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For a new PC purchase, choose Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin. It is the version targeted by current editing, randomizer, and restoration tools, and its official listing advertises online sessions of up to six players instead of the original release’s four. Keep the 2014 PC version only when you specifically need an archival baseline for studying the original arrangement.
The names conceal several separate builds. “Dark Souls II” (the 2014 PC release), “Scholar” running its DirectX 9 executable, and “Scholar” running DirectX 11 or a console edition should be treated as distinct targets when installing mods or troubleshooting matchmaking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - PlayStation 4 | $21.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dark Souls II: Design Works | $28.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - Xbox One | $29.37 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Dark Souls: The Complete Collection (Graphic Novel) | $19.66 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (PS4) | $22.20 | Buy on Amazon |
What each release actually is
Dark Souls II (2014)
The original release is the 2014 version of the game. On PC it is the legacy DirectX 9 build, with its own executable, data layout, enemy placements, item placements, and world arrangement. That makes it valuable as an archival reference: if you are comparing what shipped at launch with later revisions, this is the build you need to preserve.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Its age also explains most of the practical disadvantages for a new modding setup. Current community editors and restoration projects generally target Scholar rather than this release, so instructions written for Scholar can fail outright or produce invalid files when pointed at the original installation.
#1 Best Overall
- All 3 DLC Pack Contents: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King
- Additional NPCs Added For Enhanced Story Experience To Assist Guiding Players Through Level
- Parameter Setting Adjustments for Improved Balance
- Augmented Item Descriptions
- Increase in Maximum Online Players
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (2015)
Scholar is an updated re-release containing the original game and all released downloadable content in one package. The official Steam description calls it an “exclusive, Director’s Cut” and says it includes all Dark Souls II content released to date “and much more.” The re-release also adds gameplay changes, rebalancing, upgraded visuals, and a DirectX 11 PC engine.
Scholar is not merely a high-resolution patch. Enemy and item placements, encounter behavior, and environmental details differ from the 2014 arrangement. A restoration mod such as Scholar of the First Sin PLUS documents changed placements, reduced enemy counts, environmental edits, retranslation, and a restored cut-content element. Consequently, a finding made in Scholar is evidence about Scholar’s authored version, not automatically evidence about the original 2014 game.
At-a-glance comparison
| Question | Original Dark Souls II | Scholar of the First Sin |
|---|---|---|
| Release | 2014 original release | 2015 updated re-release |
| PC graphics branch | DirectX 9 | DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 Scholar branches; console editions are separate builds |
| Included content | Original game; downloadable content was distributed separately | Original game and released DLC in one package |
| Gameplay and balance | Original placements and tuning | Rebalanced gameplay with altered placements and other authored changes |
| Visuals | Original PC presentation | Upgraded visuals, especially in the DirectX 11 branch |
| Current editor support | Limited legacy support; not the target of current DSMapStudio workflows | Primary target for DSMapStudio, Scholar level editing, and current restoration work |
| Officially advertised online session size | Four players | Four to six players, according to the 2015 listing |
Why the exact PC or console build matters
“Scholar” is used for more than one technical branch. On Windows, the DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 editions have different executable and data expectations. The original 2014 PC release is another branch entirely. On consoles, Scholar is tied to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions rather than the older-generation release.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Use the full build name whenever you ask for help or install a mod. “Dark Souls II,” “Scholar DX9,” and “Scholar DX11/console” should not be treated as interchangeable labels. A tool that reads Scholar parameters may refuse to open the original files; a mod packaged for DirectX 11 may not load in Scholar’s DirectX 9 executable.
How to identify your Windows copy
- Open the game’s installation folder from your PC game client.
- Check the executable and the folders named by the mod’s instructions. Do not infer compatibility from the store title alone.
- Read the mod page for an explicit “original,” “Scholar DX9,” or “Scholar DX11” requirement.
- Record the branch in the name of your backup folder, for example
DS2-original-DX9-cleanorSotFS-DX11-clean.
On console, identify the platform and generation before discussing matchmaking. A PlayStation 4 or Xbox One Scholar copy is not the same target as an older console release, and PC DirectX branches should not be assumed to share every service or file.
Which version is best for modding?
Scholar is the clear choice for a new PC modding installation. DSMapStudio states that its Dark Souls II support is for Scholar of the First Sin, not the original 2014 release. That single compatibility statement is more useful than a generic claim that both versions are “moddable”: it tells you where current map and parameter workflows are maintained.
Rank #2
DSMapStudio and map research
DSMapStudio is the principal current tool for inspecting and editing Scholar maps and parameters. Its support statement specifically excludes the original release, so install it against a clean Scholar copy and follow the editor’s stated branch requirements. Do not point it at an original DX9 directory merely because both games display the same title in a launcher.
