Mastering the Arcane Arts: How to Use Sorcery in Elden Ring

Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed open-world RPG, offers players a vast array of combat options. Among these, sorcery stands out as a potent and versatile choice for those seeking to vanquish foes with arcane power. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to use sorcery in Elden Ring, covering everything from selecting the right spells and staffs to optimizing your character build for maximum magical efficacy.

Understanding Sorcery in Elden Ring

Sorcery in Elden Ring is a type of magic that relies on Intelligence and Faith stats. Unlike Incantations, which scale primarily with Faith, sorceries draw their power from Intelligence. To effectively wield sorceries, you’ll need a staff, which acts as a catalyst for casting spells. Different staffs offer varying levels of Spell Scaling and can enhance specific types of sorceries. Therefore, learning how to use sorcery in Elden Ring starts with understanding the basics of spellcasting.

Key Stats for Sorcery Builds

Intelligence: The primary stat for sorcery builds. It determines the damage output of your spells and is required to wield most staffs.
Mind: Governs your FP (Focus Points), which are consumed when casting spells. A larger FP pool allows you to cast more spells before needing to replenish.
Vigor: Increases your HP (Hit Points). Essential for survivability, especially in close-quarters combat.
Endurance: Affects your Stamina and Equip Load. Higher Endurance allows you to wear heavier armor without being encumbered.
Faith: Some sorceries require a small amount of Faith, and some staffs scale with both Intelligence and Faith.
Arcane: Affects item discovery and some sorceries scale with Arcane.

Acquiring Sorceries

Sorceries can be acquired in several ways in Elden Ring:

Purchasing from NPCs: Several NPCs throughout the game sell sorceries. Notable vendors include Sorceress Sellen at the Waypoint Ruins and Miriel, Pastor of Vows, at the Church of Vows.
Finding Sorceries as Loot: Some sorceries are found as loot in chests or dropped by enemies.
Completing Quests: Certain quests reward players with sorceries upon completion.
Offering Prayerbooks: Some NPCs will learn new sorceries if you give them prayerbooks found throughout the world.

Selecting the Right Staff

Choosing the right staff is crucial for optimizing your sorcery build. Here are a few notable staffs and their strengths:

Astrologer’s Staff: A good starting staff with decent Spell Scaling.
Demi-Human Queen’s Staff: Offers higher Spell Scaling than the Astrologer’s Staff but requires more Intelligence.
Carian Royal Scepter: An excellent mid-game staff that boosts Carian Sword Sorceries. Requires 60 Intelligence.
Lusat’s Glintstone Staff: Provides the highest Spell Scaling but consumes more FP per cast.
Azur’s Glintstone Staff: Reduces casting time but increases FP consumption.

Consider your playstyle and stat distribution when selecting a staff. For instance, if you prefer spamming spells, a staff with lower FP consumption might be more suitable. If you prioritize raw damage, a staff with high Spell Scaling is the better choice. Learning how to use sorcery in Elden Ring also involves understanding the nuances of each staff.

Essential Sorceries for Every Build

While the best sorceries depend on your playstyle and build, some spells are universally useful:

Glintstone Pebble: A basic but effective spell that deals consistent damage at low FP cost.
Glintstone Arc: Fires a wide arc of magic, useful for clearing groups of enemies.
Rock Sling: Deals physical damage, making it effective against enemies resistant to magic.
Swift Glintstone Shard: A faster version of Glintstone Pebble, ideal for quick attacks.
Carian Slicer: A melee sorcery that deals high damage at close range.
Terra Magica: Creates a zone that boosts magic damage.
Comet Azur: A powerful beam of magic that deals massive damage but consumes a lot of FP.

Optimizing Your Sorcery Build

To maximize the effectiveness of your sorcery build, consider the following tips:

Talismans

Radagon Icon: Reduces casting time.
Cerulean Amber Medallion: Increases maximum FP.
Graven-School Talisman: Increases sorcery damage.
Graven-Mass Talisman: Further increases sorcery damage.
Magic Scorpion Charm: Increases magic attack power but reduces physical damage negation.

