Despite fan criticisms for its PvE content, Dark Souls 2 has unquestionably the best PvP content the series has seen. The game's wide range of weapons, spells, and the inclusion of power stancing allowed for builds and metas that were not possible in any other Dark Souls title.
Variety is the spice of life in Dark Souls 2. With its forgiving respec system and mountains of items to find, making any build is easy to do. Most players stick with a soul level of 150 for PvP, but that is more than enough to make a strong build. Here are ten great PvP builds in Dark Souls 2 that players should try. This list is in no particular order.
Updated January 27th, 2021 by Charles Burgar: Creating a build in Dark Souls 2 can be somewhat confusing. Having to manage the clunky Adaptability stat, four ring slots, weapon infusions, and determining what items to use can be a massive headache. To make following these builds easier, each entry has been given a synopsis detailing key stats and gear that players should focus on. Happy hunting!
10 Quality Build
Dark Souls 2 has a vast array of weapons and armor to choose from, making it difficult for some players to stick with a build. While players can respec using Soul Vessels, sticking with one build can be more time and resource-efficient.
Quality builds are great for people in this situation. Upgrade the dexterity and strength stats to 40, then upgrade vigor, adaptability, and endurance to preference. This will allow players to use virtually any weapon in the game with little downsides. Players will miss out on a small amount of damage on A or S-scaling gear, but the versatility allows this build to use virtually anything while staying competitive in PvP.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Knight
- Strength: 40
- Dexterity: 40
Gear
- Weapon: Any weapon
- Rings: Third Dragon Ring, Ring of Blades +2, two additional rings based on preference
9 Paladin
Faith wasn't always a terrible stat to invest in like it is in Dark Souls 3. In fact, Dark Souls 2's miracles are fantastic even after the nerfs they received post-launch. Using them in conjunction with high strength gear is a blast to use in PvP.
Upgrade the faith and strength stats to 40 so most weapons and Miracles are usable. Upgrading the vigor stat to 40 is also a good idea. From there, use the Priest's Chime to cast miracles, and use a strength weapon based on preference. Most use the Defender Greatsword, but a Lightning infusion on any strength weapon is solid. Run Sacred Oath for a sizable damage and survivability boost in combat. Great Heals can be cast when combat gets dicey. Run any rings that cover weaknesses in this build or playstyle.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Knight
- Strength: 40
- Faith: 40
Gear
- Weapon: Defender Greatsword, Sun Sword
- Catalyst: Priest's Chime
- Spells: Sacred Oath, Great Heal
- Rings: Third Dragon Ring, Chloranthy Ring +2, two additional rings based on preference
8 Power Stancing Greatswords
Besides a few weapons in Dark Souls 3, there are few opportunities to wield two greatswords at once with a unique moveset. With Dark Souls 2's power stance system, this is easy to do.
This is best done with the vanilla Greatsword, although the Zweihander is also a great option. Players will need 42 strength and 15 dexterity to power stance two Greatswords at once. The payoff is massive, instantly breaking poise with each swing while allowing for powerful thrusting heavy attacks. It's as silly as it is fun.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Knight or Deprived
- Strength: 60
- Dexterity: 15
- Endurance: 30-40, based on preference
Gear
- Weapon: Two Greatswords or Zweihanders
- Rings: Third Dragon Ring, three additional rings based on preference
7 Hex Crypt Blacksword
For those who want to shut down opponents in a single backstab or two swings, using a Dark Crypt Blacksword is the way to go. While slow and predictable, skilled players that can bait attacks will see massive payoff with this build.
Upgrade the faith and intelligence stats in equal measure, preferably up to 45. From there, get the strength stat to 40 so the Crypt Blacksword can be proficiently used. Invest any remaining levels to increase health, stamina, and adaptability to gain I-frames while rolling. When infused with the Dark Sword Hex, this weapon can easily reach over 1,000 attack rating! Use an offhand weapon to bait the enemy into deadly situations before swinging this monster to seal their fate.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Deprived
- Faith: 45
- Intelligence: 45
- Strength: 40
Gear
- Weapon: Crypt Blacksword with Dark Infusion
- Catalyst: Witchtree Branch
- Spells: Dark Weapon, Resonant Weapon
- Rings: Third Dragon Ring, Chloranthy Ring +2, Dark Clutch Ring, one ring based on preference
6 Kung Fu Master
Fist weapons are nothing new for the Souls series, but none come close to the Bone Fist from Dark Souls 2. This weapon infuses its wielder with immense strength that is well suited for PvP.
