Welcome to the guide to the Versatile Wraith - my favourite, and most broken build I have found thus far. Here you will find all leveling and key items for an extremely overpowered build that isn't exactly faceroll but isn't the most challenging either.
For those who are curious, the defense/stat paired scalings are: Fire = strength, Lightning = endurance, Magic = intelligence, Dark = faith, Physical = vitality. All these resistances impart a flat reduction to that type of damage. When thinking about reducing something by a percentage, you should be looking not at the amount reduced, but rather the amount remaining. E.G., let's say you have a heavy set of armor equipped and it gives you 30 physical absorption. That means you're taking 70% physical damage. 15% of 70% is 10.5%. So I understand that having some kind of armor in your armor slots gives a base dmg reduction so always have some armor. But in PVE does stats even matter? I understand that you cheeky try hards will say fashion souls is all that matters but seriously (as someone new to ds(3) ) does armor stats even matter in PVE?
Start as a Knight, for near perfect starting stats and minimal Luck. Level Vigor and Endurance simultaneously until they reach 27 and 25 respectively. 27 Vigor puts you smack on 1000 HP, which increases to 1300 with an ember. Increase Intellect and Faith to 10 each. Increase Strength to 16. Increase Dexterity to 15. Finally keep leveling strength until 40. Increase Dexterity to 40. You now have the option to invest your remaining 40 levels into Vigor and Endurance, with soft caps of 50 and 40 respectively, or Strength and Dexterity with soft caps of 60 each.
SL - 65
VIG - 27
ATT - 10
END - 25
VIT - 15
STR - 35
DEX - 15
INT - 10
FAI - 10
LUC - 7
SL - 85
VIG - 27
ATT - 10
END - 25
VIT - 15
STR - 35
DEX - 35
INT - 10
FAI - 10
LUC - 7
SL - 125
VIG - 27
ATT - 10
END - 25
VIT - 15
STR - 55
DEX - 55
INT - 10
FAI - 10
LUC - 7
OR
SL - 125
VIG - 50
ATT - 10
END - 40
VIT - 17
STR - 35
DEX - 35
INT - 10
FAI - 10
LUC - 7
Upon reaching the Firelink Shrine, perform the tree skip to get on the roof without purchasing the Tower Key. Obtain the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring.
Rescue Cornyx of the Great Swamp from his cage in the undead settlement, just above the Cliff Underside bonfire.
Obtain the Crest Shield quite near the Cathedral of the Deep bonfire. It has dramatic dark damage reduction.
Kill the Stray Demon above the Old Wolf of Farron. Trade his soul for Havel's Ring, allowing you to use the Fume Ultra Greatsword later, if you so desire, without investing into Vitality at all, assuming you use Karla's Set. It is also a fantastic investment, allowing you to use medium to the lighter heavy armor comfortably. Also obtain the Dragon Crest shield, with dramatic fire damage reduction. Swap between the Dragon Crest Shield and the Crest Shield as needed.
Proceed until you reach the Farron Keep Perimeter bonfire. Farm the Dark Wraiths outside until you obtain the Dark Sword. This is one of the best weapons in the game. Infuse it with a Heavy Gem, granting it A-strength scaling. At this point in the game, it is possible to get it to +9, though this requires you to kill Emma Dancer of the Boreal Valley. If you feel up to it, it makes the rest of the game a right breeze.
Ensure you have 10 Intellect and 10 Faith, allowing you to recruit Orbeck of Vinheim and use the Carthus Flame Arc later, and that you have obtained the 5 free levels from the pilgrim Yoel. Also ensure you give Orbeck at least one scroll prior to defeating the Abyss Watchers.
Obtain the Carthus Pyromancy Tomb from the Catacombs of Carthus, and hand it in to Cornyx of the Great Swamp. Purchase the Carthus Flame Arc and equip it alongside the Pyromancy Flame on your left hand. This is effectively a infinite use, slightly weakened fire resin.
Defeat Knight Slayer Tsorig in the Smoldering Lake and obtain the Fume Ultra Greatsword, widely considered to be one of the best weapons in the game and one you can swap to if you prefer the playstyle. It cannot be buffed or infused, so change your pyromancy to Flash Sweat or any you would prefer. Also obtain the Shield of Want from a corpse near the Cathus Sandworm.
Proceed to destroy everyone you encounter until you reach the Profaned Capital. Obtain the Jailer's Key Ring, free Karla, and obtain the Prisoner Chief's Ashes from Irithyll Dungeon. Purchase Karla's set from the Shrine Handmaiden after giving her the Prisoner Chief's Ashes. This set has low physical resistance but is extremely light with very good elemental resistances, particularly fire and lightning which you will encounter the most.
Enter the darkened Firelink Shrine and obtain the Hornet Ring, which dramatically increases the damage of backstabs, parry and ripostes, and counterattacks. This ring is variable and can be changed out on boss fights or as required.
Proceed to Lothric Castle and obtain the Knight's Ring from a chest near the Sunlight Altar. It grants +5 Strength, saving you 5 soul levels and allowing you to maintain the SL125 PvP meta. Also obtain the Spirit Tree Crest Shield, which has dramatic lightning damage reduction. Swap between the Spirit Tree Crest Shield, the Dragon Crest Shield, and the Crest Shield as required.
Continue decimating everyone you meet and obtain the Hunter's Ring from the Grand Archives. It grants +5 Dexterity, saving you 5 soul levels and allowing you to maintain the SL125 PvP meta.
When farming souls, change your shield to the Shield of Want and equip the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring. You can also use the Symbol of Avarice if you have it and can manage the DoT. There is a fantasic location above the Grand Archives bonfire, if you take the shortcut to the roof prior to the Twin Princes boss fight. There are three Winged Knights on the roof behing the elevator. They grant 15600 souls each with the shield and the ring equipped, and you recieve a Titanite Slab the first time you kill all three.
When you begin leveling dexterity, infuse your Dark Sword with a Refined Gem.
What Stats Increase Flat Dmg Reduction Ds3 Free
What Stats Increase Flat Dmg Reduction Ds3 Reviews
If you wish to proceed beyond SL125, increase Vigor to 50, Endurance to 40, Strength to 60, Dexterity to 60, and level any other stats as desired.
What Stats Increase Flat Dmg Reduction Ds3 Vs
Congratulations, the build is effectively complete, and you can easily destroy the entirety of NG and NG+ at least without leveling beyond 85 and 125 respectively.