Complete Elden Ring Walkthrough Guide 2026 | Boss Strategy, Builds & Full Story Explained

Introduction

Elden Ring is a vast, dark, and extremely challenging open-world action RPG developed by FromSoftware. The game takes players into the dangerous world of “The Lands Between” where death, secrets, and powerful enemies lurk at every turn.

This complete Elden Ring walkthrough, beginner guide, and boss strategy is designed to take you from beginner to pro level so that you can easily understand each difficult stage and advance in the game.

What is Elden Ring?

Elden Ring is an open-world fantasy game set in the ruined world of “Lands Between.” This world was once ruled by Queen Marika and her godchildren, but when “Elden Ring” broke, the entire empire descended into war, destruction, and madness.

Open World Description

This game is not a traditional linear game, but a fully open world where:

• You can travel freely
• Discover hidden dungeons
• Face powerful bosses
• And progress the story at your own pace

Difficulty Level

Elden Ring is known for its difficulty. This game:

• Can be tough for new players
• But once you learn, it’s a very rewarding experience
• Every enemy teaches you a strategy

Beginner Tips Before You Start

If you’re starting the Elden Ring walkthrough for the first time, these basic tips are very important for your survival.

Leveling System

You have to use “Runes” to increase your power in the game. Key Points:

• Vigor → Increases Health
• Endurance → Stamina and Weight
• Strength / Dexterity → Increases Attack Power
• Intelligence / Faith → For Magic builds
• Wrong leveling can make your game difficult, so focus on Vigor in the beginning.

Best Starting Class

Each class in Elden Ring offers a different style:

• Vagabond → Best for Beginners (balanced build)
• Samurai → Fast and powerful melee style
• Astrologer → For Magic users
• Hero → Heavy strength builds
• Vagabond is the easiest and safest choice for new players.

Weapons Basics

Weapons in the game change not only damage but also playstyle:

• Heavy Weapons → High damage, low speed
• Light Weapons → Fast attacks
• Magic Staffs → Ranged attacks
• Shields → Defensive strategy

Different weapon strategies are required for each boss.

Map Exploration Tips

The Elden Ring map is huge, so:

• Always enable Sites of Grace
• Explore every new area first
• Avoiding enemies is also a strategy
• Don’t ignore hidden caves and dungeons

Understanding the map is what takes you from beginner to pro.

Complete Main Story Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)

The main story journey of Elden Ring consists of a large open-world experience in which each area tests the player’s skill, patience, and strategy. This section provides you with a complete guide from the beginning to the final boss.

Limgrave (Initial Area)

Limgrave is the first area where you learn the basic mechanics of the game.

Step 1: Cave of Knowledge (Tutorial)

This is the tutorial area of ​​the game where you learn:

• Basic attacks and defenses
• Dodge and roll mechanics
• Using stamina
• Fighting early enemies

Don’t rush here, understand every tutorial.

⚔️ Step 2: First Boss (Margit the Fell Omen)

This is the first major challenge of the game.

Boss Strategy:

• His attacks are slow but powerful
• Rolling timing is very important
• Use Spirit Ashes
• Spells or ranged attacks from a distance are better
• Recommended Level: Level 20–25

Step 3: Stormveil Castle Guide

The first Legacy Dungeon in Elden Ring. Key Points:

• Narrow paths and hidden enemies
• Beware of archers
• Opening shortcuts is essential

Boss: Godrick the Grafted

• Weakens fire damage
• His attacks become faster in phase 2

Map Guide (Text Overview):

• Gatefront Ruins → Stormveil entrance
• Hidden paths → rooftop traversal
• Castle basement → secret loot areas

Liurnia of the Lakes

This area is more magical and exploration-oriented.

Academy of Raya Lucaria Walkthrough

• Encounter magical enemiest
• Moving platforms and traps
• Puzzle-based progression
• Boss: Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon
• Shield must be broken in phase 1
• Avoid summon attacks in phase 2

Key Items

• Memory Stones (extra spell slots)
• Glintstone Staff upgrades
• Magic resistance gear

Hidden Bosses

• Black Knife Assassins
• Optional mini bosses in caves
• Secret underground tunnels

Caelid Region Guide

This area is one of the most dangerous areas in the game.

Difficulty Warning

• Toxic environment (Scarlet Rot)
• Powerful enemies
• Hard terrain for beginners

Best Farming Spots

• High rune enemies in rot-covered fields
• Night cavalry encounters
• Abandoned ruins exploration

Redmane Castle Boss

Boss: Radahn Festival Fight

• Mounted combat phase
• Ranged attacks required
• Use summons

Altus Plateau & Volcano Manor

This is a key part of the mid-game progression.

Quest Progression

• Use Great Lift of Dectus
• Meet story NPCs
• Faction choices begin

Side Missions

• Volcano Manor assassination quests
• Hidden lava dungeons
• Unique armor rewards

Endgame Walkthrough

The final part of Elden Ring is the most difficult and intense.

