Unleashing the Speed: Understanding Cast Speed in Elden Ring

The pursuit of power in Elden Ring often leads players to optimize their character builds, and one crucial element of magic-focused builds is cast speed. The faster you can unleash your sorceries and incantations, the more effectively you can dominate your foes. So, what is the fastest cast speed in Elden Ring, and how do you achieve it?

The absolute fastest cast speed in Elden Ring is achieved when your character hits the 70 Dexterity (DEX) cap. However, reaching that cap isn’t solely reliant on attribute points. The game incorporates “virtual DEX,” allowing players to boost their casting speed without directly investing heavily into Dexterity. By strategically combining the right equipment, you can reach the 70 DEX cap and unleash spells at their maximum speed. This is accomplished using the Azur’s Glintstone Staff, which adds +40 to your virtual dexterity when held in the offhand, and the Radagon Icon talisman, which adds another +30 to your virtual DEX. This allows you to reach the 70 dex cap with 0 actual dexterity skill points invested into DEX.

Understanding the Mechanics of Cast Speed

How Dexterity Affects Casting

Dexterity is the core attribute associated with casting speed in Elden Ring. Every point invested in dexterity slightly speeds up your sorceries and incantations. However, the gains diminish significantly as you approach higher levels. This mechanic encourages players to consider a balanced approach rather than solely focusing on DEX.

It’s crucial to note that Dexterity only impacts spellcasting. While a high Dexterity stat also influences things like fall damage reduction and stability on horseback, its effect on combat is solely limited to the speed at which you cast spells.

Virtual Dexterity: The Key to Faster Casting

As highlighted, the game provides ways to achieve maximum cast speed without investing heavily into Dexterity. Virtual DEX is the system that uses equipment to boost your effective Dexterity for casting speed purposes. Two key items are essential:

• Azur’s Glintstone Staff: When held in the offhand, this staff grants a remarkable +40 virtual DEX to your character. This is a crucial piece of equipment for reaching the cast speed cap.

• Radagon Icon Talisman: This talisman adds an additional +30 virtual DEX, further boosting your cast speed. This item is extremely beneficial for achieving the fastest cast times possible.

By equipping both the Azur’s Glintstone Staff and the Radagon Icon, you can effectively gain +70 virtual Dexterity, meaning that you can get maximum cast speed without spending any attribute points at all on the Dex stat. This enables you to allocate those points into other important stats like intelligence, faith, mind, or vigor, improving the overall effectiveness of your build.

Why is Fast Casting so Important?

Fast casting isn’t just a minor upgrade; it drastically impacts the viability of a magic-focused build. Faster casting means:

• More DPS: Unleashing spells quicker allows you to deal significantly more damage per second, especially with damage-over-time spells or those with long cast times.

• Improved Safety: Faster casting means shorter windows of vulnerability, allowing you to react more quickly to enemy attacks and reposition more efficiently during combat.

• Greater Flexibility: With quicker casting times, you can more easily weave spells into your combat routine, allowing you to react more readily to the combat situation at hand and more effectively implement more complex strategies during a fight.

Dexterity Diminishing Returns

While Dexterity impacts casting speed, it’s important to understand that there are diminishing returns. While every point of DEX adds speed at the beginning, the amount of added speed will lessen as the number of DEX points increases. Investing heavily past 50 dex will bring minimal value. Most players find more benefit investing in other stats and relying on virtual DEX provided by the Azur’s Glintstone Staff and Radagon Icon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions that players have regarding cast speed in Elden Ring:

1. Is Dexterity the only way to increase cast speed in Elden Ring?

No. While Dexterity is the core attribute, you can drastically improve your cast speed using virtual DEX provided by specific equipment items like the Azur’s Glintstone Staff and the Radagon Icon talisman. These items allow you to effectively reach the cap without direct DEX investment.

2. Does dexterity make you swing your melee weapons faster?

No, Dexterity does not increase the swing speed of melee weapons in Elden Ring. Its sole influence in combat is to decrease the cast time of sorceries and incantations. The speed at which you swing your weapons is determined by weapon type, and cannot be altered by stat investment.

3. What is the exact cast speed cap in Elden Ring?

The cast speed cap in Elden Ring is equivalent to having 70 Dexterity. Anything above 70 offers no further casting speed benefits.

4. How much faster does Dexterity make casting?

Each point in Dexterity slightly increases casting speed, but the gains are not linear, showing diminishing returns. Approximately 36 DEX is required to shorten a cast by 1/10th of a second. You’ll see much larger changes in speed by equipping virtual dexterity items.

5. Is the Astrologer the best class for magic in Elden Ring?

The Astrologer is indeed a great starting class for a magic-focused build thanks to its high Intelligence and Dexterity. However, other classes can effectively utilize magic with the right build and equipment.

6. Which is the best sacred seal in Elden Ring?

The Erdtree Seal is often regarded as one of the best sacred seals due to its outstanding Faith scaling and can reach S-level Faith scaling at +5.

7. Does upgrading my seal make my incantations stronger?

Yes, upgrading your sacred seal will increase its incantation scaling, resulting in stronger and more effective incantations. However, seals can also offer unique benefits, so consider more than just the scaling value.

8. Does Dex increase casting speed in Dark Souls 3?

Yes, Dexterity does increase casting speed in Dark Souls 3. The cap for casting speed in that game is at 45 dex.

9. How do I roll faster in Elden Ring?

Rolling speed is dictated by equipment load. Ensure your equipment load is below 30% for the fastest roll. Reducing armor weight or increasing Endurance can help achieve this.

10. What is “virtual DEX” in Elden Ring?

Virtual DEX refers to the game mechanic that allows equipment to boost the effective Dexterity of your character for the sole purpose of spellcasting speed. The Azur’s Glintstone Staff and Radagon Icon talisman provide virtual DEX.

11. Can a Vagabond use magic effectively?

While the Vagabond is not the most magic-oriented starting class, it can utilize magic with the right build. However, the class starts with the lowest Arcane stat in the game, which may make utilizing some magic harder.

12. Is Quick Cast better than Normal Cast?

Quick Cast prioritizes speed, while Normal Cast prioritizes spell accuracy. The “best” option depends on the player’s playstyle and preference. Many spells track quite well, so a quick cast speed is often the most beneficial.

13. What are the highest stat requirements for weapons and spells?

The highest stat requirements for weapons and spells are: 54 Strength, 48 Dexterity, 70 Intelligence, 50 Faith, and 24 Arcane.

14. Do incantation buffs scale with the seal you use?

No, the Finger Seal does not provide any special incantation buff improvements. It is a great early-game seal, but some seals in the game can increase the damage or effectiveness of your incantations.

15. Is it worth going over 70 Dex?

No. Going over 70 Dex provides no further benefit for spell cast speed. If you’re using spells, you should prioritize other stats, unless you also use dex-based melee weapons.