Elden Ring Beginner's Guide: Overcome Early Challenges & Defeat Margit

FromSoftware's masterpiece action RPG, ELDEN RING, crowned Game of the Year in 2022 and winner of numerous other awards. Its vast, beautiful world and challenging combat have captivated many players. However, due to its high difficulty, many Tarnished may have felt discouraged early on. This article provides a comprehensive guide with specific strategies to help beginners overcome initial hurdles and fully enjoy their adventure in the Lands Between.

1. Character Build Basics: Class and Stat Allocation

Starting your adventure, the first hurdle is character creation. In particular, your "class" and subsequent "stat allocation" significantly impact the game's difficulty.

Recommended Classes

While any class can ultimately be developed freely, if you're looking for ease of progression in the early game, the following two are highly recommended:

• Samurai: The starting katana "Uchigatana" is highly recommended. It inflicts bleeding, and its balanced attack range and speed make it versatile against many enemies. You also start with a bow for ranged attacks.
• Vagabond: Has the highest Vigor among all classes, and the starting shield offers 100% physical damage negation, allowing you to completely block enemy attacks. It offers a good balance of offense and defense, making for stable gameplay.

If you wish to focus on sorcery or incantations, "Astrologer" or "Prophet" are good choices, but they require FP (MP) management. For beginners unfamiliar with action games, melee classes will generally be easier to handle.

Stat Allocation Priority

You can use runes gained from leveling up to enhance your stats at Sites of Grace. The stats to prioritize in the early game are as follows:

1. Vigor: Prioritize this above all else. Preventing instant death from enemy attacks is paramount. Aim for 20-25 initially, and 30-40 will provide stability in the long run.
2. Endurance: Increases your Stamina and equipment load limit. Stamina is essential for attacking and dodging, and a higher equipment load allows you to equip more powerful weapons and armor. Aim for around 20 here.
3. Strength / Dexterity: Allocate points to meet the requirements of the weapons you want to use. Instead of leveling them equally, it's more efficient to specialize in the stat that provides a higher scaling bonus for your main weapon.

Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane are generally not necessary to invest in during the early game, unless you specifically want to use certain sorceries, incantations, or weapons.

2. Efficient Early Game Progression and Essential Items

Upon arriving in Limgrave, you'll initially be directed towards Stormveil Castle, the story's main destination. However, heading straight there is reckless. First, explore the surrounding areas and strengthen your character.

Acquiring Torrent and Spirit Ashes

First, unlock three Sites of Grace in Limgrave. After resting at a Site of Grace, Melina will appear; speaking with her will grant you the Spectral Steed Whistle to summon your Spirit Steed, "Torrent." This will make traversing the vast map significantly easier. Afterward, go to the Church of Elleh Site of Grace at night, and the Witch Ranni will appear, giving you the "Spirit Calling Bell" and "Lone Wolf Ashes." This allows you to summon spirits to aid you in boss battles and other encounters.

Powerful Weapons to Obtain Early

• Bloodhound's Fang (Curved Greatsword): Obtainable by defeating the boss "Bloodhound Knight Darriwil" in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol in southern Limgrave. It boasts high attack power, a bleeding effect, and a powerful unique Weapon Skill "Bloodhound's Finesse," making it an extremely potent weapon useful from early to late game. Requires 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity.
• Lordsworn's Greatsword (Greatsword): Found in a chest in a broken carriage near the "Gatefront" Site of Grace. It has excellent performance for a greatsword obtainable early on and is useful for fighting multiple enemies due to its wide sweeping attacks.

Don't Forget to Upgrade Your Weapons

Collect "Smithing Stones" in dungeons like "tunnels" found throughout the Lands Between, and upgrade your weapons at the smithing table at the Church of Elleh. Upgrading weapons is a quicker way to increase your damage output than simply leveling up.

3. Conquering the First Wall: Margit, the Fell Omen

"Margit, the Fell Omen," who awaits at the entrance to Stormveil Castle, is a significant obstacle many beginners first encounter. However, with proper preparation, you can definitely defeat him.

Recommended Level and Preparation

• Recommended Level: Around 20-25
• Weapon Reinforcement: Reinforce your weapon to +2 or +3.
• Spirit Summoning: Summon the "Lone Wolf Ashes" to draw Margit's attention. Attacking him from behind while the wolves are distracting him is effective.
• Sorcerer Rogier Summon: Touch the golden summon sign in front of the boss fog to summon the NPC "Sorcerer Rogier" as an ally. His sorceries will be a great help.
• Margit's Shackle: An item purchasable from the NPC Patches. It can restrain Margit's movements up to two times during combat.

Combat Strategy Tips

Margit is characterized by his delayed attacks. Observe his attack motions carefully, dodge when his attack finishes, and then counter-attack. It's crucial to stick to a "hit-and-run" strategy, attacking once or twice then disengaging, without getting greedy with combos. Jump attacks can easily break his stance, creating opportunities for critical hits, so aim for them actively.

4. Useful Early Game TIPS to Know

• Collect Map Fragments: When you arrive in a new area, first look for the monument icon on your map and obtain the "Map Fragment." This will allow you to see the surrounding terrain and make exploration easier.
• Follow the Guidance of Grace: If you get lost or don't know your next objective, the golden light "Guidance of Grace" emanating from Sites of Grace will point you towards the main story's progression.
• Efficient Rune Farming: At the "Fort Gael North" Site of Grace in Caelid, you can safely earn approximately 2,500 runes by defeating a giant chariot from behind. Also, near the "Impassable Greatbridge" in Caelid, you can accumulate runes simply by watching soldiers battle each other. If you're stuck, these locations are recommended for leveling up.

Summary

Elden Ring is indeed a difficult game, but its difficulty is not unfair. By strengthening your character, learning enemy movements, and utilizing everything at your disposal, you will undoubtedly find your way. The strategies presented in this article are merely the beginning of your adventure. First, overcome the significant initial hurdle of Margit, then thoroughly enjoy exploring the magnificent Lands Between that lie beyond. Fear not, challenge yourself repeatedly, Tarnished, and strive to become the Elden Lord.