Mountaintops of the Giants

• extreme cold damage
• powerful enemies
• story climax begins

Crumbling Farum Azula

• flying dragons
• collapsing terrain
• Fast-paced combat

Final Boss Strategy

Bosses:

• Godfrey, First Elden Lord
• Radagon of the Golden Order
• Elden Beast

Strategy:

• Stamina management essential
• Use holy resistance gear
• Dodge timing must be perfect

All Boss Guides (Quick Access Table)

Boss Name	Location	Weakness	Recommended Level
Margit the Fell Omen	Stormveil Gate	Magic / Ranged	20–25
Godrick the Grafted	Stormveil Castle	Fire Damage	30–35
Rennala	Raya Lucaria Academy	Physical Burst	40–50
Starscourge Radahn	Caelid	Summons + Ranged	60–70
Morgott	Leyndell	Holy Resistance	80–90
Fire Giant	Mountaintops	Bleed / Ice	100–110
Maliketh	Farum Azula	Fast DPS	120+
Elden Beast	Final Arena	Holy / Endurance	120+

Best Weapons & Builds in Elden Ring

Your power in Elden Ring is largely determined by your build. The right weapons and stat upgrades can take you from casual to pro level.

Strength Build

This build focuses on heavy weapons and high damage.

Key Features:

• Large swords and hammers
• Slow but extremely powerful attacks
• Ability to quickly finish off bosses
• Best Weapons:
• Greatsword
• Colossal Weapons
• Ruins Greatsword

Playstyle:

• Get close to the enemy and launch heavy attacks
• stamina management is essential
• defense is more important

Magic Build

This build is based on attacking from a distance and using spells.

Key Features:

• long-range combat
• high intelligence scaling
• safe playstyle

Best Spells & Weapons:

• Glintstone Pebble
• Comet Azur
• Lusat’s Staff

Playstyle:

• maintain distance
• deal stun and burst damage to enemies
• mana management is essential

Dexterity Build (fast build)

This build focuses on fast attacks and mobility.

Key Features:

• fast attacks
• high critical hits
• dodge-based combat

Best Weapons:

• Uchigatana
• Rivers of Blood
• Moonveil Katana

Playstyle:

• hit & run strategy
• confuse enemies
• use bleed damage

Side Quests Guide (Important for Endings)

Side quests in Elden Ring are not just additional missions, they are a means to unlock different endings in the game.

Ranni the Witch Questline

This is the most famous and secret ending quest.

Key Steps:

• Meet Ranni
• Travel with Blaidd and Seluvis
• Explore Nokron Eternal City
• Obtain the Dark Moon Ring

Reward:Secret “Age of Stars” ending

Fia Questline (Deathbed Companion)

This quest is based on death and rebirth themes.

Key Steps:

• Meet Fia in Roundtable Hold
• Collect Deathroot
• Explore Deeproot Depths

Reward: “Age of the Duskborn” ending

Dung Eater Questline

This is the darkest and most evil quest.

Key Steps:

• Collect cursed seedbed curse
• Explore sewer areas
• Free the Dung Eater

Reward: “Blessing of Despair” ending (bad ending)

How to get all Endings?

Elden Ring has multiple endings that depend on your decisions.

Good Ending (Elden Lord Ending)

Requirements:

• Complete the main story
• Defeat the final boss
• Avoid the Frenzied Flame
  Result: You become the new Elden Lord

Bad Ending (Lord of Frenzied Flame)

Requirements:

• Interact with Three Fingers
• Accept the Frenzied Flame
  Result: The world descends into chaos

Secret Endings

• Age of Stars (Ranni Ending)
• Complete the Ranni quest
• Duskborn Ending (Fia)
• Complete the deathroot quest
• Despair Ending (Dung Eater)
• Unlock the cursed ending

Pro Tips (Advanced Players)

These tips are very important to reach expert level in Elden Ring.

Rune Farming Fast (Fast Level Up)

• Mohgwyn Palace is the best place
• Farm Albinaurics enemies
• Use gold scarab talisman
• Hit enemies at once with AoE spells

Best Armor Sets

• Bull-Goat Set → high defense
• Raging Wolf Set → balanced build
• Lusat Set → magic build
  Armor changes not only defense but also playstyle

Hidden Shortcuts

• Stormveil Castle rooftops
• Liurnia hidden caves
• Leyndell secret elevator paths
• Farum Azula teleport shortcuts
  Learning shortcuts gives speedrun level advantage

FAQs

Conclusion

Elden Ring is an open-world experience that combines patience, skill, and strategy. This game is not just about fighting, but a complete journey where every step is an opportunity to learn and improve. If you:

• Use the right build
• Fight with understanding your enemies
• And focus on exploration

Then you can easily succeed in this harsh but beautiful world. This game will beat you again and again, but each defeat will make you stronger than before.