What Should You Level First In Lies of P?

Lies of P, the Soulslike sensation that reimagines Pinocchio as a puppet warrior, throws you into a world of Geppetto, Krat, and challenging combat. One of the first decisions you'll face is how to spend your hard-earned Ergo (the game's equivalent of Souls) to level up your character. With a variety of stats vying for your attention, knowing where to invest early can significantly impact your experience.

Choosing the right stats to prioritize in the early game can make the difference between struggling through every encounter and feeling like a true puppet master. This guide breaks down the most important stats to level first in Lies of P, helping you survive and thrive in Krat’s perilous streets. We'll cover the core stats, their benefits, and how to tailor your build to your preferred playstyle.

Understanding the Core Stats

Before diving into the best leveling choices, it's crucial to understand what each stat governs. Lies of P features six core stats:

  • Vitality: Increases your HP, allowing you to take more hits.
  • Vigor: Increases your Stamina, affecting how often you can attack, dodge, and block. Also increases your Physical Defense.
  • Capacity: Determines your maximum weight. Higher capacity lets you equip heavier weapons and armor without being encumbered (which slows down your movement and dodge).
  • Motivity: Primarily affects the damage output of Motivity-scaling weapons (heavy weapons). Also slightly increases Physical Defense.
  • Technique: Primarily affects the damage output of Technique-scaling weapons (fast, agile weapons). Also slightly increases Physical Defense.
  • Advance: Primarily affects the damage output of Advance-scaling weapons (elemental weapons and Legion Arms). Also slightly increases Physical Defense.

Prioritizing Vitality and Vigor: The Foundation for Survival

In the early game, survival is paramount. Lies of P is a demanding game, and even basic enemies can quickly deplete your health bar. Therefore, Vitality and Vigor should be your initial focus.

  • Vitality: Aim to increase your Vitality to a comfortable level where you can survive a few hits without being instantly killed. This allows you to learn enemy attack patterns and react accordingly. Don't neglect this stat; a dead puppet deals no damage.
  • Vigor: Stamina is essential for both offense and defense. You need stamina to attack, dodge, and block. Running out of stamina leaves you vulnerable. Increasing Vigor allows you to chain attacks, dodge effectively, and manage your stamina more efficiently during boss fights. A good starting point is to level Vigor enough to comfortably perform a full attack combo and still have stamina to dodge.

Investing in Vitality and Vigor early on provides a solid foundation for your character, making you more resilient and allowing you to learn the game's mechanics without constantly dying. This is especially crucial for players new to Soulslike games.

Capacity: Don't Get Weighed Down

Capacity is often overlooked, but it's surprisingly important, especially as you acquire better armor and heavier weapons. Being "Overburdened" significantly impacts your movement speed and dodge roll, making you an easy target.

  • Capacity: Keep an eye on your weight limit. If you find yourself consistently overburdened, invest a few points into Capacity. The goal is to stay in the "Normal" weight category, allowing for optimal movement and dodging. As you progress and find heavier, more powerful equipment, you'll need to continue investing in Capacity to maintain this balance.

While not as critical as Vitality and Vigor initially, Capacity is a stat you'll need to monitor and invest in periodically to avoid being penalized by slow movement. Consider it a quality-of-life stat that significantly improves your overall gameplay experience.

Damage Stats: Tailoring Your Build

Once you have a decent amount of Vitality, Vigor, and Capacity, you can start focusing on the damage stat that aligns with your chosen weapon. This is where you begin to define your build.

  • Motivity: If you prefer heavy, slow-hitting weapons like the Greatsword of Fate or the Bone-Cutting Sawblade, invest in Motivity. These weapons deal significant damage but require a slower, more deliberate playstyle.
  • Technique: If you prefer fast, agile weapons like the Rapier or the Wrench, invest in Technique. These weapons allow for quick attacks and dodges, emphasizing precision and timing.
  • Advance: Advance is a more specialized stat, primarily affecting the damage of elemental weapons and Legion Arms. If you plan to use elemental damage or rely heavily on your Legion Arm, invest in Advance. However, it's generally recommended to focus on Motivity or Technique first, as elemental weapons and Legion Arms become more prominent later in the game.

Experiment with different weapons to find the playstyle that suits you best. Once you've identified your preferred weapon type, focus on leveling the corresponding damage stat to maximize your damage output. Remember that you can respec your stats later in the game, so don't be afraid to experiment.

A Sample Early-Game Leveling Strategy

Here's a suggested leveling path for the early game (Levels 1-20):

  1. Levels 1-5: Focus primarily on Vitality and Vigor. Aim for a roughly even split between the two.
  2. Levels 6-10: Continue investing in Vitality and Vigor, but start paying attention to your Capacity. If you're nearing your weight limit, put a point or two into Capacity.
  3. Levels 11-15: By now, you should have a good feel for the game's combat. Start investing in the damage stat that aligns with your chosen weapon (Motivity, Technique, or Advance).
  4. Levels 16-20: Continue balancing Vitality, Vigor, Capacity, and your chosen damage stat. Adjust your leveling strategy based on your specific needs and playstyle. If you're struggling to survive, prioritize Vitality. If you're running out of stamina, prioritize Vigor. If you're overburdened, prioritize Capacity.

This is just a general guideline. Feel free to adjust your leveling strategy based on your individual needs and preferences.

Don't Be Afraid to Respec

One of the best features of Lies of P is the ability to respec your stats. This allows you to experiment with different builds and adapt to new challenges. You can respec your stats by using a specific item, which becomes available later in the game.

If you find that your current build isn't working for you, don't be afraid to respec and try something new. This is a great way to learn more about the game's mechanics and find the playstyle that you enjoy the most.

Conclusion: Level Smart, Survive Longer

In Lies of P, smart leveling is key to survival. By prioritizing Vitality and Vigor early on, managing your Capacity, and then focusing on the damage stat that aligns with your chosen weapon, you'll be well-equipped to face the challenges that await you in Krat. Remember to experiment with different weapons and builds, and don't be afraid to respec if necessary. Ultimately, the best leveling strategy is the one that works best for you. Now go forth, Puppet, and unravel the mysteries of Lies of P!