Welcome to the Lands Between
Elden Ring is one of the most rewarding open-world RPGs ever made — but it doesn't hold your hand. If you've just started and feel completely overwhelmed, you're not alone. This guide will walk you through the essential knowledge every new player needs to stop dying and start progressing.
Table of Contents
- Choosing Your Starting Class
- Early Survival Tips
- How Leveling Works
- Exploration Strategy
- First Bosses to Tackle
Choosing Your Starting Class
Your starting class determines your beginning stats, but it doesn't lock you into a playstyle permanently. Here's a quick breakdown of the best beginner-friendly options:
- Vagabond – High Vigor and decent Strength/Dexterity. Great for beginners who want a tanky melee fighter.
- Astrologer – Strong magic-based class. Lets you attack from range and avoid close-quarters combat early on.
- Hero – Pure strength build with high HP. Very forgiving for players who want to hit hard.
Tip: Avoid the Wretch class as your first run — it starts with no equipment and very balanced (low) stats.
Early Survival Tips
- Always carry Flasks — Your Flask of Crimson Tears heals HP. Never waste them between Sites of Grace.
- Use Sites of Grace frequently — They restore your flasks and serve as checkpoints. Always activate every one you find.
- Dodge, don't block — Early on, rolling through enemy attacks is more reliable than blocking, especially without a strong shield.
- Don't fight everything — If an enemy one-shots you, come back later when you're stronger.
- Summon Ashes — Spirit Ashes let you summon allies in boss fights. Use them — that's what they're there for.
How Leveling Works
You level up by spending Runes at a Site of Grace. Runes are dropped by enemies and found in the world. The key stats to prioritize as a beginner:
| Stat | What It Does | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Vigor | Increases max HP | High — always level this |
| Endurance | Stamina & equip load | Medium — level if you feel slow |
| Strength/Dexterity | Melee damage scaling | Medium — match your weapon |
| Intelligence/Faith | Magic damage scaling | Only for magic builds |
Exploration Strategy
Elden Ring rewards thorough exploration. Follow these principles:
- Follow the golden rays from Sites of Grace — they point you toward the main story path.
- Explore optional areas to find powerful gear and level up before main bosses.
- Talk to every NPC you find — many trigger important questlines.
- Open every map fragment you encounter for better navigation.
First Bosses to Tackle
Don't rush to Margit, the Fell Omen (the first major story boss) right away. Instead, explore Limgrave first and take down these easier targets to build confidence and Runes:
- Soldier of Godrick (Tutorial Boss) — Great for learning combat basics.
- Grafted Scion — Optional tutorial boss. Very hard but drops good early gear.
- Tree Sentinel — Skip him at first. Return at level 25–30.
- Margit, the Fell Omen — Aim for level 20–25 before attempting this fight.
Final Advice
Elden Ring is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, explore freely, and don't be afraid to look things up. The game is designed to be challenging but fair. Every death teaches you something. Good luck, Tarnished.