Summary
FromSoftware’s acclaimedSoulsseries is well-known for its wealth of possible character builds, and a mainstay of the series has always been the spell-slinging wizard. Based on the Intelligence stat, these wielders of devastating ethereal power have often been powerful to the point of broken - one need only look at theDark Bead spellfrom the originalDark Soulsor the infamous “pushed” Talisman of Beasts setup inDemon’s Soulsto confirm this.
EvenElden Ring’s base game includes spells likeComet Azurthat candrain a boss' health barin seconds with the right combination of stats, gear, and prep. Well, adherents of the glintstone arts and seekers of the Primeval Current continue to eat well in theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC, which features a lot of interesting new spells to study. That said, some of thenew Sorceries inShadow of the Erdtreeare arguably better than others.
6Miriam’s Vanishing
Disappear And Teleport Away To Fool The Enemy
For the mischievous magician who values classic misdirection,Miriam’s Vanishingis sure to pique any conjurer’s interest. Part of the Carian school of sorceries, casting this on oneself causes the Tarnished to disappear briefly in a haze of glintstone and materialize a short distance away, determined by the direction they’re facing. It’s a useful trick for certain situations that any mage can keep in their back pocket.
It’s fairly similar to both theAsh of War: Raptor of the Mistsand theUnseen Formspells from the base game, with the added benefit of a short-range teleport. It’s great for throwing an enemy off and potentially has some very interesting applications in PVP. Miriam’s Vanishing requires 26 Intelligence to cast and can bepurchased from Count Ymirat the Cathedral of Manus Metyr.
5Mantle Of Thorns
Invoke Spectral Thorns To Add Damage To Dodge Rolls
If the two thorn-based spells from the base game felt a little lackluster, then theMantle of ThornsSorcery is something of a redemption arc for the Aberrant school of magic. It covers the Tarnished in a thick coating of twisted thorns that adds damage to their dodge rolls and causes the bleed status effect to build up on enemies. It’s basically a pocket version of theBriar Setset that Intelligence builds can pull out for an extra attack that’s surprisingly good at staggering opponents.
Inventive players can even use this Sorcery with the Briar set along with an altered dodge like Bloodhound Step or theAsh of War: Lightning Ramfor a very different type of build. And since it’s classed as a unique buff, players are able to stack it with spells likeGolden Vowfor even more damage. Mantle of Thorns requires 20 Faith to cast, costs 50 HP to cast, and lasts for 30 seconds. It drops from aLesser Ulcerated Spiritnear a large tree in the Shadow Keep.
4Glintblade Trio
Conjures Three Magic Spears To Strike Enemies
A must for any aspiring Carian knight on errantry across the Land of Shadow,Glintblade Trioconjuresthree ethereal spearsabove the caster’s head that wait to strike any who dare approach. This spell works similarly to existing Sorceries from the base game, includingMagic GlintbladeandGlintblade Phalanx- this is a great upgrade for magical swordsman builds.
This spell requires 28 Intelligence to use, which should be well within reach of magic and melee hybrid builds. Players can squeeze even more damage out of it by using theMagic Scorpion Charmand theGraven-Mass Talisman, and those lacking the required Faith can use theAsh of War: Golden Vowinstead of the Incantation. It can be found by looting it from a corpse inside Castle Ensis by climbing to the roof of the chapel and dropping off a ledge on the north side.
3Rellana’s Twin Moons
Incarnate Two Magical Moons That Decimate Foes
The fight against the Twin Moon Knight to obtain this spell is worth the effort alone. Rellana, sister to the Carian Queen of the Full Moon Rennala from the base game,poses a daunting challengefor even the hardiest of Tarnished. Upon her defeat, players can trade her Remembrance forRellana’s Twin Moons, which fires two magical moons to strike the enemy.
It’s the superior version of her sibling’s similar spell, but it also requires a staggering 72 Intelligence and two free memory slots to cast. That means only dedicated mage builds stand a chance of wielding it. The other downside is that players will miss out on Rellana’s Twin Blades unless they duplicate her Remembrance at a Wandering Mausoleum.
2Blades Of Stone
Summons Sword-Shaped Shards Of Rock Around The Caster
There are plenty of references to Radahn inShadow of the Erdtreefor various reasons, but among them is the expansion of Gravity Sorceries, specificallyBlades of Stone. This spell manipulates the ground to pull shards of sword-shaped rock upwards in an area around the caster, dealing physical damage and staggering opponents.
It’s a handy way for magic-based builds to deal with crowds and stop themselves getting overwhelmed. The Tarnished needs 28 Intelligence to cast this spell, and it can be charged to increase its damage and radius. To get it, players will need to defeat Commander Gaius to obtain theRemembrance of the Wild Boar Riderandtrade it with Eniaat Roundtable Hold.
1Mass Of Putrescence
Spews A Rancid Mass That Rains Down Ghostflame
As hybrid Intelligence and Faith spells, Death Sorceries have always inhabited a strange niche inElden Ring. They can be very effective with the right build, but they need pure dedication. Adding to the arsenal of the undead,Mass of Putrescenceflings a mass of rancid coffin juice forward that rains down Ghostflame on the area, dealing magic damage and building up the frostbite status effect - much likeExplosive Ghostflamefrom the base game.
Mages who wield both Sorceries and Incantations together will require 28 Intelligence and 22 Faith to cast this spell, and it’s a great opener to quickly proc frostbite for increased damage until the status wears off. It can also be paired with theSword of Night and Flameor Rellana’s Twin Blades for an effective hybrid build that can continuously cause and reset frostbite for massive damage. Mass of Putrescence can be found in the Stone Coffin Fissure northeast of the Fissure Waypoint Site of Grace.
