ELDEN RING Beginner Guide: Early Game Tips, Classes, Weapons, Leveling

Welcome, Tarnished. Follow the guidance of grace to the Lands Between. Released in 2022, ELDEN RING continues to captivate players worldwide as a monumental action RPG. Its vast and beautiful world, high degree of freedom in exploration, and fierce battles against formidable foes offer an unforgettable experience to many adventurers. However, due to its expansive freedom and unforgiving difficulty, many beginners may find themselves lost and disheartened in the early stages. This article is a complete beginner's guide to help such Tarnished overcome early-game challenges and fully enjoy this wonderful adventure.

Choose These First! Recommended Starting Classes and Keepsakes for Beginners

The first step of your adventure begins with character creation. The "starting class" and "keepsake" you choose here will significantly impact the early game difficulty. Choose carefully and strategically.

Recommended Starting Classes: "Samurai" or "Vagabond"

ELDEN RING features 10 starting classes, but "Samurai" and "Vagabond" are especially recommended for beginners.

• Samurai: The starting katana, "Uchigatana," is exceptionally good. It inflicts blood loss, has excellent attack range and speed, making it viable from early to late game. Furthermore, they possess a "Longbow" for ranged attacks, making them adaptable to various situations. With high Dexterity and Endurance, they are suited for a high-attack-count playstyle.
• Vagabond: Features high Vigor and starts with a 100% physical damage reduction shield, significantly increasing survivability by making it easier to block enemy attacks. This class is ideal for players who prefer a steady combat approach. Their balanced stats allow them to adapt to various weapons, offering high build flexibility later on.

Keepsake: "Golden Seed" is the Only Choice

For your keepsake, choose the "Golden Seed," which increases the number of uses for your Flask of Crimson Tears, your primary healing item. Having more healing options in the early stages of your adventure directly contributes to higher survivability. While other items might be tempting, prioritizing early-game stability means there's virtually no other choice.

Efficient Early Game Progression and Leveling

Once the game begins, rather than blindly progressing, exploring strategically will allow you to strengthen your character efficiently. Here, we'll introduce how to navigate the Limgrave region and recommended Rune farming spots.

Step 1: Unlocking the Spectral Steed and Acquiring Basic Equipment

First, unlock three Sites of Grace and meet Melina to gain the ability to level up and receive the "Spectral Steed Whistle." This will enable you to traverse the vast open world quickly. Afterwards, head to the Site of Grace "Gatefront Ruins" and acquire the "Whetstone Knife" and the Ash of War "Storm Blade" from the underground cellar. This will allow you to swap Ashes of War on your weapons.

Step 2: Obtain the Powerful Weapon, "Bloodhound's Fang"!

Among the weapons available in the early game, the great curved sword "Bloodhound's Fang" is highly recommended. You can obtain it by defeating the boss, "Bloodhound Knight Darriwil," at the "Forlorn Hound Evergaol" located south of Limgrave. This weapon boasts high attack power and blood loss effect, and its unique skill, "Bloodhound's Finesse," offers a powerful combination of offense and evasion. It requires 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity, but it is well worth building your stats around this weapon.

Step 3: Recommended Leveling Spot: "Fort Gael North"

If you feel the enemies are too strong to progress, it's time to level up (farm Runes). An excellent early-game spot is near the Site of Grace "Fort Gael North" in the Caelid region. Here, a gigantic "Flaming Chariot" is positioned, which can be defeated in one hit by performing a plunging attack from a high spot. By also catching surrounding enemies in the explosion, you can safely and efficiently earn approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Runes per run. Since the Site of Grace is nearby, repeated farming is easy.

Combat Fundamentals for Survival and Recommended Builds

In this game, simply mashing the attack button won't guarantee victory. Understand the fundamentals of combat and develop your character strategically.

Five Combat Principles to Master

1. Don't forget to lock on: When facing an enemy, always lock on first. This significantly improves the accuracy of your attacks and dodges.
2. Dodge (rolling) is your lifeline: Observe enemy attack patterns carefully and time your rolls to evade them. Having a "medium" equip load or lighter allows for smoother dodges.
3. Aim for Guard Counters: Immediately after blocking an enemy attack with a 100% physical damage reduction shield, press the heavy attack (R2 button) to unleash a powerful "Guard Counter." This easily breaks an enemy's stance, creating big opportunities.
4. Actively use Spirit Ashes: In boss battles and other tough encounters, you can summon spirits using Spirit Ashes. They draw the enemy's attention, giving you time to safely attack or heal. The "Lone Wolf Ashes" are particularly useful in the early game.
5. If it's too tough, flee: There's no need to force a fight against unbeatable enemies, especially strong foes in the open world. Mount your Spectral Steed and gallop past them.

Beginner-Friendly "Dexterity/Blood Loss Build"

A build focusing on Dexterity and Arcane, with "Bloodhound's Fang" as the main weapon, is recommended for beginners. The blood loss status effect deals percentage damage based on the enemy's maximum HP, making it highly effective against tough enemies like bosses.

• Stat Priority: First, aim for the weapon's required stats: 18 Strength and 17 Dexterity. Afterwards, prioritize increasing "Vigor" to around 30-40 to boost survivability. Next, raise "Endurance" to 20-25, as it affects stamina and equip load. For attack power, focus on "Dexterity," while also allocating some points to "Arcane" to enhance the blood loss effect.
• Suggested Stat Allocation at Level 50: Vigor:30, Mind:12, Endurance:20, Strength:18, Dexterity:25, Intelligence:Base, Faith:Base, Arcane:15

Complete Strategy for the First Gate, "Margit, the Fell Omen"

The first major hurdle many beginners encounter is the boss "Margit, the Fell Omen," found at the gates of Stormveil Castle. However, with proper preparation, you can definitely overcome him.

• Recommended Level and Weapon Upgrade: Aim for a character level of 20-25 and a weapon upgrade level of around +3.
• Summon Allies: From the golden summon sign just before the boss area, you can summon the NPC "Sorcerer Rogier." Additionally, summoning Spirit Ashes like "Jellyfish Ashes" or "Lone Wolf Ashes" to create a 3-on-1 situation is the easiest strategy. While they distract Margit, unleash your attacks from behind.
• Attack Patterns and Countermeasures: Margit's attacks are characterized by frequent delays (attacks with staggered timing). For his consecutive staff attacks, don't rush your roll; dodge just before the attack lands. If he throws light blades, roll sideways. Particularly dangerous is his attack where he swings a giant hammer of light. It's safest to create distance and evade this widely.
• Utilize Margit's Shackle: You can purchase "Margit's Shackle" from Patches in "Murkwater Cave" in Limgrave. Using this item can briefly halt Margit's movements up to two times during combat, giving you a significant advantage.

Summary

The early game of ELDEN RING can certainly be a series of challenges. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, these difficulties transform into stimulating challenges. By applying the recommended starting classes, weapon acquisition, leveling methods, and boss strategies discussed in this guide, your adventure in the Lands Between should become safer and more enjoyable. Once you overcome Margit, the first major hurdle, you will grow significantly as a Tarnished and discover the true appeal of this game. So, don't lose heart, and strive to become the Elden Lord. May the guidance of grace be with you.