One Hour Build
BanditA strength-stacking tank that grabs the Dragon Greatsword from Ash Lake and the Stone Greatshield from Darkroot Garden within the first hour. Massive base damage that ignores stat scaling lets you one-shot early enemies while blocking everything behind a 100% physical resistance greatshield. Havel's Ring and Mask of the Father keep you mobile in full Stone Armor.
Damage
One-shots most early-game enemies at base. 4 hits to kill a Drake unupgraded, scales to 585 base at +5.
Survivability
Stone Greatshield blocks 100% physical. 39 poise from Stone Armor prevents stagger. 10 Humanity adds passive DR across all elements.
Boss
Trivializes early and mid-game bosses through raw damage and near-total block coverage.
Bandit
Starts at Soul Level 4 with 14 Strength, the highest of any starting class. That head start cuts the leveling grind to reach the Dragon Greatsword's 50 STR requirement, and the Spider Shield starting gear blocks 100% poison for early Blighttown access.
The highest base damage weapon in the game with zero stat scaling. Two-handed R1 attacks one-shot most early enemies. Avoid the R2 shockwave attack as it drains 50 durability per use. Upgrade to +5 with Dragon Scales for endgame viability.
How to Obtain
100% physical block with 80% magic resistance, the second highest of any shield. Stability of 80 means you barely lose stamina when blocking. The cornerstone of the turtle playstyle that makes you nearly invincible.
How to Obtain
Massive physical defense with 39 poise, making you extremely hard to stagger. Part of the Stone Set found in Darkroot Garden. The weight is brutal at 17.6 units, so Havel's Ring and Mask of the Father are mandatory to avoid fat rolling.
How to Obtain
Raises maximum equipment load by 50%. Absolutely mandatory for this build since the Dragon Greatsword (24), Stone Greatshield (20), and Stone Armor (17.6) alone weigh over 60 units.
How to Obtain
Transforms your head and lets you breathe fire indefinitely as long as you have stamina. A fun bonus from joining the Path of the Dragon covenant in Ash Lake. Cannot be used while wearing headgear.
How to Obtain
Hold 10+ soft Humanity for maximum item discovery (capped at 10) and significant passive damage resistance bonuses across all elements. Essential when farming Stone Knights for the Greatshield drop.
Combat Strategy
- ▸Pop Humanities to 10+ soft Humanity for passive damage resistance and maximum item discovery.
- ▸Equip Silver Serpent Ring for soul farming and Havel's Ring for weight management.
- ▸Keep Homeward Bones stocked for fast travel between high-level areas during the setup route.
- ▸Two-hand the Dragon Greatsword and use R1 swings to one-shot most early and mid-game enemies.
- ▸Avoid the R2 shockwave attack. It costs 50 durability per use and will break the weapon quickly.
- ▸For sustained fights, switch to turtle mode: Stone Greatshield raised with Partizan or Winged Spear for safe poke damage.
- ▸Grass Crest Shield on your back while two-handing provides passive +10 stamina regen.
- ▸Cloranthy Ring stacks with Grass Crest Shield for rapid stamina recovery in heavy gear.
- ▸Use Humanities as emergency heals when Estus runs low or when poisoned in Blighttown.
Sources
Verified: 2026-04-18 · All content is original with full credit to original creators.