Welcome to the Lands Between

Elden Ring is one of the most acclaimed open-world action RPGs ever made — and also one of the most punishing for newcomers. If you've just picked it up and are staring down your first death screen, don't panic. This guide will walk you through the essentials so you can go from confused newcomer to confident Tarnished.

Choosing Your Starting Class

Your starting class defines your early stat distribution, not your long-term destiny. You can respec later in the game, so don't overthink it. Here are the best options for beginners:

  • Vagabond — High Vigor and Strength, great for melee beginners. Forgiving and tanky.
  • Astrologer — Best for players who prefer ranged magic combat. High Intelligence start.
  • Confessor — A faith-based hybrid that balances melee and healing incantations.
  • Hero — Pure strength build starter, ideal if you want to swing big weapons.

The First Things You Should Do

  1. Collect the map fragments — The map starts mostly blank. Find the map steles glowing on roadsides to reveal each region.
  2. Explore Limgrave thoroughly — The starting area is packed with Runes, gear, and upgrade materials. Don't rush to the first boss.
  3. Visit the Church of Elleh — You'll unlock Spirit Ashes (summonable AI allies) here early on. These are game-changers for solo players.
  4. Level Vigor first — Getting one-shot is frustrating. Bring Vigor to at least 40 before your main stat.

Understanding Runes and Leveling

Runes are the currency and experience system in Elden Ring. You earn them by defeating enemies and spend them at Sites of Grace to level up. The catch: if you die, you drop all your held Runes at the spot of death. You get one chance to recover them — die again before reaching them and they're gone forever.

Pro tip: Spend your Runes before exploring dangerous areas or boss fights. Never hoard more than you're willing to lose.

Combat Fundamentals

Elden Ring's combat rewards patience over aggression. Key principles to internalize:

  • Learn enemy patterns — Every enemy has a tell before each attack. Watch and wait.
  • Dodge into attacks — Rolling toward the enemy during their swing often puts you in a safe spot.
  • Manage your Stamina — Running out of Stamina mid-fight leaves you completely exposed. Never spam rolls.
  • Use Ashes of War — These special weapon skills add powerful attacks and utility. Experiment freely.

Early Game Boss Order (Recommended)

You're free to go anywhere, but this order will give you a smoother progression curve:

  1. Margit, the Fell Omen (Stormhill)
  2. Godrick the Grafted (Stormveil Castle)
  3. Red Wolf of Radagon (Academy of Raya Lucaria)
  4. Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon

Final Tips for Survival

  • Always have Flasks of Crimson Tears (HP restore) upgraded — collect Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears.
  • Don't neglect Spirit Ashes. Summoning a tanky ally in boss fights dramatically increases survivability.
  • If you're stuck on a boss, explore a different area. Elden Ring is open-world for a reason.
  • Multiplayer is available — summon human players for cooperative help via Summoning Signs.

Elden Ring is a marathon, not a sprint. Every death is a lesson. With patience and the right approach, the Lands Between will open up into one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming.