The Definitive Mage Build Guide by a Master Sorcerer
As a passionate Elden Ring player with over 800 hours of game time, I‘ve meticulously honed my spellcraft across 10 journeys. After much mystical trial and error, I‘ve finally cracked the code on constructing the ultimate sorcerer.
This definitive mage build guide brings you the same hardcore expertise that let me obliterate enemies and bosses using gravity crushing Comet Azurs and piercing Glintstone Shards. My goal is simple – use my decade plus of Soulsborne spell experience to transform you into a master sorcerer as well.
Let‘s dive right into constructing your unstoppable magic warrior prepared for the dangers of Stormveil Castle to Faram Azula and beyond!
Why Embrace The Way of Sorcery and Intelligence?
Before outlining the construction of your game crushing mage, it‘s important to examine why you should follow the mystical path versus standard melee fare. As someone with extensive expertise leveraging magic, I am adamant spellcraft offers substantial benefits:
1. Jaw-Dropping Damage Potential
Spells in the right hands can absolutely demolish Elden Ring boss HP bars in seconds. We‘re talking enemy health melting faster than frostbite overcomes the weak. The sheer damage output possible fulfills all power fantasies.
2. Thrilling Risk-Reward Engagements
Dodging boss attacks by pixels before retaliating with a 500+ damage Glintstone Cometshard simply provides an adrenaline rush no sword can hope to match. Your skill directly ties to survival and spectacular magical payoffs.
3. Varied Offensive Options
From exploding arcane bolts to homing icy spears, magic brings welcome versatility missing from standard melee movesets. More spells means more solutions to tackle challenging encounters creatively.
Make no mistake – mastering The Lands Between as a fledgling wizard requires pain, patience, and perseverance. However, few playstyles reward your dedication so profoundly once fully developed.
Onwards to greatness! This guide holds nothing back in empowering your ascension to Elden Lord.
Best Origin Class for Budding Mages
Character creation represents your first pivotal crossroads towards mystical grandeur. Building any formidable wizard requires selecting the proper Origin class and keepsake to enable swift sorcery:
Astrologer Class
Without question, Astrologer proves the perfect Elden Ring starting point for apprentice casters. You begin with:
- 16 Intelligence – critical for early spell access
- Decent Vigor and Mind – survivability and mana reserves
- Glintstone Pebble – reliable ranged poking spell
With the Astrologer, quickly amassing mystical implements becomes achievable. With Intelligence already at 16, grabbing upgrades like Rock Sling and Meteorite Staff takes no time at all.
Alternative option Prisoner trades access to Glintstone Pebble for a melee battle mage focus. I prefer Astrologer‘s pure spell advantage in early hours.
Keepsake – Golden Seed
While Crimson Amber Medallion offers a Vigor boost, Golden Seed‘s extra charge proving extremely useful. Having ample blue flasks keeps your FP topped constantly when hurling spells becomes critical. These extra mana reserves enable using Comet Shards versus bosses without chokepoints.
If playing coop, grab Crimson Amber to offset early squishiness. Otherwise I strongly recommend Golden Seed to most fledgling sorcerers.
With your background settled, efficiently allocating levels stands paramount. Failed mages spread stats too thin. We avoid such folly.
Leveling Priorities – Where To Assign Runes
Succeeding as a mystical prodigy requires careful stats balance across five key attributes:
Stat | Importance |
---|---|
Intelligence | Most Vital |
Mind | Extremely High |
Vigor | High |
Endurance | Moderate |
Strength/Dexterity | Low |
Let‘s analyze where to invest precious runes during your journey to godhood:
Intelligence – The One Stat to Rule Them All
Intelligence reigns above all else. This singular stat:
- Increases sorcery damage scaling
- Lowers FP (mana) costs
- Allows wielding advanced spells/staves
My table below displays spell buff scaling across various Intelligence levels using the Meteorite Staff:
Intelligence | Spell Buff | % Damage Increase |
---|---|---|
20 | 130 | +0% |
40 | 260 | +100% |
50 | 312 | +140% |
60 | 357 | +175% |
70 | 394 | +203% |
80 | 426 | +228% |
99 | 481 | +270% |
As the engines of your destruction, Intelligence stacking constitutes the mage priority. Rush 60+ ASAP, with 80+ by end game target.
