its always been a **** mechanic. considering how ppl on any souls game can easily find ways to become op, all this does it prevent you from playing on the same character if you rely on resources like archers and mages, while it wastes a ring slot on all chars. fingers crossed one day a version comes out with it removed. it doesn't stop op melee chars from being made, so why bother? now I've gotta rush to Straid just so I can help people kill the very first 2 bosses on a low lvl char when I feel like it?... jesus.
game was doomed before anyone even played it to find out it was the **** in the series.
I'm only playing again because of nostalgia, but it's like they don't want you to keep playing. :/