Elden Ring Complete Walkthrough: Main Story Path Guide

This comprehensive Elden Ring walkthrough guides you through the main story path, covering essential bosses, key items, and optimal progression routes. Whether you're a Souls veteran or new to FromSoftware games, this guide will help you navigate the Lands Between efficiently.

Getting Started: Limgrave

After creating your character and selecting your starting class, you'll awaken in the Chapel of Anticipation. The Grafted Scion here is optional—dying sends you to the main game. If you defeat it, you'll receive a valuable early-game weapon.

Upon reaching Limgrave, speak with Melina at the Gatefront Site of Grace to unlock Torrent, your spectral steed. Torrent is essential for traversing the open world and escaping dangerous encounters. Next, visit the Church of Elleh to meet Merchant Kalé, who sells crafting materials and the Crafting Kit.

Early Objectives

Before tackling Stormveil Castle, explore Limgrave to level up and gather equipment. Visit the Waypoint Ruins to fight Mad Pumpkin Head and access Sorceress Sellen for sorcery training. Clear the Limgrave Tunnels for Smithing Stones to upgrade weapons. Defeat the Tree Sentinel if you're confident, but this boss is designed to teach you that not every enemy must be fought immediately.

Stormveil Castle: Godrick the Grafted

Stormveil Castle is your first legacy dungeon. Enter through the main gate or take Gostoc's side path for easier navigation. Key items include the Rusty Key (opens a shortcut), the Whetstone Knife (enables Ash of War customization), and various Smithing Stones.

Margit the Fell Omen guards the castle entrance. This challenging boss tests your understanding of dodge timing and punishing attack windows. Use Margit's Shackle (purchased from Patches in Murkwater Cave) to temporarily bind him during phase one. After defeating Margit, navigate through Stormveil's interconnected corridors to reach Godrick.

Godrick the Grafted is a two-phase fight. Phase one features sweeping weapon attacks and grab attempts. Phase two begins when he grafts a dragon head, adding fire breath attacks. Stay close to avoid the breath attacks and punish his recovery animations. Defeating Godrick grants his Great Rune and access to Liurnia of the Lakes.

Liurnia of the Lakes: Rennala

Liurnia is a vast lake region with the Academy of Raya Lucaria at its center. To enter the academy, you need the Glintstone Key found at the Meeting Place Site of Grace. Explore the region to find the Carian Manor, home to optional boss Royal Knight Loretta, and the Village of the Albinaurics, where you'll meet Nepheli Loux.

Inside Raya Lucaria, navigate through classrooms filled with sorcerers and giant hands. The Red Wolf of Radagon guards the debate parlor—a fast, aggressive boss weak to bleed damage. After defeating it, ascend to the Grand Library to face Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.

Rennala's first phase requires breaking her protective barrier by attacking glowing students. Phase two is a traditional boss fight featuring powerful sorceries. Stay mobile to avoid her Comet Azur and summon spirit ashes to divide her attention. Victory grants Rennala's Great Rune and the ability to respec your character.

Caelid: Starscourge Radahn

Caelid is an optional but recommended region featuring Redmane Castle and the Starscourge Radahn festival. This scarlet rot-infested wasteland contains powerful enemies and valuable items. Visit Gowry's Shack to begin Millicent's questline, which rewards the Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom talisman.

Radahn is fought in an arena with multiple NPC summons available. This spectacle fight features Radahn's gravity magic and meteor attacks. Summon NPCs repeatedly as they die to maintain pressure. In phase two, Radahn crashes down as a meteor—dodge this attack carefully. Defeating Radahn opens access to Nokron, Eternal City, and progresses Ranni's questline.

Altus Plateau and Leyndell

Reach Altus Plateau via the Grand Lift of Dectus (requires two medallion halves) or through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Explore Mt. Gelmir to fight Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, an optional Great Rune bearer. Use the Serpent-Hunter spear provided in his arena for massive damage.

Leyndell, Royal Capital, is a massive legacy dungeon. Navigate through its streets, fighting Crucible Knights and Leyndell Knights. Key bosses include Godfrey, First Elden Lord (golden shade) and Morgott, the Omen King. Morgott is similar to Margit but with expanded movesets and more aggressive patterns. Defeating him grants access to the Mountaintops of the Giants.

Mountaintops and Fire Giant

The Mountaintops of the Giants is a snowy region leading to the Forge of the Giants. Explore Castle Sol to obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion (left half) for accessing the optional Consecrated Snowfield. The Fire Giant guards the forge—a massive boss with two phases. Target his weak ankle in phase one, then focus on his hands and chest in phase two. Defeating him allows you to burn the Erdtree.

Crumbling Farum Azula

After burning the Erdtree, you're transported to Crumbling Farum Azula, a floating ruin outside time. This area features Beastmen enemies and dragon bosses. Key encounters include Godskin Duo (a challenging double boss fight) and Maliketh, the Black Blade. Maliketh is extremely aggressive with attacks that reduce maximum HP. Use pillars for cover and punish his landing animations.

Endgame: Leyndell, Ashen Capital

Returning to Leyndell reveals it transformed into the Ashen Capital. Navigate through ash-covered streets to reach the Erdtree. Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing, blocks your path—a sorcerer boss with varied spells. After defeating him, face Godfrey, First Elden Lord (his true form as Hoarah Loux). This aggressive melee fight tests your dodging skills.

Final Boss: Radagon and Elden Beast

The final encounter is a two-phase fight. Radagon of the Golden Order uses holy magic and teleportation. Stay aggressive and dodge his area-of-effect attacks. After defeating Radagon, the Elden Beast emerges. This massive creature uses ranged holy attacks and requires careful positioning. Elden Stars is particularly dangerous—run perpendicular to avoid it. Victory grants you the ability to choose your ending.

Essential Tips

Level Vigor early—aim for 40 by endgame. Upgrade your weapon regularly using Smithing Stones. Explore thoroughly to find Golden Seeds (increase Flask charges) and Sacred Tears (increase Flask potency). Use Spirit Ashes for difficult encounters—Mimic Tear is particularly powerful. Don't hesitate to summon cooperators for challenging bosses.