Intelligence builds are popular in Elden Ring, but some of the most enjoyable setups are hybrids. The Intelligence/Dexterity builds are among the strongest options due to their access to an array of powerful weapons and spells that hinge on these attributes.
Whether you’re looking to wield a fierce katana, some cosmic insect wings, or perhaps a flail crafted from whole planets, there’s plenty to choose from. Combine a few spells into the mix, and you’ll be able to dominate combat from any distance while also looking stylish.
Update December 24, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: Creating the top Intelligence/Dexterity build in Elden Ring requires time, practice, and plenty of experimentation, but we’ve simplified the process for you. Check out our suggestions, and you’ll have a fantastic Dex/Int build ready in no time. With patch 1.16, the renowned Moonveil katana remains an excellent choice in this build.
Understanding Intelligence/Dexterity Builds
Intelligence/Dexterity builds in Elden Ring enable you to experiment with a wide array of spells and weapons that prove to be exceptionally effective in battles.
Rather than just maximizing your Intelligence and allocating the remaining points to other stats, you’ll be balancing your points between Intelligence and Dexterity, ensuring you deal impressive damage across different combat ranges.
Target Stats for Intelligence/Dexterity Builds
For this build, a split of 60 for Intelligence and 50 for Dexterity is highly advisable. This arrangement places you close to the soft caps for both stats, optimizing your damage output across any weapon that benefits from split scaling.
Keep Vigor at 50 but feel free to reduce it to 45 if you want to invest those points elsewhere.
Mind should be kept at 20, which might be a bit on the low side, but you can compensate for this later by using items like the Cerulean Amber Medallion +3.
Additionally, Endurance should be around 20 (according to your starting class). Since you’re primarily using lightweight weapons, this should keep your Stamina and Equip Load manageable. If you prefer heavier armor, you can invest more points here.
Leveling Strategy
As you aim for high levels in both offensive stats—Intelligence and Dexterity—how you choose to level can significantly influence your overall experience.
This mainly applies if you’re starting from scratch. If you’re just rearranging your stats via the Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, following this leveling guideline will be beneficial:
- Strength of 12 allows you to wield the Moonveil Katana or any primary weapon you’re targeting.
- Raise your Dexterity to a decent level for effective weapon scaling, ideally using the Uchigatana which only requires 15 Dexterity.
- Achieve 17 Intelligence to access many low-level spells.
- Boost your Vigor to at least 20 for surviving early bosses and aim for 25 for added safety.
- Enhance your Dexterity and Intelligence enough to equip powerful Dex/Int weapons as substitutes between the Uchigatana and the Moonveil.
- Level your Intelligence to 23 and continue improving it.
- Continue alternating between leveling Intelligence and Vigor, aiming for 50 and 40, respectively.
- Max your Intelligence to 60 and Dexterity to 50, lastly topping off your Vigor.
Regarding Mind, Endurance, and any other stats, adjust them based on your immediate needs—as you progress, you’ll recognize when you require additional boosts, whether it’s for equipment weight or spellcasting.
Pay close attention to the spells and powerful incantations you collect during your journey; cold-themed magic pairs best with this Int/Dex build.
Spells primarily demand Intelligence, while Incantations depend on Faith.
Top Moonveil Katana Dexterity Build
Post-Nerf Overview
This build emphasizes blending the Moonveil Katana with some of the top spells in the game, making it effective for taking down even the toughest foes in both close and ranged combat. This setup is quick, lethal, and incredibly fun to play.
Weapons
At the heart of this setup is the remarkable Moonveil Katana, known for its incredible damage and one of the finest Weapon Arts available. It features excellent stat scalings, achieving a commendable B/B split.
The B-scaling in Dexterity and Intelligence allows you to boost both your Physical and Magic damage significantly, although the split means that the Weapon Art won’t reach the power of a pure 80 Intelligence build.
For casting your spells, utilize the Carian Regal Scepter, one of the game’s best staves, which is why your Intelligence is marginally higher than Dexterity. Alternatively, you might opt for Lusat’s Staff, which provides more damage at the cost of higher spell costs.
Key Spells
Glintstone Pebble is your primary choice for taking down basic enemies; it has great damage for a low cost and can be cast repeatedly. Rock Throw acts as your first utility spell, offering substantial physical damage that staggers almost every enemy, making it perfect for large foes and bosses. It’s cost-effective and reliable. Loretta’s Greatbow, while it has limited use in direct combat due to its casting time, stands as the longest-ranged spell in the game, making it fantastic for picking off distant adversaries.
Comet Azur is your ace in the hole, able to obliterate many bosses simply by casting it from a distance while their health drains away. It makes bosses stagger and, combined with the right Flask of Wondrous Physick, can be cast for free temporarily. Lastly, Terra Magica enhances all your Magic damage (including from weapons with Magic damage) by 35% while standing on its glyph, allowing you to start fights with serious power.
Talismans
Your build takes full advantage of the Moonveil Katana, but there are potent talismans you can equip to enhance your effectiveness. Firstly, the Graven Mass Talisman amplifies all spell damage, providing vital support if you focus heavily on Intelligence. Next is the Magic Scorpion Charm, adding significant boosts to all Magic damage, including that of weapons like Moonveil, making it incredibly versatile.
Erdtree’s Favor increases your HP, Stamina, and Equip Load, compensating for any lower-stat distributions. If you’re content with your baseline stats, consider swapping this for Radagon’s/Marika’s Soreseal or the Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom.
The Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman and Pearldrake Talisman greatly enhance your Damage Reduction, and equipping one while swapping it as needed can bolster your survivability significantly. Lastly, the Blessed Blue Dew Talisman is a solid addition to save on flasks and naturally restore your FP over time.
Armor
As always, aim for maximum Damage Reduction and Poise while maintaining a Medium Roll. If required, you can enhance your stats with items like the Queen’s Crescent Crown or Okina Mask.
Flask of Wondrous Physick
The three primary tears for this build are the Cerulean Hidden Tear, Magic-Shrouding Tear, and Dexterity-Knot Tear.
Consider swapping the Cerulean Hidden Tear for general exploration, then utilizing it against bosses requiring the use of Comet Azur.
Magic-Shrouding and Dexterity-Knot are designed to enhance your build’s damage, with the former increasing all magic damage while the latter boosts your Dexterity to 60 for three minutes, reaching the soft cap.
Combining these boosts with your talismans and the Terra Magica spell will significantly elevate your damage output.
Alternative General Intelligence/Dexterity Build
The aforementioned Moonveil Katana Int/Dex build is merely one option; you can create other general builds based on your preferences.
- Any weapon with strong scaling in both Intelligence and, to a lesser extent, Dexterity can work exceptionally well. You might want to consider weapons discussed in the previous leveling plan.
- This build assumes a balanced approach between spellcasting and melee. A more melee-oriented player might focus more on popping Dexterity first, treating Intelligence as a secondary attribute.
Note: As of patch 1.14, the Backhand Blade’s damage has been reduced against other players, and its crouch attack speed has also been affected.
