Dark Souls 2 offers an extraordinary variety of magic systems, but few are as versatile and devastating as hexes. Combining elements of both sorcery and miracles, hexes require players to balance intelligence and faith to unleash dark spells that inflict massive damage. Understanding how to optimize your stats and select the right gear is essential for mastering this unique playstyle.
Essential Stats and Skill Allocation
To maximize the efficiency of a hex build, you must focus primarily on Intelligence and Faith. Hex damage scales with the lower of these two attributes, meaning you should keep them equal to achieve the highest possible dark attack rating. Aiming for thirty in both Intelligence and Faith is considered the optimal soft cap for scaling.
In addition to your primary magic attributes, Attunement plays a vital role in providing enough spell slots and improving cast speed. Investing points into Vigor and Endurance ensures you maintain adequate survivability and stamina management during intense encounters. Adaptability should also receive attention to improve your agility and dodge roll invincibility frames.
Best Staffs and Chimes for Hexes
Hexes are divided into two main categories, requiring either a staff or a sacred chime to cast depending on the spell. The Sunset Staff is widely regarded as the premier choice for staff-based hexes due to its incredible dark scaling when infused with Dark. For chime-based dark magic, the Caitha Chime or the Chime of Want delivers unparalleled damage output.
Upgrading your primary catalyst with Dark Nightstones at a blacksmith drastically enhances your dark offensive power. Carrying both a high-tier staff and a chime allows you to seamlessly cycle through your full repertoire of dark magic. Managing your gear loadout effectively ensures you are prepared for both distant combat and close-quarters skirmishes.
Top Equipment and Accessories
Choosing the right armor and rings significantly boosts the potency and speed of your hexes. The Hexer Hood is an outstanding headpiece option because it increases both Intelligence and Faith while granting additional spell casts. Combining this hood with lightweight robes keeps your equip load low for fast stamina regeneration.
Ring selection is equally crucial for amplifying your character capabilities throughout your journey. The Dark Clutch Ring enhances dark attack power at the cost of slight physical defense reduction. Meanwhile, the Clear Bluestone Ring drastically increases casting speed, allowing you to cast spells before enemies can close the distance.
Core Spells and Combat Strategy
Dark Orb serves as the bread and butter spell for any aspiring hexer due to its high cast count and solid damage. For tougher enemies and bosses, spells like Resonant Soul or Great Resonant Soul deal immense burst damage at the expense of a few souls. Spells such as Dark Weapon provide a powerful weapon buff to supplement your physical attacks.
Combat strategy with a hexer revolves around maintaining spacing and managing your soul resource effectively. Keeping a weapon infused with Dark as a backup ensures you can handle spell-resistant targets without consuming attunement slots. Balancing offensive spellcasting with weapon strikes makes you a versatile threat in both single-player and player-versus-player scenarios.
