A Melee Pure Strength Build Guide
Last updated: 9/05/24 (Patch 3)
I’m going to preface this by saying I generally dislike guides. I’m a firm believer that in ARPG’s you can impart your own style and get great results. That said, hopefully this information can provide you with tools and information to use in your build some day.
Introduction
This build has both fun technical combos and beginner friendly tools all in one. Sticking to pure strength scaling there will be many weapons available throughout the leveling process. In addition, this build utilizes a wide range of mechanics in Wicked. A great starting point for learning the core gameplay loop (buffs, blocking, parries, and high variation in weapon attack animations).
Check out this video for some gameplay footage.
Also, here is a link to a flawless Echo Knight fight! Lots of parrying
Attributes & Gearing
Example shown here.
Disclaimer. The only stats you NEED are the minimum requirements for the weapons themselves. Mess around with it and find out what works for you.
I still tweak the total focus, stamina, and strength values to this day. In general you’ll want a large focus pool for this build. Think of it maybe like a melee caster weaving runes between auto attacks. Because we’re using white weapons you’ll need as much focus gain % as you can get your hands on (so that you can sustain focus through auto attacks).
Stamina can be very forgiving depending on gear; I try to use as little as possible to maximize points left over for damage scaling. That said if you don’t have enough resources to sufficiently attack, dodge, sprint, & shove… You know what to do. No sense in having all that attack damage if you can’t use it.
Now… I mentioned shove. This build makes use of shove AND medium load dodge. By infusing your shield with % weight reduction we’re able to take advantage of both the medium dodge (Sword n board) and shove (Great-sword). You can always choose to switch this up but I find it a lot of fun so give it a try.
Not only can shove toss and enemy off the edge of the map, it can also aid in combos, and flinch mobs (interrupting their attacks). To do this you’ll need your equip load and weight just on the edge (59%) with sword and board equipped. This way when we swap to Great-sword you’ll get access to shove. Playing with the heavy roll can help train players not to spam dodge rolls as you’re sure to get yourself killed doing so in the heavy roll animation.
I’d recommend mesh or plate armor for added survivability and poise. While not the sexiest versions of these armor sets, both are available directly from the blacksmith in Sacrament. This will definitely come in handy when looking for the right affixes.
Key Affixes of Note:
- Gain X% Stamina on Damage Dealt
- Stamina Increased by X
- Focus Regeneration
- Focus Gain Increased
- Focus Increased by X%
- Gain X% Focus on Damage Dealt
- Gain X Focus on Focus Use
- Health Regeneration
- Gain X% Health on Damage Dealt
- Equip Load & Items Weight
- Poise Defense
Weapons
- Governor’s Sword preview
Selected because of it’s attribute scaling and excellent move set. You can use Blood Rusted-Sword until you get a drop. I like to take Piercing Dash (for damage and mobility), and Evasive Pierce (for damage, mobility, and a flinch) in addition to the default rune Slamdown. See the preview for infusions.
Note that the runes can be adjusted to your preference. Just try to keep in mind why these runes were selected in the first place. You’ll want a nice mix of mobility and flinch for large enemies. - Round Shield preview
Any medium shield will do… so long as you can still use split weight. You can use Wooden Shield while leveling until you get a drop and Barred Shield when upgrading your vendor. I suggest a medium shield over anything else for its animations. If you don’t like to parry, you may want to use a larger shield. Keep in mind you will be unable to use both the medium and heavy equip load if your one hand weapon and shield weight are too high. Look out for Focus and HP on parry for enchantments. - Simple Torch
Ah… good ol stat stick. I like to put Damage Surge and Stamina Wellspring on it. You’ll want to keep and eye out for gain % health on damage delt and gain % focus on damage delt when rolling this weapon. While not a requirement… also be on the look out for the indestructible affix. Torches consume durability when used. - Festering Earth preview
The “best” pure strength two hander in my opinion. The move set has both a lunging attack (sprinting attack) and access to a strong attack from neutral (press and hold). We’ll compliment this move set with rune attacks which is one of the reasons we want a large focus pool. While leveling you can always use Corpse Smeared Blade or Claymore. I like to take Wallbraker (damage and mobility) and Slashing Spin (AOE damage and flinch). Combine these with an elemental enhancement rune for higher damage. See the preview for infusions.
Be on the look out for the following items for their runes:
- Hunter’s Knife (Piercing Dash)
- Tucked Falcon (Evasive Pierce)
- Summer’s Sting (Wallbreaker)
- Freiheit (Slashing Spin)
Note, these are not the only runes applicable to the build, but a starting point. So long as you are sure to have mobility, single target, AoE, and flinch you’ll be in good shape.
Rings
- Fierce Ring
Pretty Straight forward choice as it buffs our damage and survivability. - Willow Cap Ring
Movement speed feels great to me, so I use this ring. The attack speed is less noticable but still beneficial. While not a requirement the build can feel sluggish when not equipped. Highly recommend. - Agility Ring
While the ring was nerfed in Patch 3 it still provides great benefits. Especially when maneuvering with a heavy weapon like Great-sword. Highly recommend.
There are other options of course but these are the three I find myself coming back to time and time again based on how the build feels. It’s worth mentioning that Band of Calmness and Rune Ring also have a place in this build but since damage isn’t our issue I find myself favoring the move speed set up.
Food & Buff
- Herb-Infused Riverfeast
Can you use other foods? Yeah of course. I take this food almost exclusively because it’s easy to obtain (vendor) and it saves attribute points getting me to my target 100HP. In addition, damage surge is stronger than and does not stack with the food damage buff. - Sirloin Platter
Same idea behind the use of Herb-Infused Riverfeast however since it’s a T3 food you get even more benefits. If you can spare the silver it’s worth the upgrade to free up even more attribute points.
Playstyle & Mechanics
Notes:
- You’ll have at your disposal a large variety of buffs. I don’t typically bother popping them ass as it’s tedious. However, if you’re struggling use all the tools to your advantage!
- Get comfortable using light and strong attacks as needed. The build can be very technical and I find it fun and rewarding.
- Get comfortable using parry! To maximize the effectiveness of both weapons sets you’ll want to get used to parry.
- Managing focus can be a problem while using the two hander. It’s critical to weave auto attacks between rune attacks. If needed you can always swap to Sword/Torch to get back focus quickly.
- If you choose to play with an elemental enhancement pure elemental scaling runes work very well together to proc the elemental effects (note elemental enhancement will not buff elemental runes, this can only be done via raw damage buffs such as Damage Surge and Blade Oil)
Closing Thoughts
If you enjoy this build and/or guide please let me know.
Also if you have any questions feel free to ask in this thread.
If you’d like to see more gameplay footage of this build come hang out in the stream over on Twitch. I don’t have a schedule or anything. It’s not a monetized channel. I just fuck about every so often to hang out with folks.
Stay Wicked 
Change Log:
- 8/25/24: additional comments; added where the runes in the build can be found.
- 8/29/24: added artwork by @aldirsharp
- 8/29/24: added additional context as needed
- 9/05/24: added flawless Echo Knight clear video and some additional notes