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.
Elden Ring features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limgrave | Level 1-30 | Smithing Stones, Lordsworn weapons, Whetstone Knife, Spirit Calling Bell | Samurai |
| 2 | Liurnia of the Lakes | Level 30-50 | Larval Tears for respec, Glintstone Keys, Academy sorceries, Carian spells | Samurai |
| 3 | Caelid | Level 50-70 | Moonveil, Radahn's Remembrance, Meteorite Staff, Rock Sling spell | Vagabond |
| 4 | Altus Plateau | Level 70-90 | Bolt of Gransax, Erdtree's Favor +1, Godskin Stitcher, Rykard's Remembrance | Vagabond |
| 5 | Mountaintops of the Giants | Level 100-130 | Rivers of Blood, Giant-Crusher, Malenia's Remembrance (Haligtree) | Vagabond |
Limgrave — Starting Area
The starting region and your tutorial zone. It contains Stormveil Castle (the first legacy dungeon), the Church of Elleh with the first merchant, and several catacombs and caves with useful early loot. Explore thoroughly before fighting Margit.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1-30 |
| Key Rewards | Smithing Stones, Lordsworn weapons, Whetstone Knife, Spirit Calling Bell |
| Recommended Build | Samurai |
| Key Equipment | Moonveil |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of open world exploration — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Liurnia of the Lakes.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Liurnia of the Lakes — Early Game
A vast watery region accessed after Stormveil Castle or via a side path. Home to Raya Lucaria Academy (the second legacy dungeon), Carian Manor, and numerous sorcery-related items. The northern section leads to important NPC questlines.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 30-50 |
| Key Rewards | Larval Tears for respec, Glintstone Keys, Academy sorceries, Carian spells |
| Recommended Build | Samurai |
| Key Equipment | Moonveil |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering stance breaking — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Moonveil if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Caelid.
Caelid — Mid Game
A rotting nightmare region to Limgrave's east, infamous for being extremely dangerous early. Features Redmane Castle and the Radahn boss fight. Contains the Gael Tunnel (Moonveil) and multiple high-reward dungeons. You can access it early via a teleport trap in Limgrave.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 50-70 |
| Key Rewards | Moonveil, Radahn's Remembrance, Meteorite Staff, Rock Sling spell |
| Recommended Build | Vagabond |
| Key Equipment | Moonveil |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Rivers of Blood becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master spirit ash summoning for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Altus Plateau — Late Game
The elevated central region reached via the Grand Lift of Dectus or a cave shortcut. Contains the capital city Leyndell, Volcano Manor, and Mt. Gelmir. This is where the game's difficulty spikes significantly and build optimization becomes important.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 70-90 |
| Key Rewards | Bolt of Gransax, Erdtree's Favor +1, Godskin Stitcher, Rykard's Remembrance |
| Recommended Build | Vagabond |
| Key Equipment | Rivers of Blood |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Rivers of Blood should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- flask of wondrous physick mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Mountaintops of the Giants.
Mountaintops of the Giants — Endgame
A snow-covered endgame region accessed after reaching the capital. Contains the Fire Giant boss, the path to the Forge of the Giants, and the hidden Consecrated Snowfield that leads to Miquella's Haligtree — the hardest area in the base game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 100-130 |
| Key Rewards | Rivers of Blood, Giant-Crusher, Malenia's Remembrance (Haligtree) |
| Recommended Build | Vagabond |
| Key Equipment | Rivers of Blood |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Wretch for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Limgrave → Liurnia of the Lakes → Caelid → Altus Plateau → Mountaintops of the Giants. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
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 Combat Guide
- Elden Ring Boss Guide
- Elden Ring Crafting Guide
- Elden Ring Classes & Characters
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