Elden Ring Complete Beginner Guide

1. Getting Started

Welcome to the Lands Between! Elden Ring is FromSoftware's most accessible Souls-like game, but it still demands patience and skill. This guide will help you master the basics and start your journey on the right foot.

Understanding the Tarnished's Journey

As a Tarnished, you've been exiled from the Erdtree and must seek the Elden Ring to become Elden Lord. The world is open and non-linear, allowing you to explore at your own pace and tackle challenges in any order.

Key Game Features for Beginners:

• Open World Design: Unlike previous FromSoftware games, Elden Ring features a vast interconnected world
• Mount Travel: Torrent, your spectral steed, allows fast travel and mounted combat
• Asynchronous Multiplayer: See other players' spirits and messages, summon help
• Customizable Difficulty: The game doesn't have difficulty settings, but you can adjust through builds and coop
• Grace Sites: Save points, fast travel, and respawn locations throughout the world

2. Character Creation

Character creation in Elden Ring is flexible, and you can respec your character later. However, starting with the right foundation can make your early game experience much smoother.

Recommended Starting Classes

Here are the best classes for different playstyles:

Class Breakdown:

• Vagabond: High stat total, good all-rounder, great equipment. Best for: First-time players, hybrid builds
• Warrior: High strength and vitality, excellent melee combatant. Best for: Pure strength builds, melee focus
• Astrologer: High intelligence, starts with magic. Best for: Magic builds, ranged combat
• Prisoner: Balanced stats with focus on dexterity and intelligence. Best for: Dex-int builds, mixed combat
• Confessor: High faith, starts with healing miracles. Best for: Faith builds, support playstyle
• Wretch: All stats at 10, level 1. Best for: Min-maxing, experienced players who want total control

Understanding Stats

Each stat affects different aspects of your character:

• Vigor: Increases health points and resistance
• Mind: Increases focus points for magic and FP
• Endurance: Increases stamina and equipment load
• Strength: Increases melee damage and weapon requirements
• Dexterity: Increases attack speed, casting speed, and certain weapon damage
• Intelligence: Increases sorcery damage and requirements
• Faith: Increases incantations and healing miracles
• Arcane: Increases discovery rate and certain weapon scaling

3. Essential Controls

Mastering Elden Ring's controls is crucial for survival. Here are the essential inputs for PC and console players:

Basic Movement Controls

• Movement: WASD / Left Analog Stick
• Sprint: Shift / B Button (Hold while moving)
• Roll/Dodge: Space / Circle / B Button
• Jump: F / X / A Button
• Crouch: Ctrl / Circle (Hold)

Combat Controls

• Light Attack: Left Mouse / R2 / RT Button
• Heavy Attack: Right Mouse / R1 / RB Button
• Guard: Middle Mouse / L1 / LB Button
• Parry: Guard just before impact (requires shield)
• Two-Hand: Ctrl / Triangle / Y Button

Menu Controls

• Inventory: I / Touchpad / Start Button
• Map: M / D-pad Up / Select Button
• Quick Menu: E / D-pad Right
• Gesture: G / D-pad Left / Touchpad Hold

Advanced Techniques

Once comfortable with basics, practice these advanced mechanics:

• Sprint Attacks: Sprint + Light Attack does lunging strike with extra range
• Jump Attacks: Jump + Light Attack does jumping attack (good for gap closing)
• Bloodhound Step: Dodge repeatedly while locked on for quick repositioning
• Charged Attacks: Hold heavy attack button for charged strikes (certain weapons only)
• Weapon Arts: L2 / LT + Attack button for special moves

4. Starting Areas Guide

After creating your character and watching the opening cutscene, you'll arrive in Limgrave. Here's how to navigate the starting areas:

Stranded Graveyard

Your initial area may seem intimidating, but the correct path is actually straightforward:

1. Ignore the giant monster - You're not meant to fight it yet
2. Take the path with walking enemies - This leads to the actual first area
3. Follow the cliff edge - Stay close to the wall on your left
4. Enter the cave - This is the correct path to Limgrave

