"Useful" Offensive Spells

[Gawain]

Now before we get into the 'every spell has its use' tangent, know that I already know that.

What I'm looking at is more of advice for what most casters bring to the table as their learned spells.

I'm still low on the totem pole with my magic user (34 INT, so 5 spell slots).

Right now its taken up by: Warding, Soul Arrow, Fire Throwing, and Poison Cloud.

I have learned currently:
All the stupid soul ones, Firestorm, Light Weapon.

I have not done 3-1/2 yet, but those are on my list because I realize I desperately need Soul Light, and wouldn't mind Moving Soul Arrow.

But casters, what do you typically bring to the table?

And whats more important, INT or Magic? I'm usually of the school of thought being able to cast a spell 3-4 times decently is better than once at amazing power.

[DH321]

I bring soul arrow, flame toss and homing soul arrow

[LxLgn]

Warding is nice but by NG+ you will want second chance instead because warding only last about 40 secs which really cuts into its usefulness.

Finish 3-1, free Freke and get Soul Ray it's much better than soul arrow.

Poison cloud is nice but it will ineffective on Garl Vinland (he has high poison resist and is resistant to magic in general).

Cloak, I know most ppl don't use it but it stack with the Thief's Ring and with both on at the same time you can pretty much walk right up to any enemy if you don't have an aura effect on.

homing soul arrow is good but requires the yellow demon soul and soul thirst is needed for farming.

Get Death Cloud for NPC black phantoms.

Get your int to 40 for 6 magic slots after that focus on your magic (to at least 40 imo), and other stats until you satisfied or feel you just want more mp.

Typically what I take almost every time is firestorm, soul ray, poison cloud or death cloud (if fighting black phantoms).

[obie191970]

I would suggest to stop putting points into Int - You should have at 30 IMO, pump Magic and Faith then decide whether you need the extra slot or not. I'm a magic based character in NG++ with 30 in Int and 65 in Magic and Faith and absolutely own enemies. I have found that the 5 slots are enough for me right now as I know the levels and what works for what - I have yet to feel like I'm missing something. When I max Magic and Faith, I'll throw the extra 10 in there for the luxury of the other slot.

My base is Soul Ray and Homing Soul Arrow, and then whatever depending on the level. Once you get used to the mechanics of Homing, it is incredibly powerful and you will one hit most enemies - I one hit the Penetrator last night in Hyper in NG++ - That was very satisfying to say the least. But Soul Ray is my spam as it does the trick and it isn't so taxing on your MP.

Am I the only one who would take Second Chance over Warding any day of the week? I thought Warding was the #### until I got Second Chance and I haven't touched it since. Not only that, taking SC over Warding allows those two slots to have an offensive spell instead and you have Second Chance and either Anti Magic or God's Wrath on the Faith side - Or evacuate for farming.

And if you are a magic user, go offline and get world 2 to PBWT so you can go kill Scirvir - The Talisman of Beasts is your friend.....

[Gawain]

I hadn't really planned on much Miracle work, but I can drag Faith up to 18 that way I can use the Blueblood Sword as well.

I'll do 3-x sometime soon, probably tonight.

[obie191970]

I hadn't really planned on much Miracle work, but I can drag Faith up to 18 that way I can use the Blueblood Sword as well.

I'll do 3-x sometime soon, probably tonight.

If you have no plans on Faith, then go with the Insanity Catalyst instead - Everything written above is merely a suggestion and it is what works for me - It may not fit into what you have planned for your build.

That being said, there are some extremely useful spells on the Faith side which I use quite often. It's a trade off between Insanity and Beasts - Yes, you get more damage from Insanity, but if you use Faith often, it's a pain to keep switching between Talisman and Catalyst.

[Gawain]

Well I wanted the blueblood anyway, as well. I need something to use light weapon on, and a lot of items just don't work.

I need to get some more crescent or moon items.

[Nyx]

Oh fireball, my heart does race
as you smack right into the face
of that blasted giant goblin who
so many times turned my face to goo.

on firestorm some may swear,
not giving fireball any care,
and others they may find it odd
that I did not purchase wrath of god...

but fireball, you shine so bright
as you hurl across the swampy night
to make burning goblins dance and scream
dear fireball, of you I dream.

[RunBeagleRun]

^that's pretty good^ =D

[Nyx]

^that's pretty good^ =D

I think I've been playing too much :)

Just got to 5-2 on my first game... the first time I killed one of those giant club wielding gobbos in the swamp was one of the highest points of the game for me so far... even more so than most of the boss kills up to this point. I just hate that swamp so much, and I hate those giant goblins.. the first one I ran into in 3-1, I -almost- killed him only to die so many times it was ridiculous.

[blls]

I use the Talisman of Beasts with the spells Soul Ray, Warding, Poison Cloud, and Death Cloud. I use miracles Rage of god and Evacuate. Soul Ray is incredibly useful for everything.

[Dominions]

Having been on the recieving end, Homing Soul Arrows is pretty good for PvP. At short ranges it's hard to get your roll off to dodge the first arrow and you're going to get pegged by the rest for sure after that.

I've seen players killed right through each and every one of the big defense spells... Warding, Anti-Magic, and Second Chance. If you plan on using a magical defense, why not have both Warding and Anti-Magic and cast one or the other quickly based on first impressions from your invader? You can throw someone off their game early and have them on the ropes from there on if they can see clearly that their first choice of attack isn't going to work.

[jedbeetle]

You know, i had left my fire spells at home for awhile, but, in pvp, a good fire spell will make silver shield users pretty sad. Even just firespray - peppering a pc with this spell as they approach can be pretty effective.
I carry soul ray always. Death cloud a lot of the time. Warding too, though I'm thinking of learning to cope without it, even though it's so nice. When there's an npc black phantom, or some particularly rough monsters on a level, i might bring along firestorm or soulsucker and a thief's ring.

[Hahalo]

Was wondering, whats the damage range for Fire Ball on PVP, with Monk Hat+insanity at stat point 30 Magic?

[sophie-ann]

Fireball with monks hat, love it.

[jedbeetle]

Oh man the fire-based spells are clutch for PvP. I one-shotted a silver shield using black phantom with a fireball for over 1000 damage.
I killed a Black Phantom with 2 shots of my firespray.
Frickin' 2.
Granted, I'm about level 132 and my magic stat is 72.
Not to mention kris blade +5, insanity catalyst, magical sharpness, and monk's hat.

[MisoSowee]

Oh man the fire-based spells are clutch for PvP. I one-shotted a silver shield using black phantom with a fireball for over 1000 damage.
I killed a Black Phantom with 2 shots of my firespray.
Frickin' 2.
Granted, I'm about level 132 and my magic stat is 72.
Not to mention kris blade +5, insanity catalyst, magical sharpness, and monk's hat.

Love that set-up.
All you need is firespray and then soul ray in the off chance that the other is using a purple flame shield.

[Nr_eZ]

useful for PvE or PvP? that all depends on your build as well. the real question is,does adding stats to MAGIC really increase dmg to spells? it look like it does,it says Magic Power x -> y,but i cant confirm for sure. anyone w/a guide? im leaning towards yes because thats how it usually is. then again,DS isnt diablo...so.....thats my only concern right now. (before i bust out my BP)

edit: before anyone tries to be a smarty pants,i only ask this question that seems pretty obvious,just to be SURE. my main doesnt cast at all since im usually smacking ppl w/1-2 hits before they turn to pixie dust. my other build is a straight PVP/BP. i had to learn/explore the game/items with my main first. now,w/the info i've been building the BP,but since hes still in his young stages,i'm also still tryna' learn MORE.