Notorious for their collection of ultra-difficult action RPGs, Japanese developer From Software recently debuted Elden Ring, their most ambitious project in the past decade. Featuring a sprawling, densely-detailed open world, hundreds of unique enemies, and dozens of unique boss encounters, it is, in essence, the culmination of everything on which the studio has worked since the release of Demon's Souls in 2009.
Though it may be more forgiving for new players than Dark Souls III or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the journey through the Lands Between is by no means an easy one. However, series newcomers can do themselves a favor by finding these crucial early-game items.
Spectral Steed Whistle
This may seem like a no-brainer for most players who've made it beyond the tutorial area, but the Spectral Steed Whistle is an absolute must-have item on which an unlikely few may miss out should they stray too far from the intended path early on. Its importance to the game also represents one of the largest differences between Elden Ring and the Dark Souls games.
After exiting the catacomb, venture straight ahead toward the Church of Elleh, and then bear right, traverse some woodland, and rest at a shrine of grace located just before a large gate. Here, the integral NPC Melina will appear and grant the player the Spectral Steed Whistle, which summons Torrent. To use it, equip it to a quick-select slot in the pause menu, and then hold Y or Triangle and press the accompanying button on the d-pad.
Whetstone Knife
From the Gatehouse Site of Grace, head south briefly and explore a set of ruins being guarded by a squadron of soldiers. Rather than taking them on, players should opt to crouch and sneak past them, backstabbing some of the enemies should opportune moments present themselves.
Facing away from the massive gate the player just left behind, search the ruins on the right side of the road for a descending staircase. This will lead to a chest containing the Whetstone Knife, which allows players to outfit their weapons with Ashes of War.
Area Map
Though there are quite a few visual landmarks for players to follow, navigation in Elden Ring's open world can be tough should the player find themselves without a map. The map of Limgrave can be found in the aforementioned ruins very near to where the Whetstone Knife was located. However, this only reveals a small portion of the map.
Before these map fragments are picked up, the in-game map isn't terribly helpful. However, the location of the next map piece is always available, indicated by what appears to be a small brown rectangular symbol that should stick out on the otherwise barren topography.
Craked Pot
They may not appear to be particularly useful at first, but cracked pots, which can actually be taken as the player's starting gift, are very important to the all-new crafting system. Many throwable armaments are made using these, and, each time the pots are expended, they'll be returned to the player's inventory so they can craft more consumables.
The easiest way for new players to acquire cracked pots is to purchase them from Kale, the merchant found in the Church of Elleh. He'll sell a total of three for 300 runes apiece.
Spirit Casting Bell
The Spirit Casting Bell is a valuable item best suited for the game's many difficult combat encounters and boss fights. It allows players to summon spirit ashes which take the form of one or sometimes multiple NPC allies who can pull agro and deal minimal amounts of damage.
After speaking with Melina at the Gatehouse Site of Grace, return to the Church of Elleh at night and speak with a new NPC who will be sitting nearby. This is Renna, a woman briefly seen in some of Elden Ring's pre-release trailers. After a short conversation, she'll grant the player the Spirit Casting Bell.
Golden Seeds
Golden Seeds allow players to increase the total number of flasks they can carry, something that has the potential to make or break attempts against tough bosses or long treks across unexplored stretches of land.
These items will always be found next to a small Erdtree sapling, and a few of them can be found in Limgrave. One sits along the road just north of the Gatehouse Site of Grace, while another one can be found along the path heading to Castle Morne on the Weeping Peninsula.
Spirit Jellyfish Ashes
Spirit Ashes are spectral NPCs that can be summoned in certain areas to aid in combat. They come in many forms, with many suited for specific situations. The Spirit Jellyfish Ashes, however, grants players perhaps the best early-game summon in the form of a spectral jellyfish that's great at distracting enemies, has a ranged attack, and spawns with a considerable amount of health.
This summon can be acquired from an NPC found in the Stormhill Shack, which is a short distance away from the aforementioned Stormhill Golden Seed location. Speak with this NPC several times, and she'll eventually gift the player the item.
Twinblade
It may not stand head-and-shoulders above other early-game weapons in Elden Ring, but the Twinblade is an undeniably stylish armament that can become particularly deadly when paired with the right Ash of War.
This weapon can be found in the Dragon-burnt ruins, which are just south of the starting area. The staircase leading toward the chest containing the item is walled in, however, so Torrent's double jump ability will be necessary to gain access. Players must also be wary of a trap chest found in the same area which transports unwitting victims to the treacherous Sellia Crystal Tunnel.
The Bloody Slash Ash of War
In the southeastern portion of Limgrave south of the Minor Erdtree players can come across Fort Haight, a fairly well-fortified outpost from which absolute beginners may want to initially steer clear. However, those confident in their skills may want to march to the top of it and defeat a particularly strong enemy to attain the Bloody Slash Ash of War.
With the Blood affinity applied, this Ash of War can impart the bleeding status effect, which can make it particularly useful against certain enemies. It's also outrageously stylish and may entice those hoping to add some visual flair to their builds.
The Flask of Wondrous Physick
North of the Minor Erdtree found on the eastern side of Limgrave lies the Third Church of Marika. Here players will discover a Site of Grace along with a Sacred Tear and the Flask of Wondrous Physick.
The Flask of Wondrous Physick allows players to mix two Crystal Tears and imbue themselves with custom buffs in combat. It's certainly a must-have item, though Crystal Tears are fairly hard to come by in Limgrave. That said, the Flask of Wondrous Physick is indispensable later in the game.
