Best sub class for Wizard? Also, where are all the INT weapons?

[Kyuuriku]

Been addicted to this game lately. The Wizard is a freaking badass! But when it came time to pick a sub-class, none of them looked that great to me, since none of them seemed to combo well with an INT build. I picked the Blood Knight cause I liked the ability that makes you take less damage upon killing an enemy. Really hoping I can pick a different class after a skill reset. Assuming that's possible, does anyone have suggestions on a good sub-class for the Wizard? Or even different Wizard builds?

Just a little breakdown on how I play: I've only been putting points into VIT, END, and INT (they're like 35, 30, and 45 respectively, with a few extra points in Haste, but I've put zero points into STR or FIN). Of the three spell elements, I took a liking to the lightning ability the most, so I went full into that in the Wizards talent tree and will often use the Wisp Aura to make the spell free to cast. So far I've only found one spell tome aside from the one you start with, which is a bit disappointing, but I'm loving the little magic bombs I can toss out.

The severe lack of Wizard gear makes me wonder if it was a class the devs didn't put much work into compared to the other classes, especially since the game seems to be heavily melee focused. I will always go ranged if a game gives me the option (beat a boss in the original Demon's Souls purely with arrows once), but I do plan on making either a Blood Knight or an Assassin next. I have tried using the Spell Blade, but it just doesn't beat using the spell tome's secondary attack when not using a second weapon. Tossing out three magic bombs instead of one is devastating against bosses.

Anyway, thanks for any insight you can provide.

[d.a.elliott]

Soldier for additional elemental resistances is a nice stack (Battle Mage build). Sentinel can boost the dark and fire magic of the Wizard. There's also the Noble, which is more 'item-based,' and that could be a nice complement to the Wizard if you like to be more strategic & ranged.

Spell blade is great when it gets upgraded & INT gets higher. One of the more powerful items that balanced speed with dmg.

[LT2483]

Soldier is always a good pick - it boosts shields, and blocking is very powerful.

As for gear, there are 5 native int weapons - 3 tomes and 2 spellblades. Note that one of the tomes is quite hard to get and you will probably need a guide, as well as being basically at the end of the game if you want it. There is also an aura that makes all melee weapons int scale.

[Kyuuriku]

Okay thanks. Guess I'm looking up that guide. A shame they didn't include more Tomes. Also, I NEVER block. Like very very rarely. I usually rely on air dashes and the double jump. Mostly because of the stupid "shield break" mechanic where you're stunned for a few seconds. Does an S rank shield prevent that?

I swear, the Wizard is OP! It's gonna be a major adjustment if I ever choose to play another class. I have started trying to get used to using the spellblade, especially since I recently found that ability that creates a shadow clone that mimics your spellblade attacks. That thing is devastating if used correctly. Also, I looked up the entire map recently and daaaaaaaamn, it's HUGE! Really looking forward to exploring it all. Right now I'm in the Observatory. Gonna kill the boss there and then go after the Tundra one.

Oh btw, I've heard whispers of a fast-travel feature. Is that a thing? I assume it's something granted to you after killing a certain boss? Please no spoilers, but if you could tell me what area it's unlocked in, that would give me some insight. Thanks again guys.

One last thing: What is the point of the Stranded Isles? Do you get something special by lighting up all the orbs?

And finally...♥♥♥♥ Bast! Found out about his "purpose" after I rescued the people from the cages in the snowy area only to find them dead back in sanctuary. Looked up "why do NPC's keep dying" and was shocked. Like, wtf devs?! Why include something like that? I killed him, but wonder if there's an achievement or something for sparing him.

[Aumires]

What a surprise, I am also doing a Wizard run cause I wanted to try the new stuff from the expansion.

I am using most of my run the -15 cost Aura in that red box in upper left Central Sanctuary to spam orb spells. That's a given, as well as the Spell Blade nearby.

As for gear, I used the Priest Hood from the winged orb throwing guys on the way after Bulwark. Flame tome is a drop in the corridor to Soul of Phoenix, lightning tome in the closed door in Garde Tum. Later you can get a whole set of Magister gear (cloak, shoes, hood) in the "optional" labyrinth area in the end of that path.

