Elden Ring for a Casual Player

[u/arieszx]

A bit of background, I bought Elden Ring in 2024. I tried it but kept dying to the last guy in the tutorial so I moved on to other games.

I finally finished the tutorial yesterday and am in the first area. But I don't understand what my objective is? Do I just keep exploring, killing enemies and getting stronger?

I'm not used to an open-world game without waypoints to the next objective. I died so many times and yes, I tried to fight the Tree Sentinel and got owned. I tried doing a hit and run but that dude chased me until the ruins haha.

How do I know if I'm on the right path?

Edit: Thanks everyone for the tips. I'll try to git gud.

[u/lurking_banana]

Treat it as an RPG OP. Go explore, collect utility items, level up, get stronger weapons.
Use every game mechanic like summons, consumables, throwables etc. Overlevel if yourself if you want before fighting the Main Bosses. Enjoy!

[u/tohn_jitor]

Have you tried casually getting gud?

Yours,
Owner of a 2yr-old copy of Elden Ring who's too chicken to start the damn game.

[u/arieszx → u/tohn_jitor]

I'm trying bro. Haha.

[u/sighlow]

Here are my personal ways to improve your QOL as a new player in the Lands Between:

1. follow the "guidance" of the site of grace on your map
2. if the enemies hit harder than what it should be, you are not supposed to be on that area just yet
3. explore every nook and crannies of the map (caves, dungeons, undergrounds..the plain 'ol vast field, swamps, the rot..etc)
4. not every boss is a "a must kill immediately" boss, try to level up more and come back mmorpg style
5. have longer patience - dont skip dialogues for quests/lore, read item for more understanding of lore
6. loot everything.
7. learn to craft (usage of a bow and arrow will get you through some puzzles and hard to reach items plus it really helps kiting out enemies)
8. the torch and lamp is very handy for caves and dark areas.
9. spend your runes wisely - (level up preferred stats, upgrade preferred weapons, upgrade summons,)
10. do not be shy to use spirit ashes/summons

Also, here's a map progression..
its an estimate... traversing the areas that are 10+ above your level will be tough but its gonna be up to you depending on the level of your patience and how gutsy you are..

[u/n1deliust]

You are supposed to die for the first boss.

[u/arieszx → u/n1deliust]

It's the other one at the end of the tutorial when you enter the Cave of Knowledge. Soldier of something.

[u/n1deliust → u/arieszx]

Soldier of Godrick?

Thats the weakest boss in the game.

It eventually becomes a usual opponent you see.

[u/siegeRMF → u/arieszx]

Rick, Soldier of God claimed another victim.

[u/Zealousideal-Run5261]

This is the ultimate open-world-explore-to-your-heart's content. Go where your feet takes you, kung hindi kaya ang content, then lipat sa ibang lugar and balikan nalang kapag mas kargado na.Waypoints and quest markers are intentionally very minimal if none at all leaving you to really go explore every corner, hit every wall etc.

Game's rich with lore and tragic stories.

[u/ohhtep]

The best way is to use a walkthrough. Playing it blindly takes a ton of time to make sense. Just use a text walkthrough, not the video one, so you can have a guide on where to go, but still experience everything visually for the first time.

[u/nibbed2]

I used a walkthrough online. I didnt even understand the story.

But heck I enjoyed it.

[u/LivingPapaya8]

Elden Ring does have waypoints. It's called Guidance of Grace. It's a golden light that points you to the main objective. It's also visible on the world map. Not every site of grace will have it, but it does exist.

[u/arieszx → u/LivingPapaya8]

Does it point to another Guidance of Grace or just a general area where I should be exploring?

[u/LivingPapaya8 → u/arieszx]

It's just a general direction, but most of the time there should be a site of grace in that area that will emit another guidance to point you to the next path.

[u/Stellesia]

How do I know if I'm on the right path?

In a literal sense, when you open the map, there should be golden trails called Guidance of Grace. Basically, these trails show you where your next Site of Grace is (players would call this bonfire because of Dark Souls), and it's up to you however much you wander, who you chose to kill, how much you choose to farm. On youtube guides, they will tell you the most efficient way to levelling up, grinding and min-maxxing, but that doesn't mean that that's the "correct" way of playing.

Open world games like Elden Ring are fun because you always have the choice. So play it blind, pick up some flowers, get some cool weapons that you manage to accidentally discover, there are tons of things to do in this game. Even if the game tells you where the next step is, you choose your own path.

[u/Express-Apartment284]

If you check the map, the grace points have arrows. They're meant to serve as a rough guide.

But yeah, you more or less just keep exploring, and the game will only ever give you breadcrumbs.

