Elden Ring is FromSoftware's open-world action RPG created in collaboration with George R.R. Martin, set in the sprawling Lands Between. Unlike previous Souls games, it gives you complete freedom to explore six major regions, tackle legacy dungeons in any order, and over 150 boss encounters. The game received its massive Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adding an entirely new map region. With its blend of punishing combat, deep build variety, and cryptic lore, Elden Ring redefined what an open-world RPG can be.
Combat in Elden Ring rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works — and how they interact — is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. open world exploration
The Lands Between is a seamless open world divided into six major regions plus underground areas. You can ride your spectral steed Torrent to traverse the map, discover hidden catacombs, caves, and ruins. Sites of Grace act as checkpoints with guiding light pointing toward main objectives, but you're free to ignore them entirely.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. stance breaking
Every enemy has a hidden poise meter that fills when you hit them with heavy attacks, guard counters, or jumping attacks. When the meter fills, the enemy staggers and you can perform a critical hit for massive damage. Colossal weapons and charged R2 attacks build stance damage fastest, making them excellent for boss fights.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. spirit ash summoning
Spirit Ashes are summonable AI companions usable in most boss fights and open-world areas where a rebirth monument is present. They range from single powerful summons like Mimic Tear (copies your build) to mob summons like Greatshield Soldiers. Upgrading them with Glovewort increases their health and damage significantly.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. weapon arts
Every weapon has a unique Ash of War skill activated with L2/LT that can be swapped at Sites of Grace. These range from devastating attacks like Bloodhound Step (long-range dodge) to buffs like Seppuku (adds bleed to your weapon). Affinities attached to Ashes of War change your weapon's scaling — Heavy for Strength, Keen for Dexterity, etc.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. flask of wondrous physick
The Wondrous Physick is a customizable flask that holds two Crystal Tear effects mixed at Sites of Grace. Combinations like Cerulean Hidden Tear (eliminates FP cost for 15 seconds) plus a damage-boosting tear can enable devastating combos. Tears are found throughout the world from minor Erdtree bosses.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
Mechanic Synergies
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
open world exploration + stance breaking
The Lands Between is a seamless open world divided into six major regions plus underground areas. When combined with stance breaking, every enemy has a hidden poise meter that fills when you hit them with heavy attacks, guard counters, or jumping attacks. This combination is the core of every effective build.
spirit ash summoning + weapon arts
Spirit Ashes are summonable AI companions usable in most boss fights and open-world areas where a rebirth monument is present. Paired with weapon arts, every weapon has a unique ash of war skill activated with l2/lt that can be swapped at sites of grace. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
flask of wondrous physick as a Multiplier
The Wondrous Physick is a customizable flask that holds two Crystal Tear effects mixed at Sites of Grace. Combinations like Cerulean Hidden Tear (eliminates FP cost for 15 seconds) plus a damage-boosting tear can enable devastating combos. Tears are found throughout the world from minor Erdtree bosses. This system amplifies everything else — the better your flask of wondrous physick optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Vagabond (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Tank hits with heavy armor and trade blows with colossal weapons. Key equipment: Rivers of Blood Primary mechanic: open world exploration
The Vagabond starts with the highest combined Vigor and Strength, making it the safest starter class. Full setup in our builds guide.
Samurai (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Aggressive melee with bleed procs that chunk boss health bars. Key equipment: Moonveil Primary mechanic: stance breaking
Samurai starts with the Uchigatana, one of the best weapons in the entire game thanks to innate bleed buildup. Full setup in our builds guide.
Astrologer (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Stay at range, cast powerful sorceries, and dodge when enemies close distance. Key equipment: Blasphemous Blade Primary mechanic: spirit ash summoning
Astrologer is the dedicated sorcery class with the highest starting Intelligence and a Glintstone Staff ready to go. Full setup in our builds guide.
Prisoner (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Mix melee weapon arts with sorcery casting for flexible combat. Key equipment: Hand of Malenia Primary mechanic: weapon arts
Prisoner is the hybrid Intelligence/Dexterity class, perfect for Moonveil or Wing of Astel builds. Full setup in our builds guide.
Wretch (B-Tier)
Combat approach: Struggle early, then become whatever you want with zero wasted stats. Key equipment: Starscourge Greatsword Primary mechanic: flask of wondrous physick
Wretch starts at level 1 with all stats at 10 and nothing but a club. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit open world exploration for maximum damage windows
- Chain stance breaking and spirit ash summoning for combo damage
- Use weapon arts to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Level Vigor to 40 before investing heavily in damage stats — the soft cap gives enormous survivability and most deaths early are from being one-shot.
- Position using open world exploration to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness — Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression — One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation — Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing — Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring stance breaking — This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation — Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths — Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting — Trading hits works in Limgrave but will get you killed in Mountaintops of the Giants.
More Elden Ring Guides
- Elden Ring Elden Ring Overview
- Elden Ring Best Builds
- Elden Ring Tier List
- Elden Ring Walkthrough
- Elden Ring Beginner's Guide
- Elden Ring Tips & Tricks
- Elden Ring Weapons Guide
- Elden Ring Boss Guide
- Elden Ring Maps & Locations
- Elden Ring Crafting Guide
- Elden Ring Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Elden Ring, check out these related guides:
- Baldur's Gate 3 Combat Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Combat Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Combat Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
