Suggestions for a spellcaster/Zweihander build

[Clauricaune]

Hi! I'm thinking about starting a melee/magic build that involves using the Zwei as well as casting spells from a distance. A PvE build, that is. I'm still a bit of a noob, so I'd appreaciate any suggestions you can give me.

What should I focus on? Str/Int, I guess? Any other attributes I should take into account? Should I start with a sorcerer or a pyro?

[Dame Arstor]

Zweihander is a quality weapon so it gets more damage from both str and dex.For spellcaster build,I would suggest modifying the zweihander on Chaos path(Bass Cannon alert)
Spells gets benefits from dex in form of faster casting speed(which caps at 45 dex)but in pve, faster casting speed doesnt really matter that much though
Edit:Zweihander is a bit of a quality weapon.Examples of quality weapons:Claymore*both dex and str have a C scaling

[Fashionbeast]

Why exactly the Zweihander?
If you want to sling spells and carry a big sword, From Software already got you covered with their signature sword.

[Dame Arstor]

Originally posted by Smugbeast:

Why exactly the Zweihander?
If you want to sling spells and carry a big sword, From Software already got you covered with their signature sword.

The good ole Moonlight Greatsword,a.k.a MLG

[Fashionbeast]

Like i always like to say: If a sword firing anime laser beams is wrong, i don't want to be right ;)

[spiric0m]

Since Zweihander is C\CD weapon, it's not a good idea to use it with sorcerer build. You could get Demon Great Machete[darksouls.wikia.com] instead - it's an Ultra Great Sword too, and it has great STR scaling. It also can be buffed with your magic. You can play through the game with Zweihander until you will get DGM. Get 20000 souls, buy key from Andre in Undead Parish, enter the Darkroot Forest, talk with the Alvina and join Hunters, head to the Blighttown and buy sword from Shiva(10000 souls), you also have small chance to get it from Capra Demon

You'll have to get 40 STR and 36\44\50 INT, depends on how much you are going to rely on sorcery. And obiviously at least 40 END, some ATTN(once again depends on how much you are going to rely on sorcery).

[Bones]

Actually zwei is C/D so you could run it with minimum dex and still get decent damage out of it. The DGM will obviously be stronger but it weighs 18 to the zwei's 10 so there's an argument to be made for both.

Also 19 Att is where I like to cut off for spellsword sorcerer but that's just preference.

[Clauricaune]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll totally consider getting the DGM, but I have to factor in my mobility/armor —need to give it some thought. In any case, would you recommend going for a chaos or fire path over the magic one?

[spiric0m]

Originally posted by Clauricaune:

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll totally consider getting the DGM, but I have to factor in my mobility/armor —need to give it some thought. In any case, would you recommend going for a chaos or fire path over the magic one?

Go with standard +15. Otherwise you will lose STR scaling and ability to buff your weapon with spells. Also, chaos\fire\enchanted\etc. splits weapons damage in two, and when you will encounter enemy with high resistances against these kinds of damage your output will be extremely low compared to +15 with buff.

[Shifty Mario]

You're better off turning zwei into elemental. You can always rush the enchanted path. Those golems near the hydra drop blue chunks.

[Clauricaune]

Originally posted by PerfectScarlet:

Go with standard +15. Otherwise you will lose STR scaling and ability to buff your weapon with spells. Also, chaos\fire\enchanted\etc. splits weapons damage in two, and when you will encounter enemy with high resistances against these kinds of damage your output will be extremely low compared to +15 with buff.

Sounds reasonable. Will try this. Thanks!

[Mr. Mannperson]

It's either str with some dex for Zweihander, or strength and extra endurance to lift the great machete. Ya need , like, 72 equip load just to fast roll with it butt naked, so almost double that of zweihander.