Vigor
The early guide identifies Vigor as a way to increase maximum HP. It does not prescribe a universal target value for every build.
Lands Between manuscriptAll game sections →
THE LANDS BETWEEN · FIELD GUIDE
ELDEN RING
A field guide you can read, see and use.
Thirteen illustrated chapters connect the opening route with practical combat, exploration, character systems and edition boundaries. Official screenshots, original diagrams and two publisher-linked videos accompany the text. Source dates are retained: foundational 2021–2022 guides are separated from the 2026 edition and patch announcements. This is a beginner-and-reference guide, not an exhaustive quest, item or boss wiki.
- Developer
- FromSoftware, Inc.
- Base release
- 2022-02-25
- Platforms
- PC · PS5 / PS4 · Xbox Series / One
- Sources checked
- 2026-10-09
Base-game fundamentals + dated 2026 edition/patch sources
First steps: tutorial, Melina and Torrent
A practical opening checklist. These are milestones, not a timed route or a promise that one specific Grace site triggers Melina.
- 01Enter the Cave of Knowledge
In Stranded Graveyard, find the seated ghost beside the drop on your right. The lower passage is the tutorial; take its lessons before leaving for the open world.
- 02Keep the lessons available
Open the inventory, go to Info, select a completed tutorial message, then use the examine prompt shown by your game to reread it. The publisher's 2022 screenshot uses About Guidance of Grace as an example; it does not establish a universal PC hotkey.
- 03Rest, then accept Melina's accord
Discover and rest at Sites of Grace. Accepting Melina's offer unlocks leveling and gives the Spectral Steed Whistle. The official early tips do not specify an exact required number of Grace sites.
- 04Prepare before taking on the gatekeeper
Use the whistle to travel where mounted movement is permitted, spend runes when you can level, and strengthen a suitable weapon. The early tips explicitly allow returning to intimidating enemies later.
2022 early tips reread 2026-10-14; 2021 starter checked 2026-10-09 · Official early-game tips — 2 March 2022 · Official starter guide — 10 November 2021 · Early-game tips — 2 March 2022, independently reread
Combat controls: guard, counter and grip
Default console inputs from the official starter guide. Keyboard mappings and customized bindings should be checked in your own controller settings. A guard counter is not a parry.
| Action | Default input / sequence |
|---|---|
| Guard | Hold L1 / LB with a guarding weapon or shield. |
| Guard counter | After blocking an attack, immediately press R2 / RT. |
| Parry | L2 / LT when your equipped shield has the parry skill; this is a separate action. |
| Two-hand right weapon | Hold Triangle / Y, then R1 / RB or R2 / RT. |
| Two-hand left weapon | Hold Triangle / Y, then L1 / LB or L2 / LT. |
| Lock on / dodge | R3 locks on; Circle / B dodges. Two-handing prevents simultaneous use of the other hand's weapon. |
Base-game systems · official guides from 2021–2022, checked 2026-10-09 · Official starter guide — 10 November 2021 · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026
Grace and runes: recover, spend, return
Grace is your recovery hub, but resting also resets ordinary enemies. Protect accumulated runes by understanding the death-and-recovery loop.
01What does resting restore?
Resting replenishes HP, FP and flask uses. Previously defeated enemies generally return. Activate a discovered Grace with the interaction button so that it becomes a checkpoint.
02What happens to runes after death?
Your carried runes are left where you died. Recover them before another death: dying again without retrieving the previous drop loses that previous stock.
03What are runes used for?
Once leveling is unlocked, runes pay for stat increases. They also buy goods from merchants. The right choice depends on your current equipment and goals, not an assumed universal stat order.
04Why return to Grace?
It is also where you manage memorized spells. After obtaining a Torrent appearance from Tarnished Pack, the 1.17 notes say its appearance option becomes available at Grace.
Base-game systems · official guides from 2021–2022, checked 2026-10-09 · Torrent appearance option: patch 1.17 · Official starter guide — 10 November 2021 · Patch 1.17 — 27 August 2026
Exploration: map fragments and useful markers
The map becomes a working notebook as you explore. Its fragments reveal terrain; your markers record what to revisit.
- 01Look for the roadside monument
The early tips describe map fragments near stone monuments along roads. A faint monument symbol may appear in the undiscovered portion of your map.
- 02Expect exceptions underground
The guide notes exceptions: fragments in the Siofra River and Uhl Palace Ruins are found on bodies rather than using the normal roadside pattern.
- 03Mark a specific reason to return
Use markers for a merchant, cave, difficult opponent, cleared boss or unreachable treasure. Give the marker a purpose so it remains useful after the terrain is revealed.
- 04Separate travel from combat
The starter guide says the map cannot be opened during battle. Torrent is a travel tool in permitted areas, not a guarantee that every location or encounter allows riding.
Base-game systems · official guides from 2021–2022, checked 2026-10-09 · Official early-game tips — 2 March 2022 · Official starter guide — 10 November 2021
Progression: character stats and weapon upgrades
Leveling and weapon strengthening are separate systems. Check a weapon's requirements before deciding where your next runes should go.
