Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide (Need to Know)

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Welcome, Tarnished, to the comprehensive Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide! Are you prepared to face the vast and uncharted territory of the Lands Between? This challenging yet incredibly rewarding journey may seem overwhelming at first glance, but fear not. This Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide is your beacon in the darkness, providing you with the essential wisdom and strategic insights needed to defeat formidable adversaries, traverse diverse landscapes, and ultimately rise to the coveted position of Elden Lord. Whether you’re a complete newcomer to FromSoftware titles or a seasoned Souls veteran looking for a fresh perspective, we’ve simplified the process of understanding both fundamental and advanced techniques, making your path through this epic world clearer and more manageable.

Getting Started: Your First Steps in the Lands Between

Elden Ring Beginner's Guide

Embarking on your adventure in Elden Ring requires a solid foundation. This Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide starts with the crucial initial steps that will set you on the right path.

  • Don’t Skip the Tutorial: Many players, especially those familiar with Souls-like games, might be tempted to rush past the tutorial area. Resist this urge! The tutorial in Elden Ring, known as the Cave of Knowledge, is invaluable. It introduces you to core mechanics, new features like the Guard Counter and Jumping Attack, and general combat flow that are unique to Elden Ring. Spending a few minutes here will save you hours of frustration later. This is a critical piece of advice in any Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.
  • Creating Your Character: Your journey begins with character creation. While Elden Ring allows for immense build diversity later on, your starting class influences your initial stats and equipment. For beginners, classes like the Vagabond (good balance of strength and vigor, solid starting shield) or the Samurai (excellent starting katana and bow) are often recommended for their straightforward combat styles. Focus on a class that aligns with your preferred playstyle—melee, magic, or ranged—but remember that stats can be re-specced later in the game.
  • Light Up the Sites of Grace: As you traverse the sprawling Lands Between, keep a keen eye out for the shining golden Sites of Grace. These are your literal lifelines and serve multiple critical functions. They act as checkpoints, allowing you to rest, level up your character using Runes, restore your precious Flasks of Crimson and Cerulean Tears (HP and FP), and resurrect after an unfortunate demise. Activating every Site of Grace you encounter should be a top priority, as they also point you in the general direction of your next objective, guiding your path through the vast world—a key element covered in this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.

Essential Early Game Mechanics for Every Tarnished

Beyond the very first steps, several fundamental mechanics are crucial for survival and progress. This Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide highlights these core systems.

  • Torrent: Your Spectral Steed: Early in your adventure, you will acquire Torrent, your spectral steed. Torrent is not just a fast mode of transportation; he’s an integral part of exploration and combat. Mounted combat offers unique advantages, particularly against larger enemies or groups, allowing for hit-and-run tactics. Use Torrent to quickly escape dangerous situations, traverse vast distances, and access areas that might otherwise be out of reach. Mastering Torrent is a significant part of mastering Elden Ring, and a dedicated section in any good Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide is vital.
  • Level Up and Upgrade Your Gear: As you defeat enemies and explore, you’ll accumulate Runes. These are both your experience points and your currency. Prioritize using Runes at Sites of Grace to level up your character’s attributes (Vigor for health, Endurance for stamina and equip load, Strength/Dexterity for damage, etc.). Equally important is upgrading your weapons and armor. Find Smithing Stones in the environment or purchase them from vendors. A moderately leveled character with an upgraded weapon will outperform a high-level character with a basic weapon. This synergistic approach to progression is a cornerstone of this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.
  • Crafting: Create Your Own Advantages: Purchase a Crafting Kit from Kale, the first merchant you meet at the Church of Elleh, as early as possible. This kit allows you to craft necessary items such as bombs, arrows, healing mixtures, and status effect cures from materials found in the world. Keep a vigilant lookout for glowing plants, rocks, and enemy drops as you travel, as gathering materials is essential. Crafting empowers you to be self-sufficient and prepare for various encounters, a skill emphasized in any thorough Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.

Survival Strategies and Advanced Tips for the Aspiring Elden Lord

This Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide also delves into some strategic considerations that will help you thrive in the Lands Between.

  • Don’t Go Hollow: Seek Help When Needed: Elden Ring is notoriously difficult, but it’s not meant to be faced alone. If you’re struggling with a particular boss or area, don’t hesitate to utilize the game’s cooperative multiplayer. Use Furlcalling Finger Remedies to see summon signs from other players, or use the Tarnished’s Furled Finger to offer your own help. Additionally, consider summoning Spirit Ashes—spectral allies that can divert enemy attention and deal damage. These summons are invaluable, especially for solo players, and their effective use is a key tip in this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.
  • Explore, Explore, Explore! While the Sites of Grace guide you, much of Elden Ring’s magic lies in its open-world exploration. Venture off the beaten path, delve into dungeons, catacombs, and caves. Many hidden treasures, powerful spells, unique weapons, and crucial upgrade materials are found off the main path. Don’t be afraid to wander, but always be prepared to retreat if an area proves too challenging for your current level. This sense of discovery is central to the Elden Ring experience.
  • Manage Your Stamina: The green bar beneath your health and FP is your stamina. Almost every action—attacking, dodging, sprinting, blocking—consumes stamina. Running out of stamina leaves you vulnerable to enemy attacks. Learn to manage your stamina effectively: don’t overcommit to attacks, always save enough for a dodge or block, and allow it to regenerate during openings. Stamina management is a fundamental skill highlighted in this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.
  • Understand Poise and Stance Breaking: In Elden Ring, enemies (and you) have an invisible “poise” meter. Landing charged heavy attacks (hold R2), jumping attacks (jump + R1/R2), and Guard Counters (R2 immediately after blocking an attack) can break an enemy’s poise, staggering them and leaving them open for a critical hit (R1 near their weak point). Mastering this mechanic is crucial for tackling tougher enemies and bosses, a more advanced concept this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide introduces.
  • Experiment with Weapons and Spells: Elden Ring offers an incredible array of weapons, spells, and incantations. Don’t stick to your starting equipment if it’s not working for you. Experiment with different weapon types (swords, axes, spears, bows, staves, seals) and their unique Ashes of War. Some enemies are vulnerable to specific damage types or status effects. Finding a loadout that complements your playstyle is part of the fun and a vital part of thriving with this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide.
  • Don’t Fear Death: Death is an inevitable part of Elden Ring. View each death as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong, adapt your strategy, and try again. You’ll lose your accumulated Runes upon death, but you can retrieve them by reaching the spot where you died. If you die again before retrieving them, they are lost forever. Learn to manage your Runes and level up frequently to avoid losing large amounts.

Conclusion: Your Path to Elden Lord Begins with This Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide

The journey through the Lands Between is long and arduous, but with this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide, you’re equipped with the knowledge to overcome its many trials. Remember to activate Sites of Grace, utilize Torrent for efficient travel, craft essential items, and don’t shy away from seeking help when the going gets tough. Embrace exploration, manage your stamina, and learn from every encounter. The path to becoming Elden Lord is within your grasp, Tarnished. Go forth, fortified by this Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide, and claim your destiny!

What part of the Lands Between are you most excited to explore first?

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