Explain Dark Magic to me please

[Agony]

One thing I never did in DkS1 was a Dark Magic build.

I understand that the Dark Magic scales of the intl and Str/Dex of your catalyst? (Correct me if I am wrong)

Does this mean I need a decent amount of Strength to make it powerful? I want the 45 Dex for the fastest cast speed, and is the cap for Intelligence 40? (the plan is to PvP at SL125)

Thanks for the help.

[Groen90]

It's Manus' Catalyst that scales with str and int
Here are the softcaps http://darksouls.wikidot.com/stats

[Agony]

Originally posted by Groen90:

It's Manus' Catalyst that scales with str and int
Here are the softcaps http://darksouls.wikidot.com/stats

Thanks, does that mean I should do 40str withj 40 int? Or is the Str scaling not noticeable?

[Groen90]

It scales with B in str, I'd say it's pretty noticeable. The more you have the better

[Agony]

Originally posted by Groen90:

It scales with B in str, I'd say it's pretty noticeable. The more you have the better :IrisHeartRebirth3:

Thanks again. Guess I will be str/intl with no dex.

I'm pretty much looking for a dmg calculator that shows the damage difference between lets say 10 str, 40 int, and 40str/intl with the Manus using Dark magic, and I can't seem to find anything.

[zaboju]

Dark magic doesn't scales from str unless you are using manus catalyst, and it never takes scalings from dex at all. The only stat (unless you're using manus catalyst) is int. But the damage comes from magic adjustment of catalyst as it does for normal magic. But also in some staves there is a hiden bonus to dark magic (olacile one) but it also doesn't depend from your dex/str.

[Agony]

Originally posted by zaboju:

Dark magic doesn't scales from str unless you are using manus catalyst, and it is never scales from dex at all. The only stat (unless you're using manus catalyst) is int. But the damage comes from magic adjastment of catalyst as it does for normal magic. But also in some staves there is a hiden bonus to dark magic (olacile one) but it also doesn't depend from your dex/str.

Thanks. That makes a lot more sense to me.

[Smash]

Originally posted by zaboju:

Dark magic doesn't scales from str unless you are using manus catalyst, and it never takes scalings from dex at all. The only stat (unless you're using manus catalyst) is int. But the damage comes from magic adjustment of catalyst as it does for normal magic. But also in some staves there is a hiden bonus to dark magic (olacile one) but it also doesn't depend from your dex/str.

I thought that because Dark magic does Physical damage it gets some bonus from physical on catalysts, or something. All I know is the manus catalyst is better for dark magic then tin crystal catalyst.

Yes here you go, this should help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc2TScit0c4

So it looks like 40 str, 50 int Manus is best damage for dark. (Before diminishing returns)

[zaboju]

Hmm, my fault. Actually some catalysts take scales from dex. And on realy high stats like 40 str/40 dex 40 int demon's catalyst deals more damage with dark magic even then logan's stuf. But in any case this damage is less then crystal catalyst's and manus one output.
In any case for 125 lvl build it doesn't make sense. Just use manus(for strength build) or crystal catalyst for dex or int.

[TrueArchery]

The Tin Banishment Catalyst is at some point really good aswell. You get high INT and 45 DEX for faster casts. I think it's described well enough in the video above.