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When can you go to Leyndell in Elden Ring?

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When Can You Go to Leyndell in Elden Ring? A Tarnished Traveler’s Guide

The gilded city of Leyndell, Royal Capital, stands as a pivotal point in your journey across the Lands Between in Elden Ring. Reaching its imposing gates signals a significant leap forward in the game’s narrative and challenges. So, when can you actually breach its walls? The primary requirement is the acquisition of at least two Great Runes from defeated Shardbearers and, crucially, the activation of those Great Runes at their respective Divine Towers. Only then will the path to Leyndell open.

This article will guide you through the process of gaining access to Leyndell, exploring alternative routes, and answering frequently asked questions to equip you for your inevitable clash with the capital’s guardians. Prepare yourself, Tarnished, for the trials that await!

Gaining Access to Leyndell the Traditional Way

The ‘traditional’ route to Leyndell involves conquering two of the major Shardbearer bosses and activating their Great Runes. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Defeat Two Shardbearers: Several Shardbearers hold Great Runes, including Godrick the Grafted in Stormveil Castle, Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon at the Academy of Raya Lucaria, Starscourge Radahn in Caelid, and Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, at Volcano Manor. Godrick and Rennala are often considered the most accessible early on.

  • Activate the Great Runes: Acquiring a Great Rune is only half the battle. To activate it, you must venture to the corresponding Divine Tower.

    • Godrick’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of Limgrave (accessible from Stormveil Castle).
    • Rennala’s Great Rune: Requires no activation, but the Remembrance of the Full Moon Queen must be converted into its power at the Roundtable Hold with Enia.
    • Radahn’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of Caelid.
    • Rykard’s Great Rune: Divine Tower of West Altus.

  • Head to the Capital Rampart: Once you have two Great Runes activated (or in the case of Rennala, her Remembrance properly used), travel to the Capital Rampart Site of Grace just outside Leyndell’s entrance. The formerly blocked path to the capital will now be open, with a grand door awaiting your arrival.

An Early Teleportation Trick: The Tower of Return

While the Great Rune method is the intended progression path, there is a way to briefly teleport into Leyndell much earlier in the game. However, be warned, this is more of a glimpse than a full-blown early access.

  • Locate the Tower of Return: This tower is located in the Weeping Peninsula, south of Limgrave.

  • Climb the Tower: Navigate your way to the top of the tower.

  • Open the Chest: At the summit, you’ll find a chest. Opening it will trigger a teleportation trap.

  • Brief Leyndell Visit: The chest will teleport you to a location within Leyndell. Be warned, though, that the enemies here are incredibly powerful, especially at a low level. This is essentially a “peek” at what awaits you, as you will be unable to progress far and will need to find a Site of Grace to teleport out.

The Deeproot Depths Route: A Lengthy Alternative

An alternate pathway to Leyndell, albeit a more time-consuming one, involves navigating the Deeproot Depths. This route is intertwined with Fia’s questline.

  • Progress Fia’s Questline: Embark on Fia’s questline at the Roundtable Hold. This will eventually lead you to the Deeproot Depths.

  • Explore Deeproot Depths: Within Deeproot Depths, locate a coffin. Interacting with this coffin will transport you to an area near Leyndell. Be aware that this path also requires you to possess a minimum of two Great Runes.

Essential Preparations Before Entering Leyndell

Entering Leyndell is a significant step, so prepare yourself. Here are some suggestions:

  • Level Up: Aim for a level between 80 and 100 before venturing into the capital.

  • Upgrade Your Weapon: Ensure your primary weapon is at least +15, or higher if possible.

  • Gather Resources: Stock up on healing items, FP recovery items, and any consumables that provide buffs or resistances.

  • Explore Previous Areas: Complete any side quests or dungeons you may have missed in Limgrave, Liurnia, Caelid, and Altus Plateau.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on accessing Leyndell, Royal Capital:

1. Do I really need to activate two Great Runes to enter Leyndell?

Yes, the game specifically requires you to activate two Great Runes (or in the case of Rennala, to hold her Remembrance and gain its power) to unlock the main entrance to Leyndell.

2. Can I enter Leyndell before defeating Radahn?

Yes, Radahn is an optional boss. You can enter Leyndell after acquiring and activating two other Great Runes.

3. Is the Tree Sentinel guarding the entrance mandatory to defeat?

No, the Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the main entrance is optional. You can bypass him by using the Deeproot Depths route, though that is a significantly longer path.

4. What happens if I use the Tower of Return teleport early?

You’ll be teleported into Leyndell but will likely be overwhelmed by the high-level enemies. It’s more of a preview of what’s to come rather than a viable early-game strategy.

5. Which Great Runes are easiest to obtain and activate?

Godrick’s Great Rune is generally considered the easiest to acquire and activate, as it’s obtained early in the game and its Divine Tower is relatively straightforward to reach from Stormveil Castle. Rennala’s is also easy to acquire and does not require a Divine Tower visit to ‘activate’ its power.

6. What level should I be before entering Leyndell?

While skill trumps level, a level between 80 and 100 is generally recommended for a more manageable experience in Leyndell.

7. Does the game end in Leyndell?

No, Leyndell is not the final area, although it marks a pivotal shift in the game’s progression. There are subsequent areas to explore after Leyndell, including the Mountaintops of the Giants and more. The end is in Leyndell, Ashen Capital.

8. Where can I find the map of Leyndell?

The Capital Outskirts Map Fragment is located right after the southern capital gate, past the two Tree Sentinels. The Map Stele can be seen next to the Outer Wall Phantom Tree Site of Grace on the main road leading to Leyndell, Royal Capital.

9. Can I go to Volcano Manor before Leyndell?

Yes, you can explore and even complete much of Volcano Manor before Leyndell. However, some of the assassination requests from Volcano Manor require access to areas beyond Leyndell.

10. Is the Roundtable Hold located in Leyndell?

Yes, there is indeed a Roundtable Hold within Leyndell. This is not the hub you frequently return to, but its location is lore-significant.

11. What bosses can I expect to face in Leyndell?

Expect challenging encounters with bosses like Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade), Morgott, the Omen King, and potentially more depending on your exploration.

12. Do I need to defeat all Shardbearers to beat Elden Ring?

No, you only need to defeat two Shardbearers and acquire/activate their Great Runes to progress the main story.

13. Is it worth fighting the Tree Sentinel outside Leyndell?

Defeating the Draconic Tree Sentinel grants you a significant number of Runes and the Golden Halberd, a powerful weapon. However, it’s an optional fight, and you can bypass him if you prefer.

14. Can I teleport directly into Leyndell after acquiring two Great Runes?

No, there isn’t a direct teleportation point that unlocks after acquiring the Great Runes. You still need to physically travel to the Capital Rampart Site of Grace and find the newly opened entrance.

15. What’s the order I should fight the bosses in Elden Ring?

While the world of Elden Ring is open, a good order would be: Margit, Godrick, Rennala, Radahn, Rykard, Godfrey, and Morgott.

Final Thoughts

Gaining access to Leyndell, Royal Capital, is a momentous occasion in Elden Ring. Whether you choose the traditional path of acquiring and activating two Great Runes or attempt the early-game teleportation trick, understanding the requirements and preparations is crucial. Remember to level up, upgrade your gear, and explore the world thoroughly before venturing into the capital’s gilded streets. Good luck, Tarnished! May your journey be filled with triumph, and may you one day claim the title of Elden Lord.

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