Great weapon is the blade of mercy because they are fast and you can imprint rapid poison with a number of 54

Sometimes if timed and position properly, you can execute a party or even backstabbing with a well placed backdrop with out having to reclose distance.

I 100% agree on backstep's uselessness in the souls series. YES, there are times where it's been somewhat effective - but it's the least utilized ability by almost everyone I know who plays souls games. I wish fromsoftware would scrap it and replace it with something more practical, TBH.

Backstep R2 attack with the transformed Threaded cane does a far reaching whip attack - one of its best moves and it hits through walls/doors. Plus many enemies miss you if you attack then back step. Good for corridors.

the attacks that follow up back steps can be really nice depending on your weapon and mode. as an example, the kirkhammer and the holy blade's back step R1 can deflect some attacks during it's animation. i've also seen people using "reverse back step" unlocked R1 to close distances instead of yielding ground. i forgot the nickname this tech has.

I use backstep but only if dodging to the side won't get me out of the range of getting hit

No, the only stat that governs dodging is endurance, and that only allows you to dodge more often.

Not sure the answer here is no - I have seen a lot of people differing on their experience w/ the iframes in this game. Some people seem to think there is a large window for dodging in this game, but I however am experiencing a very short window like others. I did a quick study of my character at the cathedral ward by dodging head on toward the downward ax swings of the Church giant. Rolling, I found my iframes were from the time my characters feet left the ground to right before his head touch the ground. The whole time he was on his back returning to his feet my character was capable of taking damage. I’m including my character stats and equipment below. If you are one of the people who seem to have lots of frames in this game, please post your stats and equipment - maybe we can get to the bottom of this. Equip: Hunter Hat Hunter Garb Hunter Gloves Charred Hunter Trousers Saw Cleaver +4 Hunter Pistol Hunters Torch Stats: Level 32 Blood Echoes 0 Insight 6 Vitality 16 Endurance 20 Strength 18 Skill 12 Bloodtinge 7 Arcane 9

i just dodged a frenzy release. how? by dodging. it seems that dodging reduces the effects (or frenzy case, you dodge frenzy). try that sometime: get slows poisoned and start dodging, then stop moving, the poison ticks faster than dodging.

update on dodging and status effects: as mention dodging has some iframes, thus reducing the poin effect and -in frenzy case- completely dodging the frenzy status, thus getting unharmed from frenzy.

also works on human sized watchers

What i see is a sort of advance: "stepping towards the opponent" But they break their En Garde stance... maybe you could say they did a "cross" (cross their legs)... To put it together, it could be considered a very fast 'crossing advance'. But in all honesty, it looks more like they're literally sprinting/rushing towards the opponent, so, in that sense, calling it a "dash" isn't all that innacurate.

Circle.

Just say you're trash and move on