Welcome to our comprehensive Dark Souls 3: Magic Build Walkthrough! Whether you’re a seasoned sorcerer or a newcomer eager to harness the arcane arts, this guide will illuminate your path and turn you into a master of magic. Dive deep into strategic insights and expert advice as we walk you through key aspects like Choosing a Class, Using Magic Spells, Best Magic Builds, Mixing Magic and Melee, and tackling Magic in Boss Fights. Elevate your Dark Souls 3 experience with powerful spells and become an unstoppable force in the world of Lothric. Ready to cast your way to victory? Read on and let the magic unfold!

Dark Souls 3: Magic Build Walkthrough

Choosing a Class

Jumping into Dark Souls 3 can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you’re leaning towards a magic build. With so many classes to choose from, let's break down which ones are ideal for mystical mayhem. We'll look at key details and help you pick a class that sets you up for spell-slinging success.

The Sorcerer

Starting Stats and Gear

• Intelligence: 16 (Primary magic stat)
• Attunement: Pretty high, giving you more FP (Focus Points) for casting spells
• Gear: Starts with a Staff and a basic spell, Soul Arrow.

Why Choose Sorcerer?

The Sorcerer is the most straightforward class for players who want to dive right into magic. The high Intelligence stat means stronger spells right from the start, and having decent Attunement gives you more spell slots and FP. This lets you cast a good amount of spells without running out of juice too quickly.

The Pyromancer

Starting Stats and Gear

• Intelligence and Faith: Both at 14 (Great for hybrid builds)
• Gear: Comes with a Pyromancy Flame and a Fireball spell.

Why Choose Pyromancer?

Pyromancer is perfect if you like casting fire-based spells. This class balances both Intelligence and Faith, making it super versatile. You can dip into both Sorceries and Miracles later on. Plus, the starting Fireball spell is awesome for dealing damage early game.

The Cleric

Starting Stats and Gear

• Faith: 16 (Focus on Miracles)
• Gear: Has a Talisman and a healing spell (Heal).

Why Choose Cleric?

If you prefer using defensive and supportive magic, the Cleric is your go-to class. With a high Faith stat, Clerics excel at casting Miracles, which include buffs, healing spells, and lightning-based attacks. This makes them invaluable in co-op play or when you need more survivability.

The Herald

Starting Stats and Gear

• Faith: 13 (Decent for Miracles)
• Gear: Equipped with a Spear, Kite Shield, and a healing miracle.

Why Choose Herald?

Heralds offer a balanced mix of offense and healing, combining the best of melee and miracles. If you’re new to the game and want a more well-rounded experience that includes some magic, the Herald is a solid pick. You can start healing right away and still be capable in melee combat.

Honorable Mentions

Deprived:

Starting with even stats across the board, Deprived is for experts who want a challenge. You can mold this class into anything, but it requires deep knowledge of the game mechanics to maximize its potential.

Assassin:

Starting with decent Intelligence and a cool mix of stealth and combat skills, the Assassin is another good pick for a hybrid build. This class allows you to incorporate some magic without sacrificing your ability to fight up close.

Tips for Magic Users

1. Upgrade Your Catalyst: Your Staff or Pyromancy Flame is your best friend. Upgrade it at any opportunity to boost your spell power.

2. Mind Your FP: Keep an eye on your FP bar. Stock up on Ashen Estus Flasks to replenish FP when it runs low.

3. Spell Variety: Carry a mix of spells. Having both long-range and close-range spells makes you versatile in any battle.

4. Armor and Weight: Wear light armor to maintain mobility. Dodging is your primary defense as a caster.

5. Sacred Chime: If you’re using miracles, upgrade your chime to amplify the power of your healing and lightning miracles.

Choosing the right class sets the stage for your entire Dark Souls 3 journey. When going for a magic build, these classes give you a strong start and enough flexibility to adapt as you progress. Pick the one that best fits your style, and get ready to cast, conjure, and conquer!

Using Magic Spells

Magic spells in Dark Souls 3 can totally change how you play. They let you attack, heal, and buff, adding a ton of variety to combat. If you’re ready to dive into the arcane, here’s what you need to know.

Types of Magic Spells

There are three main types of magic in Dark Souls 3:

• Sorceries: Blue spells that require Intelligence. These include soul arrows and powerful beams.
• Miracles: Golden spells that need Faith. Think healing and lightning attacks.
• Pyromancies: Fiery spells using both Intelligence and Faith. You get handy fireballs and more.

Getting Started

First off, you need a focus. Different focuses for different spells:

• Staff: For Sorceries.
• Chime: Mostly for Miracles, but talismans work too.
• Pyromancy Flame: Only for Pyromancies.

Equip your focus in either hand, but the left is pretty standard. Be sure you have the right stats for the spells you want!

