One of the most impactful decisions you’ll make in No Rest for the Wicked is how you distribute your attribute points as you level up. Since respecs are not currently available—and even when implemented, they’re likely to be rare and expensive—careful planning is essential. This guide will walk you through each of the eight attributes, offer tested strategies for different builds, and help you avoid common pitfalls when crafting your character.

The Two Groups of Attributes

It’s helpful to think of the attributes as divided into two categories:

• Gear-Specific Stats: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith
• Universal Stats: Health, Stamina, Focus, Equip Load

The gear-specific stats primarily determine which weapons and armor you can equip and how much damage they deal. The universal stats, on the other hand, are relevant to nearly every build.

Let’s break them all down.

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Universal Attributes

Health Straightforward and essential. More health means a higher buffer against mistakes, especially in tougher zones or boss fights. Even if you’re confident in your dodging and parrying, you’ll likely feel the pressure increase as you progress into higher-difficulty areas. Around 20–25 points in Health is a good midgame target.

Stamina This increases your total stamina pool, not your regeneration rate. Early on, you might feel the need to dump points into stamina—especially if you’re new to the game’s rhythm—but stamina became more manageable after balance patches. A solid sweet spot is between 12 and 14. Don’t overinvest; instead, learn to conserve your stamina and rely on rune attacks to finish combos efficiently.

Focus Focus powers your rune abilities. Some runes require 150 Focus, which translates to about 13 points minimum. You get diminishing returns after the first couple of points, so 3 to 6 is a balanced investment. This lets you use nearly any rune while still leaving room for stat points elsewhere. As a bonus, using runes to end combos is a great stamina-saving tactic.

Equip Load Vital for movement. Equip Load determines whether you roll gracefully or clumsily, and the difference is stark. If you’re aiming to wear heavier armor while keeping mobility, invest here. Aim for at least 20 points—25 is even better. You’ll have more freedom to equip plate armor or heavy shields without becoming a slow-moving target.

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Gear-Specific Attributes

These stats define your playstyle. Each weapon or shield comes with attribute requirements, which vary based on whether it’s a single-stat or dual-stat item. Here’s how tiers and scaling work:

• Tier 1 Items: Low requirements, good for starting out.
• Tier 2 Items: Moderate requirements—expect around 12 points per attribute for dual-stat gear.
• Tier 3 Items: High requirements—can demand up to 42 points in a single stat.

If you want access to all strength-based weapons and shields, plan for 42 Strength by level 21. If you’re aiming for dual-stat gear, 26 in each relevant stat (e.g., 26 Strength and 26 Faith) achieves the same access. This milestone gives you the widest equipment compatibility for your chosen archetype.

Once you’ve met those minimums, further investing in your main stat increases your weapon’s damage scaling. For balanced growth, a 2:1 ratio works well: two points into your main offensive stat, one into a support or defensive stat (like Health or Equip Load). This gives you room to meet breakpoints without neglecting survivability.

Be aware: weapon scaling isn’t always consistent. Some swords, for example, might randomly scale with Intelligence instead of Strength. If you’re experimenting with different weapons, it’s okay to spread your stats out a bit—but try not to stretch too thin.

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Stat Allocation Tips and Flexibility

One often overlooked tip is to save your points occasionally. If you don’t feel underpowered or too squishy, it’s perfectly valid to hold onto unallocated points for a few levels. This flexibility lets you experiment with a new weapon or adjust after a tough boss fight without regretting a premature stat dump.

It’s also worth understanding that stats like Stamina and Focus can sometimes act as crutches. Instead of pumping Stamina to cover bad dodging habits, work on learning enemy attack timings. Then use Focus-powered rune abilities to finish your attack strings without depleting stamina.

Don’t ignore Equip Load—it’s one of the most efficient ways to improve your performance. Lightweight characters might dodge better, but unless you’re a perfect parry machine, some defense from heavier gear goes a long way. If you prefer sword-and-board or medium armor setups, Equip Load is non-negotiable.

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Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Overcommitting to One Stat Too Early: Focus on gear breakpoints first (e.g., 42 Strength), then invest more selectively.
• Neglecting Equip Load: Mobility and gear options suffer when you overlook this stat.
• Overinvesting in Stamina: Learn to fight smarter, not harder.
• Selling Too Many Upgrade Materials: Fallen Embers and other resources might look sellable, but they’re essential for later enhancements.

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In Closing: Plan with Purpose

No Rest for the Wicked may allow respecs in the future, but for now, you’re locked into your decisions. Planning ahead makes all the difference. Choose your main weapon type early, aim for its tier-based stat requirements, and always keep universal stats like Health and Equip Load in the mix.

Whether you’re a tanky greatsword user, a nimble rogue with daggers, or a magic-slinging pyromancer, the attributes you choose define your path. With the right mindset and the flexibility to hold points when needed, you’ll avoid painful rerolls and make the most of every level.

Stat wisely, and may your rune combos always finish the fight.