Quality Build Advice [Answered]

Edit: The final build - http://mmdks.com/3io9 (-3 vitality to hit 122 to gravelord 100s)

So this is the build I'm currently using:

http://mmdks.com/3hvh

Now I have no hope at running this build at 16 poise so there's no possibility of changing rings (like for leo). I was considering doing something more like this build:

http://mmdks.com/3hvk

The obvious benefit is 76 poise with wolf and over 32 without. Disadvantages are dropping from 40 to 28 str, having to go to 125 (no co-op or red sign with 100, I'm on PC) and having to wear the mother's mask to get over 1500 hp.

Advice? Alternatives?

ScottyDoesKnow wrote:So this is the build I'm currently using:

http://mmdks.com/3hvh

Now I have no hope at running this build at 16 poise so there's no possibility of changing rings (like for leo). I was considering doing something more like this build:

http://mmdks.com/3hvk

The obvious benefit is 76 poise with wolf and over 32 without. Disadvantages are dropping from 40 to 28 str, having to go to 125 (no co-op or red sign with 100, I'm on PC) and having to wear the mother's mask to get over 1500 hp.

Advice? Alternatives?

The second is better, i would use rofap not havels, make vit 50 and end 50.

robsthedon wrote:
The second is better, i would use  rofap not havels, make vit 50 and end 50.

Those changes put me to midroll though.

ScottyDoesKnow wrote:

robsthedon wrote:
The second is better, i would use  rofap not havels, make vit 50 and end 50.

Those changes put me to midroll though.

Change the armour

More physical defense, same poise, mother mask on 40/40:

http://mmdks.com/3hwj

Honestly, I haven't done a 40/40 build in a while since I personally find it's not worth it. There are several very good weapons that could benefit from the 40 strength but all of them weigh so much you'd have to pour another 8-10 points into endurance just to be able to use them & fast roll.

I'd drop it to a 28/40 build. Across the span of 6-7 quality builds the only "big" weapons that I'd found were worth it were the Zweihander (or greatsword) and the Murakumo. This isn't counting claymores/the OGS/etc since I don't consider them BIG.

http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=292638952778876190 this is my primary quality build. It's 50% fun, 25% looks and 25% functionality but it's certainly viable. The 45 dex isn't a necessity, I just do it because I love muh pyros and the difference in casting speed between 40 and 45 dex has saved my life multiple times.

Honestly, I agree with you that very low poise is borderline impossible to run, so I keep the wolf ring on most of the time. I have gotten pretty good at menu swapping though so I keep the red tearstone directly above and the DWGR directly below in my inventory. Red tearstone is for those epic last stand kills, DWGR is for getting the bajeezus away from spawncamping gankers.

TheMeInTeam wrote:More physical defense, same poise, mother mask on 40/40:

http://mmdks.com/3hwj

 I believe he wants something he can effectively Ringswap on.

http://mmdks.com/3hyy This is what I could muster.
+Decent HP without Mother's Mask 
+Complete Freedom of secondary ring choice
+Looks alright in game.
-Low defenses (Elementals are pretty good though)

kazumoshi wrote:

TheMeInTeam wrote:More physical defense, same poise, mother mask on 40/40:

http://mmdks.com/3hwj

 I believe he wants something he can effectively Ringswap on.

http://mmdks.com/3hyy This is what I could muster.
+Decent HP without Mother's Mask 
+Complete Freedom of secondary ring choice
+Looks alright in game.
-Low defenses (Elementals are pretty good though)

Lol.

If you're going to pull FaP, he could just use my build w/o it and have over 40 poise.

http://mmdks.com/3hz7

Barely less defense and 20 less hp.  If he were to alter his stats he could easily have more, too.  You snuck 5 points into endurance, a lot into vitality, pulled str and even an attunement slot.  If I get to do that, I can make it more ridiculous:

http://mmdks.com/3hz9

OminousSquaffle wrote:Honestly, I haven't done a 40/40 build in a while since I personally find it's not worth it. There are several very good weapons that could benefit from the 40 strength but all of them weigh so much you'd have to pour another 8-10 points into endurance just to be able to use them & fast roll.

