“Lords of the Fallen,” a game known for its challenging combat, dark atmosphere, and deep RPG mechanics, offers players a variety of ways to tailor their character builds to suit different playstyles. The game’s flexibility in character development allows for a multitude of builds, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and unique approach to combat. This review will delve into the intricacies of the best builds in “Lords of the Fallen,” exploring the different classes, stats, weapons, and strategies that make each build effective. Whether you’re a newcomer looking for guidance or a seasoned player seeking to optimize your playthrough, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the game’s complex build system.
Table of Contents
Understanding Classes and Stats
Before diving into the specific builds, it’s important to understand the basics of the game’s class and stat system. “Lords of the Fallen” features three primary classes: Warrior, Rogue, and Cleric. Each class comes with its own starting stats, equipment, and spells, but players are not locked into these roles. As you progress through the game, you can allocate attribute points to customize your character’s abilities, allowing for a hybrid approach or a specialization in a specific area.
Classes Overview
- Warrior: The Warrior class is the tankiest option, focusing on strength, endurance, and heavy armor. Warriors excel in close combat, using large weapons and shields to deal massive damage and absorb hits. This class is ideal for players who prefer a straightforward, aggressive playstyle with a focus on brute force.
- Rogue: The Rogue class emphasizes agility, speed, and critical hits. Rogues are nimble fighters who excel at dodging attacks and striking swiftly. They rely on dexterity-based weapons like daggers and dual-wielding, making them perfect for players who enjoy a fast-paced, hit-and-run approach.
- Cleric: The Cleric class is a hybrid between a warrior and a mage, focusing on faith, magic, and support abilities. Clerics can wield both melee weapons and spells, offering a versatile playstyle that combines offense, defense, and healing. This class is suitable for players who want a balanced build with access to powerful spells.
Stat Allocation
The core attributes in “Lords of the Fallen” include Strength, Dexterity, Vitality, Endurance, Faith, and Luck. Each attribute influences different aspects of your character’s performance:
- Strength: Increases damage with strength-based weapons and affects the ability to wield heavier weapons and armor.
- Dexterity: Boosts damage with dexterity-based weapons and enhances critical hit chances.
- Vitality: Increases health points (HP) and the ability to withstand more damage.
- Endurance: Enhances stamina, which is crucial for attacking, blocking, and dodging.
- Faith: Governs the effectiveness of spells and determines the power of faith-based abilities.
- Luck: Affects item drops, critical hit chances, and various other subtle gameplay elements.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore the best builds for each class, taking into account the most effective stat distributions, weapons, armor, and strategies.
Warrior Builds
1. The Juggernaut Build
The Juggernaut is the quintessential Warrior build, focusing on maximum survivability and overwhelming strength. This build is designed to absorb damage like a sponge while dishing out powerful attacks with heavy weapons.
Stat Distribution
- Strength: Maximize this stat to increase your damage output with heavy weapons.
- Vitality: Invest heavily in Vitality to boost your HP, allowing you to take more hits in battle.
- Endurance: High Endurance is essential for managing stamina, especially when using heavy weapons and armor.
- Faith: Allocate a few points to Faith if you want to use basic spells, but it’s not a priority.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: Greatswords, hammers, and axes are the weapons of choice for this build. The Butcher’s Cleaver and the Last Will Greatsword are excellent options due to their high damage output and range.
- Armor: Opt for the heaviest armor available to maximize your defense. The Commander Armor Set is a great choice for its high defense and poise, allowing you to withstand even the toughest of blows.
- Shield: Use a tower shield like the Tower Shield of the Cleric or the Defender’s Shield to block incoming attacks and minimize damage.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Juggernaut build is all about tanking hits and dealing heavy damage. In combat, you should focus on timing your attacks to take advantage of openings in the enemy’s defense. Use your shield to block incoming attacks and retaliate with powerful strikes. Managing stamina is crucial, as you’ll need it for both attacking and defending. This build excels in boss fights where you can withstand the enemy’s onslaught and wear them down with heavy hits.
2. The Berserker Build
The Berserker build takes the Warrior’s strength and amplifies it with a focus on relentless offense. This build sacrifices some defense for higher damage output, allowing you to overwhelm enemies with sheer power.
