Master Elden Ring: 10 Essential Tips and Tricks for Beginners
Diving into Elden Ring for the first time can feel like stepping into a massive, mysterious world where danger lurks around every corner. Whether you’re lost in the wilds or getting stomped by a boss for the tenth time, don’t worry—you’re not alone! We’ve all been there. But the good news? There are ways to make your journey through the Lands Between a little easier. In this guide, we’ll share some practical tips and tricks that’ll help you level up your game and survive even the toughest challenges. Let’s get started!
1. Start Slow and Explore Every Corner
Exploration is key in Elden Ring. The game is designed to reward patience and curiosity. Don’t rush through areas—take your time to explore ruins, caves, and hidden paths. You never know what treasures or secrets might be waiting for you!
Exploration tips:
- Look for hidden caves and dungeons
- Collect materials for crafting (flowers, fruits, etc.)
- Check out NPCs (Non-Playable Characters) who offer side quests and valuable information
2. Understanding the Combat System
The combat in Elden Ring can feel daunting at first, especially if you’re new to Soulsborne games. Learning the rhythm of combat—knowing when to dodge, block, and attack—is critical. Here are a few basic tips to keep you alive longer:
- Timing Your Dodges: Dodging at the right moment can save you from lethal hits. Practice the dodge-roll to avoid damage.
- Manage Stamina: Every action, whether it’s dodging or swinging your weapon, drains stamina. Keep an eye on your stamina bar and don’t over-extend.
- Use Shields Wisely: Blocking can absorb damage but also uses stamina. Balance between dodging and blocking depending on your character build.
3. Mastering Weapon Scaling and Upgrades
Weapons in Elden Ring have unique stats, but one important feature is scaling. Each weapon scales with certain attributes like Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith. Here’s how scaling works:
| Attribute | Scaling Description |
|---|---|
| Strength | Increases damage with heavy weapons |
| Dexterity | Increases damage with lighter, faster weapons |
| Intelligence | Boosts magic damage and sorcery effectiveness |
| Faith | Improves healing and incantations |
To maximize your damage output, focus on leveling up the attribute your weapon scales with the most. For example, if you have a sword that scales with Dexterity, prioritize increasing Dexterity to see higher damage numbers.
4. Don’t Ignore Spirit Summons and Ashes of War
Spirit Summons and Ashes of War are unique mechanics in Elden Ring that can give you a serious edge in combat:
- Spirit Summons: These are AI companions you can summon to help you in tough fights. They’re great for distracting enemies or bosses while you deal damage.
- Ashes of War: These are special abilities you can attach to your weapons. Each Ash of War adds a unique attack or buff to your weapon, making combat more dynamic. Try out different ones to find what fits your playstyle.
5. Always Level Up at Sites of Grace
Sites of Grace are the Elden Ring equivalent of bonfires from previous Souls games. These glowing checkpoints serve as places to rest, recover health, and level up. Each time you defeat enemies, you’ll earn Runes, which are essential for upgrading your stats. Be sure to return to a Site of Grace to spend your Runes before venturing into dangerous areas, or risk losing them if you die.
6. Use Stealth to Your Advantage
Although Elden Ring encourages head-to-head combat, stealth is often the smarter option, especially when facing large groups of enemies. Crouching in tall grass and sneaking up on enemies can allow you to land a powerful backstab, often eliminating a target in one hit.
7. Keep an Eye Out for Crafting Materials
Crafting is a new feature in Elden Ring, and collecting resources is a big part of it. From arrows to healing items, you can craft various helpful tools to make your journey easier. Here are some items you’ll want to gather regularly:
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Erdleaf Flower | Used to craft summoning items |
| Ruin Fragments | For crafting throwable explosives |
| Smoldering Butterfly | Required to make fire-related consumables |
8. Learn Enemy Patterns
Each enemy in Elden Ring has a distinct pattern of attacks and behaviors. Learning these patterns will help you anticipate their moves and respond appropriately. When you encounter a new enemy, spend some time observing them before jumping into battle. This patience will pay off when you can exploit their weaknesses.
9. Prepare for Boss Fights
Boss fights in Elden Ring are intense, challenging, and can take multiple attempts to conquer. Before charging into battle, make sure you:
- Study their attack patterns: Take the time to watch how the boss moves and attacks.
- Use ranged attacks if possible: Some bosses are vulnerable to magic or ranged attacks. Don’t hesitate to keep your distance.
- Summon help: If you’re really struggling, summon a friend or use Spirit Ashes to assist in the fight.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Run
Not every fight is worth fighting. Sometimes, retreating to a safe area to heal, regroup, or upgrade your gear is the smarter choice. If you find yourself overwhelmed by enemies or low on health, don’t be afraid to run back to a Site of Grace. Survival is key!
Conclusion
Surviving and thriving in Elden Ring takes patience, practice, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Whether you’re exploring the world, mastering combat, or figuring out how to best use Spirit Summons, these tips will help you get the most out of your journey. Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll be slaying bosses and uncovering secrets in no time!
FAQs
Runes are the game’s primary currency, used to level up your character, buy items, and upgrade weapons
Once you obtain Spirit Ashes, you can equip them in your item slots and summon them during battle by consuming Focus Points (FP).
If you die, you drop your Runes at the spot where you perished. You can retrieve them by returning to that location, but if you die again before collecting them, they’re lost for good.
Always spend your Runes at a Site of Grace whenever possible. This way, even if you die, you won’t lose your hard-earned currency.
While not every boss needs to be defeated to progress through the story, many key bosses must be defeated to access new areas and complete the game.
