Elden Ring - A subtle influence

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  • Опубліковано 9 бер 2024
  • Unlike the other demigods, Miquella isn't feared for his raw power, but rather for his charm, with the Bewitching Branches representing his cloying allure. There's little need for martial strength when no one would think to raise a hand against you anyway.
    Song used: Korok Forest (Night) - The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild OST
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 739

  • @ZullietheWitch
    @ZullietheWitch  3 місяці тому +926

    Special thanks to Maleedy and Tak3thisLif3, who both tested the interaction between Spirit Ashes and Bewitching Branches in the arena and recorded footage of it, since I obviously don't have the game in a suitable condition for going online myself. We were all quite surprised actually to learn how the Ashes behaved, since it seems like something that FromSoftware may not have really planned for or extensively checked themselves, given the mixed results.

    • @carow7135
      @carow7135 3 місяці тому +37

      Genuine question, what do you mean when you say you don’t have the game in a suitable condition for going online? 🤔

    • @TriforceWisdom64
      @TriforceWisdom64 3 місяці тому

      ​@@carow7135They'd likely get banned for hacking

    • @ZullietheWitch
      @ZullietheWitch  3 місяці тому +191

      @@carow7135 I mostly record footage on a significantly modified version of an older patch, so there are multiple reasons it would be inconvenient for me to try to do anything online.

    • @zaynew9521
      @zaynew9521 3 місяці тому

      Probably a lot of mod/cheat engine stuff to see file names and noclip around.@@carow7135

    • @carow7135
      @carow7135 3 місяці тому +28

      @@ZullietheWitch oh! I get it now. Thanks for explaining, I didn’t know that xD

  • @nightmare_1337
    @nightmare_1337 3 місяці тому +1872

    "compelled affection" is actually such an insane euphemism. No wonder Miquella is called the most fearsome.

    • @sharkattack153
      @sharkattack153 3 місяці тому +294

      Empyrean rizz

    • @SinHurr
      @SinHurr 3 місяці тому +195

      "You. Are going. TO LOVE ME" - Fluttershy I MEAN Miquella

    • @Acesahn
      @Acesahn 3 місяці тому +79

      I wonder if Melania isn't loyal as much as compelled by her brother?

    • @Silly_Illidan
      @Silly_Illidan 3 місяці тому +47

      And Ppl have the gall to say it's a curse...
      Yeah right...try having horns grow all over your body or try living with cancer since birth

    • @OnAChairSitting
      @OnAChairSitting 3 місяці тому +60

      @@SinHurr "I sure will" - Mohg

  • @JoeJhoe
    @JoeJhoe 3 місяці тому +2416

    Ah yes, a boss capable of charming spirit summons. Can't imagine the chaos that would unfold if they charm mimic tear, for sure a unique experience

    • @ZullietheWitch
      @ZullietheWitch  3 місяці тому +776

      Thankfully, Mimic Tear doesn't have the vulnerability SpEffect, but then again, they could easily add it if they do end up exploring that concept.

    • @ZorillaMyrid181
      @ZorillaMyrid181 3 місяці тому +85

      I hope they expand on this instead of patching it out, make it so the mimic forms of every creature can be affected. We'll have to see though, super hyped for the dlc

    • @dickmarrinator9057
      @dickmarrinator9057 3 місяці тому

      Trust no one, not even yourself.

    • @Blasphemousa
      @Blasphemousa 3 місяці тому +28

      Miyazaki's gonna troll us again

    • @MythicMagus
      @MythicMagus 3 місяці тому +51

      This unfortunately seems exactly like something Fromsoft would do tbh. They LOVE destroying 'safe strats' in limited cases by throwing curveballs like this.

  • @ceresarda6230
    @ceresarda6230 3 місяці тому +1497

    *Summons Tiche like always*
    *Boss uses charm and Tiche looks at me*
    Me: Oh no

    • @tezereth
      @tezereth 3 місяці тому +77

      I would crumble to the ground if a boss took away my Lhutel 😔

    • @purehollow4460
      @purehollow4460 3 місяці тому +54

      I have a feeling that's what miqulla boss fight is gonna be like

    • @skilletborne
      @skilletborne 3 місяці тому +44

      But you get Tiche by beating Alecto without summons. You can do that again, right?... While fighting a second boss

    • @sofer2230
      @sofer2230 3 місяці тому +39

      @@skilletborne RIP every INT caster who cheesed the hell out of the Alecto fight (it's me I'm INT caster)

    • @raunchers1889
      @raunchers1889 3 місяці тому +4

      @@purehollow4460 That was my thought too. If we have to fight him, he may charm some of our ashes if we are not careful. Would make for an interesting boss fight.

  • @tarnished-ml3fr3jq8w
    @tarnished-ml3fr3jq8w 3 місяці тому +1368

    Bewitching Branches are helpful against spirit summons in PvE for the Commander Niall boss fight when he summons two banished knights.

    • @lutzilla3708
      @lutzilla3708 3 місяці тому +181

      jumping off a cliff behind Castle Sol is also helpful for the Commander Niall boss fight

    • @Inshallahsiuuuu
      @Inshallahsiuuuu 3 місяці тому +71

      @@lutzilla3708lmao I do this cheese all the time. Fuck commander Niall

    • @tehlingo481
      @tehlingo481 3 місяці тому +9

      I wish I knew this last week😭💀

    • @tezereth
      @tezereth 3 місяці тому

      Fighting Niall in honorable combat can be a good way of killing him

    • @dignelberrt
      @dignelberrt 3 місяці тому +39

      @@Inshallahsiuuuu He's a really simply boss, his knights are the annoying part

  • @notsimon1334
    @notsimon1334 3 місяці тому +700

    Honestly, this whole manipulation/bewitching thing feels even more off when you consider, that some of Miquellas soldiers are literally suicide-bombing themselves for their lord...

