Ultimate Tips & Guides for “Elden Ring” – Master the Lands Between

Elden Ring, the award-winning action RPG from FromSoftware and George R. R. Martin, offers a vast, dangerous open world known as the Lands Between. With cryptic mechanics, powerful bosses, and countless secrets, new and veteran players alike can feel overwhelmed.

This guide compiles the ultimate tips and guides for Elden Ring, helping you survive, thrive, and master every aspect of the game — from combat to exploration and character builds.

1. Choose the Right Starting Class

While your starting class doesn’t lock you into a playstyle forever, it significantly affects the early game. For beginners:

• Vagabond: Great for melee-focused builds
• Astrologer: Ideal for magic users
• Samurai: Balanced for ranged and melee with strong starting gear

Tip: Don’t stress too much — Elden Ring lets you customize stats and weapons as you progress.

2. Explore Thoroughly Before Advancing

The open-world design of Elden Ring rewards curiosity. Instead of heading straight to legacy dungeons:

• Visit side areas like Limgrave’s catacombs and caves
• Pick up early game items such as the Spirit Calling Bell
• Defeat minor bosses to gain runes and upgrade materials

Exploration is key to gaining the strength needed for mainline bosses.

3. Master Combat Basics

Combat in Elden Ring is about patience, timing, and adaptability. To improve your success rate:

• Learn enemy patterns before going on the offensive
• Make use of guard counters, backstabs, and jump attacks
• Use Spirit Ashes to summon help during tough fights
• Don’t forget to two-hand your weapon for bonus damage when needed

4. Level Up Smartly

Distribute your stats based on your build goal:

• Vigor: Increases HP — always useful
• Endurance: Improves stamina and equip load
• Dexterity/Strength: Melee scaling stats
• Intelligence/Faith: For sorcery and incantations

Tip: Focus on 2–3 main stats to avoid a diluted build.

5. Upgrade Your Weapons

Raw stats are important, but weapon upgrades can make a bigger difference early on. Collect:

• Smithing Stones for standard weapons
• Somber Smithing Stones for special weapons

Visit blacksmiths like Smithing Master Hewg at Roundtable Hold to begin crafting your ultimate arsenal.

6. Use Stealth and Mount Combat Wisely

Stealth allows you to avoid or eliminate enemies silently, while mount combat gives you:

• Speed against large open-field bosses
• The ability to flee if overwhelmed
• Tactical advantage when kiting enemies

Use Torrent (your spirit steed) to navigate difficult areas with flexibility.

7. Don’t Skip NPC Quests

Many NPC questlines unlock powerful items, spells, or even alternate endings. Pay attention to:

• Characters like Ranni the Witch, Blaidd, and Fia
• Subtle changes in dialogue and world states
• Hidden locations they may reveal

Tip: Take notes or use a quest tracker — Elden Ring doesn’t hold your hand.

8. Manage Resources and Rune Farming

Losing runes is inevitable, but with smart play:

• Spend runes before exploring risky areas
• Use Golden Runes in inventory only when needed
• Farm early areas like Agheel Lake North or Stormveil Castle outskirts for easy XP

9. Prepare for Boss Battles

Bosses are tough — but beatable. Always:

• Summon Spirit Ashes or co-op players when stuck
• Learn attack patterns through observation
• Equip gear that resists the boss’s elemental damage
• Keep your flasks upgraded via Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears

10. Keep Experimenting and Have Fun

There is no “wrong” way to play Elden Ring. Whether you’re dual-wielding katanas or casting cosmic spells:

• Try different weapons and Ashes of War
• Respec using Larval Tears later in the game
• Embrace failure as part of the journey

Conclusion

Mastering Elden Ring isn’t just about skill — it’s about persistence, curiosity, and adapting to an unforgiving world. With these ultimate Elden Ring tips and guides, you’ll be better prepared to face the toughest challenges and uncover the rich lore hidden throughout the Lands Between.

So gear up, Tarnished. The Elden Ring awaits.