As you guys know, before today I've been levelling up an astrologer mage with basically just intelligence. So I am currently level 47 with about 43 Intelligence, with just a few points added to Vigor and Mind. However, I came across a video on Youtube introducing the weapon skill "Ash of War: Glintblade Phalanx". 

An Ash of War is something you can attach to a weapon so that when you have the weapon equipped, you can activate the Ash Of War by pressing LT. This particular Ash Of War will make four blue swords float around you, and if you run at an enemy the swords will automatically shoot themselves at the enemy causing damage.

The crazy thing about this particular Ash of War is that the swords not only cause damage, but also staggers the enemy. This means that for a split second, the enemy won't move and you can critical damage them by doing a backstab or a visceral attack.

I basically used this Ash of War to clear a whole area. Firstly I activate the Glintblade Phalanx, then I run at an enemy to stagger them, then I stab them with an Rapier to cause critical damage. I also summon spirit wolves in case anything bad happens, but then again you don't have to be a mage to summon spirits.

So really, I don't have to be a mage at all to do any of this. There are so many options in Elden Ring - it's such an interesting game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poQ6vxsbYEw