Dark Souls 2: Magic Build Walkthrough

Unleash the true power of sorcery in Dark Souls 2 with our comprehensive Magic Build Walkthrough! Dive deep into the arcane arts as we guide you through creating the ultimate magic-wielding character. Whether you're a veteran mage or a newcomer aspiring to wield the forces of the universe, our detailed guide covers everything you need to dominate the game. From Choosing a Class tailored for magic users to mastering the art of Using Magic Spells, we'll ensure you're equipped with the knowledge to excel. Discover the Best Magic Builds to conquer any challenge and learn the secrets of Mixing Magic and Melee for unparalleled versatility. Finally, our expert tips for using Magic in Boss Fights will help you bring even the toughest foes to their knees. Get ready to harness the mystical powers and emerge victorious in the world of Drangleic!

Choosing a Class

In Dark Souls 2, your class choice sets the stage for your adventure. It determines your starting stats, equipment, and spells. While you can still mold your character in various ways, picking the right class can give you a head start with your magic build.

Sorcerer

The Sorcerer is the go-to beginner class for magic users. Here’s why you might want to start with a Sorcerer:

• High Intelligence: This means stronger spells right from the start.
• Good Starting Spells: You begin with Soul Arrow and a staff, so you can start casting spells immediately.
• Light Armor: Your starting armor doesn’t weigh you down, making it easier to dodge.

Starting with the Sorcerer puts you on a fast track to mastering sorcery early in the game.

Cleric

The Cleric is another solid choice if you want a taste of magic, but with a divine twist:

• High Faith: This gives you access to Miracles, which are great for healing and buffs.
• Heal Spell: You get the Heal miracle at the start, invaluable for keeping you alive.
• Mace: A solid weapon that helps when you run out of spell uses.

Choose the Cleric if you like the idea of a mage who can also heal and use powerful lightning spells.

Hexer

Hexers start from other classes and shape themselves into dark magic wielders. If you are dedicated to dark magic, starting with a different class and transitioning into a Hexer might be for you. Here's a common starting point:

• Sorcerer or Cleric Bases: Starting with high Intelligence or Faith helps as dark magic scales off these.
• Access to Hexes: Dark magic is powerful and versatile, but requires both Intelligence and Faith to be effective.
• Chameleon: One fun starting spell for Hexers that’s about using stealth and trickery.

Being a Hexer means balancing your stats to optimize dark magic, and offers some of the most unique spells in the game.

Battle Mage (Hybrid Build)

Sometimes pure magic can feel limiting in a world filled with brutal enemies and tricky terrain. Here’s how you can create a Battle Mage:

• Start as a Sorcerer or Bandit: Although it seems odd, starting as a Bandit gives you good physical stats and you can build your Intelligence from there.
• Balance between Strength/Dex and Intelligence/Faith: This allows you to switch between melee and magic easily.
• Access to Various Equipment: Relying on staffs, swords, and shields can make your character versatile.

A Battle Mage build keeps the game fresh and adaptable to different combat situations.

Deprived (For the Brave)

If you want a real challenge, you can start off as Deprived:

• No Starting Equipment or Spells: This class starts with nothing, so it's incredibly challenging.
• Even Stat Distribution: Offers a blank slate to customize your build however you want.

Choosing Deprived is like saying, “I’m the boss of my own destiny,” but be prepared for a rough climb.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a class in Dark Souls 2, it's all about your play style. If you love blasting enemies from a distance, Sorcerer’s your best bet. Prefer some divine intervention? Cleric. Want to delve into dark arts? Go Hexer. A Battle Mage gives you flexibility, and if you’re a glutton for punishment, Deprived is there to test your mettle.

Remember, any class can become a master of magic with the right effort and time. So pick what feels right and jump into the dark, twisted world of Dark Souls 2. Good luck, and may you find peace on your journey.

Dark Souls 2: Magic Build Walkthrough

Using Magic Spells

Magic in Dark Souls 2 isn't just for wizards and sorcerers. Even if you're more of a sword-and-shield kind of player, having some spells in your back pocket can make a huge difference. Here’s how to use magic to crush your enemies and survive this brutal world.

Choosing Your Catalyst

First things first, you need the right tool to cast your spells. There are different catalysts based on the type of magic you want to use:

• Staffs: For casting Sorceries.
• Chimes: For casting Miracles and Hexes.
• Pyromancy Flames: For casting Pyromancies.

Grab the one that matches your spell preferences. Each type has several variants you'll find throughout your journey, each with different stats and bonuses.

