Guides · Executor · patch 1.03.5 (balance 1.03.2) · updated 2026-11-01
Executor: Vigor tank
1. Summary
Executor has the least HP of the melee heroes: 1,000 at level 15 (Wylder 1,120, Raider 1,200, Guardian 1,280). This build swaps Arcane for Vigor and Endurance, stacks max HP and negation, and heals on the Beast form’s roar, while the Cursed Sword relic still carries the damage. Players report 17-game deathless D5 streaks; critics say “big HP bar but dogshit damage”.
No relics: 183 DPS. With the core lines: 222 DPS (+21.0%). Standing with players: 4 (1 = the current meta). Model: rank pack 10350000-429b9ee52d80.
For: Deep of Night, trio, players who die to one-shots.
2. How it plays
The default Cursed Sword loop (deflect, chain, unlocked skill), with more room for mistakes. In Beast form, roar to heal yourself and allies 15% of max HP (with the roar relic).
Decoded rotation Vigor tank: Cursed Sword deflects + Beast form (style rotation), no relics: 183 DPS on the 8 Nightlords’ mean (level 15, weapon tier 3, 60% of the fight attacking).
| Use | Uses / min | Share of DPS | Where the numbers come from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursed Sword R1 2-4 | 6.3 | 31% | decoded AtkParam_Pc 960210, 960220, 960230 on the Cursed Sword’s AR 283; relic scope from sub-categories (melee, character_skill); rate: Nightreign TAE: c0000.anibnd a278 (Executor cursed-sword stance) 2h light chain, loop 3.57s; × share 0.7 × uptime 0.6 |
| Ultimate Art | 0.4 | 15% | decoded AtkParam_Pc rows 700000350 (row choice: pickRows, 1 hit each (estimate)) on weapon AR where they use motion values; scaled to 3615 on the sparring dummy at level 15 (Aspects of the Crucible: Beast full sequence 3,615, no relics (muni1337 sparring, 2026-06-20; taken as level 15), other levels by the decoded Beast Attack Boost table); rate: knob ultimateUsesPerMinute = 0.5 (estimate) |
| 1H Light 2-4 | 2.7 | 13% | AR 283 × decoded motion values of the hero moveset’s hits (1/1/1 hits per step); rate: Nightreign TAE: c0000.anibnd a277 (executor-s-blade), 1h R1 1-5 loop 3.57s; × share 0.3 × uptime 0.6 |
| Cursed Sword R1 5 (chain finisher) | 6.3 | 11% | decoded AtkParam_Pc 960240 on the Cursed Sword’s AR 283; relic scope from sub-categories (melee, chain_finisher, character_skill); rate: Nightreign TAE: c0000.anibnd a278 (Executor cursed-sword stance) 2h light chain, loop 3.57s; × share 0.7 × uptime 0.6 |
| Cursed Sword unlocked skill | 1.8 | 11% | decoded AtkParam_Pc 600000350 on the Cursed Sword’s AR 283; relic scope from sub-categories (melee, character_skill); rate: piece unlockedPerMinute 2 (estimate: deflects per minute ÷ ~3.3 to fill the 50-point accumulator) |
| Cursed Sword R1 1 | 6.3 | 10% | decoded AtkParam_Pc 960200 on the Cursed Sword’s AR 283; relic scope from sub-categories (melee, initial_attack, character_skill); rate: Nightreign TAE: c0000.anibnd a278 (Executor cursed-sword stance) 2h light chain, loop 3.57s; × share 0.7 × uptime 0.6 |
| 1H Light 5 (chain finisher) | 2.7 | 5% | AR 283 × decoded motion values of the hero moveset’s hits (1 hits per step); rate: Nightreign TAE: c0000.anibnd a277 (executor-s-blade), 1h R1 1-5 loop 3.57s; × share 0.3 × uptime 0.6 |
| 1H Light 1 | 2.7 | 4% | AR 283 × decoded motion values of the hero moveset’s hits (1 hits per step); rate: Nightreign TAE: c0000.anibnd a277 (executor-s-blade), 1h R1 1-5 loop 3.57s; × share 0.3 × uptime 0.6 |
3. Core relics
| Line | Players | Model value | Decoded |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Executor] Improved Vigor and Endurance, Reduced Arcane | 4 agree | +1.5% | SpEffect 7647000: while state 2255 |
| Increased Maximum HP | 5 agree, 1 disagree | +1.5% | SpEffect 7610400: max HP ×1.1 |
| [Executor] Character Skill Boosts Attack but Attacking Drains HP | 3 agree | +18.3% | SpEffect 7034401: every 0.1 s, while state 2269; 7034402: attack ×1.35, only attack sub-categories 122, 6 s, while state 609; 7034403: damage taken ×1.4, 5 s |
How survival is priced: a boss hit is 300–660 at normal depth (players: D5’s 1,000–2,200 ÷ ×3.31), two hits a minute, a flask heals 60% and costs 2 s of attacking, and a death costs about 25 s (trio). Max HP and negation cut flasks and deaths; that comes back as attack time, the same unit as damage.
