The Most Iconic Builds of Every FromSoftware Soulslike Game

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I’ve been a fan of FromSoftware for ages, and it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come! While they’ve been making games for a while, most people probably discovered them with Demon’s Souls – seriously, that game was a huge deal and really changed things up. They’ve branched out recently with games like Veracine, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (some people debate if it’s exactly a ‘Souls-like’, but it’s still awesome), and Armored Core 6. But let’s be real, they’ll probably always be most famous for the Dark Souls series and the incredible Elden Ring.

FromSoftware didn’t just create the ‘soulslike’ genre, they mastered it, and that’s a great legacy. While games like Lies of P and Another Crab’s Treasure are enjoyable, they don’t quite match the immersive atmosphere, compelling stories, and intricate gameplay of FromSoftware’s best titles. This is evident in the passionate community that’s grown around FromSoftware’s games, with players constantly discovering new things and creating unique ways to play that even the developers might not have considered. The diverse and creative builds players come up with are a testament to how engaging and open-ended these games truly are.

Demon’s Souls – Gloom Knight

Okay, so everyone talks about starting with Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but Demon’s Souls is really where it all began for FromSoftware. It’s the game that established their reputation for being seriously challenging. Because of that, a lot of players go with the Gloom Knight build – basically a heavy shield and spear combo. Honestly, it makes Demon’s Souls way easier than it used to be, letting you block and attack at the same time without much worry. It doesn’t ruin the game completely, though. If you’re new to these kinds of games and want something solid and fun to learn with, I’d definitely recommend giving the Gloom Knight a try.

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Honorable Mention – Blue Sentinel

The Blue Sentinel build is another strong option, built around the powerful Demonbrandt sword. It’s become a fan favorite since the original Demon’s Souls came out, known for dealing a lot of damage. I’m only mentioning it briefly because it’s more complex to set up than the Gloom Knight, requiring things like the Blue Eye Stone, managing World Tendency, and playing cooperatively. The Gloom Knight build is much more straightforward.

Dark Souls – Giant Dad

The “Giant Dad” build, instantly recognizable since its discovery in 2012, is one of the most famous ways to play Dark Souls 1. It gets its name from the Giant Armor and Father’s Mask typically used, and is often, but not always, combined with the Zweihander sword. The goal of this build is to deal a lot of damage and quickly stagger opponents while being very resistant to stagger yourself, letting you punish enemies effectively. Because of this, Giant Dad is especially well-known and feared in Dark Souls player-versus-player combat.

Honorable Mention – Havel

The Havel build, often seen as a forerunner to the popular ‘Giant Dad’ strategy, focuses on high defense. While not as overwhelmingly powerful, it’s still very effective. Players equip extremely heavy armor, a greatshield, and the Dragon’s Tooth Hammer, creating a strong – and often funny – playstyle. It’s best suited for experienced players who are willing to trade quick dodges for increased protection.

Dark Souls 2 – Fast Sorcerer

While often considered the least popular of the Dark Souls games, Dark Souls 2 has some notable strengths, especially for players who enjoy magic. The game offers a wide variety of powerful spells, and unique gear can significantly boost how quickly you cast them. With the right combination of items, like the Clear Bluestone Ring and Lion Mage Set, you can increase your casting speed by up to 86%, creating a fast-paced and engaging magic experience.

Honorable Mention – Vampire

Like the first game, Dark Souls 2 lets you find powerful gear that quickly restores your health. This makes builds focused on health regeneration – often called “vampire” builds – very effective. Items such as The Crown of the Ivory King and the Charred Loyce Shield constantly restore HP, and if you add the Eleum Loyce Curved Sword (which heals you when you land strong attacks), you can become incredibly difficult to kill.

Dark Souls 3 – Sellsword Twinblades

Taking cues from Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3 features a much faster and more attack-focused combat system than earlier games. This is why weapons like the Sellsword Twinblades – which quickly build up damage through bleeding – are so effective. By upgrading these swords and focusing on Dexterity and Endurance, players can become incredibly agile and deadly, especially in later playthroughs.

Honorable Mention – Guts

FromSoftware, the creators of games like Dark Souls, are clearly inspired by the manga Berserk. Because of this, their games often include references to Guts’ iconic Dragonslayer sword. I’ve tried playing every Dark Souls game as Guts, and I think Dark Souls 3 is the best one for this style of gameplay. The faster combat in DS3 makes the build particularly fun, and to me, it feels like the ultimate way to play a character inspired by Guts.

Bloodborne – Ludwig Warrior

Using Ludwig’s Holy Blade is often seen as a sign of a new Bloodborne player, but there’s nothing wrong with that! Even after many playthroughs, I still enjoy using it. It’s a very dependable weapon, and with enough Endurance, Strength, and Skill, it’s a fun and effective way to play. Ironically, because there aren’t many greatswords in Bloodborne, the Holy Blade stands out even though it’s relatively simple.

Honorable Mention – Bloodborne Cover Art

It feels a little like giving away secrets to suggest a starting build, but Bloodborne has one clear choice. If you want to look like the hunter on the game’s cover, simply select the Saw Cleaver and Hunter Blunderbuss at the beginning, then grab the Hunter Set. You’ll instantly have the iconic Bloodborne look! This build isn’t just visually striking—it’s actually a good one; you could definitely start with worse weapons than the Saw Cleaver.

Elden Ring – Let Me Solo Her

As a huge Elden Ring fan, I was amazed watching Let Me Solo Her become a legend by consistently defeating Malenia. It got to the point where so many players started copying his look – you know, the jar helmet and loincloth! – both in the game and even with real-life cosplay. His weapon combo – an upgraded Uchigatana and Rivers of Blood – is seriously powerful for dealing damage, though it leaves you pretty vulnerable. It’s a risky playstyle, basically a ‘glass cannon,’ but if you can pull it off, it’s unbelievably fun and satisfying.

Honorable Mention – Moonveil Battlemage

This build is incredibly popular for good reason. Similar to a well-known beginner-friendly build in Bloodborne, it’s both powerful and adaptable. Combining a staff with the Moonveil Katana lets you effectively use both magic and melee combat. Plus, the Moonveil’s unique weapon skill is excellent at both close and medium range. It’s a truly outstanding combination.

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2026-05-26 18:06