The Complete Level 1 Elden Ring Guide – Surviving the Lands Between as a True Wretch

Starting Elden Ring at Level 1 isn't for the faint of heart. It's the ultimate test of skill, patience, and precision — the challenge that separates casual Tarnished from true legends. At Level 1, you begin as the Wretch, the game's most fragile and underpowered class. With bare stats, no armor, and only a club to your name, every mistake is fatal. Yet, the sense of achievement when you fell mighty foes with nothing but grit and Elden Ring Runes is unmatched. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to not only survive but thrive in the Lands Between as a Level 1 adventurer.

 

1. Understanding the Wretch Class

 

The Wretch is the only class that starts at Level 1, making it the default choice for this kind of challenge. You begin with all stats at 10, which grants versatility but leaves you weak in every way. Your starting equipment is minimal:

 

Weapon: Club (decent for early damage and staggering foes)

 

Shield: None

 

Armor: None (you start nearly naked)

 

Spells: None

 

This barebones setup means your first task is survival. Avoid direct combat until you acquire gear that suits your preferred playstyle. At Level 1, you can't rely on raw stats — only skill, timing, and the environment.

 

2. Early Game Survival and First Goals

 

When you emerge from the Stranded Graveyard, ignore the Tree Sentinel. You're not ready. Instead, head straight to Church of Elleh, your first real safe zone. There, you'll find Merchant Kale, who sells crucial early supplies such as a crafting kit and torch.

 

Your next stop is Gatefront Ruins to unlock Torrent, your spectral steed. Mount mobility is crucial for survival and exploration, especially at Level 1 where even basic enemies can two-shot you.

 

Early Priorities:

 

Unlock Torrent by resting at Gatefront Grace.

 

Avoid boss fights — focus on exploration and resource gathering.

 

Collect Smithing Stones to upgrade your weapon early.

 

Farm runes cautiously, but remember: you will not level up. Spend them instead on consumables or upgrades.

 

3. Essential Equipment for a Level 1 Build

 

Since you can't level up, equipment and talismans become your lifelines. The right setup can make you feel as strong as a higher-level build.

 

Recommended Early Weapons:

 

Flail (Gatefront Ruins chest): Excellent for bleed buildup and solid reach.

 

Morning Star (Weeping Peninsula): High base damage and innate bleed effect.

 

Shortbow (sold by Merchant Kale): A safe ranged option for picking off enemies.

 

Recommended Shields:

 

Beast Crest Heater Shield: Found at a camp in Limgrave, it provides 100% physical block — invaluable for staying alive.

 

Recommended Talismans:

 

Erdtree's Favor (Fringefolk Hero's Grave): Boosts HP, stamina, and equip load.

 

Radagon's Scarseal: Increases key stats, though you take more damage — risk and reward at its finest.

 

These items can drastically improve your odds of survival and make combat more forgiving.

 

4. Combat Tactics and Mindset

 

At Level 1, every encounter is a boss fight. The key is to master dodging, stamina management, and patience. Even minor enemies can punish aggression. Study movesets carefully, and learn to punish openings.

 

Core Combat Principles:

 

Dodge, Don't Block: Blocking drains stamina fast; dodging saves stamina and avoids chip damage.

 

Use Terrain: Kite enemies around obstacles and exploit their AI.

 

Summons Are Lifesavers: Spirit Ashes can tank hits or distract bosses while you land attacks.

 

Buffs and Consumables Matter: Grease, throwing knives, and firebombs can turn the tide.

 

Level 1 combat is about precision. You can't afford trades; every swing must count.

 

5. Spirit Ashes and Companions

 

You may be underleveled, but you don't have to fight alone. Spirit Ashes are vital tools for a Level 1 playthrough.

 

Best Spirit Ashes for Level 1:

 

Lone Wolf Ashes: Early summon, great for distractions.

 

Skeletal Militiamen Ashes: They revive after being downed — amazing longevity.

 

Mimic Tear (late game): Becomes as strong as your build and gear, ideal for boss fights.

 

Upgrade your Ashes at Roderika in the Roundtable Hold using Grave Gloveworts. These upgrades are more important than levels themselves.

 

6. Boss Strategies for Level 1

 

Most bosses can one-shot a Wretch, so you'll need to learn patterns, positioning, and patience above all else.

 

Margit, the Fell Omen:

 

Use barricades to block his ranged daggers.

 

Summon Sorcerer Rogier or Wolves for distractions.

 

Stay behind him after dodging his hammer combo and punish with 1–2 strikes only.

 

Godrick the Grafted:

 

Summon Nepheli Loux for backup.

 

Focus on punishing his slower axe swings, and never stay close during his dragon phase.

 

Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon:

 

Use a bow or throwing items to break her shield phase quickly.

 

During phase two, use summons and ranged attacks to maintain distance.

 

Each victory will feel monumental — a true test of endurance and precision.

 

7. Long-Term Progression and Endgame

 

Youcan't level, but you can still grow stronger through:

 

Weapon Upgrades: Prioritize upgrading your weapon to the highest tier.

 

Ashes of War: Infuse your weapons for specific builds — keen for dexterity, heavy for strength, or bleed for damage over time.

 

Talismans and Physick: Experiment with combinations that amplify survivability.

 

By the time you reach endgame bosses like Malenia or Radagon, you'll have mastered every dodge, parry, and opening. That's the beauty of a Level 1 run — it forges mastery through limitation.

 

8. Final Thoughts

 

A Level 1 run in buy Elden Ring Runes isn't just about surviving — it's about understanding the game at its purest form. Every victory feels earned, every dodge perfectly timed, every upgrade meaningful. While most players rely on high levels to brute-force their way through bosses, the Wretch learns to dance with death, conquering the impossible through skill and patience alone.

 

If you can fell a god as a naked Wretch, you've truly become Elden Lord — not through power, but through perseverance.