As we're well into 2025, I'm still seeing so many new players diving into Elden Ring for the first time! 🎮 Having spent countless hours in the Lands Between since launch, I wanted to share the tips that made my journey from struggling Tarnished to Elden Lord so much smoother. Trust me, these lessons learned through blood, sweat, and countless deaths will save you so much frustration!

️ Pick Your Battles Wisely

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn early on was that NOT every enemy needs to be fought immediately. That Tree Sentinel in Limgrave? Yeah, I spent hours trying to beat him at level 1 before realizing I could just... go around him. Seriously, if an enemy feels impossibly strong, it probably is—for now. The beauty of Elden Ring's open world is that you can always come back later when you're stronger and better equipped.

Even basic enemies can be deadly in groups! My strategy: lure them away one by one, use stealth, or hit them with area attacks. Sometimes the smartest move is to retreat and regroup.

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️ Set Clear Goals

The sheer scale of Elden Ring can be overwhelming—I remember my first playthrough where I'd spend hours just wandering aimlessly. What finally worked for me was setting specific goals for each session:

  • Area completion: Pick one region and clear it completely before moving on

  • Quest focus: Follow one NPC's storyline from start to finish

  • Item hunting: Target specific weapons or spells you want to acquire

This approach helped me make consistent progress without getting distracted by the million things to do!

💬 Talk to EVERYONE (Repeatedly!)

NPCs in Elden Ring don't work like other games—you need to exhaust their dialogue completely! I missed so many quests early on because I'd talk to someone once and move on. Now I always:

  • Talk to NPCs until they start repeating themselves

  • Return to areas after major story events to check for new dialogue

  • Keep notes on NPC locations and what they said

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Master Torrent's Full Potential

Don't make my mistake of treating Torrent as just a fast travel option! My spectral steed became my greatest weapon once I learned:

  • Double-jump solves so many platforming challenges

  • Mounted combat trivializes many tough enemies

  • Quick escapes save you from overwhelming situations

Seriously, some boss fights that took me 20+ attempts on foot became first-try wins when I used Torrent properly!

✨ Play YOUR Way

This is the most important tip: ignore the "purists" and play however brings you joy! I spent too long worrying about whether I was playing "correctly" before embracing what I actually enjoyed:

Build diversity that works:

Playstyle What I Loved Why It Works
Magic User Spamming spells from safety Enemies can't hit what they can't reach
Melee Bruiser Big weapons, heavy armor Stagger enemies into oblivion
Hybrid Mix of melee and magic Adapt to any situation

My personal favorites:

  • 💫 Spirit Ashes: Don't be shy about using them! They're there for a reason

  • 🎯 Co-op: Some of my best memories are helping friends beat tough bosses

  • 🔮 "OP" spells: If the game gives you powerful tools, use them!

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Remember, there's no "wrong" way to play Elden Ring in 2025. The game's massive sandbox is designed for experimentation. Whether you want to solo every boss with a club or summon two friends to gang up on them, the choice is yours. What matters is that you're having fun and creating your own unique journey to become Elden Lord! 🌟

These tips transformed my experience from frustrating to fantastic, and I hope they do the same for you. See you in the Lands Between, fellow Tarnished!