Limgrave

Limgrave serves as your tutorial area. Focus on:

• Exploring the main building - Contains important items and the tutorial boss
• Finding the first Site of Grace - Located after the first boss encounter
• Collecting Smithing Stones - Essential for early weapon upgrades
• Learning combat basics - The enemies here provide good practice

Recommended Early Path

After Limgrave, most players should follow this progression:

1. Stormveil Castle: The main first area, contains essential progression items
2. Weeping Peninsula: Accessible early, contains Margit, the Fell Omen (optional early boss)
3. Liurnia of the Lakes: South of Stormveil, contains Academy glintstone sorcery
4. Caelid: More challenging area, best tackled after Stormveil

5. Combat Fundamentals

Combat in Elden Ring relies on timing, positioning, and understanding enemy patterns. Master these fundamentals to survive the Lands Between.

The Importance of Positioning

• Stay Mobile: Don't stand still - constant movement makes you harder to hit
• Circle Enemies: Strafe around larger enemies while waiting for openings
• Use Terrain: High ground and obstacles can give you advantages
• Maintain Spacing: Keep enemies at optimal weapon range

Dodge Rolling Mastery

Rolling is your primary defensive tool. Practice these techniques:

• Watch Telegraphs: Enemy attacks have clear wind-up animations
• Roll Timing: Dodge just before the attack connects
• Roll Direction: Roll toward or through attacks, not always away
• Manage Stamina: Don't spam rolls - running out of stamina is fatal

Poise and Staggering

Understanding poise is key to effective combat:

• What is Poise? It's enemy resistance to being staggered
• Breaking Poise: Heavy attacks and repeated hits reduce enemy poise
• Poise Breaks: When poise is broken, enemies are vulnerable to critical hits
• Critical Strikes: Perform these with R2/RB when enemies are staggered

Parrying and Ripostes

High-level combat technique that rewards perfect timing:

• Parry Timing: Shield bash must connect just as enemy attack lands
• Riposte: Successful parries open enemies for critical counter-attacks
• Practice Weapons: Small shields (Buckler, Brass Shield) are best for learning
• Risk vs Reward: Failed parries leave you vulnerable, but success deals massive damage

6. Early Game Tips

These tips will give you a significant advantage in your first 20-30 hours:

Essential Early Items

• Torrent (Mount): Acquired early - use him for fast travel and safe exploration
• Spirit Ashes: Summonable allies that can turn the tide of battle
• Crimson Tears: Flask upgrades that increase healing effectiveness
• Cerulean Tears: Flask upgrades that increase FP restoration
• Glintstone Sorcery: Found in Liurnia Academy - powerful early magic

Level 1 Weapon Recommendations

• Broadsword: Balanced starter, easy to upgrade early
• Soldier's Shield: 100% physical block, great for learning combat
• Halberd: Long reach, good stagger potential
• Uchigatana Blade: Found in Limgrave - excellent early-game weapon
• Claymore: Found in Stormveil - high strength scaling

Smithing Stone Locations

Weapon upgrades are crucial. Find Smithing Stones here:

• Limgrave Tunnels: Several stones in the underground area
• Stormveil: Abundant stones throughout the castle
• Sell Duplicate Gear: Turn unused weapons and armor into Smithing Stones

Spirit Ash Strategy

• Skeleton Militiaman: First spirit, great for early game
• Gelmir's Paw: Found in Stormhill Peninsula - excellent tank spirit
• Spirit Calling Bell: Required to use spirits - find this early in Stormveil
• FP Cost: Spirits cost FP to summon - manage your resources

7. First Boss Guide

Your first major boss encounter sets the tone for your Elden Ring journey. Here's how to approach the early bosses:

Grafted Scion (Optional Tutorial Boss)

Location: Inside Limgrave church

Difficulty: Very Easy

Strategy:

