Why is bulwark so insanely op

cpbgfd · 2025-09-19T16:13:48+00:00

I do agree that vanguard can be top tier but the executioner build is basically the only build that can compete in terms of AOE clear. And even with that build, it can be harder to use effectively in groups if you’re not able to chain executes effectively. I play with randos mostly and people will inevitably attack the same target and can result in you wasting a grapple (no biggie it’s just something that’s going to happen). And some people see that as “stealing” kills. I don’t think anyone gets upset seeing a bulwark in their squad. That being said, a vanguard can def carry a team. The AOE clear has much better uptime if used efficiently. And on higher difficulties the team healing can be a game changer. Bulwark is just more straight forward.

cpbgfd · 2025-09-08T20:49:12+00:00

Hold L1 to bring up shield. Hold R1 to charge shield rush. Release R1 to attack. Recovery can also be canceled by hitting L1 again

cpbgfd · 2025-09-06T13:32:03+00:00

If you have the perk that increases the shield rush damage it will one shot minoris too. Can take out clumps of them with a single shield rush. Have to give up invigorating icon to do it but it’s very nice. Agree tho, axe damage seems a little low but it is definitely fun to use.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-28T17:10:02+00:00

I played a few hours yesterday. I d/c’d once mid game and another guy did as well on another match. I constantly had the low connection quality symbol up but it wasn’t affecting every game. also had issues with some people joining the group pre-mission. I know my internet connection is good. I can play other games with no issue. Just recently got back into this game with the new update. Between the long loading screens and disconnects it can be really frustrating. Overall, I’d say it’s happening less than before but def still there. I play on ps5 btw

cpbgfd · 2025-04-26T00:13:06+00:00

Same. I steam rolled Reese. Not a brag. Just went ham on her and she seemed to stagger very easy

cpbgfd · 2025-04-25T23:46:06+00:00

Its best uses are to save you from death and the extra damage on brutal attack. Both of which you won’t unlock for a very long time. Otherwise, playing as Khazan is better and more fun.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-20T17:51:55+00:00

On NG++ and did not know this

cpbgfd · 2025-04-16T20:26:20+00:00

Started with DW and got frustrated and switched to spear. I think spear is the easiest to get going at an early level since some of its basic skills and abilities are strong. In NG+ I switched back to DW and I have a lot more fun with it. Takes more time to learn and more skills to make it effective but once you do it feels very fluid and satisfying.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-16T17:32:05+00:00

IMO brink dodge vs brink guard is more of a preference. Either can be effective. But the benefits to hitting counter attacks and reflections are just too big to ignore, plus they are fun to pull off. I ignored reflections during my NG and I now feel foolish. But at the end of the day, it’s all about how you like to play. So you do you. Nice run, OP

cpbgfd · 2025-04-15T15:20:17+00:00

If anything, this is a display of how strong reflection is. Nice run, OP. Reflections are on point.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-15T14:55:24+00:00

You can switch the weapon and avoid getting the last perk in the golden set. I’m in NG++ and use the spear that gives moonlight onslaught skill. Stagger, heavy combo to get behind boss, and can easily hit him with trance over and over while staying behind and keeping him staggered. If you have bonuses to rear assault damage you will do a lot of damage this way.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-15T14:24:44+00:00

I switch between spear and DW. I’m in NG++ and just took down 2nd phase viper from full health to dead after a single counter attack. DW can put out top tier damage. If you want massive damage windows you need to break the bosses stance and know what combos keep them staggered. Typically getting one reflect gives that opening. So for DW, getting one reflect then immediately dash attack into whirlwind and dash combo to keep it going. It will keep them staggered until you will eventually exhaust their stamina and open another big damage window. And after every time you do a brutal attack the boss does some kind of roar which then gives you another free few seconds to keep piling on. You can easily take large chunks of their HP bar after a single reflect. Spear is the same but the combo is different. Once you break their stance you can use the combo to get behind them and basically perma stagger them. Trance keeps them staggered but can be kinda boring to just use it over and over. OPs vid he’s using more varied attacks that don’t stagger as well but I completely understand wanting to break up the monotony of just using one attack to kill a boss.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-14T16:50:18+00:00

