When video game maker FromSoftware announced they were teaming up with author George R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame for their next game, expectations were high.
Still, selling over 12 million copies of Elden Ring in less than a month is huge for a new title, especially from a company that is notorious for making difficult games. If this is your first FromSoftware game, these tips will help you get started.
Choosing a class
In Elden Ring, players choose from 10 character classes. Some classes like Vagabond Warrior and Hero are primarily melee. Others like Astrologer and Prophet are magic-focused. If you are unsure which play style you want to try, or if you want a well-rounded character that can do either well, the Prisoner or Confessor are your best choice.
What does each attribute do?
The attribute list can be a little daunting and confusing, depending on your experience. Here is a breakdown of what each attribute effects:
Vigor: Increase character health
Mind: Increases character’s magic/focus points (the blue bar)
Endurance: Increases character stamina. How much you can sprint or roll (the green bar). Also, how much your character can carry.
Strength: Increases weapon damage for strength-based weapons, like swords or axes. Also, more advanced weapons which require higher strength to wield.
Dexterity: Allows you to cast spells quicker, and increases damage for lighter weapons, like a dagger. Also, decreases character damage from falls.
Intelligence: Increases magic power and deflection. Also required to perform sorceries.
Faith: Damage multiplier for incantations.
Arcane: Used for some sorceries and incantations. Also increases your ability to discover treasure from foes.
The last three can be a bit confusing until you find new spells. If you are ever in doubt what to upgrade, you can’t go wrong with vigor and strength.
Fighting enemies
Enemies will try to surround you and take you down. Try to fight enemies one at a time. Draw them out away from packs, to pick them off individually. Use the lock on feature to focus on one enemy and attack until they are dead. This comes in handy if you are in a cave or someplace where you cannot see enemies easily.
Early on, you can find a vendor who sells a bow. Purchase it and start the battle from afar. Or, even better, sneak up on your enemies and stab them in the back.
Roll roll roll your character
The tutorial will walk you through how to battle and defend. The best way to avoid being hit is to roll away. It can also position your character for a better attack. If you are facing a ranged opponent, rolling towards them can increase your chance to dodge their attacks. When you are in a heated battle with more powerful forces, the roll button is your best friend. Stay out of harm’s way while you learn how they attack.
Find your loot
You will die in this game. Repeatedly. When you die, your character drops their ruins. You will need to grab them before you die again, or they will be lost forever. The location of your death shows up on the map. Add a marker and make your way back to retrieve them. If you drew enemies out, they are easier to reacquire. Sneak in and grab them. If you dropped your stash in the middle of a hoard of enemies, try running in to grab them, and rolling out. You can also often break off one or more enemies that way.
There are times you won’t be able to retrieve your loot, due to the strength of an enemy. In those cases, just let them go.
Explore explore explore
Elden Ring takes place in a beautiful open world setting. Once you get through the introduction, you can venture anywhere your heart desires. Rather than follow the path the game lays out, venture around the map. Find some enemies that you can easily subdue to gain experience. Find merchants and other challenges along the way. Inevitably you will find enemies that you are way too weak to face. Use the map’s custom markers to return to them later, once your character is stronger. Exploring the world makes Elden Ring a blast …
But also follow the sites of grace to unlock updates
Exploring is fun and encouraged in Elden Ring, but following the first few sites of grace will help you character evolve. When you arrive in the open world, do not wait too long to find your way to the Gatefront.
Return to NPCs often
The non-player characters you meet along the way have a lot to say, and sometimes goods to offer. Stop back and chat with them often. Exhaust their dialog tree, until they start to repeat themselves. You never know what you might learn or receive from chatting with them.
Elden Ring, the 2022 mega-hit from FromSoftware, is on pace to win the most Game of the Year (GoTY) awards in video game history.
