Last Updated, 1 December
Welcome, Tarnished!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the vast, brutal world of Elden Ring, you’re not alone. I’ve helped countless new players thrive in the Lands Between, and this comprehensive guide will do the same for you. This isn’t a walkthrough that spoils every secret; it’s a smart, reliable roadmap to help you dodge frustration, defeat early bosses, and build your dream character.
My personal journey through Elden Ring was a mix of awe and a lot of painful, embarrassing deaths. I remember trying to rush straight to the main bosses and hitting a brick wall. It was only by slowing down and listening to the advice in this guide that my game finally clicked. I want to pass that knowledge on to you.
This guide is fully updated for the latest real-world patches and designed for new players who want to understand how to play with the current meta, not just what’s in the news.
Key Takeaways
To survive the Lands Between, mastering these five core concepts will guarantee your early success.
- Vigor is Your #1 Meta Stat: Prioritize your health bar (Vigor) to at least Level 30 before heavily investing in damage. This is the single most effective way to improve your Elden Ring survivability and make the early game much easier.
- The Limgrave Exploration Rule: If a boss feels impossible, you are under-leveled. The game is designed for exploration. Turn around and clear optional zones like the Weeping Peninsula to find essential Golden Seeds and Runes to level up.
- Best Beginner Starting Class: Choose the Vagabond for a classic, durable sword-and-shield melee experience, or the Samurai for the powerful, early-game Uchigatana Bleed weapon and ranged options.
Essential Early-Game Tools:
- Spirit Ashes (Summons): A core mechanic; use them to create distraction and secure damage windows in boss fights.
- Rolling: Master rolling into enemy attacks to utilize Invincibility Frames (I-Frames) for safe counter-attacks.
Your First Progression Path:
- Visit the Church of Elleh to unlock the Crafting Kit and Spirit Calling Bell (after meeting Melina).
- Go to Gatefront Ruins for the Limgrave Map and the Whetstone Knife (to change weapon skills).
- Margit, the Fell Omen Strategy: Do not attempt the first major boss, Margit, until you are at least Level 30-35 with a +3 Weapon. Buy Margit's Shackle from Patches.
What Are the Essential Tips Every Beginner Should Know?
Starting Elden Ring can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you’ll quickly gain confidence and enjoyment.
Level Up Vigor First (Seriously). This is the most important piece of advice in this entire guide. Vigor is your health bar. More health means you can take more hits, learn boss attack patterns without dying instantly, and survive mistakes. A character with high Vigor and a low-level weapon is far more effective than a “glass cannon” with a high-level weapon and low Vigor. I recommend getting your Vigor to at least 25 before you start investing heavily in other stats.
Don’t Rush. The game is designed to be explored. If you hit a boss that feels impossible, there’s no shame in turning around. Go find a cave, a new dungeon, or a Golden Seed to upgrade your flask. The Lands Between are filled with valuable loot and experience. Taking the time to explore will reward you with runes to level up, better gear, and a deeper understanding of the world.
Master Your Roll. Blocking with a shield is great, but rolling is key to survival. Your roll gives you “invincibility frames,” meaning you are invincible for a brief moment. Learn to roll into enemy attacks rather than away from them. This will position you for a counter-attack and keep you close to your opponent.
Use Spirit Ashes. These are summonable allies that can distract enemies and bosses, giving you crucial time to heal or get in a few free hits. They are an incredibly effective and crucial tool for first-time players. Don’t ever feel like using them is “cheating.” They are a core mechanic of the game.
Choosing the Best Starting Class & Playstyle
What is the best starting class for beginners in Elden Ring? While any class can become powerful, some are much easier to learn the ropes with.
- Vagabond: The best starting class for most beginners. With high starting Vigor and Strength, you can take a hit and deal solid melee damage right away. It comes with a sword and shield, giving you both an offensive and defensive option from the get-go. This class is the foundation for a classic “tanky” melee build.
- Samurai: If you want a more aggressive, agile melee playstyle, the Samurai is a fantastic choice. It starts with the Uchigatana, one of the best early-game weapons, and a powerful longbow for pulling enemies from a distance. The Uchigatana also has a built-in bleed effect, which is one of the most powerful damage-over-time mechanics in the game.
- Astrologer: For those who prefer to stay safe and attack from a distance, the Astrologer is your best bet. It starts with spells that allow you to defeat enemies before they can even reach you. Just remember that magic builds have a steeper learning curve because you have to manage your FP (mana) and be more aware of your surroundings.
Magic vs. Melee: What’s Easier?
