Elden Ring plunges you into a vast open world, a thrilling yet overwhelming prospect for newcomers. Knowing what to do first and where to go first can be the difference between a rewarding journey and early frustration. As you emerge into the starting area of Limgrave, after choosing your starting class and Keepsake item, the entirety of the Lands Between unfolds before you. From hidden caves brimming with challenging dungeons to formidable creatures like dragons and trolls roaming freely, adventure awaits at every turn in Elden Ring.
While the narrative directs you towards a primary destination, rushing there is not advisable for new Tarnished. In fact, taking time to grasp the game’s mechanics and strengthen your character beforehand is highly recommended.
Continue reading this Elden Ring Starting Guide to gain essential insights on your initial steps and the optimal path to embark on in this expansive world.
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Essential First Steps in Elden Ring
Upon entering the Lands Between, your immediate critical path leads to Castle Stormveil. This is subtly indicated by the guidance of grace emanating from the first Site of Grace you encounter – Elden Ring’s equivalent to bonfires, serving as checkpoints and leveling hubs. The NPC Varre, positioned near your starting point, also points you towards the Castle, visible to the west atop imposing cliffs.
Image: A Tarnished surveys the vast Limgrave landscape in Elden Ring, hinting at the adventures ahead.
However, resist the urge to immediately head to Castle Stormveil. While the path in that direction does offer valuable early upgrades, delaying your arrival at the castle itself for a few hours of gameplay is highly beneficial.
Here’s a recommended checklist of what you should do first in Elden Ring to establish a strong foundation:
- Explore Limgrave Extensively: Limgrave, the starting region, is designed as a beginner-friendly zone, packed with diverse environments, dungeons, and secrets. Don’t rush through it. Instead, take your time to explore every nook and cranny. Discover caves, ruins, and hidden paths. This exploration will reward you with valuable runes (experience points), weapons, armor, and crafting materials.
- Level Up Your Character: Engage with enemies and defeat them to earn runes. Return to Sites of Grace to level up your character, focusing on stats that complement your chosen starting class and playstyle. Vigor (health) and Endurance (stamina) are universally useful early investments, regardless of your build.
- Acquire a Variety of Weapons and Armor: Limgrave offers a wide array of weapons and armor sets. Experiment with different weapon types to find what suits your combat style. Don’t hesitate to try out heavier armor for better protection, but be mindful of equip load and its impact on your movement.
- Master Basic Combat Mechanics: Elden Ring’s combat is challenging but rewarding. Practice fundamental skills like dodging, rolling, blocking, parrying (if your class allows), and utilizing weapon skills. Learn enemy attack patterns and timings. Mastering these basics early on will make your journey significantly smoother.
- Find Smithing Stones and Upgrade Your Weapon: Weapon upgrades are crucial for increasing your damage output. Explore mines and caves in Limgrave to find Smithing Stones. Take these stones to the Church of Elleh Site of Grace and use the anvil there, or find Smithing Master Hewg at the Roundtable Hold later, to upgrade your preferred weapon. Even a few upgrade levels can make a noticeable difference.
- Collect Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears: Golden Seeds increase your Flask capacity (for healing or FP), and Sacred Tears enhance the healing potency of your Flasks. These are invaluable for survival. Explore Limgrave thoroughly to find these upgrades, often located near Minor Erdtrees or Churches.
- Summon Spirits and Crafting: Experiment with summoning spirit ashes to aid you in combat. These can be game-changers, especially against challenging enemies or bosses. Gather crafting materials and learn basic recipes to create useful items like firebombs, throwing knives, and curing boluses.
- Ride Torrent and Utilize Stealth: Once you acquire Torrent, your spectral steed, the open world becomes much more navigable. Learn to effectively use Torrent for fast travel and combat advantages. Also, utilize stealth mechanics to your advantage, especially when approaching groups of enemies.
By this point, you should be equipped with a decent weapon, a stronger character build, and a solid understanding of Elden Ring’s core gameplay loop.
Limgrave is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Elden Ring has to offer. Vast portions of the Lands Between are technically accessible from the beginning if you know where to venture. Feel free to explore at your own pace, as surprises and discoveries await around every corner. When you feel adequately prepared, you can then confidently embark on the main storyline.
Navigating to Castle Stormveil: Your Next Destination in Elden Ring
When you’re ready to advance towards the main story, reaching Castle Stormveil is relatively straightforward: head west through the gate by the Gatefront Ruins and follow the winding path uphill directly to the castle gates.
Image: Map highlighting the path from Gatefront Ruins Site of Grace to Castle Stormveil in Elden Ring.
While the path itself is direct, be prepared for significant enemy encounters both at the Gatefront Ruins and as you approach the castle.
Fortunately, with Torrent, you can often outrun these enemies, galloping past them towards the castle walls. (A helpful tip: don’t hesitate to run past groups of enemies, especially when overwhelmed!).
Image: A Tarnished on Torrent evades a troll ambush on the path to Stormveil Castle, emphasizing the option to bypass enemies.
However, a significant obstacle awaits before you reach Castle Stormveil proper: the first major story boss, Margit, the Fell Omen.
Image: A tense battle against Margit, the Fell Omen, highlighting the challenge that awaits at Stormveil Castle’s entrance.
Margit is a formidable foe, demanding not only a reasonably leveled character (around level 20 is a good benchmark) but also a well-rounded combat strategy, including offensive options and spirit summons for assistance.
If you find yourself stuck at Margit – a common experience for many – further exploration of Limgrave (and potentially beyond, into areas like the Weeping Peninsula to the south) is highly recommended. This allows you to strengthen your character further and avoid unnecessary frustration. Unlike some previous FromSoftware titles, Elden Ring’s open world offers vast alternatives to the “main” path. Take your time, explore extensively, and remember, Margit and Stormveil Castle will still be there when you are ready!
For more detailed guidance beyond this point, refer to comprehensive resources such as an Elden Ring walkthrough and a list of main bosses in order to help you navigate towards one of the game’s multiple endings.
