Dark Souls Build
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Unless you want to invest yourself heavily in PvP, a quality tank build is the way to go. Aim for 20 STR and 18 DEX initially and acquire the Black Knight Sword. If you prefer dodging instead of tanking you can wear some good light armor, like the Wanderer or Crimson Set.
EDIT: Oh, and be sure to kill Havel the Rock as soon as possible. He drops a ring that significantly raises available equip load, allowing you to wear heavier stuff.
EDIT 2: It's also advisable to invest in Pyromancy. Unlike in Dark Souls 2, in the first game it doesn't scale with any stat, so there's no reason not to go Pyro. The only two things you need to upgrade in this case are attunement and the Pyromancy Flame.
EDIT: Oh, and be sure to kill Havel the Rock as soon as possible. He drops a ring that significantly raises available equip load, allowing you to wear heavier stuff.
EDIT 2: It's also advisable to invest in Pyromancy. Unlike in Dark Souls 2, in the first game it doesn't scale with any stat, so there's no reason not to go Pyro. The only two things you need to upgrade in this case are attunement and the Pyromancy Flame.
A high Endurance is pretty much every character's already picked out stat. It doesn't matter if you deal damage with melee weapons, magic, or bows: if your Endurance is bad, then you're destined to fail.
If you're going for a STR build, then around ~30 Strength is enough to wield most good Strength weapons that aren't just bragging rights. After you get that, it might be worth investing a few points into DEX to get some of the few good weapons that need it.
If you're going for a DEX build, then you might as well pick up some magic early in the game so that you can pick off enemies like the Balder Knights that are susceptible to Magic. Otherwise, Pyromancy is a good option for ranged offense, as it scales with level, not Intelligence or Faith.
If you're going for a STR build, then around ~30 Strength is enough to wield most good Strength weapons that aren't just bragging rights. After you get that, it might be worth investing a few points into DEX to get some of the few good weapons that need it.
If you're going for a DEX build, then you might as well pick up some magic early in the game so that you can pick off enemies like the Balder Knights that are susceptible to Magic. Otherwise, Pyromancy is a good option for ranged offense, as it scales with level, not Intelligence or Faith.
Don't go over 40 in any stat but endurance or your core stat, diminishing returns
heavy armor is great with havels ring and the ring of favor
specifically, try getting the armor of iron tarkus, upgrading it with your special twinkling ore.
Then get yourself the grass shield that's in the zone that requires 20000 souls to unlock
then depending on if you are str or dex, you get your weapon. You can get a katana (killing a merchant) or a black knight sword early on and both are cool. Or if you are going for a more endgame build, consider trying to cut the tail of the kite dragon with maybe ranged weapons or luring it out, as it drops a sword with amazing base stats but bad scaling.
If you want to just be really tank and have high endurance and hp, you can add an elemental effect to your weapon.
If you want dps, you can just upgrade the base of your weapon. For instance, the katana you get in the upper undead burg(early zone) has a top tier dex scaling when upgraded to +15
heavy armor is great with havels ring and the ring of favor
specifically, try getting the armor of iron tarkus, upgrading it with your special twinkling ore.
Then get yourself the grass shield that's in the zone that requires 20000 souls to unlock
then depending on if you are str or dex, you get your weapon. You can get a katana (killing a merchant) or a black knight sword early on and both are cool. Or if you are going for a more endgame build, consider trying to cut the tail of the kite dragon with maybe ranged weapons or luring it out, as it drops a sword with amazing base stats but bad scaling.
If you want to just be really tank and have high endurance and hp, you can add an elemental effect to your weapon.
If you want dps, you can just upgrade the base of your weapon. For instance, the katana you get in the upper undead burg(early zone) has a top tier dex scaling when upgraded to +15
I guess if you're just going for sword and board and heavy armour, there's a massive amount of choice. There are many different straight swords with different movesets, properties and scaling. I have a soft spot for the Silver Knight Straight Sword and the Balder Side Sword, although they scale off Dexterity more than they do Strength. Just experiment and use what feels good. The basic longsword is almost always a good choice if you're going for a quality build.
