Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsNew to Elden Ring—or to FromSoftware games? Start by treating the opening as practice, not a test you have to pass perfectly. The tutorial introduces basic controls and combat techniques; your starting class suggests a play style without locking you into it; and a difficult fight such as the Tree Sentinel can wait while you explore and grow. Use Sites of Grace and the map to make progress at your own pace. If you plan to play the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, you also need the Elden Ring base game.
What should a new player know first?
Elden Ring does not require you to arrive with experience in other Soulslike games. Bandai Namco’s official starter guide is intended for beginners as well as people familiar with earlier FromSoftware titles. The most useful starting mindset is to learn a few systems at a time: practice the controls, choose a starting style you will enjoy, use the map and Sites of Grace to orient yourself, and accept that you can leave a hard encounter and return later.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $73.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Bandai Namco Entertainment Elden Ring (PS5) | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Elden Ring - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
There is no single mandatory starting class or route established by the official beginner guidance. You can follow the direction suggested by Guidance of Grace, but it is a nudge toward key locations rather than an order to take one compulsory path. The open world gives you room to pause, explore, and come back to a challenge.
If you are asking, “Any tips as a beginner?”, keep the first session modest. You do not need to understand every option or make every decision perfectly before moving forward. Focus on what the game is showing you now: how your character handles the controls, what kind of starting approach sounds appealing, and how to find your bearings. A tough opponent or an unfamiliar term is not proof that you have failed a test; it is a reason to slow down and use the available guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the ELDEN RING mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of ELDEN RING will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.
- Building the world of ELDEN RING with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what ELDEN RING has in store for them.” Said George R.R. Martin.
This guide stays spoiler-light and sticks to decisions that matter early. It does not prescribe a build, a precise route, or a single “correct” way to play. Instead, it explains how to use the tutorial, class choice, Grace, map tools, and the freedom to defer a fight so you can make your own next step with more confidence.
Use the tutorial to learn the controls and combat
The Stranded Graveyard tutorial area is useful practice, not an obstacle to rush through. Bandai Namco’s early-game tips identify it as a place to learn basic controls and techniques, including using a weapon one-handed or two-handed and performing guard counters. Taking time to understand those actions gives you a foundation for later encounters.
Rather than trying to memorize everything at once, use the opening to notice what your character can do and how the game communicates those options. Try the tutorial’s different techniques and pay attention to the prompts. If a fight feels difficult, that does not automatically mean you missed a control or are playing incorrectly; it may simply be a challenge to approach after more practice or exploration.
How to get value from the tutorial
Move through the instruction area at a pace that lets you try what it teaches rather than merely read the prompts. When it introduces an action, test it in the context the tutorial provides. In particular, take note of the difference between using your weapon one-handed and two-handed, and make sure you have tried a guard counter. These are concrete techniques named in Bandai Namco’s early tips, so they are worthwhile things to recognize before the game starts asking you to make decisions in less guided situations.
You do not need to turn this into a perfect performance. The goal is familiarity: knowing that the action exists, recognizing when a prompt is giving you information, and being able to think about a fight rather than treating every control as entirely new. If an instruction does not stick the first time, that is not a reason to restart or assume you cannot learn the game. You can keep playing, pay attention to the tutorial’s prompts, and build understanding one technique at a time.
A common new-player pitfall is to read a difficult opening encounter as evidence that the game expects you to have mastered every control already. The tutorial is there to teach basic actions, but learning how those actions feel takes practice. Let the opening serve that purpose. If you are uncertain whether the issue is a control or the encounter itself, return to the basics the tutorial introduced before deciding that you are stuck.
Choose a starting class by the play style you want
The official Elden Ring Classes page presents ten starting classes. A class determines your starting approach, but it does not prescribe your entire run: Bandai Namco says that “your class is never a limitation.” Choose based on what sounds enjoyable now, rather than searching for one universally correct beginner choice.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Class | Starting approach described by the official class page | Who might enjoy that approach |
|---|---|---|
| Vagabond | A starting-class option; the cited class description does not establish a specific play-style detail here. | A player drawn to a direct, weapon-focused opening can consider it, while checking the class page for its full starting details. |
| Astrologer | Sorcery | A player interested in beginning with a magic-oriented approach. |
| Samurai | A starting-class option; the cited class description does not establish a specific play-style detail here. | A player who likes the class’s presentation can choose it without treating the choice as a permanent build commitment. |
| Prophet | Sacred incantations | A player interested in beginning with an incantation-oriented approach. |
The class page supports a preference-led comparison, not a definitive ease ranking. It does not establish that any one of these classes is the best for every newcomer. If you are unsure, decide which broad starting approach sounds appealing—melee, ranged sorcery, or faith-oriented incantations—and choose accordingly. You do not need to treat the class choice as a permanent limit on what the character can become.
