Elden Ring: Tips for begginers

Embarking on your journey through Elden Ring can feel like stepping into a vast and daunting landscape, where every shadow hides a challenge and every turn could lead to glory or despair. As a beginner, the key to survival lies in understanding the intricacies of this open-world masterpiece crafted by FromSoftware. With its rich lore, complex mechanics, and unforgiving enemies, knowing where to start is crucial. This guide will equip you with essential tips—from selecting the right class to mastering combat strategies—that will not only enhance your gameplay but also help you navigate the treacherous Lands Between with confidence and skill. Prepare to uncover secrets, face formidable foes, and carve your path to becoming an Elden Lord.

You can parry opponents’ attacks. If you manage to parry the enemy’s attack at the right moment, you will be able to deal a critical hit that deals massive damage. However, this is a high risk – high reward move.
If you have enough souls to spend them on something useful or to increase your level, do so immediately. Each such “investment” increases your combat potential, and you will not risk losing your collected souls.
Having two of the same weapons in each hand unlocks unique attacks. This technique is called Dual Wielding.
In soulsborne games, you don’t have to equip only one weapon per hand. You can have two to three weapons for each hand, so you can quickly switch them during combat. However, be careful, as equipping a weapon affects the load capacity and your movements.
Don’t keep the shield up all the time. If you don’t see any threat, stop blocking – your stamina regeneration is much slower when blocking.
If you have a lot of reusable items equipped andyou want to quickly switch to the item from the first slot, hold down the button responsible for switching those items.
Sometimes running away is the best solution. You don’t have to fight every opponent on your way. Moreover, if you see that you are losing to a group of opponents, retreat to a safe place. After a while, the enemies will lose aggro.
Get all dialog lines from the NPCs. Not only can they give you instructions and advice on how to defeat some enemies or where to go, but they can also give you a special item.
Don’t do what is written in every message. Many of them are very useful, but not all. There will also be ones that will troll other players, e.g. suggesting them to jump into the abyss.
Games of this type have illusory walls – they are difficult to distinguish from the normal ones, but players’ messages can help you here. All you have to do is roll into such a wall or hit it – that wall will disappear, unlocking a new path for you.
Develop not only your character, but also your equipment. Many players forget about it, and unfortunately, in order to deal damage, you also need to focus on constantly improving your weapons.
If you have trouble getting souls, help other players! Firstly, after dying in another player’s world, you will not lose your souls. secondly, you will gain knowledge about the terrain and some passages.
Defeating bosses in other players’ worlds will reward you with items that will allow you to use the help of other players in your world! In addition, you will receive some souls/runes/blood echoes for helping to defeat the boss.
Even if you don’t like ranged combat, it’s worth having at least one ranged spell or bow/crossbow in your inventory.
Leaving useful messages for other players has its pros. If a player marks that your message was useful to them, you will restore a significant portion of your health. This can turn out to be very useful, especially if the player upvotes this message in critical situations for you.
Sometimes sprinting is a better solution to avoid a hit than dodge. Dodge should be used for boss’s quick attacks, while the linear, or longer attacks should be avoided by sprinting, preferably to get behind the enemy’s back.
If you aren’t doing great in a given location, and you don’t deal enough damage to opponents, then your character is probably not leveled up enough for this place. It is worth farming the game currency to spend it on character or weapon upgrades.
Gestures matter. Not only in non-verbal communication during online games, but also in some particular situations. For example, performing a specific gesture in a given situation will give you access to a new region.
Carrying capacity above 70% will make your character dodge slowly, so if you focus more on dodging than defending with shield and heavy armor, try not to exceed this limit.
However, if you have reached 100% load capacity, your character will be unable to dodge, and your stamina will deplete very quickly.
Build your character the way you want! Most builds, if made properly, can be very powerful. If you prefer ranged combat, buy new spells or bows and improve your character in this direction. If you prefer heavier armor and blocking, upgrade your shields, strength and endurance.

More tips for players new to the soulsborne genre can be found on separate pages of the guide: Parrying strikes, Combat basics, How to die less?, The order in which to play the games, Players’ messages, Load capacity and Dual wielding.

What are the best starting classes for beginners in Elden Ring

When starting your adventure in Elden Ring, choosing the right class can significantly impact your experience. Here are the best starting classes for beginners, each offering unique strengths to help you navigate the challenging landscapes of the game:

S Tier Classes

Vagabond: Often regarded as the best choice for newcomers, the Vagabond is a versatile all-rounder with high Vigor, making it forgiving in combat. Equipped with a longsword, halberd, and a shield, this class excels in both offense and defense, allowing players to experiment with various melee weapons and strategies.
Samurai: This class is perfect for players who prefer agility and damage output. Starting with an Uchigatana and a longbow, the Samurai offers a balanced approach to both melee and ranged combat. It’s especially effective for those looking to utilize bleed builds and engage in fast-paced encounters.

A Tier Classes

Astrologer: Ideal for those drawn to magic, the Astrologer starts with strong spellcasting capabilities. With access to powerful spells and a backup sword, this class allows players to maintain distance from enemies while dealing significant damage.
Confessor: Combining melee combat with basic magic, the Confessor is a solid choice for beginners wanting a balanced build. It offers good damage output and sustainability, making it versatile enough to adapt to various playstyles early in the game.

B Tier Classes

Prisoner: This class provides a mix of spells and melee capabilities but may require more skill to master effectively. While versatile, its weaker defensive stats can pose challenges for new players.
Hero: Focused on pure melee damage, the Hero is straightforward but may not suit players interested in magic or ranged attacks. It’s great for those who want to dive into straightforward combat without the complexities of spellcasting.

Choosing any of these classes will set you on a path towards success in Elden Ring, allowing you to adapt your playstyle as you progress through the game.

Which class offers the best balance between melee and magic

In Elden Ring, the class that offers the best balance between melee and magic is the Prisoner. This hybrid class starts with a strong combination of Dexterity and Intelligence, allowing players to effectively wield both melee weapons and cast spells. The Prisoner’s high Dexterity enhances melee attacks while also speeding up spellcasting, making it versatile for various combat situations.
Another solid option is the Confessor, which provides a good mix of melee capability and access to basic magic through Incantations. This allows players to engage in close combat while also utilizing some magical abilities for added versatility.
Both classes enable players to experiment with different playstyles, making them excellent choices for those who want a balanced approach in the game.