For shields, it doesn't really matter all that much. Just go with whatever you think looks good as long as it blocks 100% physical. If you find yourself having trouble blocking in certain areas, maybe look for a shield that offers more elemental protection. You also have a lot of choice for knight-like armour. I quite like the basic starter set with the Elite Knight Helm and some other additions. Just go with whatever you like. As long as it's all upgraded, armour doesn't matter a huge amount at the end of the day.
If you want to try a greatsword at any point, grab the Claymore. It's very fast and flexible, you won't be disappointed.
I haven't built a heavy knight in a long time, as shieldless fast-rolling is the only way I ever play, but aiming for an end amount of about 40/40 for both Dex and Str is a good way to go. Always have at least 40 Vitality, and as much Endurance as you can pump out (I often settle around 50). Throw a couple of points into Attunement too, if you're looking to use spells (especially Pyromancy). Level 12 gives you two slots to work with.
Ring of Faith and Protection is almost always a good choice. I also recommend the Wolf's Ring, which gives you 40 additional poise on top of what you're already going to get with your medium-heavy armour. With that you're going to be very hard to stagger and knock out of attacks, which is far more important than it sounds if you're playing a moderately tanky melee.
For shields, it doesn't really matter all that much. Just go with whatever you think looks good as long as it blocks 100% physical. If you find yourself having trouble blocking in certain areas, maybe look for a shield that offers more elemental protection. You also have a lot of choice for knight-like armour. I quite like the basic starter set with the Elite Knight Helm and some other additions. Just go with whatever you like. As long as it's all upgraded, armour doesn't matter a huge amount at the end of the day.
If you want to try a greatsword at any point, grab the Claymore. It's very fast and flexible, you won't be disappointed.
I haven't built a heavy knight in a long time, as shieldless fast-rolling is the only way I ever play, but aiming for an end amount of about 40/40 for both Dex and Str is a good way to go. Always have at least 40 Vitality, and as much Endurance as you can pump out (I often settle around 50). Throw a couple of points into Attunement too, if you're looking to use spells (especially Pyromancy). Level 12 gives you two slots to work with.
Ring of Faith and Protection is almost always a good choice. I also recommend the Wolf's Ring, which gives you 40 additional poise on top of what you're already going to get with your medium-heavy armour. With that you're going to be very hard to stagger and knock out of attacks, which is far more important than it sounds if you're playing a moderately tanky melee.
Actually, that's the best order. Start with the worst one (which is still great), play the good one, and top it off with the greatest game of the last ten years...brtt150 said:
Quality build is best. Also, go for lighter armor. Dodging is better than absorbing.
Also, not one point in resistance. Ever.
Might sound silly, but if you're just playing to experience the game for the first time around, I'd recommend just winging it. With just one exception: for the love of god, don't level up Resistance.
Though my favorite character was a quality 40 Strength/Dexterity build with just enough Faith and Attunement to equip a Thorolund Talisman and cast a Heal spell.
Though my favorite character was a quality 40 Strength/Dexterity build with just enough Faith and Attunement to equip a Thorolund Talisman and cast a Heal spell.
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No it doesn't.the_dramatica said:
The grass crest shield is in the darkroot basin, not the darkroot garden. You can get the shield at the very start of the game if you have a master key. 20,000 souls not required.
Also, you can get from the Darkroot Basin to the Darkroot garden without spending 20,000 souls on the crest of Artorius, but you have to beat the hydra in order to do it.
Me personally, my character is strength, dexterity, vitality & endurance. I was struggling at first, but i found my stride with the black knights longsword, got the elite knight armour and i was good for the rest of the game, this character has finished ng+++ only swap armor for the havel set in the 4 kings fight. Its not overly creative but it works. p.s. plus a bow.
Already mentioned (several times), but ignore the resistance stat completely, it's basically useless.
Like people have said, you can't go wrong with a tank with Pyromancy abilities, some people have even argued that the "Iron Skin" spell makes the game too easy.
That being said, I honestly had the most fun with high-dex, speedy Ninja type builds, especially when you get the dark wood grain ring (I think that's what it's called) which lets you flip around like a freakin' Ninja.
Like people have said, you can't go wrong with a tank with Pyromancy abilities, some people have even argued that the "Iron Skin" spell makes the game too easy.
