Embark on a captivating journey through the realms of Dark Souls III, where the pursuit of the ultimate build unveils a world of endless customization and formidable foes. As you delve into this vibrant landscape, you’ll uncover a myriad of possibilities, each promising a unique path to domination. From the nimble finesse of the Assassin to the unrelenting power of the Knight, the choice lies in your grasp. Unleash your inner strategist and discover the best Dark Souls III builds that will propel you to the pinnacle of greatness.
The Assassin, a master of stealth and dexterity, moves with the grace of a shadow, dispatching enemies with swift and precise strikes. Clad in light armor, they rely on agility and cunning to outmaneuver their foes, making them a formidable force in close-quarters combat. The Knight, on the other hand, epitomizes unwavering strength and resilience. Encased in heavy plate armor, they wield mighty weapons that crush opponents with brute force. Their unwavering resolve makes them an impenetrable wall against even the deadliest of adversaries.
As your journey progresses, you’ll encounter a plethora of other intriguing builds, each offering a distinct playstyle. The Sorcerer commands the arcane forces of magic, wielding destructive spells that incinerate foes from afar. The Pyromancer harnesses the primal power of fire, unleashing blazing infernos upon their enemies. The Thief, a master of deception and misdirection, relies on guile and trickery to confound opponents and gain the upper hand. With such a vast array of options at your disposal, the path to greatness lies open before you. Embrace the challenge, forge your own destiny, and discover the best Dark Souls III builds that will lead you to victory.
Pyromancer: Unleashing the Fury of Fire
Attributes:
As a Pyromancer, you’ll primarily rely on your Intelligence (INT) and Faith (FTH) attributes. INT governs your fire damage output, while FTH enhances your pyromancy spellcasting abilities. Aim for a balanced distribution, starting with 20-25 INT and 20-25 FTH, and adjust as needed.
Other important attributes include Attunement (ATT), which determines the number of pyromancy spells you can equip, and Vigor (VGR), which increases your health. Endurance (END) is crucial for managing your stamina
Weapons:
Choose weapons with innate fire damage or that can be infused with fire. The Astora Straight Sword, Uchigatana, and Gargoyle Flame Spear are excellent choices.
For your off-hand, consider using a Pyromancy Flame, which boosts your pyromancy damage. The Witch’s Locks and Dark Pyromancy Flame are particularly effective.
Armor:
Pyromancers have a balanced armor selection. Consider sets like the Xanthous Crown Set for increased spellcasting speed, the Sorcerer’s Set for increased damage, and the Fire Witch Set for increased fire damage resistance.
Spells:
As a Pyromancer, you have access to a wide range of pyromancy spells. Great Fireball, Fireball, and Chaos Bed Vestiges are essential for dealing heavy damage. Toxic Mist and Iron Flesh provide utility, while warmth and Replenishment can sustain you during long battles.
Playstyle:
Pyromancers excel at mid-to-long-range combat. Use your fireballs to control the distance and punish enemies from afar. Mix in melee attacks to keep your opponents guessing and maximize damage output. Don’t forget to use your pyromancies to ignite enemies and deal additional damage over time.
Combat Tips:
Keep a safe distance from enemies who are resistant to fire.
Utilize cover to avoid being interrupted while casting spells.
Manage your stamina and pyromancy charges to ensure you can always attack or defend when needed.
Experiment with different pyromancy spells to find the ones that best suit your playstyle and the situation.
Sorcerer: A Master of Arcane Arts
Intelligence and Catalysts
Intelligence, the primary stat for sorcerers, determines the strength of their spells. Aim for a high Intelligence value (around 50-60) to maximize your spell damage. Catalysts, such as Staves and Sorcery Staves, enhance spellcasting; choose the one with the highest Magic Adjust. Remember, each catalyst has unique scaling, so consider one that complements your specific spell setup.
Spells and Strategies
Sorcerers have a diverse arsenal of spells, including Soul Spears for long-range damage, Homing Soulmass for tracking targets, and Crystal Soul Spear for devastating burst damage. For utility, consider using Great Heal for healing and Hidden Body to conceal your movements. By customizing your spell loadout, you can tailor your playstyle and adapt to different situations.
Equipment and Attunement
Sorcerers often rely on lightweight armor for mobility and spellcasting agility. The Sorcerer’s Set is a good choice, providing decent defense and a bonus to Intelligence. Attunement determines the number of spell slots you have; aim for at least 30-40 Attunement to cast more spells. Consider the Attunement Ring or the Ring of Magic Sharpness to further enhance your spellcasting capabilities.
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Staves/Sorcery Staves | Enhance spellcasting (based on Magic Adjust) |
| Sorcerer’s Set | Lightweight armor with Intelligence bonus |
| Attunement Ring | Increases Attunement slots |
| Ring of Magic Sharpness | Boosts spell damage |
Swordsman: The Classic Fighter with Versatile Skills
The Swordsman is a foundational class in Dark Souls III, offering a balanced blend of offense and defense. With a versatile skillset and access to various weapons, the Swordsman excels in close-quarters combat.