Strength and Intelligence
Strength supports access to and performance with appropriate melee weapons; Intelligence is relevant to sorceries. Requirements matter: an attractive weapon is not automatically usable by your current character.
Church of Elleh
Its smithing table is an early weapon-strengthening stop. This is different from spending runes on character levels.
Roundtable Hold
Smithing Master Hewg provides weapon strengthening. The guide points to mines and caves for smithing stones, including Limgrave's mines.
Base-game systems · official guides from 2021–2022, checked 2026-10-09 · Official early-game tips — 2 March 2022
Starting classes: a beginning, not a fixed build
The ten base-game starting classes are Wretch, Confessor, Prisoner, Samurai, Prophet, Astrologer, Bandit, Hero, Warrior and Vagabond. Choose an initial direction; the official classes page says it is not a permanent limit.
Samurai
A katana-and-bow starting direction, also used as an example in the 2026 introduction. It can develop beyond its initial equipment.
Astrologer / Prophet
The official class descriptions distinguish sorcery and incantation origins. They are not interchangeable spell categories.
Mixed development
The 2026 guide explicitly allows a warrior who uses magic. Starting identity does not force a single later playstyle.
Additional classes
Heavy Knight and Idus Knight belong to Tarnished Pack, not the original ten-class selection. Check your edition or purchased pack before expecting them.
Base-game class roster + Tarnished Pack · sources checked 2026-10-09 · Official character classes · Tarnished Pack — 28 August 2026 · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026
Weapons, magic and skills: build a usable loadout
A weapon choice has several practical parts: where it comes from, what it requires, how it behaves and which skill or spell you intend to use.
- 01Choose by reach and handling
The newer guide contrasts greatswords, spears, hammers, bows and staves. Try a weapon that suits how you want to fight; this page does not claim a best-in-slot damage ranking.
- 02Obtain equipment through the world
The official introduction lists treasure chests, defeated enemies and merchants as equipment sources. It does not provide a complete item-location checklist.
- 03Prepare the correct spell tool
The starter guide distinguishes a staff for sorcery and a sacred seal for incantations. Memorize spells at Grace and check their requirements and FP cost.
- 04Read your weapon skill
The 2026 introduction gives Thunderbolt and Assassin's Gambit as skill examples with different purposes. The effect you need depends on the encounter, not just the weapon's appearance.
Base-game systems · official guides from 2021–2022, checked 2026-10-09 · 2026 introduction · Official starter guide — 10 November 2021 · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026
Spirit summons and online help
Spirit ashes and another human player are different forms of help. Do not treat offline summoning and online matchmaking as one system.
01How do I obtain the Spirit Calling Bell?
The early tips require the Spirit Calling Bell and ashes, and point to Renna at the Church of Elleh after obtaining the Spectral Steed Whistle for the first bell and ashes. For players invited to Roundtable Hold before that encounter, the guide gives the Roundtable merchant as the missed-encounter fallback. It does not specify a required night-time trigger or show the bell inventory panel in this scene.
02Why can I not summon a spirit here?
The starter guide ties spirit summoning to nearby rebirth monuments and the visible summon indicator. It limits you to one spirit type at a time and says spirits cannot be summoned during multiplayer.
03How do I see other players' summon signs?
The early tips use the Furlcalling Finger Remedy to reveal gold signs. They also point to Show Multiplayer Status on the map for active areas. Kalé's crafting kit supports crafting remedies.
04What is not established here?
Cross-platform matchmaking, exact regional restrictions and a complete connection-error fix are not verified by these guides. This is an official systems overview, not a live multiplayer compatibility test.
2022 early tips reread 2026-10-14; other cited guides retain their old dates · Official early-game tips — 2 March 2022 · Official starter guide — 10 November 2021 · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026 · Early-game tips — 2 March 2022, independently reread
Difficult encounters: prepare instead of repeating
A useful early encounter plan can be built from the publisher's tips without inventing boss attack timings or claiming a tested build.
Tree Sentinel
The early guide advises bypassing this intimidating opponent and returning after becoming stronger. Retreat is a valid progression choice.
Margit
The official tips identify Margit at Stormveil's entrance and describe Margit's Shackle, bought from the Murkwater Cave NPC shop, as a temporary binding tool.
Use available help
The early tips discuss spirits, NPC summons and player cooperation as separate options. Each depends on its own availability and system rules.
Read before committing
The 2026 introduction emphasizes observing movement, guard counters, parrying and stealth. This page does not provide frame data, an exhaustive moveset or a current-patch damage test.
Official early-encounter advice · not a boss-by-boss playtest · Official early-game tips — 2 March 2022 · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026
PC requirements: compare the published baseline
The publisher labels this as the launch-day specification. It is not a ray-tracing specification, a promise of frame rate or a benchmark for the expansion.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 10 / 11 |
| Processor | Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 3 3300X | Intel i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GTX 1060 3 GB / RX 580 4 GB | GTX 1070 8 GB / Radeon RX Vega 56 8 GB |
| DirectX | DirectX 12, feature level 12.0 | DirectX 12, feature level 12.0 |
| Storage | 60 GB available | 60 GB available |
Publisher's launch-day PC requirements · checked 2026-10-09 · Official product page — base game and PC specification
Editions and patch scope: buy the right content
The original game, Shadow of the Erdtree and Tarnished Pack are different products. A bundle name is not proof that it includes the base game.
