Fashion, minmax, or naked? Your armor preferences

[CazadorDeLobo]

What takes priority on your current playthrough/character?

I was loving the Bull-Goat armor pieces, but have decided to try Blue Dancer Charm for late game stuff. Combined with the two "Full HP Atk/Def boost" talismans, armor no longer interests me.

Maybe in 200 levels... nah naked is the way for me now.

[MJ]

Fashion always.

[EF_Neo1st]

It all depend on what I want at the moment.

Quoting my message at the other topic:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1245620/discussions/0/5294572213368706997/

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

...

Here I changed 2 talismans to increase my holy dmg (but I reduce my defenses) and to increase dmg if I have low HP (but it opens me to be 1shot by anything):
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2887890793
(but look at the dmg, from 881 with 1H at each to 1326 with 1H at each, jump attack go from some 1100~1600 to 1900~2600 depending on enemy defenses, without jump attack talisman)
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2887890814

...

In case I run a max dmg I will also be 1shot everywhere so "armor" is merely cosmetics, but I will aim to remain at light weight (what, for 99 END is not that hard).
So yes, the dodge talisman can be a good addition as you may get 1shot anyway if you get hit, makes no sense to wear armor or defensive talismans (tho at the post there I was, my base defenses are already high but I would still get 1shot anyway, tho the dodge talisman would mean I lose an "extra dmg" slot, it could be worth the dodge benefit in case I decide to go for that.

What can also be good is to use the "extra dmg if you have full HP" talisman and avoid getting hit at all costs, the dmg wil not be that big but you have some survivability.

Still I had been playing like that for a good time too:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2877720914
And I was going PvP at Main Academy Gate with similar talisman combination going dual Thorned Whip or Veteran's Prosthesis + Grafted Dragon, it was fun.

[Argonaut]

Fashion until I run into some cringemaxxer with a youtube build spamming emotes. Then they learn the hard way that it was just the gear and not them.

[Dragonirian]

If competitive dueling - 71 poise minimum fashion.
Regular gameplay and invading - fashion and crab.

[FIRE]

Fashion is always the priority for me. I got good enough by now to be able to play the game naked with no issues so I don't really care about stats.

Especially now that light roll is actually really good.

[ProestUnicorn]

Fashion > minmax, also naked is fashion too!

[DayLight1943]

on a meta build i usually choose the poise breakpoint i want to reach(usually 88, at least 71), and then choose armor for fashion that meets that breakpoint. i dont fully optimize my armor, but i limit my fashion choices to armor that when combined meets the poise breakpoint im looking for, which means im usually always wasting a few points of endurance and/or have lower absorption than my build has the potential for.

on lower level builds, ill generally prioritize fashion much more than a meta build. usually i choose a helm/chest for fashion, and then i look thru the heaviest/highest poise legs/gauntlets - if something like bullgoat legs or vets gauntlets pushes me to an important poise breakpoint and dont look silly with the helm/chest ive chosen, ill use that, and if im not going to meet any important breakpoints either way, ill choose whatever legs/gauntlets that fit with my fashion and have higher defensive stats.

[Xengre]

naked, but I haven't found my trusty fashionable loincloth of DS3 here :(

if I were intending to coop or pvp and actually level past level 1, though, my usual is fashion even if it means sacrificing ring slots and stuff (such as removing color aura both coop and invading), but min-maxing stat points at least (notably vigor, or some other very intentional niche build)

[Sabaithal]

Fashion + function. Because if I can have both, why choose?

[WhiteMamba]

Fashion 100%. I want my character to feel unique and its impossible with the most overused gear and ashes of war in the game. My stats are also all over the place cause I'd rather have a wider choice of cool weapons than extra 200 health (not recomended). I think it makes your experience much more enjoyable when you get to truly make your build without looking at numbers, the build that you won't find any lame youtuber to be using. On pvp side having my fashion puts me at a great disadvantage against quick high poise dmg weapons (2h rapiers and heavy rapiers, naginata, pike), but nothing I can't really beat.

[Songbird]

Minmax. In all the soulslike games I played heavy armor, big shield and slow weapon.

Elden Ring has a great armor and negation system. You can quickly outpoise the little enemies and bosses hit like wet noodles stacking heavy armor, talismans and buff spells.

Also you can get the same unbreakable shields like in DS 2 and 3. DS 1 was probably the only game were I had to dodge one or two attacks, after the Iron Flesh nerf.

Nowadays I only dodge to break barrels. :S

[vaanomega]

I'm generaly in between Fashion and Min-Maxed gear for PvE
Or may i say, i use a Min-Maxed fashion

But for PvP, only Fashion

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by Songbird:

Minmax. In all the soulslike games I played heavy armor, big shield and slow weapon.

Elden Ring has a great armor and negation system. You can quickly outpoise the little enemies and bosses hit like wet noodles stacking heavy armor, talismans and buff spells.

Also you can get the same unbreakable shields like in DS 2 and 3. DS 1 was probably the only game were I had to dodge one or two attacks, after the Iron Flesh nerf.

Nowadays I only dodge to break barrels. :S

I dont know what is to use a shield other than rare occasions that I weant to test it since Abyss Watchers at my first run at DS3 (that was my first souls game).

Dodge is life, you dont need to care about HP or defenses if you just dont get hit but some depenses in case you get hit help

[Sabaithal]

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

I dont know what is to use a shield other than rare occasions that I weant to test it since Abyss Watchers at my first run at DS3 (that was my first souls game).

Dodge is life, you dont need to care about HP or defenses if you just dont get hit but some depenses in case you get hit help

If your damage mitigation and vigor are high enough you don't even need to do that, especially if you abuse regen spells/items. Just grab a giant weapon and charge at the enemy without mercy, most enemies won't be able to do jack to you.

[CazadorDeLobo]

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

Originally posted by Songbird:

Minmax. In all the soulslike games I played heavy armor, big shield and slow weapon.

Elden Ring has a great armor and negation system. You can quickly outpoise the little enemies and bosses hit like wet noodles stacking heavy armor, talismans and buff spells.

Also you can get the same unbreakable shields like in DS 2 and 3. DS 1 was probably the only game were I had to dodge one or two attacks, after the Iron Flesh nerf.

Nowadays I only dodge to break barrels. :S

I dont know what is to use a shield other than rare occasions that I weant to test it since Abyss Watchers at my first run at DS3 (that was my first souls game).

Dodge is life, you dont need to care about HP or defenses if you just dont get hit but some depenses in case you get hit help

HP is a learning tool - without it, learning to "just dodge" will be misery