This is a response to a forum post. Anything gameplay-related can go here.

If you have a high speed, CC/burst team, I don't think a stress healer is necessary for this guy. But it's definitely a good thing to have to mitigate risk. Crusader/Jester works well with him. When he's reasonably high on stress (125-175), he is going to smash anything he hits. His damage is insane when his stress is managed well. There's always the risk of a heartattack, but calculated risk is the objective of this mod.

I like to pair him with my Dragonslayer, a healer, and then it depends. If I want a stress healer, I grab it. If I want to CC before the enemy causes stress, I get a Plague Doctor.

If you're doing a torchless run, I highly recommend a stress healer. That's kind of obvious in general, but this guy will need it. If you have difficulties managing his stress, you can get his Silver Pendant and Covenant of Artorias to help. I think they're both borderline necessary to do a torchless run well.

So something like (healer - PD/Jester/Crusader - flex pick/Abysswalker - flex pick/abysswalker.)

Crusader, Jester, and Dragonslayer shuffle really well. The Abysswalker can shuffle quite well, too. It's not required, but he has those abilities in his kit. So Grave Robber/Jester/Crusader can work well.

He also gains benefits from mark on an ability. Houndmaster is great with this guy, but I wouldn't make him the sole stress healer due to RNG.