Elden Ring’s progression route is relatively simple, contrasting the game’s massive map. If you’re only concerned about getting to the end, there’s a clear path you can take. However, there are still a handful of challenges you’ll need to overcome.
Table Of Contents
Before Getting Started
While the progression route you’ll take in Elden Ring can be straightforward, you may want to explore the surrounding locations in each region. This is because you’ll fight powerful bosses in each region. You can power through them or you can explore the area first to collect runes, strong weapons, and decent armor sets. This way, you can become more powerful.
Every region in Elden Ring has catacombs, caves, tunnels, and forts that you can explore. These can contain the items you’ll need for the journey ahead.
For example, if you’re running short on Smithing Stones and Somber Smithing Stones, be sure to check out tunnels. There’s at least one or two in each region.
You can also seek out churches and Minor Erdtrees, as these can provide you with Sacred Tears and Crystal Tears.
Once you’ve leveled up enough and have obtained decent gear, then you can take on the area’s main boss to progress.
Main Story Progression Route
If you’re one of those players who simply wants to follow the game’s main story, you can certainly do that in Elden Ring. Just expect a tough challenge ahead.
You’re more than free to breeze through each area, but you’ll have a better experience in the game if you attain the recommended level and weapon level. There are also items you should pick up in each region before moving on. These items will serve you better as you fight your way through the rest of the game.
That said, before you proceed, be sure to seek out the following items as you go through the game’s main story progression:
- Smithing Stones – Upgrade normal weapons
- Somber Smithing Stones – Upgrade unique weapons
- Grave Gloveworts – Upgrade regular Spirit Ashes
- Ghost Gloveworts – Upgrade elite Spirit Ashes
- Golden Seed – Increase flask charges
- Sacred Tears – Increase the potency of flasks
- Map Fragments – Make the map visible
You should also take the time to explore caves, catacombs, and tunnels in each region. Be sure to reach the recommended level and weapon level before you proceed to the next area.
Limgrave
Recommended minimum level: 1 – 20
Recommended minimum weapon level: 1 to 3 for regular weapons (upgraded with Smithing Stones) and 1 to 2 for unique weapons (upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones).
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Limgrave.
- Purchase Crafting Kit from Merchant Kale at Church of Elleh.
- Get Spirit Calling Bell from Renna at Church of Elleh. She spawns here at night time.
- Meet Melina at the Gatefront Site of Grace and get the Spectral Steed Whistle from her.
Stormhil and Stormveil Castle
Recommended minimum level: 20 – 40
Recommended minimum weapon level: 4 to 6 for regular weapons, 3 to 4 for unique weapons.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Stormhill and in Stormveil Castle.
- Enter Stormveil Castle.
- Defeat Margit, the Fell Omen.
- Visit the Roundtable Hold.
- Defeat Godrick the Grafted.
Liurnia of the Lakes
Recommended minimum level: 40 – 50
Recommended minimum weapon level: 4 to 6 for regular weapons, 3 to 4 for unique weapons.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Liurnia.
- Obtain the Academy Glintstone Key.
- Enter Raya Lucaria.
Academy of Raya Lucaria
Recommended minimum level: 50 – 60
Recommended minimum weapon level: 7 to 9 for regular weapons, 5 for unique weapons.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
- Defeat the Red Wolf of Radagon.
- Defeat Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon.
Bellum Highway
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in this area.
- Pass through the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
- Defeat Magma Wyrm Makar.
Altus Plateau
Recommended minimum level: 60 – 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 6 for unique weapons.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Altus Plateau.
- Make your way to the Capital Outskirts.
- Defeat the Draconic Tree Sentinel.
- Enter Leyndell.
Leyndell, Royal Capital
Recommended minimum level: 80 – 100
Recommended minimum weapon level: 16 to 18 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Leyndell.
- Defeat Godfrey, the First Elden Lord.
- Obtain the Bolt of Gransax. Don’t forget to do this now as the Bolt of Gransax is a missable item. You won’t be able to get this later once Leyndell becomes the Capital of Ash.
- Defeat Morgott, the Omen King.
- Attempt to get inside the Erdtree.
- Pass through the Forbidden Lands to get to the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Mountaintops of the Giants
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: 22 to max level for regular weapons, 9 for unique weapons.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in the Mountaintops of the Giants.
