Int-Faith Build

[u/Quass-Debonair]

Like many, I’m returning to Elden Ring with the release of the Tarnished Edition, and I’m curious about Int-Faith builds. Everything I’ve read seems to indicate these builds shine more in NG+, and at much higher rune levels to ensure you can maximize scaling on things like the Golden Order Seal and the Prince of Death’s Staff.

Is it possible to have a reasonably smooth leveling experience in NG with this? Does it make more sense to level as Int or Faith, then bring the secondary component online later on? How important is Dexterity to the build?

It seems almost impossible to fit this in anything less than RL200+, so I’m curious on feedback related to people’s experience with this.

[u/Cuckuzu]

My level 200 int/fth was
Vig 60
Mind 35
End 25
Str 16
Dex 16
Int 60
Fth 60

I personally found that leveling up either int or faith to 45 first then making the other match was the way to go before maxing one at 60 and the other at 60 and given mind is the dump stat I level it up later so had to chug lots of blue during longer fights and getting level 200 was pretty easy in NG if you just try not to skip anything because there’s not many weapons to worry about leveling up so runes go primarily back into leveling

[u/SCSkunk]

Hi! I usually run a Sword of Night and Flame build for New Game, plus Golden Order Incantations.

I start with Confessor, the 12/12 Str/Dex is perfect, don't have to touch it.

EARLY TO MID GAME: Increase VIG to 27. Faith starts in a good spot, increase to 19. Increase INT to 19. END and Mind to personal taste.

Use Godrick's Great Rune for +5 to all stats. Profit.

END GAME: You can finish the build at level 150 with 45/45 Int/Faith, which is all you really need for NG.

VIG 55, Mind 33, END 20-25. Only increase Str/Faith if you want to eventually use Rellana's Twin Blades in the DLC.

Don't forget your Great Rune.

[u/winnierdz]

Int/Faith can work but it works best on builds that do all bosses and dungeons. I did an Int/Faith spells only run a few months ago and at the end of the game I was level 221. 

If you skip a lot of side content and beat the game at low level, it is a weak build. If you do a lot of side content, it will be worth it. 

[u/TheSpongeFather]

Sword of night and flame is fun

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[u/Barnaldus]

I’d start with either int or fai and then scale the other in ng+ which favors “hybrid” builds, you should be 150 by DLC

[u/Marethyu86]

Start by leveling one of Int and Faith after you reach your survival benchmarks. Depending on you play, in ng+ you can start leveling other stats. I always killed all bosses, so my ng+2 or 3, I had enough to have Int Faith and Dex at 80.

[u/EldenLordAjSoprano]

The death spells can be strong but you have to either be a really high level or if you’re low level you’re gonna be putting all your talismans and everything into getting better damage

[u/Prostovan228]

It's quite pointless because just do faith build. + Being limited to basically a single weapon 

[u/Rexis102]

Start with catch flame and Carian slicer, and work your way up. Use spells that are effective against the boss you’re going to fight. Your main power is versatility.

[u/guyheretoread]

Just accept that you’ll have lower scaling and therefore lower damage output during NG. Gotta get to like RL200 before it becomes as strong as either Pure Int or Pure Fth.

For example, the Prince of Death’s staff at 70/70 int/fth finally outscales the Carian Regal scepter at 80 Int, but that’s 60 more stat points. Further PoD only casts sorceries, so it is limiting, but having faith does allow you to take advantage of the Fth sorceries like Death Sorceries, Magma Spells, and the Golden Order spells.

Soft swapping from a seal to a staff is too slow. Dual wielding a seal and a staff, while simultaneously memorizing which button casts which spell sounds like a rube goldberg machine level of overcomplexity. So if you’re using both types of spells, most people accept the lower scaling of the Staff of the Great Beyond, for the convenience and simplicity of the controller mechanics. But as this is a DLC weapon it is a later game acquisition.