Does Intelligence Increase Damage in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive

Yes, Intelligence (INT) directly increases damage in Elden Ring, primarily in two key areas: Sorceries and weapons with Intelligence scaling. The higher your Intelligence stat, the more potent your Sorceries become, and the more damage you’ll deal with weapons that scale with Intelligence. This makes Intelligence a crucial attribute for players aiming to build powerful mage characters or hybrid builds that blend magic and melee combat.

Understanding Intelligence Scaling

Sorceries

Intelligence is the primary attribute that governs the effectiveness of Sorceries. When you cast a Sorcery, the damage it deals is influenced by your Intelligence stat and the scaling of your equipped staff or catalyst. Staves have an Intelligence scaling grade, typically represented by letters (S, A, B, C, D, E), where S represents the best scaling and E the worst. A staff with better Intelligence scaling will significantly amplify the damage output of your Sorceries as your Intelligence stat increases. Therefore, investing in Intelligence is paramount for maximizing your magical potential.

Weapons

Many weapons in Elden Ring feature Intelligence scaling, indicated by a similar scaling grade next to the Intelligence stat in the weapon’s description. These weapons deal additional damage based on your Intelligence stat. The higher your Intelligence, the more bonus damage you will inflict. Weapons with Intelligence scaling are often designed to synergize with Sorceries, allowing you to weave spells and melee attacks seamlessly.

Intelligence Builds and Synergies

Pure Sorcery Builds

For a pure Sorcery build, Intelligence is your bread and butter. Maximizing your Intelligence allows you to wield the most powerful spells, obliterate enemies from afar, and overcome challenging encounters with ease. Pairing high Intelligence with items that boost Sorcery damage, such as the Magic Scorpion Charm and the Cerulean Amber Medallion, creates a formidable force.

Intelligence/Dexterity Hybrid Builds

Intelligence/Dexterity (DEX) hybrid builds are among the strongest and most versatile in Elden Ring. They combine the raw magical power of Intelligence with the speed and finesse of Dexterity. These builds use weapons like the Moonveil Katana or the Wing of Astel, which scale with both Intelligence and Dexterity. This synergy allows for dynamic combat, where you can switch between powerful Sorceries and swift melee attacks. These weapons benefit from an investment into both stats, boosting both the physical and magical damage output.

Intelligence/Strength Hybrid Builds

Intelligence/Strength (STR) hybrid builds offer a more unconventional, yet equally viable playstyle. These builds often utilize weapons like the Dark Moon Greatsword or the Ruins Greatsword, which scale with both Intelligence and Strength. The combination of Strength and Intelligence offers a unique blend of physical might and magical prowess. These builds may not be as fast as Dexterity-based hybrids, but they make up for it with sheer damage output and the ability to stagger enemies effectively.

What to Consider When Leveling Intelligence

While Intelligence is crucial for Sorcery-focused builds, it’s essential to consider diminishing returns. The damage increase you get from each additional point in Intelligence starts to decrease after a certain threshold. Generally, it’s advisable to stop leveling Intelligence around 60-80, as the benefits become less pronounced beyond this point. It’s crucial to balance your stats with other attributes, such as Vigor for health and Mind for FP (Focus Points), to create a well-rounded character.

Best Weapons and Sorceries for Intelligence Builds

Weapons

• Moonveil: A Katana scaling with Intelligence and Dexterity. Its weapon skill, Transient Moonlight, is both powerful and versatile.
• Wing of Astel: A Curved Sword that scales with Intelligence and Dexterity. Its Nebula weapon skill unleashes a powerful AoE attack.
• Dark Moon Greatsword: A Greatsword scaling with Intelligence, Strength, and Dexterity. It imbues itself with frost magic, dealing significant magic damage.
• Ruins Greatsword: A Greatsword scaling with Intelligence and Strength. Its Wave of Destruction skill creates a gravity-based shockwave.
• Death’s Poker: A Greatsword scaling with Intelligence and Dexterity. Its Ghostflame Ignition skill creates a burst of ghostflame, dealing fire and frost damage.

