Sorcery/Int based builds?

I've make Str builds, Dex Builds, Quality builds and faith builds; but so far I haven't touched int build save for a few attempts at lowish level Great Magic weapon builds; but those builds didn't use offensive sorceries relying on buffs and supplemental magic, hidden body, control fall and the like.

Now I am interested on a character that uses both; but focusing more on the offensive sorceries, particularly the soul spears (common, it has to be the most baddass name for a spell in the game). The problem is that I have no idea of how I should build for that other than getting at least 32 Int for the Tin Crystallization catalyst (which is the strongest for offensive magic AFAIK).

They're pretty easy to make. Here's a basic INT build: https://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=377330205841168218

Intelligence builds are grossly misunderstood. You can make several variations of Int builds, especially for pve.

The MLGS build

You can make this build a fast or mid roller and be just fine. If you go fast roll, I'd suggest using zero attunements, using the DWGR, and being pretty much a straight melee build.

However, if you decide to go mid-roll, then I'd suggest 2 attunement slots. One for Strong Magic Shield, and the other for HCSM. SMS will allow you to forgo strength requirements required for heavy shields (albeit for only 15 seconds) and use those stats for something else. HCSM will allow you to control the tempo and create great distractions for the MLGS special attacks.

The Velka's build

This build is best used as a spellsword/caster or a int/Hornet's ring build playstyle imo.

Velka's Rapier, imo, has the sweetest moveset in the game. Stack the innate bs bonus all rapiers get with the Hornets Ring, and you can be deadly. Especially if you use the DWGR with it.

The caster/spellsword builds

The best Int based castings, imo, are: HCSM, SMS, DB, and CSS. However, White Dragon Breath can tear through pve. I'd recommend Logan's Cat though. Imo, the increased power from the TCC does not compensate for halving your castings. You can easily supplement your power with the elf ears or the BDCR.

I like Dark Bead because of its unique damage type. There's not alot of enemies that have high magic and physical resistances.

Whatever you decide to do, don't be fooled into thinking that you need to have the CoD, BDCR, and TCC or Manus Cat. Unless you're going for a OHKO build, those items are unecessary, especially for pve.

Imo, the best mages sport the DWGR.

Good Luck bud.

I have a sort of 'glass' cannon build, but I found it to be very viable, even against melee builds. He's at sl 43 for a long while and I've had my chare of PVE and PVP with it. I change the outfit from Sorcerer set (or Mage Smith --> same stats) to Crimson to Sage, etc. But all magic-related armor.

The reason I think it's so viable is that it uses the Moonlight Butterfly Horn. It's pretty easy to get and it has pure magic damage (no split damage is better). You could always swap the catalyst in your main hand, but I feel like when they get that close, you can't use sorceries anyways.
Plus, it's a spear, so you can block and attack at the same time!

I always keep the Great Souls Arrow because it fires fast (regardless of DEX) and it has 20 castings. The power isn't to be taken lightly. I sometimes swap out Pursuers and I could use some regular Homing Soulmass and maybe an extra cast of Great Soul Arrow.

http://mmdks.com/1xr1

I'm glad you liked my Full moon build but to be honest you might not want to copy that one if you were looking for a mage build. I hate mages so I don't have much experience when it comes to making them.

Ok I had some free time and came up with this character
http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=342064177241383424

How did I do?

sl 99 suggests pvp....is that what this is for?

Not really; but that was the first SL where everything I wanted to do fell into place, though I do agree that PVP viability would be nice.

I really don't like the no fast roll. Especially on mages.

Any suggestions to get Fast roll? I would rather keep at least 53 poise though.

My first suggestion is: Hollow Soldier Waistcloth - a godsend for the poise it provides and minimal weight.

With that many attunement slots, I'd try this: Yojimbo Spellsword

Its pvp viable for sure and functions very well in pve.

The Heater Shield is awesome for its weight, and when you slap on SMS against Giant Smough or Ornstein...its :affraid:

If you do encounter an invader. You have pyro to combat the ever popular faith/gmb builds.

Imo, if you have ranged spells....you dont really need a bow.

You also dont really need that much poise in pve. 21 max for pve, if you want any at all.

In pvp however, I never use zero poise. I always have at least 6 for dagger stunlocks.

If you want to mid-roll like your build suggests, you can equip heavier armor as well. Havels armor kinda sucks for its weight. The only thing its really good for is I believe it has the highest poise to weight ratio.

I'm sorry my suggested build is so much different than yours....but I'm still a little unsure of how you want to play. I can assure you though that mine looks badass, functions in pve and pvp, and is EXTREMELY fun to play with.

I'm tellin ya dude, once you go Velka's...you never go back lol.

WhatDoesThePendantDo? wrote:My first suggestion is: Hollow Soldier Waistcloth - a godsend for the poise it provides and minimal weight.

Dropping Attunement 19 (5 Slots) and increasing Endurance to 34, gets me fast roll+Poise 53 with Eastern Leggings+Gauntlets of Artorias+Antiquated dress. I really hate how the hollow soldier waistcloth looks though.

Animaaal wrote:With that many attunement slots, I'd try this: Yojimbo Spellsword

Its pvp viable for sure and functions very well in pve.

The Heater Shield is awesome for its weight, and when you slap on SMS against Giant Smough or Ornstein...its :affraid:

If you do encounter an invader. You have pyro to combat the ever popular faith/gmb builds.

Imo, if you have ranged spells....you dont really need a bow.

You also dont really need that much poise in pve. 21 max for pve, if you want any at all.

In pvp however, I never use zero poise. I always have at least 6 for dagger stunlocks.

If you want to mid-roll like your build suggests, you can equip heavier armor as well. Havels armor kinda sucks for its weight. The only thing its really good for is I believe it has the highest poise to weight ratio.

I'm sorry my suggested build is so much different than yours....but I'm still a little unsure of how you want to play. I can assure you though that mine looks badass, functions in pve and pvp, and is EXTREMELY fun to play with.

I'm tellin ya dude, once you go Velka's...you never go back lol.

I don't really know how I'm supposed to play a sorcery heavy build, as I said I tend to rely on melee and supplement it with spells.

I tend to like high-ish poise because on my pvp career I have been stunlocked to death on more than one occasion and I don't really know how to toggle escape.

Havel's was mostly for looks and that it gets me nice poise with only two pieces leaving the chest for a better looking piece, and I get a sick joy of using anti-magic armour on a sorcerer , it just feels nice.

Can't get the thing to work so I have to type it.

Sl 89 Pyromancer.
33 vit
23 att
30 end
12 str
45 int.

crown of dusk
dingy robe
Knight gloves
hollow waist cloth
Wolf ring
BDCR
Left hand: heater shield, ascended flame
Right hand: logans catalyst, moon light horn

Spells: HCSM, 2 CSS, DB, GFB, BF.

You have 11 sl's left. If you put them into end you can use the crown of the dark son instead of the crown of dusk. More Vit is a good idea. You might also bump att for SMS or faith for magic barrier if you can get the requirements met, but you'll want to menu swap in/out the talismine.

You can replace the wolf or bdcr with FaP but I wouldn't.

The CoD/bdcr add a total 44% damage boost. For reference, its the difference between GC dealing 400 per hit and 600 per hit. Thats from 4 hits for 1600 to 3 hits for 1800, and its a big deal.

I thinks it's okay, but you might want to use the Moonlight Greatsword? You have 16 STR and it scales with your INT. It also deals pure magic damage, so it's not split. It also has a ranged attack and it weighs 6 units.
Your choice though, just saying that it's a more efficient weapon for you