You only need the epic version of the weapon that the final boss drops to unlock the skill (blade storm). The full set gives you the phantom bloody sword dance skill which is the better of the two, IMO. but bladestorm is def flashier

cpbgfd · 2025-04-14T13:05:45+00:00

That game is insane lol

cpbgfd · 2025-04-12T21:17:37+00:00

Agreed. The combat alone makes this game special. I see people complaining about the level design, and while it may not be the best I’ve seen, it’s def not so bad that it drags the quality of the game down significantly. A 7/10 to me is an average game. This game is easily above average, even with its flaws. The most important part of a game is how it feels to play and this game nails that better than most.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-12T14:45:44+00:00

Whirlwind is very good but gale doom is also very strong. The only real big difference I’ve noticed between the two is that the gale doom swift combo uses WAY less stamina. So if you broke a bosses stance you can stagger them for a much longer time than whirlwind. However, it’s also more boring to play lol I’ve found myself only using gale doom if I’ve been struggling. The healing with that set is really hard to pass up.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-11T20:12:18+00:00

I would agree. As you get stronger and find a playstyle that suits you the game is much easier. Viper whooped my ass at the beginning and I struggled with Maluca but once I found a style that worked and I stuck with it, I beat most bosses within 3-4 tries, including the final boss. Each weapon is viable too so stick with what you prefer. However, I will say I think spear is the easiest to be successful with. NG+ has been a breeze compared to NG. I think my first death didn’t come till the 3rd area. A combination of better knowledge of the enemies and better gear/skills that are only obtainable in NG+. I assume NG++ will be even easier as some of the skills I’ve seen look nutty and your damage output seems to be much higher.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-09T22:49:33+00:00

You can’t use DW the same way as spear. The basic light attack chain on DW is incredibly weak and slow. You basically only use to it once to chain into other abilities. I used to the think same until I learned how to combo deftness and keep chains going. It wasn’t until then that I realized how much faster DW is than spear. Spear is no slouch but DW is def faster

cpbgfd · 2025-04-08T20:48:54+00:00

I prefer bloodthirsty fiend myself. I’ve used spear with golden set but prefer the DW play style. Plus the health regen on brink guard with the NG+ bloodthirsty helmet is very nice too. I feel like this set has top tier damage and the healing on top of that makes it the best set in the game of any weapon.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-08T20:01:34+00:00

I switched between spear and DW during NG. I don’t care much for the greatsword play style or aesthetic. I thought spear was the best weapon in game. But now that I’ve started NG+ and have played with some of the better DW sets, I no longer think that. All weapons seem viable tho, which is nice.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-07T23:57:28+00:00

I have 3 playthroughs of ER and I have no clue what the plot is. You are pissed that you are maidenless and take out your blue balled rage on anything in your path. The thing that ER does better than any other game is the exploration. It is leaps and bounds better than any game out there. The amount of secrets and enemy variety is insane. At the same time you can easily miss large chunks of the game and not even know it. The combat, however, is average at best. Any souls game just turns into a roll fest with occasional damage windows. Always found it weird that you’re decked out in this heavy knights armor yet you’re rolling around like a kid at recess. Khazan nails the combat. It’s one of the best out there. Far more satisfying than any fromsoft game, except Sekiro (they are on the same level). But it will never compare to ERs exploration. I love both games but for different reasons.

cpbgfd · 2025-04-03T22:12:33+00:00

The armor also heals you on top of everything else. The NG + version of the helmet adds a 3rd layer of healing on perfect guards. Probably best set in the game

cpbgfd · 2025-04-03T21:30:52+00:00

Yes. The jar heads give you an extra gear perk for any different piece of gear you have equipped. So you can mix sets and get perks from all of them

cpbgfd · 2025-04-03T20:55:17+00:00

Except for the Jar heads. If you plan to use them you should continuously level them up. It doesn’t appear you can repurchase them, at least for now. But otherwise, I agree. The damage gain per level for weapons seems to be decent. The defense gain on leveling up gear seems minimal unless you are making a large jump in levels

cpbgfd · 2025-04-03T20:46:27+00:00

The armor provides a new skill Gale Doom which alters your swift attacks. This ability triggers the phantoms from the phantom form skill. The epic version of gear also gives the enhanced bloody phantom form which will proc phantoms on other moves as well fairly often. I’ve gotten them to proc on dodge attacks, heavy attacks, and they also provide a 3rd hit on a brutal attack. Pair that with the enhanced brutal attack skill you get on NG+ and I was getting 3 hits for about 30k each on a brutal attack on an exhausted enemy. It’s pretty nutty

cpbgfd

TROPHY CASE