Welcome to the Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide! In this guide, we will explore the best starting equipment to help you boost your adventure in the world of Elden Ring. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which equipment to choose. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we will discuss the top starting equipment that will set you on the path to success in the game. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer, this guide will provide you with valuable insights to help you make the most of your Elden Ring experience. So, let’s dive in and explore the best starting equipment to help you conquer the challenges that lie ahead!
Understanding the Basics of Elden Ring
Elden Ring mechanics
Elden Ring is a complex game with many mechanics that can be overwhelming for beginners. Understanding these mechanics is essential to succeed in the game. Here are some of the most important mechanics to know about:
Combat system
The combat system in Elden Ring is fast-paced and challenging. Players must dodge and strike their enemies to defeat them. The game features a variety of weapons, each with its own unique attack style. Players can also use magic and special abilities to gain an advantage in combat.
Skills and weapons
Skills and weapons are an essential part of the game. Players can choose from a wide variety of weapons, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Skills, on the other hand, are special abilities that can be used in combat. Players can learn new skills as they progress through the game, making it essential to choose the right ones for their playstyle.
Equipment and attributes
Equipment is a crucial aspect of the game. Players can equip weapons, armor, and trinkets to enhance their character’s abilities. Attributes, such as strength and dexterity, also play a significant role in combat. Players must choose their equipment wisely to ensure they have the best chance of success in combat.
In conclusion, understanding the mechanics of Elden Ring is essential for beginners. With a solid understanding of combat, skills, weapons, equipment, and attributes, players can set themselves up for success in the game.
Exploration and progression
Mapping the Lands Between
Elden Ring’s open world is vast and filled with hidden treasures, but it can be easy to get lost in the sprawling landscape. One of the most important pieces of equipment for any adventurer is a trusty map. While the game does provide a basic map, investing in a high-quality one from a vendor can make all the difference.
Side quests and main story
Side quests are a great way to level up and earn valuable items, but they can be easy to overlook in the pursuit of the main story. It’s important to strike a balance between completing the main quest and exploring the side paths. Some side quests may even offer important plot information that can help shape your character’s journey.
Leveling up and character development
Elden Ring’s leveling system is deeply interconnected with character progression. As you defeat enemies and complete quests, you’ll earn experience points that can be used to increase your character’s stats. Each stat has a corresponding skill tree, and choosing the right path can greatly impact your character’s abilities.
Additionally, some equipment has stat requirements, so it’s important to prioritize stats that will benefit your chosen gear. It’s also important to note that some weapons and armor have unique abilities or bonuses, so it’s worth experimenting with different combinations to find the perfect fit for your playstyle.
Choosing the Right Starting Equipment
Assessing your playstyle
Before you embark on your journey in Elden Ring, it’s crucial to assess your playstyle to determine the best starting equipment for your adventure. This will ensure that you have the right tools and abilities to face the challenges that lie ahead. Here are some factors to consider when assessing your playstyle:
- Strengths and weaknesses: Consider your strengths and weaknesses as a player. If you excel at melee combat, you may want to prioritize equipment that enhances your melee skills. On the other hand, if you prefer ranged attacks, focus on gear that will boost your ranged capabilities. Additionally, consider your weaknesses and look for equipment that can help mitigate them.
- Combat and exploration preferences: Think about your preferred combat and exploration styles. Do you enjoy intense battles, or do you prefer stealth and sneak attacks? Are you a fan of exploring vast open worlds, or do you prefer more linear gameplay? Your preferences will impact the type of equipment that is best suited for you.
- Role-playing considerations: Elden Ring offers a wide range of customization options for your character, including appearance, gender, and background story. Consider how you want to role-play your character and choose equipment that fits that narrative. For example, if you want to play as a noble warrior, you may want to prioritize equipment that reflects that archetype.
Prioritizing key attributes
When it comes to choosing the right starting equipment in Elden Ring, it’s crucial to prioritize the key attributes that will have the most significant impact on your gameplay experience. These attributes can be categorized into different areas, such as defense, dexterity, strength, mind, endurance, and faith.
Stats and their impact on gameplay
Understanding the stats and their impact on gameplay is essential when selecting starting equipment. Each stat contributes to different aspects of your character’s abilities, and choosing the right combination of stats can significantly enhance your character’s performance.
Defense, Dexterity, and Strength
Defense, Dexterity, and Strength are the primary attributes that determine your character’s overall combat effectiveness.
