Elden Ring is not an easy game, but don’t let that intimidate you. With a bit of patience and practice, you’ll be able to navigate its high-stakes combat, lack of a quest log, and hostile open-world. Let’s delve into everything you need to know to get started in the Lands Between, from character creation to combat mechanics.
Elden Ring Basics
Elden Ring is the latest game from FromSoftware, the developers behind the Dark Souls series. It’s an action RPG set in a vast open world, where you play as a Tarnished, a person who has been exiled from society and must explore the Lands Between to become an Elden Lord.
Like other FromSoftware games, Elden Ring is known for its challenging gameplay and intricate storytelling. You’ll be facing off against a variety of enemies, from small imps to giant dragons, and exploring a world filled with castles, caves, and other spooky locations.
One of the key features of Elden Ring is its open-world design. Unlike previous FromSoftware games, which were more linear, Elden Ring allows you to explore at your own pace and tackle challenges in any order you choose. This means that you’ll need to be prepared for anything, as you never know what dangers lie around the next corner.
Another important aspect of Elden Ring is its customization options. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of weapons, armor, and spells, and tailor your character to your play style. This allows you to experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you.
Gameplay Basics
When you first start playing Elden Ring, you’ll be thrown into a vast open world filled with danger and adventure. To help you navigate this world, here are some basic gameplay mechanics you should know.
Movement and Combat
Movement and combat are the bread and butter of Elden Ring. You’ll need to master both if you want to survive in the Lands Between.
Movement
You can move around the world using the left joystick. Pressing the X button will make you jump, while holding down the left joystick and pressing X will make you sprint. Sprinting consumes stamina, so use it wisely.
Combat
Combat in Elden Ring is all about timing and positioning. You’ll need to learn the attack patterns of your enemies and dodge or block their attacks to create openings for your own. You can attack with your equipped weapon using the R1 button, while holding down L1 will raise your shield and allow you to block attacks.
Items and Equipment
In Elden Ring, you’ll find a wide variety of items and equipment that can help you on your journey.
Items
You can access your inventory by pressing the Options button. Here, you’ll find all the items you’ve collected, such as healing items and crafting materials. Use these items wisely to help you overcome tough challenges.
Equipment
You can equip weapons, armor, and other gear by pressing the Triangle button to access your equipment menu. Different equipment has different stats and effects, so choose gear that’s appropriate for the situation.
Leveling Up and Incantations
As you progress through Elden Ring, you’ll earn experience points that can be used to level up your character. Here’s what you need to know:
Leveling Up
You can level up by visiting a workbench and spending your experience points on different stats, such as vigor, mind, dexterity, and faith. Choose the stats that best fit your play style.
Incantations
During play, you can also learn incantations, which are powerful spells that can help you in combat. To learn incantations, you’ll need to find runes scattered throughout the world.
Multiplayer Mode
Elden Ring features a multiplayer component that allows you to team up with other players to take on tough challenges. Here are the categories:
Multiplayer
You can summon other players to your world by using a compass item. You can also invade other players’ worlds to engage in PvP combat.
Co-op
Co-op can be a great way to tackle tough bosses and other challenges. Just be aware that some areas are more dangerous than others, so make sure you’re appropriately leveled and equipped before diving in.
Exploring the World
When you first start playing Elden Ring, you’ll find yourself in Limgrave, a small village in the western part of the Lands Between. From there, you’ll be able to explore the open-world at your leisure. The game’s map is divided into different regions, each with its own landmarks and sites of grace.
As you explore, you’ll come across various castles, caves, and dungeons that are filled with enemies to fight and loot to collect. Some of these dungeons are part of the legacy dungeons, which are optional but offer great rewards if you can overcome their challenges.
Keep an eye out for map fragments, which can be used to reveal hidden areas on the world map. You’ll also find great runes scattered throughout the world, which can be used to unlock new abilities and powers.
One of the most interesting aspects of Elden Ring’s world is its lore and discovery. In your exploration, you’ll come across various sites of grace, which can be used to learn more about the world’s history and the Elden Lord. You’ll also find the Erdtree, which serves as a hub for your journey and is the source of your power.
If you ever find yourself lost or stuck, head to Roundtable Hold, where you can get hints and tips from other players. And if you ever need a break from the main story, try exploring the open-world and discovering all the secrets it has to offer.
