What areas should I explore in Elden Ring?

Limgrave is the opening location in FromSoftware's newest release, Elden Ring. As players emerge from the depths of a graveyard and into the light of the day, this is the first location they will most likely begin to explore.

RELATED: Elden Ring: Best Locations In Caelid

There are many locations in Limgrave, from small caves and crypt-like dungeons to smaller ruins and other overground areas that yield quite a bit of good loot for Elden Ring's early game. Here's which locations are the best for players to visit in Limgrave for loot and progression. Note that Stormveil Castle, the local legacy dungeon, isn't considered on this list because of its massive advantage as a large dungeon, but it should be known it still holds the best loot and challenge for Elden Ring players.

10/10 Church Of Elleh

Elden Ring Best Early Items Guide Merchant Kale Church Of Elleh

  • Spirit Calling Bell, Lone Wolf Ashes, Smithing Bench, Traveling Merchant, Golden Rune (2)

This church is one of the first buildings players will see when emerging from the catacombs. Follow the road ahead while avoiding (or fighting) the Tree Sentinel, and it will be on the left side. Players can pick up a Golden Rune by its entrance, and walk in to meet merchant Kalé. He sells a bunch of useful early game items, such as the torch and crafting kit, so make sure to visit him again later with enough runes.

Players can also use the smithing bench to upgrade their weapons to a maximum of +3, after which they'll have to gain access to the Roundtable Hold. At night, after players have received Torrent from Melina by visiting the Gatefront Ruins site of grace, return here to speak with Ranni the Witch, who will offer the Spirit Calling bell for summoning various Ashes. She also gives players the Lone Wolf ashes, which are excellent for the start of the game.

9/10 Murkwater Catacombs

Murkwater Catacombs in Elden Ring

  • Battle Hammer, Banished Knight Engvall Ashes

Located down the river that carves through Limgrave, if players head down to this ravine they'll come across a small cave. Make sure to walk to the far end of the ravine to find it, as there's another cave on the way called Murkwater Cave with different loot. The catacombs, however, are a great location to pick up the Battle Hammer weapon, which does striking damage.

Moreover, defeating the boss grants players the Banished Knight Engvall ashes, which is a nice tanky companion to summon against tougher enemies.

8/10 Waypoint Ruins

ELDEN RING-item-waypoint-ruins-middle

  • Sorceress Sellen, Greataxe (in the carriage that passes by the ruins), Pumpkin Helm

Waypoint Ruins are found past the bridge stretching over Limgrave's river, and down south. The place will be guarded by a bunch of poisonous flowers, but they should be easy enough for players to deal with. Defeating the local boss in the cellar will reward the player with the Pumpkin Helm, and the Sorceress Sellen will set up shop near the new grace site.

RELATED: Elden Ring: The Most Underrated Incantations

There's also a carriage that goes past Waypoint Ruins every day, pulled by two large giants and guarded by a few knights and undead. Kill them, and loot the Greataxe found in the back of the carriage for an easy weapon. Heading slightly south from the Waypoint Ruins, following the edge of the cliff, players can find a bunch of graves with Golden Runes.

7/10 Stormhill Shack

Elden Ring Stormhill Giant Golem Guide Stormhill Shack

  • Golden Seed (on the road before the shack), Stonesword Key, Jellyfish Ashes

Starting from the Gatefront Ruins grace site, players can ride directly through the gates and downright ignore the enemies that are guarding the area. Ride further down the road to find a Golden Seed by a little golden tree, and beyond it lies Stormhill Shack, the closest grace site after passing through the gates.

There's a Stonesword Key on a wooden platform, and Roderika inside the shack itself. Speak to her three times and she will eventually grant the player Jellyfish ashes. The Jellyfish is a surprisingly tanky companion to have in boss battles, so this is a worthy pick up for those struggling against bosses, especially early on.

6/10 Gatefront Ruins

Elden Ring restpoint at Gatefront

  • Whetstone Knife, Storm Stomp Ash of War, Lordsworn Greatsword, Flail, Map of Limgrave (West)

Speaking of Gatefront Ruins, before running headfirst into Stormveil Castle, make sure to stop by here and loot this place thoroughly. In the cellar of the ruins, players can find the Whetstone Knife, which is needed to apply Ashes of War on weapons, as well as the Storm Stomp Ash of War.

