FromSoftware has a long track record of critically acclaimed games, but Elden Ring is their biggest breakout hit to date. Each of their games has its own notoriety, and for many gamers, Elden Ring was their first experience with the Soulsborne genre. It's true that each FromSoftware game presents its own set of hurdles, but they've all gotten easier to pick up and play in recent years.
Different design characteristics included in this title—most notably the open-world design—make Elden Ring the most approachable to first-time players. There are a few things you should know before you embark on this incredible adventure.
Runes and Their Function
When you die, you'll lose all of your Runes (the game's universal currency), so you'll have to go out and get more. The dropped Elden Ring Runes are lost forever if you die again without retrieving them. This is something you should try to stay away from if at all possible, but it's inevitable. Yeah, that's OK. Such a setback is inherent to the game's risk/reward dynamics. Try to level up quickly or stock up on arrows or something else dull but useful before facing a boss by using your Runes for this purpose. By not having to worry about regaining your Runes after each failed attempt, you'll be able to devote more mental energy on the battle at hand.
Plan on dying a lot.
Though Elden Ring is generally easier than earlier Soulsborne games, you should still embrace death and use it as a learning experience. No matter how many times your boss knocks you down, get back up. What's important is that you get back up and continuing educating yourself. Think about what you could have done better on your previous try. The sense of accomplishment you get from finally beating a challenging boss after memorizing their moves via repeated efforts is unrivaled in other media.
FromSoftware games frequently minimize a direct narrative pushing you along in favor of focusing on the surroundings to create a tale. The main story in Elden Ring is the easiest to follow of all their games, but it's still not quite clear what's going on. You'll meet many NPCs, each with their own peculiar goals; it's up to you to figure out what's going on. Exhaust the conversational resources of everyone you encounter. You should study the descriptions of the items you find, since each one has been strategically placed there and has some fresh piece of lore for you to uncover and put together.
Let Your First Grade GPA Go
Choosing your starting class may seem like a major decision, but in reality it only affects a few items and your initial stat spread. In other words, you can start out as a warrior and completely switch over to becoming a sorcerer if you want to, or vice versa, because you can put experience points into whichever stat you want at each level up. Once you have defeated Liurnia of the Lakes, the game's last boss, you will have the option to re-roll your stats.
Further, all of the starting class equipment is eventually obtainable, but some pieces (like the Vagabond Knight armor set) don't become available until a shockingly late stage in the game. It's wonderful if you feel drawn to a certain subject area. In that case, it's probably best not to stress over it. As you travel, you will develop an identity that reflects the kind of Tarnished you hope to become.
Research is essential before purchasing any mementos.
Choosing a Keepsake is an important part of making a unique and memorable character. You're free to pick absolutely nothing, although you might want to consider at least a few of the possibilities given, especially in the beginning. An additional Flask (for use in healing or magic) is yours thanks to the Golden Seed almost immediately after you stop to rest at a holy place. Even though you'll eventually find more Golden Seeds than you need, having a spare flask at the beginning of the game can be a huge help. There's also the Stonesword Key, which can be used once to enter locked rooms or mini-dungeons anywhere in the game. Like the Golden Seed, having access to this option early in the game is more important than making the best choice overall.
Have a Gun in Your Arsenal
It's crucial to have access to a ranged weapon, even if you're playing a melee character. When confronting multiple foes at once seems insurmountable, a ranged weapon's ability to pull off one or two at a time makes the situation much more manageable. It's not only about "becoming excellent" in FromSoftware games; it's also about how you approach combat. There are also flying foes that are considerably easier to deal with if you can drag them or defeat them from a distance.
Adhere to the Shining Road.
Free exploration is the name of the game in Elden Ring, but if you want to meet Melina in the Gatefront Ruins, you need stick to the Guidance of Grace for the first few places of grace. She will give you a mount (named Torrent) and the grace to level up at any holy place, making exploration much easier.
Once you have Torrent, you can return to the Church of Elleh at night to see Renna the Witch. Renna becomes pivotal to one of the game's multiple endings, but you seek her out here for the Spirit Calling Bell she bestows, which unlocks the ability to call upon Spirit Ashes during boss battles.