Unlocking the Arcane Arsenal: Finding the Best Magic Weapon in Dark Souls 3
The world of Dark Souls 3 is brutal, unforgiving, and absolutely captivating. For those choosing to walk the path of a sorcerer, pyromancer, or faith-based warrior, finding the perfect weapon to complement their spellcasting is crucial. The question isn’t just about raw damage, but also about scaling, utility, and how the weapon synergizes with your overall build. So, what is the best magic weapon in Dark Souls 3?
The answer, as is typical in the Souls series, isn’t straightforward. It depends heavily on your build and playstyle. However, for a well-rounded combination of damage, versatility, and accessibility, the Moonlight Greatsword emerges as a top contender. It scales incredibly well with Intelligence, deals pure magic damage, and boasts a unique weapon art that fires powerful moonlight projectiles. While other weapons may excel in specific situations, the Moonlight Greatsword offers a reliable and potent option for a dedicated magic build, making it arguably the best overall choice. However the game truly shines when you choose a build and magic weapon that fits your play style.
Diving Deeper: Top Contenders for Best Magic Weapon
While the Moonlight Greatsword is a strong overall pick, let’s explore other excellent contenders, each with its strengths and weaknesses.
The Crystal Sage’s Rapier
This rapier, obtained by transposing the Crystal Sage’s Soul, isn’t a powerhouse in terms of raw damage. Its true value lies in its ability to boost item discovery. This makes it invaluable for farming rare items and armor sets. Equip it in your off-hand while exploring or farming and switch to your main weapon for combat.
Friede’s Great Scythe
This weapon requires a split stat investment in Dexterity, Intelligence and Strength and is acquired by transposing the Soul of Sister Friede. Its unique weapon art is its biggest strength. The scythe offers a unique blend of physical and frost damage, and its weapon art allows for deceptive movement and powerful attacks. It’s a fantastic choice for those who enjoy a more complex and aggressive playstyle.
Heysel Pick
The Heysel Pick is a unique weapon that functions as both a weapon and a catalyst for casting sorceries. It scales primarily with Intelligence and allows you to cast spells while still wielding a melee weapon. This can be a very effective tactic for surprising opponents in PvP or for maintaining pressure in PvE.
Immolation Tinder
Another weapon/catalyst hybrid, the Immolation Tinder, offers pyromancy capabilities. Its weapon art allows you to unleash powerful fire attacks. While primarily used for pyromancy, it also boasts decent melee damage, making it a versatile option for a pyromancer build.
Greatsword of Judgement
This weapon scales primarily with Intelligence and deals magic damage, making it a good alternative to the Moonlight Greatsword. It’s weapon art unleashes a magical explosion. This is a great option for a magic user who still wants a good weapon that can scale with Intelligence.
FAQs: Mastering Magic Combat in Dark Souls 3
Here are some frequently asked questions about magic weapons and builds in Dark Souls 3 to help you hone your arcane skills:
1. What stats are most important for a magic build in Dark Souls 3?
Intelligence is paramount for sorcerers, increasing spell damage and unlocking higher-level spells. Attunement dictates your FP (Focus Points), essential for casting spells. For faith-based builds, Faith is the primary stat. Depending on your weapon choice, you might also need to invest in Strength or Dexterity to meet weapon requirements. Vitality and Endurance should not be neglected!
2. How do I maximize magic damage in Dark Souls 3?
Equip items like the Bellowing Dragoncrest Ring and Young Dragon Ring to boost sorcery damage. The Magic Clutch Ring also increases magic damage but reduces physical defense, making you more vulnerable. The Dusk Crown is another option, increasing magic damage at the expense of health.
3. What are the best staves for sorcerers in Dark Souls 3?
The Court Sorcerer’s Staff is generally considered the best overall staff for late-game sorceries due to its high Spell Buff at high Intelligence levels. The Izalith Staff is excellent for casting dark sorceries. The Heretic’s Staff is a good early-game option.
