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.
These tips go beyond the basics. They're the strategies experienced players use to play more efficiently, the hidden mechanics most people miss, and the optimizations that compound over a full playthrough.
Essential Tips
1. 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
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.
2. Use Torrent to explore open areas and collect Smithing Stones from mines
Use Torrent to explore open areas and collect Smithing Stones from mines. Upgrading weapons from +0 to +6 roughly doubles your damage output.
3. Margit the Fell Omen can be completely skipped by going around Stormveil Castle via a cliffside path
Margit the Fell Omen can be completely skipped by going around Stormveil Castle via a cliffside path. Come back at level 25+ with a +3 weapon.
4. Guard counters (block then heavy attack) deal massive stance damage and work on almost every enemy
Guard counters (block then heavy attack) deal massive stance damage and work on almost every enemy. Pair with a 100% physical shield for safe play.
5. Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears increase your flask count and healing amount
Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears increase your flask count and healing amount. Prioritize grabbing these from Minor Erdtree bosses and churches.
6. Smithing Stones scale your damage far faster than leveling
Smithing Stones scale your damage far faster than leveling. A +10 weapon at level 30 outdamages a +3 weapon at level 60.
7. Ashes of War can be freely swapped and duplicated at the Roundtable Hold
Ashes of War can be freely swapped and duplicated at the Roundtable Hold. Experiment with different weapon arts to find what suits your playstyle.
8. Rune Arcs activate your equipped Great Rune, giving massive stat boosts
Rune Arcs activate your equipped Great Rune, giving massive stat boosts. Godrick's Great Rune adds +5 to all stats and is available very early.
9. Torrent can double-jump, which is essential for reaching many hidden areas and collecting Golden Seeds from Erdtree saplings
Torrent can double-jump, which is essential for reaching many hidden areas and collecting Golden Seeds from Erdtree saplings.
10. The Mimic Tear Spirit Ash (from a chest in Nokron) copies your entire build and is the strongest summon in the game for most situations
The Mimic Tear Spirit Ash (from a chest in Nokron) copies your entire build and is the strongest summon in the game for most situations.
Advanced Strategies
Build Optimization
The difference between an average build and an optimized one is massive:
For Vagabond (S-Tier):
- The Vagabond starts with the highest combined Vigor and Strength, making it the safest starter class. Its starting Halberd and 100% physical block shield carry you through early game with minimal upgrades needed. Best class for Strength or Quality builds.
- Core gear: Grafted Blade Greatsword, Bull-Goat Armor, Greatshield
- Stat priority: Vigor > Strength > Endurance > Mind
For Samurai (S-Tier):
- Samurai starts with the Uchigatana, one of the best weapons in the entire game thanks to innate bleed buildup. High Dexterity starting stats make it ideal for katana and curved sword builds. The Longbow included lets you pull enemies safely from range.
- Core gear: Rivers of Blood, White Mask, Lord of Blood's Exultation
- Stat priority: Vigor > Dexterity > Arcane > Endurance
Mechanic Interactions
Understanding how Elden Ring's systems interact is where the real optimization lives:
open world exploration + stance breaking: The Lands Between is a seamless open world divided into six major regions plus underground areas. 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.
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. When 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.
flask of wondrous physick scaling: 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.
Equipment Efficiency
| Equipment | Best Use Case | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rivers of Blood | Samurai / Dexterity-Arcane builds | A katana that deals physical and fire damage with innate bleed buildup. |
| Moonveil | Prisoner / Intelligence-Dexterity builds | An Intelligence-scaling katana found in the Gael Tunnel boss fight in Caelid. |
| Blasphemous Blade | Vagabond / Faith-Strength builds | A greatsword obtained by trading Rykard's Remembrance. |
| Hand of Malenia | Samurai / Pure Dexterity builds | A katana crafted from Malenia's Remembrance with the Waterfowl Dance weapon art — the same devastating combo attack she uses. |
| Starscourge Greatsword | Vagabond / Strength-Intelligence builds | Dual colossal greatswords obtained from Radahn's Remembrance. |
Location Efficiency
Limgrave (Level 1-30): 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.
Liurnia of the Lakes (Level 30-50): 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.
Caelid (Level 50-70): 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.
Altus Plateau (Level 70-90): 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.
Mountaintops of the Giants (Level 100-130): 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.
Mistakes Even Veterans Make
- Fighting Margit at level 1 with a base weapon — explore Limgrave first, get to level 25 with a +3 weapon, and buy Margit's Shackle from Patches for 5000 runes.
- Ignoring Vigor and pumping damage stats early — you'll get one-shot constantly after Liurnia. Vigor to 40 is non-negotiable.
- Selling or discarding Larval Tears — these let you respec at Rennala and are limited per playthrough. Never waste them.
- Using the Teleporter Chest in Limgrave's Dragon-Burnt Ruins without preparation — it sends you to the Sellia Crystal Tunnel in Caelid where enemies can kill you in one hit.
- Neglecting to upgrade Spirit Ashes — an unupgraded Mimic Tear dies in seconds, but a +10 Mimic Tear can solo some bosses.
Efficiency Quick Reference
| Aspect | Optimal Choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Vagabond | S-tier, best overall |
| Starter | Samurai | Most forgiving for learning |
| Equipment | Rivers of Blood | Best resource-to-power ratio |
| First area | Limgrave | Smithing Stones, Lordsworn weapons, Whetstone Knife, Spirit Calling Bell |
| Priority mechanic | open world exploration | Everything else builds on this |
Pro Quick Tips
- 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.
- Use Torrent to explore open areas and collect Smithing Stones from mines. Upgrading weapons from +0 to +6 roughly doubles your damage output.
- Margit the Fell Omen can be completely skipped by going around Stormveil Castle via a cliffside path. Come back at level 25+ with a +3 weapon.
- Start with Samurai, switch to Vagabond when ready
- Invest in Rivers of Blood above everything else
- Clear areas in order: Limgrave → Liurnia of the Lakes → Caelid → Altus Plateau → Mountaintops of the Giants
- open world exploration + stance breaking together are stronger than either alone
For full build details, check builds. For progression path, see the walkthrough.
