Best Early Sorcery Spells And Where to Get Them

Elden Ring has a greater focus on magic than previous FromSoftware titles, and there are two kinds that players can learn: Incantations and Sorceries. Of the two, Sorceries are more focused on damage and ranged firepower, and scale from Intelligence. Whether players are building a pure sorcerer or a hybrid character, knowing which Sorceries to equip is essential to making the most of Elden Ring‘s magic.

Updated on November 2, 2024, by Nahda Nabiilah: While some players prefer to explore the Lands Between slowly and get stronger in baby steps, other players immediately search for powerful Sorceries and Incantations to one-shot enemies and bosses. Since the early game is usually filled with standard spells that are not that special and used by all, there are some hidden ones found occasionally that can be considered a rare treasure.

12 Night Maiden’s Mist

Sellia, Town of Sorcery

The Night Maiden’s Mist spell requires 14 Intelligence, and it releases a thick silver mist that drains enemies’ HP as well as the caster’s. Although the idea of melting enemies and bosses’ health bars is tempting in Elden Ring, this Sorcery is a double-edged sword where players also have a disadvantage.

To obtain the Night Maiden’s Mist, Tarnished must purchase it from Gowry for 5,000 Runes in Sellia, Town of Sorcery, after completing his quest. Although Caelid is next to Limgrave, it’s not considered a suitable area for early players, but you can get there early on and grab some powerful items to facilitate the journey in easier areas.

11 Magic Glintblade

Prisoner Class/Church of Vows

Magic Glintblade is one of the Sorceries given at the start of the game for the Prisoner class in Elden Ring. If players choose another class, you can purchase it for 3000 Runes from Miriel, Pastor of Vows.

To reach the Church of Vows where Miriel is encountered for the first time, Tarnished must defeat Godrick the Grafted or take a shortcut around the castle to arrive at Liurnia of the Lakes. Next, keep going north until you see a path leading to the eastern Liurnia of the Lakes. Take it and proceed northwest to find the Church of Vows.

10 Glintstone Pebble

Astrologer Class/Waypoint Ruins/Church of Irith

In true Soulslike fashion, Elden Ring challenges players right from the tutorial, and finding the best early Sorceries is essential to a Sorcerer character’s survival. Fortunately for Astrologers, the spell they start with is one of the best early-game Sorceries; Glintstone Pebble is a single-target missile spell that is quick to cast, consumes only seven of Elden Ring‘s Focus Points, and does a surprising amount of damage.

For classes that don’t begin with Glintstone Pebble, it can be bought for 1000 Runes from either Sorceress Sellen at the Waypoint Ruins in Limgrave or Thops at the Church of Irith in Liurnia of the Lakes.

9 Cannon Of Haima

Open Chest Inside The Converted Fringe Tower

The Cannon of Haima is basically a big shot of Magic damage hurled towards enemies. It can be used against a lot of opponents as it has great AoE damage, and the spell can also find enemies hidden behind walls or on top of the roofs. You can increase its damage by using various Talismans or buffing it with other spells.

To unlock the seal of the Converted Fringe Tower in Liurnia of the Lakes, find the spare Glintstone Key in Raya Lucaria and give it to Sorcerer Thops to earn the Erudition gesture. Next, get the Karolos Glintstone Crown from killing a crab next to the Debate Parlor in the Academy. Head to the tower and use the gesture while wearing the headpiece to unlock the seal and gain access to the chest at the top.

8 Glintstone Arc

Astrologer Class/Waypoint Ruins/Church of Irith

Similar to the previous Sorcery, the Glintstone Arc is obtained the same way; Astrology class starter Sorcery, obtained from Sorceress Sellen, or Thops. If, by any chance, Thops is dead because you completed his quest in Elden Ring, take his Bell Bearing and give it to the Twin Maiden Husk to purchase the spell.

The Sorcery only takes one slot and requires 13 intelligence to use. Tarnished will be able to cast a wide arc that deals Magic damage, which is perfect for certain scenarios where players get ambushed or attacked by several enemies at once.

7 Meteorite

Royal Grave Evergaol

The Meteorite Sorcery is very similar to the Rock Sling one as both spells use gravitational magic. While The Rock Sling can hit multiple enemies, Meteorite is better used against big foes like bosses in Elden Ring, as the caster will be able to summon a meteor rain from the sky. The Spell does require 30 Intelligence, so keep that in mind.