Character Customization
When it comes to character customization in Elden Ring, you have a lot of options to choose from. You can define a wide variety of features, ranging from your character’s voice and face structure to gamestyle-defining characteristics, like class. Here’s a breakdown of character:
Appearance
You have the option to change your character’s appearance, age, voice, and body type from the Dressing Table. If you ever play with the various sliders too much and things get out of control, you always have the option of resetting everything back to default.
Stats
Your character’s stats play a crucial role in how they perform in combat. You can allocate points into different stats such as strength, spirits, and arcane. These stats determine how much damage you deal, how much health you have, and how quickly you can cast spells.
Class
Choosing your character’s class is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Each class has its own unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. There are several classes to choose from, including warrior, astrologer, prisoner, hero, and ashes of war.
Multiplayer Sessions
Playing Elden Ring with other players can be a great way to enhance your gaming experience. Whether you want to cooperate with other players to defeat bosses or invade other players’ worlds to test your skills, Elden Ring’s multiplayer has something for everyone.
To start a multiplayer session, you need to use an item called the Furlcalling Finger. This item allows you to summon other players to your world or be summoned to other players’ worlds. To use the Furlcalling Finger, simply select it from your inventory and use it. Once used, you will be able to see other players’ summon signs or be summoned by other players.
If you want to play with specific players, you can use a password to ensure that only those players can join your game. To set a password, go to the options menu and select the Network tab. From there, you can enter a password that you and your friends can use to join each other’s games.
When playing with other players, it’s important to communicate and work together. Elden Ring’s multiplayer is designed to be challenging, and working together can make it easier to overcome difficult obstacles. If you’re playing with random players, it’s still important to communicate through emotes or gestures to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Remember Elden Ring’s multiplayer is part of a larger community. Be respectful and courteous to other players, and remember that everyone is here to have fun. Whether you’re playing cooperatively or competitively, Elden Ring’s multiplayer can be a great way to connect with other players and enhance your gaming experience.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
When you’ve spent some time playing Elden Ring and you’re ready to take your game to the next level, here are some advanced tips and tricks to help you out:
- Content is key – Make sure you’re exploring every nook and cranny of the game. There are tons of hidden areas and secrets to discover, and you don’t want to miss out on any of them.
- Don’t be afraid to crouch – Crouching can be a great way to avoid enemy attacks and get the drop on unsuspecting foes. Plus, it’s just plain fun to sneak around like a ninja.
- Get some sleep – Don’t forget to rest at bonfires or inns to recover your health and stamina. You’ll need all the energy you can get for those tough battles.
- Tackle the Legacy Dungeon – This challenging dungeon is a great way to test your skills and earn some sweet loot. Just be prepared for a tough fight.
- Use Lone Wolf Ash – This powerful item can give you a huge boost in combat, but it also makes enemies more aggressive. Use it wisely.
- Explore Stormveil Castle – This massive fortress is full of secrets and challenges. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore it.
- Try the Spirit Calling Bell – This item can summon powerful allies to fight by your side. It’s a great way to even the odds in tough battles.
- Essential tips and tricks – Remember to dodge, parry, and block enemy attacks. Keep an eye on your stamina and don’t get too greedy with your attacks.
- Don’t give up – Elden Ring is a tough game, but with practice and perseverance, you can conquer it.
Understanding the Lore
To fully enjoy Elden Ring, you need to understand the game’s rich lore. The story takes place in the Lands Between, a world created by the Greater Will. The Greater Will blessed the world with the Elden Ring, which is a powerful artifact that holds the world together. However, the Elden Ring was shattered into pieces, and the world was plunged into chaos.
As you explore the Lands Between, you will encounter various characters and factions that have their own agendas and motivations. One of the most important characters in the game is Queen Marika, who is the ruler of the Lands Between. She is a powerful and enigmatic figure who holds the key to the game’s story.
Another important aspect of the game’s lore is the Demigod Children. These are powerful beings who are the offspring of the Greater Will and the rulers of the various regions in the Lands Between. Each Demigod has their own unique abilities and personality, and they play a significant role in the game’s story.
To fully understand the lore, it’s important to pay attention to the game’s dialogue, item descriptions, and environmental storytelling. The game’s story is not spoon-fed to you, and you will need to piece together the various clues and hints to fully understand what is going on.
Understanding the lore is crucial to fully enjoying Elden Ring. Take the time to explore the game’s world and pay attention to the various characters and factions you encounter. With patience and attention to detail, you will uncover the game’s rich and fascinating story.