Elden Ring starting class and keepsake: choose a comfortable first hour
For a first playthrough, choose Vagabond if you want armour and close combat, Samurai if a katana and bow appeal to you, or Astrologer if you want sorcery immediately. Pick Golden Seed as your keepsake for an early flask charge. Your class determines your starting equipment and stats, not a permanent restriction on your build.
Getting startedElden Ring Limgrave Opening Route: Map, Torrent and Supplies First
Explore from the First Step to Gatefront and gather early supplies without forcing boss fights.
Getting startedPCConsoleElden Ring early stats: what should you level first?
When you are unsure where to spend your early Runes, prioritise Vigor, then meet the requirements of the weapon you want to use. If repeated dodges leave you out of stamina or your equipment makes rolling sluggish, consider Endurance or lighten your load. More damage helps, but surviving another hit gives you more chances to learn an enemy’s moves.
BuildsEarly Smithing Stones in Elden Ring: upgrade your first weapon
For an ordinary weapon, collect Smithing Stone [1] in Limgrave Tunnels and use the smithing table at the Church of Elleh. The table handles early upgrades up to +3 for standard weapons; you also need runes. Check the weapon's upgrade screen for the exact materials and cost.
ItemsElden Ring Spirit Calling Bell: where to get it and why summons fail
To summon spirit ashes, you need the Spirit Calling Bell, an ash, enough of its required resource and a place where summoning is allowed. The bell is a key item: equip and use the ash, not the bell itself. If you missed the first meeting at Church of Elleh, there is another route through Roundtable Hold.
WalkthroughsHow to beat Margit in Elden Ring: wait for the swing, then strike
Margit's raised staff is a trap for early rolls: watch the weapon come down before dodging, then use a short opening to attack once or twice. If the fight is overwhelming, leave Stormveil for a while, upgrade a weapon and return. There is no level that guarantees a win.
WalkthroughsElden Ring Stormveil Castle route: from the side entrance to Godrick
For a first run, take the cliffside entrance suggested by Gatekeeper Gostoc, reach Rampart Tower, then work through the castle to Liftside Chamber and Secluded Cell. The main gate is an alternative, but its defenses make a direct charge dangerous. This route names the area boss; optional detours are separate below.
WalkthroughsElden Ring Godrick guide: survive the axe, then deal with dragon fire
Godrick rewards patience more than a long combo. Watch the end of his attack, take one or two hits when he recovers, and save stamina to dodge again. Around half health he grafts a dragon head onto his arm: the fight keeps its axe attacks but adds fire. This guide discusses that phase transition.
WalkthroughsElden Ring beginner build: choose melee or sorcery without getting stuck
Choose melee if you enjoy reading attacks up close; choose sorcery if you prefer creating space and casting. Both can reach the early bosses. Your starting class is a head start, not a permanent lock: you can use another weapon or spell later when you meet its requirements.
BuildsElden Ring respec: unlock Rennala and use a Larval Tear
You can redistribute your attributes after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Speak to her in the Grand Library, choose Rebirth, and confirm a new allocation using one Larval Tear. Your level stays the same, and no attribute can go below your starting class's base value.
WalkthroughsElden Ring flask upgrades: more charges or more healing?
Use Golden Seeds to add flask charges and Sacred Tears to increase how much each drink restores. Both upgrades are made while resting at a Site of Grace. If you frequently run out of drinks before reaching the next grace, look for a seed; if you have charges left but each drink restores too little, look for a tear.
ItemsElden Ring weapon scaling, affinities and Ashes of War explained
Start with a weapon whose requirements you meet and moves you like. An Ash of War can change the skill on a compatible weapon; an affinity changes its damage and scaling. Compare the resulting numbers with your own attributes before choosing: a higher scaling letter alone does not guarantee more damage.
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