MELEE

Melee is A character who uses close ranged melee weapons. Their main attribute is Strength which increases all close-range weapon damage and slightly raises health. Depending on fighting style , preference and demon type , Melee builds are suited either for crowd-control using Spin or Counter, or DPS (Damage Per Second) using Attack and Rush.
Advantages of Melee
Health - Highest health growth due to main stat being Strength and secondary stat usually being Vitality
Variety - Large selection of weapons to choose from.
Hybrid Potential Melee types can mix with almost any other build type due to the build's lack of extreme variables.

Build


Pure Attack Melee:

Attack: C9
Weapon Knowledge: C9
Survival Technique: C2
Chain expertise - Retaliation: C6R2


Rush/Spin Melee:

Attack: C9
Weapon Knowledge: C9
Survival Technique: C1
Chain expertise - Retaliation: C5R8

Rush/Spin: C7

or

Attack: C8
Weapon Knowledge: C9
Survival Technique: C2
Chain expertise - Retaliation: C6

Rush/Spin: C7


Hex Melee:

Attack: C8
Weapon Knowledge: C9
Survival Technique: C1
Chain expertise - Retaliation: C5R6

Destruction Magic: C1
Curse Magic: C5
Magic Control: C1
Bless: C1
Chain expertise - CoTW: C3R0


Enhance Melee:

Attack: C9
Weapon Knowledge: C9
Survival Technique: C1
Chain expertise - Retaliation: C5R8

Support Magic: C4
Curative Magic: C2
Bless: C1
Chain Expertise - Enhancement: C2R5
or
Attack: C8
Weapon Knowledge: C9
Survival Technique: C2
Chain expertise - Retaliation: C6

Support Magic: C4
Curative Magic: C2
Bless: C1
Chain Expertise - Enhancement: C2R5

GEAR

NOTABLE SETS
Limit Break:
Spirit Avatar set bonus: +20% LB chance, (level x 0.3%) chance of nulling Expel/Death attacks.
Servant Set II - set bonus: -20 incant, +20% LB chance, +100 crit.
Christmas Avatar 2011, Christmas Append - set bonus: +20% LB chance, +100 crit.
Soulbreaker - set bonus: +20% LB chance, +100 crit.
Young Soul Avatar Red set bonus: +25% LB chance to player and demon.
Summer Beat set bonus: +20% LB chance, +50% LB dmg (when HP is under 50%), +50% LB dmg (when HP is under 30%).
Lover's Avatar - set bonus: -20% incant/cd, +10% LB chance if partner is Linked By Fate, +50% LB dmg.
Destruction symbol Set set bonus: +40 crit, +20% LB chance.

Winged Dragon Outfit set bonus: +10 STR/MAG/SPD/LUCK.
Summer Gothic - (for Enh/Melee) set bonus: -40% incant/cd.
Rider Suit - (for Enh/Melee) set bonus: -30% cd.

Head:

slot 1.
Anything or
Limit Break: Refer to notable LB sets.
Set bonus: Kabuto of the Day (M) - ONLY if also choosing Kikoku Mask (M) for slot 1. [Set bonus = +2% dmg.]

slot 2.
Crit: Omen Ornament (red), Riot Helm, Straw Hat
Cool-down: Marching Hat, Fighting Maid Headband (F), Omen Ornament (F), Hachigame of Japanese Patriotism
Resistance: King Frost Crown (+30% ice resist)

or any 3-5% head equip. E.g. Rider Full Face Helmet/Sound of Silence/Cheering Headband, Replica of Helm (M) (+3% dmg), Andra's Mask Super (+5% dmg).

slot 3.
Crit: Brown Salon Hat, Hachigame of Japanese Patriotism (+50 crit if partner LBF)
Damage: Andra's Mask Super (+15% dmg if Andras is Linked+), Baroque Hat Blue (M)/Sweet Belle Beret Blue (F) (+5% dmg if New Moon and Full Moon)

Face:

slot 1.
Anything or
Set bonus: Kikoku Mask (M) - ONLY if also choosing Kabuto of the Day for slot 1. [set bonus = +2% dmg]
Set bonus: Cat Mask (F) - ONLY if also choosing Cat Feet for slot 1. [Set bonus = +2% dmg]

slot 2.
Crit & Cool-down: Fox Mask
Cool-down: Marching Headset/D Face equips (-5% cd).
INT/VIT/LUCK: Re: Chaos Glasses (+2 INT/VIT/LUCK).
Elemental: Ruby/Lazurite/Agate/Beryl Eye
NOTE: Cool-down face items are bugged, no ETA when it will ever be fixed.

or any 5% face equip. E.g. Cheating Glasses, Mysterious Glasses (F), Clever Glasses.

slot 3.
Limit Break: Modern Thanatos
Damage: White Eyepatch (+3% attack/spin), Secret Service Shades (M) (+3% attack/spin/shot/rapid)