For most beginners, melee is easier in the beginning. Managing your health and stamina is simpler than also managing your FP for spells. That said, a well-built magic character can make many boss fights a breeze by staying out of harm’s way. The key is to find the playstyle that feels right for you. I’ve had friends who swore by the Astrologer and others who wouldn’t give up their Vagabond shield for anything.
An Early-Game Progression Path for New Players
Knowing where to go can be just as important as knowing how to fight. Here’s a safe and smart early-game path for new players in Limgrave.
The First Steps: After leaving the tutorial area, head to the Site of Grace called “The First Step.” Accept Melina’s offer to level up, and she will also give you Torrent, your trusty horse. Having Torrent is essential for traversing the world.
Church of Elleh: Ride north to the Church of Elleh. Activate the Site of Grace, and meet Merchant Kale. Buy the Crafting Kit and a Torch. The Crafting Kit lets you make items from materials you find, and the Torch is vital for exploring dark caves.
Gatefront Ruins: Continue following the main road north. You’ll soon reach the Gatefront Ruins. Here, you’ll find your first Map Fragment, which reveals the Limgrave map, and the Whetstone Knife, which allows you to customize your weapon’s skills.
The Weeping Peninsula: After exploring Limgrave, if you still feel under-leveled, head south across the bridge to the Weeping Peninsula. This area is full of easier enemies and valuable loot, making it a perfect zone to level up and find some powerful early-game gear without facing a major challenge.
How to Level Up: A Beginner’s Guide to Stats
Leveling up with Runes can be confusing. Here’s a simple stat priority for your first 30-40 levels to ensure you don’t waste any points.
Vigor (25-30): Your absolute top priority. Every point here gives you a huge boost to your health. Don’t stop leveling this until you hit at least 25.
Endurance (15-20): Endurance increases your stamina and equip load. Stamina is used for attacking, rolling, and running. Equip load determines what armor you can wear without “fat rolling,” which makes you slow and vulnerable.
Your Main Damage Stat (15-20): This is where you invest after Vigor and Endurance.
- Strength: For heavy weapons like greatswords and hammers.
- Dexterity: For lighter, faster weapons like katanas and daggers.
- Intelligence: For magic-based builds that use a staff.
- Faith: For Incantation builds that use a sacred seal.
A Personal Progression Story: I made the mistake of trying to put points into everything at once. I had a little Strength, a little Dexterity, a little Faith…and I was awful. It was only when a friend told me to focus on getting Vigor to 30 first that I started to survive longer and actually enjoy the game. It truly felt like I had changed the difficulty setting in my favor.
Unleash Your Inner Power: The Guide to Spirit Ashes
Spirit Ashes are your best friends in the Lands Between. You get your first one, the Lone Wolf Ashes, from a woman named Renna at the Church of Elleh after you get Torrent.
You can summon a Spirit Ash at specific locations, usually near a boss fight, a catacomb entrance, or an open-world marker. When you can summon, a small gravestone icon will appear on the bottom left of your screen.
Early-Game Spirit Ashes to Find:
- Lone Wolf Ashes: Your starting summon. Great for distracting early bosses.
- Jellyfish Ashes: Given by Roderika at Stormhill Shack. This jellyfish is a great tank that can absorb a ton of damage for you.
- Skeletal Militiaman Ashes: Found in the Tibia Mariner fight. These guys are special because they can revive themselves after being defeated!
Upgrading Your Spirit Ashes: You can upgrade your Spirit Ashes by talking to Roderika at the Roundtable Hold (your main hub). To upgrade them, you’ll need Grave Glovewort or Ghost Glovewort, which are found in catacombs and dungeons.
Defeating Your First Big Hurdle: Margit, the Fell Omen
Margit is designed to be a wake-up call. He’s fast, hits hard, and has confusing attack delays. Here’s how to beat him.
- Don’t Fight Too Early: The most common mistake is fighting him at level 10. Go explore and level up. A good target is Level 25-30.
- Summon Your Allies: Use your Lone Wolf Ashes in the fight to give yourself time to heal. You can also summon the NPC Sorcerer Rogier just before the boss fog for extra help.
- Buy Margit’s Shackle: You can buy this from the merchant Patches in Murkwater Cave. This item will briefly stun Margit twice during the first phase of the fight, giving you free hits. It’s a great tool for beginners.
- Heal at the Right Time: Only use your Flask of Crimson Tears when you have a clear opening. Don’t panic-heal after every hit. Wait for a long attack combo to end or for your Spirit Ashes to distract him.
I remember my first time fighting Margit. I must have died 20 times. It felt hopeless. But I went and explored, found a new weapon, leveled up my Vigor, and when I came back, I beat him on the first try. It was the moment I realized that in Elden Ring, preparation is as important as skill.
