What are some pretty good mage builds? I never played casters in any of the souls games before and want to try on for this playthrough. Any tips?
Magic Builds:
- Sorcerer (INT) can be its own thing. Make sure you upgrade your staves!
- Miracles (FAITH)are slightly supplemental. Fewer damage spells, (but pretty good), a bit more utility. Likely to be supplemented with physical attacks and a shield more than Sorc.
- Dark Magic (Min of INT and FAITH, so you need to level both). Powerful with the greatest stat commitment. The basic damage spell, Dark Orb, is easily the best of the low-tier damage spells.
- Pyromancy (Max of INT and FAITH, so it fits with either). Supplemental magic. Much shorter range, fewer casts, but can be powerful per hit.
Max HP matters for all builds, but Weight, AGI, and the physical damage stats will differ from build to build. Dark Souls 2 is the king of build variety, and hybrid builds.
Sorcerer is the one that lets you hit the ground running since it gives you a staff and and a spell with a lot of casts. I suggest doing the OTHER starting zone than Forest of the Fallen Giants first, as staying at range will really help kill guys that give a shitload of souls per kill.
You can equip duplicates of a spell to increase the # of casts you have. Sitting at any bonfire restores all of your magic to full, so it is like your version of weapon durability.