Path of Exile 2 Druid Patch 0.4 Build Guide Forms Skills and Tips

 

Druid Review Patch 0.4 The Most Unique Class in PoE 2

The Path of Exile Druid introduced in Patch 0.4 is a hybrid archetype that blends persistent human-form spellcasting with instantaneous shapeshifts into three distinct animal forms. That hybrid identity is the Druid’s defining strength: you set up long-lasting area effects or damage-over-time spells in human form, then instantly swap into Bear, Wolf, or Wyvern to exploit those effects with melee, skirmish, or ranged mechanics. This creates a layered playstyle where planning and timing matter as much as raw gear numbers.

If you enjoy builds that feel like choreography—casting a field, stepping into a form, and watching the battlefield change around you—the Druid rewards creativity. The class is not a simple “press one button” archetype; it asks you to think about persistence, resource loops, and how different forms complement your spell choices. That complexity is why many players call the Druid the most unique class in the game.

This guide walks you from the first levels through endgame optimization. It explains how each form works in practice, which human-form spells to prioritize, how to evaluate animal talismans, and how to tune ascendancy and passive choices for both beginner-friendly and endgame variants. The goal is to give you a playable, resilient, and fun Druid build that scales into high-tier content.

How the forms work in practice

The Druid’s three forms—Bear, Wolf, and Wyvern—are distinct in rhythm and role. Each form has its own resource loop and combat cadence, and the human-form spells you cast before shifting often persist, creating layered synergies.

Bear is the heavy hitter. It’s designed for single-target dominance and tanky play. Bear’s mechanics revolve around rage or similar resources that build as you fight, enabling powerful slam-like attacks and burst windows. When you cast a persistent human spell—an area volcano, a thorn field, or a lingering storm—then shift into Bear, you can stand in the middle of the effect and convert that passive damage into concentrated single-target pressure. Bear excels at boss fights and situations where you need to hold ground.

Wolf is the skirmisher. It’s fast, mobile, and built for clear speed. Wolf’s attacks often have cold or pack mechanics that favor rapid movement and frequent repositioning. The Wolf playstyle is about hit-and-run, using persistent human spells as traps or slow fields that let you kite and pick off enemies. Wolf is ideal for mapping and content where mobility and crowd control matter more than raw single-target damage.

Wyvern is the ranged specialist. It uses breath or projectile mechanics and often interacts with corpse or devour systems. Wyvern can consume lingering human-form effects—like magma balls or lingering lightning—to amplify ranged damage or apply status effects. Wyvern is the best choice when you want to stay at range, manipulate battlefield geometry, and leverage persistent spells as ammunition or triggers.

Across all forms, the key mechanic to master is persistence. Human-form spells often remain active after you shift, so your job is to set the battlefield and then choose the form that best converts that setup into damage or control. That means your build must balance spell scaling and attack scaling, and your gear must support both sides of the hybrid equation.

Leveling path and early progression

Leveling a Druid Patch 0.4 character is about learning the form you want to commit to while keeping options open. Early on, pick one form to master—this reduces cognitive load and helps you learn resource loops. For most players, the Bear is the easiest to learn because its defensive profile is forgiving; Wolf and Wyvern require more finesse.

Start by prioritizing survivability. Early passive nodes that increase life, resistances, and basic attack/spell damage are essential. Use human-form spells that are cheap and persistent; these let you set traps and then shift into your chosen form to finish fights. If you plan to play Bear, focus on spells that create persistent single-target pressure or area-of-effect damage you can stand in. If you plan to play Wolf, choose spells that slow or chill enemies to let you kite. For Wyvern, pick spells that leave lingering projectiles or corpses to interact with.

Your first talisman is a milestone. Animal talismans are the item type that determines your basic shapeshift attack and often provide form-specific bonuses. Early talismans will be modest, so prioritize ones that boost your chosen form’s primary stat—damage, attack speed, or breath potency—while also offering life or resistances. Don’t chase perfect talismans at level 1; a reliable talisman that complements your form is more valuable than a rare talisman with awkward stats.

Passive progression should be pragmatic. Take life and hybrid damage nodes early, then add nodes that increase the damage type your human spells use. If your spells are elemental, pick elemental damage and area nodes. If they’re physical or chaos, adjust accordingly. The passive tree for a hybrid Druid is about balance: you need enough spell power to make your human-form setup meaningful and enough attack power to make your form swaps lethal.

Skill gem priorities and support choices

Human-form spells are the Druid’s setup tools. Choose spells that persist and scale well with supports that increase duration, area, or elemental conversion. Support gems that extend duration or add area-of-effect are often more valuable than raw damage supports because they increase the uptime and coverage of your persistent effects while you’re shapeshifted.

For Bear-focused builds, prioritize human spells that create concentrated damage zones or debuffs that amplify melee damage. Supports that add physical-to-elemental conversion or increase damage over time can be excellent because Bear benefits from both burst and sustained pressure.

Wolf builds favor spells that chill, slow, or apply pack-like mechanics. Supports that add cold conversion, increase attack speed, or add on-hit effects are strong because Wolf’s mobility and rapid attacks scale with those modifiers.

Wyvern benefits from spells that leave lingering projectiles or corpses. Supports that increase projectile count, add chain or pierce, or boost elemental status effects are useful. Wyvern’s breath attacks often scale with projectile or elemental modifiers, so choose supports that enhance those aspects.

Across all builds, a few support priorities stand out: increased area or duration for persistent spells, elemental conversion where it amplifies your form’s damage, and defensive supports that add life or resistances to your human-form casting. Remember that socketing choices matter: hybrid sockets that let you combine spell and attack supports are rare but powerful for Druids.

Talisman and gear roadmap

Animal talismans are the Druid’s signature gear. They determine your basic shapeshift attack and often carry form-specific bonuses. When evaluating talismans, prioritize the following attributes in order: form damage (or breath/projectile power), life, resistances, and modifiers that boost your human-form spells. A talisman that slightly underperforms in raw damage but gives life and resistances will often be better for progression than a fragile high-damage talisman.

Armor and accessories should support hybrid scaling. Look for items that increase both spell and attack damage, or that provide strong defensive stats like life, energy shield, and resistances. Hybrid builds benefit from items that add elemental damage to attacks or convert physical to elemental damage, because those affixes amplify both human spells and form attacks.

Unique items can be transformative. Seek uniques that increase the duration or area of your human spells, or that add on-hit effects to your shapeshift attacks. Some uniques that boost movement speed or provide life leech are also excellent because they smooth the Druid’s playstyle across forms.

Crafting priorities change as you progress. Early game, prioritize life and resistances. Midgame, add hybrid damage affixes and form-specific boosts. Endgame, chase high-tier talismans with perfect form damage and socketed supports that maximize your chosen playstyle. If you plan to run multiple forms, consider carrying a secondary talisman for swapping in specific encounters.

Passive tree and ascendancy guidance

The passive tree for a Druid must balance spell and attack scaling. Start with life and hybrid damage nodes, then branch into nodes that increase the damage type your human spells use. If your spells are elemental, take elemental damage and area nodes; if they’re physical, take attack and physical scaling nodes.

Ascendancy choices are pivotal. Two ascendancies stand out for Druids: Shaman and Oracle. Shaman tends to favor raw melee power and rage synergies, making it a natural fit for Bear builds that want to maximize single-target burst. Oracle leans toward utility and spell layering, which pairs well with Wyvern and Wolf builds that rely on persistent human spells and battlefield control.

A beginner-friendly ascendancy path is to pick Shaman for its straightforward damage and defensive synergies. Shaman nodes often grant life, rage generation, and direct damage increases that make the Bear form forgiving and powerful. For players who prefer a more tactical approach, Oracle offers nodes that enhance spell persistence, utility, and unique interactions that can make Wyvern or Wolf builds more versatile.

When planning your ascendancy, think about the endgame role you want. If you want to solo bosses and tank, Shaman’s nodes that increase rage and melee potency are ideal. If you want to manipulate maps, control crowds, and scale persistent spells, Oracle’s utility nodes will pay off.

Playstyle examples and combos

A Druid fight is often a three-step choreography: cast, shift, and execute. Here are two narrated examples that show how that choreography plays out in practice.

Beginner Bear example: You enter a boss arena and cast a persistent human-form spell that creates a ring of magma or thorny vines. That field persists as you shift into Bear. You build rage by landing a few basic attacks, then use Bear’s slam or heavy attack to detonate the field’s damage into concentrated single-target pressure. If the boss telegraphs a heavy attack, you use Bear’s defensive cooldowns and the field’s damage-over-time to survive through the window. This approach is forgiving because the field provides consistent damage while Bear’s defenses soak hits.

Wyvern ranged example: You cast a human-form spell that spawns lingering projectiles or corpses. You shift into Wyvern and use breath attacks to consume those lingering effects, converting them into amplified ranged damage. Wyvern’s mobility keeps you at range while the persistent spells act as ammunition. Against packs, you kite and let the lingering effects thin the group before moving in to finish stragglers.

These examples show the Druid’s core loop: set the battlefield with human spells, then choose the form that best converts that setup into damage or control. Mastery comes from learning when to cast, which spells to persist, and how to time form swaps for maximum effect.

Endgame tuning and optimization

Endgame Druids must refine resistances, defenses, and damage scaling. Hybrid builds are vulnerable to gaps in either side of their scaling, so aim for balanced gear that doesn’t sacrifice survivability for raw numbers.

Resistances are non-negotiable. High-tier maps and bosses hit hard with elemental and chaos damage, so cap your resistances and use flasks and jewels to plug holes. Life and energy shield are your primary defenses; prioritize life on gear and use leech or regeneration mechanics to sustain through prolonged fights.

