New player of Fromsoft, NS 2

[u/TextGuilty507]

Coming from games of the Zelda universe but seen so many playthroughs of Fromsoft games that I had to get Elden Ring when it released for the Switch 2. So far I’ve met quite a few hard hits, and the default setup of the controller setup doesn’t seem intuitive, I keep pressing the wrong buttons due to wanting X to jump etc. Is there a good mindset to begin exploring the game without feeling like everything kills you all the time? get good and all that, sure but for new ppl to the franchise; any good advice?

[u/LS-Lizzy]

Pretty sure you can change button layout if you want to, I definitely used X to jump on PS. The most important thing to know about Souls games is the synergy between your stats and weapons, imo. You can check what the weapon you use benefits from, it's presented as a letter grade. You don't want to be upgrading Strength if your weapon is dependent on Dexterity for instance. Also don't be ashamed of using shields, I see all these newcomers struggling saying the Souls games are for too hard just because they don't want to use a shield and just block the damage. Lol

[u/FHAT_BRANDHO → u/LS-Lizzy]

x is in different places on ps vs switch lol. I play using an Xbox controller and for me x is use item

[u/ReformedDeathray]

Heya! first of all dm's are open for any questions, i love helping new people.

second of all. The combat system of soulslikes just take time getting used to because you get punished a lot harder for mistakes then other games.

But here are some tips to help any beginner:

1. Watch enemies, don't spam R1 or attacks in general without knowing what the enemy might do, the game is a lot about reacting to the enemy. Learning their paterns, and responding in kind. This takes time, which is why you see people hit their head against bosses for sometimes hours without tilting which may seem weird but its part of the process. that and the exhiliration is unmatched.

2. The world is enormous, and you will eventualy or even fast hit a point where you face a boss you just have trouble with or can't seem to beat. So don't. Explore the world, get upgrades, become stronger and then return.

3. The controller layout is pretty set in stone but some stuff can be adjusted, i personally dislike the switch layout so i used my vader 4 pro for my playthrough on it again, you can do the same with any switch controller tbh.

4. Use what you can. Some people will react to you using spirit summons with ( ugh.. You're cheating, thats not a real kill!) if anybody does that to you, laugh at them and take pity on them cause their frontal lobe stopped developing when they were 6 years old.

5. have fun! the most important part is to have fun.

if you need any more tips, idm helping!

[u/Pete_Jend]

Make sure you prioritize leveling Vigor and go to the Weeping Peninsula instead of bashing your head at tree sentinel or Margit.

But on a more philosophical note, each time you die, ask yourself why it happened instead of being frustrated. Expect to be bad for a while, if you feel too frustranted, just take a pause, with time you'll get better.

[u/theswillmerchant]

Go south first, explore everywhere, try to fight enemies one at a time, don’t be afraid to run away from/past things that are killing you, for the love of god level vigor before anything else, and please please please watch someone play if you feel like it’s just not clicking, I recommend FightinCowboy.

These games are meant to be hard, but people take that reputation to mean that they’re supposed to be impossible. They’re not. You’re meant to win, it’s just meant to be challenging. You got this!

[u/ijpck]

Best advice for new player:

- embrace the death, don’t see it as a failure, use it as learning

- always make sure you level up when you have enough runes to do so, dying drops all of them so you make no progress on strength if you do (status menu option)

- walk away from difficult enemies/areas, mark them to come back with skull icon on map

- wander around and do side dungeons for EXP

- VIG is the most important stat for a newbie. Early game weapon level matters more than STR/DEX since your scaling will be so low typically. Those stats are solely to have the minimum level to wield the weapon

- use a shield if you find timing rolls too difficult but there are always windows. Don’t mindlessly mash attack, wait for your opening and attack a few times. Dont be greedy like the rest of us

- try out different weapons to see which movesets click with you, take them and fight weak enemies to get use to what it can do, if you like it using your stones to level it up and add to your arsenal. New players often just get hooked on one weapon which stales the game sometimes

- call for summon if you really need help, there are discord and randoms you can call for help, make sure you enable the summoning pool in dungeons or outside boss arenas (be careful because I might invade you though)

Good luck!

[u/Outrageous_Meet2025]

Here are my two cents:

In the early game is better to put only the points you need on the stats (str, dex, faith, int) required for wielding your weapon of choice and on enough stamina to wear some decent armour and a shield. Besides that, prioritise vigour as much as possible until you get to 40 vigour which is the first soft cap. Your hp is your most important stat for survivability and you can more effectively increase your damage by upgrading your weapons than by increasing your offensive stats.

Practice the combat on 1v1s against basic enemies as much as you need until you get comfortable with the basic controls.  When tackling enemy groups or encampments use a bow to aggro them one at a time and use stealth to backstab them.  It’s also a good strategy to dash in and out quickly on your horse to grab items that are surrounded by groups of enemies.

I’ve always found the most joy on these games by simply exploring around so remember you can always do that instead of brute forcing your way through a tough dungeon or boss you might not be ready for. Golden rule is: if you’re not having fun, you can always leave and come back later.

[u/TextGuilty507]

So many good advice, thank you! Coming from a straight forward battle system to Souls games is very uphill. Somehow get the backstabs and sneak pretty good, so could be my playstyle at the beginning. Being eager to get a glinstone staff on a warrior class is a beating so could put that aside for a bit.

[u/Turbulent_Jackoff]

Is there a good mindset to begin exploring the game without feeling like everything kills you all the time?`

One tip is: stop worrying about things killing you all the time.

Unlike in Zelda, dying doesn't reset your progress and undo what you've done, reloading a previous saved game.

Instead, Elden Ring has your actual character respawn, having accomplished what they did before dying. 

You'll keep any items you looted, NOCs remember talking to you, bosses stay dead, your map stays discovered, etc.

Basic enemies will also respawn, though!

[u/Nockolisk]

Side note, it’s crazy to me that people actually leave jump on X in BotW/TotK. But that’s just because I’m old and the SNES ingrained in me that in the standard diamond button layout, B is meant to be jump (or X on PS/ A on XB).

[u/Dewalt_Lobster]

Honestly, if this is your first play through, I’m going to give you some advice that will save you a tremendous amount of headache.

Go farm some. Get your character built up a little before trying to take on the world.

The fancier the enemy looks, the harder they hit. So that guy decked out in gold will fuck you up, so just run.

And honestly, Elden ring is a massive game. First play through, find a weapon that does bleed.

[u/johnbarta]

a few years ago I was you. This is what worked for me. It's probably a good evening of preparation, but I promise you that you'll be able to explore more freely without dying ALL the time. With enough health to learn how to play the game.

- Go on YouTube and find an early game build. Get all of the items you need for said build. Make sure your weapons are leveled up.

- Get as my healing flasks that you can from the early areas. Find a YouTube video showing you where to go for this.

- look up the dragon rune farm and farm that dragon for tons of runes. Take those runes and get whatever base stats you need to wield the weapon you want and put the rest in vigor.

- Get a spirit summon. They give you the wolves! make sure they are leveled up too.

all of these should get you on the right track to explore around a bit. The game was once nick named "death of the wild" and I think it's accurate! Remember when you roll you are invincible. So try to roll into attacks. I thought the big ass trolls were a good enemy to practice that sort of thing on. Try not to get surrounded by enemies, back away and make it 1v1.

have fun man!