Tricks of the Trade

This is thread's goal is to compile all the information we have on online interactions, specifically: how to trade. We'll go into the mechanics of how the servers work, and how you can trade with a friend most easily. Right now, I don't have the time for a long in-depth look, so later tonight/this weekend I'll come back to this thread. For now, people, please compile information you already have and know to be true so I can throw it up here in the OP later.

The Red Sign Soapstone is a combination of the White Sign Soapstone and Red Eye Orb. It is used, a sign is placed on the ground, and then you are summoned into a host's world. However, there is no level restrictions at all. A level 25 could summon a level 300 into their world. This can allow trade across all soul levels.

If you are in busy areas, I would put the summon sign down in areas that are not checked frequently (not hot spot summon points), this would reduce the chance of one being summoned by someone else. Furthermore, every once in a while (say 20 seconds) I would refresh the summon sign (put it down again) to try and refresh the summon list to try to get it into your friends world (confirm?)

Yeah i've heard of refreshing the sign too, and i'm not sure if that refreshes the P2P or servers or whatever.
Also heard that quitting and reloading the game actually helps more than just reusing your sign or method of invasion

Additionally, anyone with the step-by-step of how best to mule items from one toon to another on the same XBL/PSN account would be appreciated.

Ah, I see this is about our little trading troubles

I've had this problem with a few people. Some find my sign instantly, others never do and we end up giving up on the trade because it takes up hours of our time. It's a game of luck for me.

Does the red soap stone only allow you to summon up?
Like a lvl 20 person summons the red phantom who is lvl 200?

Or does it work both ways where a sl 200 person could summon a red phantom at sl 20?

Okay, I have to check. Are the US and EU versions of the game on different servers? That would explain a lot of failed trades for me.

For demon's souls EU and NA servers were different I believe, barring trade and any online interaction between players. I'm pretty sure that carried over to Dark Souls, but i'm not 100% sure. And according to the wiki (it's a little confused in grammar, big surprise) I think you there are absolutely NO level restrictions on the Red Soap Signstone

There is no bar between EU and NA connectivity.

I have about 4 people who friended me after some jolly co-op or for a trade and they are from in and around EU while I am in canada, we never experienced lag and had no issues connecting.

I guess I will have to do some testing with the RSS

Theres a summoning guide on the wiki that will give you all the info compiled on this site since the game has been released. It's as good a guide you will find.

The RSS only works upwards, not downwards. There are no servers. P2P will allow ppl to play regardless of where they are.

That's true but idk it seems... incomplete. Maybe it's just me, but i've read that a few times, and it never really quite answered my questions. Not as big a problem now, this was mostly inspired because I just couldn't get a damn trade to work... mind as well delete this thread then I guess since it's redundant for you all.

That statement always confused me... ahah

SO I just had a run in with someone where we tried summoning for about an hour. I was 120 and he was 150.

I couldn't summon him from his red soapstone, so you have to be a higher level than the person you are summoning with it..

I just want to write this down so that 3 weeks from now I don't get it backwards like I always do.

hahaha that's a good idea. I think i'll go change that on the wiki page for the RSS to clarify things lol