How does it feel to be a hardcore PvE mage?

[Singularity's Marauder]

I'm currently at around 600 hours of Dark Souls 3 but I spent most of my game playing with hard, large heavy weapons such as greathammers, mostly greathammers. But I always wondered how does it feel to play PvE as a mage. I'd be glad if I could talk to a mage about his experience, merely out of curiousity.

[Vaeldara]

I'm no master of the class but I did just finish new game plus with a mage. it was hard. sorcories to me feel weak compared to just using a big ole smackin' weapon. it can be fun in a group setting I found myself acting as a ranged support during multiplayer battles.

Weapons for a mage feel limited with the moonlight greatsword being a good late game NG+ option.

https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Windalf+The+Mage this was the build I ran. weapons and armor included. I'd say if you're curious give it a try and if you hate it you hate it. just remember that the early game as a mage is rough.

[Frenzy]

I played a mage/melee hybrid. STR was 25 and INT 45 or 50. Can't remember. It was fun but sometimes very hard.

Originally posted by Vaeldara:

I'm no master of the class but I did just finish new game plus with a mage. it was hard. sorcories to me feel weak compared to just using a big ole smackin' weapon. it can be fun in a group setting I found myself acting as a ranged support during multiplayer battles.

Weapons for a mage feel limited with the moonlight greatsword being a good late game NG+ option.

https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Windalf+The+Mage this was the build I ran. weapons and armor included. I'd say if you're curious give it a try and if you hate it you hate it. just remember that the early game as a mage is rough.

I played a mage/melee hybrid. STR was 25 and INT 45 or 50. Can't remember. It was fun but sometimes very hard. The Moonlight sword isn't the only good melee weapon for mage. they are a few good swords (Greatsword of Judgment for example) . Just try it, it will be fun.

[Singularity's Marauder]

Originally posted by Vaeldara:

I'm no master of the class but I did just finish new game plus with a mage. it was hard. sorcories to me feel weak compared to just using a big ole smackin' weapon. it can be fun in a group setting I found myself acting as a ranged support during multiplayer battles.

Weapons for a mage feel limited with the moonlight greatsword being a good late game NG+ option.

https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Windalf+The+Mage this was the build I ran. weapons and armor included. I'd say if you're curious give it a try and if you hate it you hate it. just remember that the early game as a mage is rough.

How effectively does the Crystal Sage's Rapier stagger enemies like Lothric Knights or Ringed City Knights, do they often have the time to retaliate and attempt to trade hits or stagger you with a shield? And if so does this force you to play more safely?

Isn't using a greatsword as a character with only 20 vigor kinda risky. Greatswords rely often on possesing hyperarmor that allows you to not get staggered. Was this weapon even viable for you before you probably put more points into vigor?

Which one is more fun to use, Farron Flashsword or Soul Greatsword?

And is Soul Stream viable in PvE?

[Vaeldara]

Originally posted by Singularity's Marauder:

Originally posted by Vaeldara:

I'm no master of the class but I did just finish new game plus with a mage. it was hard. sorcories to me feel weak compared to just using a big ole smackin' weapon. it can be fun in a group setting I found myself acting as a ranged support during multiplayer battles.

Weapons for a mage feel limited with the moonlight greatsword being a good late game NG+ option.

https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/Windalf+The+Mage this was the build I ran. weapons and armor included. I'd say if you're curious give it a try and if you hate it you hate it. just remember that the early game as a mage is rough.

How effectively does the Crystal Sage's Rapier stagger enemies like Lothric Knights or Ringed City Knights, do they often have the time to retaliate and attempt to trade hits or stagger you with a shield? And if so does this force you to play more safely?

Isn't using a greatsword as a character with only 20 vigor kinda risky. Greatswords rely often on possesing hyperarmor that allows you to not get staggered. Was this weapon even viable for you before you probably put more points into vigor?

Which one is more fun to use, Farron Flashsword or Soul Greatsword?

And is Soul Stream viable in PvE?

I found that the rapier was useful aginst NPC invaders. it acted as a stun lock breifly but I'd not use it on the bigger enemies. I generally stuck to the greatsword. but it is useful since it increases magic damage done stacking with other buffs.

The greatsword it's self worked fine and extreamly well for me. especially on bosses like lothric and pontiff. a lower vigor is fine if you are able to dodge attacks well enough. the object of a mage is to not be hit and cast your spells as fast as you can afterall.during eeraly game I generally stuck to a longsword. slow and steady won me the race untill I got the greatsword.

I couldn't tell you about the soul swords as I didn't use either one. I stuck to ranged spells especially soul arrow or soul lance. as to soul stream I couldn't tell you on that either. I have seen it used and aginst trash enemies it is effective as hell but due to the slow buildup I'd say it's a death trap on bosses even though it does high damage.

[Cpeerson2020]

Just finished pure mage run and it was kind of boring due to most boss fights being a Soul Arrow fest. Like it was hard don't get me wrong but due to the lack of limited uses and how they implemented the FP system, it just made the game boil down to a 3-4 spells even with a lot of attuenement slots. Unlike say DS1 where I had a limited number of uses I would probably use all my slots just to have something in a pinch.

[Singularity's Marauder]

Originally posted by Vaeldara:

Originally posted by Singularity's Marauder:

How effectively does the Crystal Sage's Rapier stagger enemies like Lothric Knights or Ringed City Knights, do they often have the time to retaliate and attempt to trade hits or stagger you with a shield? And if so does this force you to play more safely?

