| Build summary | A PVP mage that deals strong magic damage with spells and the Phosphorescent Pole. Massive MP regen. |
| Recommended starting class(es) | Royal |
| Recommended Soul Level | |
|
Recommended stats (Leave at default (**) if not raised) |
|
| Vitality | 45-50 |
| Will/Intelligence | 30 |
| Endurance | 25-28 |
| Strength | 20 |
| Dexterity | 16 |
| Magic | 45-50 |
| Faith | 18 |
| Luck | ** |
| Recommended equipment |
Armor- Head: Monk's Head Collar (for magic damage increase) Left hand weapon 1: Talisman of Beasts Right hand weapon 1: PHOSPORESCENT POLE +5 |
| Recommended spells/miracles |
I select my spells in the following order: Second Chance Rings (Defending) (Invading) |
| Gameplay tips and progression |
The Phosphorescent Pole is, I believe, the best choice of weapon for a mage in Demon’s Souls. Fully upgraded, its magic damage from two-handed melee strikes will completely drain most invader’s health bars with a full chain attack. 2-3 strikes spells quick death for low vit. mages weak to magic damage. Now you can laugh when noobs invade and cast warding; the Phos. Pole rips through physical defense buffs. The most mysterious feature of the Phos. Pole is its mana regeneration capabilities. 1 mp per. second. Soul Ray, your bread and butter spell for PVP, is only 15mp. That is 15 seconds real time to regenerate. How many times have you died as a mage because you were backstabbed while using spice? Using this weapon dedicatedly when going through the levels DRASTICALLY reduces your dependence on spice. A Moon Scythe or Moon Mirdan Hammer will do more damage in PVP (and have a slightly longer ranger than the Phos. Pole, I think). However, I still like the Phos. Pole over these weapons. In addition to previously listed benefits, the Phos. Pole is more faithful to the idea of a true mage. My idea for this character is not so much total PVP domination but rather having the ability to put up a good fight as an unusual and difficult to master build. |
Phosphorescent Mage (SL 120)
The problem with this build is that you rely too much on the Phosphorescent Pole. Don't let that S in Magic fool you; it's not that great. 90% of the damage is Magical, meaning you won't deal hardly any damage against Faith builds.
Also, as for the MP regen, I see what you're trying to do. I used to like the idea of being self-sufficient and never using spices. But that can't work in PvP. If you run out of MP as a Mage, you are screwed. S-c-r-e-w-e-d screwed. It won't work to wait around 10 seconds for another cast of Soul Ray. The whole time you're waiting, your opponent will be on the offensive, knowing that you can't do anything to retaliate. And even once you get enough MP, then what? You have one Soul Ray, easily dodged when used by itself.
I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's just the way it is. MP regen won't save you in PvP, where most battles last under a minute. I can see a P. Pole maybe working in low levels…but not in 120 PvP. It's honestly better to just buy spices. If you PvP a lot and win even 50% of the time, you'll soon have more souls than you know what to do with. Just leave your bloodstain behind when you invade so that when you pick it up, all your souls are still there, and you haven't lost any if you were killed by an opponent.
It's a very good attempt, and well thought out, but I've tried builds that use the P. Pole and it just never works. Don't be discouraged, though! All of these comments were in good spirit ^_^
PSN: Nick1Nintendo
Ask my anything. About Magic, that is.
Hi Nick! Thanks for you comments. I really appreciate when high level players like yourself make constructive feedback :D
A few things to clarify:
1. Your first point about the Phos. Pole's weakness against Faith builds is right. As it deals mostly magic damage, it will do less damage to something with high magic defense. When fighting Faith builds I usually prioritize plaguing them then spam ignite rather than beating them with the Phos. Pole. Faith builds are the biggest challenge for any mage because of their high magic defense and the dreaded anti magic field. That said, the fact remains that the Phos. Pole destroys all enemies with weak magic defense BECAUSE it deals primarily magic damage. If you are fighting something with a strong magic defense you can always switch to a moon or a dragon weapon.
2. I agree that if a mage runs out of mp during a PVP match they are prety much screwed. I never meant to imply that the Phos. Mage wouldn't use spice at all in PVP. The MP regen allows your to better keep the pressure on your opponent.
