The Branded Swordsman | Dark Souls 3 Wiki

This is a player-created Cosplay Build for Dark Souls 3
Created by Alva_The_Wayfarer

" People bring the small fires of their wishes together and since they don't want to extinguish the small flame...they'll bring that small flame to a bigger fire. A big flame named Griffith. I'm sure you know...I didn't bring a flame with me. I think I just stopped by to warm myself by the bonfire. "
- Guts to Casca

This build focuses on mostly Strength and also some Dexterity. Thus, it is considered a Strength Build or Quality Build.
This build's playstyle is to overwhelm the opponent with powerful strikes and is very challenging to new and veteran players.
This build incorporates Fashion-Souls for those who enjoy the novelty of it.

Equipment

• Manga, Anime, & Video Games :
  

  		The Golden Age Arc
  		Band of The Hawk
  Helm	-	Torso	-	Gauntlets	-	Greaves
  Nameless Knight Helm		Sellsword Armor	Unique	Sellsword Gauntlet		Sellsword Trousers
  			Arsenal
  Left Weapon	-	Infusion Path	-	Right Weapon	-	Infusion Path
  Caestus		Blessed Gem		Astora Greatsword		Heavy Gem
  			Rings
  Ring 01	-	Ring 02	-	Ring 03	-	Ring 04
  Farron Ring		Dragonscale Ring		Knight Slayer's Ring		Hornet Ring

  Magic
  Type	Conduit	Name	FP Cost	Slots Used	Requierements	Image
  Miracle	Talisman	Tears of Denial	1 0 0	0 2	Intelligence - 0 0 Faith - 1 5

  LVL	HOL	VIG	ATT	END	VIT	STR	DEX	INT	FTH	LCK
  Base Statistics
  0 9	0 0	1 2	1 0	1 1	1 5	1 3	1 2	0 9	0 9	0 7
  Leveled Statistics
  1 0 0	0 0	2 7	1 5	4 0	1 5	4 0	2 0	1 0	1 5	0 7
  General Information
  	HP	>>>	1,000	1,300			PSE	>>>	00.00	16.48
  	FP	>>>	1 2 0	0 2				>>>	1 0 7	1 0 7
  	STA	>>>	1 6 0	- - -			E.L.	31.8 / 55.0		57.8%
  * = Augmented by equipment

  
  
  
  

  		The Conviction Arc
  		The Black Swordsman
  Helm	-	Torso	-	Gauntlets	-	Greaves
  Helm Item Placeholder		Undead Legion Armor	Unique	Undead Legion Gauntlet		Alva Leggings
  			Arsenal
  Left Weapon	-	Weapon Art	-	Right Weapon	-	Infusion Path
  Pyromancy Flame		Combustion		The Greatsword		Heavy Gem
  			Rings
  Ring 01	-	Ring 02	-	Ring 03	-	Ring 04
  Skull Ring		Chloranthy Ring		Ring of Steel Protection		Speckled Stoneplate Ring

  Magic
  Type	Conduit	Name	FP Cost	Slots Used	Requierments	Image
  Pyromancy	Pyromancy Flame	Chaos Bed Vestiges	3 5	0 2	Intelligence - 2 0 Faith - 1 0

  LVL	HOL	VIG	ATT	END	VIT	STR	DEX	INT	FTH	LCK
  Base Statistics
  0 9	0 0	1 2	1 0	1 1	1 5	1 3	1 2	0 9	0 9	0 7
  Leveled Statistics
  1 0 0	0 0	2 7	1 5	4 0	1 5	4 0	1 5	2 0	1 0	0 7
  General Information
  	HP	>>>	1,000	1,300				>>>	00.00	11.98
  		>>>	1 2 0	0 2			I.D.	>>>	1 0 7	1 0 7
  	STA	>>>	1 6 0	- - -			E.L.	38.5 / 55.0		70.0%
  * = Augmented by equipment

  
  
  
  

  		The Fantasia Arc
  		The Berserker Armor
  Helm	-	Torso	-	Gauntlets	-	Greaves
  Morne's Helm		Black Knight Armor	Unique	Black Knight Gauntlet		Black Knight Leggings
  			Arsenal
  Left Weapon	-	Weapon Art	-	Right Weapon	-	Infusion Path
  Pyromancy Flame		Combustion		The Greatsword		Heavy Gem
  			Rings
  Ring 01	-	Ring 02	-	Ring 03	-	Ring 04
  Ring of Favor		Sun Princess Ring		Carthus Milk Ring		Havel's Ring

  Magic
  Type	Conduit	Name	FP Cost	Slots Used	Requierements	Image
  Pyromancy	Pyromancy Flame	Power Within	3 5	0 1	Intelligence - 1 0 Faith - 1 0

  LVL	HOL	VIG	ATT	END	VIT	STR	DEX	INT	FTH	LCK
  Base Statistics
  0 9	0 0	1 2	1 0	1 1	1 5	1 3	1 2	0 9	0 9	0 7
  Leveled Statistics
  1 0 5	0 0	4 0	1 0	4 0	2 5	4 0	1 5 *	1 0	1 0	0 7
  General Information
  	HP	>>>	1,285 *	1,670 *				>>>	00.00	32.49
  		>>>	9 3	0 1				>>>	1 0 7	1 0 7
  	STA	>>>	1 6 0	1 8 0 *			E.L.	57.6 / 83.5 *		68.9%
  * = Augmented by equipment

