Best build to minimize need for dodge rolling

[Spooky Bunyip]

I love the world of this game and I like exploring it. However, in combat, I don't enjoy flopping around in the dirt like a seizing worm.

What would be the best build for me to minimize the dodge rolling I have to do?

[Mikamus]

Fingerprint shield. Never roll again.

[Sabaithal]

- Any greatshield
- Any greatsword/greatspear

Stagger most enemies with your normal attacks, and block anything you can't. Rolling is only really needed for grab attacks.

When it comes to shields the higher "guard boost" rating, the better (you take less stamina damage when blocking, and yes, the rating goes up if you upgrade the shield).

Prior to getting the stats for a greatshield, go for the "brass shield" medium. Kill any godrick soldiers with it and it has a chance to drop.

[Greywander]

Just to be clear, you weren't fat rolling were you? Get your equip load at least down to medium (under 70%) and see if the rolling is more appealing. Fat rolling is terrible and not a fun way to play the game.

Otherwise, greatshields are the way to go if you don't want to roll. There are a number of good options for weapons to pair with a greatshield depending on what you want to go for.

If you want to lean into guard counters, a great or colossal hammer is probably your best option. These do more than 40 stance damage on a guard counter, meaning you can stun most bosses in two or three counters. Giant Crusher is probably the strongest hammer, and can be obtained pretty early if you know where to find it. Great Stars can be obtained just as early and has both bleed buildup and a healing on hit effect, nice for keeping yourself topped off during exploration, and might on occasion give you enough extra HP to survive one more hit against a boss.

Alternatively, spears and thrusting swords can poke without dropping your block. This does come at a considerable penalty to guard boost during the attack, so keep that in mind. Pike has the longest reach, Cross-Naginata has bleed, Antspur Rapier inflicts scarlet rot. Serpent-Hunter is supposed to be really strong on STR builds, though I'm not sure how it actually compares.

You can also jump over some attacks, and some attacks can be parried. The reason why rolling is so popular is because it works on almost everything, whereas jumping and parrying only work against certain attacks. Blocking in theory works against everything, only some attack combos are long enough that they'll deplete your stamina if you try to block them, and Malenia in particular heals herself every time she hits you, even if you block it. Just some things to keep in mind.

[LuckyCheshire]

If you want to go more high risk/high reward, you can try a parry and crit build. Get a shield with Golden Parry or Carian Retaliation (not the basic Parry, it's terrible), counter, then critical hit optimally with a weapon with a high crit multiplier. The Misericorde has the highest in the game, but iirc it's a little while until you can get it. It's extremely effective against most enemies, but you may have some trouble trying that against some bosses. Crucible Knights basically just melt in front of you though.

[Humpenstilzchen]

Greatshield guard counter build is pretty relaxed. With a good shield with high guard boost, the greatshield talisman, turtle talsiman for faster stamina recovery, scholars shield spell casted on the shield for tougher enemies and some decent stamina which you´ll have anyway since you will have to invest into endurance you can tank pretty much everything and don´t have to roll around and bother with all the delayed attack timings.

[Toast]

Originally posted by Mikamus:

Fingerprint shield. Never roll again.

This⬆️,

Run a brass shield, until you get the giant fire breathing face thing, then fingerprint. only time it doesn’t work, is against Malenia. That’s only because, she likes to heal herself. I think ds2 was the only game, where blocking wasn’t worth it. Lots of bosses attacked with multiple elements.

[Mr.America]

Greatshield with no skill on it and blood stars with prayerfull strike. Vigor endurance mind and strength, you will never ever die again. or have to roll.

[AstinDextor]

Uh, spells. Blast away at range while your ash summons tank for you.

[Makiya Kasunri]

fingerprint shield though a certain late game boss (though optional) heals on hit even 100% blocked damage

[causality]

Originally posted by Spooky Bunyip:

I love the world of this game and I like exploring it. However, in combat, I don't enjoy flopping around in the dirt like a seizing worm.

What would be the best build for me to minimize the dodge rolling I have to do?

Bloodborne or quickstep.