Elden Ring
Elden Ring

Getting Started

Start your Elden Ring journey. Gain strategic foundations for survival in the Lands Between, from the Chapel of Anticipation to Stormveil Castle.

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Getting Started

Embarking on your journey in Elden Ring can be daunting, but with the right preparation and understanding of the game's core mechanics, you'll be well on your way to becoming a formidable Tarnished. This guide provides the strategic foundation necessary to survive the Lands Between, from your initial moments in the Chapel of Anticipation to your first major obstacle at Stormveil Castle.

Initial Decisions and Character Creation

Your journey begins before you even step foot into Limgrave. Choosing the right Starting Class is vital for your early-game experience. Beginners are highly encouraged to select the Vagabond for its high Vigor and heavy armor, or the Samurai, which starts with the formidable Uchigatana and its powerful "Unsheathe" Skill. For your Starting Keepsake, the Golden Seed is the objectively superior choice, as it allows you to upgrade your Flask of Crimson Tears at the very first Site of Grace, giving you an extra life-saving heal immediately.

First Steps in Limgrave

Upon exiting the Stranded Graveyard, your immediate objective is to activate the first Site of Grace and observe the Guidance of Grace—the golden trails of light that point toward your next primary objective. Avoid the Tree Sentinel patrolling the path; instead, head north to the Church of Elleh to meet Merchant Kalé and purchase a Crafting Kit. From there, proceed to the Gatefront Ruins to rest at the Grace site. Doing so triggers a cutscene with Melina, who grants you the Spectral Steed Whistle to summon Torrent. This mount is essential for traversing the vast landscape and engaging in hit-and-run mounted combat against early world bosses like the Agheel dragon or Night's Cavalry.

Core Survival Objectives

  1. Map Fragments: Seek out the stone monoliths (indicated by a small icon on the greyed-out map) to find Map Fragments. The Limgrave (West) fragment is located right in the center of the Gatefront Ruins.
  2. The Spirit Call Bell: After obtaining Torrent, return to the Church of Elleh at night to meet Renna. She will gift you the Spirit Call Bell and the Lone Wolf Ashes, allowing you to summon AI allies to distract bosses and mob groups.
  3. Flask Management: Visit the Third Church of Marika to find the Flask of Wondrous Physick. This customizable flask allows you to mix "Crystal Tears" found at Minor Erdtrees to grant specialized temporary buffs, such as stamina recovery or damage negation.