Understanding Sacred Seals in Elden Ring for Incantation Builds

Holy Marks are essential catalysts in Elden Ring, allowing players to cast spells, the game's version of magic. Most spells scale with Faith, meaning the higher the Faith, the more powerful the spell. However, there is a common misunderstanding among new players about how spells scale. In fact, spells do not scale directly with a specific attribute, but rather with the Mark that casts the spell. This Mark has an inherent "Inca Variance," a value that determines how much damage the spell will do. For players looking to enhance their Elden Ring experience and take their Faith-based builds to the next level, MMOexp is the perfect platform to help you acquire the Elden Ring Runes you need. Whether you're looking to upgrade your Holy Marks, boost your incantation power, or unlock new abilities, MMOexp offers a secure and efficient way to farm or buy Elden Ring Runes.

How Seal Scaling Works

When choosing a seal, it’s important to understand that the scaling of your incantations is linked to the seal’s own "Incan Scaling," not the requirements of the spell itself. For example, a spell like Dragon Claw can scale with any stat depending on the seal equipped. If you're using a Clawmark Seal, the damage could scale with either Strength or Faith, whereas the Dragon Communion Seal scales with Faith and Arcane. The Earth Tree Seal is purely Faith-based, regardless of what spells you're using. Therefore, while the requirements of the spells might suggest you need a certain amount of Faith or Arcane to use them, the scaling of damage primarily depends on the seal's Incan Scaling.

Special Cases: Weapon Buffs & Healing Spells

There are a couple of exceptions to this rule. Spells like Electrify Armament, Flame Blade, and Black Flame Blade (weapon buffs) scale with Faith, but these types of buffs do not benefit from the seal’s Incan Scaling. The same applies to healing spells, like Heal or Great Heal. For these spells, the only thing that matters is your Faith stat and the level of your seal; Incan Scaling has no impact. In these cases, it’s always better to use a seal that has the highest Faith scaling possible—such as the Earth Tree Seal or the Golden Order Seal—to maximize your healing or buffing capabilities.

Choosing the Right Seal

There are 12 different sacred seals in Elden Ring, each with its own advantages depending on your build and preferred incantation types. Here’s a quick rundown of some popular options:

· Spiral Tree Seal (DLC) – This seal provides a 20% boost to Spiral Incantations, but is generally considered weak compared to other seals.

· Frenzied Flame Seal – A light, no-requirement seal that boosts Frenzied Flame incantations by 20%, but its scaling in Faith is significantly better than other stats, making it less ideal for mixed builds.

· Fire Knight Seal (DLC) – Best for fire-based incantations, this seal boosts Mesmer Fire spells by 15%. It’s decent for fire builds but often overshadowed by stronger options like the Giant Seal.

· Godslayer Seal – This is one of the best seals for Faith-based builds, offering significant damage output and boosting Black Flame incantations by 15%. Ideal for medium-to-high Faith builds.

· Golden Order Seal – This seal scales with both Faith and Intelligence, making it incredibly strong for hybrid builds that use both incantations and sorceries. It’s one of the highest-damaging seals when you invest in both stats.

· Gravel Stone Seal – Primarily used for lightning builds, this seal boosts Dragon Cult incantations by 15%, including powerful spells like Ancient Dragon’s Lightning Strike. It’s an essential pick for Faith-based builds using lightning attacks.

Passive Effects of Seals

What makes seals even more interesting is their passive effects. Many seals boost specific types of incantations, such as the Godslayer Seal, which enhances Black Flame spells, or the Gravel Stone Seal, which boosts Dragon Cult incantations. These boosts can be applied just by equipping the seal in your off-hand, meaning you don’t even have to use the seal actively to benefit from the buff. If you’re using multiple seals, these passive effects can stack, providing a significant boost to your damage output, especially in New Game Plus.

Final Thoughts

When optimizing a Faith build in Elden Ring, choosing the right seal is key to maximizing the effects of your spells. While the Earthly Tree Seal is an all-around choice for Faith builds, other seals like the Golden Order Seal or the Gravelstone Seal can provide significant advantages depending on the spells you choose. Pay attention to the scaling and passive effects of each seal, and don't hesitate to switch between seals to suit the needs of your current build or play style. Whether you're looking to elden ring items buy for faster progression, acquire specific seals, or gather materials for your next upgrade, MMOexp offers a hassle-free shopping experience.

Remember that seals are more than just raw damage—they can provide strategic advantages that help customize your play experience. Experiment with different seals, explore the various spells, and find the combination that works best for you. Whether you're healing allies, buffing your weapons, or bombarding your enemies with holy fire, the right seal will make all the difference in your Elden Ring journey.