So I'm making a barehanded build...

Hi everyone! I just picked up the PC version of DS and I have decided to try something different and make an unarmed build with the Way of the Dragon Covenant to buff my fists enough to make this build viable.

I realized however that there are a few things that I couldn't figure out about the unarmed mechanics. As far as I can tell from the ingame menu the unarmed damage is stuck at 20 with no Param bonuses applying. However since this is a From software game I wouldn't be surprised if there is some kind of hidden stats that I just might have missed (I have only played DS a bit before and I SUCKED at it, was basically Darkwraith food) but some of you more dedicated players might know of. So:

1. Are there any hidden Param bonuses for unarmed damage at all ( Str, Dex, etc...) or should I just put all my points in Vitality and Endurance (I have done that so far since level one as a Pyromancer and I'm at level 35 currently)

2. Is there some kind of equipment that you would recommend that won't interfere with the Dragonstone torso power? IIRC Kirk's gauntlets will give a buff but I don't know if they count as weapons or armor in this case.

3. How high should I level Vitality/Endurance? I think I recall that there is a point after with there is a significant drop in HP/Stamina per dot and I wonder what I should do with the rest.


Also I'd like to apologize for coming here with my first post and ask for input like this. I hope that I'll be able to give something back to the community at some later point.

Cheers!

You said it, the dragon form's fists are the way to go. They have a constant +400 AR, so dump rest of points in Vit/End and maybe the Dark Hand for parrying and some Pyro like Great Combustion, Power Within, or any of the mists.

Aim for slvl 50 so you can have the best chances in Battle of Stoicism, your real defense is going to be having 99 humanity and that becomes less significant at higher slvls.

Your best bet is going to be trying to time the dragon roar with attacks and criticals, it gives you space and a much needed dmg buff. You'll want the lingering dragon crest ring as it gives a few more precious seconds to your buff and the hornets ring to give you a big boost to crits aspecially with the dragon roar.

If you can get together 80 scales you'll be able to get the +3 dragon covenant boost making your fist over 600 dmg and your dragon roar into a 35% dmg buff.

I strongly suggest you use basic pyro flame and power within, it won't be fatal with the lingering dc ring and if you use red tearstone as your second ring you'll get a huge last ditch boost that can really turn a match around.

I'd use this build, you have the attunement so might as well use it.
http://tinyurl.com/8dd7qou

Carry nothing on you except your equipment and some items and if you start taking dmg or can't get backstabs/repose switch to your red tearstone.

Long post I know but as a final touch stock up on poison throwing knifes, dung pies and black fire bombs; they wont get you kills but you can use them to along with some pyro like poison mist to pressure players that try staying outside your attack range.

Great ideas both of you, thanks!

I haven't gotten enough of the Dragon scales yet to get the torso stone but I've already had some success with the dragon breath and dodging vs some heavy clad invaders. The range of the breath-weapon is amazing and is terrifying with some mist spells for zoning.

The damage isn't good but I hope it will scale with the covenant somewhat.

One thing that I did differently from the build AzureCrow posted is that I have a higher stamina but other than that I am following it pretty closely.

Thanks for your help yet again.

Yea I was just going off the idea you'd need less end with no weapons however if you like using the breath attack it would be better to have more. Just put everything else into Vit, you actually have the advantage of a ton of souls for buying 99 of each item.

On a side note it really caught my attention that this build would have a perfect 0 weight fast roll so your rolling punches are going to come outta nowhere, I might have to use a build like this myself

Exactly, I wanted to be fast as lightning as opposed to all my heavier builds and be able to lock the enemies down with fire before I run in for the kill. So far it's looking good, I've been practicing without equipment since I haven't gotten 30 scales yet.
I have to say that it is a real chore to farm those scales but it will probably be worth it.

I'll post a video here when I have some footage of the build if you'd like.

Definitely if you can get some action in Stoicism or even solid pve, just stick at the dragon sign pvp, and maybe break it up with some wyvern farming but their drop rate is pretty low, most mid level players will drop some scales for you if they vs you a few times, I got lucky and a random summoner gave me like 80 scales back when I was a dragon cov

Wow that was lucky!

My solution was to buff humanity up to ten and commit genocide on the Wyverns.

I think I killed 120 of them but it was worth it. The build is amazing to play. Never had such an easy time with Havel, Sif or sir Lard-*** of Anor Londo before. I got beaten by phantoms but not so much of the lack of armor but that I was tired and made mistakes. It is quite obvious however that this build scares some players with it's speed.

Using the claws is very VERY satisfying! The damage is good and while it drains a lot of more stamina than the regular unarmed attacks. the rolling punch (which is actually a bite!) and other moves make this worth it and then some.

I'm now trying to see how I can buff the damage of the claws using the Linger/bellowing dragon rings and stuff like Power within. I'm unsure if these rings affect the buff from the dragon roar but it actually looks like it might.

If anyone has anything they want me to try with the build then just ask.