Best Putrescent Cleaver Build

The Putrescent Cleaver is a weapon that truly comes into its own when used in the right build. Known for its unrelenting aggression and synergy with damage-over-time effects, this cleaver is a standout for players who enjoy brutal melee combat and sustain-oriented playstyles. Whether you prefer PvE domination or PvP pressure, crafting the best Putrescent Cleaver build means balancing stats, armor, talismans, and skills to maximize its effectiveness. This topic will break down how to make the most of this decayed but deadly weapon.

What Makes the Putrescent Cleaver Special?

The Putrescent Cleaver is not just any heavy weapon it often carries innate status buildup effects like poison or rot, depending on the game it’s featured in. Combined with its hefty base damage and brutal attack animations, it’s excellent for staggering enemies and applying pressure. While it may be slower than lighter weapons, the payoff is significant when you land clean hits.

Its true power shines when combined with a build that enhances its strengths and mitigates its weaknesses. With the right attributes and gear, the Putrescent Cleaver can become a weapon of relentless attrition, chipping away at foes’ health while keeping you in the fight longer than they expect.

Stat Allocation for Maximum Damage

The optimal stat distribution depends on whether you’re focusing on raw damage, status buildup, or survivability. Here’s a general breakdown for a high-performing Putrescent Cleaver build:

• Strength: Aim for at least 40 if the cleaver scales primarily with Strength. Two-handing the weapon boosts effective Strength, allowing you to invest elsewhere if needed.
• Dexterity: Only raise if required to meet wielding conditions. Typically, this stays low for a pure Strength build.
• Vigor: Around 35-45 to survive longer in melee range, especially in PvP or boss fights.
• Endurance: Invest in at least 25 to manage stamina usage and equip heavier armor without sacrificing mobility.
• Faith/Arcane: Optional boost if you’re running a hybrid build that benefits from status application or buffing incantations.

Overall, the best Putrescent Cleaver build prioritizes Strength and Vigor first, with Endurance as a close third. This ensures you hit hard, take hits, and swing multiple times without exhausting your stamina bar.

Weapon Upgrades and Infusions

Upgrading the Putrescent Cleaver is essential to bring out its potential. You’ll want to bring it to its maximum level as early as possible to benefit from scaling and damage increases. Depending on the infusion or elemental effect system in your game, here are some options:

• Heavy Infusion: Prioritize if you’re running a pure Strength build. This maximizes damage scaling from your highest stat.
• Poison/Rot Infusion: Ideal if the cleaver already has status effects and you’re leaning into a status buildup strategy.
• Fire/Lightning Infusion: Use only if your build includes elemental scaling or boss resistances demand it.

Infusion choice also depends on whether you’re going for burst damage or long-term attrition. Heavy is usually the best general-purpose choice, but poison builds can be deadly in drawn-out fights or against enemies weak to it.

Best Talismans or Accessories

Accessories and talismans can significantly improve your combat efficiency with the Putrescent Cleaver. Below are some top-tier choices:

• Green Turtle Talisman: Increases stamina recovery speed, crucial for managing the cleaver’s stamina-heavy swings.
• Radagon’s Scarseal/Source (if applicable): Boosts Strength, improving your overall damage output.
• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Boosts attack power with successive attacks, synergizing well with the cleaver’s aggressive combos.
• Poison Rot Resistance Charms: Helps with survivability if you’re in areas where rot/poison is common or if using your own status-inflicting gear.

For PvP, consider talismans that reduce damage or improve poise, letting you trade hits and keep pressure on your opponent without being staggered easily.

Armor Selection for the Build

With a weapon as heavy and powerful as the Putrescent Cleaver, your armor should support your role as a durable, frontline combatant. Aim for medium-to-heavy armor with high poise and resistance to status effects. Good options include:

• Bull-Goat Set (or equivalent): Maximizes poise and lets you tank through interruptions during your heavy attacks.
• Veteran’s Set: Offers excellent physical defense while remaining within a medium equip load for most builds.
• Crucible Knight Gear: Balanced defenses and good aesthetics to match the cleaver’s imposing look.

If you’re running low Endurance, mix and match pieces for an optimized balance between weight and protection. Don’t neglect mobility, especially in PvP, where roll timing can make or break a duel.

Recommended Skills or Weapon Arts

Pairing the Putrescent Cleaver with the right weapon skill or ash of war (if applicable) can take the build to the next level. These are some of the most effective choices:

• Flaming Strike: Adds fire damage and temporarily buffs your weapon, enhancing burst potential.
• Endure: Briefly reduces incoming damage and prevents stagger, allowing you to finish your swing even under pressure.
• Bloodhound’s Step: Excellent for mobility and dodging, especially useful in PvP or against fast bosses.
• Cragblade or Earthshaker: Heavy, powerful weapon arts that emphasize your cleaver’s brute-force playstyle.

Choose a weapon skill that complements your preferred rhythm whether it’s closing the gap quickly or overpowering opponents with a devastating first strike.

Combat Strategy and Playstyle Tips

Using the Putrescent Cleaver effectively means understanding its reach, timing, and stamina cost. Here are some strategic tips to master its use:

• Trade smart: Your cleaver hits hard, but it’s slow. Time your attacks to punish mistakes rather than initiate every fight.
• Stagger control: Use poise and heavy armor to power through lighter attacks. Follow up with devastating charged strikes.
• Corner enemies: In tight spaces, the cleaver’s wide swings dominate. Use terrain to your advantage.
• Stay aggressive in PvP: Status buildup and pressure go hand-in-hand. Don’t let up once your opponent is on the backfoot.

In PvE, the cleaver’s ability to stunlock or break enemy posture is incredibly valuable. In PvP, your goal is to play mind games with spacing and make the opponent commit before you unleash your attacks.

Build Variations

While the core build revolves around Strength, here are some alternate paths for experimentation:

Strength + Arcane Build

Add Arcane for increased status buildup if the cleaver scales with it. Combine with poison weapons and incantations to apply pressure over time.

Strength + Faith Build

Use buffing miracles or incantations like Flame, Grant Me Strength or Blessing of the Erdtree for sustain and damage boosting.

Two-Handed Cleaver Build

Forgo shields and two-hand the cleaver full-time. This gives bonus Strength scaling and frees up gear weight for heavier armor.

The best Putrescent Cleaver build is a balance of raw Strength, stamina management, and survivability. With the right setup, this brutal weapon becomes a relentless force in both PvE and PvP, breaking through defenses and spreading decay with each swing. Whether you lean into status effects or go pure brute force, mastering the cleaver’s tempo and range will let you dominate battles with style and brutality. Equip your gear, prime your talismans, and let the rot flow through your enemies because when used right, the Putrescent Cleaver doesn’t just cut it crushes.

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