Damage optimization focuses on two axes: human-form spell potency and form attack scaling. For spells, chase increased area, duration, and elemental damage. For forms, chase attack speed, critical chance (if your form uses crits), and flat damage affixes. Jewels that increase both spell and attack damage are rare but extremely valuable.

Crafting and socketing choices matter. Use high-quality support gems for your persistent spells and ensure your talismans are socketed with the right supports for your form. Consider using a secondary talisman for specific encounters—one talisman optimized for bosses and another for mapping can be a practical compromise.

Mapping strategy should play to your form’s strengths. Bear maps should be tackled with careful positioning and single-target focus. Wolf maps favor speed and pack-clearing efficiency. Wyvern maps reward ranged control and careful use of lingering effects. Adjust your flask setup and movement skills to match the map type.

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

Players often make the same mistakes when learning the Druid. The most common is trying to scale both forms and spells equally without focusing on one synergy. Hybrid scaling is powerful, but it requires a clear plan: choose whether your build will be spell-first with form support, form-first with spell support, or a true hybrid that carefully balances both.

Another frequent error is neglecting talisman choice. Animal talismans are not cosmetic; they define your form’s baseline power. Don’t assume any talisman will do—choose one that complements your playstyle and upgrade it as you progress.

Finally, players sometimes forget to tune defensive layers. The Druid’s hybrid nature can leave gaps in mitigation. Use life, resistances, and leech mechanics to smooth those gaps, and don’t be afraid to sacrifice some damage for survivability during progression.

Beginner Druid build example

This beginner-friendly build focuses on Bear for survivability and straightforward play. It’s designed to be easy to gear and forgiving while teaching the Druid’s core mechanics.

Start with a life-first passive path and pick Shaman ascendancy for its rage and melee synergies. Use a human-form spell that creates a persistent area-of-effect—something that deals elemental damage over time. Equip a talisman that boosts Bear damage and life. Prioritize life and resistances on armor and accessories. Use support gems that increase duration and area for your human spell, and socket attack supports for Bear’s main attack.

Playstyle: Cast your persistent spell, shift into Bear, build rage with basic attacks, and use Bear’s heavy attack to convert the field’s damage into concentrated single-target pressure. Use movement skills to reposition and flasks to sustain.

This build is forgiving and scales well into midgame. As you progress, add jewels that increase both spell and attack damage, and upgrade your talisman to one with better form damage.

Endgame Druid build example

The endgame variant is a Wyvern-centric hybrid that uses persistent human spells as ammunition for ranged breath attacks. It requires more precise gear but rewards with high sustained damage and map control.

Choose Oracle ascendancy for spell utility and persistent enhancements. Focus your passive tree on elemental damage, projectile modifiers, and hybrid scaling. Use human spells that leave lingering projectiles or corpses, and socket supports that increase projectile count and elemental status effects. Equip a high-tier Wyvern talisman that boosts breath damage and projectile modifiers. Prioritize life, resistances, and critical chance on gear if your Wyvern build uses crits.

Playstyle: Cast your persistent spells to seed the map, shift into Wyvern, and use breath attacks to consume and amplify those lingering effects. Maintain distance, use flasks for sustain, and swap talismans for boss fights if necessary.

This endgame build requires careful tuning of jewels, flasks, and talismans, but it scales extremely well into high-tier maps when optimized.

Crafting and jewel priorities

Jewels that increase both spell and attack damage are the most valuable for hybrid Druids. Look for jewels that add elemental damage to attacks, increase spell area, or provide hybrid life and damage bonuses. Crafting priorities should follow a progression: life and resistances early, hybrid damage midgame, and perfect talismans and high-tier jewels for endgame.

When crafting talismans, aim for form damage, life, and resistances. If you can craft or trade for a talisman with a socketed support or a unique modifier that boosts your human spells, that can be a game-changer.

Mapping and group play

In solo play, the Druid’s flexibility shines: you can set the battlefield and then choose the form that best handles the encounter. In group play, communicate your role. Bear Druids make excellent off-tanks and single-target specialists. Wolf Druids excel at clearing and applying crowd control. Wyvern Druids provide ranged sustained damage and can manipulate battlefield geometry.

When mapping, adapt your talisman and flask setup to the map’s threats. Use movement skills to avoid dangerous mechanics and rely on persistent spells to control packs. In groups, coordinate your persistent spells with allies to maximize area denial and damage windows.

Common questions answered

The FAQ below addresses the most frequent concerns players have when starting a Druid.

FAQ

Is the Druid beginner friendly? The Druid has a learning curve because of form-swapping and persistent spells, but a Bear-focused beginner build is forgiving and a great way to learn the class’s mechanics.

Which form is best for bosses? Bear is typically best for single-target bosses due to its burst and defensive profile. Wyvern can be excellent for ranged sustained fights, and Wolf is best for fast clears and freeze setups.

Do human spells persist while shapeshifted? Yes. The Druid’s design centers on persistent human-form spells that remain active after you shift, enabling layered combos between spells and forms.

Which ascendancy should I pick first? Shaman is beginner-friendly and powerful for Bear builds. Oracle is more tactical and pairs well with Wyvern and Wolf builds that rely on persistent spells and utility.

Can I switch forms mid-map? Yes. You can swap talismans and forms to adapt to different encounters, but it’s often more efficient to specialize for a given map type and swap only when necessary.

What should I prioritize on talismans? Prioritize form damage, life, resistances, and modifiers that boost your human-form spells. A balanced talisman that supports both offense and defense is ideal for progression.

How do I balance spell and attack scaling? Decide whether your build is spell-first, form-first, or a true hybrid. Allocate passive points and gear accordingly: spells need area/duration/elemental scaling, while forms need attack speed, flat damage, and crit where applicable.

Quick answer: I created concise, ready‑to‑use passive tree paths, gem and socket setups, and a prioritized shopping list for both the beginner Bear build and the endgame Wyvern build—optimized around animal talismans and the Druid’s hybrid spell‑form loop.

Path of Exile Druid Patch 0.4 Build Pack

Passive tree snapshot for Bear beginner

Focus life, melee scaling, and hybrid nodes that buff both spells and attacks. Key clusters: large life wheel, melee damage near the left side, and a few elemental/spell nodes to support persistent human spells. Take early life and armor nodes, then branch to rage generation and slam/maul damage. Shaman ascendancy is recommended for straightforward rage and melee synergies.

Gem and socket layout Bear beginner

Main weapon/attack slot: Maul (talisman) linked with Melee Damage Support and Life on Hit Support. Human spell slot: Volcano linked with Increased Area and Duration Support to maximize persistence while shapeshifted. Movement: one mobility skill with a defensive support. Keep one utility slot for a warcry or totem meta gem to boost rage generation.

Passive tree snapshot for Wyvern endgame

Prioritize projectile and elemental scaling, critical chance if using crit, and spell area/duration for persistent effects. Oracle ascendancy pairs well for utility and spell layering; invest in projectile damage, elemental penetration, and hybrid jewels that add spell+attack bonuses.

Gem and socket layout Wyvern endgame

Primary human spell: Volcano / Rolling Magma with Increased Projectile Count, Elemental Damage with Attacks, and Duration. Wyvern breath slot: Breath Rend linked with Projectile Damage, Critical Strike Chance, and On Hit Elemental Effect. Reserve a slot for corpse interaction or devour mechanics to fuel Wyvern’s charge system.

Prioritized shopping list (talismans and uniques)

• Form damage talisman: highest priority; boosts Bear/Wyvern base attacks.

• Life and resist talisman: progression staple for survivability.

• Spell augment talisman: increases human-form spell area/duration.

• Hybrid jewels: jewels that add both spell and attack damage.

• Movement/defense uniques: flasks and boots that add leech or damage mitigation.

Quick tuning checklist

Cap resistances, aim for high life, balance spell vs attack scaling depending on whether you favor human spells or forms, and carry a secondary talisman for boss swaps. The Druid’s design centers on seamless form swaps and persistent spells, so gear that enhances both sides is ideal.

Quick answer: I created compact, ready‑to‑use passive tree snapshots, socket and gem layouts, and a prioritized gear/talisman shopping list plus a step‑by‑step leveling plan with exact gem level targets and vendor recipe checkpoints for both the Bear beginner and Wyvern endgame variants.

Passive tree snapshots

Bear beginner: Start at life wheel, take life and armor clusters, then branch to melee damage and rage generation nodes; pick a few hybrid spell nodes so human‑form spells remain effective. This path emphasizes survivability and slam/maul scaling. Wyvern endgame: Prioritize projectile and elemental damage clusters, critical chance if using crit, and jewels that add both spell and attack modifiers; take nodes that boost spell persistence and projectile count for human‑form spells.

Gem and socket setups

Bear beginner socket layout (minimal bullets to keep clarity):

• Maul attack link: Maul + Melee Damage Support + Life on Hit Support.

• Human spell link: Volcano + Increased Area + Duration Support.

• Utility: Movement skill + Defensive Support; Warcry meta gem for rage generation.

Wyvern endgame socket layout:

• Primary spell link: Rolling Magma/Volcano + Increased Projectile Count + Elemental Damage with Attacks.

• Wyvern breath link: Breath Rend + Projectile Damage + Critical Strike Chance (or On Hit elemental).

• Support/utility link: Corpse interaction/devour skill + Duration/Area where applicable.

Prioritized shopping list and talisman targets

• Form damage talisman: highest priority—boosts Bear/Wyvern base attacks.

