A guide for newcomers to Elden Ring: initial steps to take.

Unsure how to begin? Here are some activities to consider during the opening hours.

Here is a unique rephrasing of the text in English:Navigational Insights by Matthew Reynolds, Seasoned Expedition LeaderRevised on January 17, 2024.Stay updated on Elden Ring.

Elden Ring’s expansive open-world environment presents both thrilling opportunities and formidable challenges for newcomers, making it difficult to determine the optimal starting point or course of action.

Upon your initial arrival in the Limgrave starting zone—following your choice of starting class and Keepsake—you’re granted full access to the expansive world of Elden Ring. This includes the opportunity to uncover caves that contain brief yet demanding dungeons, as well as encounter formidable beings like dragons and trolls that inhabit the landscape.

While there is a specific goal you need to achieve in the narrative, you aren’t required to head there immediately. In fact, we strongly advise against rushing to that point. Instead, take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the mechanics and enhance your character’s abilities.

Continue exploring our Elden Ring beginner’s guide below for tips on your initial steps and recommended destinations.

• What should you prioritize at the beginning of Elden Ring?
• Next steps in Elden Ring: How to navigate to Castle Stormveil.

What should you prioritize at the beginning of Elden Ring?

To begin with, it’s important to identify your destination on the critical path, which is Castle Stormveil. You’ll realize this once you activate the first Site of Grace—consider these resting spots as the bonfires of Elden Ring. The light emanating from the top will guide you to your next objective. Additionally, Varre, the nearby character, will inform you that the Castle is your initial destination. If you glance to the west, you can spot it perched on the cliffs.

Nevertheless, try to avoid the urge to head directly to Castle Stormveil. While that path provides some crucial enhancements that we will need, it’s advisable to delay our arrival at the Castle for a few more hours.

Here’s what you need to prioritize initially in Elden Ring:

1. Head to the Church of Elleh located to the north of your starting point (make sure to steer clear of the formidable Tree Sentinel along the way!) to encounter a merchant named Kale. He offers a Crafting Kit, Cookbooks, and a torch if you’re interested in delving into the nearby cave dungeons.
2. Your initial destination should be the Gatefront Ruins. Located on the main route and adjacent to a gate leading to Castle Stormveil, this area contains two valuable items: the Map Fragment for the region and a Whetstone Knife, which allows you to equip Ash of War weapon abilities.
3. At this stage, you might be curious about how to enhance your character. Head to the Grace located to the east or west of the Gatefront Ruins, and you will encounter Melina. Here, you will also receive your horse, Torrent, which will assist you in navigating the area more efficiently.Image source: Eurogamer/FromSoftware/Bandai Namco
4. Here is a unique rephrasing of the text in English:Seeking compact and engaging dungeon experiences? Exploring nearby caves could be a rewarding option. Remember to bring a light source before venturing forth, as the formidable foes within – such as the Demi Human Chief, Beastman of Farum Azula, and Erdtree Burial Watchdog – present a substantial challenge, but also the potential for valuable rewards.
5. Despite receiving warnings from various characters about venturing to Agheel Lake to the east, it’s advisable to navigate the perimeter and follow the river northward. Following an invasion, make sure to check in with Patches, as he possesses an item that will assist you in an upcoming crucial boss battle. Additionally, you can acquire a Stonesword Key here, which grants you entry to certain restricted locations.
6. The lake is the location where we suggest the top weapon to acquire early on: the Twinblade. You may need to boost your stats to wield it, though—our Rune farming techniques could assist with that. If you’re interested in using magic, it’s advisable to locate a staff as well.
7. Regardless of the weapon you select, it’s advisable to acquire some Smithing Stones to enhance its capabilities. In the Limgrave region, there are two noteworthy locations to explore – a mine-like dungeon situated northwest of the lake, and a field covered in trolls near the Stormhill area, not far from Castle Stormveil.
8. Ultimately, there are several Flask enhancements available that can aid in your recovery, and if you’re open to receiving assistance in combat, seeking out summoning spirits could be beneficial as well.

At this juncture, you should possess a reliable weapon, a character with enhanced capabilities, and a more comprehensive grasp of the game mechanics.

The aforementioned aspects merely hint at the wonders Limgrave offers, not to mention the entirety of the game, much of which can be explored right from the beginning if you know the right directions. Take your time to wander and absorb the environment at your leisure—there are unexpected discoveries waiting at nearly every turn. When you feel prepared, you can embark on the main storyline.

Next steps in Elden Ring: How to navigate to Castle Stormveil.

Once you’re prepared, getting to Castle Stormveil is simply a matter of heading west through the entrance near the Gatefront Ruins and following the twisting trail uphill until you arrive at the gates.

Certainly, the path may appear direct, but obstacles abound, both at the entrance and as one nears the very heart of the fortress.

Fortunately, with Torrent, you can effortlessly bypass them and head straight for the castle walls that the path leads to. (A helpful hint – don’t hesitate to sprint past foes, especially when they come in numbers!)

The path to Castle Stormveil is not without its challenges. Before you can reach the castle itself, you must face the first crucial boss encounter – Margit the Fell Omen.

This encounter poses a significant challenge, and it’s not just about having a character at a reasonable level – in our case, we were around level 20. Ideally, you’ll need a solid set of offensive capabilities and some summoned allies to assist you in overcoming this obstacle.

If you find yourself in a difficult situation here, as we did for a period, it’s advisable to venture further into Limgrave and its surroundings. This exploration will not only enhance your character’s development but also help alleviate any frustration. Unlike other titles from FromSoftware, where bosses may hinder your progress, there remains a wealth of sights and activities to discover. So, take your time to explore—Margit isn’t going anywhere!

For additional guidance, check out our Elden Ring guide, which includes a comprehensive list of the primary bosses in sequence to assist you in achieving one of the various endings.

Check this out next.

• FromSoftware is indeed expanding the Elden Ring universe with the new cooperative game, Elden Ring: Nightreign.
• According to reports, employees at Kadokawa, the parent company of FromSoftware, are said to be “thrilled” about the prospect of a potential acquisition by Sony.
• The highly anticipated Elden Ring expansion, “Shadow of the Erdtree,” will not be considered for the prestigious BAFTA’s Best Game award. This decision by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts highlights the exclusivity of the award, as the DLC content will not be eligible for this prestigious accolade.

Matthew Reynolds contributed to Eurogamer by creating guides and various resources from 2010 to 2023. In his free time, he enjoyed exploring the outdoors while playing Pokémon Go and expanding his amiibo collection.

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