Attuning Spells

You can’t just randomly use spells. Attune them at bonfires. Here’s how:

1. Rest at a bonfire.
2. Select “Attune Spell.”
3. Choose the spells based on the number of slots you have (more on that next).

The number of spell slots depends on your Attunement stat. More Attunement equals more slots.

Casting Spells

Casting spells is simple:

1. Equip your focus.
2. Switch to your spell with the D-pad.
3. Press the attack button (usually R1 or RB) to cast.

Be careful. Spells use FP (Focus Points), shown by the blue bar. To refill FP, you’ll need Ashen Estus Flasks.

Managing FP

Attunement doesn’t just give you more slots. It also increases your FP. Balance your FP usage or you’ll run dry quickly.

Where to Find Spells

Spells are everywhere, but some key places include:

• Trainers: Many NPCs, like Orbeck of Vinheim (Sorceries), can teach you spells in exchange for scrolls or souls.
• Shops: Vendors like Irina of Carim (Miracles) sell spells.
• Exploration: Scour every nook. Hidden spells are a thing!

Spell Tips

1. Mix It Up: Don’t stick to one type; mix spells for offense, defense, and utility.
2. Upgrade Your Focus: Reinforce it at a blacksmith to raise its spell buff. A higher spell buff means stronger magic!
3. Stay Mobile: Casting takes time; don’t be a sitting duck. Dodge and pick your moments to cast.

Notable Spells

• Soul Arrow: Early and reliable Sorcery for attack.
• Heal: Basic Miracle that keeps your HP up.
• Fireball: Classic Pyromancy for easy damage.

Conclusion

Magic spells add a whole new layer to Dark Souls 3. Whether you’re a Sorcerer, Cleric, or Pyromancer, mastering these spells will give you the edge you need. Get out there, find those scrolls, and start casting!

Dark Souls 3: Magic Build Walkthrough

Best Magic Builds

In Dark Souls 3, magic isn’t just throwing fireballs or casting healing spells. A well-crafted magic build can turn you into a formidable force, capable of dishing out serious damage or providing crucial support. Let’s walk through some of the best magic builds you can create.

Pure Sorcery Build (Glass Cannon)

Starting Class: Sorcerer
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Attunement
Secondary Stats: Endurance, Vigor

Key Spells

1. Soul Arrow / Heavy Soul Arrow: These are your basic bread-and-butter spells. They're effective and don't cost too much FP.
2. Great Soul Arrow: A more powerful version of the Soul Arrow, great for dealing higher damage.
3. Farron Flashsword: Perfect for close combat situations where you don’t want to switch to a melee weapon.
4. Crystal Soul Spear: Extremely powerful, but it consumes a lot of FP. Save this for bosses or tough enemies.

Key Equipment

• Staff: Court Sorcerer’s Staff (great for pure Intelligence builds)
• Rings: Young Dragon Ring, Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring, Sage Ring (enhances casting speed)
• Armor: Light armor set for faster dodging (think Sorcerer or Sage set)

This build is all about staying at range and bombarding enemies with high-damage spells. You’ll be squishy (hence “glass cannon”), so make sure you’re always ready to roll out of danger.

Pyromancy Build

Starting Class: Pyromancer
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Faith
Secondary Stats: Vigor, Attunement

Key Spells

1. Great Chaos Fire Orb: Combines high damage with area-of-effect (AoE).
2. Chaos Bed Vestiges: This is your go-to high-damage nuke.
3. Black Flame: Excellent for close range; causes a lot of stagger.
4. Fire Surge: Useful for consistently dealing damage when the enemy is moving.

Key Equipment

• Flame: Pyromancy Flame
• Rings: Great Swamp Ring, Witch’s Ring, Sage Ring
• Armor: Armor with decent fire resistance and reasonable weight (Brigand Set works well)

Pyromancy builds are incredibly versatile, letting you adapt to various situations. You can handle groups of enemies with AoE spells or take down bosses with direct hits. The focus on Intelligence and Faith gives you lots of spell options, making you a well-rounded caster.

Dark Sorcery Build

Starting Class: Sorcerer/Pyromancer
Primary Stats: Intelligence, Faith
Secondary Stats: Attunement, Vigor

Key Spells

1. Affinity: A homing spell that can distract and damage enemies.
2. Great Deep Soul: Your main spell; it’s fast-casting and powerful.
3. Dorhys' Gnawing: Causes bleed buildup which is great against tough enemies.
4. Lifehunt Scythe: This spell restores some HP when it hits an enemy.

Key Equipment

• Staff: Izalith Catalyst (great for dark spells)
• Rings: Dark Clutch Ring, Young Dragon Ring, Scholar Ring
• Armor: Dark-infused armor sets (Black Set works wonders)

This build focuses on Hexes or dark spells, which require both Intelligence and Faith. Dark sorceries are less common but extremely potent. They often catch players off guard in PvP as well, since not everyone is prepared to deal with dark magic.