• Life and resist talisman: progression staple for survivability.

• Spell augment talisman: increases human‑form spell area/duration.

• Hybrid jewels: jewels that add both spell and attack damage.

• Movement/defense uniques: flasks and boots with leech or mitigation.

Leveling plan with gem levels and vendor checkpoints

Level 1–10: Use basic human spell (Volcano) and a simple talisman; aim to get Volcano to level 4–6 by level 10. Vendor: buy life flasks and a talisman with +life/resists. Level 10–30: Focus on one form (Bear recommended). Raise Maul to level 15 by ~level 20; socket Melee Damage and Life on Hit. Vendor recipe: trade 3 rare rings for a useful midgame ring if available. Level 30–60: Add Duration and Increased Area to human spells; get a talisman with form damage and life. By level 50, aim for support gems at level 17–18. Swap ascendancy at the first lab run; Shaman for Bear, Oracle for Wyvern. Endgame prep: Acquire hybrid jewels and a high‑tier talisman; optimize sockets for Increased Projectile Count and critical supports for Wyvern.

Notes and context

The Druid is a Strength/Intelligence hybrid that uses animal talismans to shapeshift into Bear, Wolf, or Wyvern; human spells persist and interact with forms, enabling layered combos.

Quick answer: I created compact, ready‑to‑use passive tree snapshots, socket and gem layouts, a prioritized gear and talisman shopping list, and a step‑by‑step leveling plan for both a beginner Bear build and an endgame Wyvern variant—all tuned to the Path of Exile Druid identity in Druid Patch 0.4 and focused on animal talismans and hybrid scaling.

Passive tree snapshot

Bear beginner: prioritize life, armor, and melee clusters, then take rage generation and a few hybrid spell nodes so human spells remain effective while shapeshifted. This path emphasizes survivability and slam/maul scaling. Wyvern endgame: focus on projectile and elemental clusters, spell persistence nodes, and hybrid jewels that add both spell and attack modifiers; Oracle ascendancy pairs well for persistent spell layering.

Gem and socket layouts

Bear starter: main weapon link with Maul + Melee Damage Support + Life on Hit, human spell link with Volcano + Increased Area + Duration; keep one utility slot for a warcry or movement skill. Wyvern endgame: human spell link with Rolling Magma/Volcano + Increased Projectile Count + Elemental Damage with Attacks, Wyvern breath link with Projectile Damage + Critical Strike Chance + On Hit elemental for corpse/devour synergies.

Gear and talisman shopping list

• Form damage talisman: highest priority to boost Bear/Wyvern base attacks; seek life and form‑damage rolls.

• Life and resist talisman: progression staple to cap resistances and survive mapping.

• Spell augment talisman: increases human‑form spell area/duration to maximize persistence.

• Hybrid jewels: jewels that add both spell and attack damage are premium endgame targets.

• Movement and defense uniques: flasks/boots with leech or mitigation smooth hybrid gaps.

Leveling plan and vendor checkpoints

Levels 1–10: pick a persistent human spell and a basic talisman; get Volcano to ~4–6 and prioritize life flasks. Levels 10–30: commit to Bear for learning; raise Maul to ~15 and socket Melee Damage + Life on Hit. Levels 30–60: add Duration and Increased Area supports; do first Lab and pick Shaman for Bear or Oracle for Wyvern. Endgame prep: hunt hybrid jewels, perfect talismans, and optimize sockets for projectile/crit where applicable.

Quick tuning checklist and common fixes

Balance spell vs attack scaling by choosing a clear role (spell‑first, form‑first, or hybrid). Upgrade talismans early; cap resistances and prioritize life before chasing raw DPS. If survivability falters, add life leech or swap to a defensive talisman.

Read More

Guild Wars 2 Fire Wizard Quickness Evoker Guide

 

Introduction and role summary

This guide teaches you how to play a Guild Wars 2 Fire Evoker focused on Mighty power scaling that doubles as a Quickness support for PvE content. The build centers on converting raw power into sustained burning damage while using the Evoker’s familiar and trait toolkit to supply quickness and short bursts of group utility. Expect a high‑APM, rhythm‑based playstyle that rewards precise timing, field placement, and blast finishers. This guide covers gear, stat priorities, trait choices, utilities, a detailed rotation and opener, positioning, consumables, group value, troubleshooting, and a thorough FAQ.

What this build does and who it’s for

This variant of the Fire Evoker is designed for players who want to contribute strong personal DPS while reliably providing quickness to a party. It’s ideal for raid groups, fractal teams, and open-world boss encounters where sustained burn and consistent boon uptime are valuable. The build emphasizes:

• Sustained power damage through Inferno scaling and burning.

• Quickness uptime via the familiar and trait synergies.

• High skill ceiling: requires practice to maintain the loop and avoid interruptions.

• Group utility: consistent boon coverage and occasional might/pressure windows.

If you prefer low‑APM, heavy burst, or heavy crowd control, this isn’t the best pick. If you enjoy weaving fields, blast finishers, and keeping a steady stream of damage while supporting allies, this build shines.

Stat priorities and why they matter

The core stat goal is Berserker (power/precision/ferocity) to maximize direct damage and critical scaling. Because this build leans on Mighty infusions and power scaling to amplify burning and blast finishers, raw power and crit chance are the most impactful stats.

• Power increases base damage and scales Inferno effects.

• Precision raises critical chance, which multiplies damage through ferocity.

• Ferocity increases critical damage, making each crit hit much stronger.

• Mighty infusions are used to further boost power and synergize with the build’s theme.

Exotic Berserker gear is fine for learning; ascended or legendary gear is recommended for consistent top-end performance in raids and high-level fractals. If you need a budget option, use exotic Berserker with a mix of Mighty and Berserker infusions until you can upgrade.

Weapons and utility choices

Primary weapon set: Scepter / Focus. This pairing gives reliable ranged and mid-range options, strong field placement, and multiple blast finishers. Scepter provides consistent single-target pressure and fields, while Focus offers defensive and supportive options that help maintain uptime and survivability.

Alternative weapon sets: Staff for more field control and sustained AoE; Greatsword for mobility and burst windows if you prefer melee rotations. The scepter/focus combination remains the most consistent for the familiar loop and quickness uptime.

Utility skills to prioritize include:

• Fox’s Fury (or equivalent Evoker elite) for quickness synergy and burst windows.

• Signet of Fire or a similar fire utility to maintain blast finishes and field control.

• A reliable heal or defensive skill to survive raid mechanics and maintain uptime.

Choose utilities that complement your group composition and the encounter’s demands.

Traits and trait lines

Lock in Fire as your primary trait line to access Inferno scaling and the core burning mechanics. Pair with Evoker trait choices that enhance the familiar’s quickness application and reduce cooldowns on key weapon skills. The third trait line can be Air or Dragon depending on whether you want extra crit/ferocity or more defensive and mobility options.

Key trait choices to look for:

• Traits that increase burning duration or damage scaling from power.

• Traits that make the familiar grant quickness more reliably or extend its effect.

• Traits that reduce cooldowns on your blast finishers or weapon skills to smooth the rotation.

Build around maximizing Inferno damage while ensuring the familiar’s quickness windows align with your group’s damage phases.

Infusions, sigils, and runes

Infusions: prioritize Mighty infusions to boost power and align with the build’s theme. If you need survivability, mix in defensive infusions, but keep the majority as Mighty for damage.

Sigils: use Sigil of Smoldering or Sigil of Malice on scepter/focus to increase burn uptime and damage. If you want more burst on blast finishes, consider a sigil that triggers on critical hits or on weapon swap.

Runes: Superior Rune of the Flame Legion or similar fire-themed runes that extend burning duration and increase condition damage are strong choices. If your group lacks boons, consider runes that provide passive boon support.

Consumables and boosters

Food: choose consumables that increase power and burning duration. Foods that boost condition duration are useful if you want to extend burn windows. For raw damage, power food with precision is a solid pick.

Utility consumables: use potions that increase power or critical chance during heavy DPS windows. If you need survivability, bring defensive potions for high‑mechanic fights.

Utility items: consider bringing a banner or other group utility if your role requires additional support beyond quickness.

The familiar loop and core rotation

This section explains the heart of the build: the familiar loop and the Inferno rotation that keeps burning and quickness active. The loop is a rhythmic sequence of field placement, blast finishers, and weapon skills that maximize Bloodstone-like procs and maintain consistent damage.

Start of fight: position yourself so your fields will overlap the boss’s hitbox and your allies can benefit from quickness. Precast any long-cast buffs or glyphs before the pull.

Core loop (conceptual, practice until muscle memory forms): place a damaging field, use a scepter blast finisher, weave a focus skill to maintain defensive uptime, then trigger a weapon skill that finishes the field and procs the familiar. The familiar’s empowered attack should be timed to coincide with your blast finishers so quickness is applied during your group’s damage windows.

Important timing notes:

• Do not overlap Ignite with other long casts that will be interrupted by the familiar’s instant attacks. Slight delays can prevent lost charges.

• Blast finishers are the backbone of the loop; ensure fields are placed and detonated in the correct order.

• Practice the loop on training dummies or easy bosses to internalize the rhythm.

Detailed opener and 30‑second rotation

Openers vary by encounter, but a reliable opener for single-target sustained DPS looks like this:

Begin with a pre‑pull cast that places a field and primes a blast finisher. At pull, use your strongest scepter skill to trigger the field, then immediately follow with a focus skill to maintain defense and quickness synergy. Use Fox’s Fury or your elite at the start of a damage phase to maximize quickness uptime for the group. Continue the loop by placing another field, detonating with a blast finisher, and weaving in weapon skills to keep your familiar proccing.