Stat Distribution
- Strength: Max out Strength to maximize your damage potential with heavy weapons.
- Endurance: High Endurance is necessary to sustain a continuous assault and dodge when needed.
- Vitality: Invest in Vitality to maintain a decent health pool, but prioritize it less than in the Juggernaut build.
- Dexterity: You can allocate a few points to Dexterity if you want to use some dexterity-based weapons for versatility.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: Dual-wielding large weapons like the Great Axes or the Earthcrusher Hammer is ideal for this build. The King’s Greatsword is also a solid choice for its high damage and reach.
- Armor: Go for medium armor that offers a balance between protection and mobility, such as the Executioner Armor Set. You want to avoid being too slow while maintaining decent defense.
- Ring: The Ring of Adrenaline is useful for increasing attack speed, making your strikes even more deadly.
Playstyle and Strategy
As a Berserker, your goal is to end fights quickly by overwhelming your opponents with a barrage of powerful attacks. You’ll need to stay aggressive, using your high stamina to keep up the pressure and avoid giving enemies a chance to retaliate. This build is best suited for players who are confident in their ability to dodge and time their attacks, as you’ll be sacrificing some defense for increased offense. In boss fights, use your speed and power to exploit openings and bring down the enemy before they can mount a serious counterattack.
Rogue Builds
1. The Shadow Assassin Build
The Shadow Assassin is a Rogue build that excels in stealth, speed, and critical hits. This build focuses on taking down enemies quickly and efficiently, often before they even know you’re there.
Stat Distribution
- Dexterity: Maximize Dexterity to increase your damage with daggers and other dexterity-based weapons, as well as improve your critical hit rate.
- Endurance: High Endurance is essential for maintaining stamina, allowing you to dodge and attack rapidly.
- Luck: Invest in Luck to boost your critical hit chances and improve item drops, which can be useful for this build.
- Strength: Allocate a few points to Strength if you want to use certain weapons, but it’s not a priority.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: Dual daggers or a dagger and short sword combination work best for this build. The Clawfinger Dagger and the Silent Widow Dagger are excellent choices for their speed and critical hit bonuses.
- Armor: Light armor like the Shadow Armor Set or the Thief Armor Set is ideal for maximizing mobility and maintaining stealth. These sets also enhance your critical hit damage.
- Rings: The Ring of Invisibility can be useful for sneaking up on enemies and delivering devastating backstabs.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Shadow Assassin build thrives on speed and precision. In combat, you should focus on dodging enemy attacks and striking swiftly, aiming for critical hits to maximize your damage. This build is particularly effective for dealing with standard enemies and smaller bosses, as you can quickly eliminate them before they pose a significant threat. Stealth is also a key component of this build, allowing you to get the drop on enemies and take them out silently. For tougher enemies and bosses, use hit-and-run tactics, chipping away at their health while avoiding their attacks.
2. The Agile Hunter Build
The Agile Hunter build is a Rogue variation that combines ranged attacks with quick melee strikes. This build is perfect for players who want to keep their distance while still having the option to engage in close combat.
Stat Distribution
- Dexterity: Maximize Dexterity to boost your damage with bows, crossbows, and dexterity-based melee weapons.
- Endurance: High Endurance is necessary to manage stamina, especially when switching between ranged and melee combat.
- Luck: Invest in Luck to improve critical hit chances and item drops, which can be beneficial for this build.
- Strength: Allocate a few points to Strength if you plan to use certain melee weapons, but focus primarily on Dexterity.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A bow or crossbow for ranged attacks, paired with a dexterity-based melee weapon like a short sword or dagger. The Swift Seeker Bow and the Silent Sting Crossbow are excellent choices for their range and speed.
- Armor: Light to medium armor that allows for quick mobility while offering some protection. The Hunter Armor Set is a great option for its balance between defense and agility, allowing you to stay nimble while absorbing light hits.
- Rings: The Ring of Agility can enhance your movement speed and dodge effectiveness, making it easier to evade enemy attacks and reposition yourself in combat.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Agile Hunter build is all about versatility and staying on the move. In combat, you’ll want to start by picking off enemies from a distance using your bow or crossbow. This allows you to thin out enemy groups or soften up stronger foes before closing in for melee combat. When engaging in close quarters, rely on your speed and dexterity to dodge incoming attacks and strike quickly with your melee weapons.
