Elden Ring Beginner’s Guide: 10 starting tips to help you die less often

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In the treacherous world of Elden Ring, where every misstep can lead to a swift demise, players are constantly seeking ways to survive longer and thrive amidst the chaos. This guide offers essential strategies to help you navigate the perilous landscapes of the Lands Between with greater confidence. From heeding the cryptic warnings of NPCs to mastering the art of stealth, discover how to minimize your deaths and maximize your enjoyment in this challenging RPG. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned warrior, these tips will transform your gameplay experience, allowing you to conquer foes and explore with newfound resilience.

The death of the main character in Soulsborne games is a very common occurrence, mainly due to the high difficulty level of these types of games. It’s true that even the smallest mistake can kill your character. However, there are some methods and tips that can help you die less often.

Listen to what the NPCs have to say

Listening to the NPCs in Elden Ring is crucial for enhancing your gameplay experience and reducing unnecessary deaths. These characters often provide valuable insights, lore, and hints about the world and its challenges. By engaging with them, players can uncover hidden quests, learn about enemy weaknesses, and receive guidance on navigating the treacherous landscapes of the Lands Between. Ignoring their dialogue may lead to missed opportunities and increased difficulty, making it essential to pay attention to what these non-playable characters have to say as you embark on your journey.

Keep in mind, however, that this doesn’t mean that all advice from NPCs should be taken for granted. Some NPCs may lie (for example, Patches is quite infamous for doing so), but regardless whether the character is telling the truth or not, you should keep in mind what they said. Whether it turns out to be true or false depends on the given situation or area. Most importantly, it will make you much more careful when you reach the mentioned stage, which will help you in avoiding death.

Separate enemies from each other

To effectively separate enemies from each other in Elden Ring, players should utilize strategic positioning and environmental awareness. Engaging enemies one at a time can significantly reduce the difficulty of encounters, as facing multiple foes simultaneously often leads to overwhelming situations. Players can achieve this by luring enemies into isolated areas or using terrain features to create distance. Additionally, employing ranged attacks or spells can draw individual enemies away from groups, allowing for a more manageable fight. Utilizing stealth mechanics to sneak past or ambush isolated targets further enhances the ability to control enemy numbers during combat, making it easier to navigate the game’s challenging landscapes.

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If you are forced to fight a large group of enemies, it might be worth luring away a few enemies, be it with ranged attacks or baits. This will allow you to avoid many dangers, making the game easier and your deaths less frequent.

Keep your shield drawn in unfamiliar locations

In Elden Ring, navigating unfamiliar locations can be perilous, making it essential to keep your shield drawn. This defensive posture not only provides immediate protection against unexpected attacks but also allows for a quick response to ambushes from hidden enemies. The world of the Lands Between is filled with treacherous terrain and hostile creatures, so maintaining a cautious approach can significantly reduce the likelihood of sudden deaths. Always be prepared to block or parry, especially in areas where enemy placements are unpredictable, ensuring you can react swiftly to any threats that arise.

This tip is very common, especially when it comes to the Dark Souls series. By drawing your shield and constantly blocking, you are able to block and negate the damage of unexpected attacks. This advice is especially useful in stages with unfamiliar locations, such as tight rooms. There may be an enemy behind the corridor, and by walking forward with your shield raised, you can block an attack without even expecting it.

Improve your character and equipment often

To effectively navigate the challenges of Elden Ring, it is crucial to frequently improve your character and equipment. Regularly leveling up your character enhances your stats, making you more resilient against the formidable foes you will encounter. In addition to character upgrades, upgrading your weapons and armor is essential for maximizing damage output and survivability. Collecting materials like Smithing Stones allows you to enhance your gear, which can significantly alter the dynamics of combat encounters. By focusing on both character and equipment improvements, you can mitigate the risks of dying frequently and increase your chances of overcoming the game’s toughest challenges.

Both your character and the weapons should be upgraded enough for the next stages of the game. If you ignore upgrading your character or equipment, you may encounter more and more difficulties when facing stronger enemies. For this reason, don’t forget to upgrade your character and weapons frequently, especially if you already decided on a build.

Stealth

In Elden Ring, mastering stealth is essential for surviving the treacherous environments and formidable foes of the Lands Between. By utilizing crouch mechanics and staying out of sight, players can navigate past enemies or set up ambushes for unsuspecting targets. The game encourages stealthy approaches through various tools, such as throwing knives and ranged attacks, which allow for silent takedowns. Additionally, learning enemy patrol patterns and exploiting terrain for cover can significantly reduce the number of encounters, ultimately leading to fewer deaths. Embracing stealth not only enhances gameplay but also adds a strategic layer that can make even the most daunting challenges manageable.

