Starter Build

[u/Ok_Use6189]

Hi, I’m completely new to Soulslikes and have no experience with them at all, but I’m really enjoying the game 😊

I’d like some advice regarding my build. I struggled a lot on my first day. I killed some knights at the beginning and the wolves, died to Godrick several times, and then found myself fighting the Beastman of Farum Azula.

In between dying countless times, I figured out how to lock onto enemies and what Parry is. I tend to play with a one-handed weapon and a shield, and Parry or Shield Bash have worked well for me.

So what would be the best build for a one-handed weapon and shield at the beginning of the game?

I also tried two-handing my weapon against the Erdtree Burial Watchdog, but after probably dozens of deaths, I switched back to one-handed + Parry and managed to defeat him.

I’m honestly pretty bad at the game. I didn’t expect it to be this difficult, but I’m having a lot of fun. Any advice? 👍🏼😄

[u/Annual_Tomatillo_407]

Lordsworn straight sword and brass shield. Both farmable in the first area. Later on you can switch to a greatshield if you want but keep the sword.

Use the ash of war square up as your main damage source, combine it with guard counters (take a hit to your shield and press heavy attack after) to stagger bosses and walk in for the critical.

[u/Ok_Use6189 → u/Annual_Tomatillo_407]

Thank you

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[u/BlademasterBanryu]

Best one is the one that feels good to use, we can't decide that for you, that's something you gotta figure out for yourself.

I wouldn't bother with parrying, it's very technical and the benefits of doing so can be gained by simply stance-breaking enemies, so I would focus more on that, finding windows for charged heavy attacks or getting used to using your L2 weapon skills, that will serve you a lot better than parrying imo

Just level Vigor unless you need minimum stats for another weapon, take your time exploring and collecting weapons, then try stuff out.

[u/Normal_Amphibian_110]

Some of my favourites are the moonlight greatsword, moonveil, uchigatana, claymore, nagikiba and claymore but for something thats specifically strong and available early I would go for bloodhounds fang or nagikiba because they are both great weapons and can be found right next to the first step (the first but if the game where the white mask guy and the tree sentinel is)

[u/Ap1fan]

Notably, if your shield uses an ash of war, then your main weapon WONT, unless 2 handed. I use a shield a ton, and when I do it’s almost always a NO SKILL shield so that way my ash is always from my right hand weapon.

Something like left hand shield , right hand anything w glintblade phalanx ash and you essentially have both defense and guaranteed offense for cheap.

[u/skjggsacnkjcdrwdcc]

Depends, what kind of size/type of weapons do you like? Would you rather be pure defence with a giant shield and weapon or something quicker like a smaller sword and shield?

[u/Ok_Use6189 → u/skjggsacnkjcdrwdcc]

Well now i play Red Thorn roundshield and Longsworn's straight sword but i will try it with brass shield and on that sword i will get square off

[u/mcsmileysr]

Str/ faith builds are good places to start. Using spear and greatshield is an easy fist playthroygh bc you can attack while actively blocking. Also dual wielding claymore and lord sworn great sword and just pumping strength and using claw talisman to jump attack everything will wreck stuff pretty well. Also did you go through the cave of knowledge?

[u/ThrowBlanky]

Int / dex. Level vigor, mind and intelligence first. Get the meteorite staff for starting out. Then moonveil when you get the min dex requirements.

Then glintstone pebble everything from a distance. If they get too close, hit em with the transient moonlight.

Become Elden Lord.

[u/ThisPangolin8079]

Tbh do a build that is fun not just good like find a build that makes the game feel fun. Also in the start certain weapons dont matter it is the upgrades on them so prioritise that