I have several, and it just depends on the mechanics of the fight:
- Hookclaws (Lightning AoW and Quality Attunement)/ Bloodhound Claws (Hoarfrost Stomp and Cold Attunement)
This is my primary boss setup, and the one I beat Melania and the lion mask, Twin Knight, and really any enemy that is susceptible to bleed with. I RH my hookclaws and buff with Bloodflame Blade prior to the fight. This allows me to build up bleed with both weapons, and buildup frostbite with my Bloodhound Claws. If I proc Frostbite before bloodflame runs out, the fire from Bloodflame Blade resets the Frostbite buildup. If not, Frostbite give me an additional 20% dmg. This build is very fast, very fun, and even jump dual attacks hit like a truck; especially with the the mask and talisman for boosted dmg with bleed, as well as the cursed sword insignia and cracked thorny tear boosting dmg. This build is all about being just as relentless as these bosses. If you are the type that likes ot hit once, then back away and circle a boss, then this build would suck. I literally run into the arena and I don't stop running at the boss unless I miss some dodges and need to heal. Even then, I usually stay close and dodge until I have an opening.
The lightning strike ash of war on my hookclaws is really what I use to knock down flying enemies. It works great for that, but I don't use it any other time because I'm usually buffing with Bloodflame blade for boss fights.
- Bloodhound's Fang
Self explanatory. One of the best weapons in the game, and one I use when I fight a boss I need to do poise dmg to. This is the weapon I beat Maliketh with. This works against some enemies who aren't susceptible to bleed because it still hits like a truck.- Knight's Twinblade (Frost Spear and Cold Attunement)
This is my weapon for enemies that don't bleed, usually. I love the Twinblade moveset most, in this game. The frost dmg affects most bosses, as well as Frostbite. The big hit from Frostbite, followed by the 30 sec of 20% increased dmg makes this thing hit hard as hell. The Frost Spear ash of war, with Alexander's Jar shard hits like a freaking truck and also builds up frostbite. This weapon made the early knight in the DLC a freaking joke. This is also the weapon I used to defeat Radagon and Elden Beast.- Milady (Seppuku and Quality Attunement)
A new weapon in the DLC that I have been using for all trash because it is such a fun moveset. The dmg against bosses suffers, so I usually go back to one of the three above.
ETA: This current character I'm using for the DLC, I actually beat the game with power-stancing two Great Stars. That build is completely OP. If you are looking to play a bonk build, try power stancing the Great Stars. You can get two of them in your first playthrough, very easily and early, and they hit like trucks, do extreme poise dmg, build up bleed, and heal for 1% each, per attack. Honestly, I was laughing at all the bosses in my last playthrough, as I bonked the crap out of them without even using summons.
I respecced to my current build for the DLC because I love fast attacks.