You can also go to the upper left observatory to try getting a Void Hood from the spawned owls, get the feather for Int buff on heal and the boss will give you a really amazing spell blade.

I think that is all gear on the way towards the endgame.

Also I went for Sentinel cause I just wanted extra elemental damage and stomp/stamina buffs.

[LT2483]

Originally posted by Kyuuriku:

Oh btw, I've heard whispers of a fast-travel feature. Is that a thing? I assume it's something granted to you after killing a certain boss? Please no spoilers, but if you could tell me what area it's unlocked in, that would give me some insight. Thanks again guys.

One last thing: What is the point of the Stranded Isles? Do you get something special by lighting up all the orbs?

And finally...♥♥♥♥ Bast! Found out about his "purpose" after I rescued the people from the cages in the snowy area only to find them dead back in sanctuary. Looked up "why do NPC's keep dying" and was shocked. Like, wtf devs?! Why include something like that? I killed him, but wonder if there's an achievement or something for sparing him.

You will know the area in which you unlock fast travel by... the unique method you get there. The entire thing is kind of spoiler-y and very cool, so that's all I will say.

Yes, certain challenges up there give good rewards, and doing them all unlocks the legendary armour recipe as well as an important item for a secret.

Bast is a nod to the Dark Souls series, which has had characters who have basically done the exact same thing. He's not worth sparing, he only gives gaian blood as a reward, which is basically worthless.

[Kyuuriku]

Originally posted by Aumires:

I am using most of my run the -15 cost Aura in that red box in upper left Central Sanctuary to spam orb spells. That's a given, as well as the Spell Blade nearby.

Yeah, I use Wisp Aura as well, but I'll often switch to the one that buffs Int on Ability use, or the one that gives you a shield that drains Essence every time you are damaged. Since I grinded to max level, I don't need Essence anymore. Also, grinding to max was super easy. Those two shielded enemies right before the Forgotten Gaian boss give loads, especially if you combine the Fortune Aura with the Essence Shear talent from the Noble tree: climb the ladder next to the Death Idol, take a hit from the shield enemy to put you under 25% health and then head right to kill the shielded enemies with a single LVL 1 Essence of Lightning attack, gets you 675 Essence every time. Just gotta make sure they don't hit you, cause one hit from them is death.

Originally posted by Aumires:

As for gear, I used the Priest Hood from the winged orb throwing guys on the way after Bulwark. Flame tome is a drop in the corridor to Soul of Phoenix, lightning tome in the closed door in Garde Tum. Later you can get a whole set of Magister gear (cloak, shoes, hood) in the "optional" labyrinth area in the end of that path.

I was using all the Priest gear, but decided to grind out Essence and buy that awesome INT cape from the little Death Lumberkin in the sewers. And then went on a Golden Carrot adventure and spent 40 of them on the INT boots. Definitely gonna try for that Void Hood, since it's probably much better than the Priest Hood +5 that I'm using. Once I manage to beat the Observatory boss, I'll definitely start using the Spell Blade he drops (only fought him once and died, only because of all the platforms everywhere...can't dodge with air dashes properly, very annoying. Guess I'm gonna have to get used to blocking). Also, I figured out a great way to farm the stones needed for upgrading: just kill the Owlking in Heroic over and over again since he drops 3 helms every time. Hoping there's a place to farm Immortalite Stone though, since those are hard to find.

And where is this locked door in Garde Tum? I definitely want that third Tome!

[Aumires]

Originally posted by Kyuuriku:

...
Once I manage to beat the Observatory boss, I'll definitely start using the Spell Blade he drops (only fought him once and died, only because of all the platforms everywhere...can't dodge with air dashes properly, very annoying. Guess I'm gonna have to get used to blocking).
...
And where is this locked door in Garde Tum? I definitely want that third Tome!

Yeah, "mage" boss is really easy to block/parry, mind that he changes sides with each cut of his barrage. If you are good at dodging the red beam cross (which zig-zags in low hp in an annoying way) you can liberally zap away the orbs and the boss as well. It felt way easier than the original version somehow.

For the Garde Tum tome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_40nepiT-eM

I cleared yesterday and wasn't really hard, just a bit annoying having to do some Heroic version bosses. They will also give you great upgraded equipment though.