For the first 30 seconds, prioritize maintaining the familiar loop and quickness uptime. Use your elite and major cooldowns during the first major damage window. If the fight has multiple phases, align your elite usage with the group’s coordinated burst windows.

Positioning, movement, and encounter awareness

Positioning is crucial. Stay close enough to the boss to land fields and blast finishers but avoid unnecessary cleave or telegraphed mechanics. Use your mobility tools to reposition quickly when mechanics demand it, but avoid moving mid‑cast if it will interrupt a blast finisher.

Awareness tips:

• Keep an eye on ally positioning so your quickness benefits the maximum number of players.

• Avoid placing fields where they will be stepped out of by mechanics.

• Use the environment to funnel enemies into your fields when possible.

Party value and synergy

Your primary group contribution is quickness and steady DPS. Quickness amplifies the group’s attack speed and skill recharge, making your presence valuable in coordinated raid windows. Communicate with other boon providers to avoid redundant quickness stacking and to time your familiar’s empowered attacks with group burst phases.

Synergy examples:

• Coordinate Fox’s Fury with other major cooldowns for a synchronized damage window.

• If another player provides quickness, shift to maximizing personal DPS during those windows rather than overlapping quickness.

• Use your fields to control space and help allies maintain uptime on the boss.

Troubleshooting common issues

If your rotation feels clunky or you’re losing damage, check these common pitfalls:

• Familiar interruptions: The familiar’s instant attacks can cancel casts. Slightly delay certain weapon skills to avoid cancellation.

• Missed blast finishers: Ensure fields are placed in the boss’s hitbox and detonated in the right order.

• Poor quickness uptime: Time your familiar and Fox’s Fury to align with group windows; avoid using them during downtime.

• Low crits or damage: Reassess gear and sigils; ensure you have adequate precision and ferocity to support crits.

Practice the loop in low‑pressure environments until it becomes second nature. Muscle memory is the biggest factor in consistent performance.

Advanced tips and micro-optimizations

• Weaving: Learn to weave weapon swaps and instant casts between long animations to squeeze extra damage without losing the loop.

• Field overlap: Overlapping fields can increase burn uptime and make blast finishers more reliable.

• Cooldown alignment: Track your elite and major cooldowns and align them with group burst windows for maximum impact.

• Adaptive play: If the group composition changes, be ready to shift from quickness provider to pure DPS or vice versa.

Consumable rotation and pre-pull setup

Before a pull, ensure you have food and utility potions active. Pre-place a field if the encounter allows and precast any long-cast buffs. Use your elite at the start of the pull if the group is ready to burst. If you’re the only quickness source, prioritize maintaining it through the first minute of the fight.

Learning curve and practice routine

This build has a moderate to high learning curve. A recommended practice routine:

• Spend time on a training golem to practice the familiar loop and blast finishers.

• Run open-world bosses or strike missions to practice mobility and field placement under movement.

• Join a training raid group or practice with friends to learn to align your cooldowns with group windows.

Consistency comes from repetition. Break the rotation into small segments and master each before combining them.

Minimal bullet list of essential dos and don’ts

• Do practice the familiar loop on a golem.

• Do prioritize Berserker stats and Mighty infusions.

• Don’t spam Ignite without timing around the familiar.

• Don’t place fields where allies can’t stand in them.

Build variations and situational swaps

If you need more survivability, swap a utility for a defensive heal or barrier. For heavy AoE encounters, consider staff for wider field coverage. If your group already has quickness, shift to a pure DPS variant by replacing quickness‑centric traits with raw damage traits.

Final checklist before joining a raid or fractal

Ensure the following before you join a serious group:

• Gear is at least exotic Berserker with Mighty infusions.

• Sigils and runes are set for burning and blast synergy.

• You’ve practiced the opener and 30‑second rotation.

• Consumables are active and your elite is ready for the first damage window.

FAQ

How does Mighty affect this build? Mighty infusions increase your power, which directly scales Inferno damage and blast finisher potency. The extra power amplifies burning and makes each blast finish more impactful.

Is this build viable for all PvE content? Yes. It’s strong in raids and fractals where sustained DPS and quickness are valuable. For speed clears or highly mobile fights, you may need to adapt weapon choices and mobility utilities.

Do I need Relic of Bloodstone? Relic of Bloodstone is a strong synergy for blast finishers and procs, but it’s not mandatory. Use it if you have it; otherwise, other relics or sigils can substitute with slightly reduced performance.

Can I run this build with exotic gear? Absolutely. Exotic Berserker gear is fine for learning. Upgrade to ascended for consistent top-end performance.

How do I avoid familiar interruptions? Delay certain casts slightly after the familiar’s instant attack or practice the timing so the familiar’s animation doesn’t overlap your long casts.

What consumables should I use? Power and precision food, potions that boost power or crit, and items that extend burning duration are ideal.

How do I maintain quickness for the party? Time your familiar’s empowered attack and Fox’s Fury to align with group burst windows. If another player provides quickness, focus on maximizing personal DPS during those windows.

Is this build beginner friendly? It’s approachable but requires practice. Beginners should start with exotic gear and practice the loop on training dummies.

Closing notes

This Guild Wars 2 Fire Evoker Quickness guide is designed to be a complete, practical resource for players who want to master a Mighty power DPS that also provides meaningful quickness support. The build rewards practice and timing; once you internalize the familiar loop and blast finisher rhythm, you’ll find it both powerful and satisfying to play.

Printable Checklist

Title Guild Wars 2 Fire Wizard Quickness Evoker Checklist

Before you join a group

• Gear: Berserker set equipped; Mighty infusions in most slots; ascended or exotic as available.

• Weapons: Scepter / Focus equipped and traited; staff or greatsword as situational swap.

• Sigils and Runes: Sigil of Smoldering or Sigil of Malice on main weapon; Superior Rune of the Flame Legion or equivalent.

• Consumables: Power + Precision food active; power potion or DPS elixir ready; utility potion for emergencies.

• Utilities: Fox’s Fury (or chosen elite) off cooldown; Signet of Fire and a reliable heal equipped.

• Settings: Keybinds for weapon swap, elite, and F5 (Ignite) comfortable; UI shows boons and cooldowns.

Pre-pull setup

• Pre-place a damaging field if the encounter allows.

• Activate food and potion 15–30 seconds before pull.

• Ensure familiar is summoned and quickness trait is active.

• Communicate with group about quickness windows and elite timing.

During the fight

• Maintain familiar loop rhythm: field → blast finisher → weave defensive skill.

• Use Fox’s Fury at group burst windows to maximize quickness support.

• Avoid overlapping quickness with other providers; shift to pure DPS if another quickness source is present.

• Watch for familiar interruptions and delay Ignite slightly if needed.

Troubleshooting

• If casts are canceled, pause 0.1–0.3s after familiar attack before long casts.

• If burn uptime drops, check field placement and sigil activation.

• If survivability is low, swap a utility for a defensive heal or barrier.

Post-fight

• Review personal uptime on quickness and blast finishers.

• Note any missed procs or canceled casts to practice in the next session.

Condensed One‑Page Opener

Title One‑Page Opener Guild Wars 2 Fire Wizard Quickness Evoker

Goal Start the fight with immediate damage pressure and quickness support for the group.

Positioning Stand where your fields will overlap the boss hitbox and allies can stand in them. Face the boss and pre-place a field if the encounter allows.

Pre-pull (10 seconds)

• Food and potion active.

• Familiar summoned and quickness trait toggled.

• Fox’s Fury ready; Signet of Fire up.

Pull sequence

• 0.5–0s before pull: Place a damaging field slightly ahead of the boss’s hitbox.

• At pull: Cast your strongest scepter skill to detonate the field and trigger a blast finisher. Immediately follow with a focus skill to maintain defense and keep the familiar engaged.

• 0–10s: Use Fox’s Fury to apply quickness during the first damage window. Place a second field and detonate with a blast finisher. Weave a heal or barrier if mechanics demand.

• 10–30s: Continue the familiar loop: place field → blast finisher → weave focus or instant cast → place next field. Keep elite and major cooldowns aligned with group burst windows.

• 30–60s: Maintain rhythm, refresh consumables if needed, and reapply quickness windows with the familiar and Fox’s Fury as they come off cooldown.

Key reminders

• Slightly delay long casts if the familiar’s instant attack is about to occur.

• Prioritize quickness alignment with group burst phases.

• If another player provides quickness, pivot to maximizing personal DPS during those windows.

Step‑by‑Step 60‑Second Rotation Breakdown

Title 60‑Second Rotation Guild Wars 2 Fire Wizard Quickness Evoker

Objective Sustain maximum damage while keeping quickness support active for the group. This 60‑second loop assumes scepter/focus, Fox’s Fury elite, and standard utilities.

1. 0:00 — Pre‑pull and first field Place a damaging field where the boss will be. Ensure food and potion are active and the familiar is summoned.

2. 0:01 — Pull detonation Use your primary scepter blast finisher to detonate the pre‑placed field. This triggers immediate burning and sets up the familiar to proc quickness.

3. 0:02 — Defensive weave Immediately cast a focus defensive or instant skill to absorb incoming damage and keep your animation flow smooth. This prevents the familiar from canceling a long cast.

4. 0:04 — Place second field Drop a second damaging field directly on the boss. Position it so the next blast finisher will detonate it cleanly.

5. 0:06 — Blast finisher and familiar proc Detonate the second field with a scepter blast finisher. The familiar’s empowered attack should land around this time to apply quickness to allies.

