Elden Ring

Elden Ring is an open-world action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in February 2022 for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Set in the mythical Lands Between, the game was created in collaboration with fantasy author George R.R. Martin, who crafted the rich lore underpinning its world. Players take on the role of a Tarnished, a cursed warrior summoned to restore the shattered Elden Ring and become the Elden Lord. Combining the challenging combat mechanics FromSoftware is renowned for with a massive open world, Elden Ring offers unprecedented freedom compared to previous Souls titles. Players can explore six major regions, battle enormous bosses, uncover hidden dungeons, and customize their character across dozens of build archetypes. With deep lore, rewarding exploration, and punishing but fair combat, Elden Ring earned widespread critical acclaim, winning numerous Game of the Year awards and becoming one of the best-reviewed games in history.

Beginner Tips

  1. Do not rush into major bosses immediately. Explore the open world first, collect weapons, level up your character, and discover Spirit Ashes which serve as summoned allies during difficult boss encounters.
  2. Always carry a good stock of Furlcalling Finger Remedies and utilize the cooperative multiplayer system. Summoning other players or NPCs like Melina and Rogier can make otherwise impossible boss fights significantly more manageable for beginners.
  3. Prioritize upgrading your Flask of Crimson Tears at Sites of Grace by collecting Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears scattered across the Lands Between. More and stronger healing charges dramatically increase your survivability in all combat situations.
  4. Learn to use the Torrent spirit steed early. Torrent allows rapid traversal of the open world, helps you avoid dangerous enemies you are not yet ready to fight, and can even be ridden during certain mounted boss battles.

Strategy

Success in Elden Ring hinges on understanding your chosen build and committing to it consistently. Beginners should focus on either a Strength build using heavy weapons like greatswords and colossal weapons, or a Dexterity build favoring faster curved swords and katanas. Intelligence and Faith builds become powerful but require more game knowledge to execute effectively. Always keep your Equip Load below 70 percent to maintain medium roll speed, which is essential for dodging boss attacks. Study enemy attack patterns before committing to your own strikes, as patience is rewarded far more than aggression. Use Spirit Ash Summons like Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche to divide boss attention and create openings. Smithing Stones for weapon upgrades should be your top priority, as a well-upgraded weapon outperforms raw stat investment at most stages of the game. Explore Legacy Dungeons such as Stormveil Castle and Raya Lucaria Academy thoroughly, as they contain some of the most powerful equipment and critical story progression in the entire game.