Learning and Attuning Spells

You can't cast spells you don't know! Learn new spells from spell vendors like Carhillion of the Fold or Straid of Olaphis. Once you've got new spells, you need to attune them at a bonfire:

1. Rest at Bonfire: Interact with any bonfire.
2. Attune Spells: Choose 'Attune Spells' from the menu.
3. Select Spells: Pick the spells you want to equip based on the available slots and your attunement slots.

You get more slots as your Attunement stat increases, so invest in this to carry more spells.

Casting Efficiency: Stats to Focus On

To make the most out of your spells, you need to focus on these stats:

• Intelligence: Increases the power of Sorceries and Hexes.
• Faith: Boosts the strength of Miracles and Hexes.
• Attunement: As mentioned earlier, this increases the number of spells you can carry and also slightly increases the speed at which you cast them.

Managing Spell Uses

Unlike other games where you might get a mana bar, Dark Souls 2 uses a spell uses system. Each spell has a set number of uses before it needs to be recharged at a bonfire. Plan your spell usage wisely. Don’t waste powerful spells on weak enemies--you'll need them for the boss fights.

Combining Magic with Melee

You don't have to be purely a caster. Combining magic with melee can give you the edge you need:

• Buffs: Use spells like Magic Weapon or Great Magic Weapon to add extra damage to your melee strikes.
• Range Attacks: Use spells to hit enemies from a distance before they can even get close. Sorcery spells like Soul Arrow can pick off enemies while they’re still far away.

Defensive Magic

Magic isn’t all about taking down enemies. It can also keep you alive longer:

• Healing: Miracles like Heal or Great Heal can save you in a pinch.
• Shields: Magic Barrier provides resistance to magic damage, which is super useful against magic-wielding foes.

Practicing Your Casting

Casting spells leaves you vulnerable. Practice to get the timing right:

• Cast Speed: Don't spam the cast button; wait until the spell animation finishes before trying to cast again.
• Dodging: Always be ready to dodge if an enemy rushes you while casting.

Notable Spells to Look Out For

Some spells in Dark Souls 2 are particularly game-changing:

• Soul Arrow: A basic but effective ranged attack.
• Soul Spear: High damage and good range, great for boss fights.
• Lightning Spear: Powerful miracle with good range.
• Fireball: A classic, powerful pyromancy spell.

Remember, combining different types of spells can make you incredibly versatile.

Conclusion

Using magic spells in Dark Souls 2 can turn you into a formidable force or a supportive ally. Find the right blend of spells that works for your playstyle, practice your casting, and always be ready to adapt. Happy casting!

Best Magic Builds in Dark Souls 2

Alright, aspiring sorcerer, buckle up! In Dark Souls 2, playing as a magic user can be incredibly powerful and tons of fun. The cool thing about magic builds is the sheer variety available - whether you want to dominate with sorceries, pyromancies, or miracles, there's something for everyone. Let's dive into some of the best magic builds that will help you breeze through Drangleic.

The Sorcerer Supreme Build

If you love casting spells and keeping enemies at a distance, the Sorcerer Supreme build is for you. This build focuses on maximizing your Intelligence stat to make your sorceries as deadly as possible.

Starting Class: Sorcerer
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Attunement, and a bit of Dexterity for faster casting speed.

• Leveling Tips: Pump up your Intelligence to at least 40 quickly. This will allow you to use high-level spells like Soul Spear and Crystal Soul Spear. Make sure your Attunement is around 30 to give you plenty of spell slots and casting speed.
• Equipment:
  • Main Weapon: Staff of Wisdom (best staff for sorceries)
  • Secondary Weapon: Moonlight Greatsword (great for a melee backup)
  • Rings: Clear Bluestone Ring (for faster casting), Southern Ritual Band (for more spell slots)

Key Spells:

• Soul Arrow: Great for early game.
• Soul Greatsword: Close-range spell for crowd control.
• Crystal Soul Spear: Your damage dealer for late game.

The Pyromancer's Fury Build

Want to watch the world burn? Then the Pyromancer's Fury is your go-to build. This build focuses on fire-based spells and using pyromancy flames to incinerate your foes.

Starting Class: Bandit or Swordsman (for decent physical stats) + Acquiring a Pyromancy Flame as soon as possible.
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Faith, and Attunement.

• Leveling Tips: Aim to get both Intelligence and Faith to 30. This makes your pyromancies much stronger. Attunement should be around 20-25 for more spells.
• Equipment:
  • Main Weapon: Pyromancy Flame (Upgrade it at Rosabeth)
  • Secondary Weapon: Rapier (quick and low stamina consumption)
  • Rings: Fire BNS Ring, Ring of Fire Clutch (boosts pyromancy damage)

Key Spells:

• Fireball: Your bread and butter spell.
• Firestorm: Excellent for crowd control and boss fights.
• Great Fireball: Devastating single-target damage.