That being said, I honestly had the most fun with high-dex, speedy Ninja type builds, especially when you get the dark wood grain ring (I think that's what it's called) which lets you flip around like a freakin' Ninja.
Play without a shield, use a two handed sword. It's far harder at first but you will learn good mechanics, and when a boss comes that requires you to know said mechanics (Ornstien and smough!) you wont be utterly annihilated like a lot of the playerbase are because they got used to lazy tactics. Also the experience of a toe to toe sword duel is really exhilarating.
I usually play as artorias, using his sword with 40 in str, dex, int, and then all stamina/health. But thats for flavor reasons, lots of fun though.
I usually play as artorias, using his sword with 40 in str, dex, int, and then all stamina/health. But thats for flavor reasons, lots of fun though.
Regardless of whether I'm going strength or dex I always use light armor. Light armor + Lautrec's ring of favor and protection + Dark Wood Grain Ring= Untouchable ninja flips all over the place. My strength character uses the Zweihander which can be found in the graveyard to the left of Firelink shrine. It has a pretty versatile moveset and hits like a truck while being a bit faster than some of the other massive strength weapons. Once you grab it I suggest hightailing it out of there though. I'm about to finsih my first dex playthrough with the Uchigatana which is a pretty great dex weapon. I'm thinking about switching over to the Balder Side Sword though just because I like the moveset a little more. Just need to farm a few titanite chunks from the blackknights in the Kiln of the First Flame. Honestly almost any weapon can be viable, it all depens on how you like to play. As mentioned above though, the Grass Crest Shield can be found in the Darkroot Basin and it blocks 95% damage and has that passive stamina regen which is pretty sexy.
Anyway, have fun, get lost, die a lot, repeat.
Anyway, have fun, get lost, die a lot, repeat.
I'll be the second to recommend just winging it for you first play through. I think that's the best approach to first trying any of the souls games because just looking up a build isn't really going to let you find a weapon with a move set that you like. A decent move set (or at least a fun one) are much more important than damage in my opinion.
That said, I don't think the advice to never level up resistance can be said enough for dark souls. Also for your first play through, don't get the master key. It unlocks a few passages that you wouldn't have access to until mid game and will likely just get you into some later area's that you aren't prepared for.
That said, I don't think the advice to never level up resistance can be said enough for dark souls. Also for your first play through, don't get the master key. It unlocks a few passages that you wouldn't have access to until mid game and will likely just get you into some later area's that you aren't prepared for.
I'm not sure about magic builds. They rely on Endurance for defense, but their spells don't cost Stamina so unless you intend to use a shield, Endurance is far more optional as a magic user. Of course the OP's going to want plenty of it during a first playthrough regardless of build.Someone Depressing said:
Also be mindful of equipment with special resistances. Like in Dark Souls 2, there are places where you can get cursed, but the consequences for it are far worse in Dark Souls 1. Instant death and your hp gets halved until you can find a rare item or the one NPC who can undo the curse. As a result, be sure to wear armor that is curse resistant when venturing into areas with basilisks.
On the subject of equipment, if you're playing Demons Souls, you may be used to having an inventory limit. Don't worry about that. Like in Dark Souls 2, you have unlimited inventory space.
On the subject of equipment, if you're playing Demons Souls, you may be used to having an inventory limit. Don't worry about that. Like in Dark Souls 2, you have unlimited inventory space.
Well, the gold-hemmed black set is okay. It's a cloth armor set you get from the altar protected by Ceaseless Discharge. However, the Crimson Set located in blightown near the water wheel and over a tree limb bridge is better in almost every way. After that, the Witch Robes eventually spawn in Valley of the Drakes which are a solid upgrade from the Crimson set except for the leg piece which is still better on the crimson for some strange reason. Other than that, there are slightly heavier leather armor sets like the black leather or wanderer armor.sageoftruth said:
The black hemmed robes are good against magic, and the red robes are better against melee, and are available in blight town at the start of the game if you know where they are. I preferred the black, myself. My overall favorite was ciarans lord blade set, but thats in the DLC. Make sure to grab the mask of the father and lautrecs ring as well. The dark wood ring lets you do backflips if you want to go really light, which gives you a massive evasion advantage.sageoftruth said: