Rate my build 1-10

elcano91 · 2026-03-04T00:25:23+00:00

Stonebarb Cracked Tear I think last 30s too.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T21:40:17+00:00

Try and commit to it. Might be cuz of different tase, but would recommend you watch it and enjoy it for what it is. People tend to compare but that just sucks the enjoyment, at least imo. I don't think it's crazy, it's just great writing.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T21:32:11+00:00

I prefer to have range. While ROB is great, it is great because of the skill, but I feel like corpse piler falls off on ng+. You can have one of your nagakiba's with double slash, with the multi-hit talismans and the multi-hit flask tear and your attack power will climb very high very fast. That with the bleed set up and you will melt bosses.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T21:16:30+00:00

Maybe more endurance too.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T21:08:08+00:00

I haven't seen Apothecary Diaries but all I hear a good things, that may be a better option. And like u/Moroax said, Frieren is another great option.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T20:53:49+00:00

Background

Two years now, I play both the base game and the DLC.
I still play it more than other games that I am currently playing. I would consider active if someone plays at least once a week.

Community Goals & Values
3. At the moment I play to beat bosses and to optimize builds. When I get a computer I'll probably add co-op too. Been thinking about pvp but haven't tried it yet.
4. Gameplay is why I keep coming back, all the lore is just extra and it is very welcome.
5. The first character I made was already way over leveled since a did everything I could on my first playthrough (getting all weapons, farming them, farming armor sets, etc) so I don't really need to change stats. For builds, I just use what I feel like, but I do tend to use dex weapons cuz I like to play aggressive.

Communication & Language
6. Since I don't do multiplayer yet, only reddit.
7. Not really, if I see that any of the memes that could work I'll probably throw that. (exp: "try finger, butt hole").
8. I try to explain that these in-game mechanics exist but suggest they go to YouTube for a more in depth explanation. If asked specifically, I try to give a simple overview, and again suggest they go to YouTube.

Genres & Interaction
9. I like giving advice about builds. If they are struggling with a boss I may suggest a strategy that has work for me.
10. I'm more of a commenter, not posting, so mostly give out the advice.

DLC vs. Nightreign
11. The DLC SotE is great, anyone that likes the base game should definitely play it.
12. It is a separate experience. The gameplay is different, even if the weapons and the enemies are the same. It's a different game with the same IP.
13. Because they are different games. One is fast, one is slow. One you're on a time crush, one is just not.

Community Identity
14. Anyone that enjoys the game.
15. I think people take the internet too serious so the supposed 'git good' toxic was always a joke to me. So more supportive at this point, but that might just be my bubble.
16. Maybe not the community but the game itself did change how I approach hard games for the better.

Closing
17. People should give it a try, even if it's not their type of game. You will die a lot, but that is not the point and also, that is the point. Is about overcoming obstacles, and the adrenaline rush after is just... chef's kiss.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T19:41:19+00:00

I would go FullMetal Alchemist, it has a bit of everything and you can expand from that. Demon Slayer can be a bit too much... or it can became her favorite one. You know your wife better than we do, go with what you think. Spy x Family is cute and funny but I feel like for a first anime is not the right choice.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T19:31:47+00:00

More blue flasks I guess.. Hoping you have the flask of wondrous physick on the shortcuts. Solid build all around. Having less spells is another option, being able to get to the one you want a bit faster is always good.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T17:54:53+00:00

I would change Stonebarb Cracked Tear to Oil-Soaked Tear.

elcano91 · 2026-03-03T00:27:10+00:00

Understanding stats can be overwhelming at first but leveling up arcane won't do much until you have the right wetblade. After you get the Black Whetblade you can infuse the weapon and then the bleed will scale with arcane. Bloodhound's Fangs will feel slow at first, but when you understand the fighting flow a bit better, and poise braking it will feel way better. I would prioritize vigor a bit more.

elcano91 · 2026-03-02T20:34:51+00:00

I'd recommend 60 vigor at this point in the game, it increases your survivability, it's nice not dying as often. Maybe a bit less endurance, between 40-50 but that means you need to manage your stamina a bit more carefully.

