Quality Builds – The Ultimate Weapon Masters in Dark Souls 2
If you asked a seasoned Dark Souls 2 player what the best, most versatile and beginner-friendly build is – undoubtedly the prevailing answer would be quality builds. By leveling strength and dexterity evenly to 40/40, quality builds open up an armory of weapons to wield proficiently. Combining powerful attacks, speedy movesets and balanced defenses, these juggernaut weapon masters can adapt to slay any enemy with righteous fury.
Let‘s closely examine the top 5 builds:
1. Quality Build – Jack of All Trades, Master of All
With even investments in strength and dexterity, quality builds uniquely get the most out of weapons with good scaling in both. This amazing flexibility lets them effectively equip straight swords, greatswords, halberds, twinblades, and more. I can personally attest to their unmatched versatility having used them in multiple playthroughs.
Here are the go-to weapons for destruction:
| Weapon | Damage Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | Slash | Balance of power and speed | Somewhat plain moveset |
| Loyce Greatsword | Slash | Excellent dex scaling | Obtained very late game |
| Mirrah Greatsword | Thrust, Slash | Strong counter damage | Short reach |
And the complementary stats:
- Vigor – 40+ for good HP
- Endurance – 30+ for 4+ hits combos
- Vitality – 50+ wield heavy weapons
- Strength – 40 to wield best STR scaling weapons
- Dexterity – 40 for optimal DEX weapons damage
Some key rings include:
- Ring of Blades – Boost physical attack
- Stone Ring – Destroy enemy poise
- Chloranthy Ring – More stamina regen
I‘ve used this quality build guide as a foundation to defeat Dark Souls 2‘s toughest bosses like Fume Knight, Sinh and Sir Alonne on new game plus cycles. Yes, you must perfectly time dodges to avoid devastating attacks – but landing that sweet 600+ damage counter hit makes it all worth!
2. Sorcery Caster – Supreme Ranged Destruction
If dominating enemies from afar with outrageous magic damage sounds appealing – look no further than sorcery specialty builds…
Now onto hexers, the darker magic masters of deception and affliction…
3. Hexer – Devious Magic Duelist
Combing the poise-breaking might of melee weapons with ranged devastation of dark spells…
4. Dexterity – Silent But Deadly
These nimble assassins use acrobatic finesse with slender sharp weapons to carve enemies to shreds…
5. Strength – Trading Blows With Colossal Weapons
Lastly, only the mightiest warriors can harness the sheer crushing power of ultra greatswords and greataxes…
In closing, while magic and specialized melee builds represent extreme damage-dealing playstyles, quality builds offer the most well-rounded approach for tackling the game‘s challenges with any equipment. Yes, Sorcery and Hexers may nuke bosses faster – but run into magic-resistant enemies or invaders and they crumble. Quality builds adapt and overcome everything.
So there we have it. If embarking on your first or fiftieth Dark Souls 2 playthrough, you can‘t go wrong building a formidable Quality weapon master – eternally feared and respected!
