Ps3 – Do I need to be familiar with the PS3 controller to succeed in Demons Souls

Fire spray usually works well, since you can move while casting. (But this won't work when they're already in your face.)

Melee attack also worked well for me. When I was going through 3-2 I had a fairly decent Moon Short Sword and could take them down with 3-4 hits. My aim was to kill them with successive hits, not allowing them to swing their swords.

Make sure and learn where each one is though - don't walk past any and you'll be able to take them on one at a time. Don't let them gang up on you.

You could also try using a shield with a higher Guard Break Reduction value, since this will reduce the amount of stamina used to block attacks. Buckler+4 has a GBR of 51. If you have a Leather Shield (54), Kite Shield (55), Knight's Shield (57) or even the Purple Flame Shield (60) you might have more luck blocking their attacks.

Pairing a shield with some kind of spear may also be useful, because you can attack without lowering your shield.

EDIT: After playing through a section of 3-2 using just a Leather Shield and a Short Sword (both base level), I have more hints:

Manage your stamina (the green bar on the top-left of screen). After blocking one strike, you should be able to hit a few times before running out of stamina. When this happens, back away from the Gargoyle and lower your shield, allowing your stamina to replenish. Then go back in with your shield raised and repeat.

Don't allow the Gargoyle to hit you while you have anything less than full stamina - shields are not effective if you don't have enough stamina to absorb the hit.

If you don't have enough stamina to absorb even one hit, you need to level up your Endurance and/or use a better shield.

Since asking this question I managed to beat him. This is how I did it:

My equipment:

• Left Hand: Purple Flame Shield +9, Talisman of Beasts
• Right Hand: Crescent Falchion +4, Sticky Compound Short Bow +5 (normal arrows)
• Magic: Warding

I think any decent sword/shield combo would work, as would a Catalyst instead of the Talisman. Any bow would be fine.

Basic tactics:

• Have the shield and sword combination selected most of the time.
• Be prepared to quickly switch to bow and fire off a shot (or use a throwing weapon)
• Cast Warding before engaging. Recast when the opportunity arises.
• Have healing items in your quick-access slot. Heal when the opportunity arise.
• Be patient and don't push your luck with too many successive hits.
• Keep your stamina up by lowering your sheild when possible.
• Stay away from him whenever possible.

I've found the opportunity for healing/recasting of Warding to be just after the False King has performed his final successive shockwave move, as long as you are not within sword-striking range.

Attack Types:

The False King has a few different types of attacks:

• AoE explosion spell
• Charge and swipe
• Multiple swipe with shockwave
• Soulsucker (steals one of your Soul Levels)

AoE explosion spell

Don't try to outrun or block this. Instead switch to the bow and shoot him, interrupting the spell. The spell charge time is long enough to allow this. A thrown weapon would probably work just as well.

Charge and swipe

Roll out of the way, turn and hit him 1 or 2 times, then back away. This is the only safe time to attack via sword.

Multiple swipe with shockwave

If you're close, block his hits with your shield and roll/move away as soon as possible. If you're further away, move sideways to avoid the shockwave, or block it with your shield.

Soulsucker

If his hand is glowing bright white, he is preparing the Soulsucker move. Roll away as fast as possible.

Keep this up and the False King will be yet another Demon's Soul in your cap.