- Defense: This attribute affects your character’s resistance to physical damage. Higher defense will reduce the amount of damage taken during combat.
- Dexterity: This attribute determines your character’s agility and accuracy in combat. Higher dexterity will increase your character’s evasion and critical hit rates.
- Strength: This attribute affects your character’s ability to deal physical damage with weapons and also determines the weight of the equipment you can use. Higher strength will increase the damage dealt by your character’s weapons and allow you to wield heavier equipment.
Mind, Endurance, and Faith
Mind, Endurance, and Faith are the secondary attributes that also play a significant role in your character’s performance.
- Mind: This attribute affects your character’s spellcasting ability and determines the number of FP (Focus Points) you have. Higher mind will increase the number of spells you can cast and the amount of FP you gain from each spell.
- Endurance: This attribute affects your character’s overall survivability and determines the amount of damage you can withstand before dying. Higher endurance will increase your character’s maximum HP (Hit Points) and the amount of damage you can withstand before dying.
- Faith: This attribute affects your character’s ability to use Faith-based abilities and also determines the effectiveness of healing spells. Higher faith will increase the damage dealt by your character’s Faith-based abilities and the effectiveness of healing spells.
In conclusion, prioritizing the right attributes when choosing starting equipment is crucial for a successful adventure in Elden Ring. It’s essential to consider the primary attributes of defense, dexterity, and strength for combat effectiveness and the secondary attributes of mind, endurance, and faith for overall survivability and spellcasting ability.
Evaluating weapon and armor sets
Selecting the right starting equipment is crucial for a successful adventure in Elden Ring. The right weapon and armor can provide an advantage in combat, improve defense, and increase your overall effectiveness in the game. In this section, we will discuss some of the best starting weapon and armor sets in Elden Ring.
Starter weapon options
Elden Ring offers a variety of weapons, each with its unique attributes and strengths. Here are some of the best starter weapons in the game:
- Blade of Marika: This legendary sword is a great option for new players. It has a high damage output and is capable of dealing significant damage to enemies.
- Stonesword: This basic sword is an excellent choice for players who prefer a more balanced weapon. It has a decent damage output and is relatively easy to use.
- Soldier Sword: This weapon is ideal for players who prefer a faster, more agile fighting style. It has a fast attack speed and is capable of dealing decent damage to enemies.
Chosen Knight Armor Set
The Chosen Knight Armor Set is one of the best armor sets for new players in Elden Ring. It provides excellent defense and resistance against various types of attacks. The set consists of the following pieces:
- Chosen Knight Helm: This helmet provides decent defense and resistance against physical attacks.
- Chosen Knight Chestplate: This armor piece offers good defense and resistance against physical attacks.
- Chosen Knight Gauntlets: These gloves provide decent defense and resistance against physical attacks.
- Chosen Knight Leggings: These leggings offer good defense and resistance against physical attacks.
Arcane Knight Armor Set
The Arcane Knight Armor Set is another excellent option for new players in Elden Ring. It provides excellent defense and resistance against various types of magic attacks. The set consists of the following pieces:
- Arcane Knight Helm: This helmet provides decent defense and resistance against magic attacks.
- Arcane Knight Chestplate: This armor piece offers good defense and resistance against magic attacks.
- Arcane Knight Gauntlets: These gloves provide decent defense and resistance against magic attacks.
- Arcane Knight Leggings: These leggings offer good defense and resistance against magic attacks.
In conclusion, choosing the right starting equipment is crucial for a successful adventure in Elden Ring. The right weapon and armor can provide an advantage in combat, improve defense, and increase your overall effectiveness in the game. Consider the starter weapon options and the Chosen Knight Armor Set or the Arcane Knight Armor Set to enhance your gameplay experience.
Selecting useful items and spells
Elden Ring offers a wide variety of items and spells that can be used to enhance your character’s abilities and make your adventure more enjoyable. When choosing starting equipment, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Balancing offense and defense: When selecting items and spells, it’s important to strike a balance between offensive and defensive capabilities. For example, you may want to choose a weapon that deals high damage but also has a high risk of being knocked offline, or you may prefer a weapon that has a lower damage output but is more durable and less likely to be knocked offline.