    • @purehollow4460
      @purehollow4460 3 місяці тому +205

      It's just like the trailer
      "he wields love to shrive clean the hearts of men, there's nothing more terrifying"

    • @alexread6767
      @alexread6767 3 місяці тому +116

      Consider that this may not be Miquella's order, as he has been gone for a while now. The Haligtree forces also ally with the Kindred of Rot and allow Rot to spread throughout the tree, which Miquella was explicitly trying to stop the spread of.

    • @denniscarr9234
      @denniscarr9234 3 місяці тому +64

      Haligtree Soldier Ashes:
      "Spirits of common soldiers who carry the sacred light. When weakened, they explode to deliver a last-ditch attack.
      This was the bitter revelation discovered by the desperate soldiers who awaited the return of their lord to the rotted Haligtree."
      Sounds like Miquella installed bombs in them without their consent.

    • @alexread6767
      @alexread6767 3 місяці тому +52

      @@denniscarr9234 Still, it's not explicit that it was on Miquella's orders. Many Haligtree Soldiers drink from Physick Flasks, and the Ruptured Crystal Tear which causes explosions is "a defective crystal tear." Perhaps the bitter revelation was that after Miquella's disappearance, the tree rotted, and the physick it was producing started to rupture.
      Although Miquella will almost definitely be a villain in the DLC. His design is heavily based off of Griffith from Berserk, who is generally considered one of the most evil fictional characters out there, and his Empyrean abilities are pretty disgusting

    • @nothingness217
      @nothingness217 3 місяці тому +33

      Considering that Mohg's attitude toward Miquella borderlines on mania, I wouldn't be surprised if he was bewitched as well; although perhaps not intentionally.

  • @michaelmahoney5677
    @michaelmahoney5677 3 місяці тому +283

    Everybody gangster till Miquella turns your +10 Mimic Tear that beat the game by itself against you

    • @memeticks3610
      @memeticks3610 12 годин тому

      Everybody shits on DS2 for being "too easy" then there's Mimic Tear...

  • @nathanhall9345
    @nathanhall9345 3 місяці тому +188

    Imagine there's this leader. He's brilliant. He's talented. He's determined. He's compassionate. He's selfless. He knows and wants what's best for you. He cares about you, legitimately. There's nothing about him to dislike.
    The catch is... You have to love him. You don't have a choice. You probably would have, anyway, but now nothing you can do, and nothing he does, can stop you loving him.
    Even if he isn't willingly causing this, even if he never takes advantage of it intentionally, that's still terrifying. Even if he is exactly what he appears to be on the surface, he's scary.

    • @ceruleanrock2265
      @ceruleanrock2265 2 місяці тому +11

      That is basically Griffith.They look identical and are hailed as Gods lmao.

    • @pious83
      @pious83 2 місяці тому +2

      @@ceruleanrock2265 Although, after The Eclipse, Griffith as Femto *is* a God.

    • @nathanhall9345
      @nathanhall9345 2 місяці тому +14

      @@ceruleanrock2265 I haven't read/watched myself, but I did watch Daniel Greene's read-along. It sounded like Griffith was just using pretty much everyone rather than having anyone's best interests in mind.
      I do 100% believe Miquella is Griffith-inspired, for sure.

    • @SuperBuckg
      @SuperBuckg 2 місяці тому +6

      Honestly it would make sense now that I read this that Miquella may not be doing the compelling on purpose, it's kinda like his sister in that it's just a side affect of his power as a forever baby

    • @specialnewb9821
      @specialnewb9821 2 місяці тому +7

      ​@@ceruleanrock2265not at all. Griffith was born in dirt and his primary attribute was ambition that slowly strangled any other positive qualities he had and made him see everyone but Guts as a tool to be used. Maybe taken care of so they don't break but not a comrade. People were drawn to him OR grew to hate and fear him.
      Miquella was born at the height of his society, and thought only of making his society better. First with his father, the by abandoning his station and living in exile, providing a hime for the unwanted out of compassion not because they were useful.
      There are some surface comparisons but fundamentally Miquella is the demigod least corrupted by the shattering and closest to his original heroic mode as created by GRRM.

  • @lemeres2478
    @lemeres2478 3 місяці тому +623

    3:17 "Ok, time to beat this Miquella boss fight. Let's go, Tiche! ...Tiche? What's wrong?"
    "Finally. I've been carrying you through every boss fight for so long. Now it is time for payback"

    • @kristianjensen5877
      @kristianjensen5877 3 місяці тому +107

      "Heed my words. I am Tiche. Blade of Miquella. And I have never known defeat!"
      "Oh shit, here we go again"

    • @tanrata8658
      @tanrata8658 3 місяці тому +27

      "Do you remember me Tiche? When I killed your mother I talked. Just. LIKE. THIIIIIS!"
      *starts chucking giant balls of fire*

    • @Chwiztid
      @Chwiztid 3 місяці тому +3

      ​@@tanrata8658in Christopher Lloyd voice.

    • @garver5833
      @garver5833 2 місяці тому +4

      "Tiche would you kindly stab that tarnished"

    • @ETBrooD
      @ETBrooD 2 місяці тому +2

      Imagine if the spirit ash that you summon turns on you and you die in the fight. Then you face Miquella again... and there's your spirit ash, fighting you again. And you can never get it back until you beat Miquella.

  • @ianyoungren9191
    @ianyoungren9191 3 місяці тому +368

    Miquella turning your spirit ashes against you for his boss fight, if he gets one, would make a hilarious first encounter

    • @Xolcm
      @Xolcm 3 місяці тому +17

      That would almost as hilarious as trying to parry the Soul of Cinder's second phase.

