Start with Maximum Endurance
If you often finish an attack string with no stamina left to defend, invest in Maximum Endurance. Four early investments are a practical starting target for a melee-focused character.
More Endurance gives you room to attack, defend and evade. Still leave some in reserve; a larger bar does not make every long combo safe.
Match defense to your weapon
| Your playstyle | Skill to prioritize | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Saber, with frequent blocking | Blocking | Reduces the Endurance burden of blocking and improves its recoverable-health behavior. |
| Rapier, with active parrying | Parrying Impact | Increases posture pressure from a successful parry. |
| Any build struggling to survive hits | Maximum Health | Gives you more room to survive a mistake. |
The Rapier unlocks in Chapter 3 and does not offer the Saber’s blocking option. Choose the defensive skill for the weapon you actually use.
Add damage after the defensive foundation
Once you can defend reliably, add Melee Damage. Invest in Melee Endurance Cost when the node becomes available to reduce the stamina spent attacking.
A simple priority order is:
- Maximum Endurance.
- Blocking for Saber, or Parrying Impact for active parrying.
- Melee Damage.
- Melee Endurance Cost when unlocked.
Add Health earlier if taking hits, rather than running out of Endurance, is what ends your attempts.
Reset skills at a Lantern
You can pay Catalysts at a Lantern to reset skills. Use a reset when changing your main weapon or correcting investments that do not support your current approach.
Plan weapon materials separately from skill points. Try your new weapon’s defensive style before committing its final upgrade materials.