Dark Souls 2 SotFS – Does Dark Souls II SotFS Have the Patches Built-In

With all the different versions out there, the publisher made this quite confusing. If you have the DX9 version of the original game with the Season Pass, you can upgrade for 20$, without the Season Pass for 30$.

Scholar of the First Sin (SotFS) is basically a "complete edition" of the game. It includes the base game and all DLC. In addition to that, there will be a patch that adds things like new NPCs and re-balancing that is already included in the SotFS edition, but will be available as a patch for the original game as well.

The benefit of upgrading your DX9 to the DX11 version are improved graphics (obviously), and gameplay changes that are exclusive to the DX11, Xbox One and PS4 version. These include new placement of the enemies (e.g. Heide Knights actually being in Heide's Tower) and more online players in a single session. These changes will not exist in the DX9, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.

The SotFS edition for DX9, Xbox 360 and PS3 is just the patched original game plus DLC, nothing more. Players of both versions will be playing on the same servers. Players of the DX11, PS4 and One versions will play on different servers, which means you can no longer play with people who have the DX9 version on PC with the new version. You will still keep the original version though.

Here is a table that details the different versions (found on videogamer.com):

If I recall correctly the tutorial mainly consisted of teaching you the controls. If you have those figured out you haven't missed much. The full control list can be found at the wiki here.

Upgrading Equipment

You've learned how to level up so the next most important thing is learning how to upgrade your equipment. As you explore you will encounter several blacksmiths who will give you the option to upgrade your equipment when you talk to them. Upgrading equipment will cost souls as well as upgrade materials. Different weapons require different materials to upgrade, some materials can easily be bought from the smiths that upgrade your weapons and some must be found. Each weapon only has one upgrade path unlike in past Souls games.

Eventually, you will find a blacksmith who will be able to infuse weapons when you give him a key item. Infusion just means adding an effect to your weapon such as fire, lightning, magic, or poison. This infusion upgrade is independent of upgrading a weapons level. So infusing a +4 long sword with lightning will result in a +4 lightning long sword. Materials for infusion can be found or bought in limited quantities.

NPCs

On your travels you will encounter several NPCs. You should talk to them. However, they will not reveal everything they have to say at once. Talk to NPCs multiple times until they start to repeat themselves. Once the dialogue of NPCs is exhausted they will often be of some benefit to the player. Some give you items, others will sell you items, some even move into Majula for easier access.

Messages

You will often see orange mark on the ground. If you interact with them they will bring up a message left by another player. Some player messages are useful warning you of danger to come or giving hints about secrets in the area. However, some players leave messages to mislead you so always exercise caution. You too should leave messages for other players by pushing start and navigating to the message menu. Share your knowledge, or cause a bit of mischief. Or leave funny messages in front of skeletons.

Finally

This should be enough to get you started. Always remember that the wiki is your friend if you are confused about something. Dark Souls 2 really likes to withhold information (hidden effects on some equipment, random walls open up to secret rooms, etc.) so there's no shame in using outside resources.