Best Strength Builds In Dark Souls 3

Those seeking to dominate their enemies at close range often focus on either Dexterity or Strength, the latter of which is used to wield some of the hugest and heaviest weapons in Dark Souls 3. Builds that focus on this stat prioritize maximizing damage output, though often in the bluntest and most straightforward manners.

Over the years since this incredible dark fantasy action RPG was released, players have been finding increasingly novel ways to utilize the Strength stat for the best builds possible in Dark Souls 3. Some of which can be recreated with some insight into their stats, equipment, and concept.

Updated on November 26, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman: The concepts behind a lot of these Strength builds can be used fairly easily in Dark Souls 3 PvE as well. The AI in the main game, albeit with a few exceptions, can be outsmarted and outmaneuvered by players. Alternatively, players can out-poise enemies as well with brute force tactics that boil down to essentially hitting things really hard with a mass of metal. These kinds of Strength-oriented tactics are often quite satisfying and empowering, making such builds appeal to many gamers.

5 Efficient Strength

Build Overview

This build aims to perform all the basic maneuvers that Strength builds are capable of, though with a streamlined plan that can be altered as needed, such as splitting up the points invested in Faith with Intelligence for pyromancies instead of miracles.

The goal of this best Strength build in Dark Souls 3 is to hit foes hard at close range while poising through their attacks to stagger and maybe stun-lock them or using spells to pressure them from further away. Nothing ground-breaking, but none can deny this Greatsword-using build is a reliable one.

PVP Tips

The biggest counter to this build is dark-type magic, as Morne's Set does not possess the greatest damage reduction against this element.

This means that players will be susceptible to dark sorceries and dark miracles, however, those who are using the Faith variant of this build should be able to deal with these kinds of threats better than Intelligence-focused ones.

PVE Tips

A balance between melee attacks and spells will be important for those using this build. While it will be tempting to cleave enemies apart solely using the Greatsword, players could get more damage out of each swing if they use a spell to buff their weapon. Since PvE enemies don't really plan their attacks, players should be able to out-think them in any situation.

Stats

Souls Level: 120
Vigor: 27
Attunement: 14
Endurance: 30
Vitality: 37
Strength: 50
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 8 (30 if using pyromancies)
Faith: 30 (8 if using pyromancies)
Luck: 11

Equipment

Right Hand: Heavy Greatsword +10
Left Hand: Simple Small Leather Shield +10 (& Talisman +10 or Pyromancy Flame +10)
Head: Morne's Helm
Chest: Morne's Armor
Hands: Morne's Gauntlets
Legs: Morne's Leggings
Ring 1: Havel's Ring
Ring 2: Ring of Favor
Ring 3: Prisoner's Chain
Ring 4: Knight's Ring

4 Pure Strength Tank

build using a zweihander and yhorm's greatshield.

Build Overview

Players seeking the ability to poise through nearly anything should try out this tanky approach to DS3's combat. Utilizing the bonus poise granted by equipping Yhorm's Greatshield, the plan is to go hit-for-hit in damage trades and come out on top while forcing the foe to back off, allowing one to keep applying pressure.

The Zweihander is the weapon that the creator of this build, Youtuber Crozyn, uses, however, Yhorm's Great Machete would not be a bad choice either.

PVP Tips

As with many other DS3 Strength builds, one of the biggest weaknesses of this one is the slow attack speed, however, this can be compensated by outthinking the opponent. It's unlikely that one will be able to land a clean hit on the enemy when swinging wildly, so make sure to lure them in with a feint of some sort so that they begin attacking.

With a setup like this, taking melee hits is actually a good thing as it will temporarily keep the foe in place long enough to land that first crucial hit, which can be followed up with others as the adversary is stun-locked.

PVE Tips

With the huge amount of poise that one gains from wielding Yhorm's Greatshield, players will be able to trade attacks with enemies much larger than them. This will often mean taking damage, so be sure to have some sort of healing option ready. Time one's Estus Flask uses appropriately to keep up the momentum.

Stats

Souls Level: 120
Vigor: 42
Attunement: 10
Endurance: 35
Vitality: 35
Strength: 50
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 9
Luck: 7

Equipment

Right Hand: Heavy Zweihander +10
Left Hand: Yhorm's Greatshield +5
Head: Black Iron Helm
Chest: Black Iron Armor
Hands: Fallen Knight Gauntlets
Legs: Northern Trousers
Ring 1: Life Ring
Ring 2: Cloranthy Ring
Ring 3: Ring of Favor
Ring 4: Havel's Ring

3 Black Knight Greataxe

player in black knight armor holding a black greataxe.