• Learn the Basics: This boss teaches you basic combat timing
• Use Healing: Get comfortable using your Crimson Flask mid-fight
• No Rush: Take your time - there's no penalty for slow wins

Godrick the Grafted (First Main Boss)

Location: Stormveil Castle

Difficulty: Medium - Moderate for first-time players

Recommended Level: 15-25

Phase 1 Strategy:

• Stay Under Him: Many attacks go over your head when close
• Watch for Red Dagger: Dodge roll when he raises red light dagger
• Exploit Recovery: Attack him while he's recovering from big swings

Phase 2 Strategy (Transformation):

• Keep Distance: His transformed form has deadly close-range attacks
• Dodge Rolling Attack: His signature rolling attack has long wind-up - easy to dodge
• Avoid Fire: His area attacks cover large ground - create distance

Margit, the Fell Omen (Optional Early Boss)

Location: Weeping Peninsula, far south of Limgrave

Difficulty: Hard - Challenging but doable early

Recommended Level: 20-30

Strategy:

• Dodge Red Mist: His blood mist attacks have long range - roll away early
• Attack During Recovery: Heavy attacks leave him vulnerable for follow-ups
• Watch Water Phase: He becomes more aggressive when standing in blood lake
• Poise Break is Key: Breaking his stance opens critical opportunities

8. Essential Items

Certain items can dramatically improve your early game experience. Prioritize finding these:

Key Locations and Items

• Torrent: Essential mount. Found by completing first dungeon in Limgrave
• Spirit Calling Bell: Required to summon allies. Found in Stormveil Castle
• Larval Tear: Allows stat respec. Found by defeating Rennala (optional early boss)
• Imbuing Key: Infuse weapons with magical affinities. Found in Stormveil
• Crystal Tear: Essential weapon tear for smithing. Found in Stormveil

Must-Have Sorcery

If playing a magic build, prioritize acquiring:

• Glintstone Pebble: Basic projectile sorcery. Learned in Liurnia
• Glintstone Dart: Faster casting projectile. Learned in Liurnia
• Swift Glintstone Shard: Rapid-fire sorcery. Learned in Liurnia
• Azular's Glintblade: Melee-range sorcery. Learned from Preceptor Seluvis

Important Armor and Rings

• Godrick Soldier Armor: Excellent early defense, found in Stormveil
• Bull-Goat Talisman: Boosts physical damage. Found in Stormveil
• Radagon's Soreseal: Boosts sorcery power. Found in Liurnia
• Viridian Amber Medallion: Increases flask charges. Found in Limgrave

9. FAQ

Common questions from new Elden Ring players:

Q: How many hours does it take to beat Elden Ring?

A: The main story takes approximately 50-80 hours for most players. Completionists can expect 150+ hours to find everything, complete all side quests, and defeat all bosses.

Q: Is Elden Ring harder than other Souls games?

A: Elden Ring is designed to be more accessible than previous FromSoftware titles. The open world allows you to tackle challenges in your preferred order, and Spirit Ashes provide significant help during difficult encounters.

Q: What happens when I die?

A: You respawn at the last Site of Grace you rested at. You lose your runes (currency) unless you return to the place of death within a set time period to recover them.

Q: Can I play offline?

A: Yes! Elden Ring can be played entirely offline. You'll still see spirits, messages, and bloodstains from your own deaths, but you won't see other players or be able to summon help.

Q: Should I play with a mouse and keyboard or controller?

A: Both work well, but most players prefer gamepads for FromSoftware games. The analog stick input for movement and camera control feels more natural. However, the PC mouse and keyboard support has been improved significantly.

Q: Is there a difficulty setting?

A: No traditional difficulty settings. However, you can adjust challenge through Spirit Ash summons, multiplayer cooperation, and building your character appropriately for your playstyle.

Q: Can I respec my character?

A: Yes! After defeating Rennala, Queen of the Moon, you can use a Larval Tear at a Site of Grace to redistribute your stats. This costs 1 Larval Tear per respec.