- [Executor] Improved Vigor and Endurance, Reduced Arcane. Vigor +5 (+100 HP by the model’s 20 HP a point), Endurance up, Arcane down (Executor’s katana bleed scales with Arcane).
- Increased Maximum HP. Decoded ×1.1 max HP (SpEffect 7610400).
- [Executor] Character Skill Boosts Attack: still the damage, even with its +40% damage taken.
4. Strong and flex lines
| Line | Players | Model value | Decoded |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Executor] Roaring restores HP while Art is active | 5 agree | +1.1% | SpEffect 7011701: 0.9 s, every 1 s, HP +15% max |
| Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks +2 | 2 agree | +2.3% | SpEffect 7005602: rally ×1.35 |
| Improved Physical Damage Negation | 2 agree | +1.0% | SpEffect 7006200: damage taken ×0.9 |
| Taking Damage Boosts Damage Negation | 3 agree | +1.0% | SpEffect 8620100: every 0.2 s; 8620101: while state 2284; 8620102: damage taken ×0.79, 10 s, while state 2284 |
The model’s own strongest lines that players don’t list for this style:
| Line | Players | Model value | Decoded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack power up after defeating a Night Invader | – | +14.0% | SpEffect 7060201 (engine-coded: no number in the params) |
| Physical Attack Up +4 | – | +12.0% | SpEffect 7001404: phys ×1.12 |
| Physical Attack Up +3 | – | +10.5% | SpEffect 7001403: phys ×1.105 |
| Physical Attack Up +2 | – | +6.0% | SpEffect 7001402: phys ×1.06 |
| Rot Buildup When Below Max HP | – | +6.0% | SpEffect 6851400: every 0.24 s; 6851401: 40 s, every 1.3 s, HP −15, HP −0.15% max; 1120: 900 s, while state 5 |
| Improved Melee Attack Power | – | +5.3% | SpEffect 7006600: attack ×1.06, only attack sub-categories 130 |
| Physical Attack Up +1 | – | +5.0% | SpEffect 7001401: phys ×1.05 |
| Attack power permanently increased for each evergaol prisoner defeated | – | +5.0% | SpEffect 7060001 (engine-coded: no number in the params) |
| Taking attacks improves attack power | – | +4.3% | SpEffect 7032200: every 1 s; 7032201: while state 2374; 7032202: attack ×1.15, 10 s, while state 2374 |
| Physical Attack Up | – | +4.0% | SpEffect 7001400: phys ×1.04; 7001401: phys ×1.05; 7001402: phys ×1.06; 7001403: phys ×1.105; 7001404: phys ×1.12 |
- [Executor] Roaring restores HP while Art is active. Decoded SpEffect 7011701: 15% max HP per roar in Beast form. The model counts 2 roars a Beast form (estimate) for yourself; its value to allies is team value, not counted in solo DPS.
5. Curses
Cost = what the model measures on this rotation (damage, stats, attack time) plus any hand penalty for what it can’t measure (stuns, death risk). Lower is cheaper.