Before heading inside Caria Manor, take a detour east and enter the Royal Grave Evergaol. Defeat the Onyx Lord to acquire some Runes and the Meteorite Spell. The best tip to defeat this boss is by taking advantage of his spell-casting time, as he will take a while to cast Meteorite.

6 Rock Sling

Near Street of Sage Ruins

Players looking to upgrade Glintstone Pebble should try to find Rock Sling, a Gravity Sorcery that summons three large, homing rocks to smash into enemies. Although Rock Sling uses more FP than Glintstone Pebble, it deals more damage and has a good chance to stagger or knock enemies back. Additionally, the Rock Sling is great against enemies that are good at dodging spells, as it often causes them to dodge too early.

The easiest way to find the Rock Sling Sorcery in Elden Ring‘s early game is to open the trapped chest at the bottom of the stairs in the Dragon Burnt Ruins in Limgrave. This chest will transport players directly to Caelid, where Rock Sling can be found at the bottom of a stone staircase on the eastern side of the Street of Sage Ruins.

5 Meteorite Staff

Near Street of Sage Ruins

Although not a Sorcery itself, the Meteorite Staff is one of the best early-game weapons for Sorcerers in Elden Ring. Requiring only 18 Intelligence, the Meteorite Staff has S Int Scaling and grants a 30% boost to the power of Gravity Sorceries.

Conveniently, players who’ve gone looking for the Rock Sling Sorcery will also be able to find the Meteorite Staff nearby. The Staff can be found in the southwestern building on the Street of Sages Ruins. The corpse holding the Staff is dangling from a ledge in the room with the poison flowers.

The Meteorite Staff is as powerful as the early-game staves get, but it’s important to note that
it cannot be upgraded
, and thus will eventually get outclassed by more powerful staves.

4 Carian Piercer

Caria Manor

The Carian Piercer allows the caster to conjure a magical greatsword and thrust it forward into enemies in Elden Ring. Although the Sorcery is obtained early in the game, it requires 27 intelligence, which might be a bit challenging for some players.

While visiting the Caria Manor to defeat Loretta and gain access to the Three Sisters, head to the gardens found east of the manor and kill the Teardrop Scarab as it will drop the Carian Piercer.

3 Terra Magica

Complete The Academy Crystal Cave

While there are Talismans that buff Sorceries in Elden Ring, players can also collect a powerful buffing spell early on in the game. Upon casting the Terra Magica spell, a ruin will be inscribed on the ground and anyone standing inside its border will receive approximately 22% buff for 30 seconds.

When exploring the ruins around the Raya Lucaria Academy, Tarnished might stumble upon the Academy Crystal Cave. Explore it and defeat the Crystalians boss to unlock a room behind it. Climb to the top to obtain the Terra Magica.

2 Great Glintstone Shard

Waypoint Ruins

Great Glintstone Shard is a fantastic replacement to Glintstone Pebble for players who’ve expanded their FP pool to cover its increased cost. Essentially an upgraded version of the starting Sorcery, Great Glintstone Shard deals significantly higher damage at a slightly longer range, though with a 70% increase to its FP cost.

Players can purchase Great Glintstone Shard from Sorceress Sellen for 2000 Runes, but only after they’ve delivered the Academy Scroll to her. The Academy Scroll can be found in the unnamed graveyard on top of the cliffs at the far southern end of Liurnia of the Lakes. Players can reach it quickly by heading west from the Lake-Facing Cliffs Site of Grace.

1 Carian Slicer

Waypoint Ruins

For players who are going for a hybrid Sorcerer build or prefer to have a backup melee option, one of the best early-game Sorceries is Carian Slicer. This low-cost Sorcery summons a magical sword that can perform a three-hit slicing combo, dealing significant magical damage in melee range.

Players can buy Carian Slicer from Sorceress Sellen for 1500 Runes, but only after they’ve given her the Royal House Scroll. The Royal House Scroll can be found in a small encampment to the east of the Agheel Lake South Site of Grace in Liurnia of the Lakes. The Scroll is found on a dead body on the easternmost of the two ruins in the camp, where a sorcerer enemy will attack the player with magic at long range.