Elden Ring Spellsword Build Guide

In the expansive world of Elden Ring, sorcery builds are often associated with devastating projectile attacks designed to obliterate enemies from a safe distance. However, if you prefer the thrill of close-quarters combat while wielding powerful magic, the Spellsword build might be your ideal choice. Combining melee prowess with potent sorceries, this build leverages Intelligence scaling to create a unique and deadly playstyle.

Spellsword builds capitalize on the game's Carian sorcery, which provides a wide variety of spellblade abilities. These spells turn magic into melee weapons, giving you the flexibility to seamlessly switch between casting and striking. Beyond the Carian arsenal, powerful sorceries such as the Gavel of Haima and Adula's Moonblade can also bolster your toolkit. Below, we'll explore the key components of an optimal Spellsword build.

Top Spells for Spellsword Builds

When crafting your Spellsword build, selecting the right sorceries is crucial. These spells enable you to excel in melee combat while maintaining versatility:

    Carian Slicer

    This staple spell conjures a magic blade capable of dealing high damage at low FP cost. It's perfect for sustained melee engagements and pairs well with quick attacks.

    Carian Greatsword

    Summon an enormous sword of magic energy to sweep through multiple enemies. This spell is excellent for crowd control and mid-range engagements.

    Gavel of Haima

    A massive, hammer-like magical construct that delivers devastating strikes. It's perfect for staggering enemies or dealing with heavily armored foes.

    Adula's Moonblade

    This powerful sorcery creates a frosty sword that launches a cold-infused projectile. Not only does it deal impressive damage, but the Frostbite effect can significantly hinder tougher opponents.

    Glintblade Phalanx

    Summon multiple magical blades that hover before launching at your target. This sorcery allows you to pressure enemies while setting up melee strikes.

Essential Weapons for Spellsword Builds

Your choice of weapon is pivotal to your Spellsword build, as you'll need one that scales with Intelligence and complements your melee sorceries. Here are some standout options:

    Carian Knight's Sword

    This weapon is practically made for Spellsword builds. It comes with the Carian Grandeur skill, which enhances your melee capabilities with a magical greatsword.

    Moonveil Katana

    Renowned for its Intelligence scaling, the Moonveil Katana offers fast attacks and the devastating Transient Moonlight skill. Its blend of melee and ranged capability is ideal for Spellswords.

    Dark Moon Greatsword

    A legendary weapon for Intelligence builds, this greatsword charges up with magic to release powerful ranged attacks, making it a fantastic hybrid option.

    Wing of Astel

    This unique curved sword fires magical projectiles after heavy attacks, allowing you to stay versatile in combat.

Recommended Talismans

Talismans provide significant boosts to your Spellsword build by enhancing specific stats or effects. Here are the best options:

    Radagon Icon

    This talisman reduces the casting time of your spells, enabling you to quickly cast critical sorceries during melee engagements.

    Magic Scorpion Charm

    Increases your magic damage, amplifying the power of both your melee attacks and sorceries.

    Carian Filigreed Crest

    Reduces FP consumption of skills, allowing you to sustain your offense without frequent rest.

    Graven-Mass Talisman

    Boosts the potency of sorceries, ensuring your magic-infused strikes hit harder.

Optimal Stats for a Spellsword Build

When leveling up, prioritize these attributes for an efficient Spellsword build:

    Intelligence

    The cornerstone of your build, Intelligence boosts the power of your sorceries and the damage of weapons that scale with this stat.

    Mind

    Invest in Mind to increase your FP pool, ensuring you have enough resources for sustained combat.

    Dexterity

    Helps with casting speed when paired with certain weapons and improves melee effectiveness.

    Vigor

    Essential for survivability, as melee combat often puts you at greater risk.

Tips for Success with a Spellsword Build

    Mix Melee and Magic Strategically

    Engage enemies with melee sorceries like Carian Slicer, then follow up with ranged spells or weapon skills for maximum damage.

    Manage FP Wisely

    Your FP pool is critical for maintaining offense. Balance your spell usage with melee strikes to conserve resources.

    Adapt to Enemy Weaknesses

    Experiment with Frostbite, stagger effects, and raw magic damage to find the most effective approach against different foes.

    Stay Mobile

    A Spellsword thrives on agility. Utilize quick dodges and spacing to outmaneuver enemies during combat.

Conclusion

The Spellsword build in Elden Ring offers a thrilling combination of melee and magic, allowing players to dominate in close combat without sacrificing the power of sorcery. By harnessing the best Elden Ring Items, weapons, and Elden Ring Runes, you can create a build that excels in both damage output and versatility. Whether you're slicing through foes with a magical blade or staggering them with spells, the Spellsword is a rewarding playstyle that showcases the depth of Elden Ring's mechanics.