GAMESMANSHIP.US

 Here are pro-player tips for mastering Elden Ring and tackling its challenges effectively:

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1. Combat Mastery

• Learn Enemy Patterns:

  • Observe boss and enemy attacks before rushing in. Dodging at the right time (not too early) is the key to survival.

• Perfect the Roll Timing:

  • Equip light armor to maintain a fast roll and iframe (invincibility frames). Use mid-roll only if necessary, and avoid heavy rolls altogether.

• Use Guard Counters:

  • When blocking with a shield, immediately press R2/RT after blocking an attack to deal significant counter damage.

• Always Two-Hand When Necessary:

  • Two-handing weapons increases your damage and strength scaling, especially useful for heavy weapons or when shields are unnecessary.

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2. Build Optimization

• Focus Your Stats:

  • Don’t spread stats too thin. Prioritize two or three attributes (e.g., Vigor + Strength + Endurance for melee; Mind + Intelligence for sorceries).

• Choose the Right Weapons:

  • Experiment to find a weapon that suits your playstyle, then upgrade it at a smithy. Unique weapons with Ashes of War can transform your combat approach.

• Upgrade Early:

  • Always prioritize upgrading your weapon over leveling. Even a +5 weapon can outperform raw stats at early levels.

• Use Buffs and Consumables:

  • Items like Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot for more runes or Flame, Grant Me Strength for attack boosts can turn the tide of fights.

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3. Explore Strategically

• Scout New Areas Thoroughly:

  • Don’t rush. Each region has hidden treasures, secret bosses, and upgrade materials like Smithing Stones or Sacred Tears.

• Talk to Every NPC:

  • NPCs often provide quests, lore, or valuable items. Keep track of them as they can move around the map.

• Mark Points of Interest:

  • Use the map markers to track locations like dungeons, merchants, and materials.

• Unlock All Sites of Grace:

  • Activate all nearby Sites of Grace to create safe checkpoints and plan routes.

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4. Boss Fights

• Summons and Spirit Ashes:

  • Summon allies or Spirit Ashes (e.g., Lone Wolf, Mimic Tear) to divide enemy attention or deal damage in tough fights.

• Focus on Poise Damage:

  • Poise damage (caused by heavy attacks or specific Ashes of War like Jumping Attacks) staggers bosses and opens them to critical hits.

• Bring the Right Resistances:

  • Equip gear or talismans to counter elemental attacks (e.g., fire, lightning, poison) for specific boss fights.

• Use Torrent Wisely:

  • Some bosses (e.g., Dragon fights) are easier on horseback. Use Torrent to move quickly, dodge attacks, and land hits effectively.

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5. Leveling and Rune Farming

• Level Up Wisely:

  • Focus on Vigor (up to 40) for survivability, then invest in your primary damage-dealing attribute (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, or Faith).

• Farm Runes Effectively:

  • Early rune farming spots include the Gatefront Ruins and Third Church of Marika. Later, use Mohgwyn Palace or Dragonbarrow areas.

• Use Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot:

  • Boost your rune gain during farming sessions. You can craft it using recipes from the Crafting Kit.

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6. Ashes of War and Magic

• Experiment with Ashes of War:

  • Equip Ashes of War to customize your weapon's skills and affinities. For example:
    • Bloodhound’s Step for dodging.
    • Flaming Strike for fire damage.

• Use Buffs and Debuffs:

  • Spells like Poison Mist or Rot Breath can significantly weaken tough bosses. Buff yourself with spells like Golden Vow for attack and defense boosts.

• Master Spellcasting Timing:

  • Stay mobile while casting, and use Spirit Ashes to distract enemies while you channel powerful spells.

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7. Survival and Progression

• Learn to Parry (Optional):

  • Parrying can trivialize human-like enemies and some bosses, but it requires precise timing. Use small shields for better parry windows.

• Don’t Hoard Flask Points:

  • Allocate flasks between HP (Crimson Tears) and FP (Cerulean Tears) based on your build. Adjust as needed before fights.

• Use Status Effects:

  • Weapons and items with bleed, frostbite, or poison are incredibly powerful against most enemies.

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8. Multiplayer and PvP

• Use Co-op for Tough Fights:

  • Summon other players using a Furlcalling Finger Remedy. Co-op makes bosses easier to handle.

• PvP Awareness:

  • When invading or being invaded, keep your guard up and use the terrain to your advantage. Always have ranged options like a bow or spells.

• Balance Hostility and Support:

  • Use gestures or subtle combat to test an opponent’s intentions in PvP. Play strategically rather than rushing.

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9. Miscellaneous Pro Tips

• Rest at Grace Before Exploring:

  • Resting replenishes your flasks, resets enemies, and lets you adjust flask allocation or memorize spells.

• Stay Light:

  • Equip light or medium armor to maintain mobility. Heavy armor works best if you’re using a tank build with high Endurance.

• Experiment with Builds:

  • Use Larval Tears to respec your stats at Rennala (Academy of Raya Lucaria) and try different playstyles.

• Read Item Descriptions:

  • Lore-rich descriptions often hint at item uses, secret mechanics, or quest-related hints.

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10. Post-Game and NG+ Tips

• Prepare for NG+:
  • Collect rare items, upgrade multiple weapons, and finish side quests before moving into New Game+.
• Test Alternate Endings:
  • Use NG+ to explore different questlines and endings, as choices can dramatically impact the story.

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Let me know if you'd like help with a specific build, boss, or area!