ELDEN RING Starter Guide : Tips to know before playing the game

If you were wondering how to play Elden Ring, what you should do first when starting the game, or what you should know even before, this beginner’s guide is for you!

It will help you out and show you how to get started with Elden Ring.

 

No matter whether you’re a beginner or have experience playing other games developed by From Software like Dark Souls, this guide contains essential combat system tips and tricks you should know before playing so you’ll get the most out of the game!

 

This guide covers every platform on which ELDEN RING is available: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.

 

Summary

1. Game Interface
2. Controller Settings
3. Game Environment
4. Basic Actions
5. Battling Enemies: Attack/Defense Basics
6. Advanced Guide: Special Attacks

 

Game Interface

When the HUD display setting is set to Auto, the HUD will automatically be hidden, except for the compass. Press the [△/Y] button to temporarily display and check the HUD.
 

HP Gauge

Current HP (life force). It decreases as you take damage, and you die when it reaches 0.

HP can regenerate by resting at a site of grace, using the flask of crimson tears, or reading incantations.
 

FP Gauge

The power to stay focused in order to use skills and sorcery. It decreases as you use skills and sorcery, and it becomes ineffective when it reaches zero.

FP can regenerate by resting at a site of grace or using the flask of cerulean tears.
 

Stamina Gauge

This is your current stamina. When it reaches zero, you won’t be able to perform any further actions that consume stamina. Stamina automatically regenerates as time passes. Stamina is not consumed while in a non-combat state.
 

Status Icons

When a special effect is active, such as an ability boost, the corresponding status icon will be displayed.
 

Compass

Displays the direction. The location of runes that are dropped when you die and landmarks will also be displayed.
 

Enemy HP

The enemy’s HP (life force).
 

Lock-on Marker

Press the [R3/R] button to lock onto a nearby enemy as a target. You can change targets using the right stick.
 

Currently Available Skills

This displays the currently available skills.
 

Equipment Slot

The icon of the currently equipped weapon, sorcery, or item will be displayed.
 

Currently Selected Sorcery

This is the currently selected sorcery. It cannot be used unless a catalyst has been equipped.
 

Currently Selected Left-Hand Weapon

This is the weapon that is currently equipped in the left hand.
 

Currently Selected Item

This is the currently selected item and the next item to be displayed.
 

Currently Selected Right-Hand Weapon

This is the weapon that is currently equipped in the right hand.
 

Action Dialog

The corresponding action will be displayed here.

It indicates how long it will take for you to change to and from an abnormal state. A list of abnormal states can be found below
 

Player’s State Gauge

• Poison: If you are in a poisoned state, you will take continuous damage.
• Red Rot: If you are in a state of red rot, you will take continuous damage.
• Hemorrhage: If you are in hemorrhaging, you will take a large amount of damage relative to your maximum HP.
• Frostbite: If you are in a state of frostbite, you will take damage and become frostbitten for a while. While frostbitten, you will take increased damage from other sources.
• Sleep: If you are in a state of sleep, you will become drowsy. Weaker characters will fall asleep entirely.
• Madness: If you are in a state of madness, you will go mad and lose a great deal of both HP and FP.
• Death: If you are in a state of death, you will be struck down instantly.
   

Possessed Runes

The number of runes you currently have.

 

Controller Settings

You can check and change how it works by going to [Menu] → [System] → [Controller Settings].

 

When the Player Character Is in Control

 

Click to expand controls

Playstation 4 and Playstation 5

 

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

 

When Riding

Click to expand controls

 

 

Playstation 4 / Playstation 5

 

Xbox One / Xbox Series X

 

Game Environment

Runes

Runes can be obtained by defeating enemies or using items. Runes are used to level up your character, buy items, and strengthen weapons and armor.

 

Site of Grace

In this world, there are a rest points called sites of grace

Resting at a site of grace will restore your HP, FP, and heal any status ailments. It will also refill all of your sacred flasks. Most of the enemies you've defeated will be revived when you rest at a site of grace.

 

• How to Use a site of Grace

Approach the site of grace and press the [△/Y] button to activate it.
From here, pressing the [△/Y] button will bring up the menu and let you rest.
Sites of grace that you haven't reached yet emit rays of light.

 

• Site of Grace Menu

  The site of grace menu is available while resting.
  The selections available will change as the story progresses.