Recommended Free Tools
SotFS Level Editor and Repacker
The Nexus SotFS Level Editor and Repacker can add, remove, and manipulate enemies. Its compatibility requirement is an authentic Steam Scholar copy. “Authentic” matters here: a repackaged, altered, or different-branch installation may not contain the files the tool expects.
Randomizers and ModEngine
A Scholar randomizer supports enemy and item randomization through ModEngine files. Randomization changes the game data loaded at runtime, so treat the resulting installation as a modded test environment rather than as a drop-in online copy. Preserve the original files and keep any generated ModEngine configuration with the experiment that created it.
Lighting and restoration projects
PCGamingWiki lists DS2LightingEngine among Scholar-related projects. It also warns that some restoration mods, including Vanilla Restoration Project, may be incompatible with online play. Compatibility is project-specific; the existence of one working mod does not establish that every visual, map, or restoration modification is safe to load while connected.
A safe Scholar modding workflow
The most reliable setup separates experimentation from multiplayer. The following workflow avoids mixing edited files with the installation you use for regular summons, invasions, or co-op.
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- Choose Scholar as the base. Buy or install the Scholar PC edition if your goal is current tool support. Keep the original 2014 release only if you need a comparison copy.
- Create a clean backup. Copy the untouched Scholar directory to storage that your game client will not automatically overwrite. Label the backup with the DirectX branch and date.
- Verify files before editing. Use the client’s file-verification function, then launch once without mods. This gives you a known-good baseline and reveals whether the unmodified branch runs on your hardware.
- Install one tool at a time. Start with DSMapStudio, the level editor, or the randomizer—not all three at once. Read the project’s version and file-path instructions before copying anything.
- Use a separate offline mod profile. Keep edited maps, parameters, randomizer output, and ModEngine files outside the clean online setup. If a project recommends disconnecting or otherwise avoiding online services, follow that instruction.
- Test a small change. Load one map or one controlled enemy edit first. Confirm that the game reaches the expected area before adding additional changes.
- Document every change. Record the tool version, source files, edited map or parameter names, and whether the project altered placements, text, lighting, or executable behavior.
- Restore the clean installation for online play. Exit the modded profile, replace edited files with the verified backup, and launch the unmodified branch. Never assume that removing a loader alone has undone every data edit.
No universal anti-cheat rule covers every Scholar mod. The documented warning that some restoration projects may be incompatible online is enough reason to keep modded and unmodded profiles separate.
Rank #3
- All 3 DLC Pack Contents: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, Crown of the Ivory King
- Additional NPCs Added For Enhanced Story Experience To Assist Guiding Players Through Level
- Parameter Setting Adjustments for Improved Balance
- Augmented Item Descriptions
- Increase in Maximum Online Players
Can Scholar be used to research cut content?
Yes, but the result must be labeled correctly. Scholar is a practical research and restoration platform because its current tools expose map assets and unused parameter rows that are difficult to investigate with unsupported legacy tooling.
What the restoration documentation identifies
The DSMapStudio restoration guide describes unused parameter rows and map assets and identifies Dark Souls II restoration subjects including a cut sewer area and “Dragon’s House.” These references show that the data remains sufficiently present or recoverable for structured investigation; they do not mean every asset represents a finished, intended level.
The recovered sewer map
In a report dated April 19, 2026, PC Gamer described modder Doneda restoring and exploring a large cut sewer map by manipulating MapStudioBinary files. The reported area is incomplete: it lacks enemies and fine environmental detail. It is therefore best treated as unfinished development content recovered from the data, not as a hidden canonical area that was ready for release.
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Original versus Scholar as evidence
| Research goal | More useful starting point | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Document what shipped in 2014 | Original Dark Souls II | It preserves the launch-era arrangement and behavior. |
| Inspect current map and parameter tools | Scholar | DSMapStudio and related workflows target Scholar. |
| Compare later authored changes | Both, kept as separate installs | Scholar changed placements, tuning, visuals, and other content. |
| Restore unused maps or assets | Scholar | Current restoration guides and projects are built around the supported toolchain. |
When publishing screenshots, videos, or notes, distinguish among shipped original content, Scholar-only authored changes, unused data, and a modder’s reconstruction. A restored sewer with missing enemies is evidence of an unfinished asset, not proof of how a final encounter would have played.
Online play: servers, player counts, and cross-branch limits
Are the servers still online?
