How is magic weapon in DS3?

[Surfacing]

I'm doing a magic playthrough and from the looks of it I can't depend on spells alone. I was thinking of crystal infusing estoc as a main weapon and using spells as a back up. Unless there are better magic weapons...but I prefer to keep the requirements low.

[JACK DÆMEN]

Spells are used for support roles. Or if your timing is great, solo.

[Fall]

Split damage is pretty bad in this game. I'd recomend going with a raw enchant and buffing (estoc or scimitar are good choices). Alternatively MLGS is pretty good (~575AR at base stats and 60int) and doesn't need too much investment if you really want a magic weapon. Other notable choices would include a crystal dark sword (S int scaling) and astoras greatsword.

[ManWithoutADollar]

Crystal sage rapier is a good intelligence weapon, you can crystal infuse the dark sword, uchigatana, murakumo, cathedral knight greatsword, washing pole, zweihander are a few that I found with pretty good intelligence scaling without sacrificing much damage compared to no infusions.

How far are you in the game? I would recommend saving your titanite scales for the crystal sage rapier, as that gives a good start for a intelligence weapon arsenal, that is until you get the coal to do crystal infusions.

[Surfacing]

Im just starting now...just trying to plan a few things out before I start. I might go ahead and a do raw longsword or estoc until I can get a darksword. Just out of curiousity...I've read that spells are not efficient because some mobs are so fast. How are they vs bosses?

[ManWithoutADollar]

Originally posted by Lentil:

Im just starting now...just trying to plan a few things out before I start. I might go ahead and a do raw longsword or estoc until I can get a darksword. Just out of curiousity...I've read that spells are not efficient because some mobs are so fast. How are they vs bosses?

Depends, I think since a lot of the bosses are quicker, it requires a bit more knowledge about timing and all that, especially since if you use mostly spells, you have to take some healing estus away for the mana estus. Late game, the spells become pretty useful and powerful, but that's been true for the series for a while.

[Surfacing]

Originally posted by TonyTonyMordeJohn:

Originally posted by Lentil:

Im just starting now...just trying to plan a few things out before I start. I might go ahead and a do raw longsword or estoc until I can get a darksword. Just out of curiousity...I've read that spells are not efficient because some mobs are so fast. How are they vs bosses?

Depends, I think since a lot of the bosses are quicker, it requires a bit more knowledge about timing and all that, especially since if you use mostly spells, you have to take some healing estus away for the mana estus. Late game, the spells become pretty useful and powerful, but that's been true for the series for a while.

Hm...thanks. Got any suggestions on an early game staff I can upgrade?

[!?!]

Originally posted by Lentil:

Im just starting now...just trying to plan a few things out before I start. I might go ahead and a do raw longsword or estoc until I can get a darksword. Just out of curiousity...I've read that spells are not efficient because some mobs are so fast. How are they vs bosses?

Just buff your raw weapon with whatever best flavor of magic weapon you got and go to town.
Spell damage is basically 1 melee swing which will remain that way until much later on so for the most part, it's only worthwhile for the utility of having a ranged attack and making that your primary attack is a bad idea.

[ManWithoutADollar]

Originally posted by Lentil:

Originally posted by TonyTonyMordeJohn:

Depends, I think since a lot of the bosses are quicker, it requires a bit more knowledge about timing and all that, especially since if you use mostly spells, you have to take some healing estus away for the mana estus. Late game, the spells become pretty useful and powerful, but that's been true for the series for a while.

Hm...thanks. Got any suggestions on an early game staff I can upgrade?

Heretics Staff is a good start, besides your starting staff, since you find it on the road of sacrifices (the third area)

[Surfacing]

I suppose it isn't even worth the mats to upgrade one until I get court's staff?

[ManWithoutADollar]

Originally posted by Lentil:

I suppose it isn't even worth the mats to upgrade one until I get court's staff?

Courts staff is found in profaned capitol, which is waaaaaay farther in the game, past a ton of bosses.

[Fall]

Originally posted by TonyTonyMordeJohn:

Originally posted by Lentil:

I suppose it isn't even worth the mats to upgrade one until I get court's staff?

Courts staff is found in profaned capitol, which is waaaaaay farther in the game, past a ton of bosses.

You can rush it pretty easily after Wolnir which isn't too far into the game. If you want to follow the standard game progression it will be a bit later though.

[ImHelping]

I know it's not "Magic" weapon, but the pyromancy fire buff is low requirements and lasts about 90 seconds (and also wrecks the face of enemies who get stunned by fire). It's admitedly in the Catacombs, but it's early into the catacombs. I grabbed it, then remembered I never beat the Cathedral and turned around.

PS: having a flamberge lit on fire will not make leeches drop off you. You still need to pull out your torch for that (or cast the miracle status cure).

EDIT: Also, even the tiny 10 faith Heal Aid can be handy to have along if you are not using your spell slots or FP for anything else. Especially later on, when health bar grows. "Hmm, do I want to use an entire Estus flask for 1/4 of my health bar? Or cast heal aid one or two times fot 150-170 HP per cast?"

I admit I'm not very casting centric on my current guy. But I'm still sporting 14 Attune and a spell slot ring for Heal/Pyro/Utility. Fire orbs are cheaper and more effective than fire bombs at killing slimes, even with 15/10 Faith/INT.