Elden Ring is a massive, unforgiving, and beautifully crafted open‑world action RPG that challenges players to explore, experiment, and endure. With its cryptic mechanics, brutal enemies, and sprawling landscapes, the Lands Between can overwhelm even experienced Soulsborne players. This guide is designed to help you navigate Elden Ring from start to finish, offering practical tips, strategic insights, and structured guidance across ten major phases of the game.

Each section focuses on a different stage of your journey, from character creation to endgame preparation. Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning Tarnished, these tips and guides will help you survive, thrive, and ultimately conquer the challenges that await.

1. Early Game Tips: How to Start Strong in the Lands Between

Your journey begins with character creation, and while your starting class doesn’t lock you into a specific build, it does influence your early experience. Beginners often benefit from classes like Vagabond (balanced melee) or Astrologer (strong early magic). The Keepsake choice also matters—Golden Seed is the safest pick, granting an extra healing flask early on.

Once you enter Limgrave, resist the urge to rush into Stormveil Castle. Instead, explore the open fields, gather runes, and unlock Sites of Grace. The early game is about learning mechanics, experimenting with weapons, and building confidence.

Early Game Checklist

  • Choose a class that matches your preferred playstyle
  • Select Golden Seed as your Keepsake
  • Unlock Torrent by speaking to Melina
  • Explore Limgrave before tackling Stormveil Castle

2. Exploration Tips: How to Navigate Limgrave and Beyond

Limgrave is your training ground, filled with caves, catacombs, and hidden dungeons. Use Torrent to travel quickly and escape danger. Activate every Site of Grace you find—fast travel is essential for efficient progression.

Don’t ignore optional areas. Groveside Cave, Coastal Cave, and the Dragon-Burnt Ruins offer valuable rewards. Exploring thoroughly ensures you’re strong enough for early bosses and helps you understand Elden Ring’s open‑world rhythm.

Exploration Tips

  • Use Revelio—wait, wrong game—use your map markers
  • Revisit areas after leveling up
  • Farm runes from soldiers near Gatefront Ruins

3. Combat Tips: How to Master Dodging, Blocking, and Attacking

Combat in Elden Ring is punishing but fair. Learning enemy patterns is essential. Dodging at the right moment often matters more than blocking, though shields can help beginners survive early encounters.

Experiment with weapon types. Greatswords offer power, katanas offer speed, and spears provide reach. Magic users should practice spacing and FP management. The key is to find a weapon that feels comfortable and upgrade it consistently.

Combat Fundamentals

  • Watch enemy animations for attack cues
  • Use lock‑on wisely
  • Mix light and heavy attacks
  • Manage stamina carefully

4. Mounted Combat Tips: How to Use Torrent Effectively

Torrent is more than a mount—he’s a combat tool. Fighting on horseback allows you to strike enemies while staying mobile. Against large foes like dragons or giants, mounted combat provides safety and reach.

Torrent also enables double jumps, letting you access cliffs, ruins, and hidden areas. Mastering Torrent’s agility is essential for exploration and survival.

Mounted Combat Tips

  • Circle enemies to avoid direct hits
  • Use hit‑and‑run tactics
  • Dismount quickly when fighting indoors

5. Boss Tips: How to Defeat Early and Midgame Bosses

Bosses are the heart of Elden Ring’s challenge. Margit the Fell Omen is your first major test. He punishes reckless attacks, so patience is key. Summoning Spirit Ashes or NPC allies can help distract him.

Other early bosses like Tree Sentinel and Flying Dragon Agheel are optional but rewarding. Defeating them grants powerful weapons and runes. Midgame bosses like Rennala and Radahn require different strategies—magic defense for Rennala, mobility for Radahn.

Boss Strategy Checklist

  • Learn attack patterns before committing
  • Use Spirit Ashes for distraction
  • Upgrade weapons before major fights

6. Weapon and Gear Tips: How to Upgrade and Optimize Your Build

Upgrading weapons is more important than leveling up. Smithing Stones are essential for weapon upgrades and can be found in mines and tunnels. Focus on upgrading one main weapon early on.

Armor matters less than weapons, but heavier sets provide poise, allowing you to withstand hits. Balance weight with mobility—fast rolling is often more valuable than heavy defense.

Upgrade Tips

  • Prioritize upgrading one main weapon
  • Farm Smithing Stones in caves
  • Balance armor weight for fast rolls

7. Spirit Ash Tips: How to Use Summons Effectively

Spirit Ashes are companions you can summon in combat. They range from wolves to powerful knights. Upgrading Spirit Ashes at Roderika in Roundtable Hold makes them more effective.

Summons are best used as distractions, drawing aggro while you deal damage. They don’t trivialize fights but provide breathing room.

Recommended Spirit Ashes

  • Lone Wolf Ashes (early game)
  • Latenna the Albinauric (ranged support)
  • Mimic Tear (late game powerhouse)

8. Midgame Tips: How to Progress Through Liurnia, Caelid, and Altus Plateau

After Stormveil Castle, you’ll enter Liurnia of the Lakes. This region emphasizes exploration and magic. Focus on unlocking the Academy of Raya Lucaria, where you’ll face Rennala.

Caelid is dangerous but rewarding. Many players avoid it early, but its dungeons contain valuable upgrade materials. Altus Plateau introduces tougher enemies and larger dungeons—take time to strengthen your build before advancing.

Midgame Checklist

  • Explore Liurnia thoroughly
  • Upgrade Spirit Ashes
  • Experiment with Ashes of War

9. Endgame Tips: How to Prepare for Leyndell, the Giants, and Farum Azula

Endgame regions are brutal. Leyndell’s enemies hit harder, Mountaintops of the Giants introduces massive foes, and Farum Azula tests your mastery of movement and combat.

Preparation is key. Ensure your weapons are fully upgraded, flasks are maximized, and Spirit Ashes are strong. Farming runes in late‑game areas helps boost levels quickly.

Endgame Preparation

  • Maximize Flask charges
  • Fully upgrade your primary weapon
  • Stock up on consumables

10. How to Choose Your Ending: Understanding the Final Choices

Elden Ring offers multiple endings based on your choices. Aligning with different NPCs or completing specific questlines determines your fate. Ranni’s questline leads to the Age of Stars, while following the Frenzied Flame results in chaos.

Choosing an ending is not just about mechanics—it reflects your journey. Each ending emphasizes themes of isolation, ambition, or destruction.

Ending Options

  • Elden Lord (default ending)
  • Age of Stars (Ranni’s questline)
  • Lord of Frenzied Flame (chaotic ending)

Conclusion

Mastering Elden Ring requires patience, exploration, and resilience. By following this structured guide—from early game exploration to endgame preparation—you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate every challenge the Lands Between presents. Whether you choose to become Elden Lord, embrace chaos, or follow Ranni into the stars, your journey will be uniquely yours.

Elden Ring is not just a game—it’s a test of endurance, curiosity, and determination. With the right tips and guidance, any Tarnished can rise to greatness.