- Considering your playstyle: Your playstyle is also an important factor to consider when choosing starting equipment. For example, if you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, you may want to choose a weapon that deals high damage and has a fast attack speed. On the other hand, if you prefer a more defensive playstyle, you may want to choose a weapon that has a high damage output but also has a high risk of being knocked offline.
- Experimenting with different builds: Elden Ring allows for a high degree of customization, and experimenting with different builds can be a fun and rewarding experience. When choosing starting equipment, it’s important to consider how different items and spells can be combined to create unique and powerful builds.
Here are some examples of useful items and spells that you may want to consider when starting your adventure in Elden Ring:
- Beginner’s Faith-based incantations: Faith-based incantations are a great choice for beginners, as they are relatively easy to use and provide a variety of useful effects. For example, the “Limb Rot” incantation deals damage over time and can be used to weaken enemies before engaging them in combat. The “Marika’s Charge” incantation, on the other hand, grants you increased defense and melee damage when activated, making it a great choice for defensive playstyles.
- Healing and recovery items: Healing and recovery items are essential for surviving in Elden Ring, especially during early gameplay. Some useful healing and recovery items include the “Erdtree Burial Mask” (which restores health over time) and the “Bell Bearing “Kee Diver” (which allows you to summon a friendly NPC to help you in combat).
- Summoning and utility spells: Summoning and utility spells can be incredibly useful for a variety of situations in Elden Ring. For example, the “Fervor, Ashen” spell allows you to summon a spirit to aid you in combat, while the “Trollish Pest” spell can be used to distract enemies and disrupt their movements. The “Grain of Sand” spell, on the other hand, can be used to create a decoy version of yourself, allowing you to evade enemy attacks and set up follow-up attacks.
Building Your Character for Long-term Success
Adapting to the game’s challenges
Elden Ring presents a unique blend of challenges that can test even the most seasoned gamers. To ensure that you have the best chance of success, it’s important to adapt to these challenges as you progress through the game. Here are some of the key areas where you’ll need to adapt:
- Boss battles and tough enemies: Elden Ring features a variety of formidable bosses and enemies that can pose a significant challenge. These encounters often require careful planning, strategy, and execution to overcome. It’s important to study each boss’s attack patterns, weaknesses, and strengths to develop an effective strategy. In addition, you’ll need to have the right equipment and skills to take them down.
- Exploration and environment hazards: The world of Elden Ring is full of surprises, both good and bad. From treacherous terrain to hidden traps and environmental hazards, you’ll need to stay alert and adapt to changing conditions. This means learning how to navigate the environment, identify potential dangers, and use your equipment and skills to overcome obstacles.
- Balancing stats and equipment: To be successful in Elden Ring, you’ll need to balance your character’s stats and equipment effectively. This means choosing the right weapons, armor, and artifacts to suit your playstyle and build. You’ll also need to distribute your skill points wisely to unlock powerful abilities and enhance your character’s strengths. Finally, you’ll need to adjust your playstyle as you progress through the game, as your character’s needs and priorities will change over time.
Managing character growth
Elden Ring offers a deep and complex character progression system that allows players to shape their characters to suit their preferred playstyle. This section will provide a detailed overview of managing character growth in Elden Ring, including leveling up, skill progression, crafting and upgrading equipment, and adapting to changing gameplay dynamics.
Leveling up and skill progression
In Elden Ring, leveling up your character is essential for increasing your health points, strength, and skill proficiency. As you progress through the game, you will earn experience points (XP) by defeating enemies, completing quests, and exploring the world. The amount of XP required to level up increases with each new level, and players will need to strategize to ensure they are gaining enough XP to progress without becoming overwhelmed by enemies.
Skill progression in Elden Ring is based on the use of points, which can be earned by leveling up your character. Each time you level up, you will gain skill points that can be spent to unlock new abilities and upgrade existing ones. It is essential to plan your skill progression carefully, as you will need to choose between offensive and defensive abilities, as well as balancing your use of active and passive skills.
Crafting and upgrading equipment
Crafting and upgrading equipment is a crucial aspect of character progression in Elden Ring. Players can find or purchase materials throughout the game world, which can be used to craft new weapons and armor or upgrade existing equipment. The crafting system in Elden Ring is deep and complex, with multiple tiers of materials and equipment, each with its own unique properties and effects.
Players will need to consider the trade-offs between offense, defense, and mobility when crafting and upgrading their equipment. For example, a heavy armor set may provide excellent defense but reduce mobility, while a light armor set may offer greater mobility but leave the player more vulnerable to damage.