Advanced Techniques
Mastering the Swordsman’s advanced techniques is crucial for optimal performance. These techniques include:
- Parrying: Time your parry perfectly to deflect enemy attacks and leave them vulnerable to a swift counterattack.
- Backstabbing: Position yourself behind an unaware enemy to execute a devastating backstab, potentially killing them instantly.
- Roll Dodging: Use timed rolls to evade enemy attacks while maintaining mobility. Rolling in the correct direction can dodge attacks that would otherwise land.
Weapon Proficiency
The Swordsman is proficient with a wide array of weapons, each offering unique advantages:
| Weapon Type | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Straight Swords | Balanced offense and defense, versatile moveset |
| Greatswords | High damage, sweeping attacks, but slower swings |
| Curved Swords | Fast attacks, innate bleed damage |
| Thrusting Swords | Long reach, high critical damage |
| Axes | High poise damage, good against armored foes |
Twinblade Master: Dual-Wielding Precision
The Twinblade Master is a fearsome warrior who wields dual twinblades with unmatched precision. This build excels in close-quarters combat, delivering devastating blows with lightning speed.
1. Stats
For a Twinblade Master, prioritize Dexterity and Endurance. Dexterity increases weapon damage and attack speed, while Endurance boosts stamina and HP.
2. Weapons
The Twinblade Master’s signature weapons are the Twinblades. These dual swords are renowned for their quick attacks and versatile moveset. The Majestic Twinblade, with its impressive reach and damage, is a popular choice.
3. Armor
Choose light or medium armor that allows for agile movement and quick dodging. The Shadow Garb, with its high critical hit bonus, is an excellent option.
4. Rings and Spells
Enhance your Twinblade Master’s capabilities with the following rings and spells:
| Ring | Effect |
|---|---|
| Ring of Blades +2 | Increases attack power of twinblades |
| Chloranthy Ring +2 | Increases stamina recovery speed |
| Lloyd’s Sword Ring | Boosts attack power temporarily |
| Carthus Beacon | Increases attack and defense when HP is low |
Spells such as Power Within and Carthus Flame Arc provide temporary boosts to damage output.
Spear Master: Swift and Graceful Combat
The Spear Master is a versatile class that excels in close-quarters combat and has a diverse range of skills and enhancements. This build focuses on maximizing the speed, mobility, and precision of the spear, making the Spear Master a formidable force on the battlefield.
Attribute Allocation
Focus on Dexterity first, followed by Luck, Spirit, and Endurance.
Skill Selection
- Impaling Thrust: Primary single-target attack.
- Leaping Thrust: Closing the distance with a swift attack.
- Spinning Spear: Sweeping attack that damages multiple enemies.
- Twin Dragon Thrust: Rapid two-hit combo attack.
- Bleeding Edge: Passive skill that inflicts bleeding damage on enemies hit with Impaling Thrust.
Enhancement Tree
| Tier | Enhancement |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dexterity +5 |
| 2 | Evade +5% |
| 3 | HP +100 |
| 4 | Critical Hit Chance +5% |
| 5 | Attack Speed +10% |
| 6 | Strength +5 |
| 7 | Swift Stride (Unlocks Swift Thrust) |
Swift Stride and Swift Thrust
Swift Stride unlocks Swift Thrust, a powerful attack that increases the Spear Master’s agility and allows them to dash forward and deliver a devastating blow. This enhancement enhances the mobility and speed of the Spear Master, making them even more elusive and deadly on the battlefield.
Equipment
- Armor: Light or Medium armor with Dexterity and Luck bonuses.
- Weapon: Spears with Dexterity scaling.
- Accessories: Rings and necklaces that increase Dexterity, Luck, or Attack Speed.
Flintlock Pistol Marksman: Distance Mastery
Weapon Recommendations:
Master the art of marksmanship with the Flintlock Pistol. Its piercing bullets and long range will keep your foes at bay.
Playstyle:
Stay at a safe distance and use cover to your advantage. Line up precise shots and take your time to eliminate targets.
Stat Allocation:
Prioritize Endurance to improve stamina and overall survivability. Dexterity enhances weapon damage and critical chance.
Equipment:
Don the Hunter’s Hood for enhanced stealth and a bonus to ranged damage. Equip the Longcoat of Wisdom for increased focus and spell casting speed.
Spells:
Invest in spells that enhance your ranged prowess and provide defensive measures. Hunter’s Mark, Tracking, and Aegis of Strength are excellent choices.
Augments:
Choose augments that increase your ranged damage, such as Sharpshooter’s Augment and Hunter’s Augment. Enhance your endurance with Augment of Stamina.
Renown System:
Align with the Federation for the Gunsmith’s Badge, which grants a bonus to firearm damage and handling. Choose the Messengers of the Sigil for the Mark of the Assassin, providing enhanced critical strike damage.