In a chest next to the carriage closest to the Gatefront Ruins grace site, players can find the Lordsworn Greatsword for an early game weapon pick up. Directly opposite that carriage is another one, where players can find the Flail that applies Bloodloss build-up on enemies. Finally, and most importantly, make sure to pick up the map located on a stone pillar in the middle of the ruins. For players looking for a good shield, this area also has a small chance of dropping the Brass Shield, which negates 100% physical damage.

5/10 Deathtouched Catacombs

Elden Ring Deathtouched Catacombs

  • Golden Vow Ash of War, Uchigatana, Assassin's Crimson Dagger

Head west from Stormhill Shack, and right before reaching the Sainstbridge grace site, turn left to find the Deathtouched Catacombs. Players who are regretting not picking up the samurai class when first starting their Elden Ring journey can pick up their very own Uchigatana here.

This is also the go-to place to get the Golden Vow Ash of War, which is only found in the Golden Halberd this early on in the game, the weapon looted from the Tree Sentinel upon his death. Finally, a Talisman called the Assassin's Crimson Dagger is also located here, looted off the boss. The Talisman heals players when they land critical hits on enemies.

4/10 Warmaster's Shack

Elden Ring No Skill Ash Of War Guide Warhaster Hut Knight Bernahl

  • Bernahl (Ash of War vendor), Bone Peddler's Bell Bearing (after defeating the nightly invader), Strength-Knot Crystal Tear (nearby on a cliff towards Stormveil's bridge)

Those looking to get their hands on more Ashes of War early on in Elden Ring should head west from Stormhill Shack to find the Warmaster's Shack. Inside, Bernahl will be the go-to vendor for all things Ash of War.

RELATED: Elden Ring: Every Region, Ranked

Before riding to the shack, however, visit the cliff just before the shack towards Stormveil's bridge to grab the Strength-Knot Crystal Tear. At night, players can return to the Warmaster's Shack to fight a special invader that drops the Bone Peddler's Bell Bearing.

3/10 Fort Haight

elden ring dectus medallion left

  • Golden Seed, Bloody Slash Ash of War, Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook (6), Dectus Medallion (Left)

In far west Limgrave, south of Mistwood, players will spy a grace site near a small fortress. Fort Haight is a crucial location to visit for those who wish to access the Altus Plateau easily, later on, so hop on Torrent and ride over to this building.

There's a Golden Seed here, as well as a Nomadic Warrior's Cookbook (6) that extends the crafting catalog. Defeat the enemies, especially the elite knight, to get the Bloody Slash Ash of War, which is a beastly Ash of War upgrade early on. In the tallest tower, players can find a chest containing the left half of the Dectus Medallion required to activate the grand lift in Liurnia that leads to the Altus Plateau.

2/10 Fringefolk Hero's Grave

Fringefolk Hero Grave in Elden Ring

  • Erdtree Greatbow, Golden Seed, Banished Knight Oleg Ashes, Dragon Communion Seal, Erdtree's Favor, Stonesword Key

Return to the roots of every Elden Ring player by traveling to the Stranded Graveyard grace site. Players will need to sacrifice two Stonesword Keys to get through the white mist wall on their right side, but the rewards are well worth it if they're up for a small challenge.

The Fringefolk Hero's Grave is a mini-dungeon with chariots and some undead enemies. There are also two bosses that are fairly challenging. Players can earn the Erdtree Greatbow by killing one of the chariots guarding the dungeon, as detailed here. The dungeon holds a Golden Seed, the Dragon Communion Seal for all Incantation purposes, Erdtree's Favor Talisman guarded by Grafted Scions, a Stonesword Key, and the Banished Knight Oleg Ashes which drop when the Ulcerated Tree Spirit is defeated.

1/10 Third Church Of Marika

Elden Ring Flask Of Wondrous Physick Location Third Church of Marika Location

  • Flask of Wondrous Physick, Sacred Tear, Crimson Crystal Tear

When it comes to must-visit locations, the Third Church of Marika is one of them. Even if the player skips every other location in Limgrave, they should at least visit this one and perhaps the Gatefront Ruins to get the Whetstone Knife. Everything else is largely just extra stuff that will give players a nice edge.

This church is located far west in Limgrave. Follow the road left after crossing the bridge next to Agheel lake and keep riding past enemies until a giant patrolling in front of a ruined church appears and Mistwood opens up to the right of the player. Inside, players can find a special flask that lets them apply buffs through Crystal Tears, a Sacred Tear, and the Crimson Crystal Tear, which they can apply to their newfound flask.