The Miracles Wonder Build

If you prefer to smite your enemies with heavenly power or prefer a support role, the Miracles Wonder build is your comfort zone. It focuses on using miracles effectively and can be a mix of offense and healing.

Starting Class: Cleric
Primary Stats: Faith and Attunement.

• Leveling Tips: Push your Faith to 50 for maximum miracle power. Attunement should be around 25-30 for ample spell slots.
• Equipment:
  • Main Weapon: Dragon Chime (best for miracle casting)
  • Secondary Weapon: Heide Knight Sword (scales with lightning damage)
  • Rings: Ring of Prayer (boosts Faith), Lightning Clutch Ring (boosts lightning miracles)

Key Spells:

• Lightning Spear: Effective from the mid-game onwards.
• Great Lightning Spear: High damage potential.
• Sunlight Blade: Buffs your weapon with lightning.
• Soothing Sunlight: Excellent for healing yourself and allies.

The Dark Arts Master Build

For those who enjoy toying with the darker aspects of magic, the Dark Arts Master focuses on hexes and dark magic, dealing tremendous damage with a more sinister flair.

Starting Class: Sorcerer or Cleric (for balanced starting stats)
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Faith, and Attunement.

• Leveling Tips: Get both Intelligence and Faith to 30 to unlock all hexes. Attunement should be around 25 for more spell slots.
• Equipment:
  • Main Weapon: Sunset Staff or Chime of Screams (both great for hexes)
  • Secondary Weapon: Sacred Chime Hammer (strong melee option that scales with dark damage)
  • Rings: Abyss Seal (boosts hex damage but at a cost), Southern Ritual Band (for more spell slots)

Key Spells:

• Dark Orb: Good balance of damage and cost.
• Affinity: Fires multiple dark projectiles.
• Dark Greatsword: Powerful and stylish melee attack.
• Climax: Extremely high damage spell with a hefty cost.

Tips and Tricks

• Stacking Buffs: Use rings and equipment that boost your specific type of magic.
• Managing Stamina: Since casting spells consumes stamina, always leave some for dodging.
• Positioning: Stay at range and use terrain to your advantage. Remember, you’re a glass cannon!

There you have it! Four exciting and powerful magic builds to conquer Dark Souls 2. Pick the one that matches your playstyle and start casting away. Good luck, and may the souls be ever in your favor!

Mixing Magic and Melee

Dark Souls 2 is known for its intricate combat mechanics and deep customization options, allowing players to blend different styles for a unique experience. One of the coolest ways to play is by mixing magic and melee. This hybrid build gives you the ultimate flexibility, letting you roast enemies from afar or slice them up close.

Why Mix Magic and Melee?

Combining magic and melee can be super effective for a few reasons:

1. Versatility: You can adapt to different enemies and situations.
2. Damage Variety: Switch between magic and physical attacks to exploit enemy weaknesses.
3. Crowd Control: Use AoE spells to manage groups and melee for single targets.

Getting Started

First, you'll need to spread out your stats a bit to be effective in both magic and melee. Here are the key stats to focus on:

• Intelligence: Increases your magic damage and allows you to use stronger sorceries.
• Faith: Boosts your miracles and some hexes.
• Strength and Dexterity: Improve your physical attacks. The balance depends on your weapon choice.
• Attunement: Raises your spell slots and casting speed.
• Vigor and Endurance: Keep you alive and let you fight longer.

Choosing Weapons and Spells

Weapons

1. Magic-Infused Weapons: These weapons scale with Intelligence or Faith. A magic-infused sword or spear can deal good physical and magical damage.
2. Straight Sword: Like the Longsword or Broadsword, these are reliable and straightforward.
3. Staves and Chimes: Necessary for casting sorceries and miracles, respectively.

Spells

1. Sorceries: High damage and range. Start with Soul Arrow and later add Soul Spear.
2. Miracles: Healing spells like Heal or Great Heal can be lifesavers. Offensive options like Lightning Spear balance your build.
3. Hexes: If you invest in both Intelligence and Faith, hexes like Dark Orb can be very powerful.

Gameplay Tips

1. Pre-Battle Buffs: Use spells such as Magic Weapon or Resonant Weapon to enhance your melee damage before engaging tougher foes.
2. Maintain Distance: Start with spells to weaken enemies from afar. When they get close, switch to melee to finish them off.
3. Manage Stamina: Casting spells and swinging your weapon both use stamina. Keep an eye on your green bar to avoid getting caught off guard.
4. Armor: Opt for medium armor that allows for decent mobility. Drangleic Set is a strong early-game choice.

