Step-by-step guide
Follow Elden Ring step by step from the First Step to the final boss, including major areas, bosses, quests, important route steps and missable warnings. Track the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree in one interactive walkthrough checklist.
Route ledger
207
Base game steps
52
DLC steps
26
Main route steps
89
Recommended steps
Check off each step as you play. Boss, quest and collection steps can share progress with the rest of your Tarnished Forge checklist.
Choose how much of the game you want to cover, filter required or optional steps, search for a boss or quest, then continue from the next unchecked step. Work through the guide by region, then check off each step as you complete it.
Overall progress
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Choose your route
Base Game
0 / 23 shown steps
Limgrave is the opening route: unlock basic travel, meet early hub NPCs, collect first upgrades, and decide how much optional exploration to do before Stormveil Castle.
Rest at The First Step immediately after leaving the tutorial path.
Why it matters
This establishes your first overworld checkpoint and starts the practical route through Limgrave.
Rest at enough early Sites of Grace to trigger Melina's introduction.
Why it matters
Melina unlocks leveling and begins the main journey toward the Erdtree.
Accept the Spectral Steed Whistle when Melina offers it.
Why it matters
Torrent makes exploration, field bosses and long rides across Limgrave much safer.
Return to the Church of Elleh early and check the merchant and nighttime events there.
Why it matters
The church is an early vendor stop and a common checkpoint for important starter tools.
Continue resting at Sites of Grace as you push beyond the first Limgrave route until Roundtable Hold opens.
Why it matters
Roundtable Hold becomes the main hub for upgrades, NPCs and later route checks.
Travel through Stormhill and challenge Margit at the entrance to Stormveil Castle.
Why it matters
Margit is the first major story gate into Stormveil and tests whether your build is ready for castle progression.
Push through Stormveil Castle and defeat Godrick at the end of the legacy dungeon.
Why it matters
Godrick is the first shardbearer most routes defeat and marks the transition from Limgrave into Liurnia.
Advance the Blaidd the Half-Wolf questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Bloody Finger Hunter Yura questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Boc the Seamster questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the D, Hunter of the Dead questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Diallos questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Fia, Deathbed Companion questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Finger Reader Enia questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Iron Fist Alexander questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Kenneth Haight questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Nepheli Loux questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Patches questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Roderika questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Smithing Master Hewg questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Sorcerer Rogier questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Sorceress Sellen questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the White Mask Varré questline in Limgrave.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Base Game
0 / 3 shown steps
Weeping Peninsula is an early optional detour south of Limgrave with Castle Morne, several side bosses, and quest steps that are safest to handle before the route moves far north.
Complete this walkthrough step in Weeping Peninsula.
Advance the Castellan Edgar questline in Weeping Peninsula.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Irina of Morne questline in Weeping Peninsula.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Base Game
0 / 11 shown steps
Liurnia opens the academy route, Caria Manor, and several long NPC questlines. Use it to secure another Great Rune and set up mid-game quest branches.
Enter Raya Lucaria Academy and defeat the Red Wolf on the way to the academy's main boss.
Why it matters
This opens the deeper academy route toward Rennala.
Finish Raya Lucaria Academy and defeat Rennala in the Grand Library.
Why it matters
Rennala is a major shardbearer and unlocks character rebirth for respecs.
Advance the Blackguard Big Boggart questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Hyetta questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Jar-Bairn questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Latenna the Albinauric questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Preceptor Seluvis questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Ranni the Witch questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Rya / Zorayas questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Thops questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the War Counselor Iji questline in Liurnia of the Lakes.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Base Game
0 / 5 shown steps
Caelid is a dangerous eastern region that mixes major story progression, hard optional bosses, and several questline checkpoints.
Join the festival route at Redmane Castle and defeat Starscourge Radahn.
Why it matters
Radahn is a major shardbearer and his defeat opens important underground progression.
Advance the Gurranq, Beast Clergyman questline in Caelid.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Advance the Millicent questline in Caelid.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Sage Gowry questline in Caelid.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Witch-Hunter Jerren questline in Caelid.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Altus Plateau is the mid-game transition into capital progression, major field bosses, and the Corhyn and Goldmask quest route.
Advance the Brother Corhyn and Goldmask questline in Altus Plateau.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Base Game
0 / 4 shown steps
Mt. Gelmir leads toward Volcano Manor, Rykard, and several questlines that can change or close after the manor route is resolved.
Complete the Volcano Manor route you want, then challenge Rykard.
Why it matters
Rykard is a shardbearer and closes out the manor's central boss route.
Quest warning
Defeating Rykard can end or move parts of the Volcano Manor quest flow.
Advance the Primeval Sorcerers Azur and Lusat questline in Mt. Gelmir.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Recusant Bernahl questline in Mt. Gelmir.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Advance the Tanith and Volcano Manor questline in Mt. Gelmir.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Base Game
0 / 4 shown steps
Leyndell, Royal Capital is the main capital route. It gates late-game progression through major bosses and contains quest steps that should be checked before the capital changes.
Defeat the Draconic Tree Sentinel guarding the capital approach.
Why it matters
This encounter is the front-door gate into Leyndell for many routes.
