Yes, all of the above. I thought the servers were just acting wonky for a while but I admit I was wrong in thinking it was user error / bad servers causing the restrictions.
I've done some rigorous testing on this, making multiple accounts via family sharing (as it's the only work around to the soft ban) and most of what you guys are saying were in my findings.
The game itself does not detect any kind of cheating, you need to make it fairly obvious if you're doing such things and people reporting the same user over and over will basically guarantee a soft ban. I got banned trying to get the Hidden Weapon spell from the BellBro's... those 30 PvP matches gathered enough reports against my account for spamming spells.
Also, don't kid yourselves, DS players have the biggest ego's on the planet. If they lose to you in PvP, chances are they will report you out of spite, regardless if you play fair. Even if you've been careful, a single value that looks out of place on your save file can get you banned... so proceed with caution.
Using the trainer offline or online really doesn't matter because if the team monitoring accounts scans your save file and notices any discrepancies they will lay the ban hammer on you.
I use the trainer online exclusively and didn't get banned until I hit the super stats button by accident. Someone probably reported me after a PvP match and there you have it, an easily monitored discrepancy comparing my SL & SM due to high stats.
I've been using it online with other accounts but this time I'm being smart about it. It's been 3 days of me using the trainer online with a fresh account and no ban has been issued. I'm here to shed some light on what's safe to use and what should be avoided with this trainer:
1. Unlimited Health
It can be used but as soon as you co-op, invade or get invaded, turn it off. If you so much as try this in PvP expect a report against your account by the other player(s) (even if you were helping them in co-op or as a blue sentinel) Legit DS users report all forms of cheating... this one being the greatest offense of all... God Mode in a game built to kick your ***.
2. Unlimited Stamina
Can be used, but you can't make it obvious, you can't do endless combos, running or rolls, you have to pretend to take a break every once in a while. Word of advice, you can use it in co-op where someone won't really notice, if you use it in PvP you better hope you kill your opponent swiftly, otherwise turn it off.
3. Easy Kills
Well this is obvious, use it alone, don't use it with other people around... one shotting a boss or some giant enemy will = reported.
4. Unlimited Item Use
Safe to use, just don't dupe 99 Ascetic Bonfires, Sublime Bone Dusts or Estus Flask Shards or other really rare items that are in limited quantity like Seed of a Tree of Giants. Keep your item quantities low on these kinds of items (2 at most, dump the rest) and under 20 on most other usable items.
5. Unlimited Spell Ammo
This one is iffy, if you're using low to mid level spells, no one is going to notice but if you spam more than 3 Forbidden Suns / Wrath of God in a row... expect a report.
6. Unlimited Weight
Never used it, I wouldn't trust it either as it's a value that can be easily monitored for inconsistency. You can fast roll in Havel's with 60+ vitality, Royal Soldiers Ring+1/2 and the Third Dragon Ring equipped so there's really no excuse for using this cheat.
7. Unlimited Durability
Completely safe, it locks the value, won't be detected and no one cares about your durability. I've never had a co-op friend or opponent's weapon break on me mid battle.
8. Add Souls
Should be a non-issue so long as you don't go over board. If you have to buy something, use it and spend the souls. If you're using this for leveling up, be certain your Soul Memory is well beyond how many souls it would of cost you to level up.
9. Add Soul Memory
I don't see an issue in using this feature either, especially if it's used in correlation with "add souls" just to keep everything in check. Use it in moderation because you want your soul memory as low as possible to co-op and help newbies. Just make sure you're not at SL 150 with under 1 Million SM.
Use this chart to help adjust your SM if you want to level up early for PvP: darksouls2.wiki.fextralife.com/Stats#.U2vPRShvBlc
0. Reset Level
* Super Stats
/ Reset Stats
The last three functions in bold should be removed from the trainer's interface completely as it screws up your entire character. Some of the values don't even stick which makes this ban bait.
- Unlimited Torch
If you have 20 minutes of Torch it's all you need the entire game and you can get 45 minutes worth in the first few hours of the game. This function gives you 99 hours worth of torch, an easily traceable cheat... would not use again.
+ Reset Soul Memory
Not a smart thing to do, it could have some use if you break out your math skills and quickly re-adjust your SM to match your SL but I would avoid it.
Outside Influences like CoSMOS
The only reason I can see for using CoSMOS would be to alter the hex value of an item and change it to a completely different item. It's detectable and will get you banned, don't do it...
People on PS3 are being soft banned from using the Mega Mule save file and that guy did exactly this, altered values of items... it's traceable. Just go find the item you need in the game... It's also impossible for anyone to dual wield certain weapons on a freshly made NG, so don't do this either.
I hope this information helps new users put limitations on what they do with the trainer in order to not get banned.
If you've been banned
Do not re-purchase the game and give away your money! You can make up to 5 Steam accounts and link/share the game with those. The only catch is you will always have to play online.