Why Do People Not Like Dex in Dark Souls?
Dark Souls, a game known for its challenging combat and intricate world, is a game that many have grown to love and criticize. One of the biggest criticisms of the game lies in its character build, more specifically, the choice to use Dexterity as one’s primary stat. Despite being a viable choice for many players, some refuse to use Dexterity altogether. In this article, we’ll explore why Dexterity is often disregarded in favor of Strength builds.
Dex Scalling
One of the primary reasons people shun Dexterity is the scaled damage output. Dex’s primary scaling is, sadly, not as powerful as Strength’s. As strength builds, the weapon can become increasingly powerful, a phenomenon not seen in dexterity builds. According to [1], most powerful weapons in the game either have S-scaling (strongest) with Dexterity or A-scaling (strong) with Intelligence. This means Dexterity’s scaling is inherently tied to the weapon and enemy defense, making it not as effective as a one-stop-shop for strength based builds.
Enemy Counters
Another key difference lies in the countering of enemies. Since armor in Dark Souls depends greatly on the player’s base strength, Dexterity-equipped players often struggle against even moderately armored foes. Unlike Strength builds, where power is amplified by their innate ability to wear and benefit from heavy armor, the same cannot be said about Dexterity. When tackling the game’s bosses with a Dexterity-based strategy, players must resort to other means, like critical hits or backstabbing, which can be tedious compared to the straightforward brute-strength approach.
Damage Types
Dark Souls often pits players against multiple damages sources, such as R1, R2 attacks, and even Area Damage. Dexterity-focused warriors can struggle to account for the various damage sources given the limited scaling range against Dexterity-based damage. A table outlining which damage types scale against what primary stat can provide clear insights:
| Primary Stat | R1 (Pointy) | R2 (Sweep) | Area Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Strong scaling | Strong scaling | Okay scaling |
| Intelligence | Okay scaling | Mediocre scaling | Good scaling |
| Dexterity | Mediocre scaling | Mediocre scaling | Weak scaling |
Strength builds, on the other hand, can consistently wear and wield weapons with varying damage types, making their battle strategies more straightforward. Enemies will often prioritize target their strongest stat, heaviest armor, a disadvantage Dexterity builds don’t always account for.
Lack of Versatility
Some players may have adopted the notion that Strength makes a more well-rounded character. The reasoning lies in having more options for a stronger character. With increased melee range, increased weight-bearing capacity, and potentially carrying a shield, the perceived strength of a Dexterity build is diminished due to limited scaling and effectiveness on a broader range of skills. Dex-heavy builds often revolve around a single archetype role: fast, ranged weapons. This limited variety does not appeal to the multitude of players seeking varied choices for their character. (1)
Flexibility in Builds
Build variance and flexibility are important traits for many players in game. Dexterity lacks opportunities to branch out to include diverse abilities or gear options, resulting in a stolid playstyle. Compare these with Strength builds: heavy armor, shields, staffs, and swords share no inherent limitations and easily mix-and-match without issue. Dexterity equipment, on the other side, is often heavily conditional to the player’s Strength stat, further stifling experimentation.
Gut Feelings and Story Influences
Lastly, opinions are shaped by how connected a player feels with Dark Souls’ lore. Throughout the game, key figureheads, like Siegfried and the Sun Knight, are depicted wielding colossal weapons, emphasizing physical, Strength-based power, in contrast to agile speedsters. This influence weighs on the player, possibly skewing their decisions concerning build choices. An examination of the game’s most popular builds reveals this perceived Strength bias.
To tackle these criticisms, new methods could be implemented: introduce a more balanced strength-scaring system, develop gear with more versatility or passive abilities, and refine builds with more flexibility for adaptability. By making positive changes, the balance that Strength and Dexterity need can be achieved. What we can learn is Dark Souls’ design flaws and that other options are available that just require more creativity to see them through.
It was always a matter of individual player preference, to those who prefer the feel, balance, and satisfaction one can get from strength-centered playstyle. Many choose the path of brute, strength-based combat while having to adapt to this way of playing. With any given game, certain decisions have to be made or strategies employed to gain maximum results.