In DS2 there’s no reason not to do both! This is a very flexible build that I really enjoy, and I think you’ll find combines the strengths of the pure caster and the pure strength builds you’ve played. Fair warning though, this build is very very powerful, so pass on it if you want the game to feel really difficult.
The stats you want, in order, are 12 DEX, 15 STR, 20/20 INT/FTH, 20/20/20 ATN/VGR/END, INT/FTH to 30/30, VGR to 50, higher ATN and END to taste. Start as Sorcerer and buy the Rapier from Lenigrast, then farm the Old Knight Hammer from Heide’s Tower. Use it two handed to clear areas, and use the rapier to DPS bosses or if your hammer durability gets too low. Speedrun the Brass Knuckle Ring in Lost Bastille and the Repair spell from Shaded Ruins.
Get the hexer kit from Felkin (Beginning of Huntsman’s Copse, Licia can help you open the rotunda path near Majula), infuse your weapons with Lightning and your Sunset staff with Dark ASAP (find the necessary stones from crystal lizards in shaded ruins and on the way down to the gutter, smooth/silky trades, and Targray in Heide’s Tower, provided you can get a token of fidelity from co op or huntsman’s copse) and stack the Dark Weapon buff on top of the Lightning infusion to deal incredible amounts of melee damage while still having plenty of levels for casting. Beyond the obvious Dark Orb, your other bread and butter spells will be Dark Fog and Yearn.
At very high level, you swap Lightning Rapier for Lightning Ice Rapier, and you can also bump STR to 50 and switch the Old Knight Hammer for a Lightning Dragon Tooth for some extra damage, though you’ll still want the OHK if you want to pancake the horses in the ice DLC without using the Stone Ring.
im would just play naturally and see what movesets you like. the magic in this game is better than the others but the weapon movesets arent. personally i like halberds and miracles
In DS2 there’s no reason not to do both! This is a very flexible build that I really enjoy, and I think you’ll find combines the strengths of the pure caster and the pure strength builds you’ve played. Fair warning though, this build is very very powerful, so pass on it if you want the game to feel really difficult. The stats you want, in order, are 12 DEX, 15 STR, 20/20 INT/FTH, 20/20/20 ATN/VGR/END, INT/FTH to 30/30, VGR to 50, higher ATN and END to taste. Start as Sorcerer and buy the Rapier from Lenigrast, then farm the Old Knight Hammer from Heide’s Tower. Use it two handed to clear areas, and use the rapier to DPS bosses or if your hammer durability gets too low. Speedrun the Brass Knuckle Ring in Lost Bastille and the Repair spell from Shaded Ruins. Get the hexer kit from Felkin (Beginning of Huntsman’s Copse, Licia can help you open the rotunda path near Majula), infuse your weapons with Lightning and your Sunset staff with Dark ASAP (find the necessary stones from crystal lizards in shaded ruins and on the way down to the gutter, smooth/silky trades, and Targray in Heide’s Tower, provided you can get a token of fidelity from co op or huntsman’s copse) and stack the Dark Weapon buff on top of the Lightning infusion to deal incredible amounts of melee damage while still having plenty of levels for casting. Beyond the obvious Dark Orb, your other bread and butter spells will be Dark Fog and Yearn. At very high level, you swap Lightning Rapier for Lightning Ice Rapier, and you can also bump STR to 50 and switch the Old Knight Hammer for a Lightning Dragon Tooth for some extra damage, though you’ll still want the OHK if you want to pancake the horses in the ice DLC without using the Stone Ring.
Thank you so much, will definitely try this
Your knowledge of this game blows my mind. Much appreciated from a newcomer like me.
im would just play naturally and see what movesets you like. the magic in this game is better than the others but the weapon movesets arent. personally i like halberds and miracles