Isn't using a greatsword as a character with only 20 vigor kinda risky. Greatswords rely often on possesing hyperarmor that allows you to not get staggered. Was this weapon even viable for you before you probably put more points into vigor?

Which one is more fun to use, Farron Flashsword or Soul Greatsword?

And is Soul Stream viable in PvE?

I found that the rapier was useful aginst NPC invaders. it acted as a stun lock breifly but I'd not use it on the bigger enemies. I generally stuck to the greatsword. but it is useful since it increases magic damage done stacking with other buffs.

The greatsword it's self worked fine and extreamly well for me. especially on bosses like lothric and pontiff. a lower vigor is fine if you are able to dodge attacks well enough. the object of a mage is to not be hit and cast your spells as fast as you can afterall.during eeraly game I generally stuck to a longsword. slow and steady won me the race untill I got the greatsword.

I couldn't tell you about the soul swords as I didn't use either one. I stuck to ranged spells especially soul arrow or soul lance. as to soul stream I couldn't tell you on that either. I have seen it used and aginst trash enemies it is effective as hell but due to the slow buildup I'd say it's a death trap on bosses even though it does high damage.

What spells do you choose depending on the situation. Like let me give you three hyptothetical situations here

Right after spawning next to the Dragon Barracks bonfire you go towards the opened (after dragons) gate, and there a Lothric Knight with a greatsword begins to charge at you, he is assisted by a priest.

You're in Anor Londo, and suddenly you're invaded by a red spirit, a darkmoon soon arrives to deal with him, but a moment later 2 Aldrich's Faithful join in.
The first one is mirroring your style,
the other is a guy running with a weapon using a sidestep,
and the last one is running around with fume's greatsword. He's constantly doing the rolling attack.
Your darkmoon ally dies immiediately but invaders fight you one by one.

You're in the Ringed City, and you enter the area where the Dragonslayer Armour is. He charges at you.

You're in the Consumed King's Garden and you are right at the end where 2 Cathedral Knights with greatswords guard the doors.


Another question I would have, is whether or not you used the pestilent mist spell?

[Singularity's Marauder]

Originally posted by cpeerson2000:

Just finished pure mage run and it was kind of boring due to most boss fights being a Soul Arrow fest. Like it was hard don't get me wrong but due to the lack of limited uses and how they implemented the FP system, it just made the game boil down to a 3-4 spells even with a lot of attuenement slots. Unlike say DS1 where I had a limited number of uses I would probably use all my slots just to have something in a pinch.

Maybe equip a calamity ring, and see if you still can just cast probably one of the slowest spells in the game. No offense, that's just what I did after my 5th strength run.

[bozohontas]

Fun build, but can be really annoying vs. certain bosses like Aldrich, Deacons or Oceiros, because they all have pretty high magic resistance. Destroys other bosses like Nameless or Soul of Cinder....
Build is min. STR/DEX to use the weapon of your choice one-handed in your right hand and staff in your left hand. Pure INT build with 60 INT.
Sage Ring +2 is very useful... Crown of Dusk, Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring and Scholar's Candlestick all stack for some insane damage with spells like Crystal Soulspear or Soul Stream.
Main weapon is Moonlight GS, Heysel Pick combined with Farron Flashsword for combos is also very fun to use.

[Singularity's Marauder]

Originally posted by bozohontas:

Fun build, but can be really annoying vs. certain bosses like Aldrich, Deacons or Oceiros, because they all have pretty high magic resistance. Destroys other bosses like Nameless or Soul of Cinder....
Build is min. STR/DEX to use the weapon of your choice one-handed in your right hand and staff in your left hand. Pure INT build with 60 INT.
Sage Ring +2 is very useful... Crown of Dusk, Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring and Scholar's Candlestick all stack for some insane damage with spells like Crystal Soulspear or Soul Stream.
Main weapon is Moonlight GS, Heysel Pick combined with Farron Flashsword for combos is also very fun to use.

Oh you see, I was not actually asking for viable builds or tips on becoming a wizard. I was actual asking about your personal experience as a mage within Dark Souls 3.

[꧁༺tS.KIRIHARU༻꧂]

Not much different from r1 mashing.
You're literally doing the same thing anyway.

[Mytrnz]

Sorcery is awesome PERIOD. Like to trash the dancer LVL 20. U can do it. Raid Lothric castle 4 all the goodies. Beat up on DragonSlayer with great soul arrow. U Bet. But with DS 3, u cannot use it on all Bosses. Crystal Sage NADA. Aldrich NADA. Deacons NADA. Combo on the Big Tree. Nameless, isn't he a CUPCAKE? If u have only used swords, it's a learning curve. For DS and DS2, a sword was not needed. For DS 3, I had to use a sword. I thought I could destroy all the bosses with sorcery, like DS and DS2. WRONG! OK so I had to grovel and learn to use melee weapons or combos on those bosses. Sorcery is still great in DS3.

[sophAur]

I finished the game all the way to gael and midir as a mage with melee sidearm.
I found it to stretch a little in the beginning, as you deal low damage and have low health.
but to the mid-late game, I found it pretty fun. it could be the unique experience since I mixed up melee spells like 'soul greatsword' or 'farron flashsword' instead of spamming soul arrous/spears. I definately recommend you try it. It was overall a fun experience for me.