Intelligence and Faith Weapons in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

The quest for the perfect weapon in Elden Ring often leads players down diverse paths, experimenting with different builds and stat combinations. For those seeking a hybrid approach, the combination of Intelligence (Int) and Faith (Fai) can unlock unique and powerful options. While pure Int or Faith builds are common, blending the two opens up access to a distinct set of weapons and spells.

The most prominent and often cited weapon that inherently scales with both Intelligence and Faith in Elden Ring is the Sword of Night and Flame. This legendary armament, found in Caria Manor within the Liurnia of the Lakes region, was initially considered incredibly powerful, capable of decimating bosses with its unique Ash of War. Although it has been somewhat nerfed since its initial release, it still remains a viable and interesting option for hybrid builds, particularly for players who enjoy its unique weapon skills.

However, the exploration doesn’t stop there. While the Sword of Night and Flame is the most direct answer, several other weapons can effectively utilize both stats through infusions and specific builds. This involves selecting weapons that can be infused with Ashes of War to alter their scaling, or using specific seals (catalysts for incantations) that benefit from both Intelligence and Faith.

Diving Deeper: Weapons, Staves, and Seals

To truly understand the landscape of Intelligence/Faith builds in Elden Ring, it’s crucial to differentiate between weapons, staves (for sorceries), and seals (for incantations).

• Weapons: These are your primary tools for melee combat. The Sword of Night and Flame is the prime example of a weapon scaling with both stats inherently. Other weapons can achieve this through infusion, allowing you to tailor their scaling to your specific build.

• Staves: These are used to cast sorceries, which primarily scale with Intelligence. However, the Prince of Death’s Staff stands out as the premier staff that scales significantly with both Intelligence and Faith, making it ideal for casting death sorceries.

• Seals: These are used to cast incantations, which primarily scale with Faith. The Golden Order Seal is the notable seal scaling significantly with both Intelligence and Faith. This means that your incantation damage will be affected by both stats, allowing for a wider range of viable incantations.

The Power of Infusion

The Ash of War system allows players to imbue weapons with different affinities, altering their stat scaling. While no single Ash of War directly makes a weapon scale equally with both Intelligence and Faith, certain affinities, combined with innate scaling, can be optimized for hybrid builds. For example, a weapon with naturally high base damage can be infused with the Sacred Affinity or Magic Affinity and further boosted with buffs like Golden Vow. This allows for a build where both Intelligence and Faith contribute to overall damage output, even if the scaling isn’t perfectly even.

Creating a Powerful Hybrid Build

Building a successful Intelligence/Faith character in Elden Ring requires careful planning and resource allocation. Here are some key considerations:

• Stats: Aim for a balanced investment in both Intelligence and Faith. While the optimal ratio depends on your chosen weapons and spells, a 50/50 split or slightly favoring one stat can work well. Don’t neglect Vigor, Mind, and Endurance; these stats are crucial for survivability and resource management.
• Weapons: Experiment with different weapons that can be infused with Ashes of War. The Clayman’s Harpoon and Erdsteel Dagger, mentioned in the original text, are decent options because of their ability to be infused.
• Spells: Focus on sorceries and incantations that complement each other. Death sorceries, boosted by the Prince of Death’s Staff, are a natural fit. Consider incantations that provide buffs, healing, or ranged attacks.
• Talismans: Equip talismans that boost your casting speed, damage output, or survivability. The Radagon Icon (faster casting) and Two Fingers Heirloom (increased Faith) are excellent choices.
• Armor: Choose armor that provides a balance between protection and weight. Consider pieces that boost your Faith stat, such as the Ruler’s Set, or enhance your magic damage.

Embracing Versatility

Ultimately, the strength of an Intelligence/Faith build lies in its versatility. You can switch between melee combat, ranged sorceries, and powerful incantations, adapting to any situation. While pure builds may offer higher damage output in specific areas, the hybrid approach provides a unique and rewarding gameplay experience, offering a diverse skillset that can overcome any challenge Elden Ring throws your way. It also allows for a deeper understanding of game mechanics, in accordance with the Games Learning Society principles, as players are forced to engage with multiple systems. Further exploration into mechanics and systems can be made at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Sword of Night and Flame still good?

Yes, but it’s not as overpowered as it was at launch. While it received a nerf, it still offers a unique moveset and damage output that can be effective for hybrid builds, especially early to mid-game.

2. What is the best staff for Intelligence and Faith?

The Prince of Death’s Staff is universally considered the best staff for Intelligence and Faith builds, especially if you plan on using death sorceries.

3. What is the best seal for Intelligence and Faith?

The Golden Order Seal is the best seal to use since it scales the best with both Intelligence and Faith, boosting incantation scaling based on both stats.

4. Are there any other weapons that inherently scale with both Intelligence and Faith besides the Sword of Night and Flame?

No, the Sword of Night and Flame is the only weapon in the base game that inherently scales with both Intelligence and Faith. However, many weapons can be infused to work well with a hybrid build.

5. How much Intelligence and Faith should I aim for?

A 50/50 split is a good starting point, but you can adjust based on your preferred weapons and spells. Some players prefer to focus on one stat slightly more than the other.

6. What are some good early-game weapons for an Intelligence/Faith build?

The Meteorite Staff (for sorceries, though it doesn’t scale with Faith) and the Winged Scythe (requires 24 faith) can be obtained relatively early and provide a good foundation. Also, consider weapons that can be infused with Ashes of War to tailor their scaling later on.

7. What are Death Sorceries?

Death Sorceries are a unique type of sorcery that often deal significant damage and can inflict the Death Blight status effect. They are boosted by the Prince of Death’s Staff.

8. What is the best armor for an Intelligence/Faith build?

There is no single “best” armor set. Choose armor that provides a balance of protection and weight. Consider pieces that boost your Faith stat, such as the Ruler’s Set, or that offer resistance to magic damage.

9. How do Ashes of War affect weapon scaling?

Ashes of War allow you to change a weapon’s affinity, which alters its stat scaling. This can be used to optimize weapons for an Intelligence/Faith build, even if they don’t initially scale with both stats.

10. What are some good incantations for an Intelligence/Faith build?

Consider incantations that provide buffs (e.g., Golden Vow), healing (e.g., Heal), and ranged attacks (e.g., Lightning Spear). Experiment to find what works best for your playstyle.

11. Is an Intelligence/Faith build viable for endgame content?

Yes, but it requires careful planning and optimization. A well-built Intelligence/Faith character can handle any challenge in Elden Ring, including bosses and difficult areas.

12. What Talismans should I use for an Intelligence/Faith build?

Good choices include the Radagon Icon (faster casting speed), the Two Fingers Heirloom (increased Faith), the Graven-Mass Talisman (increased sorcery damage), and talismans that boost survivability.

13. How does the Golden Order Seal work?

The Golden Order Seal scales with both Intelligence and Faith, making it ideal for casting incantations that benefit from both stats. The higher your Intelligence and Faith, the better the scaling and damage output.

14. Does leveling Faith make Incantations stronger?

Yes, leveling faith will increase your incantation scaling on Faith-based seals, thereby, making the incantations themselves stronger.

15. Is there a way to respec my stats in Elden Ring?

Yes, you can respec your stats by using a Larval Tear at Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, in the Academy of Raya Lucaria. This allows you to reallocate your stats and experiment with different builds.