Power stance PVE

[Sir Psycho]

So this is my first play-through and I'm doing a dex build. Right now for dual wield I have an Uchi in the right hand and a Fire Long Sword in the left.

I want to swap one for the Estoc, the sweet sweet Estoc. Which should I replace?

[squat_instructor]

Estoc is not a great choice for PVE.

[Sir Psycho]

Originally posted by clearly_not:

Estoc is not a great choice for PVE.

Oh? How come? I used it quite a bit in DS1

[squat_instructor]

Just a Rapier or Espada Ropera are better in every way, except for range. You don`t get much from the moveset/shield pierce/range Estoc provides in PVE.

[KarBer]

Originally posted by clearly_not:

Just a Rapier or Espada Ropera are better in every way, except for range. You don`t get much from the moveset/shield pierce/range Estoc provides in PVE.

You got slashing attack which is great - as the hitbox on rapiers is small (especially when compared to a truck like hitbox on spears which also are trust only weapons). And it's great to deal with many enemies, fast enemies and enemies you cannot lock on to.

But if you go for thrust specifically go with rapier. Also in DS2 Estoc is more strength weapon (fully upgraded has B scaling in strength and D in dexterity) so keep that in mind. If you want to have dex build go with ricard's (S scaling in Dex) or Rapier (D in Str, B in Dex).

[Safarel]

Estoc + Shotel in powerstance, it's good for pve & pvp

[terrorinsc]

Powerstancing.. I feel no added bnefits and I feel like I waste titanite upgrading a second weapon. I do the same damage just two handing it and I use less stamina. Other than looking cool I don't feel much more damaging by powerstancing for pve.

[Sir Psycho]

I've never been a fan of rapiers. I tried them in DS1 and I forget my exact issue with them but yeah. I then saw the rapier being sold by the majula smith and gave it a try cause the AR was higher than other swords but I find after the second poke I'm missing the enemy and going past them. There's also the issue of the lack of a sweep attack.

Guess I'll try them again, maybe I just need to adjust my play a bit. It should be me right hand weapon, correct? Also uchi or ls in left?

[squat_instructor]

There`s a reason rapier is used for 80% boss fights by speedrunners. The damage output with Rob/Flynn/Leo ring is massive, considering attack speed and stamina consumption. But for that the Rapier must be your only weapon, with according stats and rings setup. Powerstancing in PVE doesn`t make much sense.

[svatem1]

str scaling benetifs much more in ds2 than dex scaling, so the dmg is not that different with proper stats; i guess most speedrunners take rapier because its dps is higher due to its r1 speed (i've also seen no speedrun employing flynn's ring)

[terrorinsc]

Flynns ring is ridiculous. every buiild I make I stop at 14 vitality just to use it to its full effectivness

[squat_instructor]

Originally posted by svatem1:

str scaling benetifs much more in ds2 than dex scaling, so the dmg is not that different with proper stats; i guess most speedrunners take rapier because its dps is higher due to its r1 speed (i've also seen no speedrun employing flynn's ring)

The reason you get a lot of DPS is 140 counter + 12,5% bonus from Leo ring, which results in almost 60% counter bonus, which is huge.

Watch All Bosses runs, and you`ll see how early Flynns is acquired there.

[KarBer]

Originally posted by Sir Psycho:

I've never been a fan of rapiers. I tried them in DS1 and I forget my exact issue with them but yeah. I then saw the rapier being sold by the majula smith and gave it a try cause the AR was higher than other swords but I find after the second poke I'm missing the enemy and going past them. There's also the issue of the lack of a sweep attack.

Guess I'll try them again, maybe I just need to adjust my play a bit. It should be me right hand weapon, correct? Also uchi or ls in left?

All weapon choices should be made by playstyle base. If you don't like the moveset it'll be pain in the ass. You can of course adapt - nothing wrong in trying new things. i just found that you should have few weapon classes (or maybe more like few movesets) available to you. Rapier is great - lightweight, low stamina consumption, nice potential damage (counter strength is awesome and is boosted by leo ring), but only forward moveset. Katanas have OP counter strength - but most of it cannot be boosted (leo ring only works on thrusting attacks). Moveset is also lacking in my opinion - most of it is diagonal - so it can be tricky to hit moving, low enemies. If you get standard rapier it doesn't matter parry-wise in which hand it is, as you can parry with it in right hand. I just don't remember which hand determines powerstanced moveset.

[Sir Psycho]

Haven't had many issues with hitting things, pretty much just lizards are kinda tricky. The thing I like about the uchi and long sword is that it gives both slashing attacks with decent arc and a thurst. Really the only reason I use the uchi over the long sword(I do use shield often) is that it looks cool. :p Which is the same reason I use power stance, that and I don't see any benefit to dual wield without power stance but the bash attacks are useful as times.

Honestly the reason for this thread is to gather opinions and ideas. Then I'll test out a few of them and see what I like. I had given up on rapiers but people make some great points, I'll have to give them another shot.

[KarBer]

There are some small enemies in few places. As for katanas I prefer Blacksteel - you'll probably get it later. Really fun moveset (similar to Iaito in first dark souls). I really like ultra greatswords in this game. They're more viable, but maybe not so much on Dex build.

[Sir Psycho]

Originally posted by KarBer:

There are some small enemies in few places. As for katanas I prefer Blacksteel - you'll probably get it later. Really fun moveset (similar to Iaito in first dark souls). I really like ultra greatswords in this game. They're more viable, but maybe not so much on Dex build.

Oh that's great, I enjoyed the iaito more than the uchi. But who knows I might end up using a raiper and dagger. Got a few things I wanna try after this thread.