Invest in Great Magic Barrier from Ash Lake and get your hands on the Silver Pendant in Oolacile Township. -GMB reduces magic damage by 90% (Including magic-type weapons like the Moonlight Greatsword)! -Silver Pendant creates a barrier around you that deflects Dark Magic-type spells. I've noticed an annoying pattern, where players of the caster variety will activate the Dark Pursuers and a Crystal Soul Spear in an attempt to drop you instantly. I find using GMB and the SP will FORCE them into melee combat, which is something (in my experiences with them) they are not familiar or comfortable with. ALSO, Vow of Silence (found in the Painted World of Ariamis) is a MUST for ANY counter-sorcery Faith build. It acts like Tranquil Walk of Peace, but it stops all in it's range from casting Spells. You can really put pressure on casters with this spell and I highly recommend it, given how often you are likely to come across annoying casters. Hope this helps the Melee-types like myself out there. Happy Hunting!Real_Steel_XBL

Adding to this,getting 12 INT for hidden body NEGATES pursuers, they won't activate.