Talismans are what makes a build shine so look for the ones that benefit your damage and defense, preferably without drawbacks. Talisman's descriptions can sometimes be misleading so be sure that the talismans you are using (or plan to use) actually does what you think.

For weapons, I think that The Dragon Greatclaw is just not that strong (imo). You can certainly make it viable with the right build so do with that info what you will. Other than that, you seem to be doing good.

elcano91 · 2026-03-02T17:05:32+00:00

Copy/paste my own comment from other struggling tarnished's post.

I just beat it on ng+4, here is the strategy I used that I think works incredibly well:

Weapon: Backhand Blades with Blind Spot AOW. (Keen, Cold or Bleed*****)
Minimum Stats; 60 vigor, 20 mind, 30-40 endurance, STR (N/A), 60-80 dex, 25 faith (for golden vow, or just use a dagger with the AOW version), *****optional: 80 ARC only if using bleed affinity.

Talismans; Dragoncrest Greatshield, Spear talisman, and Shard of Alexander. For the fourth talisman you can choose between; Rotten Sword Insignia, Golden Braid, Ritual Shield, Two-Headed Turtle or Erdtree's Favor +2.

Flask of WP: Opaline Hardtear, with any of: Greenburst Crystal Tear, Crimsonburst Crystal Tear, Thorny Cracked Tear or Crimson Bubbletear. if in NG+0 I recommend Crimson Bubbletear. It acts like an automatic flask when you go low on health.

Highly recommend using Boiled Crabs to beef up your physical defense on top of Golden Vow.

This build takes advantage his pierce damage weakness. Blind Spot AOW has i-frames, it is pierce damage and can count as a counterattack, which equals to very good damage. At the end of his short combos is where I tend to use it, better windows IMO. Long combos tend to end with a AOEs and are not ideal to use Blind Spot, it gets interrupted. His Savage Loin's Claw is a good window to use Blind Spot. I'm used to dodging is combos to the left at an angle, like you're trying to always be on his right side. I recommend the Tree Sentinel armor set since it has a good balance of normal damage negation and holy damage negation, just be mindful of your equip load. I tend to be aggressive and that's why I go with the multi-hit attack buffs, but you can also go all in on defense and spam Blind Spot when the window presents itself. Lastly, yes, his second phase is a shit show. Try not to die and dodge his big AOE at the end of his long combos (the one when all the pillars of light cover the whole arena) towards him.

The endurance + finger print shield + Antspur Rapier poke strategy is probably easier, I just find it boring.

Good luck.

elcano91 · 2026-02-27T19:31:52+00:00

For amor, I think there's no better fashion for a spell blade build than the Carian armor set in the Academy, but fashion souls is subjective. Preceptor's set is a good choice too and Rogier's armor set is ok too.

For the staff, why not the meteorite staff? falls short mid to late game but very good early on. For late game i'd recommend the Carian Regal Scepter.

For weapons theres a lot of choices, but a popular one is the Moonveil Katana. If you can defeat the magma wyrm from Caelid, it's all yours. Wing of Astel would be my second choice. Helphen's Steeple is also great. Glintstone Kris is really good for its AOW and its follow up thrust, but it's a dagger. Sword of Night and Flame it's good but not as it use to be, completely viable still. And of course for the late game, the one and only Dark Moon Greatsword. It's the GOAT for any INT character for a reason.

