Skip to content
logo The magazine for digital lifestyle and entertainment
Computer Evergreener GameZone PlayStation Video games Xbox All topics
Techbook GameZone

3 Essential Beginner Tips for Elden Ring to Combat Early Frustration

Malenia in "Elden Ring"
The battle against Malenia in the main game of "Elden Ring" is the toughest of all—and thankfully, it's optional. Photo: picture alliance / TT NYHETSBYRÅN | Bandai Namco/TT
Share article

August 17, 2025, 6:52 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Though “Elden Ring” is already three years old, the massive open-world game continues to attract new fans, thanks in part to the new multiplayer title “Elden Ring: Nightreign.”

Anyone discovering the base game now will face a vast world full of challenges. That’s why we offer three beginner tips for “Elden Ring” in our TECHBOOK GameZone, so you don’t get lost right from the start or toss the controller aside in frustration.

Try All Paths in “Elden Ring”—Except the Right One

New players in “Elden Ring” might initially feel overwhelmed by the vast game world. The Lands Between are expansive, with numerous monuments and intriguing locations visible in the distance, just waiting to be explored. To prevent losing sight of the main goal, the game provides a rough direction at the save points early on.

However, don’t make the mistake of strictly following this path and rushing through the required route. While you shouldn’t completely ignore it, allow yourself the freedom to explore. If you think you need to head to point A, feel free to take a detour to point B first—that’s the central “Elden Ring” beginner tip. You’ll be surprised by the many secrets (and dangers!) that await, which are worth discovering. Often, you’ll find useful items and powerful weapons—but also formidable adversaries.

Entire areas can only be found off the main path. Those who are curious will experience the true “Elden Ring” feeling.

More on the topic

Don’t Forget the Horse

One of the major innovations compared to the spiritual predecessors of the “Dark Souls” series is the new mode of transportation—the horse. You acquire it fairly early in the game, and players can summon it almost anytime in the open world. This is crucial, as it allows for faster movement and access to certain areas that are easier or even exclusively reachable by horse.

Also interesting: The 5 Best Open-World Games for Extensive Exploration

Don’t forget to use the horse in combat. If you encounter a particularly tough opponent or a group of enemies in the open world, you can quickly escape. You can maintain distance, then swiftly ride in, land a few hits, and retreat from danger. Unfortunately, the horse isn’t always available. However, FromSoftware added it in perhaps the game’s most important battle—against the final boss.

Be Patient and Learn

Speaking of combat: “Elden Ring” is quite a tough nut to crack. Those without extensive video game experience might face moments of frustration. In such cases, don’t despair. The high difficulty level is meant to present all players with the same challenges to overcome. Once you succeed, the joy is even greater—and that’s one of the main appeals of this type of game.

Also interesting: One of the Most Successful Video Games of All Time Is Being Made into a Movie

To achieve success, you’ll likely face some defeats. It’s important to proceed methodically and stay alert. How does the enemy move, and what attacks are in their repertoire? Is it enough to roll through, or should you jump over? Tactical approaches ensure survival—simply attacking blindly will lead to a quick virtual demise.

With patience and discipline, everyone can reach their goal. It’s enough to land one or two hits and then retreat. You should also manage your healing potions wisely and choose the right moment to use them. Should you attack or heal? Decisions like these must be made in real time. And if all else fails, there’s always the online multiplayer mode for assistance. Those who follow these “Elden Ring” beginner tips will lay a solid foundation for success.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.

You have successfully withdrawn your consent to the processing of personal data through tracking and advertising when using this website. You can now consent to data processing again or object to legitimate interests.