01Base game and Shadow of the Erdtree
The original release date is 25 February 2022. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion requiring the base game. Its Shadow Edition bundle includes both; its Premium Bundle contains the expansion plus digital extras, not the base game.
02Tarnished Pack
The 28 August 2026 announcement lists two classes, four armor sets and three Torrent appearances. It is separately available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, and is included in the Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition.
03Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2
The current official guide says this edition includes the original game, Shadow of the Erdtree, the new armor and Torrent customization. Its listed date is 28 August 2026; this is not the original game's date.
04Patch 1.17 checked here
The 27 August 2026 notes cover the pack, new classes, equipment changes and fixes. Both App Ver. and Regulation Ver. are 1.17. Check the title screen; this guide does not assert that every later patch has been audited.
Separate base-game, expansion, pack and Switch 2 edition sources · checked 2026-10-09 · Official guide index — base-game release · Patch 1.17 — 27 August 2026 · Tarnished Pack — 28 August 2026 · Shadow of the Erdtree — edition contents · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026
Watch: official introduction and launch trailer
Two publisher-linked videos with different purposes. Select a card to load YouTube's player; no third-party player loads before your click. Promotional footage is not our gameplay test.
▶The 2026 publisher introduction covers exploration, combat, equipment, spirits and online help. It also describes what the Switch 2 edition includes.
▶The original game's launch presentation: tone, world and action. Use the chapters above for practical instructions and edition-specific facts.
Official publisher video links · IDs observed on source pages 2026-10-09 · Official product page — base game and PC specification · Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026
Editions, Tarnished Pack content and the launch-day spec baseline
Edition boundaries on the publisher page
Shadow of Erdtree Edition bundles the base game plus the Shadow DLC. Premium Bundle ships the DLC plus a digital artbook and soundtrack — it does not include the base game. The Collector's expansion voucher is also DLC-only. This page does not list verified prices or current availability; refer to the official store.
What Tarnished Pack adds
The current publisher page lists two extra starting classes, four armor sets and three Torrent looks, usable on the base game and on the Shadow DLC. It is a separate pack, not the Nightreign standalone release.
Spec table caveat
The published PC requirements are launch-day specs; the publisher notes they may have been updated since launch and are not a current-patch benchmark.
Bandai Namco publisher page · checked 2026-10-11 · Publisher page — editions, Tarnished Pack content and launch-day spec caveat
What patch 1.17 changes—and does not establish
Named official passages reread 20 Oct 2026; not an installed-build test · Skills L70–79；PCOnly L118–128；titleDateL11
Detailed field notes
FIELD NOTEELDEN RING: find the tutorial and unlock leveling
Find the Cave of Knowledge, reopen completed tutorial notes in Info, and distinguish Melina's leveling unlock from weapon strengthening.
↗FIELD NOTEELDEN RING guard counters and two-handed controlsSeparate the post-block counterattack from a parry, then check the official default inputs for two-handed weapons.
↗Sources & verification
- Official guide index — base-game releasechecked 2026-10-09 · Release displayed as 25 February 2022; not a DLC or reissue date.
- Official early-game tips — 2 March 2022checked 2026-10-09 · Base-game tutorial, Melina and progression; not a latest-patch playtest.
- Official starter guide — 10 November 2021checked 2026-10-09 · Published console defaults; read today, not benchmarked or patch-tested.
- Official product page — base game and PC specificationchecked 2026-10-09 · Launch-day PC requirements; no performance benchmark.
- Official character classeschecked 2026-10-09 · The base game has ten starting classes; additional classes belong to Tarnished Pack.
- Patch 1.17 — 27 August 2026checked 2026-10-09 · App and regulation 1.17; patch-specific changes, not a current-build playtest.
- Tarnished Pack — 28 August 2026checked 2026-10-09 · Extra classes, armor and Torrent appearances; platform and edition differences.
- Shadow of the Erdtree — edition contentschecked 2026-10-09 · Expansion requires the base game; bundle names have different contents.
- Tarnished Edition starter guide — 27 August 2026checked 2026-10-09 · Newer general gameplay introduction and official video; Switch 2 edition includes the expansion.
- Steam official game detailschecked 2026-10-11 · Public API read on this date; published features and Windows requirements.
- Publisher page — editions, Tarnished Pack content and launch-day spec caveatchecked 2026-10-11 · Official source checked 11 October 2026. Details appear in the cited section. Published hardware targets are not independent benchmarks.
- Early-game tips — 2 March 2022, independently rereadchecked 2026-10-14 · Info tutorial-note menu, Melina, leveling versus smithing and the Renna fallback; historical source, not current-build gameplay or online testing.
- Skills L70–79；PCOnly L118–128；titleDateL11checked 2026-10-20 · What patch 1.17 changes—and does not establish. Named-version passage checked; not independently playtested.
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