Welcome to the Lands Between — Don't Panic

Elden Ring is one of the most rewarding — and punishing — open-world RPGs ever made. If you've just started your journey and found yourself dying repeatedly in the opening area, you're not alone. This guide will walk you through the essential systems, early priorities, and survival strategies that will transform your experience from frustrating to phenomenal.

Table of Contents

Choosing the Right Starting Class

Your starting class determines your base stats and starting gear, but it doesn't lock you into a playstyle forever. Here's a quick breakdown:

  • Vagabond — Best for beginners. High Vigor and Endurance with solid melee gear.
  • Astrologer — Great for magic users who prefer ranged combat.
  • Wretch — For experienced players who want full stat flexibility.
  • Confessor — A balanced hybrid of faith and melee combat.

Tip: If this is your first FromSoftware game, start as a Vagabond.

Understanding Runes and Leveling

Runes are Elden Ring's currency — used for both leveling up and purchasing items. The golden rule: spend your runes before you die. When you die, runes drop at the spot where you fell. Die again before retrieving them and they're gone forever.

  1. Always level Vigor first — more HP means more room for mistakes.
  2. Aim for at least 40 Vigor before progressing to mid-game areas.
  3. Use Golden Runes (consumable items) only when you're at a Site of Grace.

Exploration Strategy

Elden Ring rewards curiosity more than almost any other game. Every cave, ruins, and dungeon holds meaningful loot. Follow these exploration principles:

  • Always activate every Site of Grace you find — they serve as checkpoints and fast travel points.
  • Talk to every NPC you encounter, and exhaust their dialogue completely.
  • Don't rush toward main bosses — explore the surrounding areas first for levels and gear.
  • If an area is destroying you, leave and come back stronger. The open world exists for this reason.

Core Combat Tips

Elden Ring's combat is methodical. Patience and positioning beat button mashing every time.

  • Learn to dodge, not block — dodging into an attack's hitbox (i-framing) is the safest evasion technique.
  • Watch your stamina bar — running out mid-fight leaves you completely exposed.
  • Use Ashes of War — these special abilities can be attached to weapons and change your combat options drastically.
  • Summon Spirit Ashes — don't feel ashamed to use summons during boss fights. They split enemy attention and are a core game mechanic.

Best Early Areas to Farm Runes

Getting ahead of the curve early makes the game significantly more manageable:

  1. Gatefront Ruins — A camp of soldiers near the first major grace point. Easy kills, decent rune income.
  2. Stormhill — Giants patrol this area and drop large rune amounts for low-level effort.
  3. Bestial Sanctum — Accessible early via a teleporter portal and contains powerful enemies worth fighting at range for big rune rewards.

Final Thoughts

Elden Ring is a game that opens up beautifully once you understand its rhythms. Don't race through it — explore, experiment, and enjoy the discovery. Death is just part of the process. Every defeat teaches you something. Good luck, Tarnished.