Sorceries

• Comet Azur: A devastating beam of pure magical energy.
• Ranni’s Dark Moon: A unique moon spell that deals significant magic damage and inflicts frostbite.
• Stars of Ruin: A barrage of homing projectiles that track and damage enemies.
• Loretta’s Greatbow: Fires a large magical arrow, dealing high damage from a distance.
• Terra Magica: Creates an area of effect that boosts magic damage for the caster.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Intelligence increase weapon damage in Elden Ring?

Yes, Intelligence directly increases weapon damage for weapons with Intelligence scaling. The higher your Intelligence stat, the more bonus damage you’ll deal with these weapons.

2. What is the best stat for Sorceries in Elden Ring?

The best stat for Sorceries in Elden Ring is Intelligence. It directly increases the damage dealt by your spells and allows you to wield more powerful staves and catalysts.

3. Is Faith or Intelligence better in Elden Ring?

Neither Faith nor Intelligence is inherently “better.” Faith is associated with Incantations, which often provide healing, buffs, and elemental attacks. Intelligence is for Sorceries, which focus on direct damage and control. The “best” choice depends on your preferred playstyle.

4. What is the highest Intelligence stat needed in Elden Ring?

While there isn’t a strict “highest” Intelligence stat, it’s generally recommended to stop leveling Intelligence around 60-80, due to diminishing returns.

5. What increases spell damage in Elden Ring?

Several factors increase spell damage:

• Intelligence: The primary stat for Sorcery damage.
• Staff/Catalyst Scaling: Staves with higher Intelligence scaling amplify spell damage.
• Talismans: The Magic Scorpion Charm and Radagon Icon boost Sorcery damage and casting speed.
• Armor: Items like Snow Witch Hat boost Cold Sorceries.
• Flask of Wondrous Physick: Tears like the Cerulean Hidden Tear allow for temporary zero FP cost magic.

6. Does Faith increase fire damage in Elden Ring?

Yes, if you’re using Flame Art infusions on your weapons or using Incantations that deal fire damage, the higher your Faith stat, the more fire damage you inflict. However, If infused as Fire, the primary scaling will be with Strength with minor Dex scaling

7. What does Arcane do in Elden Ring?

Arcane primarily governs item discovery, influencing the drop rate of items from enemies. It also affects certain Sorceries and Incantations, as well as resistance to Holy damage and the Death Blight status effect.

8. Is it worth leveling Intelligence past 60 in Elden Ring?

Generally, no. The returns on Intelligence diminish significantly after 60, making it more efficient to invest in other stats like Vigor or Mind.

9. What are some good early-game Intelligence weapons?

• Meteorite Staff: Found in Caelid, this staff has excellent early-game scaling for gravity Sorceries.
• Rock Sling: A powerful gravity spell found near the Meteorite Staff.
• Demi-Human Queen’s Staff: A decent early-game staff available from defeating the Demi-Human Queen boss.

10. What is the best spell boost in Elden Ring?

Terra Magica is arguably one of the best self-buff spell boosts as it provides a significant increase to magic damage.

11. Do weapon arts scale with Intelligence?

Yes, weapon arts on weapons that scale with Intelligence also benefit from the Intelligence stat. This makes weapon arts like Transient Moonlight on the Moonveil Katana incredibly powerful for Intelligence builds.

12. What is a good starting class for an Intelligence build?

The Astrologer is generally considered the best starting class for an Intelligence build, as it starts with high Intelligence and Mind stats.

13. What is better: Incantations or Sorceries?

Neither is strictly “better.” Sorceries excel in raw damage and range, while Incantations offer more utility through healing, buffs, and diverse elemental damage. The best choice depends on your preferred playstyle.

14. What stat upgrades spell damage in Elden Ring?

Intelligence primarily upgrades Sorcery damage, while Faith primarily upgrades Incantation damage.

15. What determines damage in Elden Ring?

Damage is determined by a complex interaction of factors, including:

• Your character’s stats (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, Arcane)
• Weapon scaling
• Weapon upgrades
• Enemy defenses and resistances
• Talismans and buffs
• Abnormal status effects

Elden Ring offers a deep and rewarding combat system with a multitude of ways to customize your character. Understanding how Intelligence affects damage is crucial for crafting a powerful and effective mage build. Remember to balance your stats, experiment with different weapons and Sorceries, and tailor your build to your preferred playstyle.

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