In honour of the upcoming Elden Band drop, it's time we took a expect back at some of the virtually fun, overpowered, and wackiest builds in Dark Souls 2. Night Souls two has the most variety of equipment of any Souls title thus far. On meridian of that, Dark Souls 2 does non take a soul-level "cap" like the start or third game in the serial, instead opting for enemies that will stop spawning afterwards 10 kills. Equally a effect, this game can be an incredible outlet for some cleaved builds early on in the game.

Dark Souls 2 is, perhaps, the least appreciated of the Souls titles. Because of this and the immense item pool, many weapons, and armor sets can get unappreciated. Dark Souls 2 has a build for every playstyle and every situation, so scratch that Souls itch and start a new run with one of these fun builds.

Updated March 4, 2022 by Gavin Looker: With Elden Band's contempo release, the gaming world is back in a state of Soulsborne hype. Looking back at Night Souls 2, information technology'south well-regarded as a game with copious customizability options, and then we've added a few more example builds to this list to become your creative juices flowing.

15 Beautiful Butterfly

player wearing Moon Butterfly Set with a rapier in Dark Souls 2

Accept you lot e'er wanted to bring some whimsy to the grim world of Dark Souls? So this is the build for you. The Moon Butterfly gear up tin can exist bought in Majula in NG+. This set will build poison in any enemy that comes too close. Combine this armor with the Spotted Whip, and you can build a very unique insect build.

This build does come with some significant drawbacks. Its helmet can only be obtained on NG+two, and whips are very low harm weapons so this build relies on inflicting poison and evading. As such, enemies that are allowed to poisonous substance will be a huge headache. On the bright side, the wings actually dampen autumn impairment, so function and mode! Beware of Heide's Tower of Flame with this build - the Erstwhile Knights in this area will be immune to poison. Given that this is an early area, these enemies tin certainly provide a headache.

14 The Wall

Invader using Orma and Reeves Greatshields to defeat an opponent in Dark Souls 2

They say the best criminal offense is a skilful defense. Never has that proverb been truer than in this build. Nighttime Souls 2 was known for its revamping of the dual-wielding mechanic, making quite literally any weapon viable in a dual-wielding capacity. Slap ii massive greatshields into this equation and yous accept a recipe for one of the most iconic builds of this title.

Article of clothing the heaviest armor you can tolerate for poise. Then collect both the Reeve and Orma Greatsheilds. Pump Vigor, Vitality, and Force into the character, and ready to literally steamroll whatever enemies in your path. This might even be a proficient build for a beginner. After all, the difficulty of a Souls game is dramatically reduced when zilch can hit yous.

13 Night Magus

A Hex user casting Affinity in Dark Souls 2

More ordinary than the previous builds, only no less effective. Dark sorceries were another innovation for this addition to the Souls saga. Every bit with whatsoever new addition to the series, Dark Magic is sufficiently broken.

Identify l into Intelligence, and 45 into Faith. Dark Magic scales on Organized religion and Intelligence, but on the lower of the 2 stats. A nighttime-infused sunset staff is really all you need to brand this build snowball, and it uses twinkling titanite to reinforce, and so this can be maxed out fairly early.

12 Smelter Arch-Demon

Smelter Demon boss from Dark Souls 2

Any of those who have played through this installment of the Souls series will remember facing downwardly the Smelter Demons, and the headache they inevitably cause. Prove off your mastery of conquering these gigantic foes with this build.

Impale the first Smelter Demon to proceeds access to his armor and sword. Then kill the aged Smelter Demon to access the Aged Smelter Sword. With that washed, pump your Forcefulness to 60. This will allow y'all to effectively dual-wield these massive swords. Dump the rest of your points into vitality and and then into Intelligence if you can afford it, to maximize damage. Note that this build will need a few Fragrant Branches of Yore to become accessible, then make certain you have a few on paw.

11 Gone Clubbing

A strength build where the player wields Great Clubs Dark Souls 2

Night Souls tin can be a punishing experience when enemies tin striking you. Take that claiming away by equipping both the Large Order and the Great Lodge.

This build requires 42 Strength to effectively dual-wield the weapons together. In one case this requirement is met though, gainsay with normal enemies becomes a thing of the past. These ii clubs have unrivaled pancaking capacity, so any mob that dares to arroyo you lot will exist laid flat on their back in no time. Both weapons require titanite to reinforce so gear up to farm!

ten Little Mac

A player beating the Last Giant boss equipped with two caesti. Dark Souls 2

Alive out your fantasy of existence a world-famous boxer with this surprisingly powerful build. This build merely requires two Caestus, so in that location is a lot of room to tweak the damage output to your liking.

To dual-wield Caesti, just 15 Strength is required. This means that all stats tin can be put into Force and Dexterity for maximum physical impairment. Alternatively, if it is adamant that a trivial sting is needed for this build try putting stats into Faith and Intelligence while infusing ane with Anarchy and the other with Magic.

9 Pyromancer

Invader Desert Pyromancer Zoey from Dark Souls 3. Used as reference image for a Pyromancy build in Dark Souls 2

An oldie just a goodie, Pyromancy is 1 of the most powerful and versatile trees in Dark Souls 2. With 24 unique Pyromancies to choose from, this build can exist tailored to farthermost harm or extreme defense based on need. Information technology tin can be refreshing to constantly bandy out spells and techniques, as Night Souls 2 is i of the longest games in the franchise.

Dual-spec 50/50 into Organized religion and Intelligence. Put on the Fire Clutch Ring and the Male monarch'due south Ring, both of which increase your fire damage output. Take the Clear Bluestone Band +2 for a 22 percent spell casting speed bonus. Burn all who oppose you to ash.

