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Overview
The Toughguy branch is one of the four talent trees available to every Windrose character. It covers the survival branch, focused on damage resistance, stamina and health pools, and clutch save mechanics. The branch contains 8 perks distributed across three tiers, with each perk capped at three ranks (one point per rank).
Talents in this branch cost one point per rank. The tier gating matches the Windrose talent planner: Tier 1 perks are available from the start of the branch, Tier 2 unlocks once enough points have been committed to Tier 1, and Tier 3 unlocks once the Tier 2 requirement is met. Branch commitment is flexible; the Talent System article covers respec mechanics and the branch-switching cost. The other three branches are Crusher Talents, Fencer Talents, and Marksman Talents, and points can be split across branches subject to each tier's point requirement.
Perk Reference
Every Toughguy perk currently exposed in the planner, grouped by tier. The "Rank 1 / 2 / 3" column shows the exact bonus at each of the three rank levels.
Tier 1
Opening tier. Any Toughguy build touches at least two of these perks on the way to Tier 2.
Perk | Effect (Rank 1 / 2 / 3) | Max Rank |
|---|---|---|
You gain 10% / 17.5% / 25% increased effect from Healing. | You gain 25% increased effect from Healing. | |
Increases Temporal Health gain when taking damage by 25% / 50% / 75%. | Increases Temporal Health gain when taking damage by 75%. | |
Grants 20 / 35 / 50 additional Stamina. | Grants 50 additional Stamina. |
Tier 2
Mid-tier. Unlocks after committing enough points to Tier 1.
Perk | Effect (Rank 1 / 2 / 3) | Max Rank |
|---|---|---|
Increases melee Damage Resistance by 6% / 9% / 12%. | Increases melee Damage Resistance by 12%. | |
Blocks consume 15% / 25% / 35% less Posture. | Blocks consume 35% less Posture. | |
When you are close to two enemies or more, you gain 4% / 7% / 10% Melee Damage bonus. | When you are close to two enemies or more, you gain 10% Melee Damage bonus. |
Tier 3
Capstone tier. These are the strongest perks in the branch and anchor most Toughguy-heavy builds.
Perk | Effect (Rank 1 / 2 / 3) | Max Rank |
|---|---|---|
When you receive a killing blow, instantly restore 30% / 50% / 70% Health. Cooldown: 16 / 13 / 10 minutes. | When you receive a killing blow, instantly restore 70% Health. Cooldown: 10 minutes. | |
Increases maximum Health by 120 / 180 / 240. | Increases maximum Health by 240. |
Build Notes
Toughguy is the universal survival branch and the launch-meta pick for a Tier 0 dip on nearly every build. Marathon Runner (+50 Stamina at rank 3) is widely recommended for any melee character. Just a Flesh Wound and Stout Frame stack additional defensive layers. Too Angry to Die is a clutch revive that triggers on lethal damage once per cooldown; at max rank it restores 70% Health and drops the cooldown to 10 minutes.
Flawless Defence reduces Posture consumption on blocks, so it pairs with any weapon class that can land a Perfect Block. Because Too Angry to Die and Stout Frame are both Tier 3, a full survival anchor costs a deep Toughguy investment, which leaves fewer points for an offensive branch; many builds instead take only the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Toughguy layers and spend the rest in Fencer Talents or Crusher Talents. Because respec is free, it is cheap to test a deep Toughguy line against a shallower splash before settling on a final tree.
See Also
Talent System: four-branch overview and progression framework
Stats and Talents: stat allocation and respec mechanics
Weapons: roster that pairs with each branch
Attributes and Stats: six-attribute effects and scaling grades