    • @nix4177
      @nix4177 3 місяці тому +2

      That could also be what the aoe spell in the trailer is. You probably get it after killing Miquella.

    • @palladiamorsdeus
      @palladiamorsdeus 3 місяці тому +7

      Eh, they'd have to alter the fight pretty heavily to accommodate that. They also just WON'T do that since spirit ashes are meant for people who want to summon help but don't have any friends who play the game.

    • @metalsludge8205
      @metalsludge8205 2 місяці тому +3

      ​@@Xolcm old habits die hard

    • @justingabriel1765
      @justingabriel1765 27 днів тому +2

      I really hope we don’t kill him, as he seems to be the only sane one left in the world, I would like him to be another option to be elden lord like with Ranni, it would be your choice but I find that way better then oh we search for him this whole time and it turns out he’s crazy and we have to kill him like that’s just dumb

  • @DargorShepard
    @DargorShepard 3 місяці тому +164

    No, Mimic Tear! You were supposed to destroy the sith, not join them!

    • @joshuakim5240
      @joshuakim5240 3 місяці тому +20

      Darth Miquilla: "Have you heard of Elden Lord Plageus the Wise? I doubt it, as it's not a story that the Tarnished would tell. He had so much FP that he could cast a true resurrection spell. But, one day his Mimic Tear killed him in his sleep. All that power, and he still never got gud enough to fight without it. But his Mimic did, replacing him as its own man."
      Mimic Tear: "Is there a way to obtain this power?"
      Darth Miquilla: "Not as a spirit ash."

  • @mensarius6432
    @mensarius6432 3 місяці тому +225

    The Nox Antriders' mounts also have cloudy pink eyes btw, which they lose if you cast Sleep on them, causing them to attack their riders. Same color as the mist the Bewitching Branch uses.
    There's a very clear visual sign when the "Charm" effect is in place, which is obviously deliberate, and we never see it on anyone unless we use the branches ourselves... except for the pink ant eyes.

    • @zortechme6337
      @zortechme6337 3 місяці тому +17

      Wow. I hadn't put those two together
      Good catch!

    • @nightscout9979
      @nightscout9979 3 місяці тому +1

      The ants' eyes look more purple to me, but I think the pupils might be close enough to warrant further inspection.

    • @badflamer
      @badflamer 3 місяці тому +1

      @@nightscout9979they are very clearly bright magenta my guy

    • @nightscout9979
      @nightscout9979 3 місяці тому

      @@badflamer The enslaved ants' sclera look purple to me. I think the pupils might likewise be darker than the Bewitching Branch mist, but it's close enough that it might be worth investigating.

  • @teleman07
    @teleman07 3 місяці тому +257

    Niall's spirits are charmable too. Which suggests it was intended as a game/boss mechanic but got bugged in pvp when the summons were introduced.

    • @horikita3464
      @horikita3464 3 місяці тому +3

      i just beat him, i should have known 😢😂

  • @jabbathehutt2774
    @jabbathehutt2774 3 місяці тому +91

    The quote from Miyazaki about the shardbearers having their heroic qualities eventually turn into their reason of downfall makes me fear Miquella isnt immune to this fact. What may start as excused bewitching for the desperate and needy, might start to turn sour.
    The first line in the trailer "-he wields love to shrive clean the hearts of men. There is nothing more terrifying."
    Im just saying there doesn't seem to be a much more beloved person than Miquella in the lands between.
    The fact he could be the reason we have Torrent, and the reason we go the the land of shadow terrifies me.
    Heck, most of the community views him as a saint and the most morally good shardbearer, even me.
    Maybe Malenia was right.

    • @PBart7
      @PBart7 3 місяці тому +53

      I hope he doesn't pull a Griffith.
      TBH, Miquilla actually being the Big Good of Elden Ring would be a bigger twist than not lol

    • @jabbathehutt2774
      @jabbathehutt2774 3 місяці тому +26

      Miquella has very just reasons to be doing what he's doing. Saving his sister, protecting the downtrodden, giving a home to the albinaurics.
      All these people are desperate, and if Miquella is the only solution, of course they are going to him.
      I don't think Miquella is using Malenia for an external motive. Perhaps his eternal youth protects him from faltering like the rest. But if for some reason Miquella is given the bigger picture, or is given time to fester, I fear what he may be capable of.

    • @palladiamorsdeus
      @palladiamorsdeus 3 місяці тому +18

      I've been playing Fromsoft games for long enough that I remain neutral on Miquella. We just don't have enough information in any direction to know for sure.

    • @khandimahn9687
      @khandimahn9687 2 місяці тому

      I've long wondered if Miquella is actually loved, or if he's been a manipulative bastard the whole time.

    • @randominternetuser2599
      @randominternetuser2599 2 місяці тому

      jesus bro, go outside

  • @kiraviolet
    @kiraviolet 3 місяці тому +48

    "He wields love to shrive clean the hearts of men, there is nothing more terrifying." With the bewitching branch compelling affection, it's starting to become clear why Malenia called him "the most fearsome empyrean."

  • @marvibun
    @marvibun 3 місяці тому +101

    What really makes Miquella as a character to me is the fact he's so very specifically tied to incredibly weird effects and concepts.
    Sleep, Youth and Love, both the Albinaurics and the Oracle Envoys, even the concept of a double-identity as both St. Trina and Miquella, though shared with his parent, makes him appear incredibly influential in a great variety of ways that other gods seem to just not be interested in.

