@mastiffrex : make that 20 now

more like 40 now - I realized you don't level up like you do with normal games and you lose all your runes each time you die. I have all this equipment I can't use because of my stats!!

@mastiffrex : Wow, makes me think it's not even worth playing. Is it even fun?

@Catmae : it's fun but aggravating too - like Skyrim without being able to move up in level and getting your butt kicked a lot!! I have finally got to the point where I can level up but I have to go back and get points before I can tackle a lot of the bosses

@mastiffrex : So, you'll get all your runes back if you go to where you died and claim them. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "Die Well..." lol. Leveling is done via runes, as soon as I have enough to level, I go do it, because then I don't have to worry about losing them. I generally tackle bosses pretty much penniless. Then I don't care. What class are you playing? And, there's a giant troll by himself, to the east(?I think) of the Third Church of Marika. He gives 1k runes each time, pretty easy, and you can run back to the grace at the church, rest, and he respawns again. Do you have Torrent yet? If so, kick the glowing skulls while riding him, and you'll get golden runes, which you can just hang on to, and cash in when you're ready, without worrying about losing them.

@Vinbert : Ohh, yes I do have him. Thought I would challenge the Tree Sentinel with the horse and got killed. I was wondering what those skulls were for - they were lighted but didn't give you anything. Thanks

@mastiffrex : You can also survive drops you could not alone with Torrent.
On a side note: heh. Tree Sentinel ....isn't that lovely how that's like the first thing you see when you get out of the tutorial? Bastages!

@Vinbert : I have finally got to the point where I can go through the slow process of leveling up. What's killing me is the lack of a ranged weapon. I have all kind of arrows but can't get a bow so far. I have nothing that let's me kill things from a distance.

@mastiffrex : that's why I always go magic first. It usually gives me a spell or two to do damage from a distance. In this game, I can also equip a melee weapon and shield, so I can finish them off that way if I need to. You might be able to memorize incantations and spells as well. Have you done Patches yet? If you get to the the cave, you will be invaded by a bloody finger. Kill him, and you get a fairly decent dirk with blood on it. That extends out a bit, so it can be used kinda like a spell. But keep in mind, it uses your health to do so.

@Vinbert : there's a cave with a wolves inside of it - is that the one. I have kind of left it alone so far. Have not done patches

@mastiffrex : No wolves. There are some skellies in there on your way to Patches that will attack you. Watch out for the trip lines with bells, that will trigger a bunch of them. Murkwater Cave is almost directly East of the Agheel Lake North point of grace, on the river bank. That locale will also trigger the bloody finger invasion, but just get into the cave quickly and it will stop until you come back out.

@mastiffrex : And now I have to get ready and go to work- no more play for me today! Good luck! BTW, found this yesterday, been pretty handy- mapgenie.io/elden-ri ng/maps/the-lands-be tween

@Vinbert : I had a $50 bestbuy giftcard laying around so.........I learned this game makes me curse....
I say ALL the bad words while playing 🙃

@M1cha3lo0o : I have died so many times = progress is slow

@M1cha3lo0o : @mastiffrex : -SNORT-Honestly, I don't worry about it. I'm taking my time, exploring the world and enjoying it. I have no desire to race to the finish.