Dark Souls 2 Black Armor Edition, Collector's Edition purchasers get early access to weapons pack

Those who purchase either the Dark Souls 2 Black Armor Edition or the Dark Souls 2 Collector’s Edition will receive a voucher which unlocks early access to the weapons contained in the Black Armor Weapons Pack.

According to Bandai Namco, the items will "help players as they begin their journey through the most challenging and rewarding sequel."

The items in the Black Armor Weapons Pack include:

• Black Flamestone Dagger and Black Flamestone Parma – A dagger and shield encrusted in Black Flamestone both found in the Gutter at Black Gulch. Even though they are heavier than a normal dagger and shield, the Flamestone crystal’s unique properties make the dagger extremely sharp and give the shield high resistance to damage.

• Yellow Quartz Longsword and Yellow Quartz Shield – A straight sword and small shield hardened with yellow quartz both uncovered at the bottom of the Iron Keep. Even though these items can break easily due to their high level of corrosion, they are exceptionally light and their power to inflict damage has not declined.

• Bound Hand Axe and Bound Wooden Shield – A brutal hand axe and shield found in the Undead Purgatory. Both items are wrapped in chains and thorns to cause additional bleeding on enemies. Both the axe and shield have diminished in overall slashing power but their ability to deliver pain has been deliberately increased.

• Homunculus Mace and Homunculus Wooden Shield – A mace and shield with spherical protrusions found in Aldia’s Keep. Although heavier-than-normal maces and shields, the hard protrusions greatly increase the striking power of the mace as well as the shield’s defensive capabilities.

• Transgressor’s Staff and Transgressor’s Leather Shield – A staff and leather shield entwined with an unknown and seemingly lackluster element; these items are found in the Dark Chasm of Old. They have become a catalyst for sorcery and hex and cause an effect known as Darkness.

Dark Souls 2 will be available in the Americas on March 11 and on March 14 in Europe for PS3 and Xbox 360. The PC version will release shortly after the console version becomes available.