Neck:

slot 1.
Anything or
Limit Break: Remains of Authority (Destruction) - ONLY if also choosing, Emperor's Shout (Destruction), Kingdom's Scream (Destruction) and World's Demise (Destruction) for slot 1. [Set bonus: +40 crit, +20% LB chance]
Dmg Set bonus: Ruler's Corpse - ONLY if also choosing, Emperor's Shout, Kingdom's Scream and World's Demise for slot 1. [Set bonus: +15% dmg, Player obtains +120% XP]

slot 2.
Crit: Modern Sign
Cool-down: Re: Maki's Necklace (F) (-5% cd).
HP/MP Regen: Hollow Artery (F) (HP/MP Regen)
INT/VIT/LUCK: Betrayed Ruler's Corpse
Resistance: King Frost Necklace (+20% ice resist), Shamrock Necklace (+20% expel resist)
In-Game: Gleipnir

or any 4-5% neck gear. E.g. Roping Scarf, Ambitious Neck (M).

slot 3.
Limit Break: Modern Sign
Damage: Purple Rider Neck Warmer (+5% dmg on New Moon and Full Moon)

Top (if Male):

slot 1.
Anything or
Refer to notable LB sets.

slot 2.
Damage: Ruler's Top
Crit: Omen Jacket (red), Riot Jacket, Glare Vest
Cool-down: Ruins Avatar, DVA (-30% cd), Marching Top/Omen Top/D Series Tops (need to be reshape adjusted before SI) (-25% cd).
INT/VIT/LUCK: Re: Tops (+3 INT/VIT/LUCK, +8% dmg)

or any 8% top equip. E.g. Active Guard (+6% dmg), Ambitious Top, Dark Nostalgia Suit.

slot 3.
Crit: Robe of Japanese Patriotism
Limit Break: Soulbreaker
Damage: Jasmine (+12% dmg if partner is OH and above), Secret Service Jacket (+7% attack/spin/shot/rapid), Haori of True Warfare (+6% attack/rush/spin/shot).


Top (if Female):

slot 1.
Anything or
Refer to notable LB sets.

slot 2.
Crit: Omen Dress (red), Riot Jacket, Glare Vest
Cool-down: Messiah Avatar, DVA (-30% cd), Marching Top/Fighting Maid Dress/Omen Top/D Series Tops (need to be reshape adjusted before SI) (-25% cd)
INT/VIT/LUCK: Re: Tops (+3 INT/VIT/LUCK, +8% dmg)

or any 8% top equip. E.g. Active Guard (+6% dmg), Mysterious Blazer (+4 INT), Action Blazer, Saintly Nostalgia Suit.

slot 3.
Crit: Robe of Japanese Patriotism
Limit Break: Soulbreaker
Damage: Mint (+12% if Demon is OH and above), Secret Service Jacket (+7% attack/spin/shot/rapid), Cloak of True Dance (+6% attack/rush/spin/shot).

Bottoms: (if Male)

slot 1.
Anything ot
Limit Break: Refer to notable sets.

slot 2.
Damage: Ambitious Slacks
Crit: Riot Pants, Glare Jeans
Cool-down: Marching Slacks/Omen Trousers/D Series Bottoms (need to be reshape adjusted before SI) (-10% cd).

or any 7% bottoms. E.g. Ruler's Slacks, Dark Nostalgia Slacks.

slot 3.
Limit Break: Blk/Wht Angel Destruction Pants/Skirt
Damage: Hakama of True Warfare (+7% attack/rush/spin/shot).
Bottoms: (if Female)

slot 1.
Anything

slot 2.
Crit: Riot Pants, Glare Pants
Cool-down: Mysterious Skirt (-15% cd), Marching Skirt/D Series Bottoms (need to be reshape adjusted before SI) (-10% cd).

or any 7% bottoms. E.g. Action Skirt, Saintly Nostalgia Slacks.

slot 3.
Limit Break: Blk/Wht Angel Destruction
Damage: Hakama of True Dance (+7% attack/rush/spin/shot).

Foot:

slot 1.
Anything or
Limit Break: Refer to notable sets.

Set bonus: Cat Feet (F) - ONLY if also choosing Cat Mask (F) for slot 1. [Set bonus = +2% dmg]

slot 2.
Crit: Omen Boots/Pumps (red), Riot Boots , Glare Sandals
Cool-down: Marching Boots/Omen Shoes/ D Series Shoes (need to be reshape adjusted before SI) (-5% cd), Shoes of Japanese Patriotism
INT/VIT/LUCK: Re: Seraphic shoes (+2int/vit/luck)
Resistance: Brown Salon Shoes (M) (+10% ice & fire resist)

or any 5% shoe equip. E.g. Darkmail Boots, Motley Boots, Nostalgia Shoes, Mysterious Shoes (F), Action Shoes (F).

slot 3.
Crit: Shoes of Japanese Patriotism (+50 crit if partner LBF)
Limit Break: Blk/Wht Seraphic Shoes (Destruction)
Damage: Straw Sandals (M)/Modern Boots (F) (+5% dmg if partner is OH+), Shoes of True Warfare (M)/Tabi of True Dance (F) (+3% attack/rush/spin/shot).