I'd drop it to a 28/40 build. Across the span of 6-7 quality builds the only "big" weapons that I'd found were worth it were the Zweihander (or greatsword) and the Murakumo. This isn't counting claymores/the OGS/etc since I don't consider them BIG.

http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=292638952778876190 this is my primary quality build. It's 50% fun, 25% looks and 25% functionality but it's certainly viable. The 45 dex isn't a necessity, I just do it because I love muh pyros and the difference in casting speed between 40 and 45 dex has saved my life multiple times.

Honestly, I agree with you that very low poise is borderline impossible to run, so I keep the wolf ring on most of the time. I have gotten pretty good at menu swapping though so I keep the red tearstone directly above and the DWGR directly below in my inventory. Red tearstone is for those epic last stand kills, DWGR is for getting the bajeezus away from spawncamping gankers.

Ya, once I "converted" it to mine by changing the equipment, it seems like a very similar build. Just take the 12 points out of strength and put them into more health and pyro. I'm actually thinking of moving away from the pyro and swapping for a composite bow. Nice build though.

Potential composite: http://mmdks.com/3hzr

It makes me really want to be able to swap for leo, cause it'd be useful on all the weapons.

kazumoshi wrote: I believe he wants something he can effectively Ringswap on.

http://mmdks.com/3hyy This is what I could muster.
+Decent HP without Mother's Mask 
+Complete Freedom of secondary ring choice
+Looks alright in game.
-Low defenses (Elementals are pretty good though)

Very nice, I played fashion souls with it a bit and got this: http://mmdks.com/3hzt

No worries about defence, they're all better than my second build. It annoys me that it's just under 1500 but I'll take a look at it in game and see if I like the look.

I do love the possibility of putting in leo ring with the composite bow, cause now it'll work for all three weapons. And now with wolf I'd break 76 which is great. This is what I'm leaning towards if I like the look enough.

TheMeInTeam wrote:Lol.

If you're going to pull FaP, he could just use my build w/o it and have over 40 poise.

http://mmdks.com/3hz7

Barely less defense and 20 less hp.  If he were to alter his stats he could easily have more, too.  You snuck 5 points into endurance, a lot into vitality, pulled str and even an attunement slot.  If I get to do that, I can make it more ridiculous:

http://mmdks.com/3hz9

I didn't really mention it in the first post, but I very much play fashion souls. So I can't do waistcloth and try to avoid mother mask if possible, though I can just barely accept it if it matches well (like the dark armor/favor gauntlets/knight leggings setup).

I'd also like to leave wolf ring out if I'm dropping below 56 (maybe 53). Ideal is 36 with a ring slot open so I can go to 76 if I'm not swapping rings.

Of course thanks for taking the time though.

OK just checked and unfortunately iron leggings are disgusting looking with no shirt. Nearest alternative, but HP is starting to suffer:

http://mmdks.com/3hzy

TheMeInTeam wrote:
Lol.

If you're going to pull FaP, he could just use my build w/o it and have over 40 poise.

http://mmdks.com/3hz7

Barely less defense and 20 less hp.  If he were to alter his stats he could easily have more, too.  You snuck 5 points into endurance, a lot into vitality, pulled str and even an attunement slot.  If I get to do that, I can make it more ridiculous:

http://mmdks.com/3hz9

Your Build caps its poise at 47. Mine can go up to 76. I also only put the two points into attunement because they had no other place to go that left me with a well rounded number. (30 strength would have been rather pointless). Fire surge is an incredibly good spell for finishing off opponents anyways. I don't see how your build is any better than mine, especially seeing as you have more points put into attunement, practically turning it into a Quality Pyro.

 PS Scotty, You can switch back to the iron legs+Havel's gauntlets and use the black sorcerer's cloak to cover up the not so great part of the pants. Just go without headgear.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I remember I liked the look of the elite helm with no shirt, and figured out that elite helm + havels gauntlets = 36 poise. So here's the "final" build:

http://mmdks.com/3io9

Unfortunately to gravelord 100s (I'm on PC) I have to drop down to 122, so I've just taken 3 out of vitality for now (1458hp). I know I could drop the attunement and one endurance, but I like having the one slot (fire surge/greatlord greatsword dance/power within for PvE) and the endurance gives me a clean 15 weight of weapons + dark hand. If only there was more 125 on PC.