Leveling Up

When leveling up, balance is key. Here’s a rough guide:

• Early game: Prioritize Intelligence, Faith, and Attunement for spell slots.
• Mid game: Pump points into Vigor and Endurance to stay alive longer.
• Late game: Flex between Strength or Dexterity and tweak Intelligence or Faith to sharpen your offense.

Equipment Load

Aim for below 70% equip load which allows you to roll effectively. Equip a mix of light and medium armor to reach this.

Rings

Dark Souls 2 is generous with ring slots, so equip these:

1. Clear Bluestone Ring: Reduces casting time.
2. Chloranthy Ring: Boosts stamina regeneration.
3. Ring of Steel Protection: Provides extra physical defense.
4. Third Dragon Ring: Increases HP, stamina, and equip load.

Wrapping It Up

Mixing magic and melee makes you a versatile powerhouse in Dark Souls 2. By balancing your stats, picking the right gear, and mastering your spells and weapons, you can adapt to any challenge the game throws at you. So go forth, brave caster, and conquer Drangleic with both arcane arts and steel!

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That’s it for the basics on mixing magic and melee in Dark Souls 2. Fine-tune your stats, experiment with different spells and weapons, and you’ll find the perfect hybrid build that suits your play style. Good luck, and happy hunting!

Dark Souls 2: Magic Build Walkthrough

Magic in Boss Fights

So, you've decided to tackle the terror of Drangleic with the powers of a sorcerer, pyromancer, or cleric? Good choice! Magic can make boss fights easier (or at least more manageable). Here’s how you can use those spells to your advantage.

Understanding Your Spells

Before jumping into a fight, know your spell arsenal. There are three main types of magic in Dark Souls 2:

• Sorceries: They mostly deal with long-range attacks and can be super deadly if you have a high Intelligence stat.
• Pyromancies: These are all about that fiery destruction. They don’t need specific stats to be powerful, but equipment upgrades do help.
• Miracles: These come in handy for both offensive and defensive moves. With a high Faith stat, your miracles will pack a punch.

Preparation is Key

1. Tune Your Spells: Make sure your Attunement slots are filled with the most useful spells for the fight.
2. Use Buffs: Spells like Magic Weapon or Great Magic Weapon can significantly increase your damage.
3. Equip Your Catalyst: Whether it’s a staff, a chime, or a flame, match your catalyst with your primary battle style.

Boss-Specific Strategies

The Last Giant

• Sorceries: Stay back and spam Soul Arrows or Great Soul Arrows. His slow movement makes it easy to land shots.
• Pyromancies: Flame Swathe or Fireball can take chunks out of his health. Watch out for his stomp attacks!
• Miracles: Lightning Spear is your best friend here. Circle around and strike when he’s vulnerable.

The Pursuer

• Sorceries: Timing is key. Cast spells like Heavy Soul Arrow or Crystal Soul Spear when he slows down for his attacks.
• Pyromancies: Combustion is effective if you’re feeling brave and want to get close. Otherwise, Fire Orb works well.
• Miracles: Great Lightning Spear. Position yourself to throw these at a distance, and keep your dodge game strong.

Flexile Sentry

• Sorceries: Keep your distance and cast Soul Spear Barrage. It’s easy to miss, so wait for his combos to finish before you cast.
• Pyromancies: Firestorm can be risky with his fast attacks, but Great Fireball works if you keep moving.
• Miracles: Emit Force is great to keep him at bay. Use Heal spells when you get a break.

Ruin Sentinels

• Sorceries: Start from the balcony and take shots with Soul Arrows. Get to the ground and use Homing Soulmass.
• Pyromancies: Firestorm in the group can deal massive damage. Don’t forget to dodge!
• Miracles: Great Lightning Spear from the platform is effective. Once grounded, Wrath of the Gods clears any crowd.

Dragonrider

• Sorceries: Homing Soul Arrow is perfect as you can lock on and keep a safe distance.
• Pyromancies: Fire Whip hits multiple times. Be agile and avoid his charges.
• Miracles: Force or Emit Force will knock him back, giving you breathing room to heal or plan your next move.

General Tips for All Boss Fights

1. Stay Agile: Always be prepared to dodge. Bosses love to pounce when they see you casting.
2. Mind Your Stamina: Casting uses stamina, and you’ll need some left to dodge or block.
3. Positioning: Keep your back free of threats and know the arena layout.
4. Spell Conservation: Don't spam. Use your most powerful spells when the boss is vulnerable.

Final Word

Magic does provide a significant edge, but it doesn’t make you invincible. Learning boss patterns, timing your spell casts, and adjusting strategies based on the horror in front of you will be key. Go forth, sorcerer, and may your attunement never falter!