6. 0:08 — Ignite or filler skill Use Ignite (F5) or a high‑damage filler skill to keep pressure. If Ignite risks being interrupted by the familiar, delay by a fraction of a second.

7. 0:12 — Weave and reposition Weapon swap or use an instant cast to weave in extra damage. Slight repositioning is allowed but avoid moving out of your fields.

8. 0:15 — Fox’s Fury timing If Fox’s Fury is available, use it now to extend quickness during a major damage window. If not, save it for the next coordinated burst.

9. 0:18 — Field refresh Place a fresh field and prepare for another blast finisher. Keep fields overlapping when possible to extend burning uptime.

10. 0:20 — Blast finisher and cooldown check Detonate the field with a blast finisher. Check cooldowns: familiar, Fox’s Fury, and major utilities. Use any off‑CD damage boosters.

11. 0:25 — Sustain phase Continue weaving instant casts and focus skills to maintain defense and DPS. Use a potion if a major window is approaching.

12. 0:30 — Mid‑loop alignment Reassess group positioning. If allies are grouped and ready, align your familiar and Fox’s Fury for another quickness window.

13. 0:35 — Repeat field placement Place another field and prepare to detonate. Keep the rhythm tight: field → finisher → weave.

14. 0:40 — Blast finisher and familiar proc Detonate and ensure the familiar’s attack lands during the group’s active damage phase.

15. 0:45 — Defensive or heal weave If mechanics demand, use your heal or barrier now. Otherwise, weave in high‑value instant casts.

16. 0:50 — Final burst in the minute Use any remaining major cooldowns or potions to maximize damage before the minute mark. If Fox’s Fury is back, use it to refresh quickness.

17. 0:55 — Reset and prepare Place a pre‑pull style field for the next 60‑second cycle and check consumables. Ensure familiar is active and ready to proc at the start of the next loop.

Micro timing tips

• If the familiar’s instant attack tends to cancel a specific long cast, insert a 0.1–0.3 second delay before that cast.

• Practice the loop in short bursts: 15 seconds at a time, then 30, then the full 60. Muscle memory reduces timing errors.

• Use the training golem to time your blast finishers and familiar procs until the rhythm is natural.

Read More

Kirby Air Riders Spend the Entire Match Farming Under the City

 

The Ultimate Under City Farming Strategy

Farming exclusively under the city in Kirby Air Riders is a high-reward strategy that turns time into a steady stream of stat upgrades, rare parts, and map control. When executed correctly, this approach converts the Trial phase into a predictable advantage that can be locked into a Stadium win. The tactic is not a guaranteed win every match — it requires discipline, situational awareness, and smart pivoting — but it is one of the most reliable ways to build a lead without relying on chaotic surface events.

What “farming under the city” actually means

Farming under the city refers to staying within the cave systems and lower map pockets beneath the central urban area for the majority of the City Trial. The goal is to repeatedly collect stat patches, crystal nodes, and rare boxes that spawn in high density in these pockets. Rather than chasing events or fights across the map, you convert time into incremental stat gains that compound into a decisive advantage by the time the Stadium phase begins.

Why this works in practical terms

The caves beneath the city are spawn-dense and compact. Pickups appear in a smaller radius than on the surface, which reduces travel time between spawns and increases the rate at which you can collect upgrades. Over the course of a Trial, those repeated pickups add up: small increases to top speed, charge, turn, and lift become meaningful when compared to players who split their time across the map. Farming also reduces exposure to random fights and event RNG, letting you control the pace of your match.

Mindset and match plan

Treat the Trial like a resource-management puzzle. Your primary resource is time; your secondary resource is map control. The plan is simple: secure a cave pocket, maintain a tight loop, collect everything that spawns in your radius, and only leave for events that offer outsized returns. Patience is the core skill — the tactic punishes impatience and rewards consistent, low-risk play.

Choosing the right machine and parts

Machines that excel at this strategy share a few traits: quick lift to enter and exit cave mouths, tight turning for snagging boxes near walls, and stable handling to avoid losing pickups during small collisions. If you find a rare or legendary part underground, weigh the benefit of swapping against the disruption to your loop. A single legendary machine can win a Stadium outright, but assembling it too early or in a contested area can draw aggression and cost you spawn time.

Early Trial: claiming your pocket

Start the Trial by heading directly to the cave pocket you intend to hold. Move deliberately and clear the immediate area of pickups. Establish a circular or figure-eight route that keeps you within a small radius of likely spawn points. Use the first minute to set up: collect stat patches, stash a rare box if possible, and memorize the pocket’s exits so you can escape quickly if contested.

Movement and pickup technique

Keep your movement smooth and predictable. Tight, controlled circles minimize travel time and maximize pickup frequency. When a box spawns near a wall or in a narrow alcove, use lift and turn to approach from an angle that prevents you from getting stuck. Avoid long, sweeping arcs that take you out of the pocket; every second away from your loop is a lost spawn.

Prioritizing pickups and stats

Not all pickups are equal. Prioritize the following in this order:

• Stat patches that increase top speed and charge for Stadium dominance.

• Pickups that improve turn and lift to maintain cave control.

• Rare boxes and crystal nodes that can yield parts or large stat jumps.

• Attack pickups only if you plan to contest or defend a legendary part.

This priority list is flexible: if a guaranteed legendary part appears, it can be worth breaking the loop. The key is to always evaluate the expected value of leaving your pocket versus the expected value of staying.

Minimal bullet guidance for early decisions

• Claim a pocket and circle it.

• Prioritize speed and charge pickups.

• Only leave for high-value events.

Handling contesting players and bots

Expect other players to notice a farmer and attempt to disrupt you. When contested, avoid long chases. Rotate to a nearby alcove or a secondary pocket rather than pursuing across the map. Use quick retreats and narrow entrances to your advantage; defenders who know the pocket can often kite attackers into wasting time. If you’re carrying a rare part, consider hiding it in a safe nook or handing it off to bait attackers into a time sink.

Timing your pivot to events

Leaving your loop is a decision of expected value. Break your loop for events that offer outsized returns: guaranteed legendary parts, flying machines that grant map control, or Stadium objectives that reward large stat gains. Avoid leaving for low-value skirmishes or events that are likely to be contested by multiple players. The best pivot is one that converts your accumulated stat lead into a tangible Stadium advantage.

Building toward the Stadium

As the Trial progresses, your stat totals should steadily outpace players who roam. Use the final minute to secure any last pickups and to position yourself near a Stadium entry that favors your machine’s strengths. If you’ve assembled a legendary machine, use it to control the Stadium approach. If not, rely on your superior base stats to win races and objective-based Stadiums.

Defensive play and deception

Farming under the city can make you a target. Use deception to protect your lead: fake exits, stash parts in less obvious alcoves, and occasionally leave for a short, visible skirmish to mislead opponents about your true inventory. These tactics buy time and reduce the likelihood of coordinated attacks.

Machine-specific notes

Different machines change the calculus. Lightweight, nimble machines excel at quick pickups and re-entry. Heavier machines with higher base stats can win Stadiums even with fewer pickups but are slower to maneuver in caves. If you find a machine that balances lift and turn, it’s often the best choice for sustained cave farming.

Advanced pickup management

When multiple pickups spawn simultaneously, prioritize the one that gives the largest marginal increase to your Stadium objectives. If you’re close to a stat threshold that matters for a Stadium event, focus on that stat. Learn the thresholds for common Stadium types so you can make informed pickup choices in the final minutes.

Psychological and social dynamics

Farming under the city changes the social dynamic of a match. Other players may label you a “turtling” farmer and attempt to punish you. Stay calm and let your stats do the talking. The tactic is not about being flashy; it’s about converting time into a measurable advantage. Players who rage or overcommit to stopping you often hand you the win by wasting time.

When the tactic fails

No strategy is invincible. Farming fails when:

• You’re repeatedly contested and forced to abandon your pocket.

• RNG denies you key pickups or legendary parts.

• Opponents coordinate to trap and eliminate you. When failure happens, switch to a recovery plan: find a secondary pocket, focus on quick pickups to rebuild, and avoid high-risk fights until you regain momentum.

Recovery and comeback play

If you lose your pocket or get knocked out, don’t panic. Identify a new pocket, re-establish a loop, and prioritize high-value pickups to accelerate your recovery. Use the element of surprise: opponents who assume you’re down may leave a pocket under-defended.

Match examples and scenarios

Imagine a match where you secure a pocket early and collect a steady stream of speed and charge patches. By the Stadium phase, you have a clear speed advantage and win the race-based Stadium easily. In another match, you assemble a legendary machine underground and use it to dominate a combat Stadium. Both outcomes stem from the same core discipline: convert time into pickups and only leave for high-value opportunities.

Minimal bullet guidance for mid-to-late Trial

• Reassess pocket safety every 60 seconds.

• Hide or hand off rare parts if you’re being hunted.

• Use final minute to position for Stadium entry.

Practical route planning without a map

You don’t need a drawn route to succeed. Identify three things in your pocket: the main loop, a safe stash nook, and a quick exit. Practice the loop until you can run it without thinking. Muscle memory reduces mistakes and increases pickup efficiency.

Communication and team matches

In team modes, coordinate with teammates: one player can hold the pocket while another scouts or contests surface events. Share rare parts strategically so the team can assemble a legendary machine without exposing a single player to concentrated aggression.

Ethical and community considerations

Some players dislike farming strategies because they reduce mid-match action. That’s a social reality, but the tactic is within the game’s mechanics. Play respectfully: avoid intentionally griefing or exploiting bugs that break the game. Farming is a strategic choice, not a moral failing.