Mind – Fueling Your Mystical Arsenal
Mind sharply impacts your FP pool – without mana, no spellcasting. My guideline minimums:
- Early Game: 20 Mind
- Mid Game: 30-35 Mind
- End Game: 50+ Mind
Having at least 100+ FP allows 4-5 Glintstone Pebble casts. For spammier skirmishes or boss attempts, never hurts to overlevel Mind a bit. Those extra spell shots count when attempting Margit for the 20th time!
Vigor – Not All 1-Shottable Glass Cannons
Neglecting Vigor and playing a pure glass cannon tends to cause repeated shattered dreams. Here are reasonable vigor targets as you progress:
- Early Game: 20-25 Vigor (900-1100 HP)
- Mid Game: 30-40 Vigor (1300-1700 HP)
- End Game: 50+ Vigor (1900+ HP)
Having enough HP for 2-3 hits prevents frustrations against damage spikes in Legacy Dungeons and vs bosses. Surviving spells like Rennala‘s Full Moon is far simpler with increased vigor.
Endurance & Dexterity -Optional Boosts
Minimal investments into Endurance and Dexterity can pay dividends:
- Endurance allows heavier armor for defense
- Dexterity accelerates casting speed
But compared to the "Big 3" priorities above, these remain optional. My Endurance only ever hits 20 for armour flexibility by end game. 15 Dexterity suffices for acceptable casting pace.
Only allocate runes to Endurance and Dexterity once your core offensive stats reach sufficient peaks to crush all before you.
Executing this level plan tilts every engagement in your favor. Now let‘s examine the mystical arsenal needed to maximize crushing potential.
Sorceries Supreme – Obtaining Destructive Spells
Elden Ring brims with destructive mystical implements waiting to be seized by cunning mages. These proven sorceries represent essential additions to your spell rotation:
Glintstone Pebble
- Location – Start with spell
- FP Cost – Low
- Overview – Reliable ranged damage throughout game
Rock Sling
- Location – Purchase from Sorceress Sellen
- FP Cost – Low
- Overview – Stone barrage that shred‘s enemies both nearby and distant
Glintstone Arc
- Location – Start with spell
- FP Cost – Low
- Overview – Decent AOE option for groups of enemies
Carian Slicer
- Location – Sorcery Merchant in Waypoint Ruins
- FP Cost – Very low
- Overview – Extremely efficient melee range slicing spell
Comet / Comet Azur
- Location – Hermit Merchant in Mt. Gelmir
- FP Cost – Very high
- Overview – deletes bosses when timed against vulnerable animations
Loretta‘s Greatbow
- Location – Reward for beating Loretta in Caria Manor
- FP Cost – High
- Overview – Sniper shot effective at insane distances
These spells provide solid foundations to completing the game with mystical prowess. But without a powerful conduit, your journeys conclude quickly. We must bolster your spellcasting implements next.
Staves Supreme – Best Magic Weapons for All Occasions
A proper mage understands staves channel spells into fearful powers. These mighty magical weapons represent ideal implements as your journey progresses:
Meteorite Staff
- Location – Sealed Chest in Caelid
- Scaling – S
- Overview – Extreme power immediately with no upgrades required
Carian Glintstone Staff
- Location – Chest in Raya Lucaria Academy
- Scaling – B early / S later
- Overview – Low threshold staff to carry until mid/end game
Carian Regal Scepter
- Location – Reward for defeating Rennala
- Scaling – S with 60+ Intelligence
- Overview – Best staff once your intelligence reaches sufficient heights
Lusat‘s Glintstone Staff
- Location – Reward after Azur/Lusat questline
- Scaling – Equal to Carian Regal Scepter
- Overview – Matches Carian Regal scaling at cost of additional FP per cast
I utilize Meteorite Staff until my attributes allow wielding Carian Regal Scepter effectively. Comet Azur and the like see substantial improvements from this weapon upgrade combo. Lusat‘s works once FP no longer proves prohibitive.
Now let‘s bolster damage and efficiency further with support gear.
