What should you buy first when starting Elden Ring?

When you first set foot in the Lands Between, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of items, merchants, and upgrade paths pulling you in different directions. A lot of new players ask the same question: what are the smartest early purchases that can make the opening hours smoother without wasting runes? The truth is, a few early investments can dramatically improve your survivability, mobility, and overall comfort while exploring. If you’ve ever felt stuck or just wanted to make early progression less punishing, these picks are worth considering.

Why is the Crafting Kit so important early on?

It might not look flashy, but the Crafting Kit sold by Kalé in the Church of Elleh is easily one of the most valuable items you can buy at the start. Without it, you can’t craft anything. With it, you suddenly have access to throwable pots, firebombs, basic healing items for your horse, and a handful of tools that make dungeons way less stressful.

Being able to craft your own fire pots early lets you handle armored or evasive enemies without depending only on melee. Players who like exploring at night or wandering into unfamiliar caves will also appreciate being able to craft torches and glowstones. This is one purchase I always grab within the first few minutes of a new playthrough, because the quality-of-life improvement is huge.

Is the Telescope actually useful?

Surprisingly, yes. The Telescope looks like a novelty item, but being able to scout enemy camps from a distance helps you avoid ambushes and plan your route. In open-world sections like Stormhill, being able to check for patrols from afar saves both time and health flasks.

Some players even find it handy for lining up ranged attacks or determining how many enemies they’ll have to deal with at once. At only a small rune cost, it pays for itself quickly. During my own early runs, the Telescope helped me spot ballista traps and hidden soldiers waiting in the bushes before they could ruin my day.

Should you buy early weapon upgrades or save for gear?

This one depends on your playstyle, but speaking from experience, buying Smithing Stones from early merchants is a great way to stabilize your build. Even a modest weapon upgrade can make a big difference against early-game bosses like the Beastman of Farum Azula or the Demi-Human Chiefs. If you prefer to farm instead of rush progression, some players choose to buy elden ring runes later to speed up their early upgrades, especially if they’ve already cleared the game and want to focus on experimenting with new builds rather than grinding again.

A weapon upgraded to +3 or +4 turns the early game from a slow grind into something more enjoyable. You don’t need a full late-game setup, but having a weapon that deals reliable damage makes exploring feel more rewarding.

Are Spirit Ashes worth investing in at the start?

Absolutely. Even if you’re not planning to use summons throughout your entire playthrough, early Spirit Ashes can be a lifesaver. Roderika’s Spirit Tuning eventually becomes one of the most valuable services in the game, but to get the most from her upgrades later, you’ll want to start with a solid summon.

Cheap early Ashes like the Lone Wolves or Skeletal Militiamen are surprisingly strong. They draw enemy attention, give you breathing room, and help you recover stamina during boss fights. They’re especially useful when you’re still learning enemy patterns or when you accidentally take on a boss underleveled.

Is it worth buying gear from merchants instead of finding it in the world?

Most armor you can buy early on isn’t dramatically stronger than what you find naturally, but there are a few exceptions. For example, the Chain Set from Kalé is a great defensive boost when you’re fresh out of the tutorial. It’s not glamorous, but its physical resistances help a lot against early trolls, wolves, and knights.

Still, armor is usually something I save for later unless I’m really struggling. If you prefer rushing main objectives, you might instead use your resources on leveling or gathering materials. Some players look for ways to buy elden ring runes lowest price through third-party communities, especially when they want to experiment with multiple armor sets early. But for most new players, focusing on essential tools and weapon upgrades gives you way more value than armor shopping.

Which early purchase gives the biggest long-term benefit?

Without question, the Whetstone Knife. You actually pick it up rather than buy it, but it unlocks the ability to customize weapon affinities and Ashes of War. If you want your sword to scale better with Dexterity or your spear to gain a fire element early, this little item is the foundation that makes it possible.

Since you don’t have to spend runes to acquire it, the real “smart purchase” here is simply investing your time to grab it early. I always recommend getting it before taking on Stormveil Castle, because having proper scaling on your weapon makes Margit and Godrick much more manageable.

Is there anything that beginners often overlook?

Yes: cookbooks. These unlock new crafting recipes, which might not sound exciting, but they open the door to fire pots, sleep pots, anti-poison items, and more. The Armorer’s Cookbook and Nomadic Warrior’s Cookbook are especially helpful in early caves where status effects can catch new players off guard.

Also, don’t forget that certain merchants have limited inventories. If you like experimenting with consumables, picking up cookbooks earlier gives you more options when dealing with strange enemies or tricky locations. I’ve saved myself from poison swamps so many times thanks to early neutralizing boluses.

Does investing early really make Elden Ring easier?

Definitely. The early hours of Elden Ring can feel brutal, but smart rune spending helps a lot. After trying a few different early-game strategies across multiple playthroughs, my conclusion is simple: items that improve utility and flexibility matter far more than pure damage or armor.

If you build a strong foundation early, you’ll feel the benefits all the way into mid-game. Whether you're experimenting with builds, sticking to a favorite weapon, or even revisiting the game after a break, small early purchases can make your journey more enjoyable.

And if you’re a returning player looking to jump right into a new build without grinding, communities like U4GM are often mentioned among players for sharing resources, discussing build paths, and comparing rune strategies. Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s a place where you can learn what other players consider smart early investments.

So, what’s the smartest purchase you can make early in Elden Ring? For most players, it’s the Crafting Kit for overall utility, followed by cookbooks, early Spirit Ashes, and a handful of cheap upgrades that strengthen your favorite weapon. Small decisions in the first hour can save you countless frustrations later.

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