    • @zyibesixdouze4863
      @zyibesixdouze4863 3 місяці тому +15

      don't forget being a fundamentalist to rival that of Radagon as well

    • @badflamer
      @badflamer 3 місяці тому

      Miquella is literally at the center of a conspiracy between himself, godwyn, ranni, rykard, and fucking godrick if you can believe it (though he is cleary being used by the others) to seize power in each their own way. basically everyone who did not directly participate in the shattering war was manipulating everyone who was (mimicing dear mischievous mom who didn't care for battlefield victories hersef and opperated from the shadows).

    • @Mare_Man
      @Mare_Man 3 місяці тому +8

      Morgott pulled the secret identity trick too, but was a lot less subtle about it

    • @badflamer
      @badflamer 3 місяці тому +3

      @@Mare_ManMaliketh as well.

    • @DatAsianGuy
      @DatAsianGuy 2 місяці тому +10

      @@badflamerMaliketh hiding his identity by dressing up as a homeless person.

  • @rowanheiney1238
    @rowanheiney1238 3 місяці тому +28

    The opening line to the trailer, "Pure and radiant, he wields love to shrive clean the hearts of men. There is nothing more terrifying." Kinda reminds me of the concept from C. S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces that the divine is so attractive and polarizing based on its innate goodness. Maybe the way Miquella is attactive is in his sheer goodness, so that people can't help but be compelled to follow him. Like how people can be naturally compelled to care for a baby or child as we are instincually drawn to protect those, even if the child isn't necesarily programming that affection. Really excited to see Miquella's true nature in the DLC.

  • @dragonquest8ftw1
    @dragonquest8ftw1 3 місяці тому +16

    Another example of how terrifying Miquella's power is that he doesn't even will it or cast it, just being in proximity to him is enough for him to beguile you. evidence of this is Mohg, pay attention to the way he carefully addresses Miquella compared to how he addresses a 'supposed' member of the dynasty.

  • @HelloHSR
    @HelloHSR 3 місяці тому +16

    The idea that Miquella compelled the affection of ALL around him, and that eventually resulted in someone going too far and kidnapping him.. thats actually kind of terrifying. Seems like a cautionary tale honestly.

  • @chronovac
    @chronovac 3 місяці тому +21

    I've been saying for a while that Miquella's whole deal screams "cult leader" to me. He even has his own Jonestown-esque compound in the middle of nowhere with goddamn suicide bombers.
    Imagine if bro manages to turn certain NPCs against us as we progress through the DLC. You show up to trade something with a merchant but instead of trading they get up with the charm effect and start attacking you.

  • @GoodName111
    @GoodName111 3 місяці тому +138

    The first line in the DLC trailer itself is "He wields love to shrive clean the hearts of men... there is nothing more terrifying" so it is possible that his charms go much beyond simply being charismatic. This doesn't necessarily have to be malicious though, as he does genuinely seem to have done good in the Lands Between because if he can bewitch people into following him then why focus on those shunned by the Golden Order rather than try to take over it?
    It could be possible that MIquella is not that malicious but is much more neutral likes Ranni as in he is willing to resort to manipulating or using others if it still serves his overall "good" goal.

    • @tailesque
      @tailesque 3 місяці тому +46

      I've been on a similar train of thought. While Miquella's power is indeed terrifying given what it is, I don't believe that automatically paints him as a force of evil. In fact, it's possible Miquella may even (at least in part) lament the very nature of his power, extending from defiance of his own Empyrean birth and the Two Fingers. It's pretty much impossible to see the full picture at present when it comes to Miquella's true nature and machinations though, so I really can't wait for the possibility of the DLC illuminating any of this.

    • @Zayindjejfj
      @Zayindjejfj 3 місяці тому +37

      Being compelled by Miquella is like... the least horrific thing when you think about all the fucked up shit in the lands between. Anything Those who live in death and Outer Rot god related stuff is way more scary. Then you have literal madness and flame frenzy devouring all of reality into a giant ash pile... The astel void born beings trying to constantly bombard the planet
      ...
      Yeah I'd give Miquella a pass on the scale of fucked up shit.

    • @Bug13546
      @Bug13546 3 місяці тому +23

      I think people are too used to defying tropes that they already expect the person who's seen to be one of the better people to be a villain just because he is shown to be good

    • @DreamersOfReality
      @DreamersOfReality 3 місяці тому +18

      I think he's villainous because he fits the bill for a Griffith archetypal character. The ability to compel devotion is another piece of evidence toward a secret villainous nature.
      Y'all should remember only tyrants brainwash people. Have any of you considered that Miquella embraces the lost and hated because they're the most vulnerable? Perhaps he does want to help them... but only insomuch as they can be useful to him.
      GRRM had his hands in this, don't forget.

    • @darkunor6687
      @darkunor6687 3 місяці тому

      ​​@@DreamersOfReality you got a point, im very sure he will be like a Ranni in the sense that he will do terrible things for the greater good.
      So i can't wait for his hate cult to be born, just like Ranni's lol.

  • @Rick586
    @Rick586 3 місяці тому +42

    I can picture it now:
    You enter the giant lion puppet's arena and immediately summon your faithful mimic tear to help you against the boss. But then an extra arm emerges from the great foe, holding a peculiar branch...

    • @misery1500
      @misery1500 3 місяці тому +10

      *Giggles* I'm in danger

  • @uruzchubun8081
    @uruzchubun8081 3 місяці тому +8

    Bewitching enemies to fight for you: 🤚
    Bewitching wild tortoise to fight with you: 👌

  • @robertprueter3292
    @robertprueter3292 3 місяці тому +44

    Zullie over here prepping us for a DLC boss like a boss. Thank you!