Maximizing Damage – Talismans & Crystal Tears
Proper mages leverage ALL tools available – including Talismans and Crystal Tears from Physick Flasks. These represent prime magic damage amplifications:
Graven-Mass Talisman / Radagon Icon
Location: Raya Lucaria Academy Gate Town
Effect: Shortens casting speed + speeds up projectiles
Magic Scorpion Charm
Location: Gaol cell in Leyndell, Royal Capital
Effect: Boost magic by 20% but increases incoming magic damage taken
Godfrey Icon
Location: Church near start of Liurnia
Effect: Charged spells do +15% damage
For Physick Flask, utilize:
- Cerulean Hidden Tear (restore all FP)
- Magic Shrouding Cracked Tear (boost magic negation)
Activating the Cerulean Tear before a Comet Azur empower it into a true boss obliterating super. With supportive gear stacked, even Greater Will adherents cannot stand before you!
Now let‘s address the elephant in the room – how squishy wizards survive in melee range.
Surviving The Carnage – Armor Sets & Playstyle For Mages
Successfully unleashing maximum damage requires staying alive. Relying on spells means light armor – but nude mages died too often in my early days.
Here are reasonable armor set targets offering ample protection without fat rolling:
Early Game: Astrologer Set
- High magic damage negation
- Very light
Mid Game: Carian Knight Armor
- Decent physical and magic defense
- Heavier but still medium weight
Late Game: Royal Magic Armor Set
- Strong magic damage negation
- Mix with Snow Witch pieces for style
Stay under 70% max equip load for medium rolls. Fat rolling while enemies approach = dead mages.
Some key spellcasting strategies:
- Never stop moving – circle strafe enemies perpetually
- Utilize spirits (wolves) to distract targets
- Mix ranged attacker spells (Cometshard) with faster melee ones (Carian Slicer) depending on spacing
Cast from behind your summons or use them to create distance after melee casting retaliation. Carefully manage mana and health potions between Grace visits. Engage groups slowly with pillars; pick off stronger enemies first.
In brief, reposition constantly, leverage your summons, and don‘t let the enemy swarm you. Maintain distance, isolate targets, and retaliate ruthlessly following dodges.
Mastering these techniques allowed me to overcome the difficulties below:
Example 1 – Crucible Knight in Stormhill Evergoal
This early game foe wrecked me repeatedly on my initial strength build. As a mage, timing Rock Sling during his slower attack animations allowed gradual whittling at a safe distance. Using my wolves when he closed distance kept me mobile. I carefully circled pillars, punishing any elongated moves with slings until finally my foe fell.
Example 2 – Fallingstar Beast in Sellia Crystal Tunnel
Attempting early Caelid often concludes in evisceration. My mage took a different approach – alternating Carian Slicer and the lengthy but hard hitting Night Comet allowed risk-reward skirmishing. After luring the beast across the bridge, the long corridor allowed easy Comet shots whenever he paused for breath. I extinguished the stars from afar before the beast touched me.
As long as you respect enemies, carefully track your resources, and remain patient, even "hard" areas and bosses relent against mystical barrages. Now let‘s examine the journey onwards to true magical transcendence.
The Path to Supreme Sorcery
This definitive mage guide only represents the first steps down the path towards obliterating foes with outrageous arcane might. Further adventures reveal the heights of power still attainable:
Unlocking Legendary Sorceries
Hidden spells like Stars of Ruin and Ranni‘s Dark Moon await discovery following additional mystical questlines. Seek these out once your build fundamentals solidify.
Overcharging Flasks with unlimited FP
Secret physick ingredients found in consecrated snowfields grant unlimited FP for 30 seconds. Activating before Comet Azur allows trivializing the supposed final bosses.
Boosting Spell Buffs with Max Intelligence
Pushing Intelligence into distant heights (80+) requires intense commitment but results in hilarious damage. One shotting end game bosses with a single Comet Azur becomes reality at this spellpower.
Elden Ring‘s mystical secrets never end. This guide represents only the beginning of our magical journey to greatness. Now go unleash sorcery upon The Lands Between!
In Closing – May Magic Empower You
While challenging initially, few playstyles ever reach the dizzying damage potential of a polished mage build. Carefully selecting your Origin, investing runes into Intelligence, Mind, and Vigor, and acquiring top tier spells and staffs sets you on the path towards true mystical transcendence in Elden Ring.
Will comet shards vaporize fellow Tarnished in seconds during your initial steps into Limgrave? Unlikely. But patiently mastering the expert strategies and gear recommendations in this guide unlocks nuking potential beyond imagination. Magic beckons – and with the right approach, supreme spellcasting lies within your grasp.
Now forge your own legends across The Lands Between fellow sorcerer – may your mystical journey prove marvelous beyond measure!