Civilization Bruiser (Melee)
The durable head-on build. Civilization mask, a melee weapon like the spear, Physique-heavy stats. The safest first run and the strongest frontline for your tribe.
At a glance
| Mask | Civilization. Built for durability and direct combat. |
| Weapon | Melee. The spear is a strong, forgiving early pick (reach, blocks alongside a shield). |
| Core stat | Physique, for the HP buffer that lets you trade hits. |
| Plays well with | A recruited fighter or two on follow, so you are never alone in a camp. |
Stats to prioritize
Spend ability points every level. Do not let them sit.
- Physique first. It raises max HP and is the survivability lever the sources call out by name.
- Round into stamina and carry capacity as needed for your weapon and hauling.
Proficiencies to train
These rise by use, not by grinding menus.
- Your chosen melee weapon (spear or blade) for the mastery passives at 30, 60, 90, 120.
- Shield if you run sword-and-board, for reliable blocks.
- Light gathering proficiencies so you are self-sufficient before the tribe takes over.
Weapon kit
| Slot | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Main | Spear | Reach, repeated heavy hits, blocks with a shield equipped |
| Backup | Blade or club | A second mastery track and a faster option for swarms |
| Defense | Shield | A timed block sets up a parry into an execute |
Mask plan
- Wear Civilization as your daily driver. EXP equals the Awareness you earn while wearing it, so it levels as you play.
- Repair its nodes at Mysterious Ruins and Pyramids using Green and Blue Crystals.
- Keep Sunstones for energy before any fight that needs the active ability.
Do this in order
- Pick Civilization at the start. Get a spear and a shield up to your current metal tier.
- Dump early ability points into Physique.
- Recruit one or two strong fighters and keep them stocked, then push camps with them on follow.
- Learn the parry timing. It is forgiving here and a parry opens an execute.
- Upgrade your weapon and armor every metal tier. A stone-age bruiser does not survive the wasteland.
Watch out for
- Standing in a camp solo. This build tanks, but tribesmen multiply it.
- Letting ability points stack unspent.
- Forgetting mask energy, then finding the active ability dead mid-fight.
Related: the deep combat guide for parry and execute timing, and the masks guide for node repair and energy.