Elden Ring has many classes to pick your perfect match from. These classes can be played like any other action game where you just buff up the basic stats and follow along, or you can take into consideration the classes’ specific purpose and build on top of that to deliver that extra oomph! This article will guide you to a Prisoner build we are calling the Warrior Mage. If you are confused with what build guide to go with in Elden Ring, we have a complete ranked tier list for the best builds.
This advanced class will have both melee and spell casting capabilities and is perfect for people who don’t want to be bounded by any particular role. So get ready for the build of your dreams. For a more in-depth look at the foundational class of this build check out our Prisoner class guide.
Prisoner / Astrologer Class Guide: Warrior Mage
This build can benefit from both Astrologer and Prisoner, basically, any class that favors the Intelligence stat and is inclined towards magic not incantations. The Prisoner Class is preferred as the starting stats, Dexterity and Intelligence, and equipment is much more complimentary to this build, rather than Astrologer’s Intelligence focus stats.
The Prisoner’s starting weapon is Estoc, which scales off of Dexterity, though you can switch up weapon choice if you find something to your liking, a Dex weapon is advised. This class also comes equipped with a magic staff, Glintstone Staff and a relatively powerful starting spell, Magic Glintblade, that acts like a homing missile. The spells will change as we progress through the world.
Related: How to Respec in Elden Ring? (Detailed Guide)
Spell Choice
To start things off you must first get acquainted with more types of spells to earn that Warrior “Mage” title. As soon as you are roaming about exploring the world and have completed the starting bunch of activities, make your way to the Waypoint Ruin location and inside a cellar, there will be a boss, take him down to proceed. After the boss, you will open a door and behind it will be Sorceress Sellen, she is your spell merchant.
She will have many basic spells at the start and you can grow her collection early on too by getting the Royal House Scroll from a nearby location just south of the waypoint ruins, marked in the picture below. Give this items to Sellen to expand her inventory.
The spell that you should buy from her are, these spells can be later mixed and matched but early on this is a good combination:
- Glintstone Pebble
- Scholar’s Armament
- Carian Slicer
With just two spell memorization slots you would have to pick from these three. Glintstone Pebble along with one of the other two is fine at the start. A quick way of getting another slot is by getting the Memory Stone in Oridys’s Rise, marked in the picture below.
Also while you are in the general location there will be a cave to the west of this where you can find a Demi-Human Queen Staff to upgrade your magic caster. After getting the staff to upgrade it with smithing stones to further enhance its capabilities.
Talismans Choice
The talismans that are preferred are:
- Blessed Dew Talisman: this allows you to restore health over time, this will help in lowering the need for HP flasks, you can carry more FP flasks which will encourage you to use more spells.
- Green Turtle Talisman: increases stamina recovery, as Carian Slicer consumes a lot of stamina and its spammy nature you can get carried away and put yourself in a vulnerable spot. This will help in negating that.
While you are at it, check out our list of the best talismans and their locations in Elden Ring.
Upgrade Preference – Warrior Mage
The stats that should be focused on while upgrading this build are:
- Vigor should be upgraded to 20 so that you can stand to take more punishment.
- Intelligence should be upgraded to 20 as well to increase damage output.
- Dexterity should be leveled up next, to boost the base weapon damage and it also quickens casting speed.
- Magic Staff that you have equipped should be prioritized when upgrading to strengthen the spell’s potential.
- Weapons that when upgraded with smithing tools increase their Dex scaling should be preferred – Rapier and Estoc are an example.
Playing as the Warrior Mage
Now that you have everything in place, let’s build your loadout properly. You should first equip the Estoc in your right hand or any other weapon of your choice having Dex scaling properties, Strength stat should be left pretty much untouched only pumping it when a Dex weapon requires it.
Equip the staff to your left hand and as soon as you are getting ready to fight buff your weapon with the Scholar’s Armament, by doing so you will be amplifying your weapons damage potential by double or triple in some cases, this buff even stays on for an extended period.
Related: Elden Ring Prisoner Class Guide: Warrior Magus (Advanced Build)
Now Carian Slicer should be utilized as and when you see fit, openings between attacks that is. This spell deals a lot of damage and can be used to spam in some circumstances, perfect for boss dealing. Do keep in mind the stamina cost of this spell. The FP cost of this spell makes it very efficient to use. Glintstone Pebble should be used when dealing with several enemies, this spell can easily thin mobs or an enemy at range.
How are you liking this build? What builds are you guys rocking in Elden Ring? Comment below and let us know. And for everything Elden Ring related visit our Elden Ring section.