| Curse | Cost (≈ % damage) | Model | Hand penalty | Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poison Buildup When Below Max HP | -3.5 | +6.0% | 2.5 | avoid |
| Rot Buildup When Below Max HP | -3.0 | +6.0% | 3 | |
| Taking Damage Causes Frost Buildup | -1.6 | +3.1% | 1.5 | |
| Taking Damage Causes Blood Loss Buildup | -0.6 | +4.1% | 3.5 | |
| Taking Damage Causes Poison Buildup | -0.4 | +3.4% | 3 | |
| Reduced Strength and Intelligence | 0.1 | -0.1% | – | |
| Reduced Faith and Strength | 0.1 | -0.1% | – | |
| Ultimate Art Charging Impaired | 0.2 | -0.2% | – | |
| Taking Damage Causes Madness Buildup | 0.3 | +3.7% | 4 | |
| Reduced Dexterity and Faith | 0.3 | -0.3% | – | |
| Reduced Intelligence and Dexterity | 0.3 | -0.3% | – | |
| Reduced Damage Negation for Flask Usages | 0.3 | -0.3% | – | |
| Taking Damage Causes Sleep Buildup | 0.4 | +3.6% | 4 | |
| Continuous HP Loss | 0.8 | -0.8% | – | |
| Taking Damage Causes Rot Buildup | 0.9 | +3.1% | 4 | |
| Reduced Vigor and Arcane | 0.9 | -0.9% | – | |
| Reduced Rune Acquisition | 1.0 | +0.0% | 1 | |
| Reduced Flask HP Restoration | 1.5 | -1.5% | – | |
| Near Death Reduces Max HP | 1.5 | +0.0% | 1.5 | |
| Repeated Evasions Lower Damage Negation | 1.5 | -1.5% | – | |
| Reduced Damage Negation After Evading | 1.9 | -1.9% | – | |
| All Resistances Down | 2.0 | +0.0% | 2 | |
| Lower Attack When Below Max HP | 4.2 | -4.2% | – | |
| Taking Damage Causes Death Buildup | 8.0 | +0.0% | 8 |
6. Avoid
| Line | Players | Model value | Decoded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poison Buildup When Below Max HP | 1 agree | +6.0% | SpEffect 6851300: every 0.22 s; 6851301: 40 s, every 1.3 s, HP −10, HP −0.1% max; 505: 900 s, while state 2 |
- Poison Buildup When Below Max HP (forbidden): “plays against the whole point of HP stacking”.
7. Vessels
| Vessel | Relic slots | Deep slots |
|---|---|---|
| Executor’s Chalice | blue, yellow, any | yellow, yellow, green |
| Executor’s Goblet | red, blue, green | red, blue, green |
| Executor’s Urn | red, yellow, yellow | red, yellow, yellow |
| Soot-Covered Executor’s Urn | red, red, blue | red, red, blue |
| Sealed Executor’s Urn | yellow, yellow, red | green, green, blue |
| Decrepit Executor’s Goblet | red, red, yellow | red, red, yellow |
| Forgotten Executor’s Goblet | green, blue, red | yellow, green, any |
| Giant’s Cradle Grail | blue, blue, blue | blue, blue, blue |
| Sacred Erdtree Grail | yellow, yellow, yellow | yellow, yellow, yellow |
| Spirit Shelter Grail | green, green, green | green, green, green |
| Scadutree Grail | red, red, red | red, red, red |
| Giant’s Cradle Grail | blue, blue, blue | blue, blue, blue |
| Sacred Erdtree Grail | yellow, yellow, yellow | yellow, yellow, yellow |
| Spirit Shelter Grail | green, green, green | green, green, green |
| Scadutree Grail | red, red, red | red, red, red |
8. Synergies
- Max HP × negation: negation shrinks every hit, max HP raises the pool; together they cut deaths more than either alone (the model’s death term is a product of the two).
Interaction = DPS(both) × DPS(none) ÷ (DPS(payoff) × DPS(enabler)) − 1: what the pair adds beyond the two lines alone.
| Payoff | Enabler | Interaction | Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poison & Rot Improves Attack Power | Poison Buildup When Below Max HP | +11.0% | poison_or_rot_nearby |
| Poison & Rot in Vicinity Increases Attack Power | Poison Buildup When Below Max HP | +6.6% | poison_or_rot_nearby |
9. The data
The biggest use, Cursed Sword R1 2-4 (3 hits a use), each hit on a Nightlord with the core lines worn:
Basis: decoded AtkParam_Pc 960210, 960220, 960230 on the Cursed Sword’s AR 283; relic scope from sub-categories (melee, character_skill).
| Hit | Element | Attack | Relics (core set) | Defense 100 | Nightlord absorption (mean of 8) | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Executor Skill - Cursed Sword] Light 2 960210 | Phys | 294 | ×1.350 | ×0.6 | ×1.02 | 243 |
| [Executor Skill - Cursed Sword] Light 3 960220 | Phys | 297 | ×1.350 | ×0.6 | ×1.02 | 245 |
| [Executor Skill - Cursed Sword] Light 4 960230 | Phys | 300 | ×1.350 | ×0.6 | ×1.02 | 248 |
Relic multiplier: the core lines’ attack rates multiply (different SpEffects), each limited to the attack sub-categories it names. Defense: Nightlords have defense 100 on every type, which keeps 0.6 of attack in the sparring tests (dps_model DEF100_FACTOR). Absorption: the decoded *DamageCutRate per element.
