How can I optimize my build?

[Finnfinity]

I deal pretty low damage considering I have such large weapons and I take a lot of damage. I feel like my build is not optimized, I don't know much about softcaps so maybe I messed up a bit

Here are my stats:
sl130
40
15
40
20
16
40
14
32
7

Weapons:
sharp Astora Greatsword (right hand)
Swordspear (lefthand)
gold pine bundles

Rings:
Cloranthy Ring +3
Havel's Ring +3
Leo Ring
Wolf Ring +3

Armor:
Old Sage's Blindfold
Dragonscale Armor
Millwood Knight Gauntlets
Fire Witch Skirt
[If possible, I'd like to keep this or a variation of that Armo set, as it looks pretty cool]

thanks in advance

[Krono]

Chloranthy Ring and Wolf ring are both useless, ditch those right away. Astora Greatsword and the Swordspear doesn't seem like the best weapon combo to me either

[Argstein]

use the Rosaria infinite respec trick to fine-tune your build so you have exactly enough stats to do what you want to do (i.e. quickroll & R1 a certain amount of times without having extra stamina get wasted)

btw i'd swap out Havel's Ring +3 for Ring of Favor +3 and find a way to make due, but that's just me i'm greedy for every 1 HP i can get

[Argstein]

also Refined infusion with a 40str/40dex or 60/60 build should make your damage output solid... but that is me speaking from personal experience, i'm not certain it applies to your situation

it's easy enough to test & see the softcaps for a lot of stats yourself first-hand while performing the Rosaria respec trick... experimentation, SCIENCE!!

[Omegatherion]

The first question is what kind of build do you want to have? Yours looks pretty mixed up. Not enough FTH for an effective faith build and even with the Astora GS you could put a bit more into STR for extra dmg if you want to go melee.
The rings are subpar for sure. Swap Wolf ring with FaP +3 and Chloranthy or Havels with Prisoners Chain. The chain saves you 15 levels on VIG, END and VIT that you can use elsewhere.

[Krono]

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

Chloranthy is a pretty good ring, OP could focus on applying buffs on his weapons instead of applying blossoms on his character.

The difference in stamina recovery is miniscule. If you have the +3 version and have the grass crest shield on and use green blossoms you'll see a noticeable difference. Otherwise the difference is negligible and you'll get better use out of a different ring

[123]

you leveled everything a little bit making you do mediocre damage in everything.... trash build, just respec

[Taco Cat]

I think it would better to go heavily on faith than dex (aim for 60 faith). You could go for 30 end and make up for some points with the prisoner's chain. The ring of favor is almost always a must for builds, especially melee.
Infuse your astora gs with lightning since you're going with faith, otherwise you'll want to buff it with lightning blade. Swap out rings for others, depending on the situation.

[Taco Cat]

Originally posted by Krono:

Chloranthy Ring and Wolf ring are both useless, ditch those right away. Astora Greatsword and the Swordspear doesn't seem like the best weapon combo to me either

I'd use wolf use ring if it gets me over a certain poise breakpoint and I'd use cloranthy if there's nothing better for the situation (like the hornet ring or the sun princess ring).

[Krono]

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

I DO notice the difference - even with a +0 ring. I mostly use ultra greatswords and this ring can help a lot.

You're remembering the Chloranthy ring from Dark Souls 1, which had an actual noticeable difference. The Chloranthy ring in DS3 gives you a tiny flat increase in stamina regen that barely does anything. Using all three stamina regen items at the same time is the difference between 3 seconds to full, and 3.25 seconds to full. There are very few situations where that would make difference, so I think it would be better to use the ring slot on something else

[Krono]

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

The princes ring barely heals the player, there are better miracles to replace it anyway.

I like pairing it with a blessed caestus or something on my off hand, at that point I find the regen enough to actually do something. In duels against big weapons it can regen you enough health to survive another hit, and if you're hosting invasions the regen can save you a lot of estus flasks. When possible I swap it for the estus ring, heal, then swap back for the regen again.

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

No, I'm remembering it from ds3 and I don't need full stammina - I just need a tiny bit faster regeneration for counter-attacks or to save my life from the mob.

If you feel it makes a difference, don't let me stop you

[Taco Cat]

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

Originally posted by TacoCat:

I'd use wolf use ring if it gets me over a certain poise breakpoint and I'd use cloranthy if there's nothing better for the situation (like the hornet ring or the sun princess ring).

The princes ring barely heals the player, there are better miracles to replace it anyway.

Sounds like you're an impatient player.

It helps to get a upper hand when at neutral and it can stack with an off-hand blessed item.

[Krono]

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

You might as well just play hide-and-seek.

I actually do like playing hide and seek, thank you very much.

Being completely dismissive of other's playstyles isn't going to get us anywhere. You call us passive scrubs that do nothing but run away, we call you an impatient idiot that rushes to their death without thinking, the circle of life continues.

[Finnfinity]

Originally posted by OriginalUserName:

You have low faith. Which infusion did you use on the astora? Was it sharp? If it was then it's ok but it's not a "strong" weapon anyway. Why do you use gold pine bundle with that amount of faith? You should try yorhska's chime with lightning blade instead(but with 50+ faith). The problem with your build is that it's mediocre.

i like the weapon combination, thats why. sometimes i use both at the same time, sometimes i two hand. so it doesnt make sense to buff since I change weapons quickly

[Krono]

Originally posted by Finnfinity:

i like the weapon combination, thats why. sometimes i use both at the same time, sometimes i two hand. so it doesnt make sense to buff since I change weapons quickly

You'd really be better off getting rid of your faith and using a different spear in your off hand, otherwise you'll have to live with your build not doing that much damage.

[Finnfinity]

Originally posted by Krono:

Originally posted by Finnfinity:

i like the weapon combination, thats why. sometimes i use both at the same time, sometimes i two hand. so it doesnt make sense to buff since I change weapons quickly

You'd really be better off getting rid of your faith and using a different spear in your off hand, otherwise you'll have to live with your build not doing that much damage.

ok thanks

how about my low defense tho? why is it so bad?