Reach the Elden Throne route in Leyndell and defeat Morgott.
Why it matters
Morgott is the capital's main story boss and redirects the route toward the Mountaintops of the Giants.
Climb through Leyndell and defeat the golden shade of Godfrey.
Why it matters
This boss marks the inner capital route and points you toward Morgott.
Advance the Dung Eater questline in Leyndell, Royal Capital.
Why it matters
NPC questlines can move when major bosses fall or new regions open, so treating them as route checkpoints prevents missed steps.
Quest warning
This quest can be missed if the story moves too far ahead.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Nokron opens after Radahn and anchors several underground and questline routes, including Mimic Tear and Regal Ancestor Spirit.
Defeat Regal Ancestor Spirit in Hallowhorn Grounds (North) · Nokron, Eternal City.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Deeproot Depths is an optional underground region tied to Fia's route and several major boss encounters.
Defeat Lichdragon Fortissax in Deeproot Depths.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Lake of Rot is a late underground branch with heavy hazard pressure and an important remembrance boss encounter.
Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Lake of Rot.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Mountaintops of the Giants is the late-game route toward the Fire Giant and the point that pushes the world into its final act.
Cross the Mountaintops and defeat Fire Giant at the forge route.
Why it matters
Fire Giant is the late-game story gate before the route moves into irreversible world-state changes.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Mohgwyn Palace is an optional late-game route centered on Mohg, Lord of Blood and connected to several access paths.
Reach Mohgwyn Palace and defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood.
Why it matters
Mohg is a major optional shardbearer and one of the access requirements for Shadow of the Erdtree.
Base Game
0 / 1 shown steps
Miquella's Haligtree is one of the hardest optional endgame branches and culminates in Malenia.
Reach the bottom of the Haligtree route and defeat Malenia.
Why it matters
Malenia is one of the major optional endgame bosses and a full-completion milestone.
Base Game
0 / 3 shown steps
Crumbling Farum Azula is a late-game story region with mandatory boss progression and an optional remembrance dragon encounter.
Progress through Crumbling Farum Azula and defeat Godskin Duo.
Why it matters
This is a mandatory late-game gate inside Farum Azula.
Find the optional route to Dragonlord Placidusax and defeat the remembrance boss.
Why it matters
Placidusax is an important optional completion boss in Farum Azula.
Finish Farum Azula and defeat Beast Clergyman, then Maliketh.
Why it matters
Maliketh is the story gate that changes Leyndell into its final state.
Quest warning
This is a major world-state transition.
Base Game
0 / 3 shown steps
Leyndell, Ashen Capital is the final base-game sequence. The route is short, boss-heavy, and leads directly to the ending choice.
Return to Leyndell after Farum Azula resolves and enter the Ashen Capital route.
Why it matters
This begins the final base-game sequence.
Advance through the Ashen Capital and defeat Godfrey, then Hoarah Loux.
Why it matters
This is the final gate before the last boss encounter.
Enter the final arena and defeat Radagon followed by the Elden Beast.
Why it matters
This completes the base-game final boss sequence.
Route order
This is the order used by the walkthrough regions. It is meant for deciding what to do next; for recommended levels and broader area-order explanations, use the dedicated progression guide.
View Elden Ring Progression Guide →Checklist progress
Check off each walkthrough step as you complete it. Your progress is saved locally in your browser and shared with boss, quest and collection checklists when a step matches the same boss, quest or collection entry.
Use Main Story for the critical path, Recommended for major bosses, quests and route steps, or 100% Completion when you want every step in the walkthrough.
Completion route
Choose the route that matches how much of the game you want to complete. Main Story keeps the list focused, Recommended adds major optional and quest content, and 100% Completion shows every available step.
DLC route
Shadow of the Erdtree uses the same checklist progress on this page. Switch to Shadow of the Erdtree to follow Gravesite Plain through Enir-Ilim.
Step 1
Start with Main Story, Recommended or 100% Completion depending on how much optional content you want.
Step 2
Work through each region from top to bottom. Search if you need a specific boss, NPC quest or area.
Step 3
Use the checkbox on each step. Matching boss and quest steps stay in sync with your other checklists.
Recommended area order and levels.
Open guide →
Learn attributes, combat and essential systems.
Open guide →
Find bosses, locations and route targets.
Open guide →
Track everything you have completed.
Open guide →
For a step-by-step route, start in Limgrave, move through Stormveil Castle and Liurnia, then continue toward Altus Plateau, Leyndell, the Mountaintops, Farum Azula and the final capital sequence. This walkthrough keeps the route as checklist steps; use the progression guide for a dedicated area order and level route.
Yes. Choose Main Story, Recommended or 100% Completion, then use the filters to include optional bosses, quests and side areas.
Yes. The page includes a Shadow of the Erdtree section using the same step-by-step checklist format as the base game.
Yes. Select the 100% Completion route to show every step in the walkthrough, then combine it with the checklist, map and item pages for collection details.
Yes. Mark steps complete as you play. Progress is saved locally in your browser and shared with matching Tarnished Forge boss, quest and collection entries where those links exist.
The walkthrough lists boss, quest and location names by default. Choose Minimal spoilers if you want fewer details while still following the route.
