Elden Ring, the highly anticipated action RPG from FromSoftware, offers players a rich and expansive world filled with challenging foes and intricate lore. For those who choose to tread the path of the mage, mastering the arcane arts can be both rewarding and complex. This guide will provide you with essential tips and strategies for leveling up your mage character effectively, ensuring that you can cast powerful spells and dominate your enemies.
Understanding the Basics of Mage Builds
Before diving into the specifics of leveling, it is crucial to understand the foundational aspects of mage builds in Elden Ring. Mages primarily rely on Intelligence and Faith as their main stats, utilizing spells to deal damage, control the battlefield, and support themselves and allies.
Key Attributes for Mages
1. Intelligence: The primary attribute for sorceries, increasing your damage output and allowing you to cast higher-tier spells.
2. Faith: Important for hybrid builds that include both sorceries and incantations. It enhances the power of faith-based spells.
3. Mind: Essential for increasing your FP (Focus Points), which governs your ability to cast spells.
4. Endurance: Useful for maintaining stamina for dodging and rolling, as mages often wear lighter armor for mobility.
5. Vigor: Increases your health pool, giving you more survivability in combat.
Choosing the Right Class and Starting Gifts
When starting your journey as a mage in Elden Ring, choosing the right class and gifts can significantly influence your early game experience.
Starting Classes for Mages
1. Astrologer: The best starting class for pure mages, beginning with high Intelligence and Mind. This class starts with a staff and several useful spells, making it ideal for those who want to focus solely on sorcery.
2. Prophet: This class is more balanced toward Faith, perfect for players interested in a hybrid build that utilizes both sorceries and incantations.
3. Confessor: A versatile class that blends melee combat with Faith-based spells, suitable for those who want a more balanced playstyle.
Starting Gifts
Consider these gifts for a mage build:
- Golden Seed: Increases the number of healing flasks you start with, which is valuable for survivability.
- Lands Between Rune: Provides a few extra runes to help you level up faster early in the game.
Leveling Up Your Mage
Leveling up your mage character effectively involves strategic allocation of your stats and careful selection of spells. Here’s how to maximize your mage’s potential.
Stat Allocation Priorities
As you level up, focus on the following attribute priorities:
1. Intelligence: Invest heavily in Intelligence to increase your spell damage.
2. Mind: Allocate points to Mind to ensure you have enough FP to cast spells frequently.
3. Vigor: Don’t neglect Vigor; having a robust health pool is essential for mages who are often targeted.
4. Faith: If you plan to include incantations in your build, invest in Faith as well.
5. Endurance: While not as crucial, some points in Endurance can help with rolling and dodging.
Spell Selection
Choosing the right spells is vital for a successful mage build. Here are some categories and examples of spells to consider:
- Basic Sorceries:
- Glintstone Pebble: A great starter spell with low FP cost.
- Glintstone Cometshard: A powerful spell for mid-game that scales well with Intelligence.
- Utility Spells:
- Carian Slicer: A melee spell that can be useful when enemies get too close.
- Invisible Sorcery: Helps in avoiding detection and can be used tactically.
- High-Level Sorceries:
- Starscourge Greatstaff: A late-game spell that deals massive damage and has a wide area of effect.
- Comet Azur: A devastating spell for boss fights, capable of dealing significant damage.
- Incantations: If you’re hybridizing, consider spells like:
- Flame, Grant Me Strength: Boosts physical and fire damage.
- Golden Vow: Increases your attack and defense for a limited time.
Gear and Equipment for Mages
Selecting the right gear is crucial for maximizing your mage's effectiveness. Here’s what to consider when gearing up.
Weapons
The choice of weaponry will depend on your focus on sorcery or hybrid play:
- Staffs:
- Meteorite Staff: Excellent for early-game due to its scaling with Intelligence.
- Carian Glintstone Staff: A balanced option that provides good damage and scaling.
- Catalysts (for hybrid builds):
- Finger Seal: Great for casting incantations while still providing some melee options.
Armor Sets
As a mage, you’ll want to prioritize light armor to maintain mobility. Consider:
- Astrologer Set: Provides good protection while allowing for agility.
- Robe of the White: Offers a balance of protection and weight, ideal for spellcasting.
Talismans
Talismans can enhance your mage’s abilities significantly. Some recommended talismans include:
- Radagon's Scarseal: Boosts Intelligence and other attributes, but increases damage taken.
- Primal Glintstone Blade: Reduces FP consumption, allowing you to cast spells more frequently.
Playstyle Tips for Mages
To truly excel as a mage in Elden Ring, adopting the right playstyle is essential. Here are some tips for effective combat and exploration.
Combat Strategies
1. Maintain Distance: Mages are typically squishy; keep your distance from enemies and use terrain to your advantage.
2. Utilize Spells Wisely: Conserve FP for tough encounters. Use weaker spells against common enemies, saving powerful spells for bosses or larger foes.
3. Mix Up Your Spells: Use a combination of damage-dealing and utility spells to adapt to various combat situations.
Exploration Techniques
- Scout Ahead: Use spells that can reveal enemy positions before engaging.
- Co-op Play: Mages can support teammates by dealing damage from a distance, making co-op sessions more effective.
Conclusion
Leveling a mage in Elden Ring can be an incredibly rewarding experience filled with unique challenges and strategic depth. By focusing on the right attributes, selecting the best spells, and employing effective combat strategies, you can create a powerful mage capable of conquering the Lands Between. Whether you choose to specialize in pure sorcery or blend your magic with melee combat, the journey of a mage offers a captivating and thrilling adventure. Embrace the arcane arts, and may your spells guide you to victory!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starting class for a mage in Elden Ring?
The Astrologer class is considered the best starting class for a mage, as it offers high Intelligence and Mind stats, along with a variety of useful spells.
How should I prioritize my stats when leveling a mage?
Focus on leveling Intelligence first to increase spell damage, followed by Mind for more FP (Focus Points), and Vigor to improve survivability.
What are the most effective spells for a mage in Elden Ring?
Some of the most effective spells include Glintstone Pebble for low-cost damage, Comet Azur for high burst damage, and Great Glintstone Shard for a balanced option.
Are there specific weapons that benefit a mage build?
Yes, the staff is essential for a mage build. The Meteorite Staff and the Carian Regal Scepter are great options for boosting spell damage.
How can I efficiently farm runes as a mage?
You can farm runes by targeting enemies weak to magic, using spells like Comet Azur in conjunction with rune-boosting items, and exploring high-reward areas.
What talismans should I use for a mage build?
Key talismans include the Magic Scorpion Charm for increased magic damage, the Graven-School Talisman for boosting sorcery damage, and the Radagon's Scarseal for added stats.
How do I balance melee combat with a mage build?
While primarily focusing on casting spells, equip a lightweight melee weapon for emergencies and invest in Vigor and Endurance to maintain mobility and survivability.
What are the best locations to find sorceries in Elden Ring?
Key locations include the Raya Lucaria Academy for various sorceries, the Caria Manor for unique spells, and the various NPCs scattered throughout the world who sell or reward sorceries.