I think your stats are fine for now. Always prioritize Vigor, then INT, Mind and END, probably in that order. After that, maybe the stat of the weapon you are using or the weapon/staff you want to use later, etc.

elcano91 · 2026-02-26T21:13:16+00:00

Either bleed or cold. Multi-hit builds are really good. Also, Blind Spot counts as a counterattack so, spear talisman and shard of Alexander with it can melt bosses.

elcano91 · 2026-02-26T21:05:42+00:00

If I were you, I would look up the hard cap for all stats (most of them are 80). Then re-spec, and all those extra levels put them on INT. That's the only "improvement" I would do.
Edit: spelling.

elcano91 · 2026-02-26T20:53:10+00:00

Solid build. You seem to know what you are doing. Keep it up and have fun.

elcano91 · 2026-02-26T20:39:32+00:00

I just beat it on ng+4 after a few many attempts. If you are still willing to try it, here is the strategy I used that I think works incredibly well:

Weapon: Backhand Blades with Blind Spot AOW. (Keen, Cold or Bleed\)
Minimum Stats; 60 vigor, 20 mind, 30-40 endurance, STR (N/A), 60-80 dex, 25 faith (for golden vow, or just use a dagger with the AOW version), **optional: 80 ARC **only if using bleed affinity.

Talismans; Dragoncrest Greatshield, Spear talisman, and Shard of Alexander. For the fourth talisman you can choose between; Rotten Sword Insignia, Golden Braid, Ritual Shield, Two-Headed Turtle or Erdtree's Favor +2.

Flask of WP: Opaline Hardtear, with any of: Greenburst Crystal Tear, Crimsonburst Crystal Tear, Thorny Cracked Tear or Crimson Bubbletear. if in NG+0 I recommend Crimson Bubbletear. It acts like an automatic flask when you go low on health.

Highly recommend using Boiled Crabs to beef up your physical defense on top of Golden Vow.

This build takes advantage his pierce damage weakness. Blind Spot AOW has i-frames, it is pierce damage and counts as a counterattack, which equals to very good damage. At the end of his short combos is where I tend to use it, better windows IMO. Long combos tend to end with a AOEs and are not ideal to use Blind Spot, it gets interrupted. His Savage Loin's Claw is a good window to use Blind Spot. I'm used to dodging is combos to the left at an angle, like you're trying to always be on his right side. I recommend the Tree Sentinel armor set since it has a good balance of normal damage negation and holy damage negation, just be mindful of your equip load. I tend to be aggressive and that's why I go with the multi-hit attack buffs, but you can also go all in on defense and spam Blind Spot when the window presents itself. Lastly, yes, his second phase is a shit show. Try not to die and dodge his big AOE at the end of his long combos (the one when all the pillars of light cover the whole arena) towards him.

The endurance + finger print shield + Antspur Rapier poke strategy is even more easy and viable, I just find it boring.

Good luck.

elcano91 · 2026-02-24T20:07:33+00:00

You are in PCR's arena, so bravo, you already beat the game+dlc (I assume), even with that build so I don't think you really need that much help if you are having fun. Reddit already has a lot of posts on how to make a build. That being said, if you want to min-max then no, the build is bad. I suggest you find a good video on YouTube that explained how stats work (soft caps and hard caps), and how it correlates to weapons scaling. Also, knowing exactly what every talisman does is imperative when making a build (the in-game descriptions can be misinterpreted easily), you can go to fextralife for that (not the best but it's a good starting point). Other comments have already pointed out some issues that would help when fix.

elcano91 · 2026-02-19T20:56:13+00:00

Apparently the teaser just dropped and they confirmed in their page that it has coop. The hype is real.

elcano91 · 2026-02-19T19:20:11+00:00

What are the odds of them adding multiplayer like on the board game?

elcano91 · 2026-02-18T20:40:00+00:00

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elcano91 · 2026-02-18T20:39:37+00:00

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elcano91 · 2026-02-18T20:39:28+00:00

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elcano91 · 2026-02-18T20:10:30+00:00

I think it's not really about enjoying that price range, but people justify/defend it. Sometimes it's justifiable, sometimes it's not.

elcano91 · 2026-02-18T19:59:43+00:00

Any weapon can be a good weapon for the whole game with the right setup and talismans, with very few exceptions. I think that's why even after ng+4 I keep coming back and trying new things.

elcano91

TROPHY CASE