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Some Soulsborne games, such as Sekiro and even Elden Ring, give you the option to use stealth. This is the perfect way to silently infiltrate a given place and kill enemies slowly, but very effectively. The stealthy approach is especially recommended in locations where your main character might end up surrounded by hordes of enemy units.

Getting help

In Elden Ring, navigating the perilous landscapes and formidable foes can be daunting, but players need not face these challenges alone. Getting help is essential for minimizing deaths and enhancing your gameplay experience. Utilize the extensive resources available, such as detailed walkthroughs and boss strategies from reputable gaming sites like IGN and Fextralife, which provide step-by-step guidance through each region and dungeon. Additionally, engaging with the game’s multiplayer features allows players to summon allies for tougher battles, making it easier to overcome obstacles. Don’t hesitate to explore community forums and guides that offer tips on character builds, item locations, and effective combat strategies to further bolster your chances of survival in the Lands Between.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Other players, through certain items, can offer you help in defeating a given location or in fighting a boss. This also applies to certain NPCs and summoned spirits. Even if they don’t do all the work for you, they will distract dangerous enemies from you, making them much easier to kill. Thanks to this method, you’ll be able to avoid death.

What are the most common mistakes that lead to death in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, players often face death due to a variety of common mistakes. Here are some of the most prevalent errors that can lead to untimely demises:

  1. Ignoring Great Runes: Many players fail to activate Great Runes after defeating bosses, missing out on significant stat boosts that could enhance survivability in tough encounters. To benefit from these runes, players must activate them at a Divine Tower, equip them at a Site of Grace, and use a Rune Arc.
  2. Neglecting Vigor: Skipping points in the Vigor stat can severely limit a player’s health pool, making them vulnerable to one-shot kills from enemies. Prioritizing Vigor is crucial for surviving later game challenges.
  3. Hoarding Runes: Players often carry excessive Runes while exploring, risking losing them all upon death. It’s advisable to spend Runes on upgrades frequently rather than accumulating them unnecessarily.
  4. Overconfidence in Combat: Getting too aggressive or greedy during fights can lead to reckless behavior, resulting in avoidable deaths. Players should learn to pace their attacks and recognize when to retreat.
  5. Failing to Upgrade Equipment: Not upgrading weapons and armor can leave players underpowered against stronger foes. Regular upgrades are essential for maintaining competitiveness in battles.
  6. Not Utilizing Stealth: Many players overlook the stealth mechanics available in the game, which can help avoid direct confrontations with overwhelming enemy groups. Using stealth effectively can lead to safer gameplay.
  7. Poor Stamina Management: Players often forget to monitor their stamina during combat, leading to situations where they cannot dodge or block effectively, resulting in fatal hits.
  8. Healing at Inopportune Moments: Healing immediately after taking damage without ensuring safety can lead to further hits and wasted healing resources. Players should maintain distance before healing.
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By avoiding these mistakes, players can significantly reduce their chances of dying in the perilous world of Elden Ring and enhance their overall gameplay experience.

How can I avoid falling to my death in Elden Ring

To avoid falling to your death in Elden Ring, players can utilize several strategies and tips that enhance their navigation and reduce the risk of fatal drops:

  1. Use Rainbow Stones: These stones are invaluable for testing the safety of jumps. Drop a Rainbow Stone off a ledge; if it shatters upon impact, the fall is lethal. If it lands intact and lights up, you can safely jump without dying.
  2. Be Aware of Fall Damage Mechanics: Understand that falls greater than 20 meters will result in death. Familiarize yourself with the game’s terrain to avoid unnecessary risks when navigating high areas.
  3. Look for Safe Landing Spots: When descending from heights, aim for slopes or ledges that can break your fall. Colliding with these surfaces can mitigate damage, but be cautious as sliding down steep slopes often results in fatal falls.
  4. Keep an Eye on Your Surroundings: Always assess the environment before jumping or dropping down. Pay attention to visual cues that may indicate dangerous drops or unstable surfaces.
  5. Utilize Torrent’s Abilities: While Torrent’s double jump won’t save you from lethal falls, it can help navigate tricky terrain more safely. Use Torrent to reach safer spots or avoid risky jumps altogether.
  6. Upgrade Your Gear: Regularly improving your character’s stats and equipment can increase your survivability, allowing you to withstand more damage should you miscalculate a jump.

By implementing these strategies, players can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling to their deaths in the perilous world of Elden Ring.

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