This build shines in situations where you can control the flow of battle by staying at range and only engaging in melee when necessary. Boss fights can be handled by maintaining distance, using your bow to deal consistent damage while avoiding heavy hits. When you do engage in melee, focus on quick, precise strikes, and be ready to retreat to a safer distance if the enemy becomes too aggressive.
Cleric Builds
1. The Paladin Build
The Paladin build combines the durability of a Warrior with the healing and support capabilities of a Cleric. This build is ideal for players who want to balance offense, defense, and spellcasting in a versatile and resilient character.
Stat Distribution
- Faith: Maximize Faith to enhance your healing and support spells, as well as to increase the effectiveness of faith-based weapons.
- Strength: Invest heavily in Strength to boost your damage output with melee weapons.
- Vitality: Allocate points to Vitality to increase your health pool, allowing you to tank more damage in battle.
- Endurance: Invest in Endurance to manage your stamina, which is crucial for both attacking and casting spells.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A one-handed sword or hammer paired with a shield is ideal for this build. The Blessed Mace and the Holy Defender Sword are excellent choices for their synergy with high Faith stats.
- Armor: Medium to heavy armor that offers a good balance between defense and mobility. The Paladin Armor Set provides strong protection while still allowing you to move effectively in combat.
- Shield: A faith-based shield like the Divine Protection Shield will complement your build, offering additional protection and enhancing your faith abilities.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Paladin build is designed for players who want to take on a frontline role while also supporting themselves and allies with healing and buffs. In combat, you’ll use your shield to block attacks and retaliate with powerful melee strikes. When your health gets low, you can cast healing spells to restore your HP and continue the fight.
This build excels in boss fights where you need to stay alive for extended periods and manage your health carefully. You can also use your spells to buff your damage or defense, giving you an edge in tougher battles. The Paladin is a great all-rounder build that allows for a mix of offense, defense, and support, making it a solid choice for both solo and co-op play.
2. The Battle Mage Build
The Battle Mage build focuses on combining melee combat with offensive spells, allowing you to deal both physical and magical damage. This build is perfect for players who want to harness the power of magic while still being able to hold their own in close combat.
Stat Distribution
- Faith: Maximize Faith to enhance your spellcasting abilities and increase the damage of your faith-based spells.
- Endurance: Invest heavily in Endurance to manage stamina, especially since casting spells and melee combat both drain stamina.
- Strength or Dexterity: Depending on your preferred weapon type, invest in either Strength or Dexterity to boost your physical damage output.
- Vitality: Allocate points to Vitality to increase your survivability in combat.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A staff or a one-handed weapon paired with a spellcasting focus. The Arcane Staff and the Lightning Hammer are great choices for their ability to channel magic while still dealing physical damage.
- Armor: Light to medium armor that allows for quick movement while providing decent protection. The Mage Hunter Armor Set is ideal for this build, as it offers bonuses to spellcasting while maintaining good mobility.
- Rings: The Ring of Focus can enhance your spellcasting speed, allowing you to cast more spells in quick succession during combat.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Battle Mage build is all about versatility and maximizing your damage output through a combination of melee and magic. In combat, you can start by casting offensive spells to weaken or debuff enemies before engaging them with your weapon. This build allows you to switch between ranged magic attacks and close-quarters combat, giving you the flexibility to adapt to different situations.
When facing tough enemies or bosses, you can use spells to control the battlefield, summoning barriers or traps to limit the enemy’s movement while you strike from a distance. Your spells can also be used to enhance your weapon’s damage, imbuing it with elemental effects that make it more effective against certain foes.
The Battle Mage is an excellent choice for players who enjoy the tactical depth of spellcasting but don’t want to sacrifice the thrill of melee combat. This build is especially powerful when you master the timing of spellcasting and melee attacks, allowing you to maximize your damage output in any situation.
Hybrid and Advanced Builds
While the above builds focus on the strengths of specific classes, “Lords of the Fallen” also allows for the creation of hybrid and advanced builds that combine elements from different classes to create unique playstyles.
