Elden Ring throws players into a vast and mysterious open world—the Lands Between—without much handholding. FromSoftware's masterpiece can feel overwhelming at first, especially with its non-linear structure and hidden mechanics. Whether you're new to Souls-like games or a seasoned Tarnished, here’s a step-by-step guide to what you should do first in Elden Ring to set yourself up for success.
1. Get the Crafting Kit from Merchant Kale
One of Elden Ring’s most important early steps is acquiring the Crafting Kit. This tool allows you to Elden Ring Items create essential items like fire pots, arrows, buffs, and healing items for your mount—all from materials found in the world.
Where to Find It:
Location: Church of Elleh, just north of the first Site of Grace in Limgrave.
Price: A few hundred Runes.
Tip: Avoid the nearby Tree Sentinel for now—it’s a high-level enemy.
Also grab a torch for dark dungeons and use the nearby Smithing Table to enhance your weapon early.
2. Meet Melina to Unlock Leveling and Your Mount (Torrent)
To level up and unlock your spirit steed, you need to rest at a third overworld Site of Grace.
How to Trigger It:
Head to the Gatefront Ruins, just east of the Church of Elleh.
Rest at the nearby Site of Grace to trigger a cutscene with Melina.
She gives you the ability to spend Runes to level up and summon Torrent, your spectral mount.
This is a core part of Elden Ring’s progression—don’t skip it!
3. Obtain the Spirit Summoner’s Bell and Spirit Ashes
To summon spirit allies in battle, you’ll need two things:
Summoning Bell (from Ranni the Witch)
Spirit Ashes
Steps:
After unlocking Torrent, fast travel back to the Church of Elleh.
At night, you’ll meet Ranni the Witch, who gives you the Summoning Bell.
If you miss her, you can buy the bell from a merchant at the Roundtable Hold.
Recommended Early Spirit Ashes:
Noble Sorcerer Ashes – Stormfoot Catacombs
Godrick Soldier Ashes – Storm Hill graveyard
Jellyfish Spirit Ashes – Gift from an NPC near Storm Gate
Spirit summons don’t scale boss difficulty and are crucial for distracting enemies during tough fights.
4. Clear the Gatefront Ruins: Get Weapons, Map Fragment & Whetstone
The Gatefront Ruins are a treasure trove of early-game essentials.
Must-Get Items:
Map Fragment: Reveals West Limgrave on your map.
Flail & Lordsworn Greatsword: Found in carriages.
Whetstone Knife: Found underground, allows use of Ashes of War.
Use the Whetstone to modify weapon skills to suit your build—critical for character customization and damage scaling.
5. Explore Limgrave’s Mini Dungeons
Limgrave is full of hidden mini dungeons that reward you with gear, Runes, and materials.
Suggested Early Dungeons:
Stormfoot Catacombs
Coastal Cave
Murkwater Cave
Limgrave Tunnels
Each features a boss and loot—great for leveling up and practicing combat.
6. Farm Smithing Stones to Upgrade Your Weapons
Upgrading your weapons is just as important as leveling up.
Best Spot:
Limgrave Tunnels: Located across the lake from your starting area.
Tip: Loot stone deposits and defeat miners to gather Smithing Stones.
Using the Smithing Table at the Church of Elleh, you can upgrade your weapon to +3, making combat much more manageable.
7. Find Margit’s Shackle to Help with the First Major Boss
Before storming Stormveil Castle, prepare for the first major boss—Margit the Fell Omen.
Pro Tip:
Explore Murkwater Cave to obtain Margit’s Shackle.
This reusable item temporarily stuns Margit, giving you crucial attack windows.
Use it wisely—it has limited uses per fight, but can turn the tide in your favor.
Final Tips for New Players
Collect Everything: Plants, bones, and minerals are useful for crafting.
Use Torrent Often: It’s not just a mount—it’s a combat and exploration tool.
Experiment with Weapons: Try different weapon types and skills to find your best fit.
Don’t Rush: The open world is designed for exploration—there’s no wrong way to cheap Elden Ring Items play.
Conclusion
Elden Ring is a game of discovery, challenge, and triumph. With these first steps—getting the Crafting Kit, unlocking Torrent, collecting Spirit Ashes, and upgrading your gear—you’ll be well-prepared to face the many trials of the Lands Between.
Ready your blade, Tarnished. The journey has only just begun.
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