8 The True Pursuer

Dark Souls 3 Cinders mod Sacred Chime Hammer from Dark Souls 2 using its weapon art to cast Pursuer Hex

The Purser's ability to merely truly pursue through a single room is disappointing. To combat that, this build can make a player into a truly threatening enemy with pursuit as its theme.

Go your hands on the Sacred Chime Hammer, and the Affinity Hex. The Weapon Art of the hammer and the Hex take the same effect. They produce balls of homing dark energy around the player's caput. Imbue the Sacred Chinkle Hammer with Nighttime to boost the power of its Weapon Fine art, and let your remnants of humanity pursue your foes until the end of time.

7 Barbarian Scholar

a player equipped with the Moonlight Greatsword Dark Souls 2

Magic has always been known to be a powerful offensive medium in Night Souls. But simply pointing and casting at enemies tin can exist a scrap ho-hum. To spice things up put abroad that magic stave and replace it with something a niggling flashier.

Pump strength to 40 and collect the Aged Smelter Demon Sword again. Side by side pump Intelligence to 50 but don't collect whatsoever spells or staves. Instead, get the Moonlight Greatsword, and equip information technology as your off-hand weapon. The Moonlight Greatsword's Weapon fine art is that it shoots powerful magical beams forward. Anytime you'd normally utilise spells, merely utilise the sword's Weapon Art instead.

6 Havel Cosplay

A player wearing Havel's Set in Dark Souls 2

It should be no surprise that Havel's build continues to be i of the greatest since it seems similar a new hero recycles his equipment every g years or so. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery later all.

Collect Havel's set, and pump Strength and Organized religion to 50. Equip your favorite miracles, and infuse Dragon's Tooth with lightning. Finally, set Vitality up loftier enough so that you can motility. It's a simple build, merely Dragon's Molar tin can pancake any enemy that gets close, and lightning miracles can be used to snipe any enemies that are out of accomplish. Not to mention you won't believe the damage this build is capable of once it is completed.

v Bait And Switch

A Dark Souls 2 Player using the Greatsword ultra weapon with Light Armor

Nothing feels quite as good equally beating an opponent with brains rather than brawn. If this sounds similar your play style, effort out this next build. For this i, get your hands on the Shadow Dagger, the Hawkeye Shield, and the biggest "Ultra" form weapon of your choice. The idea with this build is to wear the lightest armor possible and catalyst enemies into attacking you.

Yous can riposte their attacks with the shield, and then follow up with a critical attack for major impairment. Just that's not all this build has upwardly its sleeve. Put the Ultra weapon in the second slot of your master hand after the dagger. Ultra weapons do the highest critical damage in the game, and using the brief riposte frames, switch to the Ultra weapon and really surprise your opponent.

4 Bulldozer

Player using the Shockwave Sorcery in Dark Souls 2 while wearing the Hexer's Hood and using the Staff of Wisdom

Enemies can be an badgerer in Nighttime Souls two, always there to impede progress. This threat tin can be mitigated if the enemies can never get up off of the footing. For this build get the Shockwave and Soul Commodities Sorceries. For your main weapon, you tin can accept any Great Hammer, but we recommend the Smelter Hammer.

The strategy here is fairly simple: Shockwave and Soulbolt knock enemies down when they hit pocket-sized enemies. While the enemies are recovering from their first bonk, follow it up with a strong attack from the Cracking Hammer. This will ensure that enemies can not recover their footing before being squashed.

3 Ultimate Sorcerer

A player using the Soul Vortex Sorcery, wearing the Hexer's Hood and using the Staff of Wisdom

Nighttime Souls teaches u.s.a. that nosotros must e'er honor our history, and so information technology is that we honor Big Hat Logan with this build. Crystal Sorceries are a must, too as other high damage sorceries like Soul Greatsword and Soul Geyser. In order to maximize the harm for this build, get your hands on the Unleash Magic Sorcery, and the Staff of Wisdom.

Though Logan's iconic large lid is not available in this title, there are a few pieces of equipment you tin can observe to imitate his look. The Black Prepare endemic by Straid of Olaphis is a bang-up body armor to imitate Logan'due south Robes. The Astrologist'due south Hat and the Black Witch'south Chapeau are the closest approximation of Logan's Big Chapeau bachelor in the title.

2 Fastest Staff In The W

a player wearing the Lion Mage Set in Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2 actually revamped its sorcery game, and the developers wanted yous to know it. Not only are at that place tons of powerful Hexes and Sorceries in this game, only there is also lots of equipment that can push your build even further.

For this build choose either Dark or normal Sorceries. Side by side, get your hands on the Panthera leo Mage Robe, King of beasts Mage Cuffs, Lion Mage Skirt, Clear Bluestone Ring, and the Blackness Hood. With all of these items equipped, your character will be able to cast spells 46 percent faster. That is unless you tin can find the Clear Bluestone Ring +2, in which instance you tin can cast 86 percent faster. That nearly doubles your casting speed, meaning y'all can become a spamming menace early on in the game.

one Unstoppable Vampire

the Burnt Ivory King from the Dark Souls 2 Crown of the Ivory King DLC

Have the quondam trope of vampires gaining health from those they have killed, and give them that healing constantly. That sounds unstoppable to us, and that is the purpose of this build. This one does require many items from the Crown of the Ivory King DLC, so exist prepared to shell the game at least once before trying this one out.

For this ane, get your easily on the Charred Loyce Shield, The Crown of the Ivory King, and the Ring of Restoration. All of these items together will give you a constant Health regeneration of five and a half HP per second. The Eleum Loyce Curved Sword from the same DLC will heal you when you hit enemies with stiff attacks. Use these items in conjunction with the Resplendent Life and Warmth Miracles, and you lot should never have to worry near using Estus Flasks once again.

Next:Dark Souls 2: Subconscious Bosses You Likely Missed

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