Magic Adjustment (Mag Adj) is a special stat in Dark Souls and Dark Souls Remastered. Unique to spell casting weapons, it determines the amount of damage spells will do. Its potency scales with the relevant character Stat (Intelligence, Int; or Faith, Fth). The higher the Mag Adj, the stronger the spell's effect (note: some spells, such as Chameleon, are not affected by this stat). Be aware that the Mag Adj on different catalysts will scale differently. Specifically, they have different: base Mag Adj, max Mag Adj, and scaling. As some catalysts are meant to be used at lower levels (Oolacile, for example), they will reach their optimal scaling level sooner than those meant to be higher level catalysts (Logan's).
Please see
- Faith and Intelligence Talisman Magic Adjustment Values
- Intelligence and Faith Catalyst Magic Adjustment Value
Magic Adjustment in Dark Souls
For more tips on using the appropriate Catalyst, and in-depth information on all the Mag Adj stats of all Catalysts, at Int levels 10-59 and 99 (for all intents and purposes, as you'll see, consider this ALL Int levels), read on.
Uses of this page:
- Knowing which catalyst will be best suited for your current level.
- Planning which Int level to stop at for an Int build, and which catalyst to use at that level.
- Knowing exactly when it would be more beneficial to invest in Int or in weapon scaling stats, for a Hybrid build based on using the Crystal Magic Weapon spell. (For more info on the spell: CMW)
Quick Notes
- The Oolacile catalyst reaches its cap at a whopping 12 Int! It is by far the strongest catalyst at that level, with 180 Mag Adj. To get higher than that with any catalyst, takes 27 Int.
- The Sorcerer's, Beatrice's and Izalith Catalysts all have the same Mag Adj at all levels.
- The Tin Banishment Catalyst and Demon's Catalyst are always beat by at least one other catalyst at every Int level. Therefore if you plan on using the catalyst with the best Mag Adj for you Int level, these two are never to be considered.
- Other than Oolacile's, which caps out at Int 12, catalysts do not have a hard level cap. They will get increasingly diminishing returns until their max Mag Adj at Int 99. So know when to stop! Spending 10 SLs to get 1 more Mag Adj is definitely not worth it.
- The Darkmoon Catalyst, as it scales with Faith, will remain at its base stat of 19 Mag Adj for all Int levels if you do not raise your Fth. Since this page concerns Int Mag Adj, consider this catalyst as not tested.
- Velka's Talisman's Mag Adj scales with Int, therefore it is included on this page. Be aware that, in order to use miracles with this talisman, you will still need the base required Faith stat. So to decide whether this talisman is useful to you, compare its Mag Adj with those of other talismans (see: Talisman Mag Adjusts).
Final Note
For all intents and purposes, when choosing the appropriate Catalyst for your Int, there are really only 4 to consider (out of 9 catalysts). They are: Oolacile Ivory, Sorcerer's/ Beatrice's/ Izalith, Logan's, Tin Crystallization (TCC).
Quick Recommendations
- Int 12-26: Oolacile Ivory Catalyst
- Int 27-40: Sorcerer's/ Beatrice's/ Izalith
- Int 41+: Logan's
- Int 32+ TCC
- TCC is the strongest for all levels above 32. If you are comfortable with halving your number of castings, go with this one. Otherwise, go with either Sorcerer's (and equivalents) or Logan's, depending whether you are above or below 41 Int.
- Int 23-31*: Manus Catalyst
- Manus Catalyst is the strongest for levels 23-31, and when casting abyss sorceries may be stronger than the TCC at higher Int values if you also have high strength. As with the TCC, go with this one at lower Int values if you're comfortable with halving your castings, otherwise Oolacile/Sorcerer's depending on if you're above or below 27 Int.
Recommended Plateaus
- Int 12-26: If you plan on keeping your Int below 27 and using the Oolacile catalyst, stop at whichever level you need to cast the spell you want. No need to go above the base for the spell since Oolacile is already capped out.
- Int 30 (32): If you plan on min-maxing using the Manus Catalyst and dark sorceries. Intelligence scaling drops off significantly after 30, so you can put remaining levels into Str to max power of dark sorceries.
- If you plan to use Pursuers, you will need 32 Int to cast the spell.
- Int 32: if you plan on min-maxing using the TCC. As with the Oolacile, if the spell you wish to use requires more than 32 Int, then go for the base stat.
- Int 45: if you plan on min-maxing using Logan's. At 41 Int Logan's Mag Adj is at 215; with only 4 more SLs, it reaches 234. Gains after 45 diminish extremely quickly (at 59 Int, Logan's goes up to 238 Mag Adj from 234 at 45).