Armor

Armor choice is less critical for sorcery builds than for melee builds, but consider armor that provides decent protection without hindering your movement. The Raya Lucarian Sorcerer Set is a solid choice for its magical bonuses.

Flask Allocation

Allocate your Flasks of Crimson Tears (HP) and Flasks of Cerulean Tears (FP) according to your needs. Sorcery builds typically require more FP flasks to sustain spellcasting.

Stats Allocation

Prioritize Intelligence, Mind, and Vigor. Aim for at least 60 Intelligence for high-level sorceries. Allocate enough Mind to have a comfortable FP pool and sufficient Vigor to survive enemy attacks. Adding some points into Endurance can help with equip load.

Advanced Sorcery Techniques

Beyond the basics, mastering how to use sorcery in Elden Ring involves understanding advanced techniques such as:

Charged Spells

Some sorceries can be charged by holding down the cast button, increasing their damage and range.

Spell Chaining

Quickly casting multiple spells in succession can create a devastating combo. Experiment with different spell combinations to find what works best for you.

Strategic Positioning

Positioning is crucial for sorcery builds. Maintain distance from enemies to avoid taking damage and maximize your spellcasting range.

Exploiting Enemy Weaknesses

Different enemies have different elemental resistances. Use sorceries that exploit their weaknesses for maximum damage output. For example, use fire sorceries against plant-based enemies and ice sorceries against heavily armored foes.

Specific Sorcery Builds

Here are a few example sorcery builds to inspire your character creation:

The Pure Mage

Focus: Maximizing Intelligence and Mind for raw damage output and FP pool.
Key Sorceries: Comet Azur, Loretta’s Greatbow, Ranni’s Dark Moon.
Staff: Lusat’s Glintstone Staff or Azur’s Glintstone Staff.
Talismans: Graven-Mass Talisman, Magic Scorpion Charm, Radagon Icon.

The Carian Knight

Focus: Blending melee combat with sorcery.
Key Sorceries: Carian Slicer, Carian Piercer, Adula’s Moonblade.
Staff: Carian Royal Scepter or Academy Glintstone Staff.
Talismans: Carian Filigreed Crest, Radagon Icon, Green Turtle Talisman.

The Rock Sling Specialist

Focus: Utilizing Rock Sling for physical damage and staggering enemies.
Key Sorceries: Rock Sling, Gravity Well, Collapsing Stars.
Staff: Meteorite Staff (early game), later switch to a staff with better scaling that you can upgrade.
Talismans: Marika’s Soreseal, Radagon’s Soreseal, Cerulean Amber Medallion.

Troubleshooting Common Sorcery Issues

Even with a well-optimized build, you might encounter challenges when using sorcery. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Low Damage Output: Ensure your staff has high Spell Scaling and that you are meeting the Intelligence requirements for your spells.
Running Out of FP: Increase your Mind stat and use Flasks of Cerulean Tears to replenish FP. The Cerulean Amber Medallion can also help.
Slow Casting Speed: Use the Radagon Icon talisman or Azur’s Glintstone Staff to reduce casting time.
Enemies Closing the Distance: Use spells like Glintstone Arc or Swift Glintstone Shard to keep enemies at bay. Consider using summons to draw aggro.

Conclusion

Mastering how to use sorcery in Elden Ring requires a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics, stats, and spells. By carefully selecting your staff, optimizing your build, and practicing advanced techniques, you can become a formidable sorcerer capable of vanquishing even the toughest foes. Experiment with different spells and builds to find what works best for your playstyle, and don’t be afraid to respec your character if needed. With dedication and practice, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master of the arcane arts in the Lands Between.

So, embrace the power of sorcery, Tarnished, and may your spells always find their mark! Remember to explore the vast world of Elden Ring, discover new sorceries, and refine your build to suit your needs. Good luck, and have fun!

[See also: Elden Ring Best Sorceries]
[See also: Elden Ring Intelligence Build Guide]
[See also: Elden Ring Faith Build Guide]