Core priorities
- 1. Two-Handed — primary identity.
- 2. Armor — supporting plan.
- 3. Running — flex slot.
Verified perk seeds
These names appear in the official Update 15 record. They are decision prompts, not a copied or invented requirement tree.
- Cleave
- Momentum
- Executioner
- Titan's Grip
Early, mid and late priorities
| Stage | Priority | Exit check |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Make Two-Handed reliable before spreading points. | The core action works in ordinary encounters without a fragile setup. |
| Mid | Add Armor to solve the clearest resource or survival problem. | The supporting choice fixes a problem you can reproduce. |
| Late | Evaluate Titan's Grip against its current in-game text. | Requirements and tradeoffs have been checked in the live Update 16 menu. |
Weapons, spells and armor
Use the current weapon or spell that directly trains Two-Handed; this guide does not invent a mandatory named item. Choose armor by the defense and resource pressure visible in your own save, then change one slot at a time.
For weapon-led play, record weapon family, current skill and the exact equipped bonus before comparing outcomes.
Practical play pattern
Start with the part of the two-handed identity you can use in every encounter. Add the supporting skill only after the first loop feels reliable, then keep the flex slot for the problem your current save actually has.
Because Early Access balance changes quickly, spend against current in-game text instead of an old screenshot or undated tier list.
Strengths and weaknesses
| Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|
| A clear two-handed identity keeps early decisions focused. | The path cannot guarantee performance against every enemy or difficulty. |
| Verified perk names make the next in-game checks easy to find. | Patch notes do not publish complete prerequisites or measured output. |
| A flex skill can answer the current save's real problem. | Spreading into too many systems can delay the core loop. |
Co-op role
Bring a reliable two-handed loop rather than assuming a formal class role. Update 16 preserves supported guest character growth, while quests and quest items remain host-side.
Alternatives
- Swap Armor for Armor or Running when survival or positioning is the actual constraint.
- Use the exploration path when access and gathering matter more than combat specialization.
- Use the co-op support path when party visibility and repeatable utility matter more than solo pressure.
Update-sensitive notes
Update 15 is the perk baseline for this guide. Update 16 is the current site baseline and includes additional save, co-op, companion and interface changes. Recheck this page after any patch that changes perks, equipment, magic or character saves.
Before spending a perk point
- Read the current requirement and rank text in game.
- Check whether the perk changes a resource, weapon family or multiplayer behavior.
- Make a manual save before using grantperk or removeperk.
- Titan's Grip requirements and weapon interactions are not published in the patch note.
Evidence boundary
Exact values, requirements and edge cases stay marked as unverified until they can be checked in the current build.