Builds

Guardian

Raider

Duchess

Recluse

Revenant

Executor

Ironeye

A comprehensive baseline build that evaluates the most universally valuable effects across all characters and playstyles. This build serves as a reference point for other builds, providing standardized scoring for effects that perform well regardless of character choice or specific synergies.

Guardian

Raider

Duchess

Executor

Ironeye

Wylder

This build measures weights roughly based on the percentage of damage added. Its score can therefore be interpreted as the increase in damage. Most of these effects are targeted for physical DPS and not for casters. Any character-specific abilities or effects regarding them are not considered here, as the DPS increase can vary per character. These base weights are best combined with character-specific builds, adding more relevant effects. For non-damage abilities, some assumptions are made as outlined below: * 100 Health (5 Vigor) valued similar to +5% damage, other Vigor bonuses scaled accordingly. * 10 Stamina (5 Endurance) valued similar to +5% damage, other Stamina bonuses scaled accordingly. ### Other assumptions: * Evergaols: Assumed 3 gaols cleared. Starting Stonesword key gives half an extra gaol. * Invaders: Assumed 0.5 invaders cleared. These can be higher if targeted by the group. Starting elemental effects have been given a small weight. Poison, frostbite and rot attack buffs are weighted at 10%. All elemental effects depend heavily on the boss.

Ironeye

Ironeye is a dexterity-based archer who excels at ranged combat and rapid-fire bow attacks. With high Dexterity scaling and access to specialized bows like the Harp Bow and Serpent Bow, he's built for consistent damage output from a safe distance. This build is based upon **Base Physical DPS** and adds specific weights for Ironeye in order to quantify the increase in DPS. All weights from the base build are automatically applied as well. ### Assumptions: * The `+1 additional Character Skill use` has received a high weight due to its impact in-game. The mark should be kept up all of the time. * `3+ Bows Equipped` is always achievable and mandatory. * Damage increase by Dexterity depends on the level and should be even lower for high levels. * Skill cooldown reductions are insignificant because the mark lasts longer than the cooldown.

Duchess

Duchess is a glass cannon who wields the smallest blade but packs some of the highest damage potential in the game. With high Dexterity and Intelligence scaling, she excels at fast dagger strikes, sorceries, and her signature **Restage** ability that repeats damage dealt in the last few seconds. Her playstyle revolves around speed and precision—using her **Restage** ability to amplify big hits from you and your co-op companions, while leveraging her fast attack speed to build status effects and chain attacks. This build is based upon **Base Physical DPS** and adds specific weights for Duchess in order to quantify the increase in DPS. All weights from the base build are automatically applied as well. ### Assumptions: * `Improved Character Skill Attack Power` increases the **Restage** damage by 20%. This is scaled down with the assumption that 25% of damage output comes from **Restage**. * Similarly, skill cooldown reductions are considered with 40% of their increase, as the skill can not always be kept on cooldown. * A **Restage** triggered by dagger chain is assumed to occur in 15% of cases. * `3+ Dagger Equipped` is always achievable and mandatory. * Damage increase by Dexterity depends on the level and should be even lower for high levels. * This build is purely focusing on daggers and does not include any sorceries, which can be viable as well.

Executor

Executor is a high-dexterity character who excels at wielding katanas and inflicting status effects. His signature **Cursed Blade** (later renamed to **Suncatcher**) ability allows perfect deflects that turn enemy attacks into devastating counter-strikes. This build is based upon **Base Physical DPS** and adds specific weights for Executor in order to quantify the increase in DPS. All weights from the base build are automatically applied as well. Executor is not only a damage dealer but also a great tank, due his deflects and ability to maintain aggro. Therefore, effects that increase the survivability or prioritize the team are also included. ### Combat The ideal combat flow involves: 1. **Deflect** the first attack by drawing your Cursed Blade 2. **Attack** to build status effects 3. **Deflect** the final attack by sheathing your blade 4. **Guard Counter** for extra stagger damage and guard counter effects 5. **Repeat** while maintaining aggro through guard counters and status effects ### Build Assumptions There are several utility effects that do not provide DPS increase, but are still equally important: - `3+ Katanas Equipped` is always achievable and mandatory. - `Draw enemy attention while guarding` allows keeping aggro and lets teammates do more damage. A high weight is given to this effect, as it can be very important. - `Guard counter is given a boost based on current HP` may increase guard counter damage by 25%, but is less relevant during boss encounters. `Improved Guard Counters` scaled accordingly. - `Character Skill Boosts Attack but Attacking Drains HP` reduced weight because it has a downside. - `While Character Skill is active, unlocking use of cursed sword restores HP` set at weight 4. Other healing effects are relative to that. - `Improved Stance-Breaking when Wielding Two Armaments` negligible effect, as only one katana should be used at a time. - Status effects are set at low default weight and need to be adjusted based on the boss encounter.

Guardian

The purpose of this Guardian Build is to stay close and soak aggro to protect your team. The damage output from bosses can drain your stamina quickly, so practice lowering your guard between hits and only blocking with Steel Guard active to maximize stamina regen.

Recluse

Recluse is a fragile but powerful spellcaster who excels at mid-range combat through careful positioning and deliberate spell timing. With a limited health pool, survival depends on maintaining distance and avoiding reckless casting that leaves you vulnerable during long animation locks. Your greatest strength lies in patience and restraint—spacing your casts wisely, managing FP efficiently, and learning enemy patterns before committing to offensive actions. While you may lack the durability of other characters, your magical prowess and ability to control engagements from a safe distance make you a formidable force when played with discipline and composure.

Revenant

Revenant is a faith-based spellcaster who commands skeleton minions to fight alongside her. With S-tier Faith scaling, she excels at ranged magic and support roles. Your skeleton companions—**Helen**, **Frederick**, and **Sebastian**—draw enemy attention and help stagger bosses while you cast spells from a safe distance. Her ultimate can revive fallen allies and make them temporarily immortal, perfect for clutch saves during boss fights. The key is letting your minions do the heavy lifting while you support them from afar. Stay back, manage your FP, and keep a bow handy for when you run out of magic.

Wylder

Wylder is a strength-based warrior who excels at wielding greatswords and heavy weapons with devastating two-handed attacks. With high Strength and Dexterity scaling, he's built for raw physical damage and stance-breaking power. The key is mastering the timing of two-handed attacks and using his fire-spreading ability to control the battlefield. While slower than other characters, his ability to stagger enemies and deal consistent heavy damage makes him a reliable frontline fighter.

Raider

Raider is a straightforward strength-based bruiser who excels at headbutting enemies and wielding massive weapons. With S-tier Strength scaling and high HP, he's built for pure physical damage and stance-breaking power. His signature headbutt ability can be enhanced by timing it to take damage during activation, transforming it into a powerful parry-like move that deals massive stagger damage. While his Totem Stella ultimate (the giant rock) can be janky, it provides strength and poise bonuses when positioned correctly. The key is mastering the timing of his enhanced headbutt and learning to dual-wield strength weapons for devastating two-hit jump attacks. Raider thrives on pure damage output—prioritize big hits over elemental weaknesses and let your party members handle status effects.

Ironeye

This build focuses on Ironeye's ability to stack multiple status effects through specialized bows. The strategy involves collecting bows with `Added Ailment` effects and rapidly cycling through them to apply multiple debuffs to bosses and Night Lords after using the `Marking` ability.