  • Pass Time: Move time forward in the game
  • Level Up: Enhance your character’s stats
  • Add Charge to Flask: Increase the number of times you can use the flask
  • Increase Amount Replenished by Flasks: Enhance the flask’s restorative effect
  • Distribute Flask Charges: Allocate the number of charges for your sacred flasks
  • Memorize Spell: Equip magic you have learned in the memory slots to use it in the game. The number of slots available depends on your character’s status
  • Mix Wondrous Physick: Mix acquired crystal tears to customize the effects of Flask of Wondrous Physick
  • Sort Chest: Store items in or remove items from the chest

 

Sites of grace that you already discovered will be saved on the map. Select the site of grace you want to travel to on the map, and you will move to that location. You cannot travel while in some dungeons.

 

Guidance of Grace

The light emanating from some sites of grace gives a hint as to where you may want to go next.

The guidance of grace can also be found in the map menu.

 

Summoning

When a rebirth monument is nearby and a monument icon is shown on the left side of the screen, you can use ashes to summon a spirit.
 

The summoned spirit will leave when its HP reaches zero, when a boss is defeated, when the spirit moves a certain distance away from the monument, or when the same ashes are used again.
 

Only one type of spirit can be summoned at a time, and spirits cannot be summoned during multiplayer.

 

Stakes of Marika

Upon dying, you will be revived at the last site of grace at which you rested. However, if you died near a Stake of Marika, you can choose to be revived there instead.

You can confirm if you are in the area of effect of a stake of Marika by checking if the status icon (bow and arrow icon) appears.

 

Spectral Steed

Use the Spectral Steed Whistle to summon a spectral steed to ride.

If the spectral steed dies it can be summoned again, but it will consume a flask of crimson tears.

 

Map

You can see your current location, terrain, buildings, and other information. Markers and landmarks can be placed on the map.

You can also go to a site of grace that you have discovered from the map menu.

You can’t open the map when you are engaged in battle.

 

Birdseye Telescope

Use the birdseye telescopes in each area to see into the distance like a bird and get a better view of your destination..

 

Death

A character dies when their HP reaches zero.

When you die, all the runes you are carrying will be dropped. You can retrieve them by going back to the location of your death. If you die again before retrieving them, they will be lost.

 

Basic Actions

Movement

• Walk/Run

The player moves in the direction you tilt the left stick. Tilt it slightly to walk, or tilt it fully to run.
 

• Dash

Hold down the [⭘/B] button and tilt the left stick to dash. This consumes the stamina gauge.

Pressing the [R1/RB] button while dashing will turn it into a dash attack.
 

• Roll

If you press the [⭘/B] button while tilting the left stick, the player will roll in that direction.

Rolling is also useful when you want to avoid enemy attacks.
 

• Jump

Press the [✖/A] button to jump. If you jump while dashing, you can jump farther.
 

• Step Back

Pressing the [⭘/B] button while the left stick is neutral will cause you to step back quickly. Pressing the [R1] button after stepping back will turn it into a dash attack.
 

• Crouch

Press the [L3/L] button to crouch and hide. It is more effective if you crouch in the grass.

When your enemy is unaware, your first attack will cause more damage.
 

• Climb Ladders

Approach a ladder and press the [△/Y] button to get on it and use the left stick to go up or down. Pressing the [⭘/B] button while going up or down will let you climb/descend quickly, and pressing the [⭘/B] button twice quickly will make you let go of the ladder and fall.

 

Battling Enemies: Attack/Defense Basics

When you encounter an enemy in the game, the enemy will attack you.

• Locking onto Targets

Pressing the [R3/R] button will lock the target onto a nearby enemy. While a target is locked on, you can change targets using the right stick.

When a target is locked, the target will always remain in front of you.
 

• Right-Hand Weapon Action

Press the [R1/RB] / [R2/RT] buttons to attack with the weapon equipped in your right hand.
 

• Left-Hand Weapon Action

Press the [L1/LB] / [L2/LT] buttons to attack with the weapon equipped in your left hand.

You can equip a shield in your left hand and press [L1/LB] to guard with it.
You can also use your weapon’s skill by pressing the [L2/LT] button when the weapon is two-handed or a shield with a skill is equipped.

 

• Switch Between One-Handed and Two-Handed

While holding down the [△/Y] button, press the [R1/RB] / [R2/RT] buttons to switch the right-hand weapon and the [L1/LB] / [L2/LT] buttons to switch the left-hand weapon to two-handed. If you hold the weapon with both hands, you won’t be able to use the weapon you were holding in the other hand, but the attack will be more powerful and it will be easier to break the opponent’s guard.