FromSoftware’s current FAQ says that online services for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows DirectX 9/11 versions are ongoing, so online play can still be enjoyed on those platforms. That statement covers the listed platforms and branches; it is not a guarantee that every older console edition or every third-party service behaves identically.
How many players can join?
The official 2015 Scholar store description says the number of players in an online session increased from four to six. Read that as the advertised session capacity for Scholar, not as a promise that every activity, summon sign, invasion type, or network condition will always contain six participants. Actual sessions still depend on the game mode, matchmaking range, platform, and player availability.
Rank #4
Do original and Scholar share servers?
Do not assume they do. The original Windows release, Scholar DX9, and Scholar DX11/console are distinct branches when discussing matchmaking. The available service statement confirms ongoing support for Windows DX9/11 and the listed consoles, but it does not establish unrestricted cross-branch matchmaking. Before troubleshooting an empty summon pool, confirm that both players own the same edition and are running the same PC branch or console family.
Online checklist before connecting
- Confirm the exact product and executable branch on both systems.
- Remove map, enemy, item, lighting, and restoration edits from the online installation.
- Restore a verified clean backup rather than deleting only a loader file.
- Check the platform-specific service status described by FromSoftware.
- Use the game’s normal matchmaking settings and confirm that both players are within the same supported range.
Hardware implications of Scholar’s DirectX 11 branch
Scholar’s PC requirements include DirectX 11. PCGamingWiki lists a recommended graphics level around a GTX 750 or Radeon HD 7850. That recommendation is useful when checking an older machine, but it is not a performance guarantee for every resolution, mod, or graphics setting.
If your computer cannot run the DirectX 11 branch reliably, check whether the Scholar DirectX 9 branch is available for your installation and whether the specific mod supports it. Do not substitute the original 2014 game automatically: doing so solves a graphics problem by moving you to a different content and tool branch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes and how to recover
Installing a Scholar tool into the original release
Symptom: the editor cannot find maps, reports invalid parameters, or produces files the game will not load.
Fix: stop editing, restore the backup, and verify that the tool explicitly supports the original release. If it does not, move the experiment to Scholar rather than forcing a conversion.
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Symptom: a mod appears installed but has no effect, or the game crashes during startup.
Best Value
- The undead curse continues to spread across the kingdom of Drangleic in the ultimate Dark Souls II experience
- Features the game's 3 DLC chapters: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King
- Also includes an array of brand new content, including an expanded story featuring additional in-game events
Fix: return to a clean branch, identify the executable named by the mod, and reinstall only the files for that branch. Keep separate folders for Scholar DX9 and DX11 work.
Taking a modded copy online
Symptom: connection problems or uncertainty about whether a restoration project is allowed online.
Fix: close the game, restore the clean backup, and use the documented offline profile for experiments. Because some restoration projects are specifically flagged as potentially incompatible online, do not rely on anecdotal reports from a different mod or branch.
Expecting original placements in Scholar
Symptom: a guide, speedrun route, or archival note does not match what you see.
Fix: check whether the reference describes the 2014 release, Scholar, or a restoration mod. Scholar’s rebalancing and changed placements are intentional differences, not necessarily installation errors.
Calling restored assets canonical
Symptom: a video or article presents an unfinished sewer, unused parameter row, or reconstructed room as final game content.
Fix: label the material as unused, cut, reconstructed, or unfinished and preserve the distinction between data recovery and a shipped level.
Decision guide: which copy should you use?
| Your priority | Best choice | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Starting a new PC purchase for mods | Scholar of the First Sin | Current DSMapStudio, level-editor, randomizer, and restoration workflows target it. |
| Investigating cut maps with modern tools | Scholar, offline | Recovered material can be incomplete and must be labeled as unused development content. |
| Comparing launch-era content | Original 2014 PC release | Use it as a separate archival build; do not expect Scholar tools to support it. |
| Playing online on PC | The same clean branch as your friends | FromSoftware lists Windows DX9/11 services as ongoing, but cross-branch matchmaking is not established. |
| Playing on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One | Scholar for that console | Those platforms are included in FromSoftware’s current online-service statement. |
| Using restoration or lighting mods | Scholar offline profile | Project-specific compatibility warnings take precedence over general assumptions. |
Bottom line
Scholar of the First Sin is the practical modern platform for modding, restoration, and cut-content investigation, while the 2014 release remains important as a historical control copy. Keep the builds separate, identify the exact DirectX or console branch before installing anything, and use a verified unmodded installation for online play. Scholar’s larger advertised sessions and ongoing listed services make it the sensible multiplayer purchase, but no evidence establishes unrestricted matchmaking between every original, DX9, DX11, and console branch.
Quick Recap
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