Is Stormveil Castle Optional in Elden Ring? A Tarnished Traveler’s Guide
Yes, Stormveil Castle is indeed optional in Elden Ring. While it serves as a natural progression point for most players, the game’s open-world design allows you to bypass it entirely and explore other regions. This opens up a world of possibilities for different builds, strategies, and playthrough experiences. Understanding when and why you might choose to skip or tackle Stormveil is key to mastering the Lands Between.
The Allure of Stormveil Castle: Rewards and Challenges
Stormveil Castle is the first major legacy dungeon players typically encounter after the tutorial area of Limgrave. It’s a sprawling, intricate fortress packed with enemies, secrets, and valuable items. Navigating its treacherous paths and defeating its powerful bosses, Margit, the Fell Omen, and Godrick the Grafted, are significant milestones in any Tarnished’s journey.
Rewards Within the Walls
- Essential Items: Stormveil houses various weapons, armor, and talismans that significantly enhance your character’s abilities. Many of these items are specifically tailored for early-game builds and can provide a substantial advantage. The Elden Ring Armor, obtainable within its depths, is highly sought after.
- Rune Acquisition: The castle is teeming with enemies, providing ample opportunities to farm Runes for leveling up and purchasing essential items from merchants. Mastering Rune farming techniques within Stormveil can dramatically accelerate your character’s progression.
- Story Progression: Defeating Godrick the Grafted is a major step in advancing the main storyline, granting you access to the next major region, Liurnia of the Lakes. Bypassing Stormveil means finding alternative routes to progress the narrative.
- Boss Souls: Defeating both Margit and Godrick will give you their remembrance which can give you a plethora of souls or give you the option of having special weapons or spells.
- Hidden Secrets: Deep under the defenses of Stormveil Castle is a secret crypt that houses the Ulcerated Tree Spirit. This boss battle will reward you with a Golden Seed, which is a valuable resource needed for upgrading flasks.
Challenges Faced
- Formidable Enemies: Stormveil is populated by a variety of challenging enemies, including the Stormhawks, Exile Soldiers, and powerful knights. Successfully navigating these encounters requires careful planning and execution.
- Margit, the Fell Omen: Margit serves as a gatekeeper to the castle and presents a significant challenge for new players. His aggressive attacks and unpredictable patterns demand precise timing and strategic thinking.
- Godrick the Grafted: As the final boss of Stormveil, Godrick is a multi-phase encounter that tests your combat prowess. His wide range of attacks and unpredictable behavior require careful planning and strategic execution.
- Complex Layout: The castle’s intricate design and labyrinthine corridors can be disorienting for new players. Successfully navigating its treacherous paths requires patience, exploration, and a keen eye for detail.
The Path Less Traveled: Skipping Stormveil Castle
While Stormveil is designed as a core experience, Elden Ring allows for flexibility. By utilizing a specific route, players can bypass the castle and venture directly into Liurnia.
How to Skip Stormveil
The most common method involves taking a path along the cliffside to the east of Stormveil Castle. This winding route avoids both Margit and the main gate, allowing you to enter Liurnia without confronting Godrick. Be warned, this path still presents its own set of challenges.
Reasons to Consider Skipping
- Early Access to Liurnia: Skipping Stormveil grants immediate access to Liurnia, a region with different enemies, resources, and story elements. This can be beneficial for players seeking specific items or challenges.
- Alternative Builds: Some builds may find it easier to acquire specific weapons or spells in Liurnia before tackling Stormveil. This allows for a more tailored approach to character development.
- Increased Difficulty: Players who find Stormveil too challenging early on can level up in other regions before returning with improved stats and equipment. This can make the castle more manageable.
- New Game Plus (NG+): In subsequent playthroughs, players may choose to skip Stormveil to experience different regions or focus on specific objectives. This can add variety and replayability to the game.
Making the Decision: To Conquer or to Circumvent?