  • @blizzardgaming7070
    @blizzardgaming7070 3 місяці тому +156

    As cool as the branches are in appearance, they pale in terms of usefulness to rapport. Luckily the pink butterfly spell seen in the dlc trailer looks like an aoe version of rapport.

    • @ZullietheWitch
      @ZullietheWitch  3 місяці тому +121

      I though about mentioning the butterfly spell, but I'm curious if it's actually the charm effect or if it might be sleep instead. The materials for branches are somewhat scarce, so it'd be a little surprising for them to give an effectively infinite use charm spell, but then again, it wasn't really a problem in the older games.

    • @sweetcattv
      @sweetcattv 3 місяці тому +12

      the butterfly spell could be sleep related since it is quite purple.

    • @cmragg7649
      @cmragg7649 3 місяці тому +14

      Miyazaki said in the interview that the spell shown in the trailer wasn’t rapport… and since it shows enemies dying after being cast it seems like a standard AOE damage attack

    • @sweetcattv
      @sweetcattv 3 місяці тому +7

      @@cmragg7649 yes but many affliction inducing incantations/spells are also damaging.

    • @blizzardgaming7070
      @blizzardgaming7070 3 місяці тому +6

      @@cmragg7649 while yes the enemies do react to the spell they don't appear to take any elemental damage, none of the after effects all elemental damage types have appear.

  • @VictorIV0310
    @VictorIV0310 3 місяці тому +7

    At this point, it’ll be an even bigger plot twist if Miquella really was being genuine with his altruistic goals and motivations.

  • @gavo7911
    @gavo7911 3 місяці тому +44

    I’m predicting Miquella will be like the final boss of Persona 5 Royal: he has genuinely altruistic and kind goals, but he doesn’t care if you want his ideal world or not, it WILL happen and he will treat you as the villain if you get in his way.

    • @jacobfreeman5444
      @jacobfreeman5444 3 місяці тому +11

      He had noble ideals but his own grief twisted his methods to the point he was inflicting terrible evil on all. That is why I like the ending where you fight him. It isn't about defeating an evil man but making a good one realize he needs to acknowledge his own pain. That it is fine to actually grieve and rage at the crap hand he was given. But that pent up emotion was twisting what would have otherwise been a noble goal into a horrifying reality.

    • @gedewahyu.p
      @gedewahyu.p 2 місяці тому

      Reminds me of Ozymandias in Watchmen

  • @ultraphoenix95
    @ultraphoenix95 3 місяці тому +33

    "The Empyrean Miquella is loved by many people.
    Indeed, he has learned very well how to compel such affection."
    - Bewitching Branch
    "Pure and radiant, he wields love to shrive clean the hearts of men.
    There's nothing more terrifying."
    - ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree | Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer
    "My brother will keep his promise. He possesses the wisdom, the allure, of a god - he is the most fearsome Empyrean of all."
    - Malenia's Set
    I predict Miquella being either "neutral" or evil in the DLC

    • @Greywander87
      @Greywander87 3 місяці тому +9

      My guess is that he will be portrayed as good and our presence in the Land of Shadows will be to push his goals forward, but we'll also have the option to fight him. Basically, it will be up to the player to decide if he is sincere or sinister and act accordingly. Perhaps a bit like Gwyndolin from DS1, where we could talk to him and join his covenant, but you could also choose to enter the fog gate and fight him, or destroy the illusion of Gwynevere and anger him.

  • @Pinkfloyd0729
    @Pinkfloyd0729 3 місяці тому +10

    I do think that it’s worth considering that Malenia’s unflinching loyalty to Miquella could be a result of this ability to “compel affection”.
    Obviously Malenia has countless reasons to be totally devoted to Miquella, and I do believe that she is simply devoted out of sisterly love for her brother. But, it’s fun to think that something more sinister might be at play, even if it is a long shot.

  • @CleetusGlobin
    @CleetusGlobin 3 місяці тому +12

    2:12 Technically, spirit ashes could be seen to be affected prior to the coliseum's opening. Commander Niall summons two spirit ashes during his fight, and I recall using tbe branches to help me with the first phase of the fight.

  • @spip9202
    @spip9202 3 місяці тому +16

    Not to mention some people are considering Miquella is based on Griffith from Berserk, and well all know how charming Griffith was....

  • @kurostyle4783
    @kurostyle4783 3 місяці тому +6

    If a boss is able to charm your summons, like in the arena, I'm sure you'd be able to dispel the charm with Law of Regression.

  • @michaelmannix1604
    @michaelmannix1604 3 місяці тому +8

    FWIW, Dark and Humanity in Dark Souls were regarded equally symbolic of intense human emotions, such as fear, hatred, envy, and even love. The Pursuers spell obtained through Manus's soul was specifically born of love and attachment; Manus's soul itself was referred to as a "viscous, lukewarm lump of gentle humanity," contrasting his frightful and violent appearance.
    Dark Souls II expands on this theme with the Sisters of Dark. They are the shards of Manus, and through marriage to the kings of Drangleic, they each acted as harbingers of their respectful kingdoms' tragic downfall.
    My guess is that Miquella's love is feared by some not just for his ability to coerce, but to potentially fell entire kingdoms with love, exposing their weaknesses. After all, this was how his own father managed to fetter the fate of the stars to the Golden Order before abandoning Rennala, reducing her to a shade of her former glory.
    By the way... have you ever noticed that from Rennala's chamber and the Church of Vows, the Erdtree eclipses the moon in such a way that resembles Rykard and Radahn's Great Runes?

  • @LoonyLemonJeff
    @LoonyLemonJeff 3 місяці тому +98

    rizz stick

    • @knatspray
      @knatspray 3 місяці тому +2

      I think we all have one of those already

    • @knightmarespawn2690
      @knightmarespawn2690 2 місяці тому

      ​@@knatsprayJust the stick.

