As a seasoned Tarnished who has seen the Lands Between in all its brutal glory, let me tell you, finding a weapon that feels like an extension of your own will is a rare treasure. In my countless journeys to become Elden Lord, I've tested blades of every make, from colossal greatswords that hit like a falling meteor to swift daggers that dance like summer lightning. But few have captured my devotion quite like the Wing of Astel. This isn't just a curved sword; it's a conductor's baton for a symphony of destruction, a weapon that feels like you're wielding a captured fragment of the cosmos itself. Back in 2024, guides were just scratching the surface, but now, in 2026, after years of refinement in both PvE and PvP, I can confidently say the Wing of Astel has cemented its place as a top-tier choice for any spellblade. Its blend of elegance, power, and sheer versatility is like finding a secret passage in a maze you thought you knew by heart.

Where I Found My Stellar Companion

Getting your hands on the Wing of Astel is a journey worthy of the weapon itself. While following Ranni's questline is the scenic route, my preferred method is the more direct—and thrilling—path. You'll need to prove your mettle against three formidable guardians: the Starscourge General Radahn, your own eerie reflection in the Mimic Tear, and the relentless Double Gargoyles. Once you've earned passage to Nokron and descended into the ethereal beauty of the Ainsel River, the real hunt begins. From the Ainsel River Main Site of Grace, I always gaze at the majestic waterfall that seems to divide worlds. Head south through the main gate, wade through the shallow waters until you hit a crossroads, take a left past the strangely circular-headed ant, and then, upon exiting the cave, hug the right wall like it's your lifeline. Carefully drop down the ledges, and you'll find your prize: a small chest perched on a walkway, guarded by a Malformed Star. Opening it feels less like looting and more like being chosen.

Why This Weapon Feels Like Home

The moment I first swung the Wing of Astel, I knew it was special. It retains the fluid, dancing move set of a standard Curved Sword—quick slashes, graceful sweeps—but then it adds its own stellar signature. Your strong attack? It fires a magical projectile without costing a single drop of FP. It’s like having an infinite quiver of magical arrows attached to your sword arm. Charge that attack, and you unleash two in quick succession. But the true masterpiece is its Weapon Skill: Nebula. Activating it feels like drawing a line in the sand with purple stardust. A wide, beautiful arc of violet mist erupts in front of you, hanging in the air for a moment before detonating in a series of catastrophic explosions. The crowd control is absurdly good, and the poise damage is so high it can stagger giants. It’s not just an attack; it’s a territorial claim.

Building the Perfect Astrologer-Warrior

This weapon sings a duet for Dexterity and Intelligence. To even equip it, you'll need 17 Dex and 20 Int. My stat priority, honed over years, looks like this:

Priority	Stat	Reason
🥇 First	Intelligence	Boosts the magic damage of your projectiles and Nebula dramatically.
🥈 Second	Dexterity	Increases physical damage and improves casting speed for any sorceries you mix in.
🥉 Third	Vigor & Endurance	Don't be a glass cannon! Surviving hits and having stamina to swing and dodge is crucial.

The scaling is beautiful: at max upgrade, it reaches C in Dexterity and B in Intelligence. Strength scaling is there but minimal, like a faint echo in a grand hall.

My Gear Synergy: Crafting a Constellation of Power

The Wing of Astel is brilliant alone, but it becomes a galaxy-conquering force with the right companions.

Weapons & Spells:

• Dual-Wielding: Wielding two of these is a dream (NG+ anyone?), but pairing it with another magic-infused curved sword like the Magma Blade creates a devastating power-stance combo.

• Shield: A good medium shield with 100% physical block (like the Brass Shield) is always a safe bet for tougher encounters.

• Staff: Since you're pumping Intelligence, carry a Carian Regal Scepter or Lusat's Glintstone Staff in your off-hand. Spells like Glintblade Phalanx or Carian Slicer complement the aggressive playstyle perfectly.

Talismans (My Essential Quartet):

1. Shard of Alexander: A non-negotiable. Boosts Nebula's damage by 15%. It turns a powerful skill into a boss-melting event.

2. Magic Scorpion Charm: A straight 12% boost to all magic damage. This affects your projectiles and Nebula. It’s like dipping your sword in liquid starlight.

3. Carian Filigreed Crest: Reduces Nebula's FP cost from 20 to a mere 16, letting you paint the battlefield with purple explosions more freely.

4. Erdtree's Favor +2: The perfect utility piece. More health, stamina, and equip load. For a dex-based fighter who also casts, it’s the glue that holds the build together.

Wondrous Physick Cocktail:

My go-to mix for any serious fight:

• Magic-Shrouding Cracked Tear: Temporarily boosts magic damage by 20%. This makes your opening Nebula salvo hit like a comet strike.

• Stonebarb Cracked Tear: Makes your attacks (including Nebula's explosions) more likely to break enemy stance. The Wing of Astel already shreds poise; this makes critical attacks happen as reliably as sunrise.

How I Play: The Nebula Dance

This build excels at controlled aggression. My playstyle is a rhythmic dance:

1. Engage at Range: Use your free, FP-less projectile strong attacks to whittle down foes or draw them in. It’s a constant, nagging pressure, like the distant hum of a neutron star.

2. Control the Space: When groups approach or a boss commits to an attack, unleash Nebula. Place it where they will be, not where they are. The delayed explosion is perfect for punishing recovery animations.

3. Finish with Finesse: Once an enemy's poise is broken (which happens often), move in for the critical hit with your curved sword. Weave in quick sorceries like Carian Piercer for roll-catching.

The feeling is unparalleled. You're not just a warrior or a mage; you're a celestial painter, using Nebula to create zones of annihilation and your sword to sketch lines of deadly light. In the years since its discovery, the Wing of Astel has evolved from a cool find to a cornerstone of the Intelligence/Dexterity archetype. It rewards creativity, precision, and a flair for the dramatic. In your hands, it’s more than a weapon—it’s proof that even in a shattered world, you can still wield a piece of the night sky.