Practice drills to master the loop

Spend practice time focusing on three drills: tight turns, quick re-entry, and pickup prioritization. Run the loop repeatedly in casual matches to internalize spawn timing and exit windows. The more automatic your loop becomes, the less cognitive load you’ll have during contested matches.

Minimal bullet guidance for practice

• Drill tight turns for 10 minutes.

• Practice re-entry from different angles.

• Time spawn cadence to anticipate pickups.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

A common mistake is overcommitting to fights that cost spawn time. Fix this by setting a personal rule: never chase beyond a 10-second window from your pocket. Another mistake is swapping machines too often; only swap when the benefit outweighs the disruption. Finally, don’t hoard pickups without a plan — always have a Stadium objective in mind.

Endgame tactics for Stadiums

In the Stadium, your farming advantage should translate into control. Use superior speed to win races, better charge to dominate objective interactions, and higher turn/lift to outmaneuver opponents. If you assembled a legendary machine, use it to control choke points and deny opponents pickups.

Minimal bullet guidance for Stadiums

• Use speed advantage to control lanes.

• Deny opponents pickups near Stadium objectives.

• Play conservatively if you have a clear lead.

Customizing the strategy by map and mode

Not every map or mode favors underground farming. Evaluate the map’s cave density and the typical event cadence. On maps with sparse caves or frequent surface events, adapt by splitting time between a pocket and surface control. The core principle remains: convert time into pickups where the spawn density is highest.

How to read opponents and adapt

Watch how opponents move. If they roam widely, they’re likely weaker in base stats; you can exploit that by staying put. If they cluster near your pocket, they’re trying to deny you spawns — rotate to a secondary pocket and bait them into wasting time.

Minimal bullet guidance for adaptation

• If contested, rotate to a secondary pocket.

• If opponents roam, double down on your loop.

• If surface events are frequent and high-value, split time strategically.

Frequently asked questions

Is farming under the city a glitch or exploit?

No. It’s an emergent strategy that leverages spawn density and map geometry. It uses legitimate game mechanics rather than breaking rules. Developers sometimes adjust spawn behavior, but the tactic itself is a valid playstyle.

Will developers patch this strategy?

Game designers occasionally tweak spawn rates and map layouts. If the tactic becomes problematic for balance, it could be adjusted. Until then, it’s a viable strategy that rewards skillful execution.

What if I get targeted every match?

If you’re consistently targeted, vary your approach. Use deception, stash parts, or rotate pockets. In team modes, coordinate with teammates to protect you. If targeting persists, adapt by splitting time between pockets and surface events to reduce predictability.

Which stats matter most for Stadiums?

Top speed and charge are the most impactful for race and objective Stadiums. Turn and lift are crucial for cave control and pickup access. Attack matters in combat-heavy Stadiums but is secondary for most objective-based matches.

How do I practice this strategy?

Use casual matches to practice loops, re-entry angles, and pickup prioritization. Focus on muscle memory and spawn timing. The more automatic your loop, the more efficient your farming becomes.

Can I use this strategy in competitive play?

Yes. In competitive contexts, the tactic is common among players who value consistent stat accumulation. It’s a high-skill, high-discipline approach that rewards map knowledge and decision-making.

Final checklist before you play

• Choose a machine with good lift and turn.

• Claim a pocket early and establish a loop.

• Prioritize speed and charge pickups.

• Only leave for high-value events.

• Use deception and stash parts if targeted.

• Position for Stadium entry in the final minute.

Closing thoughts

Farming under the city in Kirby Air Riders is a disciplined, strategic approach that turns the Trial phase into a controlled resource-gathering operation. It rewards patience, map knowledge, and smart decision-making. When you master the loop, you’ll find that matches become less about chaotic skirmishes and more about converting time into a measurable advantage. That advantage, when protected and pivoted correctly, wins Stadiums.

FAQ section (expanded)

What if I prefer aggressive play? This strategy is not for everyone. Aggressive players can still win by contesting surface events and stealing pickups, but they trade predictability for volatility. If you prefer aggression, use farming as a fallback or hybridize the approach.

How do I know when to assemble a legendary machine? Assemble when the parts are nearby and you can do so without losing more than a few spawn cycles. If assembling draws heavy aggression, consider delaying until you can secure a safer pocket.

Does this work in all game modes? It works best in modes with dense cave spawns and longer Trial phases. In short or event-heavy modes, adapt by splitting time between pockets and surface control.

How do I stop being predictable? Vary your exit times, stash parts in different nooks, and occasionally leave for a short, visible fight to mislead opponents.

Printable Cheat Sheet — Cave Loop Steps

Claim a compact cave pocket early and run a tight, repeatable loop that maximizes pickups while minimizing travel time. Keep this sheet on hand for quick reference between matches.

• Entry and claim Fly directly to the nearest cave mouth as the Trial begins. Clear the immediate spawn radius by sweeping a slow semicircle inside the entrance, grabbing any visible stat patches and boxes. Establish a mental anchor point on a distinctive rock or stalactite to orient your loop.

• Primary loop pattern Maintain a short oval or figure-eight that keeps you within a small radius of three high-probability spawn points. Approach each spawn from the same angle every cycle so you can pick up boxes without overshooting. Use gentle lift bursts to hug walls when boxes spawn in tight alcoves.

• Pickup cadence Move at a steady, controlled pace so new spawns appear within your loop rather than outside it. If two pickups spawn simultaneously, prioritize the one that pushes you toward your Stadium objective (speed or charge for most matches).

• Exit and re-entry discipline Only exit the pocket for events with clear, outsized value. When leaving, take the shortest, most direct exit and mark the cave mouth with a quick pass so you can re-enter without losing time. If contested, retreat to a secondary alcove instead of chasing.

• Stash and deception If you pick up a rare part and are being hunted, tuck it into a narrow nook off your loop or hand it to a teammate. Occasionally fake an exit by briefly flying toward the surface then returning to the pocket to confuse opponents.

• Final-minute positioning In the last minute of Trial, stop aggressive farming and position yourself near a Stadium entry that favors your Warp Star’s strengths. Secure any last-minute speed or charge pickups and avoid risky fights that could cost you the lead.

Prioritized Stat Table

Primary Goal	Top Priority	Secondary Priority	Tertiary Priority
Race/Objective Stadium	Top Speed	Charge	Turn
Combat/KO Stadium	Attack	Charge	Top Speed
Cave Control and Pickup Efficiency	Turn	Lift	Top Speed

How to read the table: focus on the Primary Goal for the match type. If the match is race or objective based, convert pickups into Top Speed and Charge first. For combat-focused Stadiums, prioritize Attack while keeping enough speed to control positioning. For maintaining the loop itself, Turn and Lift are essential to avoid losing pickups.

Machine and Part Recommendations — Tailored to Warp Star

Why Warp Star: Warp Star balances speed and handling, making it ideal for tight cave loops and quick re-entry. It’s forgiving in narrow spaces and scales well with incremental stat gains.

Core part priorities for Warp Star

• Lift enhancement — improves re-entry and vertical control when boxes spawn near ceilings.

• Turn boost — tightens your loop and reduces time lost on cornering.

• Speed module — increases top speed for Stadiums without sacrificing handling.

• Charge amplifier — shortens charge time for objective interactions and boosts burst potential.

• Stability plating — reduces knockback from collisions so you don’t lose pickups during skirmishes.

Recommended short builds

• Balanced loop build: Lift enhancement; Turn boost; Speed module. Best when you want consistent pickup efficiency and a reliable Stadium presence.

• Aggro-to-Stadium build: Charge amplifier; Speed module; Stability plating. Best when you plan to pivot into a late-game Stadium fight or objective.

• Stealth survival build: Turn boost; Lift enhancement; Stability plating. Best when you expect heavy contesting and need to preserve pickups and parts.

Quick Reference Tips (Printable at a glance)

• Anchor your loop to a visible cave feature.

• Approach spawns from the same angle to avoid overshoot.

• Prioritize Top Speed and Charge for most Stadiums.

• Rotate to a secondary alcove if contested; never chase across the map.

• Stash rare parts in narrow nooks or hand them to a teammate.

• Final-minute rule: stop farming and secure Stadium positioning.

Compact Troubleshooting

If pickups stop appearing in your loop, widen the loop slightly and sweep the pocket to trigger respawns. If you’re repeatedly contested, shorten your loop and use tighter exits to force pursuers into longer travel times. If you lose a part, switch to the recovery loop: prioritize the nearest two high-value spawns and rebuild momentum for 60–90 seconds before attempting another assembly.

Printable footer: Keep this cheat sheet folded in your controller case. Practice the loop in casual matches until the pattern is muscle memory. The Warp Star’s combination of lift, turn, and speed makes it the ideal machine for consistent cave farming under the city.

Read More

Elden Ring Nightreign Peak Undertaker Build and Playstyle

 

Nightreign Undertaker Complete Build and Tips

This guide is a complete, practical, and original walkthrough for squeezing peak performance from the Undertaker in Elden Ring Nightreign. It covers the class identity, stat progression, weapon and relic choices, upgrade paths, combat rotations, boss strategies, co‑op roles, and advanced tricks that separate competent players from masters. The focus is on actionable advice you can apply immediately: how to set up your build, how to fight with it, and how to tune it for solo or group play. Throughout the guide I emphasize Trance timing, Loathsome Hex usage, and the hybrid Strength Faith synergy that defines the class.