Adapting to changing gameplay dynamics
As players progress through Elden Ring, they will encounter increasingly challenging enemies and bosses, as well as new gameplay mechanics and environmental hazards. To succeed in the game, players will need to adapt their playstyle and character build to overcome these challenges.
This may involve changing equipment, upgrading skills, or adopting new strategies for combat and exploration. It is essential to remain flexible and open to change as the game evolves, and to be willing to experiment with different character builds and playstyles to find what works best for you.
In conclusion, managing character growth in Elden Ring is a crucial aspect of the game that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. By leveling up, upgrading equipment, and adapting to changing gameplay dynamics, players can build a character that is well-suited to their preferred playstyle and capable of overcoming even the most challenging obstacles in the game world.
Exploring Elden Ring’s diverse features
Elden Ring is a vast and intricate game, with numerous features that make it one of the most engaging and immersive RPGs of recent years. As a beginner, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these features, as they will play a significant role in your overall experience. In this section, we’ll delve into some of the key features that make Elden Ring such a unique and compelling game.
- Exploration and hidden areas: One of the most enjoyable aspects of Elden Ring is the sense of discovery that comes with exploring its vast and interconnected world. From hidden caves and secret passageways to mysterious ruins and forgotten corners, there’s always something new to discover around every corner. In addition to providing valuable rewards and upgrades, these hidden areas often contain unique environments and atmospheres that add to the game’s sense of wonder and intrigue.
- Bosses and challenges: Elden Ring is filled with challenging boss battles that require strategic thinking, careful planning, and quick reflexes. These encounters are a highlight of the game, as they provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with overcoming a formidable foe. Whether you’re facing off against a giant dragon or a powerful sorcerer, each boss battle offers a unique challenge that tests your skills and abilities.
- Multiplayer aspects and cooperative gameplay: Elden Ring also offers a rich and engaging multiplayer experience, with options for cooperative gameplay and PvP combat. Whether you’re looking to team up with other players to tackle tough challenges or engage in epic battles, the game’s multiplayer features provide a wealth of opportunities for socializing and competing with others.
By taking the time to explore these diverse features, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a seasoned Elden Ring veteran. So pack your bags, sharpen your sword, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in the Lands Between.
Additional Tips for Elden Ring Beginners
Understanding the game’s economy
The game’s economy in Elden Ring plays a crucial role in your adventure. Here are some tips to help you understand it better:
Crafting and smithing
Crafting and smithing are essential skills in Elden Ring. You can craft weapons, armor, and items using different materials. The better the material, the better the item. For example, you can craft a standard weapon using wood, but it won’t be as strong as one crafted using iron or gold. To craft items, you need to find the Tailor or Blacksmith NPCs, who will help you with the process.
Trading and obtaining items
Trading is an excellent way to obtain rare items in Elden Ring. You can trade with NPCs or other players online. The game features a robust trading system that allows you to trade items, gold, and even equips. However, it’s essential to know the value of the items you’re trading to avoid being ripped off.
Another way to obtain items is by defeating bosses or exploring the game’s vast world. Bosses often drop unique items, and exploring the world can lead you to hidden treasures.
Balancing your inventory
Balancing your inventory is crucial in Elden Ring. You can only carry a limited number of items, so it’s essential to choose wisely. Keep your essential items, such as weapons and armor, and sell or discard the rest. Additionally, it’s essential to upgrade your equipment as you progress through the game to stay competitive.
Overall, understanding the game’s economy in Elden Ring will help you make better decisions regarding crafting, trading, and inventory management. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy your adventure in the Lands Between.
Navigating the game’s interface
Map and minimap
Elden Ring features a detailed and interactive map that displays your current location, as well as various points of interest such as landmarks, dungeons, and boss encounters. The map can be accessed at any time by pressing the “Map” button on your controller or keyboard.
The minimap is a smaller version of the main map that is displayed in the top right corner of the screen. It provides a quick overview of your surroundings and can be helpful for navigating unfamiliar areas.
Character and inventory screens
Your character’s stats, equipment, and items are managed through the character screen. To access this screen, press the “Character” button on your controller or keyboard. Here, you can view your character’s current stats, equip new weapons and armor, and manage your inventory.
The inventory screen displays all of the items in your possession, including weapons, armor, and consumables such as potions and food. You can sort and filter items by type, and you can also combine certain items to create new ones.
