The variety of builds one can make in FromSoftware’s Elden Ring seems to never run out. The player always has the option of focusing on a particular statistic, like dexterity, and building around it, which usually means obtaining appropriate weapons that scale with the statistic, alongside other items.
One of the most overpowered builds, like the notorious Comet Azur build, comes under the category of intelligence statistic. Another form of Intelligence build is the mage build, where the player only makes use of spells cast by their character to defeat the enemies.
However, mage builds are not always fun to go through, and the following are some of the builds you should avoid if you are also planning to make an intelligence-based build in your next run.
Spellsword Mage Build Of Elden Ring
For those who do not know, Mage Builds usually become stronger as the game progresses, and are completely overpowered if the player decides to go for a New Game+. However, to begin with, for the first time, the build is not particularly strong.
What we are talking about is the Spellsword Mage build, which primarily makes use of Glintblade Phallanx Ashes of War applied on the Claymore Sword. It is paired along with the Academy Glintstone Staff, which is one of the first magic staff that can be obtained in the game.
This build can be paired with basic talismans, but bearing in mind how it is an early-game build, it cannot be relied on as you progress through the terrains of The Lands Between.
Battle Mage Build
Battle Mage build is a setup that many players choose to opt for as they progress towards the mid-game. It consists of utilizing the Carian Glintstone Staff as well as the easily obtainable Jellyfish shield, which gives a boost in damage.
The build also makes use of some great spells such as the Carian Slicer, Glintstone Pebble, and other similar spells, but again is not reliable to take into the late game. This forces the player to adapt to a whole another set of equipment as they progress and makes it less reliable as time goes on.
While the above builds might not seem appealing at first, Mage, or Intelligence-based builds as a whole are in a different league once the player gets appropriate weapons and talismans. A perfect example of the same would be the aforementioned Comet Azur build, which has the capability of one-shotting nearly every single boss of Elden Ring.
Elden Ring is available to purchase on Steam.
