Notes from author
1700HP+
Max stamina
32 strength for the greataxe and the black knight greatsword
40 dex
Fast roll with any weapon configuration weighing up to 17.5 units
300+ defense with genuinely good looking set (really)
Free ring slot for whatever
You only really need poise against faster weapons such as rapiers, curved swords, straight swords ect. You don't really need it with bigger, slower weapons since you can just toggle out of stun super easily against them.
No 45 dex for pyros. Really you don't NEED the extra fast casting, just free aim your fireballs and the extra cast speed isn't necessary for a great combustion on wake up.
Fire whip is amazing to stop someone from trying to backstab fish. Just unlock and turn around for free damage. That and no one is used to seeing it.
Fire surge is great for pressuring an opponent or finishing them off safely.
As for items, it's the usual. Black firebombs are amazing to bait an attack which you can easily parry.
Lloyds for estus denial, weed for stamina, resins for buffs and manatees for heals. Simple stuff.
For fashion you can actually fit just about any light weight head piece so feel free to experiment.
Finally, you can go 40 strength if you don't mind being SL133. It still allows you to invade as low as SL120 so you shouldn't see any drops in activity but hey, you do you.
A build that relies on bit more on mechanical skill than your usual quality (free aiming, toggle escapes, baiting ect) and that's what makes it extremely fun in my opinion. Will also make you realize that really, some things aren't absolutely needed to be viable.