- Defeat the Fire Giant.
- Set the Erdtree aflame at the Forge of the Giants.
Crumbling Farum Azula
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max level for any weapon.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Crumbling Farum Azula.
- Defeat the Godskin Duo.
- Defeat the Beast Clergyman / Maliketh, the Black Blade.
Leyndell, Capital of Ash
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max level for any weapon.
Things to Do to Progress:
The following are the things you’ll want to do while you’re in Leyndell for the second time.
- Defeat Sir Gideon, the All-Knowing.
- Defeat Godfrey, First Elden Lord / Hourah Loux, Warrior.
- Enter the Erdtree.
- Defeat Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast.
- Mend the Elden Ring.
Ending
If you’ve only gone through the game’s main story progression, there’s only one ending that you can unlock.
Age of Fracture
The Age of Fracture is the game’s “normal” ending. This is the ending that has no other requirements, other than beating the final boss of the game.
With that, you’ve beaten Elden Ring.
Completionist Progression Route
If you want to take your playthrough a step further and fully experience everything the game can offer, you can take the completionist’s route. This ensures that you’ve obtained all Elden Ring achievements or trophies by the time you reach the ending.
To reach 100% completion or earn the game’s platinum trophy, you don’t actually need to explore every location, fight every boss, or obtain every item. However, you’re very much free to do so.
Limgrave
Recommended minimum level: 1 – 20
Recommended weapon level: 1 to 3 for regular weapons, 1 to 2 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Purchase Crafting Kit from Merchant Kale at Church of Elleh.
- Get Spirit Calling Bell from Renna at Church of Elleh.
- Meet Melina at the Gatefront Site of Grace and get the Spectral Steed Whistle from her.
- Find Sellen in the basement of Waypoint Ruins.
- Head to the Weeping Peninsula.
Weeping Peninsula
Recommended minimum level: 20 – 30
Recommended minimum weapon level: 1 to 3 for regular weapons, 1 to 2 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to Tombsward Catacombs and get the Lhutel the Headless Spirit Ashes.
- Make your way to Castle Morne.
- Defeat Leonine Misbegotten and obtain the Grafted Blade Greatsword.
Stormhill and Stormveil Castle
Recommended minimum level: 20 – 40
Recommended minimum weapon level: 4 to 6 for regular weapons, 3 to 4 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Get to Stormveil Castle.
- Defeat Margit, the Fell Omen.
- Defeat Godrick the Grafted.
- Make your way to the Divine Tower of Limgrave.
- Restore Godrick’s Great Rune.
Roundtable Hold
The Roundtable Hold is the game’s main hub area. If you want to follow the completionist route, you’ll need to interact with NPCs here time and time again.
- Speak to Brother Cohryn.
- Speak to D, Hunter of the Dead.
- Be held by Fia.
- Speak to Sir Gideon.
- Have Hewg upgrade your weapons.
- Progress Roderika’s quest line so she can upgrade your Spirit Ashes.
Liurnia of the Lakes
Recommended minimum level: 40 – 50
Recommended minimum weapon level: 4 to 6 for regular weapons, 3 to 4 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Head to the Village of the Albinaurics.
- Obtain Haligtree Secret Medallion (Right).
- Head to the Malefactor’s Evergaol and defeat Adan, Thief of Fire to get the Flame of the Fell God incantation.
- Obtain Academy Glintstone Key.
- Make your way to the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
Academy of Raya Lucaria
Recommended minimum level: 50 – 60
Recommended minimum weapon level: 7 to 9 for regular weapons, 5 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Defeat the Red Wolf of Radagon.
- Get the Radagon’s Icon Talisman.
- Defeat Rennala of the Full Moon.
Northern Liurnia and Caria Manor
Recommended minimum level: 50 – 60
Recommended minimum weapon level: 7 to 9 for regular weapons, 5 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to Caria Manor.
- Get the Sword of Night and Flame.
- Defeat Royal Knight Loretta.
- Meet Ranni the Witch and begin her quest line.
Siofra River (Main)
Recommended minimum level: 50 – 60
Recommended minimum weapon level: 7 to 9 for regular weapons, 5 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Light the eight pillars.
