u/Particular-Maybe9106

I'm currently on my second playthrough of DS2 SotFS, and this time I'm trying a Hex build. The thing is, I'm still not very good at understanding how to properly optimize builds in DS2, so I'd appreciate some advice.

I'm currently using the Sunset Staff, with a Rapier and the Blacksmith's Hammer as my melee weapons.

For my stats, I'm mainly putting the minimum requirements into my melee weapons and investing the rest into Vigor, Endurance, and Attunement, while also leveling Intelligence and Faith for my hexes.

My current stats are:

- Vigor: 20

- Endurance: 20

- Attunement: 25

- Strength: 15

- Dexterity: 12

- Intelligence: 20

- Faith: 20

- ADP: 13 (96 Agility)

I'm planning to Dark-infuse my Sunset Staff and melee weapons.

Is this a decent way to build a Hex character? What should I prioritize from here?

Should I keep leveling Vigor/Endurance/Attunement, or should I start pushing Intelligence/Faith higher? And is Dark infusion the right choice for my weapons?

Any advice on how to improve this would be greatly appreciated.

I've been thinking about the Ashen One's immortality.

The Chosen Undead and the Bearer of the Curse are Undead, and the Bearer of the Curse can even prevent hollowing with Vendrick's blessing. But the Ashen One seems different—they're an Unkindled brought back because the First Flame is fading and the Lords of Cinder refused to link it.

So here's my question:

If the Ashen One only resurrects because they're needed to restore the cycle, what happens after they've fulfilled that purpose?

If they link the Fire, are they simply consumed and become the new Lord of Cinder?

If they choose the End of Fire or the Usurpation of Fire, do they continue resurrecting, or does their immortality end because the First Flame no longer has a reason to bring them back?

Is there any item description, dialogue, or interview that answers this, or is it left completely ambiguous?

I've been thinking about something regarding immortality in Dark Souls II.

We know that the Chosen Undead, the Bearer of the Curse, and the Ashen One are all effectively immortal. They can die endlessly, but every death brings them closer to hollowing, and as they hollow they gradually lose their memories, purpose, and eventually their entire sense of self until there's nothing left.

So my question is about the Bearer of the Curse at the end of DS2.

If they obtain all the Crowns and receive Vendrick's blessing, they're able to prevent hollowing. Since they can no longer lose themselves to hollowing, does that essentially make them a true immortal? They would still resurrect after death, but without the downside of slowly losing their identity.

Or is there something in the lore that suggests the blessing has limits or that they could still eventually lose themselves for another reason?

I'm currently working on 100% completion and have finished every covenant grind except Mound-Makers.

I've been farming Vertebra Shackles from the Carthus Skeleton Swordsmen and it's driving me crazy. I honestly expected Proofs of a Concord Kept to be the worst grind, but this has been even more painful for me.

My Item Discovery is around 460 without using Rusted Coins, and the drop rate still feels incredibly low. I've already spent hours farming and barely have anything to show for it.

I'm on PC, so I'm wondering if there's a better method. Is farming the skeletons still the best option, or would it be faster to find someone willing to help with Mound-Maker invasions and trade kills?

For anyone who has done this recently, how long did it take you, and do you have any tips to make it less miserable?

I decided to do a DEX/FAI run using the Cross-Naginata and mainly buff/incantation armament spells instead of pure casting.

The problem is that I honestly don’t fully understand how seals work.

For this type of build:

- Which seal should I use?

- Does upgrading the seal increase the damage/effectiveness of weapon buff incantations or does it mostly just improve offensive incantation damage?

- Do weapon buffs scale only from Faith, or from the seal itself too?

I’ve done other builds before, but I never really used incantation armaments seriously, so I’m kinda confused on the mechanics.

Any advice for a progression route would also help.

I’m looking for something a bit different from the usual builds.

I’ve already played through multiple runs using pure STR, DEX, INT, FAITH, and ARC builds, so I’m not new to the game. But one thing I’ve never really committed to is a true hybrid build (like INT/FAITH, ARC/INT, ARC/FAITH, etc.).

The thing is, I’m not looking for a typical “here’s the final build at level 150” type of guide.

What I want is more like a progression-based build, where:

- Each phase of the game (early / mid / late / DLC) has a different setup

- Stats evolve over time (not just rushing 2 stats immediately)

- Weapons and spells change depending on the stage

- Ideally, each phase feels like a new build, not just a stronger version of the same one

Basically, I want a run where the build transforms as I progress, instead of locking into one identity early.

I’ve seen some hybrid guides, but most of them either:

- Skip early game entirely

- Or only focus on the final optimized setup

So I’m wondering:

- Does anyone know a guide (or series) that actually does this?

- Or has anyone here done a full “evolving hybrid run” and can share how they structured it?

Open to any hybrid path (INT/FAI, ARC/FAI, ARC/INT, etc.), as long as it’s progression-focused.

Appreciate any ideas.