But when the going gets tough even Gandalf was known for busting a skull with his staff. In fact, weapons are just as important to a spellcasting build as the spells themselves! As they’re instant, require no FP, and often deal just as much damage. So which weapon should you be supercharging with some intelligence scaling?
5. Lucerne
Kicking off with my personal favorite. The lucerne is a very ‘love it or hate it’ weapon, as it requires precise spacing and well-placed swings. However, in return it deals huge damage, has great range, synergies with the leo ring beautifully, and still hits A-scaling when crystal infused! But the best bit? Many opponents will be scared to get too close thanks to its high-damage combos, giving you plenty of room for spells! How to get: Looted from a corpse near the dancers boss room on the high wall of Lothric.
4. Falchion
The falchion is a classic intelligence choice, thanks to the enchanted falchion found back in DS1. And it’s still a great option – sporting a simple moveset of fast swings and a multi-hit weapon skill to really rack the magic damage on. It’s also a dex weapon, which is an important stat to boost for spellcasters if you want to increase cast times! To top it off, it’s a heavy curved sword, so it thankfully doesn’t have that annoying backflip attack instead of a kick. That move sucks. How to get: Dropped by falchion-wielding skeletons in the catacombs of Carthus.
3. Winged Spear
The winged spear is another classic choice, perfect for keeping foes at arm’s reach so your frail book-smart body doesn’t get chopped to pieces. It hits that beautiful S-scaling in intelligence upon infusion, and deals nice chunks of fast, needling damage to opponents that get too close! It’s a nice and simple weapon that’ll afford you lots of free space to get some casts going. Though maybe don’t use the weapon skill ‘charge’ unless you want to go flying into your enemies like a lunatic. How to get: Sold by Patches.
2. Dark Sword
When using a spell-heavy build, I find simplicity is king. And straight swords are perfect for just that. You press R1 and you hit things. No higher brain function needed. Which is great, as you’ll need all that brain power to think up what spell combo to use next! The dark sword is the epitome of this playstyle. Give it a crystal infusion, press attack, and free your mind. But be sure to marvel a little bit at its nice base damage, long range, and A-scaling in intelligence, so it doesn’t feel underappreciated. How to get: Dropped by Darkwraiths in Farron keep.
1. Lothric Knight Sword
No awards for guessing this one. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times – it’s not a top X weapons list without the LKS. If its simplicity you’re after, look no further, as the LKS is a long-range spam machine. With a brain-dead moveset, early-game availability, high range, and increased crit damage, it’s hard to justify using anything else. Oh, and the S-scaling in intelligence too, of course. Honestly, the biggest weakness of this weapon if you’ll probably use it too much, and not bother with the spells! How to get: Dropped by Lothric knights wielding it.