- Int 50: absolute max recommendable, and only for the TCC. At this Int, it has 293 Mag Adj. At 59 Int the TCC has 297 Mag Adj; a 4 point gain for 9 levels. (If you go to 50 Int and would like to use Velka's Talisman, you will get 199 Mag Adj for your Miracles. Compare that with the Mag Adj of other talismans at the base stat required to use the miracle you desire to decide which is best. Do not go above 50 Int for Velka's Talisman either.)
Max Mag Adj Stats (Int 99)
- Oolacile: 180
- Darkmoon: 19 (*240 with 99 Fth)
- Sorcerer's/ Beatrice's/ Izalith: 240
- Logan's: 250
- TCC: 315
- Manus: 295
- Tin Banishment: 220
- Demon's: 200
- (Velka's Talisman: 209 Mag Adj for Miracles at 99 Int)
MAG ADJ STATS:
Int \ Cata | O.Ivory | T.Darkmoon* | Sorcerer | Beatrice | Izalith | Logan | T.Crystal | Manus | T.Banish | Demon | Velka** | Oolacile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 22 | 19 | 109 | 109 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 106 | 19 | 180 | |
11 | 47 | 19 | 110 | 110 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 47 | 107 | 19 | 180 | |
12 | 180 | 19 | 111 | 111 | 26 | 19 | 19 | 109 | 107 | 19 | 180 | |
13 | 180 | 19 | 112 | 112 | 52 | 19 | 19 | 116 | 110 | 108 | 20 | 180 |
14 | 180 | 19 | 113 | 113 | 113 | 19 | 19 | 118 | 111 | 109 | 31 | 180 |
15 | 180 | 19 | 114 | 114 | 114 | 19 | 19 | 119 | 112 | 110 | 57 | 180 |
16 | 180 | 19 (118) | 119 | 119 | 119 | 19 | 19 | 127 | 116 | 114 | 127 | 180 |
17 | 180 | 19 (123) | 125 | 125 | 125 | 19 | 19 | 135 | 121 | 118 | 133 | 180 |
18 | 180 | 19 (128) | 130 | 130 | 130 | 19 | 19 | 142 | 126 | 122 | 138 | 180 |
19 | 180 | 19 (133) | 136 | 136 | 136 | 19 | 19 | 150 | 131 | 126 | 144 | 180 |
20 | 180 | 19 (139) | 142 | 142 | 142 | 22 | 19 | 158 | 136 | 130 | 149 | 180 |
21 | 180 | 19 (144) | 147 | 147 | 147 | 31 | 19 | 166 | 140 | 134 | 151 | 180 |
22 | 180 | 19 (149) | 153 | 153 | 153 | 47 | 19 | 174 | 145 | 138 | 152 | 180 |
23 | 180 | 19 (154) | 158 | 158 | 158 | 70 | 19 | 181 | 150 | 142 | 154 | 180 |
24 | 180 | 19 (159) | 164 | 164 | 164 | 100 | 19 | 189 | 155 | 146 | 156 | 180 |
25 | 180 | 19 (165) | 170 | 170 | 170 | 100 | 19 | 197 | 160 | 150 | 157 | 180 |
26 | 180 | 19 (170) | 175 | 175 | 175 | 112 | 20 | 205 | 164 | 154 | 159 | 180 |
27 | 180 | 19 (175) | 181 | 181 | 181 | 124 | 23 | 213 | 169 | 158 | 161 | 180 |
28 | 180 | 19 (180) | 186 | 186 | 186 | 136 | 31 | 220 | 174 | 162 | 162 | 180 |
29 | 180 | 19 (185) | 192 | 192 | 192 | 148 | 42 | 228 | 179 | 166 | 164 | 180 |
30 | 180 | 19 (191) | 198 | 198 | 198 | 160 | 57 | 236 | 184 | 170 | 166 | 180 |
31 | 180 | 19 (192) | 199 | 199 | 199 | 165 | 76 | 238 | 185 | 171 | 167 | 180 |
32 | 180 | 19 (193) | 200 | 200 | 200 | 170 | 254 | 240 | 186 | 172 | 169 | 180 |
33 | 180 | 19 (194) | 202 | 202 | 202 | 175 | 256 | 242 | 187 | 173 | 170 | 180 |
34 | 180 | 19 (196) | 203 | 203 | 203 | 180 | 259 | 244 | 188 | 174 | 172 | 180 |
35 | 180 | 19 (197) | 205 | 205 | 205 | 185 | 261 | 246 | 190 | 175 | 174 | 180 |
36 | 180 | 19 (198) | 206 | 206 | 206 | 190 | 263 | 248 | 191 | 176 | 175 | 180 |
37 | 180 | 19 (200) | 207 | 207 | 207 | 195 | 265 | 250 | 192 | 177 | 177 | 180 |
38 | 180 | 19 (201) | 209 | 209 | 209 | 200 | 267 | 252 | 193 | 178 | 179 | 180 |
39 | 180 | 19 (202) | 210 | 210 | 210 | 205 | 269 | 254 | 194 | 179 | 180 | 180 |
40 | 180 | 19 (204) | 211 | 211 | 211 | 209 | 272 | 256 | 196 | 180 | 18 | 180 |
41 | 180 | 19 (205) | 213 | 213 | 213 | 215 | 274 | 257 | 197 | 181 | 184 | 180 |
42 | 180 | 19 (206) | 214 | 214 | 214 | 220 | 276 | 259 | 198 | 182 | 185 | 180 |
