Top 5 Intelligence Builds in Elden Ring

Jul-05-2025 PST
Today, we're breaking down the top 5 Intelligence builds that have proven themselves not only powerful but fun, flexible, and boss-melting machines post-Shadow of the Erdtree.

 

These aren't your typical meta-copy builds. While all of them rely on Intelligence and Elden Ring Items, they each approach combat differently-from long-range spell slingers and stealthy casters to spellblade hybrids that make every swing count. And yes, summons are a core strategy in many of them-because let's be honest, casting uninterrupted is half the battle.

 

Let's jump into the best magic has to offer in Elden Ring.

 

1. Death Ritual Spear Build-The Glass Cannon Rainstorm

 

If you like casting magical death from the skies and watching bosses collapse before they get close, this one's for you. The Death Ritual Spear shines when using its Spearcall Ritual Ash of War, which drops a volley of magic spears from above. While the spear scales with Dexterity and only has a D in Intelligence, the magic damage output is insane-especially with the right setup.

 

Core Gear:

 Weapon: Death Ritual Spear

 Staff: Carian Regal Scepter (for spellcasting)

 Armor: Full Spellblade Set (boosts Ash of War damage)

 Talismans:

 Shard of Alexander (skill damage)

 Magic Scorpion Charm (magic attack boost)

 Ritual Sword Talisman (+15% when at full HP)

 Dragoncrest Greatshield (defensive buffer)

 

Flask:

 Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear

 Bloodsucking Cracked Tear

 Stats (Level 171, NG+6):

 60 Vigor

 70 Intelligence

 30 Dexterity

 23 Mind / 25 Endurance

 Others balanced for weapon use and spellcasting

 

Playstyle: Stand back, summon something tanky, and let the skies rain spears. When things get close, the spear's heavy R2 still does work. Terra Magica and other buffs push this into one-shot territory on lesser mobs.

 

2. Starscourge Sword Build-Successive Strike DPS

 

Next up is a unique melee-magic hybrid using the Starline Sword and its flashy multi-phase Ash of War, Anza's Line of Stars. While its Intelligence scaling isn't stellar, its multi-hit animation procs successive hit buffs, making this a sleeper pick that slaps.

 

Core Gear:

 Weapon: Starline Sword

 Offhand: Sacred Dagger with Golden Vow

 Armor: Rock Shasa Set (+% damage)

 Talismans:

 Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (boost successive hits)

 Shard of Alexander

 Magic Scorpion Charm

 Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman

 

Flask:

 Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear

 Bloodsucking Cracked Tear

 Buffs:

 Golden Vow

 Flame, Grant Me Strength

 Stats (Level 171, NG+6):

 60 Vigor

 70 Intelligence

 30 Dexterity

 Others optimized for casting and survivability

 

Playstyle: Jump into the fray, fire off the first few hits of Anza's Line, and back off. The last phase of the Ash of War is hard to land, but the first two are incredible for burst combos, especially with your buffs active. Plus, the sword just looks sick.

 

3. Night Comet Build-The Invisible Nuke

 

Few spells in Elden Ring rival Night Comet for sheer efficiency, especially when amplified by double Staff of Loss. This build focuses entirely on that spell, using every possible bonus to invisibility sorceries to hit like a truck from stealth.

 

Core Gear:

 Weapons: Dual Staff of Loss (for 60% total boost to Night Comet)

 Armor: Ranni's Set (aesthetic flex)

 Talismans:

 Graven-Mass and Graven-School (both stack for sorcery boost)

 Magic Scorpion Charm

 Godfrey Icon (boosts charged spells)

 

Flask:

 Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear

 Bloodsucking Cracked Tear

 Summon:

 Touthe the Golden Smith (tank distraction)

 Stats (Level 150, NG+6):

 70 Intelligence

 55 Vigor

 25 Mind / 25 Endurance

 Others spread for minimal weapon usage

 

Playstyle: Sit back, aim, and delete enemies from existence. The spell is invisible, tracks well, and combined with Terra Magica, you can one-shot entire waves. Requires good positioning and summon usage to shine, but once set up-it's destruction incarnate.4. Sword of Night and Flame Build-The Comeback King

 

Once nerfed into oblivion, Shadow of the Erdtree has resurrected the Sword of Night and Flame, and this build brings it back to glory. By combining Ranni's Cameo, Terra Magica, and Intelligence-focused buffs, this stance-based sword becomes a boss killer with flash and function.

 

Core Gear:

 Weapon: Sword of Night and Flame

 Staff: Carian Glintstone Staff (boosts sword sorceries)

 Armor: Full Spellblade Set

 Talismans:

 Ritual Sword Talisman

 Shard of Alexander

 Magic Scorpion Charm

 Ranni's Cameo (boost Ash of War damage)

 

Flask:

 Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear

 Bloodsucking Cracked Tear

 Buffs:

 Terra Magica

 Carian Slicer, Carian Impaler

 Stats (Level 171, NG+6):

 75 Intelligence

 60 Vigor

 24 Faith (to meet requirements)

 Balanced strength/dexterity for weapon use

 

Playstyle: Open with a summon, step into Terra Magica, and enter Night and Flame Stance. Use flame for AoE and light beam for nuking. Rotate to quick sword sorceries when out of FP or under pressure. It's fluid, powerful, and finally viable again.

 

5. Moonveil Katana Build-The Meta Staple

 

No Intelligence list is complete without Moonveil. It's fast, consistent, and the Transient Moonlight Ash of War now benefits massively from Ranni's Cameo and the rest of our Ash-boosting gear. Combine that with a side dagger for Golden Vow and you've got a nimble magic swordsman that melts in style.

 

Core Gear:

 Weapon: Moonveil Katana

 Offhand: Dagger with Golden Vow

 Armor: Rock Shasa Set

 Talismans:

 Ritual Sword Talisman

 Shard of Alexander

 Magic Scorpion Charm

 Ranni's Cameo

 

Flask:

 Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear

 Bloodsucking Cracked Tear

 Buffs:

 Flame, Grant Me Strength

 Golden Vow

 Stats (Level 171, NG+6):

 70 Intelligence

 30 Dexterity

 60 Vigor

 Balanced Mind, Endurance, Faith

 

Playstyle: Hit fast, hit smart. Use light attacks to bait, then burst with light or heavy Transient Moonlight casts depending on spacing. Strong poise damage, solid stagger potential, and absolutely devastating in PvE and PvP alike.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Whether you're into flashy weapon skills, invisible nukes, or sorcery-fueled melee hybrids, these five builds showcase the versatility of Intelligence and make more Elden Ring Runes in Elden Ring.