- Interact with the deer carcass at the Hallowhorn Grounds.
- Defeat the Ancestral Spirit.
- Speak to Blaidd.
The following actions will have you leave the Siofra River. You don’t also necessarily have to do these to progress Ranni’s questline, but it will give you a better context of what you need to do from here.
- Return to the Three Sisters at Caria Manor and speak to Seluvis.
- Talk to Sellen at Waypoint Ruins.
Caelid (South)
Recommended minimum level: 60 – 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 10 to 12 for regular weapons, 5 to 6 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to Redmane Castle.
Redmane Castle
Recommended minimum level: 60 – 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 10 to 12 for regular weapons, 5 to 6 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Defeat Starscourge Radahn.
- Head to the War Dead Catacombs and defeat the Putrid Tree Spirit to get the Redmane Knight Ogha Spirit Ashes.
- Re-enter the castle via the waygate at the Impassable Greatbridge after defeating Radahn, then make your way to the castle plaza.
- Defeat the Leonine Misbegotten Warrior & Crucible Knight boss duo to obtain the Ruins Greatsword.
Nokron Eternal City
Recommended minimum level: 60 to 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Enter Nokron via the crash site at Mistwood in Limgrave.
- Defeat the Mimic Tear.
- Light the six pillars around Nokron.
- Interact with the deer carcass at the Hallowhorn Grounds.
- Defeat the Regal Ancestor Spirit.
- Head to the Night’s Sacred Ground.
- Obtain the Mimic Tear Spirit Ashes.
- Obtain the Fingerslayer Blade.
- Make your way to Siofra Aqueduct.
- Defeat the Valiant Gargoyle.
Returning to Liurnia
At this point, you’ll return to Liurnia to progress Ranni’s questline forward. There are also other things you must do while you’re here for the sake of completion.
- Return to Ranni and give her the Fingerslayer Blade. You’ll receive the Carian Inverted Statue in return.
- Head to the Carian Study Hall.
- Place the Carian Inverted Statue on the altar.
- Proceed to the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
- Obtain the Cursemark of Death.
Ainsel River, Nokstella Eternal City, and Lake of Rot
Recommended minimum level: 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Enter Ainsel River from the Ainsel River Well in Liurnia.
- Defeat the Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella.
- Enter Ainsel River from the waygate in Renna’s Rise.
- Obtain Miniature Ranni.
- Talk to miniature Ranni at the Ainsel River Main Site of Grace.
- Head to Nokstella, Eternal City.
- Obtain the Moon of Nokstella legendary talisman.
- Defeat the Baleful Shadow.
- Proceed to the Lake of Rot.
At this point, you should take the time to return to the Grand Library at the Academy of Raya Lucaria and obtain the Dark Moon Ring from a chest in this room. Once done, return to the Lake of Rot.
- Cross the Lake of Rot.
- Interact with the coffin south of the temple at the Grand Cloister.
- Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
- Use the elevator past Astel’s boss arena to get to the Moonlight Altar.
Moonlight Altar
Recommended minimum level: 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
- Head to the Cathedral of Manus Celes.
- Complete Ranni’s questline to receive the Dark Moon Greatsword.
- Go to the Ringleader’s Evergaol and defeat Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader to obtain the Black Knife Tiche Spirit Ashes.
Bellum Highway
Recommended minimum level: 60 – 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to the Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
- Defeat Magma Wyrm Makar.
- Proceed to Altus Plateau.
Roundtable Hold
As soon as you step foot in Altus Plateau and have rested in your first Site of Grace in this region, travel to the Roundtable Hold.
Once here, speak to the following NPCs to either begin or advance their questlines:
- Brother Cohryn
- Fia
- Dung Eater
Altus Plateau
Recommended minimum level: 60 to 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to the Shaded Castle.
- Defeat Elemer of the Briar and obtain the Marais Executioner’s Sword.
- Meet Brother Cohryn north of the Altus Highway Junction Site of Grace.
- Meet Goldmask.
- Inform Brother Cohryn of Goldmask’s whereabouts.
- Head to the Sainted Hero’s Grave and defeat the Ancient Hero of Zamor to get the Ancient Dragon Knight Kristoff Spirt Ashes.
- Head to the Golden Lineage Evergaol and defeat Godefroy the Grafted to get the Godfrey Icon talisman.
