Is the Astrologer’s Staff Good in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer? Yes, the Astrologer’s Staff is a very good starting option and remains viable throughout a significant portion of Elden Ring, especially for those committed to a pure magic build. It’s your reliable companion early on, providing the necessary foundation for your sorcery journey. However, its effectiveness does eventually taper off, making it crucial to understand when and why you might want to consider alternative options. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of why the Astrologer’s Staff is a solid choice, its strengths, limitations, and how it compares to other available staffs in the game.

The Astrologer’s Staff: An Early Game Powerhouse

As a starting class, the Astrologer begins with this staff, making it incredibly accessible from the get-go. It is a glintstone staff, meaning it uses Intelligence as its primary scaling stat, a crucial element for magic users. Initially, it offers a modest C scaling with Intelligence. However, upgrading it just once with a Smithing Stone [1] bumps this to B scaling, significantly increasing the damage output of your spells. This early upgrade makes a noticeable difference, allowing you to dispatch enemies more efficiently.

Early Game Advantages:

• Easy Access: You start with it, requiring no tedious searches or fights.
• Simple Upgrades: Early smithing stones are plentiful, making it easy to boost its effectiveness.
• Solid Scaling: A swift jump to B scaling in Intelligence is substantial for the early game.
• Reliable Sorcery Catalyst: It allows you to cast all your acquired sorceries effectively.

These factors combine to make the Astrologer’s Staff a great choice for players who are new to the game or simply want a straightforward magic experience in the beginning. The ability to focus solely on leveling Intelligence and reinforcing the staff to enhance sorcery damage early on is extremely beneficial.

When to Consider Other Options

While the Astrologer’s Staff is a reliable early-game choice, it does have its limitations. As you progress through Elden Ring and face increasingly tougher enemies, you’ll find its scaling eventually becomes less potent than other options. Here’s when you should consider upgrading to different staffs:

• Mid-Game Power Curve: Once you begin accumulating more powerful sorceries and your Intelligence stat reaches higher levels, staffs with S scaling in Intelligence start to become far more appealing.
• Specialized Builds: Some staffs, like the Lusat’s Glintstone Staff and Carian Regal Scepter, offer specialized benefits or higher damage potential when used with specific spell types or higher stat investments.
• Late-Game Optimization: For the endgame, maximizing your damage output will likely require switching to more advanced staffs to optimize your build.

The Astrologer’s Staff vs. The Competition

The Astrologer’s Staff is far from the only option for spellcasting. Let’s compare it to some other prominent staves:

• Meteorite Staff: A popular early-game alternative, the Meteorite Staff boasts high sorcery scaling and boosts gravity sorceries. However, it cannot be upgraded, which means it will eventually fall behind the Astrologer’s Staff after a few upgrades.
• Academy Glintstone Staff: This staff, acquired from Thops’ quest, is a good option for players who don’t want to invest too heavily in Intelligence. It offers a more balanced scaling and is a reliable mid-game alternative.
• Lusat’s Glintstone Staff: This powerful staff offers the highest potential sorcery scaling, making it ideal for high-Intelligence builds. However, it increases FP costs substantially.
• Carian Regal Scepter: Considered the best all-around sorcery catalyst, the Carian Regal Scepter has very high sorcery scaling, reaching S rank at just +9. It also passively buffs full moon sorceries, making it a top late-game choice.
• Prince of Death’s Staff: While it requires heavy investment into both Intelligence and Faith, this staff can boast the absolute highest sorcery scaling if both those stats are pushed to their soft caps.

Conclusion: Is it Worth Upgrading the Astrologer’s Staff?

The answer remains a resounding yes. The Astrologer’s Staff is absolutely worth upgrading in the early stages of Elden Ring. The quick increase in scaling from C to B through minimal smithing stone use provides an initial power boost that is valuable. It allows players to effectively engage in combat while they figure out the game. It’s a beginner-friendly staff that serves its purpose admirably until you’re ready to move on to more advanced, specialized options. Don’t hesitate to use it and upgrade it, but also keep an eye out for alternatives as you progress. Understanding when to switch from the Astrologer’s Staff will be key to optimizing your magic-focused build and taking on the challenges of The Lands Between.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Astrologer’s Staff, addressing common queries and providing more in-depth information for your Elden Ring experience.

