Elden Ring — Beginner's Guide

For every Tarnished taking their first steps into the Lands Between

Class Selection

Class	Difficulty	Rating	Notes
Vagabond	★★☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	100% physical block shield, best starter
Samurai	★★☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Uchigatana + Longbow, bleed monster
Astrologer	★★★☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Long-range kiting, strong early, falls off late
Prisoner	★★★★	⭐⭐⭐	Spellsword hybrid, steep learning curve
Confessor	★★☆	⭐⭐⭐	Faith hybrid, mid-game powerspike
Hero	★★★☆	⭐⭐⭐	Pure strength, unga bunga
Bandit	★★★★★	⭐⭐	Dagger starter — masochist's choice
Prophet	★★★★	⭐⭐	Pure faith casting, painful early game
Wretch	★★★★	⭐⭐⭐	Level 1, all stats 10 — veteran exclusive

Early Stat Priority

First 30 levels — recommended allocation:

1. Vigor → 20 (staying alive > everything)
2. Endurance → 15 (wear armor + one extra roll)
3. Main damage stat → 20 (pick ONE: STR/DEX/INT and commit)
4. Vigor → 30
5. Mind → 15 (enough for a few Ash of War uses)

⚠️ Cardinal sin: Spreading stats evenly. 20 STR + 20 DEX is worse than 40 STR.

Must-Grab Early Items

Lone Wolf Ashes (Free)

• Location: Church of Elleh — meet Renna at night
• Verdict: Best early-game spirit ash. Three wolves tank aggro.

Meteorite Staff + Rock Sling (Sorcerers)

• Location: Street of Sages Ruins, Caelid
• Verdict: Best early staff + spell combo in the game

Bloodhound's Fang (Melee)

• Location: Forlorn Hound Evergaol, Limgrave
• Verdict: STR/DEX powerhouse. Weapon art has generous i-frames.

Gold Scarab (Essential)

• Location: Abandoned Cave, Caelid
• Effect: +20% runes from all enemies

Early Rune Farming Routes

Location	Runes/Run	Efficiency
Weeping Peninsula Trolls	1,000	★★★
Lenne's Rise Boulder	1,952	★★★★
Bestial Sanctum Vulgar Militia	1,094	★★★★★
Mohgwyn Palace Bird	11,000	★★★★★

Common Mistakes

• ❌ Kill everyone on sight → many NPCs are gone forever
• ❌ Equip load over 70% → fat-rolling hell
• ❌ Sell every weapon → some weapons are unique
• ❌ Ignore Ashes of War → skill damage dwarfs basic attacks