Best Early-Game Builds for Beginners
A “build” is just a plan for what stats to level up and what gear to use. Here are two simple, powerful builds for beginners.
1. The Vigor-Bonker (Strength Build)
This build is all about hitting hard and surviving.
- Starting Class: Vagabond
- Stat Focus (Levels 1-40): Vigor (to 25), Dexterity (to 20), Arcane (to 15). * Quick Note on Arcane: The Arcane investment is primarily to meet the requirement for the early-game Reduvia Dagger (a great Arcane/Bleed weapon) or for using the Bloodflame Blade Incantation (which requires 10 Arcane/12 Faith) to enhance your Uchigatana’s bleed effect. Your Uchigatana’s damage scales primarily from Dexterity until you can apply a Blood or Occult Ash of War, which happens later in the game.
- Key Weapons: The Lordsworn’s Greatsword (found in Limgrave) or the Claymore (found in Castle Morne). Two-handing your weapon (holding a two-handed weapon in both hands) gives you a 50% strength bonus, so you can do a lot of damage early on.
- Armor: Look for armor that gives you a high physical defense stat. As long as you don’t “fat roll,” you’re good.
2. The Swift Bleeder (Dexterity/Arcane Build)
This build focuses on quick attacks and status effects, relying on the excellent starting weapon.
- Starting Class: Samurai
- Stat Focus (Levels 1-40): Vigor (to 25-30), Dexterity (to 25), and only the minimum required Arcane.
- Stat Priority: Vigor > Dexterity > Endurance. Early Arcane investment is extremely inefficient. Maximize your damage by getting the minimum requirements for your weapon (12 DEX for a second Uchigatana, 13 DEX/13 ARC for Reduvia) and then dumping points into Vigor and Dexterity.
- Key Weapons: Your starting Uchigatana. You can also find a second one in the Deathtouched Catacombs to dual-wield. The Reduvia Dagger is an excellent early-game Arcane option, but remember its damage relies on its unique skill, not your base Arcane stat early on.
Conclusion: You’ve Got a Victory Royale to Claim
The world of Elden Ring is full of challenges, but also incredible rewards. It’s not just about flashy builds or perfect rolls—it’s about smart decision-making, game sense, and staying calm under pressure.
Apply these Elden Ring tips, and soon you’ll be the one others fear in endgame. Now go out there and claim your first Victory Royale! (Wait, that’s another game… I mean… claim your first Great Rune!) Good luck, Tarnished!
Frequently Asked Questions – Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide
For beginners, the Vagabond class is an excellent choice. It offers balanced stats, high vitality, and strong equipment, making it easier to survive the early game. Its sword-and-shield setup is beginner-friendly, allowing you to learn combat without being too fragile.
A hybrid playstyle that balances melee combat with magic is perfect for beginners. The Astrologer class excels in this, giving you powerful ranged spells for combat and melee abilities for close encounters. This approach lets you handle both ranged and close-quarters situations comfortably.
Magic can be easier for beginners, as it allows you to attack from a distance and avoid taking damage. Spells can deal significant damage without putting you in harm’s way. However, it requires managing FP (Focus Points), so it may take time to get used to. Melee combat requires more precise timing and positioning, but it can be more rewarding once you master it.
The Golden Scarab talisman should be a priority for your first purchases. It increases rune gain by 20%, allowing you to level up faster. Early on, focus on buying items that boost healing, such as Flame, Cleanse Me and Smithing Stones for upgrading weapons.
The Colossal Weapons (like Greatswords and Ultra Greatswords) are the hardest to master due to their slow attack speed and high stamina consumption. They deal immense damage, but timing and positioning are crucial. These weapons are better suited for players who want a more challenging experience and are patient with their heavy swings.
The Strength and Faith build is one of the strongest in Elden Ring, allowing you to wield powerful weapons and use healing or support incantations. The Fortissax Lightning Spear combined with heavy Colossal weapons can dish out massive damage while also providing support through healing spells and buffs.
Final Thoughts: Forge Your Path
Elden Ring is hard, but fair. You’ll die, sure. But you’ll learn, improve, and eventually conquer even the nastiest boss.
Stick with it. Trust your instincts. Explore freely, level wisely, and don’t forget to summon your Spirit Ashes when things get rough.
Elden Ring has officially shipped over 30 million copies worldwide as of April 2025, according to Gematsu’s report. Gematsu: Elden Ring sales top 30M. That enduring popularity ensures continued patches, thriving co-op scenes, and relevancy for beginners today.
With this guide, you now have the tools to survive and thrive. See you in the Lands Between, fellow Tarnished!