  • @SRFriso94
    @SRFriso94 3 місяці тому +27

    The Bewitching Branch use I still love the most is the one Gino discovered, where you can shoot a greatbow outside Esgar's arena to draw out the dogs, Bewitching Branch them, and they will tear Esgar to shreds for you.

    • @joshuakim5240
      @joshuakim5240 3 місяці тому +9

      I remember back when they hit 16 times in a second, i used a sacrificial spirit ash to draw aggro and branched one of those dogs. It instantly killed Esgar as simultaneously one of the funniest and most horrifying unintentional moments possible.

  • @Frostbite08
    @Frostbite08 3 місяці тому +3

    "Among thousands of comrades and ten thousand enemies, only you... only you made me forget my dream."- Miquella to the Tarnished.

  • @bardol359
    @bardol359 3 місяці тому +12

    I get a very strong Griffith vibe from Miquella, a beatiful yet terrifying god that charms those around him.

  • @0332288
    @0332288 3 місяці тому +7

    Imagine if Miquella has a boss fight, and not only can he turn your Spirit Ashes against you with a branch attack, he can even use it on SUMMONED PLAYERS to at least enable friendly fire, similar to how Host Spirit Ashes in the arena work.

  • @Arkeon77022
    @Arkeon77022 3 місяці тому +19

    Calling it now, Miquella's boss fight will use these bewitching branches if we ever try summoning against him, forcing either a fair 1v1 or a gank of our own fault.

    • @palladiamorsdeus
      @palladiamorsdeus 3 місяці тому +1

      As I said elsewhere, won't happen. Spirit ashes exist for people who don't have friends who play Elden Ring, they aren't going to screw those people in particular by pulling a stunt like that. They'd have to have multiple different versions of the fight based on different criteria and I don't see that happening.

  • @TheUltimatePositionOfPower
    @TheUltimatePositionOfPower 3 місяці тому +3

    The more i hear of Miquellas power, the more i wonder who is really in control with regards to his relationship with Mohg

  • @doom7850
    @doom7850 3 місяці тому +10

    I think the art book needs a looking at on this channel. I own it myself and even my untrained eyes noticed some weird oddities. The biggest one I noticed is the art of Gurranq has him fully upright and humanoid in a way that suggests he might not have even originally been Maliketh. Also the art for Hewg has him as a normal, barely changed misbegotten. These are notable cause the majority of the named npcs (particularly the ones that are the player model) are grouped together under their armor sets and aren’t even named after the characters.

  • @sirlloyn9115
    @sirlloyn9115 3 місяці тому +3

    Bosses being able to turn spirt summons against you is an awesome concept and unique

  • @Dyneamaeus
    @Dyneamaeus 3 місяці тому +4

    I'm also hopeful for a Mohg storyline extension. Varre gives you the invitation but tells you not to use it yet, saying something about waiting for Mohg to finish what he's doing. With luck, we'll be able to follow that line into the dlc, and unlock the bloodborne ending.

    • @Darkheart00
      @Darkheart00 2 місяці тому

      Miyazaki said the the DLC will be its own concrete and complete story, similar to the Old Hunters
      No ending to the basegame

  • @pentravoizer1791
    @pentravoizer1791 3 місяці тому +22

    A boss that turns spirit ashes against players would be fun to see :)

  • @sugartoothYT
    @sugartoothYT 3 місяці тому +11

    "Disturbing implications" indeed. I know I ain't lowering my guard/suspicions towards the Griffith-like character of Miquella.

  • @SilverAphelion
    @SilverAphelion 3 місяці тому +3

    Turning your summoned spirit against you would be a very well made design, hope we see something like this, its a nice prediction.

  • @symbiotesoda1148
    @symbiotesoda1148 2 місяці тому +1

    Miquella took the concept of “I have no enemies” to a new level.

  • @chillax319
    @chillax319 3 місяці тому +2

    Good thing you can unsummon your spirit turned hostile. I can't imagine my panick if I was to end up fighting both the boss and the Dung Eater of mine.

  • @oncesilenced5509
    @oncesilenced5509 3 місяці тому +2

    Imagine fighting a field boss and he turns your mimic tear against you lmao

  • @gothxm
    @gothxm 3 місяці тому +1

    he just makes me think of Griffith. That inhuman Charisma he has is alluring and deadly for all involved.

  • @philbuttler3427
    @philbuttler3427 2 місяці тому +1

    The idea Mohg might've been supernaturally compelled to do what he did is some fascinating implication. Like he was just hanging out in the Shunning Grounds perhaps intending to never leave and Miquella joyous to hear he had a brother who hed never heard of, who was part of the spurned he so empathized for decided to go for a visit and that was the nudge Mohg needed to snap is so fascinating.

  • @merManc
    @merManc 3 місяці тому +2

    Fascinating stuff. Looks like I picked the right time for my current no-summons run!

  • @nikkospops
    @nikkospops 2 місяці тому +1

    Miquella is FOR SURE gonna turn our ashes against us

  • @defaultprofilepictureguy2526
    @defaultprofilepictureguy2526 3 місяці тому +4

    i have no clue where you keep finding these details, and their meanings, keep up the good work!

  • @pleasestandby976
    @pleasestandby976 3 місяці тому +1

    That would be the coolest Mimic Tear nerf they could possibly make

  • @felipecouto1102
    @felipecouto1102 3 місяці тому +3

    I've been saying since the first time I saw this item back when the game first launched and I'll always say it: Miquella is WAY more than meets the eye, and people that are sure he is lawful good may be ignoring a big part of context. Even Malenia says he is THE fiercest of the Empyrean.
    Im really looking forward for the DLC and seeing if these suspicions are true.