Arm:

slot 1.
Anything or
Limit Break: Refer to notable LB sets.

slot 2.
Crit: Omen Glove F (red), Modern Pledge
Cool-down: Omen Gloves (F), Modern Limitation
Elemental: Ruby/Lazurite/Agate/Beryl Gauntlets

or any 5% arm equip. E.g: Powered Gloves (F) (+4% dmg), Wristband of Horns, Ruler's Gloves (M), Action Bracelet (F).

slot 3.
Limit Break: Soulbreaker Gloves
Elemental: Cursed Reflector

Earring:

slot 1.
Anything or
Limit Break: Emperor's Shout (Destruction) - ONLY if also choosing, Remains of Authority (Destruction), Kingdom's Scream (Destruction) and World's Demise (Destruction) for slot 1. [Set bonus: +40 crit, +20% LB chance]
Dmg Set bonus: Emperor's Shout - ONLY if also choosing Ruler's Corpse, Kingdom's Scream and World Demise for slot 1. [Set bonus: +15% dmg, Player obtains +120% XP]

slot 2.
Crit: Veronica Omega (+9% dmg)
or unmixed Veronica (+4% dmg), Iced/Seeking/Fury Earring : Slashing Flash (+3% dmg).
Cool-down: Apple Earring
INT/VIT/LUCK: Betrayed Emperor's Shout

slot 3.
Damage: Azure Tear (+5% attack/spin/shot/rapid), LNC earrings.
Ring:

slot 1.
Anything or
Limit Break: Kingdom's Scream (Destruction) - ONLY if also choosing, Emperor's Shout (Destruction), Remains of Authority (Destruction) and World's Demise (Destruction) for slot 1. [Set bonus: +40 crit, +20% LB chance]
Dmg Set bonus: Kingdom's Scream - ONLY if also choosing Ruler's Corpse, Emperor's Shout and World's Demise for slot 1. [Set bonus: +15% dmg, Player obtains +120% XP]

slot 2.
Damage: Christmas Ruby Ring +2 - made via item mixing Christmas Ruby Ring twice with a total of 3 Ring Regenerators.
MP Regen: Nibelungen
INT/VIT/LUCK: Betrayed Kingdom's Scream
In-Game: Ring of Blood Drain (close-range) (+4 close-range), Laurin's Ring (+3 STR),

slot 3.
Damage: Glory of Ulysseus (+15% dmg if partner Linked+), Mithra's Roar (+12% dmg if partner OH+)

Back:

slot 1.
Anything

slot 2.
Crit: Omen Wing (red), Shoulder Bag
Cool-down: Omen Wing
INT/VIT/LUCK: Re: Arcwings

or any 3% back equip. E.g. Coloured Arcwings.
or Cloak of the Abyss.
Back gears are low priority, you can even settle for statless ones.

slot 3.
Limit Break: Arcwings (Destruction)
Damage: Abyss Cloak Assault

Talisman:
Limit Break set bonus: Worlds Demise (Destruction) - ONLY if also choosing, Emperor's Shout (Destruction), Kingdom's Scream (Destruction) and Remains of Authority (Destruction) for slot 1. [Set bonus: +40 crit, +20% LB chance]

Limit Break: Gold LB Amulet (also +10% LB chance, not listed in game description)
Crit: Bagua Die
Damage: Symbol of Harmony
Set Bonus: World's Demise - ONLY if also choosing Ruler's Corpse, Emperor's Shout and Kingdom's Scream. [Set bonus: +15% dmg, Player obtains +120% XP]

or any cheap talisman just so you can ss Lilim to null sleep. E.g. Sprite Charm, Brute Charm, Feather Charm of Haunts (obtainable from side quest at H3).

COMP:

Dangerous COMP: +20% dmg.
Silver Paladion/Damage COMP: +15% dmg.
Sword Amplifier: +12% dmg.
Drill COMP/Amplifier COMP: +10% dmg.

WEAPONS


Primitives

Lord of Martyrs
Cost: 10 Magnetites, 10% Health
Effect: Increases Attack damage by 40% and reduces Critical by 20 and Spin damage by 20%

Slot 3 options:
Club of Rashomon [Characteristic: +20% Attack dmg]

Flamehorn
[Flame Boost: +20%]
- Since this is already fire affinity, you are free to ss something else for more damage boost.