43 | 180 | 19 (207) | 216 | 216 | 216 | 225 | 278 | 261 | 199 | 183 | 187 | 180 |
44 | 180 | 19 (209) | 217 | 217 | 217 | 230 | 280 | 263 | 200 | 183 | 189 | 180 |
45 | 180 | 19 (210) | 219 | 219 | 219 | 234 | 282 | 265 | 202 | 185 | 190 | 180 |
46 | 180 | 19 (211) | 220 | 220 | 220 | 235 | 284 | 267 | 203 | 186 | 192 | 180 |
47 | 180 | 19 (213) | 221 | 221 | 221 | 235 | 287 | 269 | 204 | 187 | 194 | 180 |
48 | 180 | 19 (214) | 223 | 223 | 223 | 235 | 289 | 271 | 205 | 188 | 195 | 180 |
49 | 180 | 19 (215) | 224 | 224 | 224 | 236 | 291 | 273 | 206 | 189 | 197 | 180 |
50 | 180 | 19 (216) | 226 | 226 | 226 | 236 | 293 | 275 | 208 | 190 | 199 | 180 |
51 | 180 | 19 | 226 | 226 | 226 | 236 | 293 | 275 | 208 | 190 | 199 | 180 |
52 | 180 | 19 | 226 | 226 | 226 | 236 | 294 | 276 | 208 | 190 | 199 | 180 |
53 | 180 | 19 | 226 | 226 | 226 | 237 | 294 | 276 | 208 | 190 | 199 | 180 |
54 | 180 | 19 | 227 | 227 | 227 | 237 | 295 | 277 | 208 | 190 | 199 | 180 |
55 | 180 | 19 | 227 | 227 | 227 | 237 | 295 | 277 | 209 | 191 | 200 | 180 |
56 | 180 | 19 | 227 | 227 | 227 | 238 | 296 | 277 | 209 | 191 | 200 | 180 |
57 | 180 | 19 | 228 | 228 | 228 | 238 | 296 | 278 | 209 | 191 | 200 | 180 |
58 | 180 | 19 | 228 | 228 | 228 | 238 | 297 | 278 | 209 | 191 | 200 | 180 |
59 | 180 | 19 | 228 | 228 | 228 | 238 | 297 | 279 | 209 | 191 | 201 | 180 |
99 | 180 | 19 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 250 | 315 | 295 | 220 | 200 | 209 | 180 |
*The Tin Darkmoon Catalyst scales with Faith. If you do not level Faith, it will remain at 19 Mag. Adj. Italicized numbers in parentheses are Mag. Adj. values obtained by raising your Faith.
**Velka's Talisman is a Miracle casting medium that scales with Intelligence. Values in the table are Mag. Adj. values obtained by raising your Intelligence.
Relevant forum thread:
- Anonymous
The Tin Banishment and Demon catalyst are both useful as melee weapons if you are planning a Catalyst only no casting run
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
Hey john i know you've been under a lot of stress lately so i finished all the catalyst coding for you. Geez Mike thanks a lot i appreciate it...Mike why do half of the catalysts have the same scaling ...SO YOU DON'T LIKE IT JOHN? I HELP YOU HERE AND YOU DON'T APPRECIATE IT AT ALL...no no Mike i love it thanks a lot.
- Anonymous
Manus catalyst and TCC both state that they boost sorceries. I know Manus is better for dark sorceries, but what's the added boost from each of the two catalysts?
- Anonymous
Go back and forth dying on blight town to get Tin Banishment on SL1, just to come back using default sorcerer's default catalyst on late game PVE. Feelsbad man.
- Anonymous
So do the blocks of cells set off by dotted lines indicate the best catalyst(s) without having to go to the trouble of obtaining the Tin Crystallization or Manus ones?
- Anonymous
So does the magic adjust work like item discovory (multiplys/is a percentage) so using a staff with 180 magic adjust would multiply the spell by 1.8?
- Anonymous
good hel i have tin cyrstalization cata;yst now tanks i from afganistan
this is a helpful page- will deffinetely come back here sometime
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
Anyone here knows which catalyst is the best for buffs? I'm thinking in creating a Sorcerer to fight in PVPs, but with a Claymore or a Rapier (probably Ricard's Rapier) as my weapon when I'm not using sorceries. So basically, I would have a catalyst for sorceries and another catalyst for buff in my right hand weapon
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