Advanced Tips:
Leverage Height Advantages:
Utilize the environment to gain elevation and increase your accuracy. Taking shots from higher ground provides a significant advantage.
Track Your Targets:
Acquire the Tracking spell to reveal hidden enemies and mark them for increased ranged damage. This ability enhances your ability to predict and track your targets’ movements.
Use Stagger Tactics:
Take advantage of the Flintlock Pistol’s stagger effect. Land consecutive shots on an enemy to stun them, giving you ample time to reload and deliver finishing blows.
Scythe Wielder: Reaping Darkness
The Scythe Wielder build is a fearsome force on the battlefield, wielding the power of darkness to reap their enemies’ souls. This build excels in close combat, using powerful melee attacks and dark magic to dispatch foes.
Stat Allocation
The Scythe Wielder benefits from investing heavily in Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Strength increases the power of their melee attacks, while Dexterity improves their accuracy and evasion. Intelligence enhances their dark magic capabilities.
Weapon Choice
The Scythe is the signature weapon of the Scythe Wielder. There are several excellent scythes to choose from, including the Great Scythe, the Reaper’s Scythe, and the Shadow Scythe. Each scythe has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that best suits your playstyle.
#### Armor and Rings
Heavy armor is recommended for the Scythe Wielder, as it provides good defense against both physical and magical attacks. Consider using the Black Knight Armor, the Havel’s Armor, or the Smough’s Armor. Rings that enhance Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence are also beneficial.
#### Sorceries and Pyromancies
The Scythe Wielder has access to a variety of sorceries and pyromancies that complement their melee prowess. Sorceries such as Great Soul Arrow and Soul Spear provide ranged damage options, while pyromancies like Great Chaos Fireball and Dark Orb deal heavy damage to groups of enemies.
#### Co-op and PvP Strategies
In co-op, the Scythe Wielder can support their allies by drawing enemy aggro and dealing significant damage with their melee attacks. In PvP, they excel in close-quarters combat, using their high Strength and Dexterity to overwhelm opponents.
| Stat | Optimal Value |
|---|---|
| Strength | 60 |
| Dexterity | 40 |
| Intelligence | 20 |
| Vitality | 40 |
| Endurance | 30 |
Depth Spellcaster: Manipulating the Depths
Harnessing the power of darkness and the sea, the Depth Spellcaster is a formidable force in Dark Souls III. This build combines potent dark spells with the unique abilities of the Abyss Watchers to create a versatile and deadly spellcaster capable of controlling the depths and inflicting chaos upon enemies.
Equipment
-
Weapons: Abyss Watchers’ Greatsword, Black Blade, or Dark Sword
-
Off-hand: Dark Pyromancy Flame, or Archdeacon’s Great Staff
-
Armor: Sorcerer’s Set, Black Robes, or Abyss Walker Set
-
Rings: Sage’s Ring, Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring, Witch’s Ring, Abyss Walker Ring
Stats
| Attribute | Investment |
|---|---|
| Vigor | 27 |
| Attunement | 30 |
| Endurance | 20 |
| Vitality | 15 |
| Strength | 16 |
| Dexterity | 18 |
| Intelligence | 60 |
| Faith | 10 |
Spells
-
Great Deep Soul
-
Dark Edge
-
Dark Bead
-
Pestilent Mist
-
Abyssal Wrath
Best Builds for Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls 3 offers a wide range of builds, each tailored to a specific playstyle. Whether you prefer melee combat, ranged attacks, or a combination of both, there’s a build out there that’s perfect for you. Here are some of the best builds in the game:
**Strength Build:**
Strength builds excel at dealing heavy melee damage. By focusing on strength and vitality, you can equip heavy weapons and armor, making you a formidable opponent in close combat. Popular weapon choices for strength builds include the Zweihander, Greatsword, and Fume Ultra Greatsword.
**Dexterity Build:**
Dexterity builds are known for their quick and agile attacks. By investing in dexterity and endurance, you can wield fast weapons such as katanas, curved swords, and daggers with precision and speed. Some of the best weapons for dexterity builds include the Uchigatana, Sellsword Twinblades, and Warden Twinblades.
**Intelligence Build:**
Intelligence builds specialize in casting spells that deal magical damage. By leveling up intelligence and attunement, you can unlock a variety of spells, including sorceries, pyromancies, and miracles. Some of the most powerful spells for intelligence builds include Soul Spear, Crystal Soul Spear, and Chaos Bed Vestiges.
People Also Ask
What is the best weapon for a strength build?
The Zweihander, Greatsword, and Fume Ultra Greatsword are all excellent choices for strength builds.
What is the best way to level up a dexterity build?
Focus on leveling up dexterity and endurance to increase your attack speed and stamina pool.
What spells are essential for a intelligence build?
Soul Spear, Crystal Soul Spear, and Chaos Bed Vestiges are all powerful spells that are highly effective for intelligence builds.
