Embarking on your journey in Elden Ring can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding the levelling system. Many new players grapple with deciding where to allocate their Runes to best strengthen their Tarnished. If you’re finding yourself unsure about stat distribution and feeling vulnerable in the Lands Between, you’re not alone.
A common question among newcomers is whether to immediately focus on damage-dealing stats or prioritize survivability. While maximizing your primary damage stat like Strength or Dexterity is tempting, especially after consulting online guides that might suggest balanced stat increases, neglecting essential stats like Vigor can lead to a frustrating early game experience. Investing early in Vigor, which directly impacts your HP, is highly recommended. A larger health pool allows you to withstand more hits, giving you more room for error as you learn enemy attack patterns and master combat mechanics.
For beginners, particularly those considering a Strength or Dexterity-based build, focusing on Vigor in the initial levels is often the most beneficial approach. Aim to raise Vigor to at least 20-30 in the early game before heavily investing in damage stats. This will provide a much more comfortable learning curve and allow you to explore the world and experiment with combat without constant one-shot deaths. Once you have a decent health pool, you can then start focusing on your primary damage stat to meet weapon requirements and increase your offensive capabilities. Endurance is also valuable for stamina, affecting how many actions you can perform, but Vigor generally offers a more immediate and noticeable impact on survivability for new players.
Ultimately, experimenting and finding a build that suits your playstyle is a key part of the Elden Ring experience. However, for a smoother start, prioritizing Vigor early on is a strategy many players find highly effective, regardless of their chosen build.
