Stella Astra, Militant Astrologer Build
I'm historically not very good at these types of games. Currently on my first playthrough as a mostly ranged magic build that also has a sword, after several hours of trying other builds, this is the one that got me through Stormveil. I've found it fun and easier than the pure melee builds I tried first.
Starting as Astrologer will give her immediate access to two good ranged spells: Glintstone Pebble and Glintstone Arc.
The general rule of thumb for levelling seems to be to reach the minimums for whatever weaponry she wants to use, and enough endurance to keep a Medium Equip Load despite her preferred protective drip.
Everything else should go to Vigour for survivability. Once she's feeling not-too-squishy and that she's got enough stamina to do all the rolling and dodging that she wants, Mind will let her cast more spells between rests/flasks, and Intelligence is her attack stat.
It can be her attack stat for melee weapons too, I believe, just need to apply a Magic or Cold 'ash of war' to the weapon. The first Magic AoW I found was after defeating an enemy on an isolated beach directly South East of the starting point. The second I bought from a vendor in the first church inside Liurnia.
My astrologer, Stella, at Level 25 had these stats: 17 15 12 11 15 18 7 9
She's fashionable but sensible, wearing armoured greaves under her robes and occasionally suiting up for the tougher fights, so needed a little more endurance to stay unloaded.
Dexterity & Strength are just high enough to wield her katana, and Intelligence high enough to use the Meteorite Staff. Everything else went to Vigour. The rest are starting default.
Levelling path to 50: keep on with Vigour to 25-30, then Intelligence the same, other stats as needed for minimums, comfort, or load. Many people prioritise getting Vigour to 40.
Level 25 Astrologer Build on EIP
The only items that I rushed were the Meteorite Staff and the nearby Rock Sling spell. That's still my ranged big damage spell. Here's a more straightforward video that shows how to get to them straight away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA9lL0U4C24
Because the Meteorite Staff is already fully upgraded, any levels she puts into Intelligence will visibly start to impact her damage. But she can keep her Astrologer's staff and do fine — just remember to upgrade it at the anvil in Kalé's church, or with the blacksmith when you find him.
First published on reddit