In Elden Ring, magic is a powerful weapon that can be used to deal massive damage or provide valuable utilities and buffs.
This guide will show you how to cast spells and incantations, as well as provide information about the different types of magic available.
So, assuming that you know already know how to use Ashes of War and want to turn your character into a powerful sorcerer, this article is meant for you.
In order to master the art of spellcasting and unleash the full potential of your magical abilities, you must first learn how to cast spells in Elden Ring.
Requirements for Casting Spells
You’ll need a catalyst and an equipped spell in order to use incantations and sorceries in Elden Ring.
A catalyst is an armament that you’ll to cast spells and incantations. For sorceries, you’ll need to equip a staff. Meanwhile, you’ll need to equip a Sacred Seal to use incantations in Elden Ring.
Certain classes in Elden Ring start with a catalyst in their starting arsenal. For example, the Astrologer is the best starting class for magic in Elden Ring since they begin with a decent staff and Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc, which are arguably some of the best spells in the game.
Like all armaments in Elden Ring, catalysts have specific stat requirements to wield them properly. You can glance at the weapon in the inventory screen to determine what attributes you’ll need.
The good news is that you can still cast spells while below the threshold of a weapon. However, the damage won’t be as effective as compared to meeting the stat requirement.
Additionally, you should read the item description because some catalysts boost a specific category of spells. This is a nice bonus, especially if you’re going for a focused build.
What Catalysts Are Best?
For a good staff that you can get early in the game; I highly suggest the Meteorite Staff in Caelid. It’s found the Street of Sages Ruins in the Swamp of Aeonia. Even though it’s in a dangerous part of the map, you don’t need to fight any foes to retrieve it.
It takes 18 Intelligence to use, so you’ll need to invest a bit to use it. However, the benefits are more than worth it since it has a fantastic S scaling on Intelligence. Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade it, so you’ll eventually have to swap it out for a better staff. But you’ll be using it a lot until then.
For Faith-based incantations, there are three good Sacred Seals you can choose from early in the game.
First, the Godslayer’s Seal, found in a treasure chest at Stormveil Castle. If you’re using various incantations, this is an excellent Sacred Seal to invest in because it can reach an S scaling in Faith. It also doesn’t start too bad with a C scaling without any upgrades.
The Godslayer’s Seal boosts godslayer incantations, which are spells related to the cursed black flame.
Second, the Dragon Communion seal found in Fringefolk Hero’s Grave. That’s the area locked away by a sealed imp statue at the beginning of the game before you take the elevator up to Limgrave.
It’s perfect for those who want to harness the power of the dragons (more on that later) and use Dragon incantations. Though it primarily scales with Arcane rather than Faith, which means this is better for a pure caster route.
Lastly, the Clawmark Seal is perfect for those who want to use Beast incantations. You can get this as your first reward for delivering a Deathroot to Gurranq, the beast clergyman. The Beast Claw is one of the best incantations in Elden Ring, and you’ll further magnify its power with this Sacred Seal.
A final note on catalysts, you can upgrade the armament in the Smithing Table at the Church of Elleh, or better yet, at the blacksmith when you get to Roundtable Hold.
Upgrading your catalysts is essential because it increases how much it amplifies spells. It will also improve how much the weapon scales with your primary attributes.
Now that you have your catalyst, it’s time to find a spell.
Where to Find Spells in Elden Ring
You’ll mostly find spells in Elden Ring by purchasing them from a trainer or mentor, though there are other methods that we’ll explain below.
When you first meet trainers or mentors, they’ll have a small stock of spells that you can purchase with runes.
You can increase their supplies by giving them a tome to expand their repertoire.
The tome you need will differ. For sorceries, you’ll need a scroll, while for incantations, you’ll need a prayerbook. You can find these throughout the world which gives you more incentive to explore.
For sorcerers, you’ll mostly be buying sorcery spells from Sorceress Sellen, first found in Limgrave.
Faith-based casters will spend a lot of time getting to know Brother Corhyn at the Roundtable Hold. As briefly mentioned earlier, you can buy Beast incantations from Gurranq, the beast Clergyman, in the Bestial Sanctum in Caelid.
You can purchase Dragon incantations from either the Church of Dragon Communion in Limgrave or from the Cathedral of Dragon Communion at Caelid. Interact with the shrine at night time, and bring a precious Dragon Heart to get one. You can unlock additional dragon incantations through vanquishing more dragons.
For other spells, you’ll scavenge them as they’re scattered throughout the world.
There are also powerful boss spells that you can only get through converting their Remembrances (boss souls) to Enia at the Roundtable Hold.
