During character creation in Elden Ring, players must pick a keepsake. Many players are wondering what’s the best starter gift to choose. This decision doesn’t affect a playthrough too much. In fact, players can choose not to take a keepsake at all. However, there are two starting items that stand out above the rest as being beneficial.
What’s the best starter gift to choose as a keepsake in Elden Ring?
For beginners, we recommend the Crimson Amber Medallion as the best starter gift in Elden Ring. This talisman slightly raises a player’s max HP, which can make the difference between life and death, especially early in the game.
For Souls veterans or second playthroughs, we would pick up the Stonesword Key as a starting item. This gives players two Stonesword Keys, which open Imp Statue Seals. These items remain relatively rare throughout the game and having one always comes in handy.
The rest of the keepsakes are of dubious use. The Golden Seed lets players add a charge to their flask right off the bat, which is helpful. However, players can find the first Golden Seed within the first 30 minutes or so of starting a playthrough. The Fanged Imp Ashes summon spirits that just aren’t great compared to ashes players can pick up later. Everything else is just items players can pick up easily during the game or just aren’t that useful.
Picking a keepsake isn’t a decision players should sweat over. These items aren’t going to stick with them throughout the whole game, as there’s a ton of things to discover in the Lands Between. I’m sure there’ll be some kind of a meta where the seeming trash items are somehow helpful. However, for most players, either the Crimson Amber Medallion or Stonesword Key is the way to go when picking a starting gift.