How to compare classes without overthinking it
Start with the kind of opening you want to experience. Would you rather begin with a more direct weapon-focused feel, experiment with sorcery, or try an approach associated with sacred incantations? Astrologer and Prophet are the examples whose official descriptions identify sorcery and sacred incantations, respectively. The class page presents ten choices, so these examples are not the whole list; check its full descriptions if you want to compare all ten before deciding.
Starting equipment is another sensible comparison point, but do not infer specifics from a class name alone. Look at the official class page’s starting details and compare what it actually lists. If two choices both sound appealing, the one whose described starting approach and equipment interest you more is a reasonable choice. The official guidance does not supply a universal beginner ranking, so claims that one class is always easiest or mandatory go beyond what it establishes.
It is also useful to separate “what I start with” from “what I must be forever.” The class page explicitly says your class is never a limitation. That makes the choice a way to set an initial direction, not a permanent commitment to one style. A beginner can choose based on curiosity and comfort rather than trying to predict an entire playthrough before starting.
If none of the descriptions immediately stands out, choose the broad style you are most curious about, or spend a little more time comparing the official descriptions. You are not required to know the perfect answer before beginning. The point is to pick something that makes you want to play, while remembering that the starting class does not lock the whole run.
How to use Sites of Grace and the map
Sites of Grace are useful places to pause and handle early progression. Bandai Namco’s early-game guidance says you can spend runes at a Site of Grace to level up. The map also gives you practical navigation options: you can fast-travel by selecting a Site of Grace on the map, and you can set a beacon that appears as an icon on the compass.
Rank #3
- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
Think of these as separate tools for separate needs. A Site of Grace is a place to pause and spend runes on leveling; the map lets you select a Site of Grace for fast travel; and a beacon helps keep a chosen destination visible on the compass. When you feel scattered, decide which need is most immediate: progression, moving between known Grace locations, or remembering a point you want to visit.
Follow a direction, not a compulsory route
Guidance of Grace points toward key locations and can help when you are unsure where to go next. Treat it as orientation rather than a demand to ignore everything else. If you would rather explore a nearby area or postpone an encounter, the guidance does not make that choice wrong.
This distinction matters if you are used to games that present one obvious mission path. The official overview describes Guidance of Grace as help toward key locations, not an obligation to follow a fixed sequence. It can give you a useful hint when you want one; it does not remove your option to look around, choose another destination, or return to a challenge later.
Mark a destination you want to remember
When you spot a place you intend to visit, place a beacon on the map. Its icon will appear on the compass, making it easier to keep the destination in view as you travel. This is useful when you want to explore without losing track of a particular goal.
A beacon is especially practical when your immediate plan is not simply to head toward the next suggested location. You can mark a destination, take a detour, and still have a visible reminder as you move. It is a small navigation aid, not a promise that the game will choose the route for you.
Look for map fragments at monuments
Bandai Namco’s early tips say map fragments are generally found at faintly drawn stone monuments. “Generally” matters: the monument clue is useful, but it is not described as a universal rule with no exceptions. If an area’s map is incomplete, look for those faint monument markings rather than assuming every fragment will be in the same place.
Recommended Free Tools
When a region is not fully represented on your map, use that clue as a search aid rather than treating it as a guarantee. The wording is qualified: fragments are generally at those monuments, with exceptions. Keeping that qualification in mind helps prevent an unhelpful conclusion that you are overlooking something obvious just because one search did not produce a fragment.
Fast-travel when it helps you regroup
To fast-travel, select a Site of Grace on the map. That gives you a direct way to return to a Grace location you have selected, rather than assuming you must retrace every step whenever you want to change plans. If you are ready to move on from one area or want to regroup, remember that this option is available through the map.
Fast travel, Guidance of Grace, and beacons do different jobs. Fast travel moves you to a selected Site of Grace; Guidance of Grace points toward key locations; a beacon marks a destination and appears on your compass. Keeping those functions distinct makes the map easier to use: one helps you relocate, one gives a hint, and one keeps your own chosen goal in sight.