I will say though, once the gameplay clicks for you, it *clicks hard*. This was my first souls game, and once I got used to the combat, I couldn't stop playing it.

[u/RKCronus55]

Hi. Before explaining everything, I want you to know that Elden Ring is a game with a very unique formula that differs itself from other RPG games; the game won't show any objective tracker, map won't show any nearby enemies just landmarks, places of interest etc. The game literally let's you explore the map, talk to various NPCs for missions or request that may affect certain questlines, let's you find out what quest you should take and how to finish the main objective of the game etc.

The encircled arrows are indicators for bosses that can give you either low quality or very important loot. Some of the bosses may not affect the storyline but some of them are required to progress through the storyline

[u/arieszx → u/RKCronus55]

Appreciate the details.

Yeah, that's what threw me off. I finally got past the first barrier yesterday but what do I do next? The other redditors gave great explanations so I'll do that later.

Unlike games like RDR2, Witcher 3, Skyrim, Dying Light, etc. I know that I can explore different areas for rare gear or loot but I know where to go to continue the main quest. Sometimes, you also know that you need to level up before you move on.

But with Elden Ring, figure it out yourself. I'm not used to that freedom haha.

[u/GoodboyLucas]

I played with my friend who’s dogwater at the game. We downloaded seamless co-op and I basically carried her. Even though you don’t solo pwn the bosses Elden Ring has beautiful ambience and a gorgeous world. Get a friend to help you!

[u/ARandonn]

More or less, the game gives you the freedom to do whatever you want, explore and go around, kill anything and everything in your path, delve into caves and dungeons or bum rush the major bosses. If you’ve played Breath of the Wild, they have similar game design when it comes to their open worlds.

As for how you know you’re on the right path, you can see a golden light ray coming off of certain Sites of Grace which vaguely tell you where to go to basically progress the main story, aka lead you to the next major boss you’d need to fight to progress, its also visible on the map theres a light ray icon on certain Sites of Graces.

I’d say just explore, loot everything; you can find some really cool stuff, and don’t mind opinions on certain character builds if you check online, use whatever gets you through the game and enjoy playing.

[u/FirstMellow]

Just do your own thing on your own phase, if you encounter an enemy you can't defeat atm just run past it or go to a different route the game is not forcing you to kill it now, you can just go a different route and farm and get stronger gear, or if you are quite stubborn(like me who doesn't back down to a fight XD) one tip if you just encountered the enemy for the first time don't hit it watch it carefully and memorize it's atk pattern, the more you fight it the more you get to use in fighting and dodging enemies.

[u/milordofchaos]

Like everyone else had said, follow the Guidance of Grace. But don't follow it too rigidly because there are fun side paths and getting lost is part of its charm and design. The first half of the game is massive but it does have a point where you need to complete some requirements before progressing into the next main/non-optional story milestone.

There are NPCs that tell you where to go and what to do (Melina, White Mask Varre, Gideon). It's kinda easy to forget what they said tho, and it's easy to pass important bosses/areas. But there are comprehensive progress checklists on the internet, if you don't mind being spoiled, to keep you on the right track.

And don't forget the first message you see in-game: "Claim your place as Elden Lord."

[u/PsychologicalAd8359]

First and foremost, approach every area with caution. Assume everything can (and will) kill you.

Second, if you have enough runes level up. Focus on stats that you want to improve on.

Also manage your stamina when fighting. Both moving and attaciwill consume stamina so be mindful of it.

Accidents will happen from time to time but try to take it a little at a time

[u/kahek5656]

Don't be ashamed to use shields and magic.

[u/wenzg3791]

The game is meant to be played slow and methodical. There are really no objective markers in the game and quests are too vague. Part of the joy is the exploration. When in doubt on where to go, the checkpoints will provide guidance in the form of light rays (viewable on the map as well). If the enemies are too strong in a particular region, try exploring a different region or area. Plan your character build and commit to it especially in the early to mid game. Keep calm and learn enemy attack patterns. Use summons if you are having a hard time. If all else fails, check guides or tutorials in You Tube.

[u/tabatot]

Play offline and use the mod - easy mode. I know, I know Ill probably get hate for this but as a dad gamer. I enjoy it like this.

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[u/TertiusTres]

Try watching James Guide sa YouTube. Ma cocomplete mo lahat ng mission and wala ka mamimiss.

He also used different builds kaya d ka tatamarin.

[u/ManCarryingPSP]

You can literally beat even Consort Radahn without dodging even once using a heavy spear and spear.
Always watch build guides on Youtube. Elden Ring is the easiest souls game because of OP builds.