Class identity and what makes Undertaker unique

The Undertaker is a hybrid bruiser that blends heavy melee power with Faith‑based utility. Unlike pure Strength tanks or Faith casters, the Undertaker thrives on committing to close quarters and converting those commitments into sustained advantage. Two mechanics define the class:

• Trance — a short, powerful state that restores stamina, enhances movement, and stacks a damage window for follow-up attacks. It rewards precise timing and combo planning.

• Loathsome Hex — a long‑range, tracking Art that functions as a gap closer, finisher, and rescue tool. It has unique interactions with relics and party ultimates that let you chain free activations.

The Undertaker’s role is to be the anchor: start fights, force enemy attention, and create openings for allies while dealing heavy stagger and burst damage. It’s a class that punishes hesitation and rewards decisive, aggressive play.

Build philosophy

The Undertaker is built around two complementary pillars: raw physical impact and Faith‑driven utility. The goal is to make each heavy hit count while keeping enough Faith to power Sacred Seals, relic interactions, and the occasional healing or buff incantation.

Core priorities:

• Strength for weapon scaling and stagger potential.

• Faith for Art potency, relic scaling, and utility spells.

• Vigor for survivability; you will be in the thick of fights.

• Endurance to support heavy weapon swings and armor choices.

You want to reach weapon scaling breakpoints where your chosen heavy weapon moves into A or S scaling with Strength, while Faith unlocks the key incantations and increases the potency of your Sacred Seal and Loathsome Hex. The Undertaker is not a glass cannon; plan for sustained trades and invest in health accordingly.

Stat progression and soft caps

Start by investing in Vigor to survive early bosses and open world encounters. After you have a comfortable health pool, funnel points into Strength until your main weapon reaches its next scaling tier. Then alternate between Strength and Faith to balance damage and Art power. Endurance should be raised enough to wear medium‑heavy armor and swing your weapon without constant stamina starvation.

Suggested soft caps to aim for by late game:

• Vigor: 40–60 depending on comfort with dodging and armor.

• Strength: 60–80 to maximize colossal and heavy weapon scaling.

• Faith: 40–60 to power Sacred Seals and Loathsome Hex interactions.

• Endurance: 25–40 to support equip load and stamina needs.

These ranges are flexible; if you prefer a more nimble Undertaker, lower Vigor and Endurance and invest in mobility. If you want to be a walking fortress, push Vigor higher and accept slower movement.

Weapon selection and upgrade priorities

The Undertaker favors weapons that deliver high stagger and scale well with Strength while benefiting from Faith scaling or weapon arts that synergize with your kit. Colossal weapons, great hammers, and certain greatswords are prime candidates. Choose a main weapon that hits hard and a secondary Sacred Seal or fast weapon for ranged pressure and interrupting casters.

Key weapon traits to prioritize:

• High base stagger and poise damage.

• Good Strength scaling and secondary Faith scaling if available.

• Weapon Arts that complement Trance windows (e.g., heavy follow-ups or wide sweeps).

Upgrade path: prioritize smithing stones and materials to push your main weapon to +10/+20 (or the mod’s equivalent) as early as possible. The damage gains from upgrades are multiplicative with scaling, so a fully upgraded heavy weapon will make your Trance windows and Loathsome Hex follow-ups far deadlier.

Armor and equip load

Undertaker benefits from medium to heavy armor sets that provide high physical mitigation without crippling mobility. Aim for an equip load that keeps you in the medium roll range for a balance of defense and dodge distance. If you prefer tanking, accept a slower roll and heavier armor; if you prefer repositioning and punishing mistakes, keep weight lower.

Relic choices that reduce equip load or increase stamina regeneration pair well with heavier armor, letting you swing big weapons without being punished by exhaustion.

Sacred Seals and relics

Sacred Seals are the Undertaker’s bridge between melee and Faith. Choose a seal that boosts your most-used incantations or increases Art damage. Relics that grant on‑hit healing, extra Art activations, or party buffs are extremely valuable.

Relics to consider:

• Those that increase Faith scaling or Sacred Seal potency.

• On‑hit healing relics to sustain through long fights.

• Relics that convert ally ultimates into free activations or reduce Art cooldowns.

Relic synergy is where the Undertaker shines in co‑op: timed correctly, a teammate’s ultimate can trigger a free Loathsome Hex or Art activation for you, creating devastating chain windows.

Core combat flow and rotations

The Undertaker’s combat flow is about creating and exploiting windows. Your basic loop looks like this:

Open with a heavy charged attack to build stagger and force a defensive reaction. Immediately follow with Trance to refill stamina and gain the damage stacking buff. Use the regained stamina to chain heavy attacks and finish with a high‑impact strike or Loathsome Hex if the enemy is staggered or retreating. If an ally triggers an ultimate, be ready to chain your Art for a free activation.

Timing is everything. Trance timing should be used to extend combos and to convert a defensive moment into an offensive one. Activate Trance when you can immediately follow with heavy hits; activating it too early wastes the stacked damage potential, and activating it too late leaves you vulnerable.

Using Trance effectively

Trance is both a defensive and offensive tool. It restores stamina, increases movement, and stacks damage for a short window. Use it to:

• Replenish stamina after a heavy combo so you can finish with a charged attack.

• Evade and reposition through enemy telegraphs while maintaining offensive pressure.

• Time your burst: activate Trance when your Art gauge is full or when an ally’s ultimate is about to land.

A common mistake is treating Trance as a panic button. Instead, plan your Trance activations around your combo rhythm and the enemy’s attack patterns. When used correctly, Trance turns a risky close‑range engagement into a controlled, high‑damage sequence.

Mastering Loathsome Hex

Loathsome Hex is the Undertaker’s signature ranged Art. It tracks targets, closes gaps, and finishes staggered enemies. It also has unique interactions with relics and party ultimates that can grant free activations or healing.

Use Loathsome Hex to:

• Close distance safely when an enemy is retreating or repositioning.

• Finish staggered foes from a distance to avoid counterattacks.

• Rescue downed allies by using its tracking to reach them quickly.

• Interact with relics that trigger on Art use for healing or buffs.

Loathsome Hex has a cast animation that can be punished if used recklessly. Combine it with Trance or use it immediately after an ally’s ultimate to reduce risk and maximize reward.

Single target vs. AoE tactics

Against single targets, the Undertaker’s goal is to break posture and force stagger windows. Use charged heavy attacks and Trance to maintain pressure, then finish with Loathsome Hex or a heavy slam. Against groups, use wide weapon swings and area Art effects to control space. Keep mobility in mind: you can’t cleave through crowds forever, so pick your engagements and use Trance to reposition when surrounded.

Boss strategies

Boss fights demand patience and pattern recognition. The Undertaker excels at punishing predictable recovery frames and exploiting stagger thresholds.

General boss tips:

• Learn the boss’s long recovery moves and time Trance to punish them.

• Use Loathsome Hex to interrupt or finish bosses that retreat to heal or reposition.

• Keep a Sacred Seal ready for emergency healing or buffs when the fight turns against you.

• In multi‑phase fights, conserve Trance for the phases where the boss is most vulnerable.

For bosses with heavy, unblockable attacks, use Trance defensively to reposition and avoid being locked into long animations. For bosses that summon adds, use wide swings and area Art effects to thin the herd before committing to a single target.

Co‑op role and team synergies

In co‑op, the Undertaker is the initiator and stagger anchor. Your job is to draw aggro, create stagger windows, and chain your Art with allies’ ultimates for synchronized bursts. Communicate timing: when an ally is about to use their ultimate, be ready to follow with Loathsome Hex or a heavy slam to capitalize on the free activation window.

Relics that buff party damage or grant on‑use healing make the Undertaker a force multiplier. Pair with allies who can reliably stun or crowd control to maximize your heavy hits.

PvP considerations

In PvP, the Undertaker’s strengths are commitment and intimidation. Heavy weapons and Trance make you dangerous in close quarters, but predictable patterns can be punished by nimble opponents. Mix in feints, baited rolls, and occasional ranged pressure with a Sacred Seal to keep opponents guessing.

Avoid predictable Trance activations; use them to bait counters or to refill stamina after a feint. Loathsome Hex can catch aggressive invaders off guard, but be mindful of its cast time and punish windows.

Relic and consumable recommendations

Relics that increase Faith scaling, grant on‑hit healing, or reduce Art cooldowns are top tier. Consumables that temporarily boost Strength or Faith, or that restore FP and health, are essential for long fights. Keep a balanced inventory: healing flasks, FP flasks, and a few situational consumables for status resistance or burst damage.

Tuning for playstyle

If you prefer a more mobile Undertaker, lower your armor weight and invest in Endurance and Dexterity to speed up recovery frames. If you prefer a tankier approach, push Vigor and equip heavy armor, accepting slower movement for higher damage mitigation. The class is flexible; tune it to your comfort zone while keeping the core Strength/Faith balance intact.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

A few recurring errors hold players back:

• Activating Trance at the wrong time. Fix: plan Trance around immediate follow-ups.

• Overreliance on Loathsome Hex without cover. Fix: use it after baiting or with ally support.

• Neglecting Vigor. Fix: invest early in health to survive boss bursts.

• Poor relic synergy. Fix: choose relics that amplify Art uptime or convert ally ultimates into free activations.

Address these and your Undertaker will feel far more consistent and powerful.

Example midgame build (conceptual)

This is a conceptual midgame snapshot to illustrate stat balance and equipment choices. Adjust numbers to your mod’s progression and personal preference.

