Playing a mage is a popular choice in From Software’s new game, whether it’s for its relative simplicity, the fun of using beautiful spells, or having a laugh with a build that kills bosses in one hit, but before all that, obviously some doubts arise.
Elden Ring is incredibly rich in many areas, and the weapons available to spell casters are also plentiful. It can be quite difficult to choose what to use blindly. It can also be pretty hard to find your dream weapon directly. We will go over some tips and all of the best mage staffs to guide you on the adventure of becoming the best wizard in the Midlands.
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Best initial choice: Meteorite Staff
At least things are simple, as long as you don’t reach insane Intelligence levels and, more importantly, as long as you can’t afford to greatly upgrade your other staff, the undisputed king at the start of the game is the Meteor Staff.
The first is that it directly has an intelligence-based spell power bonus of rank S. This means that with a good Intelligence score on your character, your power will increase both with this staff as soon as you get it, and with the best high-level staff in the game when they are almost maxed out. Note in passing that the meteorite staff cannot be upgraded in the forge. You will eventually change it, but for the time being, it will do the trick.
A second reason to choose this weapon is that it also reinforces one of the best low-level spells in the game, as it is a gravitational spell. We’re talking about the one that lifts 3 stones off the ground, which are then thrown at the enemy. It’s a spell that will knock down bosses, especially those who try to dodge your spells, as there is a small delay between casting it and throwing stones. It is also excellent against pseudo-JvsJ AI. As an added benefit, it greatly destabilizes enemies and bosses, who are then vulnerable to a critical hit, which is always good. This spell is in a chest in a basement in Caelid. Thereafter, this weapon is still viable at a high level if you decide to use other gravitational spells such as meteorites.
Finally, this staff can be found very quickly when you know where to look. It can be picked up in Caelid without killing enemies. It can be equipped with only 18 Intelligence.
More damage: Lusat’s Glintstone staff
This weapon is the exact opposite of the meteoric staff, but very high-level mages will prefer it, especially for the “One shot” build. It can be obtained by lighting the braziers on top of Sellia’s towers in Caelid and then defeating the boss behind the large sealed door: the duo Priest of Nox and Swordsman of Nox.
It takes 52 intelligence to wield this staff, and it requires quite a few upgrades to get its spell bonus to S, so it is not cost-effective until it reaches a high level. It is one of the highest damage staffs in this area, although there are some slightly above it. What makes the difference is that it has a special power.
All damage from Refulgent spells increases, but its mana cost also increases by 50%. In terms of efficiency, it is not optimal, but if you use the Vial of Salvation with the tear that cancels the costs in CP for 10 seconds, then the Azure Comet spell is boosted to the maximum, not to mention the other bonuses and spells that go along with it, it is possible to kill certain bosses in a few moments. However, note that this does not work well with bosses like Malenia, who will dodge the lightning.
Casting spells faster: Azure Staff
Sometimes the most important thing is not to do as much damage as possible, but to be able to cast more in the same amount of time. If that’s what you prefer, then this staff is for you. It requires 52 Intelligence as well and can be found in the Raya Lucaria Academy. You have to defeat the first boss, the Radagon Wolf, then traverse the ceilings to reach the top floor of the Cuckoo Church. At the end of an adjacent corridor protected by an enemy with a 3-shot crossbow, you will find a room full of crystals and a ball with giant faces, as well as the prized staff. Of course, once upgraded, this staff also has an S-rank affinity in intelligence and a large spellcasting bonus.
Exact details are hard to gauge, but this staff seems to grant the equivalent of +40 Dexterity to increase casting speed. It is supposed to increase the CP cost of spells, but its power does not seem to do so.
High level effectiveness: Carian’s Glintstone staff
You can find this weapon at the top of the watchtower southeast of Liurnia, not far from the area where the summons and soldiers fight. A wizard will cast spells at you from the top of this tower. As you need 22 intelligence to wield it, it is available early in the adventure.
Once this weapon is sufficiently upgraded, the spellcasting bonuses are similar to those of other high-level staffs, but what makes the difference is Caria’s 15% spell bonus for Magic Blades. In short, all flying magic blades.
For magic swordsmen: Carian’s shard cane
The principle is the same as for the previous staff, its high-level stats are similar to the competition. However, it is easier to find a special theme for this staff, as it will improve most melee spells by 15%. It is by far the best weapon if you want to play a magic swordsman build.
You can find it in a melee upstairs in the Study Hall of Caria, the tower east of Liurnia. You will have to go over the preceptor Miranda to get it. You will also need 24 Intelligence to use it.
There are other interesting staffs if you absolutely want to use certain spells, or certain schools of spells that are a little less “conventional”, such as the Royal Scepter of Caria, to cast moons like Rennala. Or the Prince of Death’s Staff, if you have a very high-level Intelligence/Faith hybrid build. Don’t feel obligated to use one of the above sticks if it doesn’t suit your build or the way you play.
After this guide, you will be sure to know which of the best mage staffs you should start playing with! Which one did you choose? Tell us in the comments!
