Dark Souls 2 introduced a wide range of new weapons, armor, and rings that opened up thousands of build options. To this day, Dark Souls 2 has the most build variety out of any Dark Souls title. One reason build variety skyrocketed with this game is the fact that Dark Souls 2 has four ring slots instead of the original’s two.
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As a result, From Software introduced plenty of new rings for players to try. Nearly every ring has a purpose and isn’t a bad option, but there are certainly rings that triumph over the rest. Whether they grant a wide range of stat bonuses or increase damage output, some rings are must-haves for certain builds. Here are the 10 best rings players can use in Dark Souls 2.
10 Stone Ring
For PvE, there aren’t many rings that are as instantly noticeable as the Stone Ring. While equipped, every attack will deal an additional 30 Poise damage. This works on all attacks including spells. For fast-attacking weapons, this is a must for shutting down heavily-armored opponents in a few strikes. It can even stun a few bosses when used properly. It can be found in Things Betwixt as a drop from the hidden Ogre left of the starting path.
9 Ring Of Thorns
The Ring of Thorns is a PvP-centered ring that has a moderate to high chance of counter-attacking an opponent when the player is hit. The normal ring has a 30% chance, the +1 version has a 50% chance, and the +2 variant has a 70% chance.
Its counter-attack damage is around 200 damage, and the damage is dealt in a frontal cone from the player. Players can obtain this ring from killing Pate, purchasing the +1 variant from Grave Warden Agdayne in the Undead Crypt, and the +2 version is granted after successfully invading and defeating the player host 1,000 times. Yes, 1,000 times. The +1 version is a great choice for aggressive PvP players that want to quickly stagger a target when they overcommit.
8 Vanquisher’s Seal
Granted after reaching rank 3 with the Company of Champions, the Vanquisher’s Seal increases unarmed melee attack damage to 280 base, and grants it 75% Attack Rating scaling from strength with 25% from dexterity. Note that this damage is only active while the player’s fists are completely empty. Fist weapons won’t work.
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Vanquisher’s Seal allows players to beat the entire game using their bare hands. No weapon runs are usually a joke amongst the Souls community, but this is the only time that a no weapon run is perfectly viable and, arguably, a solid choice. Two-handed heavy attacks with this ring can demolish just about any foe, including bosses.
7 Life Ring
Since players need to spend quite a few levels upgrading their adaptability stat, invasions and most co-op summons are a rather high level. Investing so much into adaptability can give players less room to breathe when speccing for other stats, which is where the Life Ring comes in.
At +3, the Life Ring grants a solid +15% to maximum HP. It can be obtained in Brume Tower once players ascend multiple elevators in the Foyer bonfire. If players have a fourth ring slot open, the Life Ring +3 is a solid pick.
6 Clear Bluestone Ring
Every character that casts some type of spell, miracle, pyromancy, or hex will want to obtain the Clear Bluestone Ring. This ring increases the casting speed of every spell in the game. It reduces cast times by 20% on its own, but it grants an even faster 35% cast speed bonus with its +1 version and a whopping 55% cast speed boost with the +2 version.
Players can purchase the normal ring from Carhillion of the Fold. The +1 version is in an iron chest in the Shaded Woods inside the misty section. As for the +2 version, it can be obtained guaranteed by killing The Skeleton Lords on New Game Plus or as a rare drop from killing Armourer Dennis at the Iron Keep Bridge.
5 Flynn’s Ring
Dark Souls 2 was no stranger to damage-enhancing rings. One such ring is Flynn’s Ring, an item that grants increased Attack Rating as a player’s total Equip Load decreases. When the player is under 60 units, they gain a rather large +50 Attack Rating to all attacks. Since this is a flat buff, it is best used on rapid-attacking weapons such as swords or claws. If players are above 60 units in weight, the buff will be less potent. It can be found in Dragon’s Sanctum above the room filled with Corrosive Egg Crawlers.
4 Chloranthy Ring
Stamina is a core stat that every character needs to manage. The Chloranthy Ring makes this much easier, granting up to a 25% recovery bonus to Stamina with its +2 variant. The Forest of Fallen Giants has the base ring, the +1 version can be found in the Shaded Woods, and the +2 ring drops from slaying the Executioner’s Chariot on NG+.
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3 Ring Of Blades
Similar to Flynn’s Ring, the Ring of Blades grants flat physical damage to all attacks while worn. The base version grants 20 flat physical damage, the +1 version grants 35, and the +2 version grants 50. Players can obtain this ring incredibly early just after slaying The Pursuer in the Forest of Fallen Giants. Once the Smelter Demon is slain, players can return to his arena to find The Pursuer once again who will drop the +1 variant. The +3 ring drops from The Pursuers in Drangleic Castle on NG+. It grants a noticeable damage increase with no downside. This is a no-brainer for melee characters.
2 Clutch Rings
Each of Dark Souls 2’s DLCs contain special elemental rings named Clutch Rings that reduce a player’s defenses in exchange for increased elemental damage. Each ring reduces a player’s defenses by 80 in exchange for a +30 Attack Rating boost on the respective element. Casters will get great use out of this, but anyone using infused weapons or resins to buff their gear will notice a damage increase as well. As long as the player is careful with their positioning and avoids damage, the damage bonus well outweighs the negative.
1 Third Dragon Ring
Combining the Life Ring, Royal Soldier Ring, and Chloranthy Ring into one, the Third Dragon Ring is the most versatile ring in all of Dark Souls 2. Obtained from Dragon Shrine, this ring grants a plethora of small yet noticeable bonuses that are useful on all builds. It stacks with rings that grant similar bonuses such as the +3 Life Ring or +2 Royal Soldier Ring.
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