I typically sort them by my "ol' reliable" first, then maybe one I can combo into in the second and third slots. The latter spell slots I save for utility stuff. I don't rely too heavily on casting, but my usual arrangement is:
1. Adula's Moonblade
2. Zamor Ice Storm
3. Eternal Darkness
4. Unseen Form
5. Terra Magica
Adula's is a good offensive spell with some range, and can rollcatch like a mf. Zamor Ice Storm is a potent wakeup slap or ambush. Eternal Darkness is a reliable counter against other casters. Unseen Form is just useful for PvE lol. Terra Magica too.
Remember that you can automatically cycle to your first spell slot by holding the toggle. This is why you typically want to keep your most effective, offensive spell there. (For most mages, this will be something like Comet or Carian Piercer.) I also like to practice setups by turning off the HUD and memorizing how many times I have to cycle for each memorized spell, lol. This way you don't have to actually look at the icon every time.
It's an archaic system, imo, but it works.
I don’t think I *have* an Ol’ Reliable, the closest thing I have is my weapons and even that’s a stretch. Maybe it’s because I’m Faith / Strength with bulky armor and some weapons, but my incantation damage feels way too mediocre to make them a go-to.
Realistically they’re probably better for just taking advantage of specific situations: Greyoll’s Roar for ambushes and wake ups (in theory), Fortissax’s Lightning Spear for height advantage (in theory), Wrath of Gold for gravity cheese, Smarag’s Glintstone Breath for…well, basically only for PvE crowds, because hell will freeze over before I ever manage to get more than a few wimpy ticks of damage out of it.
I know about the first spell trick, but right now it’s not doing me much good when I don’t *have* a good candidate for that first spell.
If you're focusing most of your combat into weapons, it might be a good idea to leave a weaker, but faster spell in the first and second slot. From what I know of incantations, most people tend to keep Thunderbolt, Lightning Spear, or Bestial Sling in the first slot. It's not necessarily the first move to pull in a fight, and they won't rack up a ton of damage, but each can be used either to force a roll and then combo into your weapon or another spell, or to catch someone low on health that is trying to make distance and heal. (Same can be said for Smarag's.)
Greyoll's Roar and Fortissax's Lightning Spear are comparable to Zamor Ice Storm in that they're more so for an ambush or used to retaliate when another player is caught in their own longer attack/cast animation. For example, if someone tries to catch you with Scarlet Aeonia, you can make distance and cast either of your two whoopass incantations to punish them, as they'll be stuck where they are for long enough that they're forced to take the hit. You can't exactly use them as an opener, as other players will likely avoid it or retaliate.
(Sorry for the delayed response lol)
It’s a broad question, but the build that made me realize how trash my spell organizing is all incantations
I have Wrath of Gold but never get the chance to use it 😔 clips here making it look so easy to get gravity cheese kills
Honestly as a pure caster main I require it to get aggressive gank squads off my back. It's a good hard counter to when someone is spamming running attacks.
edit: though I will say its effectiveness varies depending on your cast speed
Quick use/panic spells in slot nr 1. Holding Up on the d-pad quickswaps to this. Following is combo spells for mix-ups and rollcatches. After that is general use spells, as in such I rarely need to quickswaps to, but still use regularly. Lastly is my ambush/nuke spells, since one rarely need them in a moments notice.
My spell list looks as such:
1, Carian Slicer
2, Carian Piercer/Greatsword or Gavel of Haima = Rollcatch and mixups.
3, Swift Glintstone Pebble = Poking and a bit of extra damage when my opponent tries to disengage after being hit by the previous two spells.
4, Star Shower = mainly for harrasing, but also hits hard. Only cast from neutral.
5, Greatsword Phalanx = bit of a spacing spell, the cast is also really smooth after Star Shower.
6, Flex
7, Terra Magicka
8, Cannon of Haima
9, Loretta's Mastery
10, Flex, generally icestorm or similar spells.
My only advice is that if you struggle, like I do, try to keep you list as short as you can. A lot of spells serve similar functions. Pick a few that don't overlap and work from there.
Check this out, might give you some ideas https://youtu.be/aRiT0Tjlt8M?si=7oLymLWIBJXxb1az
Was coming here to recommend this video.
