Dark Crusader Builds & Class Guide

Explore the best Dark Crusader builds in Lords of the Fallen (2023). Learn about starting stats, recommended gear, and effective strategies for strength and radiance playstyles.

The Dark Crusader is a powerful starting class in Lords of the Fallen (2023), excelling with heavy armor, great weapons, and a touch of Radiance. This guide covers its starting stats, items, and effective build strategies.

Dark Crusader Starting Stats and Items

The Dark Crusader begins with the following stats:

Strength	Agility	Endurance	Vitality	Radiance	Inferno
12	8	14	14	11	8

This class boasts high Strength, Vitality, and Endurance, making it strong from the outset. It comes equipped with the Parchment (a healing and damage item), the Dark Crusader armor set, and the Dark Crusader great sword, which scales with Strength and Agility. The longsword's sweeping attacks are effective for early-game crowd control.

Note: You must unlock the Dark Crusader class to start as one.

Dark Crusader Builds in Lords of the Fallen

The Dark Crusader class benefits from heavy armor, great weapons, and some investment in Radiance. Focus on Strength, Endurance, and Vitality to utilize heavy armor and two-handed weapons effectively. Vitality increases carrying capacity, helping to manage weight for better dodge rolls, and also boosts your health pool when wearing heavy armor.

Prioritize two-handed weapons with high Strength scaling, and to a lesser extent, Agility. Some weapons may also have Inferno or Radiance scaling, allowing for flexibility. The Faithful Bludgeon, a two-handed mace, is a notable Strength weapon obtainable through a parkour challenge near the Pilgrim's Perch sanctuary.

For throwable items, a mix of parchments is recommended, though grenades, throwing axes, or javelins can provide useful ranged options against specific enemy types.

Consider the Radiance build for more magical capabilities. The Crafter's Essence rune, available from Gerlinde after giving her the Blacksmith's quest tablet from the Tower of Penance, can reduce item weight or strength requirements to zero, enabling dual-wielding of heavy weapons and armor for a formidable mid-game build.

Dark Crusader Radiance Build

A Radiance-focused Dark Crusader build sacrifices a secondary weapon slot for a Radiance Catalyst and utilizes various Radiance spells. Recommended supportive spells include Aura of Tenacity (found in Skyrest's living quarters), Barbed (from the Manse of Hallowed Brothers), and Sanctuary (near Pietra in the Safe Hub tower). A spell that summons swords can be obtained by defeating an optional boss in the Manse's garden area.

These spells enhance durability through status effect cleanses, heals, physical resistance buffs, and mirroring attacks. Holy Weapon, purchased from the OIrion Preacher in Skyrest, can further boost weapon damage for a Paladin-like playstyle.

Weapon choices for a Radiance build may include the Dark Crusader's starting sword, or upgraded Strength-scaling two-handers like the Faithful Bludgeon. The Ebonlight Sword offers good Strength and Radiance scaling. The Abiding Sword, a great sword rewarded for defeating optional bosses in the Manse, requires 29 Strength and Radiance. A decent Radiance spear can be obtained by defeating Tancred in the Tower of Penance. The Bloody Glory requires 20 Strength and 32 Radiance.