Does No Rest for the Wicked have a class system? Softclasses and builds, explained

No Rest for the Wicked is a brutal action RPG with punishing combat you’d expect from a Soulslike. From the moment you wash up on shore, you’ll be in for quite the challenge, but there’s no basic class system for you to fall back on.

Instead, No Rest for the Wicked uses a “softclass” system. There’s no class or archetype for you to choose, which puts a lot of pressure on how you allot your points.

How do you build a character in No Rest for the Wicked?

Your character’s combat prowess in No Rest for the Wicked is determined solely by their stats, weapons, and gear. You can put points into eight attributes: Health, Stamina, Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Focus, and Equip Load.

Each has a prominent effect on your character, so how you assign points you receive at each level effectively determines the kind of character they are. But the weapons you pick up can also affect how you play. A rare weapon you find may need a certain minimum in Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith. That weapon can have a lasting impact on your character if you build your stats to suit that weapon.

It’s important to approach the game with flexibility. Instead of deciding early if you’ll be a two-handed weapon heavy or an elusive archer, you can wait to assign points based on the kind of weapons you unlock.

What’s a good build to use in No Rest for the Wicked?

You should allocate points to your four core stats, which are useful no matter what kind of weapon you use: Health, Stamina, Focus, and Equip Load. These four will keep you healthy, able to roll around plenty, equipped with powerful Focus attacks, and light on your feet.

For every three points you get per No Rest for the Wicked level, you should put two into whichever of the four above are the most pressing. The last should go to whichever stat provides an attribute bonus to your weapon.