Most common build you use for PVE?

[Doomoo]

I almost always try to do just dagger or rapier but by the end of the run when enemies are mostly too big to backstab i resort to strength build. I've played this game like 1000+ hours across all systems and i've never done a purely mage or divine build

[hone]

I prefer to use Estoc / Balder Side Sword + magic for damage boost, also the Elite Knight armor set, because it looks gorgeous and provides good poise. Rings are Favor and Protection + Havel's / Silver Knight Serpant for bosses.

[MMB]

Claymore just out of laziness, nailed club for sl lvl 1, last 2 runs have went for Dragon great sword straight off with a load of repair powder and just nuke everything, keep meaning to do a regen build which was a goto in Dem Souls. Magic is good in Dark Souls its casting time is slow and deliberate and feels good.

[76561198006416723]

elite knight armor + long sword + medium shield

[NightmareGats]

Havel's shield and armor, Drake sword as weapon.

[Bandy]

Originally posted by RE/PAKO:

Claymore just out of laziness...

Oh, don't say that! But yeah, it is a common 'default' that many love to use, such a versatile and iconic weapon.

Not sure why, but I almost always get the Black Knight Sword drop and has served me well --not the BKGS, but my son loved that too... Hard to say 'no' when you have fond memories, or is that just another word for lazy? :D

[Doomoo]

One i don't see people using much that sometimes i enjoy doing the first half of the game with is spear and shield. it's not much good in the second half though

[JellyPuff]

Big boi /w big poise. Can be paired with anything, because on how broken this is. In my last playthrough, i've combined it with a combustion-spamming build, that stunlocked even some bosses, while i rarely get stunned at all.

[Justice]

Originally posted by Doomoo:

One i don't see people using much that sometimes i enjoy doing the first half of the game with is spear and shield. it's not much good in the second half though

Spears beside having bad dmg for their speed,stamina consumtion and weight, they also
have very limited and boring weapon movement.
Also the fact nearly all greatswords, ultra greatswords and halberds have longer reach - which almost completely defeats the purpose of using spears that are supposed to be a long reach weapons
And even poking with shield on with spear isn't that great as it attack speed reduced by a lot if you do that, you drain so much stamina when you block and attack at same time.

Demon Spear is only good spear worth using that has ok dmg and actually have good reach

[Gypruzz]

Great Scythe+15/PGS+15 for bosses in NG+ and over.
With Mask of the Child, Dingy Robe +10, Wanderer Manchette +10, Xanthous Waistcloth +5, Cloranthy Ring, Dark Wood Grain Ring, and Grass Crest Shield.
Sorcerer without using weapons is also pretty cool.

[Doomoo]

Originally posted by Justice:

And even poking with shield on with spear isn't that great as it attack speed reduced by a lot if you do that, you drain so much stamina when you block and attack at same time.

Demon Spear is only good spear worth using that has ok dmg and actually have good reach

Oh i don't really play builds to have an advantage i do it cause i enjoy the way it plays, if it makes the game harder i just level up a bit more to compensate, though i don't really find that necessary in the first half of the game.

[JellyPuff]

Originally posted by Justice:

Originally posted by Doomoo:

One i don't see people using much that sometimes i enjoy doing the first half of the game with is spear and shield. it's not much good in the second half though

Spears beside having bad dmg for their speed,stamina consumtion and weight

The counter-damage bonus exclusive to thrust when trading or whiff punishing makes up for that and becomes a huge bonus, if you use old Leo Ring (+68%).
I was never feeling handicapped, during a playthrough, where i was using the Silver Knight Spear for most of it. I was also still outspacing most melee enemies.