Elden Ring isn’t a forgiving game for beginners. Those just starting out will get a bit of direction from NPCs, and then they’re on their own. As a result, many players will be looking for tips on how to succeed early on, especially if they haven’t played a Souls game before. Fortunately, there are a few tips in our beginner’s guide that should help anyone survive their first hours in Elden Ring.
Elden Ring beginner’s guide
We played through the first few hours of Elden Ring several times as different classes. These tips should help those starting out survive long enough to get the hang of the game.
Choose a class with a ranged attack
Like with past Souls games, most of the enemies in the game can’t handle ranged attacks. Many of them are melee-focused, and their only response to being hit with a bow or magic is to run toward the player. Choosing a class that starts with a ranged attack, like the Samurai or Astrologer, will give players a way to take out foes early on without much risk.
Don’t be afraid to start over
Don’t fret over which class to choose. Just go with the one that looks most interesting and start over if it’s not a good fit. Each of them has different starting gear, abilities, and stats, and most of them start the game heading toward a particular specialization. So instead of grinding to “fix” a character, just start from square one. There’s nothing more frustrating for players than trying to use a build that they don’t vibe with, and there’s no reason to do it.
Make a beeline for the horse
The Spectral Steed is the player’s most trusted companion during a playthrough of Elden Ring. Getting the Spectral Steed Whistle should be a player’s first objective when entering the Lands Between. The quickest way to do this is to activate these three Sites of Grace:
- The First Step
- Church of Elleh
- Gatefront
At the third Site of Grace, Melina will introduce herself and give the player the whistle that can be used to summon the Spectral Steed. It’s immensely valuable both for its increased traversal speed and the power of mounted combat. It also helps players make a swift retreat if they happen upon an enemy they’re not prepared to fight.
Find a weapon you’re comfortable with
Almost every weapon an enemy uses in Elden Ring can be collected as loot. So, there’s a wide array of swords, spears, bows, hammers, and other weapons to choose from. Some players might just equip whichever weapon has the strongest stats, but that’s a recipe for disaster in this game. Each weapon has its own unique traits, and players are better off using one they’re confident with and upgrading as they can.
On the flip side, players should give each new weapon a shot. Also, remember that each weapon has an ability and two-hand form, which should factor into a player’s decision to outfit themselves.
Practice patience
Elden Ring isn’t a hack and slash, so players need to restrain themselves in combat. It’s essential to study enemy attack patterns, learn when to block and dodge, and how to identify openings. A group of enemies from the start of the game can potentially stomp a player equipped with the best, upgraded end game gear if they just rush in and flail their weapon about. Be patient, step back, and stay on the defensive when in doubt.
Don’t be afraid to get cheesy
Elden Ring isn’t always fair, so players shouldn’t feel bad when they find a way to take advantage of the fact that it’s a video game. Sometimes foes get stuck on corners or behind doors, and there’s nothing wrong with using that to defeat them. Those that feel bad about cheesing enemies should keep in mind that the game is going to cheese them a lot more,
Spend, spend, spend
Runes are the currency in Elden Ring, and they’re used as both experience and to purchase items and gear. However, don’t bank them without a good reason. Unspent Runes are just heartbreak ready to happen, and players should always hover around zero. There’s always something to spend them on, whether it’s leveling up or purchasing crafting manuals or other gear.
Take advantage of crafting
Crafting can be incredibly useful, and players should endeavor to get as many recipes as they can and pick up crafting material at every chance. The ability to craft arrows and bolts alone will save players a ton of Runes. It’s also useful for quickly crafting items like Fire Pots when players run into enemies with fire weaknesses.
Know when to retreat
In Elden Ring, there’s a big open world full of things to do. So, don’t stay stuck on a boss. Instead, players who find themselves stuck on a particular section should teleport to another Site of Grace and get exploring. Doing so will help players build up a stack of Runes to spend, and they’ll find new equipment and items that might help them get through the section where they were stuck.
Know when to put the game down
Souls games can be infuriating. Most players will find themselves dying and running through the same section over and over, and bosses will kill them with only a sliver of life left. Sometimes it’s not enough to just head to another area. Players who find themselves getting angry when playing should take a break and chill out for a while. No one is doing their best when they’re mad, and a break might allow players to have a new perspective on a situation when they return to the game.
