Stances & Builds
Stances & Stamina vs Damage Builds
Compare light, balanced, and heavy stances to understand gameplay feel, best weapon pairings, and risk/reward. Try the numbers in our Of Ash and Steel build calculator before you commit shards.
Try the numbers yourself in our Of Ash and Steel build calculator →New to combat? Read the Beginner’s Guide for a softer stance primer.
Overview of Stances
Gameplay feel, pairings, and risk/reward.
Windborne
-8% dmgFast sidesteps, wide arcs, low stamina cost, thrives on reaction windows.
- Gameplay feel: fast, evasive
- Best pairing: bleed blades + stamina hilts
- Risk/Reward: Low risk, consistent chip
Vigil
0% dmgMeasured tempo with strong feints, perfect for counter-focused players.
- Gameplay feel: reactive, balanced
- Best pairing: crit blades + flexible guards
- Risk/Reward: Moderate risk, reliable counters
Cataclysm
15% dmgCommit to huge poised swings and brutal finishers; respect your timing.
- Gameplay feel: slow, devastating
- Best pairing: armor_shred blades + poise hilts
- Risk/Reward: High commitment, huge payoff
Stamina vs Damage
Trade-offs with practical examples.
Stamina-flow builds
Light stance with stamina-friendly hilts keeps combos flowing. Great for learning bosses and for exploration routes. Use the build calculator to see how many combos fit in a full stamina bar.
Burst damage builds
Heavy stance with armor-shred blades chunks bosses during punish windows. Watch the damage per stamina bar stat to avoid running dry mid-chain.
Archetype Build Cards
Copy these into the calculator, then adapt for your run.
Light stance bleed build for punishing whiffs with high uptime.
Added Dec 6
Heavy stance, armor-shredding tank build for bosses that refuse to stagger.
Added Dec 6
Balanced stance counter-focused build with crit spikes.
Added Dec 6
Key Tips
When to swing, when to hold, and when to swap stance mid-run.
Timing
Spend Stamina in Windows
Heavy stance excels right after enemy slam recoveries. Light stance is for punishing whiffs and sprint pokes.
Crafting
Guard Swap Matters
Pair low stamina hilts with stable guards to offset heavy blades. This keeps combo count high before exhaustion.
Economy
Use Faction Refunds
Ashen Ordeal stamina regen lets you fish for crits longer. Iron Legion values fewer, harder swings with armor shred.