Once you have a spell in your inventory, you can check their pre-requisites by looking at them on the menu. Again, sorceries primarily scale with Intelligence while incantations draw from Faith. In addition, some spells need a bit of the other attribute, while some also need points into the Arcane attribute.
How to Use Spells and Incantations
Now that you have a catalyst and you’ve found a spell, you’re almost ready to begin casting spells.
First, rest at a Site of Grace, then select “memorize spell.” You’ll see all your collected spells on this menu. Next, highlight a slot where you’d like to place the spell, select it, then simply choose the spell you want to use.
Afterward, equip the catalyst in your hand, then press the corresponding trigger to use the spell. If you meet the required attribute for the magic, you’ll have successfully cast your first spell in Elden Ring.
Some spells can be charged for increased effects, like most Dragon incantations. Give yours a shot and see if it works.
When fighting an enemy, you’ll mostly use the lock-on feature because it’s convenient and easy. In addition, it works most of the time, allowing you to focus on more important things like avoiding death.
You can also freely aim your spell, as long as you don’t use the lock-on feature. This is advantageous against enemies who like to dodge a lot, and it’s basically required for any mages looking to dip their toes into PvP. Practice predicting and catching rolls, and you’ll be a nightmare to your next invader.
Other Useful Information
I’ve mentioned that to cast spells in Elden Ring, you’ll need Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. But, the Endurance and Mind attributes are equally important.
When you cast spells in Elden Ring, you’re drawing from your focus points (FP), the blue bar under your health. Your Mind attribute determines how much FP you have. Additionally, you’ll also drain some stamina (green bar) when you cast spells. So, it’s also important to dump a few points into these stats.
You’ll mostly use the Flask of Cerulean Tears to replenish your FP.
In Elden Ring, your total flask charges are shared, whether for healing or for gaining more mana. You have to allocate your flash in the Site of Grace menu to determine how much you want to use for your blue flask. Therefore, Mages need a backup melee weapon in case they run out of FP and flask charges prematurely.
A quick note about using spells on horseback; you can only cast spells on your horse when your catalyst is equipped on your right hand. But, if it’s placed on your left hand, you can dual wield it to cast spells all the same.
Regarding spells that imbue your weapon in an element, this always applies to the armament on your right hand. If you’re looking to slay foes as a spell blade, equip the catalyst on your left hand and your weapon on your right. You also can’t imbue the weapon if it already comes with an element.
If you want to increase spell damage in Elden Ring, it all depends on your catalyst. As I mentioned earlier, your staff and Sacred Seal amplify spells and incantations, some of them boosting specific categories.
For example, the previously mentioned Meteorite Staff boosts gravity-based sorceries. Therefore, make sure to upgrade your catalysts to increase spell damage in Elden Ring.
Equipped gear and Talismans also play a role in increasing your spell’s damage output. Make sure to read the item’s description to determine their special effects.
For example, the various Glintstone Crowns looted in Raya Lucaria are headpieces that grant bonus Intelligence. Personally, I don’t use them because my Elden Bling takes priority over a few stat points.
Also, remember that enemies are resistant to specific elements, which means that some of your spells deal more or less damage depending on your foe.
On a final note, you’ll automatically begin the game with two spell slots. You could increase spell slots in previous games by dumping points into the Attunement attribute. However, that’s gone now.
You’ll need a Memory Stone to add more spell slots in Elden Ring. These are found in Mage towers scattered throughout the Lands Between. A magic seal usually protects these towers with a small puzzle to solve.
You can also purchase memory stones from a few vendors.
For your first two Memory Stones, I recommend opening the Oridys’s Rise tower at the Weeping Peninsula, south of Limgrave. Then, buy the other one from the Twin Maiden Husks vendor located at the Roundtable Hold.
This is everything you need to know to cast spells in Elden Ring, both literally and successfully.
Step-By-Step
- Get a catalyst that can cast spells, e.g. a staff and a Sacred Seal (if you wish to use incantations).
- Obtain spells, either by purchasing or scavenging them.
- Rest at a Site of Grace and select ‘memorize spell’.
- Highlight a slot to place the memorized spell into.
- Equip your catalyst and press the corresponding trigger to the slot you just selected. If you meet the requirements, you’ll successfully cast your spell.
How To Get More Incantations
Let’s assume that you tried Sorcery and prefers using the magic of the gods, what should you do next?
We’ve mentioned early where to get Bestial Incantations, but there are many other Faith based spells for you to find.
From the basics, you must know where to buy Dragon Incantations. However, to buy them, you need Dragon Hearts.
You get Dragon Hearts by defeating dragons, so you should learn how to defeat the giant dragon Greyoall.
Finally, if you want something that fits a Strength and Faith Build, learn where to get Crucible Incantations in Elden Ring.