Build Overview

Here's one that fans of the lore will appreciate, as it aims to use one of the heftier black knight weapons to not only stagger and stun-lock foes but to do so with arguably the best moveset out of any greataxe. The greater than average poise health and poise damage grants wielders of the Black Knight Greataxe the ability to trade blows optimally.

Using some rings to boost one's stats for greater scaling bonuses adds to this build's viability, especially if the player includes some parries and damage-boosted ripostes.

PVP Tips

Much like how the black knights hunted and felled foes much greater in size than themselves, the Black Knight Greataxe is arguably the best DS3 Strength build weapon to use against other great weapons if one wants to beat them at their own game.

The greater poise health and damage enhance the aggressive moveset, especially the one-handed strong attack that can flatten foes similar to what a great hammer can do as well as the fully charged two-handed strong attack that can launch players into the air.

PVE Tips

Similar to other Strength weapons mentioned, the Black Knight Greataxe is another solid choice for those who want to out-poise enemies in combat and trade big hits. The innate poise health combined with the powerful leaping attack and the mighty two-handed charged heavy attack can allow players to dominate many kinds of enemies in-game.

Stats

Souls Level: 120
Vigor: 40
Attunement: 10
Endurance: 40
Vitality: 30
Strength: 50
Dexterity: 27
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 9
Luck: 7

Equipment

Right Hand: Black Knight Greataxe +5
Left Hand: Small Leather Shield +10
Head: Black Knight Helm
Chest: Black Knight Armor
Hands: Black Knight Gauntlets
Legs: Black Knight Leggings
Ring 1: Carthus Milkring
Ring 2: Hornet Ring
Ring 3: Hunter's Ring
Ring 4: Knight's Ring

2 Ledo's OP Strength

player using ledo's great hammer in a strength build.

Build Overview

As this weapon requires the wielder to possess 60 Strength to even be used, this build, by Youtuber Games 4 Days, that focuses on using Ledo's Great Hammer will require players to put even more points into this desirable melee stat.

The extra points are worth it, as this build can demolish a great variety of foes at close range thanks to the great hammer's devastating weapon skill, Call to Stone, which essentially turns the player into a living wrecking ball for a few seconds.

PVP Tips

Since Ledo's Greathammer is relatively short, it does not have the best reach with its regular attacks, however, this can be used to one's advantage.

Enemies who acclimatize to this great hammer's range will likely become more and more confident as a duel progresses, though, players can surprise too-close foes with the weapon skill that has a surprisingly far reach and can stun enemies who panic and mistime their dodge rolls. If the player has enough stamina left, they can follow up their Call to Stone attack with regular strikes for an insane and deadly combo.

PVE Tips

Call to Stone is a fun weapon skill to spam, as it always gets satisfying results against most common enemies. Players can clear paths through crowds of weaker foes in singular swings of this great hammer. Furthermore, even bigger adversaries will get stunned on occasion by impacts made by Ledo's Great Hammer. As such, this is a great choice for those seeking a heavy-hitting DS3 Strength build.

Stats

Souls Level: 125
Vigor: 45
Attunement: 10
Endurance: 45
Vitality: 32
Strength: 60
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 9
Faith: 9
Luck: 7

Equipment

Right Hand: Ledo's Great Hammer +5
Left Hand: Caestus +10
Head: Helm of Thorns
Chest: Harald Legion Armor
Hands: Black Witch Wrappings
Legs: Morne's Leggings
Ring 1: Ring of Favor
Ring 2: Wolf Ring
Ring 3: Prisoner's Chain
Ring 4: Havel's Ring

1 Strength & Faith Greataxe

Players seeking a Strength build requiring less raw power and brute force should put some points into Faith, though not for lightning-base ranged miracles. Using the Lightning Blade miracle to buff one's weapon with lightning damage so that even foes with great physical defense won't be able to get off light from damage trades.

This is a relatively simple tactic that has many variants, though, the reason for this is because it is a tried and true method of taking enemies out in both PvE and PvP.

PVP Tips

Flexibility is what makes this one of the best Strength builds in Dark Souls 3, as being able to hit hard, parry, and deal with incoming spells essentially sets one up to deal with any kind of foe save crazy niche ones or the occasionally one-shot builds.

Observe one's opponent to see whether they plan to utilize ranged or melee attacks and then act accordingly: for ranged foes, chase them down and don't give them time to cast spells by making use of running and jumping attacks, though, for melee threats, one should be a bit more cautious and maybe mix in a parry attempt between repeatedly bringing down one's Greataxe upon the enemy's skull.

PVE Tips

Having access to miracles is always convenient, as there are plenty of healing and buff spells that players can make use of in combination with their main weapon. Being capable of doing lightning damage will also make things easier, as there are many kinds of enemies that are weak to this element. Between that and the physical power of one's Greataxe, there shouldn't be anything that can stand in the player's way with this build.