1. The Spellblade Build
The Spellblade is a hybrid build that combines the dexterity and agility of a Rogue with the spellcasting abilities of a Cleric. This build is perfect for players who want to blend fast-paced combat with powerful magic.
Stat Distribution
- Dexterity: Maximize Dexterity to enhance your damage with light weapons and improve your critical hit rate.
- Faith: Invest heavily in Faith to boost your spellcasting abilities and increase the power of your spells.
- Endurance: High Endurance is necessary to manage stamina for both dodging and casting spells.
- Luck: Allocate points to Luck to improve your critical hit chances and item drops.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A dexterity-based weapon like a dagger or short sword paired with a spellcasting focus. The Enchanted Dagger and the Faithful Blade are excellent choices for this build.
- Armor: Light armor that maximizes your agility while offering some protection, such as the Mystic Armor Set, which also boosts your spellcasting abilities.
- Rings: The Ring of Quickening can enhance your casting speed, allowing you to cast spells more rapidly during combat.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Spellblade build is all about speed and versatility. In combat, you can switch between quick melee strikes and casting offensive spells, allowing you to adapt to different enemy types and situations. Your high dexterity allows you to dodge attacks and strike quickly, while your faith-based spells provide additional damage and utility.
This build is particularly effective for players who enjoy a fast-paced, hit-and-run playstyle with a touch of magic. You can use your spells to weaken enemies before engaging them in melee, or to finish off foes from a distance. The Spellblade excels in situations where you need to be adaptable and responsive, making it a strong choice for advanced players who want to master both physical and magical combat.
2. The Crusader Build
The Crusader is an advanced build that combines the tankiness of a Warrior with the spellcasting abilities of a Cleric. This build is ideal for players who want to be a frontline tank while also having the ability to heal and support themselves and their allies.
Stat Distribution
- Strength: Maximize Strength to enhance your damage with heavy weapons and increase your ability to wear heavy armor.
- Faith: Invest heavily in Faith to boost your healing and support spells, as well as to increase the effectiveness of faith-based weapons.
- Vitality: High Vitality is necessary to maintain a large health pool, allowing you to take more damage in battle.
- Endurance: Invest in Endurance to manage your stamina, especially when wearing heavy armor and casting spells.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A two-handed weapon like a greatsword or hammer paired with a spellcasting focus. The Holy Crusader’s Blade and the Divine Hammer are excellent choices for their synergy with high Strength and Faith stats.
- Armor: Heavy armor that maximizes your defense while still allowing you to cast spells. The Crusader Armor Set offers strong protection and bonuses to your faith-based abilities.
- Shield: A tower shield like the Sacred Bulwark is ideal for blocking attacks while you prepare to cast spells or retaliate with heavy strikes.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Crusader build is designed for players who want to take on a tank role while also supporting themselves and their allies with healing and buffs. In combat, you’ll use your heavy armor and shield to absorb damage while dealing powerful melee strikes. When your health gets low, you can cast healing spells to restore your HP and continue the fight.
This build excels in boss fights where you need to stay alive for extended periods and manage your health carefully. You can also use your spells to buff your damage or defense, giving you an edge in tougher battles. The Crusader is a great all-rounder build that allows for a mix of offense, defense, and support, making it a solid choice for both solo and co-op play.
3. The Elemental Warlock Build
The Elemental Warlock is a magic-focused build that combines the power of elemental magic with a focus on long-range spellcasting and crowd control. This build is perfect for players who prefer to keep their distance while unleashing devastating spells upon their enemies.
Stat Distribution
- Faith: Maximize Faith to enhance the damage and effectiveness of your elemental spells.
- Endurance: Invest heavily in Endurance to manage your stamina, especially since spellcasting can be stamina-intensive.
- Vitality: Allocate points to Vitality to increase your survivability, as you will be vulnerable if enemies close the distance.
- Luck: A moderate investment in Luck can improve the drop rates of items and possibly enhance certain magical effects.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A staff or wand focused on elemental magic. The Firestorm Staff and the Arcane Scepter are great choices for their ability to amplify fire and arcane spells.
- Armor: Light armor that enhances your spellcasting abilities without sacrificing too much protection. The Elementalist’s Robes provide bonuses to elemental damage while keeping you light on your feet.