- Proceed to Mt. Gelmir from the Road of Iniquity Side Path.
Mt. Gelmir
Recommended minimum level: 60 to 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Obtain Comet Azur from Primeval Sorcerer Azur.
- Make your way to Volcano Manor.
Limgrave and Caelid Detour
Before proceeding, there’s one thing you’ll need to do at this point for the sake of completion, and that’s to get a legendary spell. Now that you’ve acquired the Comet Azur sorcery from Master Azur, complete the following steps:
- Return to Sellen at the Waypoint Ruins and she’ll ask you to find Master Lusat. She’ll also give you the Sellian Sealbreaker key. You’ll need this to get to Lusat.
- Make your way to Sellia Hideaway in Caelid. Use the Sellian Sealbreaker to undo the seal in the second pit to get to Master Lusat. Interact with him to receive the Stars of Ruin sorcery.
Volcano Manor
Recommended minimum level: 60 to 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Speak to Tanith and join the Volcano Manor.
- Do Volcano Manor assassination contracts.
- Speak to Bernahl after fulfilling one Volcano Manor contract.
- Fulfill Bernahl’s contract.
You won’t be able to complete some of the contracts until you reach Leyndell and the Mountaintops of the Giants. As soon as you pick up a contract, you’ll know where the target is as it will be marked by a red icon on the map.
When you get to Leyndell and Mountaintops of the Giants later on, be sure to fulfill each contract and return to the Manor afterward.
- Defeat Godskin Noble at the Temple of Eiglay.
- Obtain a Seedbed Curse.
- Defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy. Do this only after you complete every contract for Volcano Manor.
Capital Outskirts
Recommended minimum level: 60 to 80
Recommended minimum weapon level: 13 to 15 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Defeat the Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the northeastern gate to Leyndell.
- Enter Leyndell.
Leyndell, Royal Capital
Recommended minimum level: 80 to 100
Recommended minimum weapon level: 16 to 18 for regular weapons, 7 to 8 for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Obtain the Seedbed Curse past the East Capital Rampart Site of Grace.
- Obtain the Seedbed Curse in the Fortified Manor.
- Defeat Godfrey, First Elden Lord.
- Obtain the Golden Order Principia.
- Give the Golden Order Principia to Brother Cohryn or Pastor Miriel and learn the Law of Regression Incantation.
- Use the Law of Regression across the statue of Marika, northwest of the Erdtree Sanctuary.
- Speak to Cohryn and Goldmask in Leyndell, and tell them the secret regarding Radagon and Marika.
- Defeat Morgott, the Omen King.
- Attempt to enter the Erdtree.
Dragonbarrow
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: 19 to 21 for regular weapons, 9 to max for unique weapons.
Before you proceed to the Mountaintops of the Giants, it pays to visit Dragonbarrow for now, the northern region of Caelid. There are quite a few things here you’ll need to get 100% completion or the platinum trophy, and you’ll be leveled up enough to tackle the enemies here at this point.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Head to Fort Faroth and obtain Radagon’s Soreseal.
- Kill Elder Dragon Greyoll. Once done, head to the Cathedral of Dragon Communion in Caelid and purchase the Greyoll’s Roar incantation.
Subterranean Shunning-Grounds
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: 19 to 21 for regular weapons, 9 to max for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Find the Dung Eater’s physical body.
- Obtain the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse from the Dung Eater (after you give him five Seedbed Curses).
- Descend to the Forgotten Chapel.
- Defeat Mohg, the Omen.
- Descend further until you reach the Frenzied Flame Proscription.
- Don’t enter the room of the Three Fingers yet. For now, just activate the Site of Grace.
Deeproot Depths
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: 19 to 21 for regular weapons, 9 to max for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Arrive at Deeproot Depths by either interacting with the coffin at the Valiant Gargoyles’ boss room in Siofra Aqueduct or via the hidden entrance at the Frenzied Flame Proscription.
- Get the Elden Stars incantation.
- Make your way to the Prince of Death’s Throne.
- Defeat Fia’s Champions.
- Speak to Fia, be held by her, and give her the Cursemark of Death.
- Enter Fia’s dream.
- Defeat Lichdragon Fortissax.
- Receive the Mending Rune of the Death Prince.