When should you fight, and when should you move on?
You are allowed to leave a difficult fight and return later. The official early-game tips specifically describe the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave as very tough for a beginning player. Its presence early in the game does not mean you must defeat it immediately or that it is a required first test.
If a fight is stopping your progress, step back and use the world around it: explore, practice the tutorial techniques, and make progress elsewhere before deciding whether to try again. This is not a substitute for learning combat; it is a way to avoid treating every visible opponent as a mandatory next step. Returning after more experience is a reasonable choice.
The Tree Sentinel makes a useful example because it challenges a common assumption: an enemy that appears early is not automatically an instruction to stop everything until you defeat it. Bandai Namco describes it as very tough for a beginning player. Use that fact as permission to assess the situation, not as a warning that you must follow a particular order. The open-world structure lets you choose to explore and grow before coming back.
A simple decision check
- Keep practicing if you are still learning the controls or have not tried the techniques introduced in the tutorial.
- Explore elsewhere if an encounter feels like a wall. The Tree Sentinel is an official example of a tough early opponent, not a required order of play.
- Regroup at a Site of Grace when you want to spend runes on leveling or pause before choosing what to do next.
- Use the map tools if you need help finding a key location or remembering a destination.
Avoid turning a setback into a verdict
One difficult attempt tells you that the encounter is difficult for you at that moment; it does not establish that your class is wrong, that you have chosen the wrong route, or that you must abandon the game. The official advice gives you concrete alternatives: learn the tutorial techniques, use Grace for leveling, and explore before returning to a tough early opponent. You can use one or more of those options, then decide whether to try the fight again.
Likewise, moving on is a choice, not a failure to play properly. The Tree Sentinel example is specifically useful because it appears early but is described as very tough for a beginner. If you want to challenge it, you can; if you would rather spend time elsewhere first, that is also consistent with the freedom the game’s world offers. Avoid treating the first visible challenge as a compulsory milestone.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Does Shadow of the Erdtree include the base game?
No. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion and requires Elden Ring. It is not a standalone way to begin the game, so a buyer who does not already own the base game needs to account for that dependency.
That requirement is the most important purchase distinction for a new player: the expansion is additional content, not a replacement for the game it requires. If you are deciding what to buy, first establish whether you already own Elden Ring. If not, make sure your purchase plan includes the base game as well as any expansion you want to play.
Check the platform and edition before purchasing. The official PlayStation listing names PS4 and PS5, while Nintendo’s recent official page reports Tarnished Edition availability on Switch 2. Those pages establish the specific platform information they state; they should not be read as a complete list of every current platform or edition. Prices, retailer stock, bundle contents, and availability can change, so confirm the details for the version you intend to buy.
For a PlayStation buyer, the official listing identifies both PS4 and PS5. Nintendo’s recent official page reports Tarnished Edition availability on Switch 2. Those are specific examples, not a complete cross-platform edition matrix, so match the product listing to the platform you actually own. A platform-conscious purchase label such as “Elden Ring for PS5” can help avoid confusion, but players on other platforms should choose the corresponding version.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Do not assume that a bundle contains particular edition-specific extras, that a retailer has stock, or that a particular price is current without checking the listing at the time you buy. Availability, prices, and product contents can change. The key confirmed dependency remains simple: Shadow of the Erdtree requires the Elden Ring base game.
A practical first-session plan
- Take the tutorial seriously. Use the Stranded Graveyard to practice the basic controls, one- and two-handed weapon use, and guard counters.
- Pick a class that sounds fun. Use the official descriptions to compare starting approaches, but do not assume the choice locks your character into that style.
- Pause at Sites of Grace. Spend runes on leveling when you want to progress your character, and use these stops to decide where to go next.
- Use the map deliberately. Select a Site of Grace to fast-travel, follow Guidance of Grace when you want a hint toward key locations, and place beacons for destinations you want to keep in view.
- Give yourself permission to defer a fight. If an encounter such as the Tree Sentinel feels too difficult, explore and return when you are ready instead of assuming it must be beaten immediately.
- Check expansion requirements separately. If buying Shadow of the Erdtree, make sure you also have the Elden Ring base game and verify the platform and edition you need.