 

Use Your Skills

Press [L2/LT] while holding a two-handed weapon to activate the skill set for that weapon.

Depending on the skill, you can perform various derivative attacks by pressing the [R1/RB] / [R2/RT] / [L2/LT] buttons, as well.
 

If your left hand is empty (or if certain special weapons are equipped) you may not need to switch to a two-handed grip to activate the skill of the weapon in your right hand.

A portion of the FP gauge is consumed each time a skill is used. When the FP gauge reaches zero, you cannot use any more skills.
 

Skills can be changed by changing ashes. The type of ashes you can carry is determined by the weapon type.

 

Parry

Equip a shield in your left hand with the parry skill and press the [L2/LT] button to repel enemy melee attacks.

You can create critical hit opportunities by parrying.

Some enemies won’t have their stance broken with a single parry.

 

Situational Options

• Switching Equipment

You can use the equipment menu to switch equipment. Use the ← key to change the left-hand armament, the → key to change the right-hand armament, the ↑ key to change sorcery/incantation, and the ↓ key to switch items.

Items (or magic) will jump to the first slot by holding down the ↑ (or ↓) directional button.
 

• Using Items

Press the [☐/X] button to use an equipped item.

 

Advanced Guide: Special Attacks

Special Attacks

• Jump Attacks

While jumping, press [R1/RB] / [R2/RT] to perform a jump attack. The jump attack can easily break the enemy’s stance, and you can also aim to make a mounted enemy fall.
 

• Falling Attack

While falling, press [R1/RB] / [R2/RT] to attack enemies from above.
 

• Ladder Attack

While going up or down a ladder, press [R1/RB] to attack the enemies above you, and [R2/RT] to attack the enemies below you.
 

• Guard Counter

Pressing the [R2/RT] button immediately after guarding against an enemy attack will create a guard counterattack that can easily break the enemy’s stance.
 

• Two-Sword Attack

Pressing the [L1/LB] button when both hands are equipped with a weapon of the same category will trigger a special attack.
 

• Critical Hit

A critical hit is an attack that causes massive damage to the enemy. Pressing the [R1/RB] button after parrying, when behind an enemy, or against a fallen enemy will cause a critical hit. Some enemies can’t be parried, and some enemies can’t be struck with a critical hit even if you are behind them.
 

• Using Magic and Incantations

If you want to use magic or incantations, you need to equip the corresponding catalyst (staff or seal). You will also need to have FP to use them. After selecting the magic or incantation you want to use by pressing the ↑ key, press the [R1/RB] button (right-hand equipped) or [L1/LB] button (left-hand equipped) to use it.
 

• Magic/Incantation Memory

The magic/incantations you obtain can be used by memorizing them at a site of grace via the Memorize Spell option.

 

Attacking with a Bow Weapon

Bow weapons can be used when equipped with arrows and bolts. There are two types of bow weapons — bows and crossbows — and each has a specific type of arrow that can be used.
 

When two types of arrows or bolts are equipped, press [R1/RB] to shoot the arrow equipped to the first slot, and [R2/RT] to shoot the arrow equipped to the second one.
 

• Precision Aiming

Press the [L1/LB] button while holding the bow to enter precision aiming mode. While in precision aiming mode, use the ↑ key to zoom in and the down ↓ key to zoom out.

 

Mounting Action

• Mounting

You can use the spectral steed whistle to summon a spectral steed. You cannot summon it in some areas or dungeons.

If the spectral steed dies, it can be summoned again by consuming a flask of crimson tears.
 

• Dismounting

You can get down from a mount using the [L3/L] button or the spectral steed whistle while riding. If you do this while moving, you’ll be able to jump off.
 

• Walk/Run

The player moves in the direction you tilt the left stick. Tilt it slightly to walk, or tilt it fully to run.
 

• Dash

Hold down the [⭘/B] button and tilt the left stick to dash.
 

• Jump

Press the [✖/A] button to jump. Press the [✖/A] button twice to double jump.
 

• Spirit Spring Jump

oWhen on horseback near a spirit spring, press the [✖/A] button to ride its current high into the air.

You won't take damage from jumping into a spirit spring while on horseback, even from a great height.

 

That’s all for now! With these tips, you should now be able to make a great start in the game and enjoy the basics of the combat system.

 

Stay tuned for future gameplay content in Elden Ring!

ELDEN RING will launch on February 25, 2022, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM. The game supports Smart Delivery on Xbox consoles, and there’s a free upgrade to PS5 for players who purchase the PS4 version.