3. MP regen can DEFINETLY save you in PVP. I have had fights last up to 10 minutes. The range of Phos. Pole makes enemies keep their distance, thereby allowing you to regenerate more MP. A mage lives and dies by their mana supply. This build prioritizes keeping your MP high with minimal maintainence.
No problem ^_^ Thanks for taking it well. I hate when I try to help and people get offended.
1) Faith builds are always hard, that's true. I would recommend a Moon weapon over Dragon; Moon deals more pysical damage than Crescent, so it's not too bad against Faith builds, and the stat scaling makes it better than Dragon weapons.
2/3) You make some good points ^_^ I guess it comes down to playstyle. You might be good at using this strategy where I was not. If it works for you, then it doesn't matter what I say. Use whatever you think will help you win ^_^
Good luck with your build, I'd be interested to see it in action!
PSN: Nick1Nintendo
Ask my anything. About Magic, that is.
Nick,
Thanks again for your reply!
We have actually fought before :D I sent you a message from my PSN ID "Desdemona9876" after our fight. That was my Phos. Mage you faced. I seem to remember that fight lasted around the ten minute mark, with me scraping by with a win after you cracked my second chance. You invaded me when I was in body form, so I had the advantage.
I am building another Phos. Mage from the ground up under my "Damd9876" PSN. I would love to fight you again sometime :D
Thanks also for the info on the moon weapons! I have tried to use the Phos. Pole in my offhand while I use a moon guiltine axe, but I find it difficult to switch back and forth between my Phos. Pole and my catalyst.
Oh yeah, I remember you! That was a pretty good fight. I remember thinking "Jesus, hold still so I can freakin' drop you while you're out of MP". So I guess your build serves its purpose more than I gave it credit for ^_^
Hmm…I'm not sure how the battle ended. I think you may have backstabbed me while I was eating spices, but even with my unusually good memory, I've had way too many battles to remember them all. We must have a rematch someday! I don't see too many good Mages, so I enjoy the battles as they come ^_^
Good luck with your build….not that you seem to need it ;)
PSN: Nick1Nintendo
Ask my anything. About Magic, that is.
The phos pole can do "respectable" dmg. But you wont kill many guys relying on it alone. I use it primarily just for pve, as it is very helpful with its mp regen. In pvp it is pretty weak compared to most other weapons though. Magic is more the way to go. Carry a crescent or otherwise stronger and faster weapon with you for when you are invading or get invaded. Also, you should dump the monk collar. I know more magic dmg sounds nice. But in pvp it just screams, "Hey!! I'm a noob with magic!! Watch for FS and cast AMF if you got it!!!" LOL Other than that, this is pretty much like the mage im building right now. Only I utilize HSA as well in place of clouds. Clouds dont seem too helpful to me personally. Except for cheap killing Old King or an npc bp.
Interesting build! I personally feel that the pole has many uses as well from a PvE perspective.
While it is not the most damaging pole by any stretch, this weapon has many other uses. To me, the Pole is an excellent offhand item. Nearly all my builds currently use this as a pure mana-regen item (first 5 CDS comes to this weapon). Multiple casts of warding with only the pole equipped would only costs 10 mana (zero with mana regen ring). With a strong 2H weapon (Blessed Mirdan +5), this is has mana + life regen and dishes out solid damage. I generally do not like to use herbs for a smoother run if I can help it.
Always good to see different pole setups.
I really like thi build mainly cause I love th phosphorescent pole. The one thing that makes this all come together is equiping a crecent falchion +5 and fragrant ring for great mp regen and when I used this I rarely had to use spices but either way great build. +1 from me
Nice build; I really love the concept, it's makes it more unique than just a pure mage. Always a plus for me.
However, what's with the 20 Str? I'm pretty sure P. Pole only requires 16. So you could toss those 4 points into Endurance or even lower the Soul Level.
i also am one who likes the idea of "no spice" but i find the p. pole difficult to use so spice and ToB for me.
Oh and um Nick cant wait for you to answer one of my questions.
From guy who hates lag.
A lot of people say life has it's bumps in the road.
Well I have not had any. As long as I'm still breathing I call this ISHT smooth sailing.
Tears are for the strong. Alot of us weak men cant cry anymore.
Isn't all you're going to need is 16? What does the other 4 points get you? How do they help?