Ultimately, the decision to tackle or skip Stormveil depends on your personal preferences and playstyle. New players may benefit from the experience and rewards offered within the castle, while seasoned veterans may prefer the freedom and flexibility of bypassing it entirely. Consider your build, your comfort level with the game’s mechanics, and your desired progression path when making this choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Stormveil Castle
1. What level should I be before attempting Stormveil Castle?
A good level to fight Margit is around level 25. For Godrick, aim for around level 30-35. However, skill plays a major role, and some players have defeated them at lower levels.
2. Can I return to Stormveil Castle after completing it?
Yes, you can freely return to Stormveil Castle at any time after defeating Godrick. The castle remains accessible, allowing you to explore missed areas, collect remaining items, or simply revisit the location.
3. Are there any missable items in Stormveil Castle?
While most items can be obtained at any time, some NPC questlines are tied to the castle’s progression. Missing certain interactions or making specific choices can impact the outcome of these quests.
4. Is it possible to summon help for the Stormveil Castle bosses?
Yes, you can summon other players to assist you in battling both Margit and Godrick. Look for summoning pools near the boss arenas or use Furlcalling Finger Remedies to reveal summon signs.
5. What are the best weapons to use against Margit and Godrick?
Weapons that deal physical and fire damage are effective against both bosses. Consider using upgraded weapons and applying weapon buffs like fire grease to maximize your damage output.
6. Can I respec my character after completing Stormveil Castle?
Yes, you can respec your character’s stats by defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon in Liurnia and using a Larval Tear. This allows you to reallocate your attributes and experiment with different builds.
7. Are there any shortcuts within Stormveil Castle?
Yes, Stormveil Castle has several shortcuts that can help you bypass difficult sections or reach previously inaccessible areas. Exploring thoroughly and paying attention to your surroundings is key to discovering these shortcuts.
8. What is the significance of the holes in Stormveil Castle’s walls?
The holes are believed to be a result of Death Blight, a powerful force associated with Godwyn the Golden. The castle’s decaying state reflects the corruption and rot that permeates the Lands Between.
9. How does skipping Stormveil Castle affect the story?
Skipping Stormveil doesn’t drastically alter the main story, but it changes the order in which you encounter certain characters and events. You’ll still need to defeat a certain number of shardbearers to progress.
10. What is the recommended level cap for PvP in Elden Ring?
The “meta level” for PvP duels in Elden Ring is considered around level 125-150. Staying within this range ensures optimal matchmaking and balanced gameplay.
11. Can I max out all my stats in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can eventually reach level 713, which is the maximum level and allows you to max out all your stats to 99. This requires an immense amount of Rune farming and multiple playthroughs.
12. What happens if I die repeatedly in Stormveil Castle?
Dying in Elden Ring results in a loss of Runes, but you can retrieve them by returning to the spot where you died. Repeated deaths can be frustrating, but they are a natural part of the learning process.
13. Is there a way to make Margit easier to fight?
You can acquire Margit’s Shackle from Patches, a merchant you can find throughout the Lands Between. This item temporarily restrains Margit, giving you a brief window to inflict damage. Additionally, summoning Sorcerer Rogier to help will make the battle easier.
14. What is the purpose of Golden Seeds in Elden Ring?
Golden Seeds are used to increase the number of flasks you can carry, providing additional healing and FP regeneration. These seeds are essential for surviving the challenging encounters in Elden Ring.
15. Does leveling up actually matter in Elden Ring?
Yes, leveling up significantly impacts your character’s stats and abilities. Increasing your vigor, strength, dexterity, and other attributes makes you more resilient, deals more damage, and unlocks new weapon and armor options. While skill is paramount, levels provide a tangible advantage.
Elden Ring offers a unique blend of exploration, combat, and storytelling. Whether you choose to brave Stormveil Castle or forge your own path, the Lands Between await your arrival. Understanding the nuances of the game’s design will ultimately enhance your experience and lead you to become the Elden Lord. Consider further exploration of game-based learning at the Games Learning Society; visit GamesLearningSociety.org for resources.