Most useless entrance ever?

I'm absolutely convinced that I'm doing something wrong here, or there's something I'm not seeing, but I figured I'd consult my betters.

So after slaving through the Capra Demon, I make it down into the Depths, screw around there, and nearly soil myself when I run head-first into the Gaping Dragon; "Ooh, that doesn't look so bad, it's actually kinda cu-- Oh god, it's climbing up, it's getting bigger, OH GOD OH GOD IT'S HUGE, OH MY GOD IS THAT A MOUTH OH GO--" Even Solaire couldn't help me; I died, hard.

So I looked the ol' beast up on the Wiki: turns out I don't need to fight him at all, I can get to Blighttown another way! , I think to myself, and run over to the Valley of Drakes-entrance, get a little freaked out by the giant dudes with clubs, but eventually I'm in Blighttown. After getting thoroughly terrified by everything there (I scare easily, especially in this game, alright?), I clear the place out, but I can't find anywhere to go ; I walk back and forth, climb down every ladder I can find, but there's just nowhere to go!

"Back to the Gaping Dragon", I mutter to myself, and I take it down after a few tries, get the key to Blighttown, and go through the "real" entrance; after that I've had no problems, but my question is: is the VoD-entrance really as pointless as I found it (which I highly doubt, honestly)?

The VoD entrance is a shortcut if you have the master key. It is the exit to blight town if you have to go through the depths.

The Valley of the Drakes shortcut is king. I NEVER go the "normal" way because I hate the upper region of Blighttown.

About the shortcut; you have to fall onto that windmill thing to get to the swamp below. The shortcut is faster and easier.

Right, right, but my problem is that once I go down through VoD, I can't actually progress to large portions of Blighttown; I see all these other platforms where Gollum and his millions of cousins hang out, but I've no way to reach them from here; I've studied maps of this place 'til I've gone cross-eyed, but I just can't find a viable path in-game (which has been tested with more than one fall into oblivion).

*Edit* Fall onto THAT thing? I actually tried once, died, and figured it was a dumb idea.

By the way, first-time poster here, made this account just a few minutes ago, and I'm really impressed with the response time (and the quality of the responses). Glad to hear I'm not the only person that absolutely loathes upper Blighttown, by the way.

Every one dies to the water wheel, its a mini boss.

Welcome to the forum

Thank you, mi'lord, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

The watherweel has platforms that rotate with it. When you rake the shortcut, you'll see some of them rise and flip. Your goal is to make it to the other side of the waterwheel and take one of the platforms safely down. This leads you to lower Blighttown, which is 1 minute away from a bonfire and about 2 minutes from the boss.

This shortcut is actually you taking the EXIT from blighttown to the VoD, it is not actually intended to be an entrance. You might want to grab the New Londo key. This was the design purpose, so you could quickly climb back to Firelink without having to backtrack.

Here ye go:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM93fMEntKQ

Keep in mind, that following guides like these, might, to some players atleast, ruin the experience. However, if you really have a hard time this shall help you out. A simple guide through the shortcut and onto the boss. Watch as far as you wish, and perhaps it shall help you on your goal to becoming...

The chosen one!

Or a sunbro...

Sunbros are awesome.

Praise the sun!

Oh, and in the introduction thread i asked for console with no response. However, if you happen to be on X360, i just wanted to point out, that if you need a co-op friend i'm here for ya, and i won't ruin your experience with op gear either!

If not, others might help you as well.

Alas, I'm playing the PC edition, which means I have to use the vile demonic force that is... Games for Windows Live! :affraid:

PS. Sorry I didn't check the Intro-thread again; figured I wouldn't get any replies anyway, I seemed to have underestimated y'all.

VoD FTW, for me!!!

I no longer go through the upper levels of Blightown from the top... I climb it after killing Q collecting all the shinies.

I love the waterwheel. It has protected me from many an invader.

Dear god! Poor fool! Haha, just kiddin' well, too bad, i love offering my help to people, especially new players.

But oh well, do not fear though, there are more pc players here, so if you happen to be in the need of aid, someone will come to your rescue! Hope that video helped you as well, if you decide to watch it that is. Oh, and just so we're clear, it's not my video, i only sent the link!xD

Edit: No probs, as i said in the intro thread, you shouldn't expect too many welcomes there either, however they do exist, so paying attention is most certainly not a flaw. However, since you didn't read i shall welcome you once more.

A great many thanks to you all, first and foremost! I did check out the video, it was most helpful. I feel a little silly asking this, by the way, but I was just wondering; would it be alright if I go a little off-topic in my posts, so as to not clog up the forum with a thread for every moronic thought that enters my brain, or would it be better to be a tad spammy? *Not planning to bring up EVERY thought that passes through my cranium*

I'm not the best person to reply to this question, however, believe it or not, but i'm still less than a month new of a member. I've spammed most of my thoughts in topics, and so far i've had no complaints, so as long as you don't spam like a loco coco(<---wtf?) it seems to be acceptable, however, i would advice reading the forum rules.

Edit: Here you go:
https://soulswiki.forumotion.com/t2-forum-guidelines

The only reason I would ever even THINK of going though the Depths is to get the Iaito near the beginning of Blighttown, it's my favorite weapon.

Don't forget the shadow set! As for laito you could always buy it off Shiva.

Got both the Shadow set and the Iaito through using the "real" entrance, as well as repeatedly violated by Gollums (I'm sure their race or whatever has a proper name, but that's what they are to me); after noticing how embarassingly easy it was to use the shortcut, I believe I'll do that from now on; thanks all!

http://darksoulswiki.wikispaces.com/Enemies#Infested%20Ghoul

Infested Ghoul seems to be the name for them. And no problem, need any help, just ask.

Mr. Tart wrote:Don't forget the shadow set! As for laito you could always buy it off Shiva.

Shiva sells the Iaito...WHAT?!

Actually, i believe i have mistaken it with the Uchigatana. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Even then, without going too far off topic, i have to ask, what makes it a favorite when Uchigatana is essentially an better version?

I thought he sold the Washing Pole? Maybe I'm completely wrong, or he sells both, but I was under the impression that you could only get the Uchi from killing the Undead Male Merchant? Ah well; I'm really not an authority on anything DS.

He sells the Washing Pole and Uchigatana. Thing is though, i mistook the Laito for the Uchigatana, so i had to correct myself, thus i did not point out the Washing Pole, but he does indeed sell it, along with a whole lot of other weapons and a ring, and of course a awesome gesture.

As far as I know:

Undead Merchant - drops Uchigatana

Shiva - sells Uchigatanas(5k) and Washing Poles(20k)

Iato - only found in "Upper" Blight Town.

I actually keep forgetting to look into the benefits and detriments of these weapons comparative to each other. I've typically just gone with the Uchi just cuz...