Flail Guide and Builds (2024)

Last updated on Oct 16, 2023 at 12:30by Lemoni3 comments

The Flail is an impactful support weapon that comes with potent group buffingcapabilities, as well as, devestating crowd-control and debuffs to help take down enemies..

No matter what build the Flail is in, it will be a support weapon. It will be primarily used forits secondary support build that offers the most group synergy, but it can be interestingly usedas an option for a healer-damage hybrid in PvE.

For more builds, beyond the two builds we present below, please refer to our PvE and PvP build pages:

Void Gauntlet offers healing over time and burst healing through Orb of Decay. It allows you to rootenemies in place with Petrifying Scream for defensive utility and to set up kills for teammates. You can also use Oblivionto increase damage output, stamina and mana regeneration, and remove enemy buffs.

Sword and Shield synergize well with the flail as it also has the opportunity for 3 additionalperks that can be provided from wearing a shield. Both of these weapons have potent support buffs, gap closers, and crowd-control lockdown potential..

Spear offers a second weapon that can be used to disrupt enemies. When paired with theFlail, this combination will provide a devestating mix of crowd-control abilities.

The Flail is a support tool that can have viability when flexed into just about any weapon. It may not directly scale with theprimary weapon that is selected, but you may use a support Flail build to still have effectiveness in combat.

Your attribute distribution will heavily rely on the build and playstyle you have selected. For clarity on attributes, please referenceour PvP and PvE build sections.

This section restricts itself to the important perks of Flail. For acomplete rundown, please read our dedicated guide:

• Blessed — This perk is NECESSARY for healing. It is one ofthe only weapon perks that improves healing output.
• Mending Vortex — This perk provides incredible PvP survivabilitywhen using the Flail as a healer.
• Keen Speed

• Refreshing Move

A damage Flail becomes much more flexible and you can play to your preferences. Itis just paramount to have Refreshing Move within your build. It may also justbe best to use the Artifact - Odo.

• Enchanted Ward
• Refreshing
• Shirking Heals
• Shirking Fortification
• Health
• Conditioning Perks — Use Thrust Conditioning or Slash Conditioningacross multiple pieces to counter damage from major sources of player damage.
• Freedom

• Health
• Refreshing
• Conditioning Perks — These can be used to counter expedition specificelemental damage.
• Harnessing Perks

• Health — This is the standard pick for all builds, it is freehealth that will add to the defensiveness of your kit.
• Stamina Recovery — This is a backpocket save when beingfocused and taking heavy damage. You will receive a burst of stamina that willallow you to potentially get a quick dodge that can save your life and continuethe fight.
• Thrust Protection — This acts as a third perk option thatprovides more defensiveness against Bows, Muskets,Blunderbusses, Spears, and Rapiers.
• Slash Protection — This acts as a third perk slot thatprovides more defensiveness against Greatswords,Great Axes, Hatchets, andSwords.

• Sacred — This perk functions similarly to Blessed. Itis one of the only ring perks that will result in a healing output increase.This should be the main perk you are searching for on a ring. ONLY USE IF YOUARE A HEALER
• Hearty — This provides an increase to your stamina cap by10%, which is just enough to allow you to dodge twice while in light armorwithout draining your entire stamina bar. It significantly improves yourmobility, making it a high priority in light armor, but it is not needed inmedium or heavy loadouts.
• Purifying
• Invigorated Punishment
• Arcane Damage
• Strike Damage

• Nimble
• Fortifying Toast
• Healing Heart
• Refreshing
• Refreshing Toast

• Abyss

• Tumbler Feetwraps
• Featherweight

• Ankh

Minor Heartrune of Stoneform is the most defensive and useful option ahealer has. It allows you to freely break out of crowd control effects, becomeimmune to stagger, and obtain defensive buffs. There are three viable upgradeoptions:

• Brutal Heartrune of Stoneform
• Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform
• Cunning Heartrune of Stoneform

Stalwart Heartrune of Stoneform is the best pick as it notonly gives a 10% Fortify, but a healing over time effect as well.

Minor Heartrune of Grasping Vines is the best option for non-healer supportbuilds that are trying to emphasize their presence in a fight with crowd-control.

There are three viable upgrade options:

• Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines
• Stalwart Heartrune of Grasping Vines
• Cunning Heartrune of Grasping Vines

Brutal Heartrune of Grasping Vines is the best pick to make sure that enemies caughtin the rooting effect are vulnerable to high damage bursts.

When using other weapons, or if you are seeking more damage, Minor Heartrune of Detonate can be used.

There are two viable upgrade options:

• Brutal Heartrune of Detonate
• Cunning Heartrune of Detonate

Brutal Heartrune of Detonate makes you more vulnerable, but will result in a massiveAoE burst of damage. This is best in more defensive builds or for light armor buildswhere you play with more risk.

For more detailed information on how to properly use Gems in your Flailbuild, please refer to the our Flail Gems guide.

It is best to use a Runeglass variant of a Cut Pristine Diamond. This will allow for a mixtureof increased damage and healing all while also applying damage over time effects.

In PvP it is most effective to have an even resistance split, and then dedicate additional defensiveness to Thrust or Slash through an amulet perklike Thrust Protection or Slash Protection.

• Cut Pristine Onyx x4 & Cut Pristine Opal x4

In PvE combat, more specifically mutators, elemental resistance is the main concern. You can use the following gems in your gear:

• Elemental Resistance Gem x8 (Based on mutator elemental effect) + Amulet Protection Perk (Based on mutator elemental effect)

For more information on how to manage your cooldown hotbar, what consumablesto use, what foods should be eaten, or tips on how to be more effective withyour consumables in PvP and PvE, please refer to our Flail Consumablesguide.

Your rotation will change dependent on the build you are playing. For more specific rotations pleaserefer to our PvP Builds and PvE Builds:

For more information, about Flail abilities, we have a dedicated guidethat goes through every single ability in great detail: