Elden Ring

• Don't stress about losing runes to silly deaths. You'll get lots more.

• You have a short invincibility window while rolling

• Equip load decides how quickly you move, how far you roll and for how long you are invincible. Light load is anything below 30% and medium is below 70%. Light load can be real good even if you're only wearing a dorky hat.

• Conversely, poise decides how likely you are to be staggered by attacks. If you're going for medium/heavy load, get as much poise as possible. Even light load can use poise so you don't fall over from an arrow.

• Enemies also have a hidden 'poise' bar. Hit them with enough strong (R2) attacks and they will be staggered, allowing you to do sicknasty moves

• "I can't parry!" The parry window and timing are real short. It's easier with lighter shields, so get a buckler and practice on some easy dudes.

• Tutorial content that a lot of people miss:
  • You can wield any weapon (even shields!) in two hands by holding Y+R1/L1. Try it out, each weapon has a different moveset and does more damage.
  • Press R2 after blocking an attack to perform a powerful counterstrike.
  • And because everyone is asking, smithing stones can be found in mines and as rare drops from some overworld mobs.

• Head in the direction the game points you to find the first merchant. Buy the torch and crafting kit asap, get the telescope later

• Your mount unlocks after a certain amount of time and will occur during a rest scene at a bonfire

• Return to the first merchant at night after getting the mount to meet a new NPC

• The Gatefront ruins have a essential weapons crafting tool

• Stealth is extremely useful to instant kill wandering enemies

• Pick up all gestures some are used for NPC reactivity and puzzle solving

• Break open glowing skulls; they contain golden runes, consumables to grant currency

• Buy a bow to make animal hunting far easier

• You can run while sneaking, makes it easier to sneak up on things, and you can even do the running attacks if you want.

• Arrows are craftable with resources picked up from the world so having a starter class with a bow is more viable economically

• Some mobs will de-aggro if you walk away once they are alerted.

• Two handing a weapon or holding a item like a casting talisman in offhand will allow you to access a special ability by using the off hand strong attack. Which ability this is depends on the weapon. Most cost a small amount of mana to use.

• You can change your character’s appearance mid-game. Exceptionally mild early game spoilers:
  Once you get access to Roundtable Hold, there’s a mirror in the room with the lady who gives hugs that you can use to get access to the character creation menu.