Conviction [cannot be SI'd]
[Expel: +20%]
- Good for clearing Assassins runs. May need high Expel boosting gears to one hit.

Axe

Lord of the Blood Axe
Cost: 10 Magnetites, 10% Health
Effect:Increase Attack damage by 30%, Increased cast time to Rush and Spin by 20%

Slot 3 options:
Deathbringer [+10% Attack and Shot dmg]
Deathbringer (Wheel of Life) [+25% Attack and Shot dmg]

Thunder Fang
[Electric Boost: +20%]
- Good against Ganesha in Shiva/Vishnu....

2-handed Sword

Lord of Courage
Cost: 10 Magnetites, 10% Health
Effect: Increase Rush damage by 30%, Increase Rush cast time/cool down by 20%
(may increase crit?)

Slot 3 options:
Cosmopolitan Sword [(LV x 0.3)% Attack damage, (LV x 0.3)% Spin damage]
Large Steelslicer [+10% Weapon-based skill, +15% Rush damage]

Flamesword of Vanguard (Destruction)
[Flame boost: +30%]
- Good choice if you want to crit and LB. Destruction weapons have a +10% LB chance boost on slot 2, which is not listed in the description in game.

Coldstrike of Death (Destruction)
[Freeze Boost: +30%]
- Good choice if you want to crit and LB. Destruction weapons have a +10% LB chance boost on slot 2, which is not listed in the description in game.

Zero
[Freeze Boost: +20%]

Thunder's Edge
[Electric Boost: +20%]

Spirit Sword of Bishamonten
[Magic Boost: +20%]

Silverblade of the Heavens
[Magic Boost: +20%]

Hate of the Neckchopper
[Death Boost: +30%]
- Good for New Moon Shinagawa and Shiva/Vishnu Mobs. Can be made into destruction weapon in the future.

Death [cannot be SI'd]
[Death Boost: +20%]
- Good for New Moon Shinagawa and Shiva/Vishnu Mobs.

Muramasa
[Mind Boost: +15%]

Spear

Lord of the Beasts
Cost: 10 Magnetites, 10% Health
Effect: Increase Spin damage by 40%, Increase cool down time to Spin by 20%

Slot 3 options:
Serpentine Destructor [+15% Spin dmg]

Spear of Duftach
[Flame Boost: +20%]
- Good for Spin Melees in Ichi Gold boss room.

Phlegethon Lvl81+
[Flame Boost: +20%]

Poseidon's Trident Lvl81+
[Freeze Boost: +20%]

Poliahu
[Freeze Boost: +20%]

Stormpiercer
[Shock Boost: +20%]

Mistilteinn
[Magic Boost: +10%]
- Good for clearing Kirins in Ichi Gold if your damage is not high enough to one hit with other elements. Nowadays I just stick with FoV Destruction throughout the whole run.

Magnum Injection
[Magic Boost: +20%]
- Good for clearing Kirins in Ichi Gold if your damage is not high enough to one hit with other elements. Nowadays I just stick with FoV Destruction throughout the whole run.

Last Judgement
[Expel: +30%]
- Good for clearing Assassins runs. May need high Expel boosting gears to one hit. Can be made into destruction weapon in future.

Martial Arts

Lord of Fighters
Cost: 20 Magnetites, 10% Health
Effect: Increase Melee damage by 30%, +20% received damage

Slot 3 options:
Kozan of the North [+10% Rush damage, -20% Rush incantation]
Kozan of the South [+10% Spin damage, -20% Spin cool-down]

Burning Stag
[Flame Boost: +20%]

Shock Wind
[Shock Boost: +30%]
- Can be made into destruction weapon in future.

Taizan of the East
[Magic Boost: +30%]
- Can be made into destruction weapon in future.

Twirling Tonfas
[Expel Boost: +20%]
- Good for clearing Assassins runs. May need high Expel boosting gears to one hit.

Wood Doll Chopper
[Nerve Boost: +10%]

1-handed Sword

Lord of Soldiers
Cost: 10 Magnetites, 10% Health
Effect: Reduces Spin cool down time by 30% and Spin damage by 20%

Blade of Flames
Fire affinity, no boost.
- Good starter weapon for Suginami runs.

Blade of the Wind God
[Shock Boost: +20%]
- Good for starter melee.

Sorrowful Storm Lvl86+
[Shock Boost: +25%]

Blade of the Thunder God
[Electric Boost: +20%]
- Good for starter melee.

Sorrowful Thunder Lvl86+
[Electric Boost: +25%]

Maxwell
[Electric Boost: +30%]
- Can be made into destruction weapon in future.

Gram (Expel)
Expel affinity, no boost.

Sword of Sunlight Lvl91+
Expel Boost: +25%

Gram (Death)
Death affinity, no boost.

Sword of Moonlight Lvl91+
Death Boost: +25%