play 🙄
If I am playing in New Zealand would my coop sign still be summonable for ladies and gentlemen across the globe?
No idea, let’s find out.
Dang I’m early, I’m about to ring the second bell
A wizard is never late nor is he early. He plays dark souls precisely when he means to.
funny enough January is when I picked up ds1.
Restarting using a twink build. I’ll place my signs by bell gargoyles , Capra & Taurus -RangRang
I'm back to work on the 2nd until 4th but will jump in the evening of the 4th.
Time for another Dex/Faith run my sunbros
Obligatory dex gae. See ya out there
I don't usually tell people I levelled it up
The last RTL I participated in was a few years ago now, I ran a lifehunt scythe with sorcery and pyro
This time I'm thinking about utilizing my fist in dragon form and call myself Kaidou or Luffy or something (maybe some pyro because I can't help myself)
I can't wait!! This is my first time participating day 1, I'm super excited!
I'll be playing on steam deck, Dark Souls Remastered!!
Still deciding build but likely Str, Str/Fai, or Int
And of course almost certainly a dash of pyro but we'll see
Anyone on RN?
Yeah I've seen two RTL people so far
Excited for another play through of Dark Souls, especially tied to a fun event like this.
Since I lost all my previous progress on the Nintendo Switch during a backup, I’ll be joining the event from a Steam Deck.
YEY!
Can we update the event calendar on the sidebar? It still shows the dates for 2023.
I wish we could. Gonna try reaching out to mods, but another guy that tried told me the mods were very receptive
Just started NG+ and need a few summons to join sunbros for 100% where is best for my white sign?
I'm happy to announce I've finished DS1 two days ago with a Quality build without any silly sorceries or miracles.
Now I'm on DS2, and the Lost Sinner is already gone. But, I'm afraid, I totally see why people don't like the second game too much. Seems like a downgrade from the first game in almost every aspect. I won't abandon it, of course, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted.
Anyway. Onwards, and here's my vow not to go hollow.
Make sure you level up your ADP stat so you can actually dodge-roll.
Done. Had a spare respec item, got it to 24, and the difference is massive, so thanks.
Should be quite enough, right?
Not sure, there’s tons of guides online tho
I didn’t even know there’s a replay, I just bought the game coincidentally
You mean PTDE right? Like every good lad is playing? (Vamos' bonfire is for Z generation)
Damn, I just started a new playthrough.. oh well, guess I'll have to do another one!
Is online most active on pc, switch, or ps4? I have all
Imma be playing on Xbox 😅
I'm on pc, started playing in october and I definitely saw some activity. Can't speak for other platforms
Oh…HELL YEAH!!!!
The perfect time to get platin again👀🤘🏼
Can i join if i am currently going through my first playthrough or does it need to be comeback players only
If you already got a character going, you can still participate. Just log in during the dates mentioned and look out for multiplayer opportunities. Summon others, get summoned. Hell, do some invasions just for the fun of it.
Anyone want to coop
would people like to limit there builds to certain SL's for pvp? say 60 and meet in anor londo?
Some days ago I read something about setting a specific username for Return to Lordran, but I can't find the post/comment anymore. What do you guys suggest?
I’ve never heard of that, but if you want to make an event themed name, go for it
It was something like "Return to [username]"
I actually just finished a replay of the game today coincidentally.
Do I need the anti cheat mod still?
If you’re playing PC, prlly. I play console and I’ve never run into hackers.
I’ll be there!
There was a couple of years we forgot this events. Í missed it
Prepare to die or Remastered?
Remastered.
What version do people play on? I usually play on switch but what are the most populated servers?
I think Xbox or PS would prlly have the most players
What build should I play?
I’m doing a classic melee/pyro build. Do whatever speaks to you. Just as long as you’re throwing down summon signs and summoning others ✌️
Anyone know where steam codes for ds:r are cheap? I have steam now.
Can only find them for 20 dollars and my ps3 is kaput.
Is there much activity, where are people usually throwing signs down? I tried earlier and got nothing at all.
I'm on PC and have had 7 summon signs total among taurus demon, bell gargoyles, and the capra demon. I walked a few through an item hunt in one of the areas. It's so fun!
Amazing!
Haven't seen a single summon sign yet...
Damn, I summoned two bros to help me with gargoyles. You are human right? Not looking for summons as a hollow?
Yeah, human. Must've just been missing them. I found someone at Gaping Dragon. Now I'm in Blighttown =\
Edit - done with anor londo, jolly cooperation!
Anyone heading out to the DLC?
Anyone have suggestions for a fun build for someone who has played through many times and wants to come back for this event?
Im probably going to use claws.
On PlayStation
Been putting my summoning sign down in Depths and haven't been getting any bites. SL 28 w/ black knight sword +1
How's the activity on PS? Anyone else been getting good co-op engagement?
I’ve been summoning and getting summoned on Xbox.
Ive been doing a playthrough over the last week or so and I have only seen one summon that wasnt an npc. I found one at anor londo and thats it. ive been human for 90%+ of the playthrough
At anor londo the bonfire room before O&S had 4-5 signs in it when I was there. I threw my sign down and got summoned to a 4-man O&S beat down.
I'm getting invaded by twinks repeatedly but not seeing any summon signs. What am I doing wrong?
What platform? Ngl I’ve been invaded 3-4 times but it’s only been people with normal weapons and one guy doing a full dragon character. No greifing either or repeat invasions either.
I can only speak for Xbox but I’ve seen the most summon signs on Saturday and Sunday.
Man I really want to play this game. But sadly I'll never get to do that.
Just because I was born in a third world country and wasn't rich....
It's possible to download from unofficial sources, so to speak
Then u can't play coop with other people
damn i have the pirated version (i'm too unemployed) and it overlaps with my finals week that's mega unlucky
Yet you made a post about buying Elden ring
Hmmmmm
damn i'm busted
yeah i made it but it worths more buying elden ring than dsr. also i can buy it via selling my cs2 skin. i like my ak mens
While that is technically subjective you are objectively wrong.
Hmmm no, it’s definitely not