Cleric / Miracles Build (Support and Offense)

Starting Class: Cleric
Primary Stats: Faith, Attunement
Secondary Stats: Vigor, Endurance

Key Spells

1. Lightning Spear: Your basic ranged attack with decent damage.
2. Sunlight Spear: High-powered lightning for when you need big damage.
3. Great Lightning Spear: A stronger version of Lightning Spear.
4. Tears of Denial: This spell can save your life, giving you a second chance by avoiding fatal damage.

Key Equipment

• Talisman: Sunless Talisman
• Rings: Ring of the Sun's Firstborn, Priestess Ring, Lloyd’s Sword Ring
• Armor: Something lightweight but sturdy, like the Lothric Knight Set

Miracle builds are excellent for players who want a mix of support and offense. You can heal, buff, and deal substantial damage with your lightning miracles. Because of its versatility, this build is fantastic for both solo play and co-op.

Tips for All Builds

• Managing FP and Estus: Always balance your blue (Ashen Estus) and orange Estus flasks based on your playstyle. If you rely more on spells, carry more Ashen Estus.
• Stat Points: Don’t spread your stat points too thin. Focus on your primary and secondary stats.
• Casting Speed: Use the Sage Ring for faster casting, especially for builds that rely heavily on quicker spells.
• Dodging: Keep your equip load under 70% to ensure you can roll quickly and avoid attacks.

Whether you’re obliterating enemies with a hail of spells or supporting your team with powerful miracles, these magic builds will help you conquer the challenges of Dark Souls 3. Experiment, adapt, and find the playstyle that suits you best!

Mixing Magic and Melee: The Ultimate Battle Mage

So, you’ve decided to go on the path of a battle mage in Dark Souls 3? Great choice! Blending magic and melee gives you a versatile edge in both PvE and PvP. But to make the most of this mix, you'll need to find the right balance. Here’s how to create a hybrid build that turns you into a devastating, spell-casting, sword-swinging machine.

Starting Class

First thing’s first: pick the right starting class. The Sorcerer or Pyromancer are excellent choices because they start with decent intelligence and attunement, which you'll need for magic. If you want to focus more on melee with a touch of magic, Knight or Warrior are also viable. Starting stats matter, but remember, you can always level up to balance things out.

Stat Allocation

You'll need to pump points into both your melee and magic stats:

• Strength/Dexterity: Depending on your weapon of choice.
• Intelligence/Faith: For sorceries and miracles.
• Attunement: To get more FP (magic points) and slots for spells.
• Endurance: To keep that stamina bar up for dodging and attacking.
• Vigor: Can’t forget about health!

Focus on intelligence if you're primarily using sorceries, or faith for miracles. A good benchmark is around 30-40 in your primary magic stat, and 20-30 in strength or dexterity.

Weapon and Catalyst Selection

Choosing the right weapons and catalysts is crucial. Here are some top picks:

Weapons

• Moonlight Greatsword: Scales with intelligence and hits hard.
• Astora Straight Sword: Scales well with faith.
• Dark Sword: High versatility, works well with buff spells.

Catalysts

• Court Sorcerer’s Staff: Best for pure sorcery builds.
• Pyromancy Flame: Essential for casting pyromancies.
• Canvas Talisman: Great for miracle builds.

Spells to Consider

Mix up your playstyle with a variety of spells. Don’t just rely on offensive magic; also include buffs and utility spells.

Sorceries

• Soul Greatsword: Sweeping attack for clearing multiple enemies.
• Farron Flashsword: Quick, melee-like sorcery.
• Crystal Magic Weapon: Buffs your melee weapon with magic damage.

Miracles

• Lightning Blade: Adds lightning damage to your weapon.
• Great Heal: Handy for healing in tough situations.
• Lightning Spear: Balanced offensive spell to cast at range.

Pyromancies

• Great Chaos Fire Orb: Deals heavy damage and leaves lava pools.
• Power Within: Boosts attack power at the cost of health.
• Iron Flesh: Increases defense, good for tanking hits.

Equipment and Rings

Use equipment that enhances your hybrid playstyle. Light to medium armor allows for agility but enough defense to survive hits. The Fallen Knight Set is a popular choice for its balance.

Essential Rings

• Sage Ring: Speeds up casting time.
• Chloranthy Ring: Boosts stamina recovery.
• Young Dragon Ring: Increases sorcery damage.
• Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring: Further boosts sorcery damage.

Strategies in Combat

1. Start With Spells

• Open with ranged spells to chip away at enemies.
• Use buffs like Crystal Magic Weapon on your sword.

2. Close the Distance

• Once you've softened them up, rush in with melee attacks.
• Use quick spells like Farron Flashsword to keep pressure.