4. What are the best spells for a sorcerer build in Dark Souls 3?
Crystal Soul Spear is a powerful single-target damage spell. Homing Crystal Soulmass provides excellent pressure and tracking. Great Soul Arrow is a reliable, cost-effective option. Soul Stream delivers massive damage but requires careful timing. The Games Learning Society has additional resources on spell strategies for educators who incorporate video games into their curriculum.
5. Where can I find powerful sorceries in Dark Souls 3?
Many powerful sorceries are found by progressing through the Grand Archives and defeating bosses like the Crystal Sage and Aldrich, Devourer of Gods. Others are obtained through covenants like the Rosaria’s Fingers or from NPCs like Orbeck of Vinheim.
6. Is pyromancy a viable magic build in Dark Souls 3?
Absolutely! Pyromancy scales with both Intelligence and Faith, offering a versatile build capable of dealing massive fire damage.
7. What are the best pyromancies in Dark Souls 3?
Chaos Bed Vestiges is a devastating area-of-effect pyromancy. Great Chaos Fire Orb is a powerful long-range option. Black Flame deals significant damage and can stagger enemies. Profaned Flame is useful for crowd control.
8. How do I increase pyromancy damage in Dark Souls 3?
Equip the Great Swamp Ring and Witch’s Ring to boost pyromancy damage. The Fire Clutch Ring also increases fire damage but reduces physical defense.
9. What are the best catalysts for pyromancy in Dark Souls 3?
The Pyromancy Flame is the starting catalyst. The Parting Flame, obtained by completing a quest, provides a unique buff on death. The Demon’s Scar is a powerful weapon/catalyst hybrid for pyromancers.
10. Can I combine magic with melee weapons in Dark Souls 3?
Yes! Infusing weapons with Crystal increases their magic damage scaling with Intelligence. You can also use spells like Great Magic Weapon or Crystal Magic Weapon to buff your weapon with magic damage.
11. Are there any shields that are good for magic users in Dark Souls 3?
The Crest Shields offer good magic resistance. The Spirit Tree Crest Shield has a good balance of stats. The Greatshield of Glory offers the best Stability.
12. How does magic scaling work in Dark Souls 3?
Magic scaling is determined by the Spell Buff stat on your staff or catalyst. The higher the Spell Buff, the more damage your spells will do, based on your Intelligence or Faith stat. Each staff and catalyst has different scaling properties.
13. What are some good armor sets for magic users in Dark Souls 3?
The Sage Set is a good early-game option. The Black Set provides excellent magic defense. The Court Sorcerer Set is a stylish and functional choice. Remember to prioritize equipment load to maintain good roll speed.
14. How does the Intelligence stat affect magic damage in Dark Souls 3?
Increasing Intelligence directly increases the Spell Buff of your staves and catalysts, resulting in higher magic damage. Certain spells also require a minimum Intelligence level to cast.
15. What are some tips for PvP combat as a magic user in Dark Souls 3?
Maintain distance and use ranged spells to harass opponents. Utilize Homing Soulmass variants to apply pressure. Mix up your spellcasting to keep opponents guessing. Learn to free aim your spells for unpredictable attacks. Be mindful of your FP and avoid getting caught in melee combat.
Mastering the Arcane Arts
Choosing the best magic weapon in Dark Souls 3 is a personal journey, shaped by your unique playstyle and build preferences. Whether you favor the raw power of the Moonlight Greatsword, the utility of the Crystal Sage’s Rapier, or the versatility of a weapon/catalyst hybrid, understanding the nuances of magic scaling, spell selection, and stat allocation is essential for mastering the arcane arts. Remember that the game is designed to be challenging, and experimentation is key to discovering what works best for you. Embrace the difficulty, explore the diverse world of Dark Souls 3, and forge your own path as a formidable magic wielder. You can explore further insights on game-based learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.