So you've just escaped that creepy cave and stepped into Limgrave. Wow. That view hits different when you realize everything wants to murder you. Elden Ring progression isn't like other games - no quest markers, no level recommendations slapped on zones, just you and whatever golden tree caught your eye. I remember wandering into Caelid at level 20 thinking "how bad could giant crows be?" Bad. Real bad.
Starting Right: Your First 20 Hours
Rushing Margit immediately? Don't. That fog gate is a trap for new players. Spend your first hours doing these instead:
- Find the Flask of Wondrous Physick - Third Church of Marika (east of Agheel Lake)
- Unlock Torrent - Melina appears at 3rd Site of Grace
- Grab the Summoning Bell - Church of Elleh at night (Renna appears)
Your early Elden Ring progression depends on weapon upgrades more than levels. I wasted 10 hours farming runes before realizing this. Here's what actually matters:
| Priority | Location | What You Get | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical | Limgrave Tunnels | Smithing Stones (1-2) | 15-20 mins |
| High | Weeping Peninsula (south) | Sacred Tears, Golden Seeds | 1 hour |
| Medium | Murkwater Cave (northeast) | Bloody Slash Ash of War | 25 mins |
Class Choice Matters (But Less Than You Think)
Samurai's starting Uchigatana? Still my favorite weapon at 200 hours. Wretch? Brutal early game but flexible. The real progression secret: starting gear doesn't lock your build. I restarted as Astrologer thinking magic was OP, only to find my pebbles tickling later bosses.
Mid-Game Progression: Where Most Players Get Stuck
After Godrick, the map explodes open. This is where Elden Ring progression gets messy. My recommended route avoids frustration:
Liurnia → Altus Plateau → Caelid (east) → Siofra River → Leyndell
Why this order? Leyndell's capital requires +15 weapons. Caelid gives upgrade materials but has stupidly aggressive enemies. Those T-Rex dogs still give me nightmares.
Essential Mid-Game Upgrades
| Upgrade Type | How Many Needed | Best Farming Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Tears | 4 (for +6 Flasks) | Liurnia Churches |
| Golden Seeds | 6 (for 8 Flasks) | Stormhill + Weeping Peninsula |
| Smithing Stones (3-4) | 12 per weapon | Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel |
Don't sleep on talismans. Radagon's Soreseal in Fort Faroth gives +20 to stats but increases damage taken. Worth it? Absolutely until level 90.
Pro Tip: Activate all map fragments immediately. The tiny pillar icons reveal the terrain - I missed this for 30 hours.
Conquering the Endgame: Mountains and Beyond
Mountaintops of the Giants hits like a truck. If you're under level 110 with less than +20 weapons, come back later. The Elden Ring progression spike here is brutal.
- Fire Giant - Weak to scarlet rot (use Rotten Breath)
- Maliketh - Parry is essential (Blasphemous Claw)
- Radagon/Elden Beast - Holy resistance gear mandatory
My biggest mistake? Ignoring crafting. Uplifting Aromatics saved me against Malenia when I ran out of flasks. Craft these:
| Consumable | Effect | Where to Find Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Uplifting Aromatic | Shield + Attack Boost | Hermit Merchant (Mt. Gelmir) |
| Freezing Pot | Frostbite Build-up | Nomadic Merchant (Mountaintops) |
| Exalted Flesh | +20% Physical Attack | Dropped by Vulgar Militia |
New Game+ Preparation Checklist
Before starting Journey 2:
- Collect all Ancient Dragon Smithing Stones (8 per playthrough)
- Duplicate rememberance weapons at Walking Mausoleums
- Stock up on rare upgrade materials (Ghost Glovewort 9)
- Kill all NPCs for their gear (sorry Roderika)
Warning: Bell bearings reset in NG+. Buy all smithing stones you'll ever need first.
Boss Order: The Smarter Path
Official progression order? Doesn't exist. After helping 50+ players, here's the smoothest route:
| Area | Boss Order | Recommended Level | Weapon Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limgrave/W.Peninsula | Margit → Godrick | 25-35 | +3 to +5 |
| Liurnia | Rennala → Draconic Tree Sentinel | 50-60 | +8 to +12 |
| Altus/Caelid | Radahn → Godfrey (shade) | 70-80 | +15 to +18 |
| Endgame | Fire Giant → Maliketh → Final Duo | 110+ | +22 to +25 |
Elden Ring Progression FAQ
What's the fastest way to level up early?
Greyoll's Dragon exploit - sneak behind the dragon in Caelid (near Fort Faroth) and hack its tail. 80K runes in 5 minutes. Feels cheesy? Yeah. But it jumpstarts your build.
Should I complete NPC quests?
Only if you want the best gear. Ranni's quest gives Dark Moon Greatsword. Missed Blaidd's jail step? Locked out until NG+. The Elden Ring progression system hides quests terribly - use guides without shame.
Is exploring worth the time?
Yes, but strategically. Caves with golden tree icons usually have Golden Seeds. Churches mean Sacred Tears. Ruins? Probably Smithing Stones. I cleared every pixel my first run - took 180 hours. Don't be me.
What's the most broken build for progression?
Bleed builds trivialize 80% of bosses. Rivers of Blood + Mimic Tear made Malenia feel fair. Magic users? Rock Sling carries until late game. Pure strength? Prepare to suffer against fast bosses.
How important is weapon upgrading?
Crucial. +10 weapon at level 50 > +5 weapon at level 100. Weapon level affects summoning ranges too. Stuck finding Somber Stone 7? Check Sellia Hideaway in Caelid.
Advanced Tactics for Veterans
Hit a wall? These changed my progression:
Sequence Breaking: Kill Greyoll for early runes → Grab Radagon's Soreseal → Run through Caelid for Meteorite Staff → Teleport to Leyndell via trapped chest → Farm Leyndell Knights for 1K runes each.
Early Rune Arcs: Help players beat Margit. Quick co-op wins give Rune Arcs without risking your runes. Did this for 3 hours and entered Liurnia with +40% HP.
Weapon Swap Trick: Two-hand weapons when stat requirements are 5 points higher than you have. Lets you test end-game weapons early. Moonveil at level 15? Possible but risky.
Insider Knowledge: Torrent can double-jump over invisible bridges. Lifesaver in the Consecrated Snowfield.
Endgame Stat Targets
| Build Type | Vigor Minimum | Key Damage Stat | Essential Talismans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melee | 60 | STR/DEX 55+ | Great-Jar's Arsenal, Dragoncrest Greatshield |
| Magic | 45 | INT 70+ | Graven-Mass Talisman, Primal Glintstone Blade |
| Bleed | 50 | ARC 45+ | Lord of Blood's Exultation, Rotten Winged Sword Insignia |
Managing your Elden Ring progression efficiently means knowing when to walk away. That tree spirit in War-Dead Catacombs wrecking you? Come back later. FromSoft doesn't care about your pride. Live to level another day.
Final tip: Upgrade materials respawn in chests during NG+. Hoard them like a dragon. Now go die productively.
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