How To Level Up in Elden Ring

⚔️ What is Leveling Up

When you first start the game and finish the tutorial, you step out into Limgrave for the first time. However, leveling up only becomes possible after triggering a specific cutscene in the game. Because the game is open world, it’s actually possible to miss this crucial mechanic.

Unlocking the Leveling System

1. From the beginning of the game at Limgrave, head directly right
2. Keep heading in that direction, hugging the right side of the map
3. You might have to fight off a couple of enemies on the way, but you should be fine
4. Look for a camp filled with enemies with a Site of Grace nearby
5. The Gatefront Site of Grace is just to the right side of the camp
6. Rest at this Site of Grace to trigger the cutscene with Melina
7. Accept the dialogue option when prompted

Melina will appear and offer her services to help you level up when you rest at the appropriate Site of Grace. You gain the ability to level up by accepting her offer, then you can level up at any Site of Grace by selecting the “Level Up” option.

💰 Runes – Your Currency for Power

Now that you’ve unlocked the ability to level up, you’re going to need Runes to spend on upgrading your character. You get runes in Elden Ring by defeating enemies, and the tougher the enemy, the more runes they drop.

Early Game Rune Farming Strategy

Managing Your Runes

• Check Required Runes – Press start and select status menu to see how many runes you need
• Rune Retrieval – You drop runes when you die, but can collect them again
• Permanent Loss – If you die a second time before collecting, runes are gone forever
• Strategic Planning – Always have a backup plan for rune collection

📈 Skills and Attribute Focus

To get the most out of each level, you need to focus on specific skills based on your build and playstyle. Your character has eight main stats that affect different aspects of gameplay.

Weapon Scaling and Stat Priority

For melee characters, focus on whatever skill determines the damage you need with your chosen weapon:

• Check Your Starting Class – If it has more Strength than other stats, focus on Strength weapons
• Examine Weapon Requirements – If a weapon requires more Strength than Dexterity, it’s a Strength weapon
• Attribute Scaling Grades – S is best, then A, B, C, D, E (look for your weapon’s best scaling)
• Focus to 20-25 First – Level your main damage stat to 20-25 before branching out

Secondary Stats Priority

After reaching 20-25 in your main damage stat, focus on these supporting attributes:

• Endurance – Good for Dexterity builds; increases stamina for higher DPS
• Vigor – Excellent for Strength builds; provides more HP for tankiness
• Mind – Increases FP for abilities, spells, and weapon skills

🔢 Leveling System and Rune Costs

Understanding the rune economy in Elden Ring is crucial for efficient character progression. The cost increases dramatically as you level up, with major soft caps designed to slow progression.

This exponential cost increase is designed to slow your progression the further you advance, encouraging strategic stat allocation rather than mindless grinding.

Checking Your Progress

You can track your progression easily:

• Status Screen – Shows current level, runes owned, and runes needed for next level
• Top Right Corner – All relevant information displayed clearly
• Plan Ahead – Know how many runes you need before farming

📊 Character Stats Deep Dive

Vigor – Your Lifeline

Vigor is one of the most crucial stats and essential for almost every build. At the start, you have around 10 Vigor or 414 HP, which lets you survive 3-5 hits from Limgrave bosses. If you don’t want to die in one hit from bosses, level Vigor.

Mind – Your Magical Resource

Mind governs your FP (Focus Points) – your blue mana bar. You use it for casting spells and miracles, activating special weapon skills, Ashes of War, and summoning spirit ashes. A +12 Cerulean Flask restores 224 FP, equivalent to having around 38 Mind.

Endurance – Stamina and Mobility

Endurance controls your stamina (green bar), equipment load, and resistance stats. Stamina is used for everything: swinging weapons, rolling, sprinting, and casting spells. Your equipment load percentage determines your roll type and even affects fall damage!

⚔️ How Damage Works

Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith mostly exist for one purpose: smashing boss faces. But understanding damage calculation in Elden Ring requires knowledge of scaling systems and stat modifiers.

Weapon Scaling Explained

You’ve probably seen those letters on weapons (E to S) that represent scaling grades. These letters represent numerical scaling values that get plugged into damage formulas:

• Scaling Grades – S (best) > A > B > C > D > E (worst)
• Unique Values – Each weapon has its own scaling values, even within the same grade
• Two-Handing Bonus – Strength gets a 1.5x multiplier when two-handing weapons
• Stat Tiers – Different stat ranges have different growth rates

Damage Calculation Process

The damage calculation follows this process:

1. Base Weapon AR (Attack Rating) – Your weapon’s base damage
2. Scaling Value – Numerical value from the weapon’s scaling chart
3. Stat Modifier – Calculated using preset tables based on your stat level
4. Final Bonus Damage – All values combined for total damage output

🗺️ Elden Ring Recommended Area Levels

Below are all the recommended levels for each region in Elden Ring. Following these recommendations will ensure you’re appropriately powered for each area’s challenges.

🏆 Conclusion

Players need to unlock the ability to level up by interacting with Melina at a Site of Grace. Once unlocked, you can spend Runes at any Site of Grace to increase your character’s level and stats.

Key Takeaways for Successful Leveling

• Trigger Melina’s Cutscene – Visit the Gatefront Site of Grace to unlock leveling
• Focus Your Stats – Prioritize your main damage stat to 20-25 first
• Understand Soft Caps – Major cost increases at levels 40 and 80
• Follow Level Recommendations – Use our region guide to stay appropriately powered
• Strategic Rune Management – Always have a plan for collecting dropped runes

After accepting Melina’s offer, a menu will pop up where you can allocate points to increase your character’s attributes. Confirm your choices to finalize the level-up process, and remember – you earn Runes by defeating enemies, bosses, and exploring the world.

The Lands Between await, Tarnished. Level wisely and may you become Elden Lord!