  • @realitychanger2.058
    @realitychanger2.058 3 місяці тому +5

    Great video as always Zullie!

  • @CeLautrec618
    @CeLautrec618 3 місяці тому +2

    I really do hope that the DLC really dives into the whole charm, and even sleep, side of status effects, as the base game neglects them like crazy. Like, the only enemy I can think of that does sleep buildup to the player is a giant crab somewhere (I think the one in raya lucaria) and that's it. I'm assuming it will get branched out more, considering Miquella seems to be behind these somewhat passive/neutral statuses.

  • @Kokosnuss
    @Kokosnuss 3 місяці тому +6

    Having the mimic tear turn against the player in miquellas boss fight would be peak fromsoft. Looking forward to it. Also the more and more I read and hear about miquella, the more and more griffith comes to mind. He's not just a charmer but "the" charmer and with apart from that the most fearsome of all. Let's find out what miquella has truly done.

  • @mr.ashenfire2624
    @mr.ashenfire2624 9 днів тому

    The line "Wielding love, he strives to clean the hearts of men." Is so terrifying.

  • @generalvic8250
    @generalvic8250 3 місяці тому +3

    What if Miquella used his charm on Mohg, and it was not him wanting to steal Miquella to achieve the state of Empyrean, but actually Miquella using him for something. After all in Malenia's Armor description we get a quote from her saying "My brother will keep his promise. He possesses the wisdom, the *allure*, of a god - he is the most fearsome Empyrean of all."
    Not only that but we know through Millicent's questline that she was trying to return something to Malenia, which was her own will so to speak, rejecting the outer goddes of rot. So Malenia and Miquella could either have been against the Golden order all along, or they were corrupted by rot somehow, or anything in between. It could even mean the only reason Malenia used the scarlet rot and gave up to it was because she was charmed by Miquella.

    • @JKKoneofakind
      @JKKoneofakind 3 місяці тому

      My theory?
      Radahn holds back the stars, and the fates of several demigods in the lands between, Ranni as the obvious example. Less obvious, is the Eclipse, which probably couldn't come to pass because Radahn was holding back everyones fates. Common speculation is Malenia fought Radahn looking for a kidnapped Miquella. I theorize Malenia, The "Blade of Miquella", fought Radahn on Miquella's behalf, possibly even bewitched, to defeat him and allow the demigods fates to resume, which, in theory, would allow Miquella's eclipse to transpire. Radahn was messed up by the scarlet rot, but he did not die, and Malenia was carried by her cleanrot knights back to the Haligtree. By then, I suspect Miquella was already gone, and so she waited by the Haligtree, dreaming (which is sus), waiting for his return.

    • @generalvic8250
      @generalvic8250 3 місяці тому

      @@JKKoneofakindSomething else that kind of bothers me os Miquella's needle. It was supposedly made for Malenia to stop the meddling of outer gods (in this case the rot) but it didn't seem to be to save his sister, rather to have full control over her.

  • @MrRogerBlake
    @MrRogerBlake 3 місяці тому

    I love your videos! May be short, but shows your committment to keep uncovering secrets and hidden mechanichs in souls games. Hugs from Italy!

  • @andrewtfd6469
    @andrewtfd6469 3 місяці тому +2

    I imagine we'll fight St. Trina more than Miquella if anything. If Trina only exists in dreams, then it would make sense for Trina to want Miquella to keep sleeping in his cocoon.
    Would also explain why Miquella had no reaction to Mohg's offerings of blood, Trina has been the one receiving them. Going into Miquella's dream could be him in fact asking for help.
    I just hope he doesn't fall into the trope of being a tyrant/cult leader/villain what with the whole "universally praised good being who turns out evil", and for once is an actually good force in the Lands Between, kind of like the Burnt Ivory King in DS2.

  • @LexIconLS
    @LexIconLS 2 місяці тому +1

    Someone highlighting that Miquella was not, in fact, a good guy. Love to see it. The demi gods are all terrifying and power hungry warlords that led thousands to their deaths. They're all monsters.

  • @Pyre
    @Pyre 3 місяці тому

    Something about the way Zullie is posed throughout this video just varies from silly to striking to just very nice.

  • @GameNerd346
    @GameNerd346 7 днів тому

    another banger as always

  • @WillButtlerYeets
    @WillButtlerYeets 3 місяці тому +4

    I feel like we will find out Mohg was bewitched this entire time, under the influence of Miquella.

  • @MythicMagus
    @MythicMagus 3 місяці тому +2

    Having a boss that turns summons against the player sounds exactly like something Fromsoft would pull 100%. I'mma laugh if the DLC has a boss that does this.

  • @gb9884
    @gb9884 3 місяці тому

    The banished knight in Nialls arena has my affection.

  • @OmneAurumNon
    @OmneAurumNon 3 місяці тому +3

    Undead rapport raised an interesting question. There's a rumor that Sieglinde isn't undead. Could we check that by looking for the rapport flag? If she doesn't have it and other NPCs do, that would confirm that she's still alive.

    • @ZullietheWitch
      @ZullietheWitch  3 місяці тому +6

      I believe they didn't give the SpEffect to any player model NPCs.

  • @rafaelcobacho503
    @rafaelcobacho503 2 місяці тому

    men i love ur work !

