Elden Ring walkthrough guide: route, bosses and tips (2026)

Information is current as of August 2026.

Elden Ring is the main action-RPG of the decade from FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin, and with the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the release of Nightreign, interest in the game is only growing. The game is huge: over 100 hours of content, dozens of optional bosses, hidden catacombs and multiple endings. This guide will take you along the optimal route - from the first steps in Zamogilya to the finale, with tips on difficult bosses and leveling up.

Start: Limgrave

After the training location, go to the First Step and immediately activate the place of grace. Don't waste time on the Tree Guardian at the exit - this is a trap for beginners, return to him at level 30+ with a summoning spirit.

First of alltake Torrent's horse from Elle in the Elle Church and a flask with a wonderful elixir from the Third Marika Temple.
Collect golden seeds and sacred tears in the south of Zamogilya and the Lament Peninsula - they will strengthen the healing flask.
Farm runes at the camp at the gate: by level 20, upgrade your health (Vigor) - this is the most important parameter of the entire game, more important than damage.
Check out the Murkwater catacombs and the coastal cave - there are simple bosses and good starting equipment.

Stormvale Castle and Godric

The first major milestone is Mar-gite, the Hideous Fallen. If that doesn't work, buy Mar-gite shackles from the Kale merchant: they stun the boss twice per battle. You can also call NPC Rohyr for help at the entrance. After Mar-gite, explore Stormvale Castle: go through the side path, which will be suggested by the gatekeeper Gostock (in no case through the main gate - there is a barrage of ballista fire there). Godric the Hundred-Eyed falls from jumping attacks and helper spirits - summon wolf spirits and strike while the boss is distracted. In the second phase, stay away from the dragon head's fiery breath.

Liurnia and the Academy of Raya Lucaria

After Godric, the path leads to Liurnia of the Lakes - the most picturesque area of the game. The main goal is the academy with the boss of Rennal, the Full Moon Queen. Before the fight, find the Academic Glitter Key behind the sleeping dragon Smarag to the west of the academy. Renalla is vulnerable to physical damage: break her protective dome, finishing off the singing students, and in the second phase, do not let her summon spirits - hit her immediately after teleportation.

Take Darkwill's ring and powerful staff from the academy's magical enemies.
Take a look at the Albinaur village in the southwest - there is an important plot item for the endings.
Don't miss Rennie's side quest at Kariya's Tower - it unlocks one of the best endings in the game.

Altus and Laindell plateaus

There are two ways to climb the plateau: through the Great Dectus Lift (you need two halves of the medallion - one in Fort Haight, the other in Fort Farot) or through abandoned mines with a fight against the Magma Serpent. In the capital of Laindell, defeat the Dragon Guard as you approach the walls and get ready to fight Morgott, the most technical boss of the first half of the game. Stay behind him, punish him after a combo with a spear and don’t be greedy: one or two hits outside the window, no more.

Peaks of the Giants and the Final

In the north, the Giant Peaks and the Fire Giant await you - a battle of patience: hit the legs while riding Torrent, in the second phase dodge the fireballs. Next up is the fractured Farum Azula, with two of the game's toughest bosses: the Godskin Duo (use sleepy pots!) and Maliket, the Ebon Blade. Against Maliket, hold your shield with resilience, attack in pauses after his dashes and save your flasks for the second phase. The final boss Radagon/Elden Beast requires resistance to holy damage - equip a talisman with holy protection.

Build Tips

Increase your health to 40 by the middle of the game - this is more important than any damage.
The best starting weapon: a club (crushing damage to armor) or an Uchigatana katana for bleeding.
Don't be afraid to reforge your weapons - forging stones drop in the mines of each zone.
Helper spirits are legal and very powerful: upgrade them from Roderica in the Fortress of the Round Table.
Mix the elixir in a flask for a specific boss - combinations of tears give a huge bonus.

Endings and addition

The game has six endings. The most interesting: “Age of Stars” (Renny’s quest is the longest chain of orders in the game) and “Lord of the Furious Flame.” If you are planning to go to the Shadow of the Erdtree add-on, go through the side bosses Mog and Radan in advance - the entrance to the DLC opens through their locations, and the difficulty of the add-on is designed for a level 120+ character with a maximally upgraded weapon.