Best builds for the retail version
This page uses the skill names currently documented in the class trees and the launch guides. Skill points are shared, so the numbers below are priorities for the first 10–12 points, not a promise that every tree has identical costs on every difficulty.
Best early build: Riposte control (10 points)
- 2 points — Perfect Block / Perfect Riposte path (Swordmastery): take the first manual that improves directional blocking, then the first riposte upgrade.
- 2 points — Charge (Swordmastery): gap-close and stun a priority target.
- 2 points — Compel Soul (Witchcraft): unlock from Anca’s prologue lessons for spirit dialogue and utility.
- 2 points — Burning Blood (Witchcraft): add safe damage over time after a riposte.
- 2 points — Voracious Bite (Vampirism): first night sustain ability; unlock after a reliable feeding route.
This route keeps a defensive answer in every time period, spends only two points in Vampirism, and leaves later points available for a named-blood reward.
Swordmastery-only build (12 points)
Prioritize Perfect Block → Perfect Riposte → Charge → Broadswing → Artery Strike. Add Walking Fortress after you can consistently read a boss’s attack direction. Find or buy the relevant Swordmastery manuals from fencers, soldier camps, and quest rewards; points cannot bypass a missing manual.
Use this for a Duelist run or Bakir’s Lunar Game, where the maze prevents Vampiric abilities. Keep a fast weapon for recovery and a greatsword only for confirmed stagger windows.
Witchcraft-only build (12 points)
Start with Anca’s Compel Soul, Astral Communion, Burning Blood, and Mercurial Fervour lessons. Add Ravenous Flock from the Bear Trouble Pilgrimage west of Laslea Gate, then Cycle of Ruin (western Cursed Chasm Ancient Circle) or Soul Reaping (Ancient Circle east of Maragir).
Use Compel Soul for quest information, Burning Blood for damage over time, Ravenous Flock for a cone stun, and Soul Reaping when you need space and recovery. Witchcraft manuals are found in ruins, haunted sites, bookcases, Pilgrimages, or bought from Witchcraft vendors.
Vampirism-only build (10 points)
Open with Voracious Bite for sustain, Piercing Shriek for an emergency stun, and Death From Above for ambush damage. Add Shapeshift for night traversal when available. Drain named vassal blood only after a save: Ambrus unlocks Scarlet Shield, Bakir unlocks Shadowstorm, and Xanthe’s blood can unlock Blood Surge.
Track corruption before every named feeding. This build is strongest at night but can close human interactions, so it is a poor default for a spoiler-free romance run.
Hybrid build: Sword + Witchcraft (12 points)
Spend 6 points on Perfect Block, Perfect Riposte, and Charge; spend 4 on Compel Soul and Burning Blood; reserve 2 for Ravenous Flock or a defensive hex. Cast one control effect, then finish with a riposte rather than chaining expensive spells. This is the most forgiving all-day route.
Boss loadouts
Boss | Skill priorities | Equipment plan --- | --- | --- Ambrus | Perfect Riposte, Charge, Scarlet Shield counter discipline | Highest physical armour; poison via The Bittersweet Toast if needed Bakir | Swordmastery blocks, Charge, Broadswing | Repaired sword-only setup for the maze; healing for the final room Xanthe | Ravenous Flock, mobility, Perfect Block | Fast weapon and stamina recovery for tentacle blocks and blood-orb waves Brencis | Perfect Riposte, one control hex, emergency Vampirism sustain | Highest upgraded armour, full healing, burst reserved for Anachora phase
The official Skills & Power bulletin confirms the progression split: Swordmastery and Witchcraft need manuals found or bought in the world, while Vampirism develops through feeding and corruption.
For independently sourced records, use the skills database, difficulty builds, and boss builds. Numeric point orders are published only after retail verification.