Should I Use Golden Seed Elden Ring Right Away?

The answer is generally yes, use your Golden Seeds right away, but with a crucial caveat: use them to increase your Flasks of Crimson Tears (healing flasks) first. While the allure of more Cerulean Tears (FP flasks) might be strong for magic users, survivability is paramount in the early game, and extra healing is almost always the superior choice.

Why Prioritize Crimson Tears?

Elden Ring is notorious for its punishing difficulty, especially in the starting areas. Enemies hit hard, and bosses are relentless. Having more opportunities to heal allows you to:

• Learn enemy attack patterns: Dying repeatedly is frustrating. More healing lets you survive longer, allowing you to observe enemy movements and timings.
• Explore more freely: The Lands Between are vast and dangerous. With increased healing, you can venture further from Sites of Grace, discover hidden locations, and take on challenging encounters without constantly fearing death.
• Increase your margin for error: Everyone makes mistakes. An extra flask can be the difference between a triumphant victory and a frustrating defeat.
• Adapt to different playstyles: Even if you’re primarily a mage, having a solid foundation of health will let you tank hits when necessary, opening up tactical options.

When Might Cerulean Tears Be Justified?

While Crimson Tears are generally the best early investment, there are niche scenarios where prioritizing Cerulean Tears can be viable:

• Dedicated Magic Users: If you’re completely reliant on spells and have mastered mana management techniques like conserving FP, then a slight boost to your Cerulean Tears might be beneficial. However, even in this case, don’t neglect your healing flasks entirely.
• Specific Builds: Some builds, such as pure sorcery builds reliant on casting powerful spells in quick succession, might see a short-term advantage from the increased FP.
• Late Game Considerations: As you progress and gain access to more powerful spells and equipment that reduces FP cost, the balance between Crimson and Cerulean Tears might shift. This is a decision to be made later in the game, not at the beginning.

How to Use Golden Seeds

Using a Golden Seed is incredibly simple:

1. Rest at a Site of Grace: Locate and rest at any Site of Grace in the game. These are your checkpoints and fast travel locations.
2. Select “Flasks”: In the Site of Grace menu, choose the “Flasks” option.
3. Choose “Add Flask”: Select the “Add Flask” option. The game will automatically consume a Golden Seed and increase the number of flasks you can carry.

Understanding Flask Upgrade Requirements

The number of Golden Seeds required to increase your flask capacity increases as you add more flasks:

• Flasks 1-4: Require 1 Golden Seed per flask.
• Flasks 5-8: Require 2 Golden Seeds per flask.
• Flasks 9-12: Require 3 Golden Seeds per flask.
• Flasks 13-14: Require 4 Golden Seeds per flask.

This scaling means it’s most efficient to invest your early Golden Seeds in getting to at least 4 Crimson Tears before considering other options.

Location of Early Golden Seeds

Golden Seeds aren’t exactly common, but there are several that can be found relatively early in the game:

• Limgrave (Starting Area): Explore the Gatefront Ruins, Stormfoot Catacombs, and the areas around the Church of Elleh. You can find Golden Seeds guarded by Erdtree Avatars, as well as in specific locations.
• Weeping Peninsula: After crossing the Bridge of Sacrifice, you’ll enter the Weeping Peninsula. Search around Castle Morne Rampart and other key locations in the area.
• Stormveil Castle: This challenging early-game dungeon contains multiple Golden Seeds for diligent explorers.

Finding Flask Upgrades

In addition to Golden Seeds, Sacred Tears are crucial for improving the potency of your flasks. Sacred Tears are found at Churches throughout the Lands Between. These increase the amount of HP and FP restored by each flask. It’s recommended to prioritize these upgrades as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are Golden Seeds used for in Elden Ring?

Golden Seeds are used to permanently increase the number of flasks you can carry, either Flasks of Crimson Tears (healing) or Flasks of Cerulean Tears (FP).

2. Where can I find Golden Seeds early in Elden Ring?

Look in Limgrave, Weeping Peninsula, and within Stormveil Castle. Explore thoroughly, as they are often guarded or hidden.

3. How do I use a Golden Seed?

Rest at a Site of Grace, select “Flasks,” and then “Add Flask.” The game will automatically consume a Golden Seed.

4. Should I always prioritize Flasks of Crimson Tears?

Generally, yes, especially early on. Survivability is crucial. However, dedicated magic users might consider a few Cerulean Tears depending on their build.

5. Does the number of Golden Seeds needed increase as I get more flasks?

Yes. It requires more Golden Seeds to add a flask as you have more. Upgrade your flasks early when it is cheaper.

6. Are there other ways to improve my flasks besides Golden Seeds?

Yes. Sacred Tears, found at Churches, improve the potency of your flasks (increasing the amount of HP/FP restored).

7. Can I respec my flasks later in the game?

Yes, you can redistribute your flask allocations at any Site of Grace after finding specific items and progressing through the story.

8. What is the maximum number of flasks I can have in Elden Ring?

You can have a maximum of 14 flasks in Elden Ring.

9. Is it possible to miss out on Golden Seeds permanently?

No, as you progress through the game you will be able to get them.

10. Can I trade Golden Seeds with other players?

No, Golden Seeds cannot be traded. They are account-bound.

11. What’s the best strategy for allocating my flasks early on?

A good starting point is 4 Crimson Tears. Then, adjust as needed based on your playstyle and build.

12. How do I know when an Erdtree Avatar is guarding a Golden Seed?

Erdtree Avatars are large, imposing enemies found near Minor Erdtrees. Defeating them usually rewards you with a Golden Seed.

13. Are Golden Seeds affected by New Game Plus (NG+)?

Yes, Golden Seeds you’ve found in previous playthroughs carry over into NG+.

14. Do Golden Seeds respawn?

No, Golden Seeds do not respawn after being collected.

15. Besides finding them in the world, is there any other way to acquire Golden Seeds?

Besides finding them, sometimes specific NPCs will award you a Golden Seed for completing a quest or dialogue trigger.

By strategically using your Golden Seeds to enhance your Flasks of Crimson Tears, you’ll significantly increase your survivability and enjoyment of Elden Ring’s challenging yet rewarding world. Good luck, Tarnished!