7 Best Soulslike Games For Hybrid Magic/Physical Builds, Ranked

Soulslikes are among some of the most beloved games in the gaming community due to their high level of difficulty, amazing stories and lore, the grim, yet fascinating worlds they present to players, and the variety of weapons and choices they offer. Some titles in this genre are known for their versatility in combat, whereas others suffer from certain restrictions that make them a little more limited in terms of playability.

In many instances, Soulslikes offer different class systems that allow players to create powerful builds focused on single Stats like Dexterity or Strength. However, some titles also give players enough freedom to create hybrid builds that are devastating. Here are some of the best Soulslike games for hybrid magic/physical builds​​​​​​.

7 Lords Of The Fallen

A Great Soulslike With Unique Designs

• Players must stop evil forces from taking over the world
• The 2023 version of the game takes place over a thousand years after this title's events

Lords of the Fallen lets players control Harkyn, a criminal who’s tasked with stopping a powerful god’s evil plans and the demonic forces that come with it. This title has often been criticized for being too similar to the Dark Souls franchise, which seems unfair, as that’s the whole point when it comes to Soulslikes.

While Lords of the Fallen does not feature a magic arsenal as broad as that of Elden Ring or the Dark Souls franchise, it still presents players with a decent opportunity to create a hybrid build between Physical and Magic damage. If players want a more modern version of this game that’s set more than a thousand years after the events of this 2014 title, Lords of the Fallen (2023) has challenging bosses to offer and lots of things to discover.

6 Salt And Sanctuary

A 2D Side-scroller With Multiple Challenges To Offer

• Unique art style that fits the concept of the game well
• Huge skill tree that allows for detailed customization

Unlike other games on this list, Salt and Sanctuary does not feature 3D graphics that will put low and mid-range PC's to the test, as its art style is very simplistic, yet unique and attractive.

Featuring large areas to explore, multiple bosses to fight, and a wide range of different spells for players to take advantage of, this title allows for a combination of Physical and Magic builds that can be very effective and devastating. Moreover, Salt and Sanctuary features one of the biggest skill trees in Soulslikes, giving players the chance to detail their builds with great freedom.

5 Blasphemous 2

A Soulslike That Improves Greatly On Its Prequel

• This title has more weapons than its prequel
• Players can take advantage of various spells called "Prayers"

When Blasphemous was released for players worldwide to enjoy, they were immediately captivated by the game’s unique art style and concept, which took inspiration from the Spanish Inquisition.

In Blasphemous 2, players will once again take on the role of the Penitent One as they explore the grim world of Cvstodia—filled with vicious enemies, formidable bosses, and tons of platforming to reach the different areas in the game. Although the first Blasphemous game already featured a combination of spells known as "Prayers" and melee attacks, there was only one weapon available. The sequel improves upon this greatly, as there are now three different weapons for the Penitent One to use and the Prayer variety is also greater.

4 Nioh 2

An Outstanding Soulslike Title Set In Japan

• Set in a very interesting period in Japan
• Players can create overpowered hybrid builds

Nioh 2 is set in Japan in the late 16th century, which already makes the game interesting, as this is a very critical period in history. Not only does this title feature amazing combat mechanics and a lot of action, but certain mage builds are completely overpowered and can decimate enemies in the blink of an eye.

Although magic isn't as complex as it is in the Dark Souls franchise or Elden Ring, it's still really fun to use and can be a great advantage against enemies that would otherwise be much more challenging.

3 Hollow Knight

The Hallownest Is Extremely Entertaining To Explore

• Powerful Spells that can be combined with Nail attacks
• The Hallownest is full of interesting creatures to talk to

Few games have raised the bar for 2D side-scroller Soulslikes in the same way that Hollow Knight did when it was first released. The game is set in the magical underground world of the Hallownest, which is full of different bug-like creatures.

With powerful Spells like the Desolate Dive and the Vengeful Spirit, players can take advantage of Hollow Knight’s combat mechanics and develop a hybrid combat technique that involves swinging their sword, referred to as "Nail", and casting their Spells to deal maximum damage. With the upcoming sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, players have a lot to look forward to in this amazing mystical universe.

2 Bloodborne

A Nightmarish World Struck By Disease

• Spine-chilling creatures that will give players nightmares
• Arcane weapons do more damage as players increase their Arcane Stats

Bloodborne is arguably the most terrifying and nightmare-inducing title FromSoftware has ever released. Yes, the Dark Souls franchise and Elden Ring also have their fair share of spine-chilling creatures and monsters. However, they don't even scratch the surface when compared to the horrors presented to players in Bloodborne.

While magic isn't a great part of this game, players can use very powerful weapons that scale with the Arcane Stat, increasing the additional damage they do as players raise their Arcane level. This might not sound like it’s a great advantage to have, but with enough patience and the right Stat allocation, players can kill even the toughest boss in a few minutes without breaking a sweat.

1 Elden Ring

Arguably The Title With The Most Build Options Out There

• A vast open world with several things to discover
• Players can experiment with different hybrid builds and create overpowered combinations

Last but not least, there's Elden Ring, which is considered by many to be FromSoftware's magnum opus. Set in a vast open world known as The Lands Between, this title presents players with many different bosses to face, tons of areas to explore, and a broad range of weapons, armor, and spells to use to their advantage.

When it comes to crafting a build that combines Magic and Physical damage, Elden Ring is arguably the best title of the lot, as it gives players a ton of freedom, and lets them experiment with the different buffs, staffs and incantations found in The Lands Between.

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By  Will Buckley