  • @adambejarano1592
    @adambejarano1592 3 місяці тому

    My wife is always so quick to identify the music in your videos when I put them on; it's very precious

  • @kacperdrabikowski5074
    @kacperdrabikowski5074 2 місяці тому

    Just realized something: the glyph appearing when using Bewitching Branch seems to be a combination of tree and the seven-armed candlestick. The same candlestick that was recently found to appear on a shield and be similar to those wielded by enemies in DLC trailer

  • @frogpapi6371
    @frogpapi6371 3 місяці тому

    That’s a surprisingly good insight about how pvp summons work

  • @SecretMarsupial
    @SecretMarsupial 3 місяці тому +2

    So the incantation cast on a group of undead we see in the trailer IS basically a mass bewitching branch spell? Anybody else thought the particle effects looked exactly like the brach?

    • @lharsay
      @lharsay 3 місяці тому

      It looked like an offensive spell to me.

  • @TedBackus
    @TedBackus Місяць тому

    that charm effect is a good way to fight Nial

  • @CAVerylising
    @CAVerylising 3 місяці тому

    I'm literally going crazy with this music

  • @GlaiveMistress
    @GlaiveMistress 3 місяці тому

    In the dlc trailer you can see what is most likely a wide area spell version of bewitching branch.

  • @lamiahunter
    @lamiahunter 25 днів тому

    Ahhh. His rune is love

  • @mobiusdt
    @mobiusdt 3 місяці тому

    I've never used the branch before in my two and half playthroughs, so I'm only just now noticing the similarities in how the Haligtree crest and the Candletree crest look.

  • @FirstnameLastname-xt1rr
    @FirstnameLastname-xt1rr 3 місяці тому

    This could completely change the War Dead Catacombs

  • @Emerl18
    @Emerl18 2 місяці тому

    I love the fact you used the wacky wavy arm-flailing inflatable slinky as an example. That's my favorite summon in the game.

  • @dbfzato-1327
    @dbfzato-1327 3 місяці тому +2

    pretty interesting, seems to be a overlooked bug, i guess not many people thought to use the branch in pvp, did you try it on Rennala's spirit ash summons?

  • @ciaranclarke7793
    @ciaranclarke7793 3 місяці тому

    Thank you, Zullie. Very cool.

  • @Lessembarrassingman
    @Lessembarrassingman 3 місяці тому +1

    Love your videos Zullie! Hope you’re doing good today!

  • @Knights_of_the_Nine
    @Knights_of_the_Nine 3 місяці тому

    You know the big bulbous guys with the gold toot horns?
    The section of the game that has a giant one, a medium sized one, and a tiny one, all facing away; I like to sneak up behind them, then rush the big one and beguile him.
    They'll all fight and then you can mop up.

  • @Cainecoker
    @Cainecoker 3 місяці тому +1

    Some weeks ago I used bewitching branch on the giant oracle envoy and it worked, but I don’t see the name there. The large oracle envoy is actually the slim one.

  • @JackPiLope
    @JackPiLope 3 місяці тому

    Theres something i always enjoy hearing From Soft games and Zelda music, ive had a couple unique experiences with the branches.

  • @games-wz7sz
    @games-wz7sz 3 місяці тому +1

    The bewitching branch says it is blessed with unalloyed gold.
    And then his soldiers have crowns "blessed with an incantation of unalloyed gold" I always assumed it to mean many if not all of his knights were under a similar effect to the bewitching branch. It is the only knight's helmet that increases a stat. And it's faith, faith is connection to your God. So it increases their connection to miquella (possibly making the mind control stronger?)

  • @MrMaradok
    @MrMaradok 2 місяці тому

    This might be one of those times when players find an unintended interaction by accident and the Devs go “Write that down, WRITE THAT DOWN!”

  • @mhiggs8001
    @mhiggs8001 3 місяці тому

    Yay always happy to see a new video from you! The implications of this could be really interesting and punishing for players who rely on spirit ashes. I’ll not lie and say I don’t use them lol Miquella is starting to feel less benevolent than I thought.

  • @christiand1337
    @christiand1337 2 місяці тому +1

    So I definitely need to get better at not summoning my Mimic Tear for every fight, got it.

  • @MrAxedead
    @MrAxedead 3 місяці тому +1

    My guess is if there is a Miquella boss fight or maybe a disciple of Miquella he will make it impossible to use Spirit Summons.
    Imagine you thinking it's going to be an easy fight by summoning Tiche or Mimic Tear and it just turning on you the instant they are summoned.
    Or maybe a mechanic similar to Old Monk from Demon's Souls where an invader can fight on behalf of Miquella almost if they were persuaded to join his side.

  • @Tackitt
    @Tackitt 3 місяці тому

    It just now hits me that lore-wise Miquella would be perfect for summoning an invader like DeS Monk and DS3 spear of the church.

  • @childofcascadia
    @childofcascadia 3 місяці тому +1

    I suspect theres going to be a huge amount of bewitching going on in spirit ash enabled colosseum fights now, lol.

  • @blankdragon1636
    @blankdragon1636 3 місяці тому +1

    Miquellia bossfight I'm calling it now

  • @pizza1669
    @pizza1669 2 місяці тому

    There is also spirit ashes being summoned in O'neil and Niall fights, so it kinda has a usage

  • @catfromheaven2133
    @catfromheaven2133 3 місяці тому +1

    If Miquella actually will be a final boss of dlc - would be cool if he could use branches to turn your spirits against you, like Mimic Tear or Tiche

  • @grokzgrom3226
    @grokzgrom3226 3 місяці тому

    In the dlc trailer we can see a spell being cast by the player character which is colored pink same as the mist coming from the bewitching branch, so it's likely one of Miquella's charm spells. Also there are butterflies circling the caster, likely to reference the spell's connection to Miquellla as Malenia's abilities also had butterflies surrounding them.

  • @jansitoouncass310
    @jansitoouncass310 День тому

    it would be so fucking fire if we fight Miquella, that he can charm ur spirit summons