PVE build consultation: sorcerer-swordsman, INT/DEX

[ReiterLynx]

Yo. It's my first rodeo in DS3, but I've played every Soulsborne (sans Demon) by this point. It took Bloodborne to make me want to allocate points towards a specific build...or a specific weapon (usually skill weapons). Here, the assassin got me thinking about using a sorcerer-swordsman build for once. If I were to go this route, simply put,

-Minimum DEX/INT stats, among others
-Recommended dex weapons (using Sharp Warden Twinblades and trying to increase load to equip Farron GS while maintaining medium dodging)
-Recommended sorceries tailoring towards melee. It's been Magic Weapon for a while; just got the Great version.
-Anything else you might add.

[Yal]

DEX boosts spellcasting speed, so this is not the worst build idea... I remember seeing someone handing out a proper strategy guide a while back, but I can't find it now so I'll just paraphrase it...

- 60 INT, 40 DEX (60 INT is the cap for sorcery damage, 40 DEX maxes out cast speed and also is the first softcap for dexterity scaling)
- Equip Dusk Crown, Young Dragon Ring, Bellowing Dragon Ring, Magic Clutch Ring and perhaps an offhand Scholar's Candlestick to maximize spell damage.
- Any sharp good dex weapon you like + crystal magic weapon if you like buffs, or crystal-infused if you don't like buffs. Weapons that has innate elemental damage get massive elemental AR if infused with the matching element, so maybe consider a Crystal Drakeblood Greatsword for novelty? Also the Aquamarine Dagger is pretty good, even if it's tricky to learn using. Another idea is the Washing Pole for long-range stab attacks, but it's heavy and needs a bunch of strength.
- Crystal Soul Spear is essentially the only spell you'll use for spell damage, especially against bosses, but the Soul Arrow family to deal with basic enemies doesn't hurt.
- The Soul Greatsword / Farron Flashsword spells are good at melee range, but they're more useful in PvP than in PvE (since they just tear through shields without flinching you, and most enemies don't care too much about blocking anyway).

[Seferofe]

Originally posted by Yal:

DEX boosts spellcasting speed, so this is not the worst build idea... I remember seeing someone handing out a proper strategy guide a while back, but I can't find it now so I'll just paraphrase it...

- 60 INT, 40 DEX (60 INT is the cap for sorcery damage, 40 DEX maxes out cast speed and also is the first softcap for dexterity scaling)
- Equip Dusk Crown, Young Dragon Ring, Bellowing Dragon Ring, Magic Clutch Ring and perhaps an offhand Scholar's Candlestick to maximize spell damage.
- Any sharp good dex weapon you like + crystal magic weapon if you like buffs, or crystal-infused if you don't like buffs. Weapons that has innate elemental damage get massive elemental AR if infused with the matching element, so maybe consider a Crystal Drakeblood Greatsword for novelty? Also the Aquamarine Dagger is pretty good, even if it's tricky to learn using. Another idea is the Washing Pole for long-range stab attacks, but it's heavy and needs a bunch of strength.
- Crystal Soul Spear is essentially the only spell you'll use for spell damage, especially against bosses, but the Soul Arrow family to deal with basic enemies doesn't hurt.
- The Soul Greatsword / Farron Flashsword spells are good at melee range, but they're more useful in PvP than in PvE (since they just tear through shields without flinching you, and most enemies don't care too much about blocking anyway).

Wasn't 50 the dex cap for spell casting speed?

[ReiterLynx]

Sup. Wanted to update on my current buildup and progress. I think I made quite a bit.

Current position: Pre-Lothric Prince; farming souls from golden winged knights 52k at a time.

Current stats: https://imgur.com/CBw9jHJ.png

I know you suggested 60INT/40DEX, but I wanted to balance my damage first, then level up prerequisite stats as well as VIT for Load. Should I increase attunement at some point?

Current loadout: https://imgur.com/C01PjiR.png
I do have crown of dusk.

Main weapon: Sharp warden twinblade. Shockingly good DPS no matter what dex-infused weapon was on the same reinforcement.

Other weapons I'm tinkering with:
Dancer's enchanted swords
Sharp gotthard twinswords (may switch to crystal?)
Farron Greatsword
Fire and Pontiff greatscythe
Sharp whip
Immolation Tinder
Court sorcerer's staff

Rings: https://imgur.com/jFKs994.png

Spells: https://imgur.com/RLjBBEi.png

Open for more suggestions.

