Dark Souls – Does Quitting the Game Make Bloodstains Disappear?

I asked this question around two months ago. I have since completed this game twice and I can confirm that there's an unlimited availability for all upgrade stones, each playthrough.

The hardest ones to get are definitely the slabs.

Regular Titanite Slab is a 100% chance drop off the Stray Demon, which you can battle on your second visit to Undead Asylum. Another slab is awarded for completing the Siegmeyer of Catarina sidequest. Although Titanite Slab is a rare drop off Crystal Lizards in the Great Hollow, it can also drop from Darkwraiths in New Londo Ruins, which respawn, making the supply unlimited.

Red Titanite Slab can be found in the Chaos Eater pit in Lost Izalith as a treasure to loot. It is also a rare drop off the Chaos Eaters themselves.

Blue Titanite Slab is found in the Crystal Caves as a lootable item. It is also a rare drop off the Crystal Butterflies in the same area, which respawn.

White Titanite Slab is found in the cave filled with Pinwheel Servants on a lootable corpse. It is also a rare drop off the Pinwheel Servants themselves.

Firstly, DON'T PANIC! Don't swing wildly trying to finish them off quickly; your stamina will drain and you will take damage.

The best approach is usually to retreat and use a divide and conquer approach to thin-out the enemies' numbers, by drawing them out one at a time with a ranged attack. If you're trapped and unable to retreat though, you can use the following tactics:

• Don't let the enemies surround you. Lock on to one of the enemies and move around to position the whole group in front of you. Keep them in front of your shield.

• Keep your shield up, but be aware of your stamina level. Lower your shield and back away to allow your stamina to recharge.

• Try and block hits from multiple enemies before you attack. Time your attack to occur after you've blocked their hits. If your weapon is capable of hitting multiple enemies in a single swipe, take advantage of this.

• Concentrate on killing one at a time. Try and hit the same enemy with every attack. This will reduce their numbers more quickly.

• Use the roll move to evade multiple attacks when low on stamina. (This also uses stamina, so be sure to allow your stamina to recharge afterwards!)

• If you're also being shot at by a bow wielder, stay moving to evade the arrows/bolts.

• Backstab and/or parry where possible. You are invulnerable while the backstab/parry animation takes place. High damage too!

If you have trouble attacking without getting hit, try a spear or rapier-type weapon. These weapons allow you to strike while keeping your shield up. (Estoc is available early in the game, in New Londo Ruins before the bridge across the water.) Be extra careful about your stamina level since your stamina recovers very slowly when you shield is raised.

Good luck!