Sapphire the Carian Knight – RL 150 Intelligence Spellblade

Sapphire the Carian Knight

A RL 150 build focused on Carian sorceries and equipment. Built primarily around PvE and balanced around the PvP build meta level.

This is a meta-level version of my earlier Carian Knight build. My goal with this build was to make a blue-themed spellblade that could use a variety of magic weapons along with Carian Sorceries.  She is a counterpart to Garnet the Dragon Knight (my red build and invader) and Amber the Holy Knight (my gold build and co-op phantom).  The key to this build is to combine sorceries with melee attacks in creative ways.

For multiplayer, I chose the Blue Hunter role for this character.  Protect your allies from those pesky red phantoms (don’t tell Garnet).

Starting Class

I chose the Vagabond over the Astrologer and Prisoner as it’s the most optimal class for a spellblade build that invests into Faith as well. I tend to add Faith to my builds once I approach level 200 due to the utility of incantations, so I reflected that in this build by giving Sapphire just enough Faith for support incantations. 12 Faith is also enough to incorporate Fire Knight weapons into this build, which can be infused with magic.

Upon the release of Tarnished Edition, the Knight of Ides starter class will be optimal for this build as well, due to its low starting Arcane of 6.

Carian Sorcery Sword

• Use the Main-Gauche with the Carian Sorcery Sword to use the dual thrusting-sword move set combined with sorceries. This allows a mix of short- and long-ranged attacks with parries. A technique inspired by Clankymocha’s Carian Fencer playstyle.
• Swap to the Wolf Crest Shield for a more defensive playstyle, inspired by Fextralife’s Carian Knight. Use it with Carian Retaliation for parries or with No Skill for easier access to your main hand weapon skill. This makes it easier to close the gaps with Impaling Thrust.

Magic Greatswords and Colossal Swords

• Use the Milady (light greatsword) for a sword-and-board or two-hand playstyle. Combining heavy attacks with light attacks is key with this weapon. You can use Carian Sovereignty as a finisher or as a way to open fights.
• Alternatively, use a Magic Greatsword, such as the Flamberge or Claymore, with Carian Sovereignty, as Greatswords provide the highest active poise while casting Carian Sovereignty. The Flamberge’s native hemorrhage buildup is a plus.
• Use a Magic Zweihander with Waves of Darkness for a strong AoE option when surrounded (a technique borrowed from OnlyWaifu).  With our extra Faith, a Magic Fire Knight’s Greatsword becomes a viable option as well. Consider putting Spinning Gravity Thrust on one of these.

Moonveil

• While not included in this loadout, Moonveil and the Glintstone Kris are fantastic alternative weapons that can be incorporated into your arsenal.
• Use Moonveil with an off-hand staff to cast your sorceries while having ready access to Transient Moonlight.  You can cast Glintblade Trio and Carian Phalanx as openers, then switch to two-hand stance to use Moonveil’s katana move set and skill.
• Alternatively, wield Moonveil with an off-hand Magic Wakizashi to use the dual katana move set with a parry option.

Carian Thrusting Shield

Another solid option for this build. You’ll need to two hand it or boost your Strength to use it, but you can put Cragblade on this for an excellent defensive fighting style. Alternatively, use shield grease or Scholar’s Shield to enhance its guard capabilities.

Ranged Sorceries

• Loretta’s Greatbow and Night Comet provide solid ranged options.  Use these to open up fights or finish off foes at range.  Loretta’s Greatbow and Master also make strong sniper options.
• Glintblade Trio and Carian Phalanx provide wonderful pressure options.  Use these to to give yourself cover while casting ranged spells or while closing in for melee.  Something to keep in mind should you play as a hunter.
• Use the Glintstone Kris’s Glintstone Dart as a quick ranged option.  It’s stronger and faster than the Comet sorcery, and its chargeable property makes it compatible with the Godfrey Icon.

Sacred Seal

Use the Finger Seal to cast support incantations. Bestial Vitality heals you over time. You also have the Fortification (Flame, Magic, Lightning, and Divine Fortification) spells for resistance to different elements. Upgrade these to Flame Protect Me, Barrier of Gold, Golden Lightning Fortification, and Lord’s Divine Fortification if invest more in Faith at higher levels.

Once you reach 17 Faith, you can replace the Finger Seal with the Golden Order Seal.

Talismans

• Bull Goat’s Talisman: This gets us past the 51 Poise threshold with our chosen fashion set.
• Godfrey Icon: Use this to power up charged spells and skills like Carian Sovereignty.
• Shard of Alexander: Enhances skills like Carian Sovereignty.
• Stargazer Heirloom: Shores up the last 5 points of Intelligence we need to reach 80 Intelligence.
• Two-Handed Sword Talisman: Boosts two-handed attacks by 15%. Swap this in for more attack power when using two-handed weapons like Greatswords.
• Cerulean Amber Medallion +3: Grants more FP. Swap this in if you want to cast more spells and skills.

Conclusion

Experiment with various sorcery and weapon combos to achieve the best results in any situation. This is the heart and soul of this build. Play around and have fun.