Strength vs Dexterity in Dark Souls 3: Which Build Reigns Supreme?
After hundreds of hours played across multiple characters, I believe strength builds edge out dexterity in PvE while dex has advantages in PvP. Strength‘s raw damage and ability to wield ultra weapons makes easy work of PvE bosses. Meanwhile, the faster swing speeds of dex weapons allow for competitive duels. Ultimately, both are viable so choose based on your preferred playstyle!
Strength Builds: Smashing Through PvE With Ease
Focused on slow, ultra heavy weapons that pound enemies into oblivion with each gigantic swing. What strength builds lack in speed, they more than make up for in sheer devastation potential.
Weapons
Some of the hardest hitting ultra class weapons perfect for strength builds:
| Name | Damage Type | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Ledo‘s Great Hammer | Strike | Call From Beyond |
| Yhorm‘s Great Machete | Slash | Warcry |
| Fume Ultra Greatsword | Strike/Thrust | Stance |
With the right stats and upgrades, these weapons can exceed 700-900 AR (attack rating) – turning bosses into minced meat after just a few hits.
According to Fextralife, the Ledo Great Hammer actually has the highest AR in the game when fully reinforced with a strength scaling infusion.
Stats
To wield the heaviest ultra greatweapons while maintaining mid roll speed, you‘ll need:
- Vigor: 35+ (survivability)
- Endurance: 40+ (stamina and equip load)
- Vitality: 34+ (equip load for armor)
- Strength: 66+ (scales damage upwards of 800+ AR)
With these stats, you‘ll have the health pool and equip capacity to tank hits while dishing out over 1000 damage on a single critical strike.
Pros
- Obliterates PvE enemies and bosses with insane burst potential
- Withstand endless punishment thanks to high poise
- Stagger-lock enemies with relentless charged heavy attacks
- Basic attack patterns easy to master
According to Reddit, strength builds make PvE a cakewalk since few enemies can withstand more than 1-2 ultra weapon hits. Embrace your inner unga bunga!
Cons
- Very slow swing speeds require discipline
- High stamina costs limits combo potential
- Slow recovery times if you miss an attack
Dexterity Builds: Slicing Through PvP With Speed
Wielding nimble swords, daggers and polearms to relentlessly hack away at enemy HP bars. These weapons lack raw might, but frequently strike before foes can even ready their guard.
Weapons
Some excellent dexterity scaling weapons include:
| Name | Damage Type | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Winblades | Slash | Spin Slash |
| Crow Quills | Thrust/Regular | Rapid Slash |
| Murakumo | Slash/Thrust | Spin Slash |
These weapon‘s fast swing speeds allow you to roll catch, combo swiftly, and shred armor with Papercut-like death of a thousand cuts.
While dex weapons don‘t hit nearly as hard per swing, their DPS often outpaces lumbering strength weapons. According to fans, the Sellsword Twinblades can defeat bosses faster than almost any ultra greatsword when buffed with the right resin/bundle.
Stats
To access the best dex scaling gear while maintaining 70% roll speed, shoot for:
- Vigor: 35+
- Endurance: 35+
- Dexterity: 80
- Remaining points: Vitality or supplemental damage stats
You won‘t be face-tanking many hits. So pump those Vigor and Endurance stats to ensure you can dodge everything enemies throw at you!
Pros
- Extremely fast swing and attack speeds
- Easy to sneak multiple hits between enemy combos
- Bleed infusions shred bosses and tough enemies
- Great dodge potential to avoid nearly all attacks
Dexterity is deadly 1v1 for the very reasons it struggles in group combat. Your quickness and blood loss potentials create intense duels where the first mistake often proves lethal!
Cons
- Easily staggered and interrupted
- Low poise means trading hits is risky
- Managing stamina for sustained DPS is crucial
- 1-2 mistakes can lead to being one-shotted
While dex builds lack brute force, they reward disciplined players with the reaction times and skill to perfectly balance offense and defense. The highest risk, highest reward playstyle in all of Dark Souls 3.
So in summary:
- Strength is simpler to play, provides raw power and crushes PvE
- Dexterity requires finesse but enables lethal, quick attacks
Both are totally viable for completing the game. Your choice ultimately depends whether you prefer tanking hits or dodging them entirely while waiting patiently to assassinate overeager foes.
As a player who enjoys challenging myself against tough enemies, I lean towards strength builds. But dexterity keeps PvP exciting and skill-testing once you‘ve mastered PvE.
Hope this in-depth comparison helps you decide whether staggering strikes or surgical slashes fit your style better. If you have any other questions, let me know in the comments below and praise the sun!
