What Counts as Glintstone Sorcery in Elden Ring?

Glintstone Sorceries in Elden Ring are spells that draw power from the Glintstone found throughout the Lands Between. They are typically characterized by their blue, crystal-like appearance and their connection to the Academy of Raya Lucaria and its intellectual traditions. Generally, if a spell requires a staff to cast and scales primarily with Intelligence, it is likely a Glintstone Sorcery. But to be 100% sure, the spell description will always explicitly state that it is a Glintstone Sorcery.

Understanding Glintstone Sorceries: The Core Mechanics

The Importance of Intelligence and Staves

The defining characteristic of Glintstone Sorceries is their dependence on the Intelligence stat. The higher your Intelligence, the more effective these spells become, dealing more damage and sometimes having enhanced effects. You need a staff to cast them, unlike Incantations that use Sacred Seals. Each staff has its own scaling values (Sorcery Scaling) for Intelligence, indicated by a letter grade (S, A, B, C, D, E). A staff with better scaling will improve the damage of your Sorceries.

Key Spells and Categories

Glintstone Sorceries encompass a wide range of spells, including:

• Offensive Spells: Projectiles like Glintstone Pebble, Glintstone Stars, Swift Glintstone Shard, and the more powerful Comet Azur.
• Defensive Spells: Scholar’s Shield to buff your shields.
• Utility Spells: Terra Magicus to boost magic damage in an area, and Night Comet which is difficult for enemies to dodge.
• Specialized Spells: These often have unique effects or requirements, such as Loretta’s Greatbow or Ranni’s Dark Moon.

Determining if a Spell is a Glintstone Sorcery

Checking the Spell Description

The spell description is your definitive source. It will explicitly state whether the spell is a Glintstone Sorcery or not. This is the most reliable method for identification. Even if a spell uses a staff and scales with Intelligence, if it doesn’t state it’s a Glintstone Sorcery, it isn’t.

Staff Requirement and Scaling

Glintstone Sorceries invariably require a staff to cast. They also scale primarily with the Intelligence stat. However, this is not enough to confirm a spell as a Glintstone Sorcery, but it is a very strong indicator.

Visual Cues

While not always definitive, many Glintstone Sorceries have a distinctive blue, crystal-like appearance. This is a visual indicator of their connection to the Glintstone. But, there are exceptions, so rely on the spell description first.

Example: Carian Sorceries

Carian Sorceries use Glintstone and scale with Intelligence, but rather than being projectiles or buffs they are more like melee attacks using magical swords.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ 1: Does Faith affect Glintstone Sorceries?

No, Faith does not affect Glintstone Sorceries. Glintstone Sorceries scale primarily with Intelligence. If you’re building a sorcery-focused character, prioritize leveling Intelligence.

FAQ 2: What is the best starting class for a Glintstone Sorcery build?

The Astrologer is generally considered the best starting class for a Glintstone Sorcery build due to its high starting Intelligence and Mind stats. The Prisoner is also a good option due to its balanced starting stats.

FAQ 3: Can I use Glintstone Sorceries with Incantations?

Yes, you can combine Glintstone Sorceries with Incantations, but it requires splitting your stats between Intelligence and Faith. This is a viable strategy, but it’s generally more effective to focus on one type of magic for better scaling.

FAQ 4: What are some essential early-game Glintstone Sorceries?

Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc are excellent early-game Glintstone Sorceries, easy to obtain and relatively cheap to cast, making them ideal for exploring and fighting weaker enemies.

FAQ 5: How do I increase the damage of my Glintstone Sorceries?

Increase your Intelligence stat, upgrade your staff, and equip talismans that boost magic damage. Also, consider using spells like Terra Magicus to increase damage in a specific area.

FAQ 6: Are there any Glintstone Sorceries that don’t deal magic damage?

While most Glintstone Sorceries deal magic damage, the primary type of damage dealt always scales with Intelligence.

FAQ 7: Can I use Glintstone Sorceries while mounted?

Yes, you can use Glintstone Sorceries while mounted on Torrent. This can be very useful for traversing the open world and engaging enemies from a distance.

FAQ 8: What are some of the best late-game Glintstone Sorceries?

Comet Azur, Ranni’s Dark Moon, and Stars of Ruin are among the best late-game Glintstone Sorceries, offering immense damage output and unique effects.

FAQ 9: How do I find new Glintstone Sorceries?

Explore the world, particularly areas associated with the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Many Glintstone Sorceries are found as loot, purchased from merchants, or obtained by completing quests.

FAQ 10: What’s the difference between Glintstone Sorceries and Carian Sorceries?

Glintstone Sorceries primarily consist of projectiles and buffs, while Carian Sorceries use magical swords and melee attacks. Both types scale with Intelligence and require a staff. Carian Sorceries are often about mixing Melee and Magic.

FAQ 11: Do any talismans specifically boost Glintstone Sorcery damage?

Yes, the Magic Scorpion Charm talisman boosts magic damage, including Glintstone Sorcery damage, but it also increases the physical damage you take. The Radagon Icon speeds up spell casting.

FAQ 12: What does the “Sorcery Scaling” stat on a staff mean?

The Sorcery Scaling stat on a staff determines how much your Intelligence stat affects the damage and effectiveness of your Glintstone Sorceries. The higher the Sorcery Scaling, the better.

FAQ 13: Can I dual-wield staves to boost Glintstone Sorcery effectiveness?

Dual-wielding staves does not directly boost the effectiveness of Glintstone Sorceries. However, some staves have passive effects that can be beneficial, and having multiple staves can allow you to quickly switch between spells and playstyles.

FAQ 14: Are there any enemies particularly resistant to Glintstone Sorceries?

Yes, some enemies, particularly those with high magic resistance or those that are resistant to magic damage, are less vulnerable to Glintstone Sorceries. In these cases, consider using other types of damage or spells.

FAQ 15: How do I respec my character to better suit a Glintstone Sorcery build?

You can respec your character using a Larval Tear after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon. This allows you to reallocate your stats and optimize them for a Glintstone Sorcery build.