Is Luck Worth It in Dark Souls 3? A Comprehensive Guide

In Dark Souls 3, the question of whether to invest in Luck is a complex one. The short answer is: it depends entirely on your build and playstyle. For specific builds centered around bleed, poison, or item farming, Luck can be incredibly valuable. However, for more traditional strength, dexterity, intelligence, or faith-based builds, the stat may be a waste of valuable points. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of Luck and how it impacts your Dark Souls 3 experience.

Understanding Luck in Dark Souls 3

Luck is a multifaceted stat that impacts several key areas in the game. It primarily influences:

• Item Discovery: Increases the chance of enemies dropping items.
• Bleed and Poison Buildup: Speeds up the rate at which these status effects are applied.
• Resistance: Offers slight boosts to resistance against various status effects.
• Hollow Scaling: Enhances the scaling of Hollow-infused weapons when the player is Hollowed.

The Drawbacks of Investing in Luck

While the benefits sound appealing, there are significant drawbacks to consider:

• Stat Investment: Allocating points to Luck means sacrificing points in other potentially more impactful stats like Vigor, Endurance, Strength, or Dexterity.
• Limited Impact on Bleed/Poison: Although Luck does increase bleed and poison buildup, the effect is generally considered minor, especially when compared to investing in weapons with innate bleed or poison.
• Reliance on Specific Items: To truly maximize the potential of a Luck build, you often need to rely on specific items like Hollow weapons, Anri’s Straight Sword, and certain rings.
• Not Optimal for All Builds: if you are making a build around Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence or Faith, this stat is not worth it.

The Power of Luck Builds

Despite the drawbacks, Luck builds can be incredibly powerful and fun to play. They offer a unique playstyle centered around rapidly inflicting bleed or poison on enemies, and the increased item discovery can significantly speed up your ability to acquire rare and powerful items.
Luck builds shine when combined with:

• Hollow Infusion: Weapons infused with Hollow benefit from Luck scaling when the player is Hollowed. This can significantly boost damage output.
• Bleed or Poison Weapons: Weapons with innate bleed or poison effects, such as the Carthus Rouge or Storyteller’s Staff, benefit from increased buildup speed.
• Anri’s Straight Sword: This unique weapon scales with Luck, making it a viable damage option for Luck builds.

Is Luck Right for You?

Before committing to a Luck build, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my primary goal in this playthrough? If you’re focused on maximizing damage output with a traditional build, Luck is likely not the best choice. However, if you’re interested in farming items or experimenting with bleed/poison builds, it might be worth considering.
• Am I willing to invest heavily in Luck? To see significant benefits, you’ll need to invest a substantial number of points into Luck. This will inevitably impact your ability to invest in other stats.
• Am I comfortable relying on specific items and strategies? Luck builds often require specific weapons, infusions, and rings to be truly effective.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to invest in Luck is a personal one. Consider your playstyle, goals, and willingness to experiment before making a decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Luck in Dark Souls 3

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Luck stat in Dark Souls 3:

1. Does Luck affect drop rates in Dark Souls 3?
   Yes, Luck directly affects your Item Discovery, which determines how often enemies drop items. Each point of Luck increases your Item Discovery stat.

2. What is the maximum Item Discovery in Dark Souls 3?
   The highest possible Item Discovery is 614, achieved with 99 Luck, the Symbol of Avarice, Gold Serpent Ring +3, two Crystal Sage’s Rapiers, and a Rusted Gold Coin.

3. How much Luck do I need for a bleed build in Dark Souls 3?
   For a dedicated bleed build, aim for at least 30 Luck. 40-50 Luck is often considered optimal. Exceeding this point yields diminishing returns.

4. Does Luck affect poison damage in Dark Souls 3?
   No, Luck primarily affects the buildup speed of poison and bleed, not the damage they inflict.

5. What rings are good for a Luck build in Dark Souls 3?
   Essential rings include the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring (for Item Discovery) and rings that boost attack power based on status effects, such as the Carthus Milkring (for bleed) or the Pontiff’s Right Eye.

6. What weapons are good for a Luck build in Dark Souls 3?
   Weapons that benefit from Luck include Hollow-infused weapons and weapons with innate bleed or poison effects. Anri’s Straight Sword also scales with Luck.

7. What does Hollow infusion do in Dark Souls 3?
   Hollow infusion adds Luck scaling to a weapon and increases the player’s Luck stat when wielding the weapon while Hollowed (at 15 Hollowing or more).

8. How do I become Hollowed in Dark Souls 3?
   You become Hollowed by acquiring Dark Sigils from Yoel of Londor and dying. Leveling up through Yoel will further increase your Hollowing.

9. Is the Symbol of Avarice worth using for Item Discovery?
   Yes, the Symbol of Avarice significantly boosts Item Discovery, but it continuously drains your HP. Weigh the risks and benefits based on your build and playstyle.

10. Does Luck affect resistances in Dark Souls 3?
    Yes, Luck provides small boosts to various status effect resistances, but these are generally not significant enough to warrant investing solely for resistance purposes.

11. What is the purpose of the Crystal Sage’s Rapier in Dark Souls 3?
    The Crystal Sage’s Rapier provides a passive +50 to Item Discovery when equipped, making it useful for farming items. It can be equipped in either hand or even in both hands for +100 to Item Discovery (+50 per rapier).

12. How do I respec my stats in Dark Souls 3?
    You can respec your stats by offering a Pale Tongue to Rosaria, Mother of Rebirth. You can only respec a limited number of times per playthrough.

13. What are some alternatives to investing in Luck for item farming?
    Alternatives include using the Covetous Gold Serpent Ring, Symbol of Avarice, and Rusted Gold Coins. These can be combined to significantly boost your Item Discovery without investing heavily in Luck.

14. Does Luck affect the chance of inflicting critical hits?
    No, Luck does not affect the chance of inflicting critical hits, such as backstabs or ripostes.

15. Is Dark Souls 3 a hard game?
    Yes, Dark Souls 3 is generally considered a challenging game, known for its difficult bosses and intricate level design. However, its difficulty is often seen as fair and rewarding. Many players enhance their experience by participating in learning games. A good starting point could be the Games Learning Society and their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Ultimately, whether or not Luck is worth investing in depends on your individual playstyle and build preferences. Consider the pros and cons carefully before committing to a Luck build, and experiment to find what works best for you. Good luck, and may the flames guide thee!