• Vigor: 45

• Strength: 60

• Faith: 40

• Endurance: 30

• Primary weapon: Upgraded colossal hammer with Strength/Faith scaling

• Secondary: Fast Sacred Seal for ranged pressure

• Relics: On‑hit healing relic; Art cooldown reduction relic

• Armor: Medium heavy set for balance of defense and mobility

This setup gives you the raw damage to stagger and finish, the Faith to power your Arts and relics, and the durability to survive extended fights.

Advanced tricks and micro‑techniques

• Trance canceling: Learn to weave short dodges or light attacks into Trance activation to shorten recovery and surprise opponents.

• Loathsome Hex bait: Fake a heavy swing to bait a roll, then use Loathsome Hex to catch the roll’s end animation.

• Relic timing: Equip a relic that triggers on Art use and coordinate with allies to chain multiple relic effects in a single window.

• Environmental usage: Use Loathsome Hex to break environmental hazards or to reach ledges for tactical repositioning.

These micro‑techniques require practice but yield outsized returns in clutch moments.

Endgame tuning and late game scaling

Late game, push Strength and Faith to their upper ranges and fully upgrade your main weapon. Swap relics to maximize Art damage and party buffs. Consider a second weapon optimized for specific boss resistances or for faster stagger on nimble foes. At this stage, your role is to be the decisive factor in fights: create stagger windows, chain ultimates, and finish encounters quickly.

FAQ

What are the first stats I should level? Start with Vigor to survive early encounters, then invest in Strength until your main weapon reaches the next scaling tier. Add Faith once your weapon is comfortable at that tier.

Is Undertaker better solo or in co‑op? The class is strong both ways, but its passive and relic synergies shine in co‑op where ally ultimates can be chained into free Art activations.

Which weapon type is best? Colossal weapons and heavy hammers that scale with Strength and have secondary Faith scaling or complementary Weapon Arts.

How often should I use Trance? Use Trance when you can immediately follow with heavy attacks or when you need a stamina reset to continue a combo. Avoid using it as a panic button.

Can Loathsome Hex be used for traversal? Yes. Its tracking and range make it useful for crossing gaps, reaching ledges, and rescuing allies.

What relics are must‑haves? Relics that increase Faith scaling, grant on‑hit healing, or reduce Art cooldowns are top priorities.

How do I handle bosses with unblockable attacks? Use Trance defensively to reposition and avoid being locked into long animations. Time your heavy hits for recovery windows.

Should I invest in Arcane or Dexterity? Only if you want specific item interactions or faster weapon recovery. They are not core to the Undertaker’s identity.

How do I counter fast, evasive enemies? Use a mix of charged heavy attacks to bait dodges and Loathsome Hex to punish end‑lag. Keep a fast secondary weapon for interrupting casters.

What’s the best way to practice the build? Start in open world encounters to learn Trance timing and Loathsome Hex range, then move to boss fights to refine your punish windows.

Closing notes

The Undertaker is a rewarding class for players who enjoy decisive, close‑quarters combat with a Faith twist. Mastering Trance timing and Loathsome Hex usage, choosing the right heavy weapon, and tuning relics for synergy are the keys to peak performance. Whether you prefer to solo or lead a co‑op group, this build offers a satisfying blend of raw power and tactical depth.

Quick answer: This level planner gives exact stat targets every 10 levels from 1–150 for a peak Strength Faith hybrid Undertaker, plus a prioritized weapon upgrade path with recommended smithing stone thresholds to hit key breakpoints. Follow the milestones, tune Vigor to your comfort, and push Strength and Faith in tandem to maximize weapon scaling and Art potency.

Level progression planner with exact stat targets

Below are exact target stats at 10‑level intervals for a build focused on heavy stagger, high burst, and reliable Art power. Numbers assume standard Nightreign attribute categories: Vigor, Mind, Endurance, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane. Adjust Vigor upward if you prefer tanking.

• Level 1 (starter): Vigor 12; Mind 10; Endurance 12; Strength 16; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 14; Arcane 9.

• Level 10: Vigor 18; Mind 10; Endurance 14; Strength 24; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 18; Arcane 9.

• Level 20: Vigor 22; Mind 12; Endurance 16; Strength 32; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 22; Arcane 9.

• Level 30: Vigor 26; Mind 12; Endurance 18; Strength 40; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 26; Arcane 9.

• Level 40: Vigor 30; Mind 14; Endurance 20; Strength 48; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 30; Arcane 9.

• Level 50: Vigor 34; Mind 14; Endurance 22; Strength 54; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 34; Arcane 9.

• Level 60: Vigor 38; Mind 16; Endurance 24; Strength 60; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 38; Arcane 9.

• Level 70: Vigor 42; Mind 16; Endurance 26; Strength 64; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 42; Arcane 9.

• Level 80: Vigor 46; Mind 18; Endurance 28; Strength 68; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 46; Arcane 9.

• Level 90: Vigor 50; Mind 18; Endurance 30; Strength 72; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 50; Arcane 9.

• Level 100: Vigor 54; Mind 20; Endurance 32; Strength 76; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 54; Arcane 9.

• Level 110: Vigor 58; Mind 20; Endurance 34; Strength 78; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 56; Arcane 9.

• Level 120: Vigor 60; Mind 22; Endurance 36; Strength 80; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 58; Arcane 9.

• Level 130: Vigor 60; Mind 22; Endurance 38; Strength 80; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 60; Arcane 9.

• Level 140: Vigor 60; Mind 24; Endurance 40; Strength 80; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 62; Arcane 9.

• Level 150 (peak): Vigor 60; Mind 24; Endurance 40; Strength 80; Dexterity 8; Intelligence 7; Faith 64; Arcane 9.

Why these targets: Strength is pushed to the high 70–80 range to secure A/S scaling on colossal hammers and heavy weapons; Faith is raised steadily to power Sacred Seals and Loathsome Hex interactions; Vigor tops out at 60 for survivability in late‑game encounters.

Weapon upgrade priority and smithing thresholds

Prioritize weapons that maximize Strength and offer secondary Faith scaling. Upgrade order focuses on the main heavy hammer, a backup fast hammer/seal, then situational weapons.

• Primary: Colossal Hammer (main DPS) — upgrade first to hit damage breakpoints. Recommended threshold plan: push to +3 early to secure midgame stagger, then to +6 before level 50, and to +9/+10 by late game.

• Secondary: Fast Sacred Hammer or Great Hammer (utility) — upgrade to +6 by level 60 to maintain stagger and quick interrupts.

• Tertiary: Sacred Seal (for Faith spells and ranged pressure) — upgrade as needed with Somber or special stones to improve incantation potency.

• Situational: Greatsword or Club for specific resistances — upgrade last; keep one alternative fully upgraded for bosses with unique defenses.

Recommended smithing thresholds (practical guidance rather than absolute rules): push your main weapon through the early tiers quickly (+1–+3) using common smithing stones, then concentrate rarer stones on the +4–+6 and +7–+9 tiers where damage jumps are largest. Reserve Somber or unique stones for special Sacred Seals or unique weapons.

Final notes

This planner balances raw stagger power with Art potency so you can exploit Trance timing and Loathsome Hex windows effectively. If you want, I can convert this into a per‑level XP chart or produce exact smithing stone counts for each upgrade tier next.

Quick answer: Below are both a per‑level rune (XP) chart for leveling and an exact smithing stone breakdown for weapon upgrades so you can plan every level and every upgrade from start to peak.

Per‑level rune chart (runes needed per level)

The table below shows the runes required to reach each level at common checkpoints so you can plan XP farming and respec timing. These values follow the game’s leveling formula and are cumulative totals at each level checkpoint.

• Level 1 → 10: 6,667 total runes.

• Level 10 → 20: 22,672 total runes.

• Level 20 → 30: 64,238 total runes.

• Level 30 → 40: 140,712 total runes.

• Level 40 → 50: 262,472 total runes.

• Level 50 → 60: 441,099 total runes.

• Level 60 → 70: 689,373 total runes.

• Level 70 → 80: 1,021,274 total runes.

• Level 80 → 90: 1,357,167 total runes.

• Level 90 → 100: 1,721,274 total runes.

These checkpoints let you estimate how many hours or runs you’ll need to hit your target level; the per‑level cost rises steeply in late game, so front‑load important stats early.

Exact smithing stone counts per upgrade tier

Below is a compact upgrade plan for regular Smithing Stones (standard weapons to +25) and Somber Smithing Stones (unique weapons to +10). Each row lists the upgrade range and the typical stone type used. Use the table to prioritize which stones to farm first.

Upgrade Range	Stone Type	Typical Count
+1 to +3	Smithing Stone 1	Common small counts early
+4 to +6	Smithing Stone 2–4	Moderate counts midgame
+7 to +10	Smithing Stone 5–7	Higher counts required
+11 to +15	Smithing Stone 8–9 and Dragon	Rare stones and dragon stones
Unique weapons +1 to +10	Somber Smithing Stones	[1 Somber per level; total depends on target +10] (guide://tell-more)

Sources: .

Notes and practical counts: regular weapons to +25 commonly require multiple tiers of Smithing Stones with the largest consumption in the mid‑to‑late tiers; community tallies indicate roughly a dozen of each major stone type plus at least one Dragon Stone for a full +25 path on a standard weapon. Unique weapons use Somber Smithing Stones at one per upgrade level, so a +10 unique needs roughly ten Somber stones (rarer Somber Dragon stones are limited).

How to use this

Plan upgrades around boss runs: upgrade your main weapon to the next breakpoint before tackling a new region. Farm the stone tiers you’ll need next rather than hoarding low‑tier stones. Keep one fully upgraded backup for resistances.

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