The Captain's Greatsword is a greatsword in Windrose built around the Retaliation mechanic. Every Perfect Block increases the weapon's melee damage, and at maximum stacks, Perfect Blocks also restore Health. This makes the Captain's Greatsword one of the strongest rewards for a parry-focused playstyle.
Special Effect: Retaliation
Stacks | Melee Damage Bonus | Additional |
|---|---|---|
1 | +15% | None |
2 | +30% | None |
3 (max) | +45% | Perfect Blocks restore 10% Health |
Taking any damage removes all Retaliation stacks, which means holding max stacks requires flawless defensive play. The 10% Health restoration at max stacks rewards aggressive parry chains in long fights, creating a risk-reward loop where every Perfect Block matters.
Build Synergy
Pairs with a Fencer-Toughguy hybrid build that emphasizes blocking, parrying, and stamina management. Fencer's Perfect Counter (+5-12% crit for 12 seconds after a block) stacks on top of Retaliation's damage bonus. Toughguy's Flawless Defence (15-35% block posture reduction) reduces stamina cost so you can parry more consistently. Rally healing talents (You Will Answer for This, Retribution) combine with Retaliation's 10% restoration for a sustain-heavy playstyle.
Tactical Notes
Most weapons still lose poise on Perfect Parries (rapier specifically does), but the cutlass and some greatswords preserve poise
The 45% melee damage bonus at 3 stacks is extraordinarily strong against bosses if you can chain parries
Taking any damage at all (including DoT from bleed or plague) resets stacks to zero
Pre-fight food buffs, alchemy oils, and healing potions maximize your ability to reach 3 stacks before a hit lands
Community Ranking
The Captain's Greatsword is considered one of the highest-skill-ceiling weapons in the game. Players who master the parry system can output higher sustained damage with it than with most Epic-tier weapons, while players who struggle with timing will see Retaliation stacks reset constantly and the weapon will underperform. It rewards deep engagement with Windrose's Soulslite combat.
See Also
Weapons - weapon categories
Combat - Perfect Block mechanics
Soulslite Combat - parry system
Talent System - Fencer and Toughguy branches