10. Evidence
Sources players’ tiers for this style rest on (docs/research/relic-priority/Executor.json, researched 2026-11-01):
- Executor relic roll thread (Cursed Sword relic 35% / -40%; Balancer 5% melee + skill; Dregs + Seppuku keep stacks through the ult) (reddit, 2026-10-22)
- best executor build depth 4/5? (double balancer + invader + phys+4; blood blade; roar heal must-have) (reddit, 2026-10-12)
- Which of these two relics would you say is more valuable on my tank Executor build? More hp or more damage (reddit, 2026-10-11)
- Max HP tank executor (reddit, 2026-10-04)
- Max HP tank executor (3889 HP: 20% HP weapon passive, 6 relics for HP, boss drops) (reddit, 2026-10-04)
- Thoughts on these executor relics? (‘improved cursed blade effect … after invaders it’s the most important’) (reddit, 2026-10-02)
- executor build? (75 replies: Sokka of the Water Tribe, shponglefan, Senor Brown, Nah I’d game, Lu2) (kaichouu + replies, 2026-09-29)
- Easily the Best Executor Build (episode 92) (Instinct, 2026-09-18)
- This Tank Executor build has me on a deathless Depth 5 streak of 17 games (113 pts) (reddit, 2026-09-13)
- Sleep Executor can’t die vs Heolstor (1386 HP at lvl 15 just with relics, DoN 3 with randoms; ‘deals poor damage’) (score 1112) (reddit, 2026-07-22)
- The Executor Build I Can’t Stop Using (NerfLordMykie, 2026-07-09)
- TIL Executor’s Cursed Sword relic effect is much more dangerous than it may seem (debuff triggers on every Suncatcher hit, 5 s, +40% damage taken, persists after sheathing and through the ult) (score 390) (reddit, 2026-06-16)
- Executor in deep of night (replies by Lukas, Chris1, NewPhoneWhoDis, Lu2, Moyu Wang) (RexRunner + replies, 2026-03-07)
- Elden Ring Nightreign Executor Relic Priority and Build (Treyex Gaming, 2025-12-04)
Measurements: Executor 1,000 HP at level 15; tank builds at 1,476–1,700 HP; 3,889 with HP on every relic; trio deaths cost 20–30 s of the fight; solo gets one free revive per Nightlord fight (1.01.1).
11. Gaps and confidence
The model agrees with players’ tier order on 58% of 19 line pairs.
Where it disagrees:
- core “[Executor] Improved Vigor and Endurance, Reduced Arcane” +1.5% below strong “Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks +2” +2.3%
- core “[Executor] Improved Vigor and Endurance, Reduced Arcane” +1.5% below avoid “Poison Buildup When Below Max HP” +6.0%
- core “Increased Maximum HP” +1.5% below strong “Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks +2” +2.3%
- core “Increased Maximum HP” +1.5% below avoid “Poison Buildup When Below Max HP” +6.0%
- strong “[Executor] Roaring restores HP while Art is active” +1.1% below avoid “Poison Buildup When Below Max HP” +6.0%
- strong “Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks +2” +2.3% below avoid “Poison Buildup When Below Max HP” +6.0%
- strong “Improved Physical Damage Negation” +1.0% below avoid “Poison Buildup When Below Max HP” +6.0%
- strong “Taking Damage Boosts Damage Negation” +1.0% below avoid “Poison Buildup When Below Max HP” +6.0%
- Survival is estimated (hit size from players, two hits a minute, 4 s between heals, a death = 25 s). If you die more than that, these lines are worth more.
- Team value (roar heals, revives) is not in the solo ranking.
12. On your save
The Builds page ranks this preset on your own relics (drop your save there). The Builder opens the same preset to tweak.