Pick the class archetype first
The stat screen is only confusing when you try to solve it before choosing a class.
| Class archetype | First stat to test | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Physical melee | Strength | Physical class damage scaling |
| Ranged | Dexterity | Ranged damage plus useful offensive/avoidance bonuses |
| Magic / caster | Intelligence | Magic effectiveness and cooldown direction |
| Any build dying before extraction | Vitality as a correction | More health / sustain helps complete the run |
The most common bad build
Putting a little into every stat feels safe, but it delays the damage breakpoint that makes dungeons faster. Start concentrated. Add Vitality when your actual failure condition is survivability, not because the bar exists.
Reset when the archetype changes
Release-era footage shows players switching from a ranged Witch Gunner setup into physical classes and needing to reset their stat allocation. Do that immediately. Do not judge a class while it is wearing the previous class’s stat distribution.
Stats and gear have to tell the same story
A Dexterity class wearing mostly unrelated magic affixes is still a mismatched build. Use the Forge guide to align armor/ring bonuses with the same damage plan.