How to Play Elden Ring Easier: A Comprehensive Guide
Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed action RPG from FromSoftware, is notorious for its difficulty. While this challenge is a core part of its appeal, it can also be a significant barrier for some players. The good news is that while Elden Ring doesn’t have a traditional “easy mode,” there are numerous strategies and techniques you can employ to make your journey through the Lands Between less grueling.
The key to making Elden Ring easier lies in understanding the game’s mechanics and utilizing its flexible systems to your advantage. It’s not about cheating or diminishing the experience; it’s about playing smarter, not harder. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of how to soften the harsh edges of the game without sacrificing its core essence.
Core Strategies for a Smoother Elden Ring Experience
1. Embrace Exploration and Leveling Up
Perhaps the most fundamental way to ease the difficulty is through thorough exploration and consistent leveling. The open world of Elden Ring encourages venturing off the beaten path. Discovering new areas, defeating mini-bosses, and uncovering hidden dungeons yields valuable runes (the game’s currency) and items. Leveling up your Vigor (health) is particularly crucial for survivability, especially in the early game. Don’t hesitate to backtrack to spend runes as they can be easily lost upon death.
2. Optimize Your Build
Elden Ring offers incredible freedom in character customization. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different builds. Focusing on a single stat, such as strength for melee or intelligence for magic, can significantly enhance your damage output. Optimizing your build to your playstyle is key to overcoming tough enemies.
3. Leverage Ashes of War and Spirit Summons
Ashes of War, which can be attached to weapons to grant new skills, and Spirit Summons, which allow you to call in AI companions, are powerful tools that can dramatically shift the odds in your favor. Use Ashes of War strategically to exploit enemy weaknesses. Spirit Summons can distract bosses, giving you valuable openings to attack.
4. Master Guard Counters and Parrying
Guard counters (attacking immediately after blocking an enemy attack) and parrying (deflecting an attack with perfect timing) are powerful defensive maneuvers that can quickly turn the tide of battle. Practice these techniques to reduce your reliance on dodging alone.
5. Utilize a Shield
A good shield is invaluable, especially for beginners. Shields not only block damage, but they also give you breathing room to assess an enemy’s moves. Experiment with different shields to find one that suits your playstyle, focusing on ones with high damage negation.
6. Choose an Appropriate Starting Class
Selecting the right starting class can be critical, especially for beginners. The Vagabond is a solid choice for melee builds, offering a good balance of stats and armor. The Astrologer is excellent for those who want to focus on magic, while the Prisoner offers a balanced hybrid approach. Avoid the Wretch for your first playthrough as it provides the hardest start.
7. Take Advantage of the Open World
If a particular area is proving too challenging, don’t be afraid to explore other regions and come back later. The open world design of Elden Ring allows you to power up your character before tackling difficult encounters. The Lands Between are full of optional areas that can provide you with valuable items and experience, making later sections of the game feel more manageable.
8. Don’t Shy Away from Magic
Magic in Elden Ring can be incredibly powerful and can often trivialize certain encounters. A magic-focused build allows you to attack from a distance, mitigating some of the dangers of close-quarters combat. Consider dabbling in sorceries or incantations if melee is proving difficult.
9. Use Better Armor
While Elden Ring does not have traditional ‘armor’ in the sense of ‘tank’ builds being the absolute best, it definitely matters what you have on. The heavier the armor, the better the defense. Upgrading your armor will also make you more resistant to damage. Balancing weight for maintaining mobility while still achieving good defense is also important, with a focus on maintaining a medium or light equip load to ensure efficient rolling.
10. Embrace the Community
The Elden Ring community is incredibly active and helpful. Use online resources, forums, and guides to learn more about the game’s mechanics and find strategies for specific bosses or areas. Watching gameplay videos can also provide insight into how others have tackled difficult challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Elden Ring too hard for casual gamers?
Yes, Elden Ring can be challenging for casual gamers, but it’s not insurmountable. With patience, exploration, and smart utilization of game mechanics, even those unfamiliar with FromSoftware games can succeed and enjoy the experience.
2. Why is Elden Ring considered so difficult?
Elden Ring is known for its unforgiving nature. Even minor enemies can pose a threat, and bosses are incredibly challenging, requiring players to learn their attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses.
3. What is the easiest class to play in Elden Ring for beginners?
The Vagabond is often recommended for melee players, the Astrologer is best for magic users, and the Prisoner provides a balanced hybrid option for newcomers.
4. How do I get better at Elden Ring as a beginner?
Start by picking a suitable class, explore thoroughly, learn to use Sites of Grace to your advantage, and prioritize leveling up Vigor. Don’t be afraid to retreat from difficult areas to explore others and level up.
5. Is there an easy mode in Elden Ring?
No, Elden Ring doesn’t have a traditional “easy mode.” However, many of the tips provided here allow you to effectively create an easier gameplay experience by understanding and utilizing the game’s systems.
6. Should I fight the Tree Sentinel at the beginning of the game?
It’s generally recommended to avoid fighting the Tree Sentinel early on as it is designed to be a tough early-game challenge. Explore other areas, level up, and come back later when you are stronger.
7. Does Elden Ring get easier as you progress?
Yes, Elden Ring can become significantly easier as you progress and power up your character through leveling, upgrading weapons, and acquiring new spells and skills.
8. Can beginners enjoy Elden Ring?
Absolutely! While it has a learning curve, Elden Ring is ultimately rewarding for beginners. Patience, exploration, and a willingness to learn from mistakes are key to enjoying the game.
9. What is the most difficult class to play in Elden Ring?
The Wretch is by far the most challenging class to play in Elden Ring, offering the most minimalist start and making the game’s beginning extremely difficult.
10. How can I keep Elden Ring challenging if it becomes too easy?
To make the game more challenging, try going against the meta, playing through with specific builds only (such as magic or no summons) or attempting a no death run. Some players even try not using runes.
11. Is Elden Ring the hardest game ever?
While it’s one of the more challenging games, it isn’t necessarily the hardest ever made. Its open-world design and the ability to explore alternative areas makes it comparatively less frustrating than other titles from FromSoftware.
12. Can a “bad” player enjoy Elden Ring?
Yes. Elden Ring’s open world and numerous options for progression mean that even less skilled players can enjoy the game by exploring, grinding, and optimizing their character.
13. How long does it take a beginner to beat Elden Ring?
A beginner might take 50-70 hours to complete the main campaign of Elden Ring, with time extending if they explore extensively and get caught in other side stories and side quests.
14. What level is overpowered in Elden Ring?
While there is no exact number for feeling ‘overpowered’ it is generally recommended that players stop leveling at around level 125-150 due to the meta level for player versus player (PvP) matches being around that range.
15. Is it OK to run past enemies in Elden Ring?
Yes, it is completely okay to run past most enemies. The open world design encourages you to explore and avoid unnecessary combat. Many players use this method to speed up exploration, especially when back-tracking or getting to familiar locations.
By incorporating these strategies and understanding the game’s mechanics, anyone can navigate the challenges of Elden Ring and find a more manageable, ultimately rewarding experience. The Lands Between await!