Mountaintops of the Giants
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: 22 to max level for regular weapons, max for unique weapons.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to the Grand Lift of Rold.
- Find and speak to Goldmask and Brother Cohryn.
- Make your way to Castle Sol.
- Obtain the Eclipse Shotel.
- Defeat Commander Niall.
- Obtain the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left).
- Head to Heretical Rise and get the Founding Rain of Stars sorcery.
- Defeat the Fire Giant.
- Set the Erdtree aflame at the Forge of the Giants.
Crumbling Farum Azula
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max for any weapon.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Defeat Godskin Duo.
- Defeat Recusant Bernahl and obtain the Devourer’s Scepter.
- Obtain the Old Lord’s Talisman.
- Make your way to Dragonlord Placidusax’s boss room.
- Defeat Dragonlord Placidusax.
- Defeat Beast Clergyman / Maliketh, the Black Blade.
Leyndell, Capital of Ash
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max for any weapon.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Find Goldmask’s body and retrieve the Mending Rune of Perfect Order.
- Obtain the Erdtree’s Favor +2 talisman.
- Defeat Sir Gideon, the All-Knowing.
- Defeat Godfrey, First Elden Lord / Hourah Loux, Warrior.
- Enter the Erdtree.
- Defeat Radagon of the Golden Order / Elden Beast.
You’ll be at the Stone Platform at this point. However, don’t mend the Elden Ring yet by interacting with Marika’s body. There’s still a lot more you need to do before officially ending the game.
Consecrated Snowfield
Recommended minimum level: 100 – 120
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max for any weapon.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Make your way to the Grand Lift of Rold and hoist the secret medallion.
- Head to the waygate that teleports you to Mohgwyn Palace.
- Head to Ordina, Liturgical Town.
- Solve the puzzle of the town to gain access to the waygate that leads to Miquella’s Haligtree.
- Head to the Cave of the Forlorn and obtain the Golden Order Greatsword.
Mohgwyn Palace
Recommended minimum level: 120 to 150
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max for any weapon.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood.
Miquella’s Haligtree
Recommended minimum level: 120 to 150
Recommended minimum weapon level: Max for any weapon.
Necessary Actions for Trophies or Achievements:
- Obtain two Seedbed Curses.
- Defeat Loretta, Knight of the Haligtree.
- Obtain the Cleanrot Knight Finlay Spirit Ashes.
- Obtain the Marika Soreseal Talisman.
- Get the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman.
- Defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella.
Endings
Once you complete everything listed above, you’ll have acquired every achievement or trophy in the game except for the ones that involve the endings.
You should also have the pre-requisites to unlock every ending in Elden Ring at this point. If you want to earn 100% completion or the game’s platinum trophy now instead of heading over to New Game +, be familiar with save scumming.
Save scumming means uploading your save data to the cloud and reloading it later on. That’s what you’ll need to do here.
Head to the Stone Platform. Exit the game, upload your save data, or transfer it to an external drive. Then, return to the game, and unlock one ending.
Once you’ve earned the achievement or trophy for that ending, reload your save file and unlock another ending.
You’ll only need to do this process twice. Only three endings are tied to achievements or trophies: the Elden Lord ending, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, and the Age of the Stars ending.
The Age of Fracture, Blessing of Despair, Age of the Duskborn, and the Age of Order are all variations of the Elden Lord ending.
Age of Fracture
This is the game’s standard ending.
Blessing of Despair
This ending is tied to Dung Eater, and can be acquired by giving his physical body five Seedbed Curses.
Age of the Duskborn
This ending is tied to Fia and Godwyn. You’ll receive the Mending Rune for this ending by completing Fia’s quest line.
Age of Order
This ending is tied to Goldmask. Complete his quest line to receive the Mending Rune of Perfect Order.
Lord of Frenzied Flame
This is the ending you get once you inherit the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers. Once you become the Lord of Frenzied Flame, you’ll be locked out of the other endings unless you obtain Miquella’s Needle and use it on yourself in Dragonlord Placidusax’s boss room.
Age of the Stars
This ending is tied to Ranni the Witch. You’ll have the option to do this ending if you complete her quest line. At the Stone Platform, summon Ranni to unlock the Age of the Stars ending.