- Rings: The Ring of Elemental Mastery can enhance the power of your elemental spells, making your fire, ice, and lightning attacks even more deadly.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Elemental Warlock build revolves around dealing massive damage from a distance while controlling the battlefield with powerful spells. Start by using crowd control spells to keep enemies at bay, such as freezing them in place with ice magic or creating barriers of fire. Once you’ve established control, unleash your most powerful elemental attacks to decimate your foes.
In boss fights, focus on maintaining distance and using your spells to chip away at the boss’s health while avoiding their attacks. Use your crowd control abilities to create openings and disrupt the boss’s rhythm, giving you the advantage.
This build requires careful management of resources and positioning, as you’ll be vulnerable if enemies manage to close the gap. However, with proper planning and execution, the Elemental Warlock can dominate the battlefield with sheer magical power.
4. The Dark Templar Build
The Dark Templar is a hybrid build that blends the heavy armor and weaponry of a Warrior with the dark magic of a Warlock. This build is ideal for players who want to wield both brute force and sinister spells, creating a character that is as dangerous in melee as they are with magic.
Stat Distribution
- Strength: Maximize Strength to boost your damage with heavy weapons and increase your ability to wear heavy armor.
- Faith: Invest heavily in Faith to enhance your dark magic spells and the effectiveness of faith-based weapons.
- Vitality: Allocate points to Vitality to ensure you can withstand the rigors of close combat.
- Endurance: Invest in Endurance to manage your stamina, which is crucial for both melee attacks and spellcasting.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A two-handed weapon like a greatsword or warhammer, paired with a dark magic focus. The Abyssal Greatsword and the Dark Templar’s Hammer are excellent choices for their synergy with both physical and magical damage.
- Armor: Heavy armor that provides maximum protection while allowing you to cast dark spells. The Dark Templar Armor Set offers strong defense and bonuses to your dark magic abilities.
- Rings: The Ring of the Abyss can enhance your dark magic, making your spells more potent and increasing their area of effect.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Dark Templar build is all about dominating the battlefield through a combination of physical might and dark magic. In combat, you’ll start by weakening enemies with dark spells that drain their health or curse them, before closing in with powerful melee attacks. Your heavy armor allows you to tank hits while you unleash your devastating abilities.
This build shines in boss fights where you can use dark magic to debilitate your opponent, reducing their defenses or applying damage over time effects. Once weakened, you can engage them in melee combat, using your strength to finish the job.
The Dark Templar is a build for players who enjoy a mix of brute force and sinister magic, offering a playstyle that is both aggressive and tactically deep.
5. The Mystic Archer Build
The Mystic Archer is a hybrid build that combines the precision and range of a Rogue with the spellcasting abilities of a Cleric. This build is ideal for players who want to engage enemies from a distance using both physical and magical attacks.
Stat Distribution
- Dexterity: Maximize Dexterity to enhance your damage with bows and improve your critical hit rate.
- Faith: Invest heavily in Faith to boost your spellcasting abilities and increase the power of your support spells.
- Endurance: High Endurance is necessary to manage stamina for both shooting and casting spells.
- Luck: Allocate points to Luck to improve your critical hit chances and increase the effectiveness of certain spells.
Recommended Equipment
- Weapons: A bow or crossbow paired with a spellcasting focus. The Enchanted Longbow and the Arcane Crossbow are excellent choices for this build.
- Armor: Light armor that allows for quick movement and provides bonuses to your archery and spellcasting abilities. The Mystic Hunter Armor Set is ideal for this build.
- Rings: The Ring of Precision can enhance your aim and critical hit rate with ranged weapons, making your shots even more deadly.
Playstyle and Strategy
The Mystic Archer build revolves around keeping your distance and using both arrows and spells to take down enemies. Start by picking off enemies from a distance with your bow, and when they get too close, switch to casting spells to control the battlefield or deal additional damage.
In boss fights, you can use your range to your advantage, staying out of reach while whittling down the boss’s health with arrows and spells. Your high dexterity and faith allow you to switch seamlessly between physical and magical attacks, making you a versatile and dangerous opponent.
This build is perfect for players who enjoy a tactical, ranged playstyle with the added depth of spellcasting. The Mystic Archer excels in situations where you need to control the battlefield and adapt to different enemy types and challenges.