1. What kind of scaling does the Astrologer’s Staff have?

The Astrologer's Staff primarily scales with **Intelligence**. Initially, it has a **C scaling**, which improves to **B scaling** after just one upgrade using a **Smithing Stone [1]**.

2. Is the Astrologer’s Staff good for a pure magic build?

Yes, absolutely. The Astrologer's Staff is excellent for **pure magic builds** early in the game. Its ease of access and the rapid improvement in scaling after the first upgrade make it an ideal choice for players who wish to focus heavily on sorceries.

3. Can the Astrologer’s Staff be upgraded?

Yes, the Astrologer's Staff can be upgraded using **Smithing Stones**. It requires regular **Smithing Stones [1]-[8]** and an **Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone** for its final upgrade.

4. How does the Astrologer’s Staff compare to the Meteorite Staff?

The **Meteorite Staff** has higher base sorcery scaling and boosts gravity sorceries, but it **cannot be upgraded**. While it might initially seem more powerful, the upgraded Astrologer's Staff eventually surpasses the Meteorite Staff in damage output.

5. When should I replace the Astrologer’s Staff?

You should consider replacing the Astrologer's Staff when you reach the **mid-game**, typically when your Intelligence stat is quite high and you start acquiring more potent spells. Staffs with **S scaling** in Intelligence like the **Carian Regal Scepter** and **Lusat's Glintstone Staff** will outperform it at that stage.

6. What are the best staffs for a late-game magic build?

The **Carian Regal Scepter** is often considered the best all-around late-game staff, offering **S scaling** in Intelligence. The **Lusat's Glintstone Staff** is also a strong contender for maximum sorcery damage, but it significantly increases your FP costs. Additionally, the **Prince of Death's Staff** is the strongest for those who also invest into faith in addition to intelligence.

7. Is the Carian Regal Scepter better than the Astrologer’s Staff?

Yes, the **Carian Regal Scepter** is significantly better than the Astrologer's Staff in the **late game**. It provides higher scaling, reaching **S rank** in Intelligence when fully upgraded, and has a passive buff to **full moon sorceries**.

8. Can I use Ashes of War on the Astrologer’s Staff?

No, the Astrologer's Staff **cannot be infused** with Ashes of War. Some staves, like the **Carian Regal Scepter** or specific ones that can be infused with the **Spinning Weapon** Ash of War, are capable of this, but the Astrologer's Staff isn't one of them.

9. What is the main stat I should level up as an Astrologer?

The primary stat you should level as an Astrologer is **Intelligence**. This will increase the damage of your spells and improve your sorcery scaling with your staff.

10. Can the Astrologer’s Staff use all sorceries?

Yes, the Astrologer's Staff can be used to cast **all sorceries** available in the game, assuming you meet the stat requirements of the spells themselves.

11. How do I upgrade the Astrologer’s Staff?

You can upgrade the Astrologer's Staff at the **Smithing Table** located at the **Church of Elleh** early in the game, and later at the Roundtable Hold or any other smithing location. The staff needs **Smithing Stones** of varying grades as you increase its level and will eventually need an **Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone** for its final upgrade.

12. Does the Astrologer’s Staff have any hidden effects?

The Astrologer's Staff doesn't have any unique passive effects beyond its standard scaling with Intelligence. It does, however, serve as your **spellcasting catalyst**, the fundamental function of all staves in Elden Ring.

13. What is the best early-game staff besides the Astrologer’s Staff?

The **Meteorite Staff** is a great early-game option. It offers great base sorcery scaling and boosts gravity sorceries, but it cannot be upgraded. Another is the **Demi-Human Queen's Staff**, which is a good choice for beginners as well.

14. What is the strongest staff in Elden Ring overall?

The **Lusat's Glintstone Staff** generally has the highest potential sorcery scaling, but at the cost of increased FP consumption. The **Prince of Death's Staff** can exceed this if both Faith and Intelligence are invested into. The **Carian Regal Scepter** is often regarded as the best overall late-game staff.

15. Can you respec stats to reallocate points into Intelligence for the Astrologer’s Staff?

Yes, you can respec your stats by using a **Larval Tear**. This allows you to redistribute your points, making the Astrologer's Staff an accessible weapon choice at any point in your gameplay journey, not only the early stages.