Before you leave the opening area
Use a quick mental checklist rather than trying to master every system at once. Have you tried the tutorial’s one-handed and two-handed weapon use and guard counters? Do you have a starting class whose described approach sounds enjoyable? Do you know where to find your map, how to select a Site of Grace for fast travel, and how to place a beacon? These are practical questions the official beginner material supports, and none requires you to commit to a single route.
Then make one small plan. You might follow Guidance of Grace toward a key location, set a beacon for a place you want to remember, or take time to explore instead of challenging the Tree Sentinel right away. If you reach a Site of Grace, remember that it is a place where you can spend runes to level. Having one manageable next step is more useful than feeling obliged to solve the whole game’s map or combat at once.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common beginner questions
Is Elden Ring suitable if I have not played a FromSoftware game? Bandai Namco’s official starter guide is intended for beginners as well as players with experience in earlier FromSoftware titles. You can begin without assuming prior Soulslike knowledge; use the tutorial and its prompts to learn the basics.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallDo I need to defeat the Tree Sentinel as soon as I see it? No. Bandai Namco calls the Tree Sentinel very tough for a beginning player. The example supports exploring and growing before returning, rather than treating the fight as a required first task.
Which starting class is best for a beginner? The official class guidance does not establish one universally best class. It presents ten starting options and says your class is never a limitation. Compare the starting approaches and equipment described on the class page, then choose the style you would enjoy trying.
How do I fast-travel? Open the map and select a Site of Grace. The official starter guide identifies this as the way to fast-travel to a chosen Grace.
What does Guidance of Grace do? It helps guide you toward key locations. Treat it as a nudge when you want direction, not a compulsory route that prevents you from exploring elsewhere.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Best Value
- ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware Inc. and produced by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG and FromSoftware's largest game to date, set within a world full of mystery and peril
- Journey through the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series, and George R. R. Martin, author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Traverse the breathtaking world on foot or on horseback, alone or online with other players, and fully immerse yourself in the grassy plains, suffocating swamps, spiraling mountains, and foreboding castles
- Create your character in FromSoftware’s refi ned action-RPG and defi ne your playstyle by experimenting with a wide variety of weapons, magical abilities, and skills found throughout the world
- Charge into battle, pick off enemies one-by-one using stealth, or even call upon allies for aid - many options are at your disposal as you decide how to approach exploration and combat
Where are map fragments usually found? Bandai Namco’s early tips say they are generally found at faintly drawn stone monuments, with some exceptions. Use the monument markings as a clue rather than a universal guarantee.
Can I buy Shadow of the Erdtree without Elden Ring? No. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion and requires the Elden Ring base game.
Which platforms should I check before buying? Match the listing to your platform and verify current edition details. The official PlayStation listing names PS4 and PS5, and Nintendo’s recent official page reports Tarnished Edition availability on Switch 2; those examples are not a complete current platform list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elden Ring suitable if I have not played a FromSoftware game?
Yes. Bandai Namco’s official starter guide is intended for beginners as well as people familiar with earlier FromSoftware titles. Use the tutorial and its prompts to learn the basics.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Do I need to defeat the Tree Sentinel as soon as I see it?
No. Bandai Namco describes the Tree Sentinel in Limgrave as very tough for a beginning player. You can explore and grow before returning rather than treating it as a required first fight.
Which starting class is best for a beginner?
The official class guidance does not identify one universally best class. Compare the starting approaches and equipment described on the class page, choose what sounds enjoyable, and remember that Bandai Namco says your class is never a limitation.
How do I fast-travel in Elden Ring?
Select a Site of Grace on the map to fast-travel to it.
What does Guidance of Grace do?
It helps point you toward key locations. Treat it as a hint for orientation, not a compulsory route.
Where are map fragments usually found?
Bandai Namco’s early tips say map fragments are generally found at faintly drawn stone monuments, with some exceptions.
Can I play Shadow of the Erdtree without owning Elden Ring?
No. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion and requires the Elden Ring base game.
Which platforms should I check before buying?
Check the current listing for your platform and edition. The official PlayStation listing names PS4 and PS5, while Nintendo’s recent official page reports Tarnished Edition availability on Switch 2; those examples do not establish a complete current platform list.
The Bottom Line
Start with the Stranded Graveyard tutorial, choose a class for the starting style you want to try, and use Grace and map tools to stay oriented. You do not have to defeat the Tree Sentinel immediately or follow Guidance of Grace as a fixed route. If you want Shadow of the Erdtree, remember that it requires the Elden Ring base game, and check the platform and edition before buying.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