With an S scaling in strength and an A scaling in dexterity, the Bone Fists are devastating when used with either a quality build or one focused on strength. Better yet, obtain two of these and power stance them. Players will need 45 dexterity and 22 strength to do so, but the reward is rapid punches that grant Greatsword-levels of poise and the ability to fire projectiles! It knocks targets off their feet, giving players time to close the gap. Punching enemies to death has never been more stylish.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Warrior or Knight
- Dexterity: 45
- Strength: 22
Gear
- Weapon: Two Bone Fists
- Rings: Stone Ring, Ring of Blades, two rings based on preference
5 Ice Rapier Sorcerer
Sorcerers rely on medium to long-range spells to take down opponents, but it isn't always possible to maintain that distance. In these instances, the Ice Rapier is a savior.
Spec for a typical Sorcerer build, investing heavily in intelligence, attunement, and vigor for good measure. Players should have around 60 intelligence. From there, infuse the Ice Rapier with Magic. This weapon deals subpar damage on its own, but its strong attack fires a Soul Spear projectile. When used at melee range, the blade and spell will both damage the target to sometimes one-shot opponents. With Crystal Soulmasses at the ready, players can kill most opponents in a few seconds.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Sorcerer
- Intelligence: 60
- Vigor: 40
Gear
- Weapon: Ice Rapier with Magic Infusion
- Catalyst: Staff of Wisdom
- Spells: Soul Spear, Homing Crystal Soul Mass
- Rings: Bracing Knuckle Ring +2, Sorcery Clutch Ring, two rings based on preference
4 Dedicated Hexer
Hexes are a new form of spellcasting in Dark Souls 2 that involves using twisted spells or souls themselves to create strong effects. Making a dedicated hexer isn't a bad idea due to their versatility.
Since Dark damage scales based on a player's lowest stat in intelligence of faith, both should be upgraded to 60. The Black Witch's Staff is the best choice since it can cast all spell types. Affinity is great as a Soulmass alternative, Dark Greatsword is great for zoning, Promised Walk of Peace will make landing Hexes a breeze since enemies can only walk, and Scraps of Life is downright overpowered in small arenas like the Iron Keep bridge.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Sorcerer or Deprived
- Faith: 60
- Intelligence: 60
Gear
- Catalyst: Black Witch's Staff
- Spells: Affinity, Dark Greatsword, Promised Walk of Peace, Scraps of Life
- Rings: Sage Ring, Dark Clutch Ring, two rings based on preference
3 Chaos Rapier Pyromancer
There are better options for dealing fire damage with a weapon, but a non-infused Chaos Rapier allows for solid damage output in-between powerful pyromancies.
Using Charcoal Resin or Flame Weapon is a good substitute for not infusing it. Infusing this weapon will reduce its physical damage significantly, so it's ill-advised. Like Dark builds, upgrade the intelligence and faith stats to at least 30 while increasing main stats as needed. For pyromanices, Warmth is a life-saver in tough encounters. while Flame Swathe and Lingering Flame can give players time to breathe. Forbidden Sun and Toxic Mist are fantastic for ruining an opponent's day.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Deprived
- Intelligence: 30
- Faith: 30
- Dexterity: 30
Gear
- Weapon: Chaos Rapier
- Catalyst: Pyromancy Flame
- Spells: Warmth, Flame Swathe, Lingering Flame, Forbidden Sun
- Rings: Sage Ring, Chloranthy Ring +2, two rings based on preference
2 Red Iron Twinblade
Slicing and dicing opponents is incredibly fun to do while using any Twinblade. For PvP, obtain a Red Iron Twinblade, upgrade the strength stat, and prepare to go to town on players.
Strength should be upgraded to at least 40, although 60 will grant more damage. From there, invest levels into vigor and endurance to allow for many chain attacks. This weapon will then deal a massive amount of damage in a wide area with each strike. If the Stone Ring is equipped, this can stunlock players with low poise to death. Infusing this weapon is only worth for hex or sorcerery-heavy builds.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Warrior or Knight
- Strength: 60
- Dexterity: 20
Gear
- Weapon: Red Iron Twinblade
- Rings: Stone Ring, Ring of Blades, Chloranthy Ring +2, Third Dragon Ring
1 Straight Sword/Katana Build
Most games have their strongest items be the most exotic or rarest items. Not Dark Souls 2. No weapon can match the effectiveness of a Longsword or any katana.
The scaling on these weapons seem low at first glance, but Dark Souls 2 gives plenty of options to scale weapons. To deal elemental damage, run a quality build with an additional 30 points into intelligence and faith, then infuse any high AR sword with a perfect moveset. As for katanas, most are best suited for dexterity builds with 40 to 60 dexterity. Their movesets are too good to pass up, hence why many players swear that Dark Souls 2's Longsword and Katanas are the best weapons in the series for PvP.
Class And Important Stats
- Starting Class: Deprived
- Choose strength or dexterity: 40
- If running intelligence or faith: 30 for either
Gear
- Weapon: Longsword or Blacksteel Katana
- Rings: Preference