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Unveiling the Apex: The Best Intelligence Spear in Elden Ring

So, you’re a mage-knight, a spell-slinging spear-wielder, an Intelligence-focused Tarnished looking to pierce your foes with both magic and might? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s cut right to the chase: while the “best” is always subjective and depends on your playstyle, the Ritual Spear Ornament stands out as the most effective spear for an Intelligence build in Elden Ring, especially when considering its overall damage output, unique weapon art, and versatility.

Why the Ritual Spear Ornament Reigns Supreme

The Ritual Spear Ornament isn’t just another pointy stick; it’s a meticulously crafted instrument of magical destruction. Its strengths lie in several key areas:

Excellent Scaling: This spear scales primarily with Intelligence, making it a perfect fit for your mage-knight build. It also has decent scaling with Strength and Dexterity. This means that every point you invest in Intelligence directly translates to increased attack power with the spear.
High Base Damage: Even before upgrades, the Ritual Spear Ornament boasts a solid base damage, providing a reliable foundation for your attacks. This is crucial for those moments when spells are ineffective or you’re conserving FP.
Unique Weapon Skill: Spearcall Ritual: This weapon skill is where the Ritual Spear Ornament truly shines. It calls down a barrage of magical spears from the sky, dealing significant damage to enemies caught in the area of effect. Spearcall Ritual is effective against both single targets and groups of enemies, making it a versatile tool for any situation. It also benefits greatly from increased Intelligence, further boosting its damage.
Versatile Moveset: Spears, in general, offer a safe and reliable moveset. Their reach allows you to keep enemies at a distance, and their thrusting attacks are particularly effective against armored foes. The Ritual Spear Ornament inherits this excellent spear moveset, providing a balanced approach to combat.

Honorable Mentions: Other Intelligence Spears

While the Ritual Spear Ornament takes the crown, other spears deserve a nod for their Intelligence scaling and potential usefulness:

Death Ritual Spear: As the article you provided correctly noted, this spear offers a blend of physical and magical damage. However, its weapon skill isn’t as universally useful as Spearcall Ritual, and its scaling isn’t quite as optimized for pure Intelligence builds.
Clayman’s Harpoon: This spear can be infused with magic or cold affinity, allowing it to scale with Intelligence. While this gives it flexibility, it lacks the innate magical prowess and unique weapon skill of the Ritual Spear Ornament.

Building Around the Ritual Spear Ornament: Stats, Talismans, and More

To truly unleash the potential of the Ritual Spear Ornament, you’ll need to optimize your build around it. Here’s a breakdown of key considerations:

Stats: Prioritizing Intelligence

Intelligence: This is your bread and butter. Aim for at least 60 Intelligence, and consider pushing it to 80 for maximum scaling.
Vigor: Don’t neglect your health! 40 Vigor is a good starting point, and you may want to increase it further depending on your playstyle and comfort level.
Mind: You’ll need FP to cast spells and use Spearcall Ritual, so invest enough points to comfortably manage your FP consumption. 30-40 Mind is a good range.
Strength and Dexterity: Meet the minimum requirements to wield the Ritual Spear Ornament (12 Strength and 18 Dexterity). Any additional investment in these stats will provide minimal returns.
Endurance: Level enough to wear the armor you want and still be at Medium Load.

Talismans: Enhancing Your Power

Ritual Sword Talisman: Boosts attack power when at full HP. Excellent for maximizing damage in encounters where you can avoid taking hits.
Godfrey Icon: Enhances charged weapon skills, making Spearcall Ritual even more devastating when fully charged.
Shard of Alexander: Significantly boosts the damage of weapon skills, further amplifying the power of Spearcall Ritual.
Magic Scorpion Charm: Increases magic attack power but reduces physical damage negation. Use with caution, as it makes you more vulnerable to physical attacks.
Cerulean Amber Medallion: Increases maximum FP, allowing you to cast more spells and use Spearcall Ritual more frequently.

Armor: Fashion and Function

Armor is largely a matter of personal preference, but consider prioritizing pieces that offer a balance of protection and weight, allowing you to maintain medium load for better agility.

