Your first solo build has to do three things: kill packs of mobs at a steady pace, keep you alive without a healer, and be cheap enough to lose. A build that covers them can farm open-world mobs and solo dungeons from your first week.
What a solo build needs
- Area damage. Solo content is mostly packs. A weapon that hits several mobs at once clears faster than one that only kills a single target.
- Self-sustain. With no healer, you need healing, lifesteal or strong defensive skills on your own bar.
- A way out. A movement skill or a defensive cooldown buys time when a pull goes wrong, or when another player shows up.
Few weapons do all three equally well, so pick armor that covers what your weapon lacks.
Armor types
- Cloth gives the most damage and magic support and the least defense.
- Leather sits between the two.
- Plate gives the most defense and the least damage.
For a first solo set, a mix that leans defensive is easier to learn. You can trade defense for damage once you know the content.
IP and specialization
Item Power (IP) sets how strong your gear is. Tier, enchantment and quality all raise it. Content often has an IP requirement, and more IP makes everything easier.
Specialization in a weapon or armor line raises the IP of the items in that line. Every level you put into one weapon makes it stronger, so stick with one weapon line for your first build instead of switching each week. Use the Specialization & focus tool to keep track of your levels.
Find a proven loadout
Other players have already tested builds for most solo content:
- Open Builds by activity and pick Solo PvE.
- Look for a weapon you have specced, or want to.
Healing Potion