3. Mix and Match

• Don’t be afraid to switch from spells to melee mid-fight.
• Always be ready to dodge and use a spell to heal or buff as needed.

Example Build

Let’s say you want to go for a sorcery-focused battle mage. Here’s a sample build to get you started:

Stats at Level 80

• Vigor: 20
• Attunement: 20
• Endurance: 20
• Strength: 12
• Dexterity: 18
• Intelligence: 30
• Faith: 9
• Luck: 7

Equipment

• Right Hand: Moonlight Greatsword +5
• Left Hand: Court Sorcerer’s Staff +10
• Armor: Fallen Knight Set
• Rings: Sage Ring, Chloranthy Ring, Young Dragon Ring, Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring

Spells

• Crystal Magic Weapon
• Soul Greatsword
• Great Heavy Soul Arrow
• Farron Flashsword

Mixing magic and melee in Dark Souls 3 can be incredibly rewarding and fun. By carefully balancing your stats, equipment, and spells, you’ll become a formidable opponent who can adapt to any challenge. Now get out there and show Lothric what a true battle mage looks like!

Dark Souls 3: Magic Build Walkthrough

Magic in Boss Fights

Magic in Dark Souls 3 can turn the tide of any battle, especially against the game's challenging bosses. Understanding when and how to use your magic effectively can make even the toughest fights more manageable. In this section, we'll go through some tips and strategies to help you wield your magical powers with confidence.

Preparation

Before diving into a boss fight, preparation is key. Here's what you'll need to consider:

• Attune Your Spells: Make sure you've attuned the right spells at a bonfire. Spells that deal high damage, have good range, or provide support can be lifesavers. For instance, Great Soul Arrow and Soul Greatsword are reliable damage dealers, while Homing Soulmass adds a bit of extra punch without much effort.

• Mana Management: Keep an eye on your FP (Focus Points). Bring enough Ashen Estus Flasks to keep your magic flowing throughout the battle. Allocating Estus usage between health and mana is a balancing act you'll need to master.

• Equipment: Equip rings and staves or talismans that boost your magic damage. The Court Sorcerer’s Staff and the Sage Ring are great choices for increasing your casting speed and overall spell potency.

Early-Game Bosses

When dealing with early-game bosses such as Vordt of the Boreal Valley or The Curse-Rotted Greatwood, mobility and timing are crucial:

• Vordt of the Boreal Valley: This frosty beast is aggressive but predictable. Keep your distance and wait for him to finish his charge attacks before casting a spell like Soul Arrow. Be ready to roll away when he starts his frost breath attack.

• The Curse-Rotted Greatwood: This boss has weak points that you need to target. Use spells like Great Soul Arrow to hit the sacs on its body. Watch out for its poison attacks and falling debris.

Mid-Game Bosses

As you progress, you’ll face tougher opponents like Pontiff Sulyvahn and Aldrich, Devourer of Gods. Here, strategy and environmental awareness come into play:

• Pontiff Sulyvahn: This boss is tough because of his fast, dual-wielding attacks. Timing is everything. Use spells like Soul Spear when he’s recovering from a big attack. His clone can be a pain, so try to keep both in your view and use AoE (Area of Effect) spells like Soul Greatsword when they bunch up.

• Aldrich, Devourer of Gods: Aldrich constantly shifts and teleports, making it difficult to land precise hits. Spells with tracking like Homing Soulmass or even fast spells like Farron Dart can chip away at his health while you dodge his dark magic and arrows. Remember to hit him when he’s summoning his bow and arrows for significant damage.

Late-Game Bosses

The endgame bosses like Soul of Cinder and The Nameless King require quick reflexes and precise spellcasting:

• Soul of Cinder: This final boss is versatile and can switch between different weapons and magic types. During his sword phase, use spells like Soul Stream to quickly burst damage when he’s recovering from a combo. Dodge his magic phase attacks and retaliate with spells like Crystal Soul Spear.

• The Nameless King: One of the hardest bosses in the game, The Nameless King fights atop his dragon first. Use locked-on casting to consistently hit the dragon’s head with spells like Great Heavy Soul Arrow. Once on foot, keep your distance and use fast-casting spells or tracking spells to hit him when he completes powerful attacks.

General Tips

• Timing and Patience: Rushing can get you killed. Wait for the right moment to cast your spell. Bosses often have windows of vulnerability after big attacks.

• Learn the Patterns: Each boss has a set of moves. Learning these patterns will help you know when to attack and when to dodge.

• Stay Mobile: Dodging is critical. Cast spells while keeping an eye on your stamina to ensure you can roll away when needed.

Using magic in boss fights can be incredibly satisfying and rewarding, adding a new layer of strategy and excitement to the intense battles of Dark Souls 3. With practice and the right preparation, you'll become a master of the arcane arts in no time. Happy casting!