Elden Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware, directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki with worldbuilding by George R.R. Martin. Set in the Lands Between, players take on the role of a Tarnished seeking to become the Elden Lord. The game features a vast open world, challenging combat, and deep lore. Winner of Game of the Year 2022.
🎮 Getting Started
Character Creation
Choose your class based on playstyle. For beginners: Vagabond (melee, high HP) or Astrologer (magic, ranged). For experienced: Samurai (versatile, good starting weapon) or Hero (strength build).
Starting gift recommendation: Golden Seed (extra flask charge) or Stonesword Key (unlocks early areas).
First Steps in Limgrave
- Follow the light of grace to the Church of Elleh. Buy Crafting Kit from Merchant Kalé.
- Meet Ranni the Witch at night (she gives you the Spirit Calling Bell + Lone Wolf Ashes).
- Explore Limgrave thoroughly before Stormveil Castle. Collect Golden Seeds, Sacred Tears, and upgrade materials.
- Level up at any Site of Grace using runes. Focus on Vigor (HP) first—aim for 40 Vigor by mid-game.
- Find the Warmaster's Shack (learn Ashes of War) and Church of Dragon Communion (dragon incantations).
💡 Don't go to Stormveil Castle immediately. Explore Limgrave, Weeping Peninsula, and Liurnia first to level up and find better gear.
⚔️ Combat System
Core Mechanics
- Stamina management: Never let stamina reach zero—you'll be vulnerable. Roll at the right moment for i-frames.
- Guard Counter: Block an attack then immediately heavy attack (R2/RT) for massive posture damage.
- Jump Attack: Deals extra posture damage, useful for breaking enemy guards.
- Ashes of War: Apply to weapons for special skills. Bloody Slash, Rock Sling, and Hoarfrost Stomp are powerful early options.
- Spirit Ashes: Summon allies to distract enemies. Lone Wolf Ashes and Jellyfish are great early choices.
Damage Types
| Damage Type | Best Against | Weapons |
|---|
| Physical (Strike) | Armor, miners, crystal enemies | Hammers, maces, fists |
| Physical (Slash) | Flesh, unarmored enemies | Swords, katanas, daggers |
| Physical (Pierce) | Dragons, large enemies | Spears, rapiers, bows |
| Magic | Most enemies (some resist) | Glintstone staffs, sorceries |
| Fire | Undead, beasts, trees | Fire incantations, fire weapons |
| Lightning | Dragons, water enemies | Lightning incantations, bolt weapons |
| Holy | Undead (prevents revival) | Holy weapons, faith incantations |
🗺️ Main Quest Order (Recommended)
- Limgrave: Tutorial area, explore fully. Boss: Margit the Fell Omen.
- Stormveil Castle: First legacy dungeon. Boss: Godrick the Grafted. Get Godrick's Great Rune.
- Liurnia of the Lakes: Large open area, many dungeons. Boss: Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon (respec available).
- Caelid: Hard but rewarding. Optional but recommended for runes and items. Boss: Starscourge Radahn (must defeat for Ranni's quest).
- Altus Plateau: Access via Grand Lift of Dectus or Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Boss: Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade).
- Leyndell, Royal Capital: Legacy dungeon. Boss: Morgott, the Omen King. Burn the Erdtree here.
- Mountaintops of the Giants: Boss: Fire Giant. Light the Forge of the Giants.
- Crumbling Farum Azula: Boss: Maliketh, the Black Blade. Essential for progression.
- Leyndell, Ashen Capital: Final area. Boss: Godfrey/Hoarah Loux → Radagon/Elden Beast (final boss).
⚠️ You can explore areas in any order, but some areas (Mountaintops, Farum Azula) are locked until story progression.
👑 Boss Strategies
Margit the Fell Omen
- First real boss. Use Spirit Ashes (Lone Wolves) to distract.
- Roll through his attacks, don't block (his hammer breaks guards).
- Phase 2: He pulls out a second weapon—wait for combos to end before attacking.
- Buy Margit's Shackle from Patches (Murkwater Cave) to stun him twice in phase 1.
Godrick the Grafted
- Phase 1: Watch for axe sweeps and roll behind him.
- Phase 2: He attaches dragon head—breath attack is dangerous, run sideways.
- Use fire damage (he's weak to fire).
- Summon Nepheli Loux (if you found her) for extra help.
