ELDEN RING – Analysis of Int / Fai Builds Compared to Pure Int & Pure Faith

Faith / Intelligence Build Analysis

A common build request amongst players is one where they can use both Sorceries and Incantations effectively. The default assumption is typically to go 45/45 int/fai and use the Golden Order Seal, Gelmir Glintstone Staff, and Sword of Night and Flame as the loadout.

I’m here to break down alternatives and ultimately determine:

  • Whether this is the best choice
  • Whether there are better alternatives

We will assume the player has 60 Vigor, and enough Intelligence/Faith to meet the requirements to use at least one Sacred Seal and Glintstone Staff.

We will be comparing 3 different builds, each using their optimal starting classes (RL 125):

  • 45/45 Int/Fai (Wretch)
  • 70/17 Int/Fai (Astrologer)
  • 80 Fai (Prophet)

As shown below, Golden Order Seal + Gelmir Glintstone Staff and Sword of Night and Flame is in fact the ideal loadout for equal int/fai, but is evidently lacking in versatility.

“Pure Int” proves to be the worst of the 3, as there is no pure Int catalyst, which sacrifices levels to put into Faith for the Golden Order Seal. Magic Affinity Broadsword also lacks in notable power, but is easier to buff. Just use magic.

Pure Faith shows to be better than 45/45 in every way, with higher Spell Boost for both catalysts, and the Flame Art Broadsword not only has higher average damage than SoNaF, but is also more easily buffable due to only having 2 damage types.

Verdict

Pure Faith proves to be the ideal solution, regardless of whether sorceries are desired. It has more versatility and DPS in every way compared to 45/45 Int/Fai, as the latter is restricted behind a single Melee Weapon and 2 mediocre catalysts at reasonable levels.

Pure Int is much less flexible, and attempting to use Incantations along with it will end up lowering the DPS potential by a non-insignificant margin.

The only reason I can even think of where you’d use 45/45 is if you really wanted to use GO Incantations or SoNaF for some reason.

Click to enlarge…

Thank you for your time and I hope this little tutorial was helpful to you.

Volodymyr Azimoff
About Volodymyr Azimoff 8013 Articles
I love games and I live games. Video games are my passion, my hobby and my job. My experience with games started back in 1994 with the Metal Mutant game on ZX Spectrum computer. And since then, I’ve been playing on anything from consoles, to mobile devices. My first official job in the game industry started back in 2005, and I'm still doing what I love to do.

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