Contextual information and tooltips
Elden Ring provides contextual information and tooltips to help you understand the game’s mechanics and interface. For example, when you first encounter a new type of enemy, a tooltip will appear with information about their strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, hovering over items or buttons in the game will display a tooltip with information about their function. This can be helpful for understanding the game’s systems and mechanics as you progress through the game.
Seeking guidance and support
Elden Ring can be an intimidating game, especially for beginners. The vast open world, intricate combat system, and challenging enemies can make it difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, there are several resources available to help you navigate the game and overcome its challenges.
Online communities and resources
There are many online communities and resources available to Elden Ring players, including forums, subreddits, and Discord servers. These communities are filled with experienced players who are happy to offer advice and guidance to beginners. You can ask questions about game mechanics, strategies for tackling tough enemies, or even find co-op partners for exploring the world together.
In addition to these communities, there are also many online guides and walkthroughs available that can help you navigate the game. These resources can provide detailed information on everything from character builds to combat strategies, and can be a valuable resource for beginners looking to improve their gameplay.
Co-op partners and fellow travelers
Elden Ring features a co-op multiplayer mode, which allows you to team up with other players to explore the world and tackle challenges together. Finding a co-op partner can be a great way to overcome the game’s tougher challenges, and can also provide a sense of camaraderie and shared experience.
In addition to co-op partners, you can also team up with other players to tackle the game’s many summits. These summits are challenging boss battles that require coordination and strategy to defeat, and can be a great way to test your skills and work together with other players.
In-game NPCs and summits
Elden Ring features a number of in-game NPCs who can provide guidance and support to players. These NPCs can offer quests, advice, and even new abilities and items to help you on your journey.
In addition to these NPCs, the game also features a number of summits, which are challenging boss battles that require strategy and coordination to defeat. These summits can be a great way to test your skills and earn rewards, and can also provide a sense of accomplishment and progress as you work towards defeating them.
Overall, seeking guidance and support from online communities, co-op partners, and in-game NPCs and summits can be a great way to improve your gameplay and overcome the challenges of Elden Ring. Whether you’re looking for advice on combat strategies, help with difficult enemies, or simply a sense of camaraderie and shared experience, there are many resources available to help you on your journey.
FAQs
1. What is the best starting equipment in Elden Ring?
The best starting equipment in Elden Ring is subjective as it depends on the player’s preferred playstyle. However, some popular choices include the Vulcan Blade, the Grappling Hook, and the Winged Scythe. The Vulcan Blade is a great weapon for melee combat, while the Grappling Hook is useful for exploration and accessing hard-to-reach areas. The Winged Scythe is a powerful weapon that can be used for both melee and ranged attacks. Ultimately, the best starting equipment for you will depend on your playstyle and the type of character you want to create.
2. Can I change my starting equipment in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can change your starting equipment in Elden Ring. If you find that your initial choices were not the best fit for your playstyle, you can return to the starting area and make different selections. You can also acquire new equipment throughout your adventure by defeating enemies, exploring the world, and completing quests. So, don’t worry too much about making the perfect choices at the beginning, as you will have many opportunities to upgrade and improve your equipment as you progress through the game.
3. What are the stats I should look for in starting equipment in Elden Ring?
When choosing starting equipment in Elden Ring, it’s important to consider the stats that are most relevant to your playstyle. For example, if you plan to focus on melee combat, you’ll want to prioritize weapons with high physical damage and attack speed. If you plan to use ranged attacks, you’ll want to look for weapons with high firepower and accuracy. Additionally, you’ll want to consider the armor’s physical defense, elemental defense, and movement speed. It’s also important to keep an eye on the weight of the equipment, as heavy equipment can slow you down and make it harder to dodge enemy attacks.
4. How do I know if my starting equipment is good enough for Elden Ring?
It’s difficult to say whether your starting equipment is good enough for Elden Ring, as it depends on your playstyle and the difficulty of the game you’re playing. However, if you’re finding that you’re struggling to defeat enemies or progress through the game, it may be a good idea to consider upgrading your equipment. There are many opportunities to acquire new weapons and armor throughout the game, so don’t be afraid to explore and see what you can find. Additionally, it’s important to consider the difficulty of the game you’re playing and adjust your expectations accordingly. Elden Ring can be a challenging game, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re having a tough time.