Starscourge Radahn
- Summon all available NPCs (multiple summon signs in arena).
- He shoots gravity arrows—ride Torrent to dodge.
- Phase 2: He flies and crashes down—run away when he's airborne.
- Weak to physical damage (strike) and fire.
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
- Phase 1: Break her shield by attacking the glowing students (3 hits each).
- Phase 2: Magic duel. Roll through her spells, get in close for melee.
- She's weak to physical damage. Use high magic resist armor.
- After defeat, you can respec your character (Larval Tear required).
Maliketh, the Black Blade
- One of the hardest bosses. His attacks cause Destined Death (reduces max HP).
- Phase 1 (Beast Clergyman): Fast combos, roll through them.
- Phase 2 (Maliketh): Even faster, airborne attacks. Learn his patterns.
- Use Black Knife Tiche or Mimic Tear summon.
- Keep HP high at all times—his combos can one-shot.
Radagon/Elden Beast (Final Boss)
- Radagon: Fast, aggressive holy damage. Roll through his attacks, punish after combos.
- Elden Beast: Large, slow but devastating attacks. Stay close to its belly/side.
- Holy damage is heavily resisted—use physical or elemental.
- Use Mimic Tear or Black Knife Tiche summon.
- Bring plenty of flasks—this is a long fight.
📈 Best Builds
Strength Build (Beginner Friendly)
- Stats: Vigor 40+, Strength 50+, Endurance 30+
- Weapons: Greatsword, Starscourge Greatsword, Giant-Crusher
- Ashes of War: Lion's Claw, Prayerful Strike
- Talismans: Green Turtle Talisman, Erdtree Favor, Great-Jar's Arsenal
Intelligence/Mage Build
- Stats: Vigor 30+, Mind 40+, Intelligence 60+
- Weapons: Lusat's Glintstone Staff, Moonveil Katana
- Sorceries: Comet Azur, Rock Sling, Terra Magica, Stars of Ruin
- Talismans: Graven-Mass Talisman, Cerulean Amber Medallion, Radagon Icon
Arcane/Bleed Build
- Stats: Vigor 40+, Arcane 50+, Dexterity 30+
- Weapons: Rivers of Blood, Mohgwyn's Sacred Spear, Eleonora's Poleblade
- Ashes of War: Bloody Slash, Seppuku
- Talismans: White Mask, Lord of Blood's Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia
🏆 Essential Tips
- Always explore: The best items are off the main path. Check every cave, catacomb, and ruin.
- Upgrade weapons: Regular smithing stones for normal weapons, somber smithing stones for special weapons. +6/+4 is achievable early.
- Use Torrent: Your horse is essential for exploration and dodging. Double-jump to reach high places.
- Crafting: Buy Crafting Kit early. Craft arrows, elemental pots, and buff items.
- NPC quests: Talk to NPCs multiple times and exhaust dialogue. Ranni's questline unlocks a special ending and great items.
- Don't hoard runes: Spend them on levels when you can—you'll lose them if you die twice.
- Co-op: Summon players for hard bosses. Use Furlcalling Finger Remedy to see summon signs.
- Wondrous Physick: Mix Crystal Tears for custom buffs. Find them throughout the world.
❓ FAQ
Q: What order should I explore areas?
A: Limgrave → Weeping Peninsula → Liurnia → Caelid (optional) → Altus Plateau → Leyndell → Mountaintops → Farum Azula → Ashen Capital. But exploration is encouraged—you can go anywhere (except locked areas).
Q: How do I respec my character?
A: Defeat Rennala in Raya Lucaria Academy (Liurnia). You'll need a Larval Tear (found in various locations, sold by some merchants).
Q: What's the best summon?
A: Mimic Tear (uses HP, copies your build) is generally considered best, but was nerfed. Black Knife Tiche is excellent for bosses. Lone Wolf Ashes and Jellyfish are great early options.
Q: How long is the game?
A: Main story: 50-70 hours. Main + significant exploration: 100-150 hours. 100% completion: 200+ hours.
Q: Should I play DLC (Shadow of the Erdtree)?
A: Yes, after beating the main game or when you're around level 100+. It's a massive expansion with new weapons, bosses, and areas.
Written by Alex Chen, gaming guide writer and Souls series veteran with 15 years of experience. He has completed every FromSoftware game multiple times and specializes in boss strategy guides.