Optimal build for first playthrough.

[YourAverageJoe]

Already played DS 1 and 3 and love it, started this and obvs don't like it as much. Don't wanna give up but do just kinda want to get through it, so was just wondering what kind of class/build to go for and any specific weapons. Thanks for any help.

[TrueArchery]

20 Str, 12 Dex.

Mace/Club/Craftman's Hammer, Rapier, Twindragon Greatshield, Shortbow (ideally with poison arrows)

Pump Vigor, best stat in the game by miles. Scaling is pretty weak. No need for magic. Decent stamina pool and some Adp to not have crippled roll iframes (get Agility to 88 or 92 asap, pump it to 96 towards the midgame, finish it off at 99 or 105; it translates to about 25-33 Adp).

Starting class doesn't really matter (Bandit or Knight are decent for this kinda build, decent stats and no ♥♥♥♥♥♥ starting gear).
The Healing Wares are probably the most useful starting gift.

[Bloooom.]

I went with Strenght build and Morning Star, I played with this weapon like 80% of game and it was still OP. Currently playing NG+4 and still using it to some bosses.

[YourAverageJoe]

引用自 TrueArchery：

20 Str, 12 Dex.

Mace/Club/Craftman's Hammer, Rapier, Twindragon Greatshield, Shortbow (ideally with poison arrows)

Pump Vigor, best stat in the game by miles. Scaling is pretty weak. No need for magic. Decent stamina pool and some Adp to not have crippled roll iframes (get Agility to 88 or 92 asap, pump it to 96 towards the midgame, finish it off at 99 or 105; it translates to about 25-33 Adp).

Starting class doesn't really matter (Bandit or Knight are decent for this kinda build, decent stats and no ♥♥♥♥♥♥ starting gear).
The Healing Wares are probably the most useful starting gift.

Thanks for the help, ill start new and work on this stuff.

[Yal]

Starting as Cleric is a good choice for that build since you get +3 heals with their spell and it takes a while until you get enough estus flask upgrades to rely on them for healing, and their starting weapon is a mace (you need to level up STR once to be able to use it without two-handing it, though)

[Yal]

Also, if you decide to go for magic, going for a hex build (equal FTH and INT) gives you access to the Dark Fog spell which poisons enemies and has insane range (letting you poison a lot of enemies so far away they won't even aggro on you).

(you get access to a vendor that sells hexes once you beat Heide's Tower of Flame and go back and pay Licia to open the door in the Majula tunnel once she moves there, but he will refuse to talk to you if you don't have enough stats to use any of his spells)

[Iban The Dude]

Mundane build.

[EF_Neo1st]

You want it easy af?
lvl up for heavier gear and not slow walking like a turtle, then lvl up STR up to 50 and you go bashing things up and taking little damage even if you are not good at dodging but . . .

If you learn how to dodge, then all you need is stamina, STR and DEX and be happy killing things in 1 or 2 hits without being touched . . . bosses are also pretty fast to be done.

If you want to take the bash (considering you dont know how to dodge properly and dont care a bit about learning) and dont care how long each fight will be, then go for your low STR and DEX with high vit and vig and take as much of a bash as you want. May make it "safe" as you can take a hell of a bash and survive, but yeah, you will need it because your damage will be puny and mostly dependent on items.

Still . . many enemies can stagger you to death or attack you in groups and just cripple your life to death so. . . learning how to dodge makes it all easier, no matter your NG.

Also, there are mage/pyro builds too, usually glass canons too with faith & int.

Up to you.
+STR & DEX (or faith & int) with lower HP.
+ HP and armor with lower damage stats.
(or sure, try to have everything up to 40 . . . good LOOOONG playtime doing it for just a NG).