  
  
  

  		Berserk: Musou
  		The Beast of Darkness
  Helm	-	Torso	-	Gauntlets	-	Greaves
  Iron Dragonslayer Helm		Iron Dragonslayer Armor	Unique Bonus Attire	Iron Dragonslayer Gauntlets		Iron Dragonslayer Leggings
  			Arsenal
  Left Hand Weapon	-	Weapon Art		Right Hand Weapon	-	Infusion Path
  Pyromancy Flame		Combustion		The Greatsword		Heavy Gem
  			Rings
  Ring 01	-	Ring 02	-	Ring 03	-	Ring 04
  Ring of Favor		Carthus Milk Ring		Chloranthy Ring		Ring of Steel Protection

  Magic
  Type	Conduit	Name	FP Cost	Slots Used	Requierements	Image
  Pyromancy	Pyromancy Flame	Sacred Flame	2 5	0 1	Intelligence - 0 8 Faith - 0 8

  LVL	HOL	VIG	ATT	END	VIT	STR	DEX	INT	FTH	LCK
  Base Statistics
  0 9	0 0	1 2	1 0	1 1	1 5	1 3	1 2	0 9	0 9	0 7
  Leveled Statistics
  1 2 5	0 0	4 0	1 5	4 0	4 0	4 0	1 5 *	1 0	1 0	0 7
  General Information
  	HP	>>>	1,285 *	1,670 *			PSE	>>>	00.00	38.10
  	FP	>>>	1 2 0	0 2			I.D.	>>>	1 0 7	1 0 7
  	STA	>>>	1 6 0	1 8 0 *			E.L.	59.5 / 86.4 *		68.8%
  * = Augmented by equipment

  
  

  General Gestures

  Idle Animation	Cooperative Introduction	Warrior of Sunlight Greeting	Duel Encounter	Invasion Encounter
  Rest	Bow	Quiet Resolve	Legion Etiquette	Beckon

Build Summary

This Cosplay Build is an exceptional stand alone character as well as one who could venture into New Game+ with ease. It is equipped with the powerful and legendary Dragonslayer; the very same sword which has bathed in the blood of both Hollows and Demons alike! Although the weight of this Ultra-Greatsword exceeds some others within its own weapon class, the phenomenal base damage and long-lasting Hyper Armor Frames help cut down enemies with relative swiftness. For threats that are just outside your range, the build is always equipped with the trusty Throwing Knife which allows you to keep pressure on the opponent(s) while fighting. The Undead Hunter Charm and the Duel Charm are exactly the tools you should employ if the Hollows buff their weapons or constantly heal. If you happen to come across a shield user or someone who is heavily armored, the Weapon Art of the Dragonslayer is ideal for the situation as it is un-parryable, covers horizontal distance, and does massive stamina drainage. The Caestus is mainly a defensive tool, either for the quick damaging jab or as a parry tool to set up a critical riposte.

Build Strengths

• Excellent gameplay in Offline and Online situations
• Build can utilize three playstyles - [ Offensive | Defensive | Supportive ]
• Build can deal damage at all ranges - [ Close | Mid | Long ]
• Build has great physical defense - [ Strike | Slash | Thrust ]
• Build has moderate spell defense - [ Magic ]
• Build has moderate elemental defense - [ Fire | Lightning | Dark ]
• Build emphasizes damage-per-hit rather than damage-over-time
• All attacks have high priority, thus ensuring damage when trading blows
• Hawk Greatsword possesses wide horizontal swings, with thrusting attacks, thus guarenteeing diversity in approach
• Hawk Greatsword possesses auxillary Skill - [ Charge ]
• Caestus possesses auxillary ability - [ Parry ]
• Caestus possesses auxillary Skill - [ Perseverance ]
• Canvas Talisman possesses auxillary Skill - [ Unfaltering Prayer ]
• Dragonslayer possesses wide horizontal swings, along with vertical slashes, thus guarenteeing diversity in approach
• Dragonslayer possesses auxillary Skill - [ Stomp ]
• Pyromancy Flame possesses auxillary damage - [ Fire ]
• Pyromancy Flame possesses auxillary Skill - [ Combustion ]

Build Weaknesses

• Build has access to very limited amounts of : Pyromancies, Sorceries , and Miracles
• Build has a low skill floor, but a very high learning curve
• Hawk Greatsword and the Dragonslayer both attack relatively slower than most weapons in the game
• Hawk Greatsword and the Dragonslayer both possess low target-tracking while attacking the opponent
• Hawk Greatsword now has a Weapon Art which can be parried with correct timing
• Dragonslayer is the third heaviest Ultra Greatsword within the game ( 20 units of weight ! )

Sides Notes

1. While using this build, it is recommended that you upgrade your equipment to maximum for the best quality experience.
2. While using this build, it is recommended that you always have at least 5,000 souls to resupply consumables after each encounter.
3. While using this build, remember that the " Item Section " is all preference so feel free to change it as you play.
4. While using this build, remember to have the Ashes of Ariandel & The Ringed City expansion(s) downloaded and fully installed ( w/ updates ) prior to playing.
5. While using this build, enjoy the fact that you are cosplaying as protagonist Guts from " BERSERK " by Kentaro Miura.