Board Thread:Dark Souls/@comment-107.77.70.30-20170721030127/@comment-5264386-20170721085233

Hi there!

Unfortunately, hexing isn't a fully fleshed out concept like it is in Dark Souls II. There are a few Dark Sorceries (Pursuers, Dark Hail and Dark Fog) and one Dark Pyromancy (Black Flame), but those were only introduced with the release of the Artorias of the Abyss/Prepare to Die Edition, so you'd only be able to get them quite late in the game.

Nevertheless, the best catalysts (at least, for extended usage) are ordered as follows: It's worth mentioning also that although the Tin Crystallisation and Manus Catalysts do have higher Magic Adjust values, they also halve your number of spell casts. As such, those are probably better for more specialised builds.
 * Below 29 Intelligence? Oolacile Ivory Catalyst
 * Above 29 Intelligence, but below 41 INT? Sorcerer's Catalyst
 * Above 41 Intelligence? Logan's Catalyst

For talismans, the hierarchy is:
 * Below 27 Faith? Thorolund Talisman
 * Above 27 Faith, but below 39? Canvas Talisman
 * Above 39 Faith? Darkmoon Talisman (unless you can't be bothered farming for Souvenirs of Reprisal, then the Ivory Talisman is fine)

With respect to starting stats, it doesn't really matter too much, I would say, and it would all depend upon what sort of stats you'd like to focus on first. Pretty much the only useless stat in Dark Souls is Resistance, since every other stat does what it does (grant extra defence), but more efficiently (you'll have more HP/stamina/attack and so on than if you had leveled up Resistance instead). Also, in Dark Souls, Endurance raises both your stamina and your equip load, making it quite an efficient stat to invest in.

If you want to be more offensive spell-focused at the start, either of the Sorcerer or the Pyromancer classes are fine (you'll need to pump up your Vitality a bit first, though). For a more melee-orientated start, the Knight or Bandit classes should work. There aren't any "best" classes, though, so feel free to chose whatever sounds best to you!

Sorry that you won't quite be able to make the build you were looking for, but I hope you enjoy your first journey into Lordran! Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions! :)