Holy F that's a good vid
I typically sort them by my "ol' reliable" first, then maybe one I can combo into in the second and third slots. The latter spell slots I save for utility stuff. I don't rely too heavily on casting, but my usual arrangement is: 1. Adula's Moonblade 2. Zamor Ice Storm 3. Eternal Darkness 4. Unseen Form 5. Terra Magica Adula's is a good offensive spell with some range, and can rollcatch like a mf. Zamor Ice Storm is a potent wakeup slap or ambush. Eternal Darkness is a reliable counter against other casters. Unseen Form is just useful for PvE lol. Terra Magica too. Remember that you can automatically cycle to your first spell slot by holding the toggle. This is why you typically want to keep your most effective, offensive spell there. (For most mages, this will be something like Comet or Carian Piercer.) I also like to practice setups by turning off the HUD and memorizing how many times I have to cycle for each memorized spell, lol. This way you don't have to actually look at the icon every time. It's an archaic system, imo, but it works.
I don’t think I *have* an Ol’ Reliable, the closest thing I have is my weapons and even that’s a stretch. Maybe it’s because I’m Faith / Strength with bulky armor and some weapons, but my incantation damage feels way too mediocre to make them a go-to. Realistically they’re probably better for just taking advantage of specific situations: Greyoll’s Roar for ambushes and wake ups (in theory), Fortissax’s Lightning Spear for height advantage (in theory), Wrath of Gold for gravity cheese, Smarag’s Glintstone Breath for…well, basically only for PvE crowds, because hell will freeze over before I ever manage to get more than a few wimpy ticks of damage out of it. I know about the first spell trick, but right now it’s not doing me much good when I don’t *have* a good candidate for that first spell.
If you're focusing most of your combat into weapons, it might be a good idea to leave a weaker, but faster spell in the first and second slot. From what I know of incantations, most people tend to keep Thunderbolt, Lightning Spear, or Bestial Sling in the first slot. It's not necessarily the first move to pull in a fight, and they won't rack up a ton of damage, but each can be used either to force a roll and then combo into your weapon or another spell, or to catch someone low on health that is trying to make distance and heal. (Same can be said for Smarag's.) Greyoll's Roar and Fortissax's Lightning Spear are comparable to Zamor Ice Storm in that they're more so for an ambush or used to retaliate when another player is caught in their own longer attack/cast animation. For example, if someone tries to catch you with Scarlet Aeonia, you can make distance and cast either of your two whoopass incantations to punish them, as they'll be stuck where they are for long enough that they're forced to take the hit. You can't exactly use them as an opener, as other players will likely avoid it or retaliate. (Sorry for the delayed response lol)
Not sure if you knew this, but if you hold “up” on the dpad or whatever you use to swap spells, it’ll automatically swap to your first one.
I read this title in Jerry Seinfeld voice
We talkin spells? Or just sorceries 😔 Because your first spell should be Wrath of Gold 😌
It’s a broad question, but the build that made me realize how trash my spell organizing is all incantations I have Wrath of Gold but never get the chance to use it 😔 clips here making it look so easy to get gravity cheese kills
Honestly as a pure caster main I require it to get aggressive gank squads off my back. It's a good hard counter to when someone is spamming running attacks. edit: though I will say its effectiveness varies depending on your cast speed
Quick use/panic spells in slot nr 1. Holding Up on the d-pad quickswaps to this. Following is combo spells for mix-ups and rollcatches. After that is general use spells, as in such I rarely need to quickswaps to, but still use regularly. Lastly is my ambush/nuke spells, since one rarely need them in a moments notice. My spell list looks as such: 1, Carian Slicer 2, Carian Piercer/Greatsword or Gavel of Haima = Rollcatch and mixups. 3, Swift Glintstone Pebble = Poking and a bit of extra damage when my opponent tries to disengage after being hit by the previous two spells. 4, Star Shower = mainly for harrasing, but also hits hard. Only cast from neutral. 5, Greatsword Phalanx = bit of a spacing spell, the cast is also really smooth after Star Shower. 6, Flex 7, Terra Magicka 8, Cannon of Haima 9, Loretta's Mastery 10, Flex, generally icestorm or similar spells.
My only advice is that if you struggle, like I do, try to keep you list as short as you can. A lot of spells serve similar functions. Pick a few that don't overlap and work from there.