Ultimate Elden Ring Guide for Beginners (2025 Edition)
Welcome, Tarnished! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the vast, brutal world of Elden Ring, you’re not alone. But don’t worry—I’ve helped countless new players thrive in the Lands Between, and this guide will do the same for you.
Whether you’ve never touched a Soulslike game or want to know the best path forward, this Elden Ring beginner guide will help you dodge frustration, defeat early bosses, and build your dream character. Let’s dive in!
What Are the Essential Tips Every Elden Ring Beginner Should Know?
Starting Elden Ring can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you’ll quickly gain confidence and enjoy the game’s rich world.
First, understand your playstyle—whether you prefer magic, melee, or ranged combat—because this will shape your character build and overall strategy.
Next, focus on mastering basic combat mechanics, such as dodging, blocking, and stamina management.
These skills are essential for surviving tough enemies and progressing smoothly.
Don’t rush through the game.
Take your time to explore thoroughly, find valuable gear, and level up safely before moving on to harder challenges.
By following these essential tips, you’ll move from a cautious beginner to a skilled adventurer ready to conquer Elden Ring’s most brutal battles.
Ready to get started? Choose a beginner-friendly class that fits your style and take it one step at a time.
What Is Elden Ring?
Elden Ring is an open-world action RPG developed by FromSoftware, known for challenging titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro. It blends brutal combat, profound lore, and a massive world to explore, with plenty of secrets hidden around every corner.
What makes Elden Ring stand out is its open-ended structure. You’re free to go nearly anywhere from the start, which is exciting, but also confusing for newcomers. This guide will help you take the smartest path.
Whether you’re mastering Elden Ring or Fortnite, our ultimate gaming guide offers expert tips and strategies to help you conquer any title.
Best Starting Classes for Beginners
What is the best starting class for beginners in Elden Ring?
The Vagabond is the best starting class for most beginners. It has high vigor and strength, meaning you can take a hit and deal solid melee damage.
Here’s a quick breakdown of beginner-friendly classes:
- Vagabond – High health and strong melee defense. Great for tanky, sword-and-shield builds.
- Astrologer – Best for magic-focused builds. Long-range attacks keep you safe.
- Samurai – Balanced stats with a powerful starting weapon (Uchigatana). Suitable for fast, aggressive play.
Choose based on your playstyle—want to slash and block? Go Vagabond. Prefer blasting from a distance? Astrologer’s your jam.
Magic vs. Melee: What’s Easier?
Is magic easier than melee in Elden Ring?
For most beginners, magic is easier, especially in early-game combat. You can attack enemies from a distance and avoid close-range danger.
Magic builds like Astrologer let you stay safe while dealing significant damage, making boss fights less stressful.
However, melee classes offer more flexibility later on. If you like action and don’t mind dying a few more times, melee is incredibly rewarding.
What is the hardest weapon type to use in Elden Ring?
The hardest weapon type to use in Elden Ring is usually the katanas or greatswords. Katanas require precise timing, fast reflexes, and mastering combos, while greatswords are slow and demand careful stamina management and positioning. Both need practice to use effectively against tough enemies.
Best Beginner Playstyle
What is the best beginner playstyle in Elden Ring?
The best beginner playstyle is a balanced melee build with a shield and healing flask, plus access to ranged support spells or Spirit Ashes.
This hybrid style gives you:
- Durability with a sword and shield
- Flexibility to deal damage safely
- Easy survivability in challenging encounters
Use Spirit Ashes to summon allies in battle and keep enemies distracted—an underrated beginner strategy.
What is the strongest Elden Ring build?
The strongest Elden Ring build depends on your playstyle, but a popular and powerful option is the Quality build that balances Strength and Dexterity. Another strong choice is a Mage build focusing on Intelligence to cast powerful sorceries. For pure damage, Strength builds with heavy weapons can be very effective. The key is to pick a build that suits how you want to play.
What to Buy First in Elden Ring
What to buy first in Elden Ring?
Buy these items ASAP to boost survivability:
- Crafting Kit (from Merchant Kale in Church of Elleh)
- Torch (for dark areas)
- Flask Upgrades (via Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears)
- Summoning Bell (for Spirit Ashes support)
These tools make early exploration much smoother and keep you alive longer.
Understanding the World Map
The Lands Between is massive, and Elden Ring doesn’t hold your hand.
Here’s how to make sense of it:
- Sites of Grace are your checkpoints—activate every one you find.
- Map Fragments reveal new areas—collect them to see where you’re going.
- Limgrave is your starting zone—explore here before tackling tough bosses.
- Avoid Caelid early—it’s punishing and full of rot.
Don’t rush. The game rewards curiosity and preparation.
Mastering Combat Basics
Combat is challenging, but learn the fundamentals, and you’ll thrive:
- Block with a shield to avoid damage, then counter.
- Roll through enemy attacks to avoid damage and create openings.
- Use stamina wisely—don’t spam attacks.
- Learn enemy patterns—patience wins fights.
For weapons, stick with:
- Longsword, Uchigatana, or Broadsword, early on
- Use Ashes of War to customize weapon abilities.
Magic users: stick to Glintstone Pebble early—it’s efficient and deadly.
Leveling Up and Character Progression
Leveling uses Runes, which are gained from defeating enemies. Here’s how to grow wisely:
Prioritize These Stats:
- Vigor – More health = more survivability.
- Endurance – More stamina and armor load.
- Strength/Dexterity – Boost melee damage.
- Intelligence/Faith – Magic and healing power.
Use runes smartly:
- Farm easy mobs near Gatefront Ruins or Agheel Lake.
- Upgrade weapons at Smithing Tables and with Smithing Stones.
- Add Ashes of War to gain special moves.
Avoid spreading points too thin—focus on 2-3 core stats.
Must-Explore Early Locations
These zones are friendly to beginners and packed with gear and XP:
- Limgrave – Your starting area is full of loot and lessons.
- Church of Elleh – Buy items, rest, and talk to NPCs.
- Weeping Peninsula – Easier enemies, lots of runes, great loot.
- Stormveil Castle – First legacy dungeon—test your skills here.
Follow the light trails from Sites of Grace to stay on a smart path.
Important NPCs and Items
Talk to everyone! Many NPCs offer key quests or upgrades:
- Melina – Your level-up and Torrent (mount) guide.
- Ranni – A powerful sorceress tied to the game’s lore.
- Blaidd, D., Roderika – Great questlines for early upgrades.
Early Must-Have Items:
- Flask of Crimson Tears – Your healing tool.
- Torrent – Your spectral steed.
- Spirit Ashes – Summon allies in battle.
- Golden Seeds/Sacred Tears – Boost your flask uses and potency.
How Multiplayer Works
Elden Ring’s online features are optional, but helpful.
Co-op Tips:
- Use Furlcalling Finger Remedy to summon allies.
- Summon signs appear near boss fights or Sites of Grace.
- You can help or be helped—great for tough battles or farming.
Invasions can happen when you’re playing online, but don’t panic—summon others to help or play offline if needed.
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.
With this guide, you now have the tools to survive and thrive. See you in the Lands Between, fellow Tarnished!
