Need tips for Dark build

[flyingoffthetrack]

I’m following a basic guide about how to get overpowered with Dark magic- I have:

Level 73

VGR: 20
END: 20
VIT: 7
ATN: 10
STR: 15
DEX: 12
ADP: 16
INT: 13
FTH: 13

Old Knight Hammer +6
Rapier +5

I’m going to now get INT and FTH to 30. My question is, what spells should I be getting, and what chimes/staffs are the better ones to upgrade? I’m happy to switch between hexes, sorceries and miracles so what should I be upgrading and what level should I try to get attunement up to?

[Paradox]

Is this for PVE or PVP, because they're not the same?

PvE you can just toss on a Dark infused sunset staff and lob dark orbs, dark hail, and even just great resonant soul all you want (if not concerned with soul memory), wearing Black Hood and Lion Mage set for cast speed. And, that actually kinda works in PvP too, until it doesn't. The major differences are that in PvP you're gonna wanna get your Vigor to 50 and have a backup plan for when they ringswap and you end up doing zero dark damage (if you can even manage to land anything). Attunement also impacts your cast speed. You'll also probably want your Agility (attunement & adaptability raise agility) to be at least 96, though you can go lower for PvE and higher for PvP.

If you do go for cast speed, you'll want a Clear Bluestone Ring +2. And, you probably won't need to worry about a southern ritual band, because your attunement should be fairly high for lots of slots naturally.

Rapier is fine, easily get you through the whole game. Ice Rapier is a little better, though, doesn't have the 1handed parry...you'll probably not be 2handing with a caster build very often.

Not sure why your strength is so high or why you're using a hammer and a rapier.

[flyingoffthetrack]

Originally posted by Paradox:

Is this for PVE or PVP, because they're not the same?

PvE you can just toss on a Dark infused sunset staff and lob dark orbs, dark hail, and even just great resonant soul all you want (if not concerned with soul memory), wearing Black Hood and Lion Mage set for cast speed. And, that actually kinda works in PvP too, until it doesn't. The major differences are that in PvP you're gonna wanna get your Vigor to 50 and have a backup plan for when they ringswap and you end up doing zero dark damage (if you can even manage to land anything). Attunement also impacts your cast speed. You'll also probably want your Agility (attunement+adaptability) to be at least 96, though you can go lower for PvE and higher for PvP.

If you do go for cast speed, you'll want a Clear Bluestone Ring +2. And, you probably won't need to worry about a southern ritual band, because your attunement should be fairly high for lots of slots naturally.

Rapier is fine, easily get you through the whole game. Ice Rapier is a little better, though, doesn't have the 1handed parry...you'll probably not be 2handing with a caster build very often.

Not sure why your strength is so high or why you're using a hammer and a rapier.

My strength is at 15 so I can two-hand the hammer that I farmed from the Heide Tower knights. It’s an insanely powerful hammer and will deal with armoured foes better than the rapier. The 30 durability is insane though…

I intend on getting VIG to 50, leaving END, VIT, STR and DEX where they are, and getting FTH and INT to 30. What should I try to get my ATN and ADP to? Whereabouts can I acquire the Sunset Staff? Also, what chime is the best to go for?

[Paradox]

Originally posted by flyingoffthetrack:

Originally posted by Paradox:

Is this for PVE or PVP, because they're not the same?

PvE you can just toss on a Dark infused sunset staff and lob dark orbs, dark hail, and even just great resonant soul all you want (if not concerned with soul memory), wearing Black Hood and Lion Mage set for cast speed. And, that actually kinda works in PvP too, until it doesn't. The major differences are that in PvP you're gonna wanna get your Vigor to 50 and have a backup plan for when they ringswap and you end up doing zero dark damage (if you can even manage to land anything). Attunement also impacts your cast speed. You'll also probably want your Agility (attunement+adaptability) to be at least 96, though you can go lower for PvE and higher for PvP.

If you do go for cast speed, you'll want a Clear Bluestone Ring +2. And, you probably won't need to worry about a southern ritual band, because your attunement should be fairly high for lots of slots naturally.

Rapier is fine, easily get you through the whole game. Ice Rapier is a little better, though, doesn't have the 1handed parry...you'll probably not be 2handing with a caster build very often.

Not sure why your strength is so high or why you're using a hammer and a rapier.

My strength is at 15 so I can two-hand the hammer that I farmed from the Heide Tower knights. It’s an insanely powerful hammer and will deal with armoured foes better than the rapier. The 30 durability is insane though…

I intend on getting VIG to 50, leaving END, VIT, STR and DEX where they are, and getting FTH and INT to 30. What should I try to get my ATN and ADP to? Whereabouts can I acquire the Sunset Staff? Also, what chime is the best to go for?

Well, idk, because I'm not sure what you're actually trying to build. You don't seem to be going for a caster build with that hammer, more of a melee build that can cast, instead of a caster that can poke. If you're going for a melee build things change, you don't need so much cast speed and instead need flynn's ring, ring of blades+2, etc. Also, I somehow doubt much of anything deals with mobs better than a poke stick, in terms of DPS. But, who knows...

Cleric's Sacred Chime for cast speed.
Dark Witchtree Branch for faster casting.
Dark Sunset Staff for damage.
Dark Black Witch's Staff for lazy.

Oh, obviously, if you're going to use a weapon, instead of spells...Dark Weapon (Weapon Buff)...

[flyingoffthetrack]

Originally posted by Paradox:

Originally posted by flyingoffthetrack:

My strength is at 15 so I can two-hand the hammer that I farmed from the Heide Tower knights. It’s an insanely powerful hammer and will deal with armoured foes better than the rapier. The 30 durability is insane though…

I intend on getting VIG to 50, leaving END, VIT, STR and DEX where they are, and getting FTH and INT to 30. What should I try to get my ATN and ADP to? Whereabouts can I acquire the Sunset Staff? Also, what chime is the best to go for?

Well, idk, because I'm not sure what you're actually trying to build. You don't seem to be going for a caster build with that hammer, more of a melee build that can cast, instead of a caster that can poke. If you're going for a melee build things change, you don't need so much cast speed and instead need flynn's ring, ring of blades+2, etc. Also, I somehow doubt much of anything deals with mobs better than a poke stick, in terms of DPS. But, who knows...

Cleric's Sacred Chime for cast speed.
Dark Witchtree Branch for faster casting.
Dark Sunset Staff for damage.
Dark Black Witch's Staff for lazy.

Oh, obviously, if you're going to use a weapon, instead of spells...Dark Weapon (Weapon Buff)...

I’m looking to build a spellsword/hammer for PvE- buffing my dark rapier and my dark hammer with Dark Weapon, and flinging spells when I want to keep some distance. Your tips for chimes and staffs are good, I’ll look up how to acquire those. 👍🏼

[Аkiminator]

step-by-step to level up for any build:
1. get 96 agl
2. min stats requirements of main weapon/spell
3. 20 vig
4. 20 end
5, 50 vig
6. stats to scale your main source of damage & atn to have spell slots if you need them, edit your stats using soul vessel after to get back to 96 agl
[third] dragon ring, life ring [+3] are mandatory