Mastering the Art of the Spear

Wielding the Ritual Spear Ornament effectively requires more than just stats and talismans. Here are some tips for mastering its gameplay:

Spacing is Key: Spears excel at maintaining distance. Use your reach to your advantage, keeping enemies at bay while dealing consistent damage.
Charged Spearcall Ritual: Charging Spearcall Ritual significantly increases its damage and area of effect. Learn when to charge it for maximum impact.
Mix Melee and Magic: Don’t rely solely on spells or the spear. Combine both for a versatile and unpredictable attack strategy.
Experiment with Ashes of War: While the Ritual Spear Ornament’s default weapon skill is excellent, you can experiment with other Ashes of War to customize its moveset.

Conclusion: A Spear Fit for a Mage-Knight

The Ritual Spear Ornament is, in my seasoned opinion, the pinnacle of Intelligence-scaling spears in Elden Ring. Its exceptional scaling, potent weapon skill, and versatile moveset make it a formidable weapon in the hands of any aspiring mage-knight. Embrace the spear, master its techniques, and carve your legend into the annals of the Lands Between. And remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Immerse yourself in the lore, experiment with different builds, and discover your own unique playstyle. Perhaps studying the mechanics of this build could lead to new insights that can be applied in fields like game design or even education, which is something that organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explore in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about spears and Intelligence builds in Elden Ring to further refine your understanding:

1. What are the stat requirements for the Ritual Spear Ornament?

The Ritual Spear Ornament requires 12 Strength, 18 Dexterity, and has primarily Intelligence scaling.

2. Where can I find the Ritual Spear Ornament?

You can get it after killing the Regal Ancestor Spirit Boss.

3. Is the Ritual Spear Ornament good for early game?

While you can technically obtain it early, its scaling benefits become more pronounced with higher Intelligence levels, making it more effective in the mid to late game.

4. How do I upgrade the Ritual Spear Ornament?

You upgrade it using Somber Smithing Stones.

5. Can I infuse the Ritual Spear Ornament with Ashes of War?

No, the Ritual Spear Ornament cannot be infused with Ashes of War; it has a fixed weapon skill.

6. What is the range of the spear weapon class in Elden Ring?

Spears generally have excellent range, allowing you to attack from a safe distance.

7. What is the difference between spears and great spears?

Great spears are heavier and have slower attack speeds but deal more damage. Spears are faster and more agile.

8. Are spears viable in PvP?

Yes, spears can be effective in PvP, especially when used with good spacing and timing.

9. What are the best Ashes of War for spears (other than the Ritual Spear Ornament)?

Bloodflame Blade: Adds fire damage and bleed buildup to your attacks.
Ice Spear: Launches a projectile that deals frostbite buildup.
Sacred Blade: Adds holy damage and increases attack power.

10. Does Intelligence affect physical damage with spears?

Not directly. Intelligence primarily affects the magical damage scaling of weapons.

11. What other weapons pair well with the Ritual Spear Ornament?

A strong sorcery staff, like the Carian Regal Scepter, is an excellent complement to the Ritual Spear Ornament.

12. How does the Magic Scorpion Charm affect the Ritual Spear Ornament?

It increases the magic damage output of the spear but reduces your physical damage negation, making you more vulnerable to physical attacks.

13. Is it worth leveling Strength and Dexterity beyond the minimum requirements for the Ritual Spear Ornament?

Generally, no. The scaling in these stats is minimal compared to Intelligence.

14. What are some good sorceries to use with a Ritual Spear Ornament build?

Carian Piercer: A fast-casting spell that deals significant damage.
Loretta’s Greatbow: A long-range spell for sniping enemies.
Terra Magica: Increases magic damage within a designated area.
Ranni’s Dark Moon: Deals magic damage and applies frostbite buildup.

15. Where can I learn more about game design principles used in Elden Ring?

Websites and organizations dedicated to game studies, such as the Games Learning Society, offer valuable insights into the design and impact of games like Elden Ring. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org.

What is the best spear for Intelligence in Elden Ring?