The Most Iconic Builds of Every FromSoftware Soulslike Game

FromSoftware has a long and storied history, although most gamers came to know the studio in the wake of Demon’s Souls, which is arguably the most influential video game of the 2000s. While there have been some non-soulslike FromSoftware games in recent memory, namely Veracine, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (even if it’s somewhat debated), and Armored Core 6, the company may always be best known for the likes of Dark Souls and Elden Ring.

There are certainly worse things to be known for; FromSoftware not only invented the soulslike genre, but also perfected it. While I love Lies of P and Another Crab’s Treasure just as much as the next guy, it’s hard to argue that they capture the same atmosphere, tone, adventure, and mechanical depth of FromSoft’s best work. This is reflected in the culture that’s formed around FromSoftware’s soulslikes, as audiences have, over the years, made discoveries in these games that their developers may never have even envisioned. Nowhere is this clearer than in the myriad distinct builds that have sprouted from the FromSoft community, some of which are more memorable and distinct than others.

15 Best FromSoftware Games, Ranked

FromSoftware’s long roster of games is full of excellence. From Dark Souls to Armored Core 6 and Nightreign, here’s how the best titles rank up.

Demon’s Souls – Gloom Knight

Using a Scraping Spear Build Near the Gates of Boletaria in Demon's Souls remake

Although it’s not commonly named as someone’s first FromSoft experience, Demon’s Souls still stands tall as the progenitor of the studio’s now-iconic formula. Among other things, it kick-started FromSoftware’s penchant for brutal difficulty, which is why the Gloom Knight build, which features a heavy shield and spear, is so common. With this build, the once-difficult Demon’s Souls becomes almost trivially easy, as you can attack and block at the same time. Still, it doesn’t spoil the experience entirely, and for a newcomer looking for a fun and reliable kit, it’s hard to beat.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Honorable Mention – Blue Sentinel

A Demon's Soul Buiild Using Old King Doran's Set in the Nexus

Also worth noting is the Blue Sentinel build, which uses the legendary Demonbrandt sword and focuses on serious damage output. In the years following the original Demon’s Souls’ release, this has become an increasingly popular weapon and setup. The only reason I’m including it as an honorable mention is because it’s rather complicated to create, involving the Blue Eye Stone, World Tendency, and co-op, whereas Gloom Knight is intuitive.

Systems

Released: November 12, 2020
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence

Dark Souls – Giant Dad

An icon since it was discovered in 2012, the Giant Dad build is arguably Dark Souls 1’s most recognizable. It derives its name from its armor (Giant Armor, Mask of the Father), and is commonly paired with the Zweihander sword, though not always. The idea behind Giant Dad is to deal heavy HP and stagger damage while boasting high stagger resistance, allowing users to unleash quick and devastating punishment on their foes. For this reason, Giant Dad is particularly notorious in Dark Souls’ PvP scene.

Honorable Mention – Havel

Considered something of a precursor to Giant Dad, the Havel build is similarly tank-like, though not nearly as game-breaking. Still, the ludicrously chunky armor, greatshield, and Dragon’s Tooth Hammer make for an effective and often hilarious playthrough, especially for experienced players who don’t mind losing some dodge roll I-frames in favor of greater defense.

Released: September 22, 2011
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
Publisher(s): Namco Bandai

Dark Souls 2 – Fast Sorcerer

Dark Souls 2 is still seen as the black sheep of the Dark Souls franchise, but it’s got a few key strengths, with many of them revolving around magic builds. There are plenty of powerful spells to find, sure, but also gear that greatly increases spell-casting speed. Indeed, with the right kit, usually involving the Clear Bluestone Ring and Lion Mage Set, you can crank up your cast speed as much as 86%, making for a unique and addictive magic setup.

Honorable Mention – Vampire

Dark Souls 2 has some killer health regen gear as well, making so-called “vampire” builds especially viable. With items like The Crown of the Ivory King and the Charred Loyce Shield, you can get a steady supply of passive HP, and if you throw in the Eleum Loyce Curved Sword, which heals upon landing heavy attacks, you’ll become nearly immortal.

Released: March 11, 2014
ESRB: T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence

Dark Souls 3 – Sellsword Twinblades

Likely influenced by the design of Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3’s combat system is considerably faster and more aggressive than those of its predecessors, which is precisely why the quick, blood-loss-accumulating Sellsword Twinblades are so powerful. Upgrading these swords and speccing into Dexterity and Endurance can turn the player-character into a deadly ballerina of sorts, and on NG+ runs, this build is basically unstoppable.

Honorable Mention – Guts

It’s no secret that FromSoftware is heavily inspired by Berserk, and as such, just about every FromSoft soulslike features a not-so-subtle homage to Guts’ Dragonslayer Greatsword. I’ve played every Dark Souls game as Guts, and I have to say that Dark Souls 3 probably offers the best soil for this kind of build. Maybe it’s because combat is faster, but I find that DS3 makes this setup especially enjoyable. In my mind at least, it’s the definitive “Guts-like” experience.

Released: March 24, 2016
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood Violence

Bloodborne – Ludwig Warrior

Nothing quite screams “Bloodborne noob” like maining Ludwig’s Holy Blade, but there’s no shame in that—I’ve beaten Bloodborne countless times, and I still dip into the Holy Blade pond now and then. It’s an incredibly reliable weapon, and when backed by high Endurance, Strength, and Skill, it can make for a very fun, albeit straightforward, build. Plus, it’s one of only a few greatswords in Bloodborne, which ironically makes it stand out despite its relative simplicity.

Honorable Mention – Bloodborne Cover Art

It almost feels like cheating to include a starting build here, but I think Bloodborne has one exception. To emulate the character on the game’s box art, all you need to do is choose the Saw Cleaver and Hunter Blunderbuss after the cold open, and then pick up the Hunter Set. You’ll be well on your way to being the Bloodborne poster child. Not only is this build fundamentally iconic, but it’s also quite viable—you can do worse than the Saw Cleaver, I’ll tell you that.

Systems

Released: March 24, 2015
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence

Elden Ring – Let Me Solo Her

The legendary PvE Elden Ring player Let Me Solo Her got so good at beating Malenia that gamers across the globe have sought to emulate him, donning the unforgettable jar-and-loincloth look in their own playthroughs (and sometimes in real-life cosplays). With an upgraded Uchigatana in one hand and Rivers of Blood in the other, this setup is remarkably effective from a DPS perspective, although it offers little in the way of defense. It’s a high-risk, high-reward glass cannon setup, and for those who master it, it’s incredibly fun.

Honorable Mention – Moonveil Battlemage

This build is iconic by virtue of its sheer popularity. Much like the Ludwig Warrior build in Bloodborne, this loadout is a great fit for beginners, not only because of its immense power, but also because of its versatility. With a staff in one hand and the Moonveil Katana in the other, this is perfect for anyone splitting the difference between melee and magic, and Moonveil’s bifurcated Ash of War attacks make it ideal in the close and mid-range. It’s a hum-dinger, to be sure.