Best Pyromancer builds in Dark Souls 3

Pyromancy builds use Intelligence and Faith as their main stats. While there is less diversity in Pyro builds, the stats they use can be implemented for other casting builds. Intelligence and Faith are also the basis for all Dark builds in the game and Attunement will increase FP and Attunement Slots.

Early Game

Picking the Pyromancer starting class, players begin the game with the Pyromancy Flame, Fireball pyromancy, and the Great Swamp Ring. Near the beginning parts of the game is another damage increasing ring that sacrifices defenses in exchange for 15 percent more damage. The Fire Clutch Ring is one of the best rings for the build and increases fire damage from all sources.

Weapon choices for this class don't matter much and players can use either a Fire Gem or Raw Gem during the earlier parts of the game. These, as well as Simple, Deep, and Blessed infusions, remove the scaling from the weapon. This makes it so the weapon gets stronger each upgrade level but won't need points dumped into Strength or Dexterity.

Finding Cornyx as early as possible for more Pyromancies is recommended as much better pyromancies can be purchased from him. Tomes are required in order for him to teach the player and can be found throughout the world. Fire Orb and Fire Surge are good pyromancies to have at this stage while still experimenting with different weapons.

Pure Pyro Build

Using pyromancies and fire infused weapons, this build uses everything in its arsenal to try and deal as much damage as possible. The main difficulties with this build are fighting fire resistant enemies, but there are ways around this.

Equipment

• Any weapon infused with a Chaos Gem or a weapon that scales with INT and FTH like the Demon's Scar.
• Lloyd's Sword Ring
• Fire Clutch Ring
• Great Swamp Ring
• Witch's Ring
  

Related: Best Faith Builds in Dark Souls 3

Pyromancies

• Power Within
• Carthus Beacon - Can be traded out but is especially useful for fast weapon attacks or continual uses of Flame Surge.
• Chaos Bed Vestiges or Great Chaos Fire Orb until Seething Chaos is available.
• Chaos Storm - This is good area of effect damage but may not be ideal to use during some fights.

Pyromancies can be switched out as need be and there are many to work with. Fire Whip and Great Combustion might fit some players' playstyle as they are in melee range and don't rely on weapons. Faith and Intelligence are leveled up together to make the most damage. Even at 30 and 30, this build deals plenty of damage.

While some enemies are fire resistant, leveling up Faith and Intelligence also increase Dark damage.

Dark Pyromancer

Having two types of damage coming from a single catalyst is very useful. Dark pyromancies can be purchased from Karla with one being available from transposing Wolnir's Soul. There is not much variation for Dark Pyromancies, but there are plenty of options when using other dark dealing sources.

Equipment

• A Dark infused weapon works for melee or players can use weapons that scale with INT and FTH like the Onyx Blade or Murky Hand Scythe.
• Lloyd's Sword Ring
• Dark Clutch Ring
• Great Swamp Ring
• Witch's Ring
• Blindfold Mask

Pyromancies

• Black Fire Orb
• Black Flame
• Black Serpent

The build is made much better when used in combination with other pyromancies. It can be combined naturally and is a great solution to fighting enemies with a resistance to fire or dark. With all the materials, every dark pyromancy cast will be increased by 67 percent with this build.

Equipment

Using pyromancies opens players up to so many different options. There are many combinations of weapons, rings, and pyromancies to experiment with for a fun and powerful build.

Related: Best Code Vein Builds

Weapons

• Demon's Scar - This weapon functions as a catalyst as well as a powerful fire weapon.
• Onyx Blade - This weapon does both dark and fire damage when coated in flame with its Weapon Art.
• Chaos and Dark infusions - Any weapon can scale with INT and FTH when infused with these infusions.
• Murky Hand Scythe - A fast hitting dark weapon that can be infused for more damage.

Rings

• Great Swamp Ring - The starting ring for the Pyromancy Class that increases the damage of pyromancies by 12 percent. It can also be given to the player by Cornyx after saving him.
• Witch's Ring - A more powerful version of the swamp ring that increases the damage of pyromancies by 20 percent.
• Fire Clutch Ring - This ring increases fire damage from all sources by 15 percent while decreasing damage absorption of the wearer by 10 percent.
• Dark Clutch Ring - The dark version of the Fire Clutch Ring.
• Sage Ring - These rings increase casting speed by a set amount but do not stack with each other. Players can instead wield the Witchtree Branch instead to free up a ring slot.
• Lloyd's Sword Ring - Increases attack power by 10 percent while at full HP. This works for any form of damage dealt.
• Red Tearstone Ring - Increases attack power by 20 percent while at low HP. A risky ring with a big payout.

Catalysts

• Pyromancy Flame - The starting catalyst for the Pyromancy class that is given to the player by Cornyx after saving him. The flame has the highest spellbuff for casting pyromancies and dark pyromancies.
• White Hair Talisman - A catalyst that can cast both Miracles and Pyromancies. Due to a glitch, the FTH and INT stats must be the same number for pyromancies to scale properly.
• Pyromancer's Parting Flame - A special catalyst that awards Estus Flasks after killing 12 enemies. It leaves a trail of fire after casting certain spells, making it stronger than the starting flame. It is inconsistent whether the trails of fire will hit, making the starting catalyst a more practical option.

Additional Notes

The Poison and Toxic Mist pyromancies should not be overlooked as they are a good way of dealing damage for enemies weak to it.

The Witchtree Branch, although a spell catalyst, will increase casting speed for all catalysts. This passive is effective even while in the offhand.

Boulder Heave is a pyromancy that deals physical damage and can be useful for staggering enemies or fighting fire and dark resistant enemies.

While some pyromancies are stronger than others, they can feel inconsistent when casting. Gauging FP usage, stamina consumption, and even just how they feel will yield different results for players. There are many ways to play around with pyromancies and these builds allow players to experiment as they see fit.

For more Dark Souls 3 build guides, check out Best Sorcery builds in Dark Souls 3 on Pro Game Guides.