Staves & Seals

Staves & Seals

Staves and Seals are the primary catalysts for casting Sorceries and Incantations in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, respectively. Choosing the right catalyst can significantly impact your spellcasting effectiveness, influencing spell scaling, casting speed, and even providing unique bonuses.

Staves are used by Sorcerers to cast Sorceries. Each staff has a specific Sorcery Scaling stat, which determines how much bonus damage your spells receive based on your Intelligence. Some staves also have passive effects, such as increasing the power of specific schools of sorcery (e.g., Glintstone, Gravity) or boosting casting speed. The choice of staff often depends on your Intelligence investment and the types of sorceries you favor.

Seals are used by Faith-based characters to cast Incantations. Similar to staves, seals have Faith Scaling, which dictates the bonus damage for your incantations based on your Faith. Many seals also offer unique benefits, such as boosting specific incantation types (e.g., Fire, Lightning, Dragon Communion) or increasing the potency of certain buffs. Some seals even have unique weapon arts that can be used in combat.

• Staves: For Sorceries, scale with Intelligence.
• Seals: For Incantations, scale with Faith.
• Key Stats: Intelligence (Staves), Faith (Seals).
• Bonuses: Some catalysts boost specific spell types or casting speed.

In Shadow of the Erdtree, new staves and seals have been introduced, offering unique scaling properties and powerful passive effects. For example, a new staff might have exceptionally high Intelligence scaling but require a significant stat investment, while a new seal could offer a substantial boost to Dragon Incantations, making it ideal for Dragon Communion builds.

When selecting a staff or seal, consider your character's stat distribution. If you have a high Intelligence, you'll want a staff with excellent Intelligence scaling. If your Faith is your primary stat, focus on seals that offer the best Faith scaling and relevant incantation bonuses. Don't overlook the weapon arts associated with some seals, as they can provide valuable combat utility.

Experiment with different staves and seals as you find them. The optimal choice can change as you level up and discover new spells and incantations. Your catalyst is a fundamental part of your magical build, so choose wisely.