[ReiterLynx]

50 INT and 30 VIT now. Moonlight Greatsword seems pretty beneficial if I can upgrade it high enough.

[ReiterLynx]

60INT/40DEX now.

What other equipment reinforces magic damage like crown of dusk, not just sorceries?

[Vaeldara]

The magic clutch ring gives you I believe a 15% boost to all magic damage but you'll take 10% more physical damage.

[ReiterLynx]

Originally posted by Vaeldara:

The magic clutch ring gives you I believe a 15% boost to all magic damage but you'll take 10% more physical damage.

Thx. Forgot to mention I have it, but I guess that's it, huh?

[psheue]

What are your stats now? 19VGR is way too low. If you´re doing just PvE you need at least 27. The Lothric War Banner WA boosts all damage, it´s a good alternative to the Cleric´s Candlestick.

I´ll copy what I posted in another related thread; it might help you:

My mage is SL133. Deprived.

VGR 35 (40)
ATT 24
END 30 (35)
VIT 13 (18)
STR 20
DEX 18
INT 60
FTH 12
LCK 10

Prisoner´s Chain, Sage Ring and both magic boosting ring (forgot the names), magic ears (I forgot the name too).

Main loadout:

RH: Moonlight GS, Crystal Dagger
LH: Sacred Bloom Shield, Court Sorcerer Staff.

I won´t tell you my armor, because I can´t remember everything, but I have around 21 poise, which is enough to poise through small weapons.

I can hardswap rings to go from casting to pure melee (Prisoner´s, RoF, Havel´s, Wolf/Hornet/Cat/etc.) (with 30ish poise) and use a good amount of weapons (including some UGS and the Murakumo). I have 4 spells, which is enough for me.

[ReiterLynx]

https://imgur.com/antwpkp.png

[Pat Fenis]

i go for lloyds sword ring over a clutch if i'm looking for a bit more damage

[psheue]

Originally posted by Reiterpallasch:

https://imgur.com/antwpkp.png

You might want to tweak your build. At SL133 you want, at least, 35 VGR. Why do you have so much VIT? What are you carrying around?

Also, just 14 ATT? That´s just two spell slots. You´re only using magic to buff your weapon?

[ReiterLynx]

Originally posted by psheue:

Originally posted by Reiterpallasch:

https://imgur.com/antwpkp.png

You might want to tweak your build. At SL133 you want, at least, 35 VGR. Why do you have so much VIT? What are you carrying around?

My loadouts always change. The only answer I got is "whatever's not tanky or my preference." I wanted to have one dex weapon and maybe a weapon with more range, but I'm over 70% load every time I make certain changes at a given scenario, so I make adjustments. I've taken a liking to the fire witch set (minus helmet) at least, and with this current loadout, I'm skirting at 69%.

https://imgur.com/npNYaGs.png

This is while I'm farming souls, btw.

Shame VIT doesn't increase load enough. I thought I could eventually wear mid-weight gear and be 30%, but I guess that's a pipe dream.

[ReiterLynx]

Originally posted by psheue:

Originally posted by Reiterpallasch:

https://imgur.com/antwpkp.png

Also, just 14 ATT? That´s just two spell slots. You´re only using magic to buff your weapon?

More or less. One buff spell, one dmg or utility spell. This *is* a magic-melee build, emphasis on melee.

[psheue]

Originally posted by Reiterpallasch:

Originally posted by psheue:

Also, just 14 ATT? That´s just two spell slots. You´re only using magic to buff your weapon?

More or less. One buff spell, one dmg or utility spell. This *is* a magic-melee build, emphasis on melee.

Then you don´t need all that INT, drop it to 40. You don´t need magic boosting gear either; if you´re just using one offensive spell, it´s not worth it. Raise your VGR to 35 at least, that´s what you need ASAP.

Do you have a SL cap?

[ReiterLynx]

Originally posted by psheue:

Originally posted by Reiterpallasch:

More or less. One buff spell, one dmg or utility spell. This *is* a magic-melee build, emphasis on melee.

Then you don´t need all that INT, drop it to 40. You don´t need magic boosting gear either; if you´re just using one offensive spell, it´s not worth it. Raise your VGR to 35 at least, that´s what you need ASAP.

Do you have a SL cap?

I probably do if I want to keep Moonlight greatsword, which has B magic scale. Seems to be paying off atm. Course NG+ will tell me what build I could actually want...and Rosaria's dead, so no respec.

Do I "have" a Soul Level cap? I don't know what you mean by that.