Navigating the vast world of Elden Ring can be a daunting task, especially for new players entering The Lands Between. With its sprawling open-world design, FromSoftware’s critically acclaimed RPG offers players the freedom to explore in nearly any direction. However, taking on regions out of order can lead to frustrating encounters with overpowered enemies. That’s why following a recommended progression path can significantly enhance your experience and allow you to enjoy both the story and the challenges at a manageable pace.
This guide presents a carefully considered progression route through Elden Ring, designed for players aiming to uncover every major area, hidden location, optional boss, and key side quest. The list includes suggested character levels and weapon upgrade tiers to keep your journey smooth and rewarding. Whether you’re aiming to tackle the main storyline or unlock access to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC content, this roadmap ensures you’re well-prepared every step of the way.
Why Follow a Suggested Route?
While the game’s open-world structure is one of its greatest strengths, it can also lead to confusion or frustration. Some players may wander into high-level areas far too early, encountering enemies that can kill them in a single hit. Others may miss crucial quests or hidden content entirely. A structured path helps prevent these issues, offering a more balanced difficulty curve and a sense of progression that matches your character’s development.
Recommended Map Order and Levels
Here is the complete recommended route through Elden Ring’s world, including ideal character levels and weapon upgrade stages for each zone:
| Order | Area | Character Level | Weapon Upgrade Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limgrave | 1–20 | 0–2 |
| 2 | Weeping Peninsula | 20–30 | 2–3 |
| 3 | Stormveil Castle | 30–40 | 3–4 |
| 4 | Liurnia of the Lakes | 40–50 | 3–4 |
| 5 | Raya Lucaria Academy | 50–60 | 5–6 |
| 6 | Caria Manor | 60–70 | 7–8 |
| 7 | Siofra River | 60–70 | 7–10 |
| 8 | Ainsel River | 60–70 | 7–10 |
| 9 | Caelid | 70–80 | 10–12 |
| 10 | Redmane Castle | 70–80 | 10–12 |
| 11 | Altus Plateau | 70–80 | 10–12 |
| 12 | Nokron, Eternal City | 70–80 | 12–20 |
| 13 | Siofra Aqueduct | 70–80 | 12–20 |
| 14 | Deeproot Depths | 70–80 | 12–20 |
| 15 | Carian Study Hall | 80–90 | 15–20 |
| 16 | Nokstella, Eternal City | 80–90 | 15–20 |
| 17 | Lake of Rot | 80–90 | 15–20 |
| 18 | Moonlight Altar | 80–90 | 15–20 |
| 19 | Mt. Gelmir | 80–90 | 18–20 |
| 20 | Volcano Manor | 80–90 | 18–20 |
| 21 | Dragonbarrow | 90–100 | 16–20 |
| 22 | Leyndell, Royal Capital | 90–100 | 18–20 |
| 23 | Forbidden Lands | 90–110 | 20–22 |
| 24 | Mountaintops of the Giants | 90–110 | 20–22 |
| 25 | Consecrated Snowfield | 100–110 | 22–24 |
| 26 | Mohgwyn Palace | 100–120 | 23–25 |
| 27 | Subterranean Shunning-Grounds | 130–150+ | 25 |
| 28 | Miquella’s Haligtree | 130–150+ | 25 |
| 29 | Crumbling Farum Azula | 130–150+ | 25 |
| 30 | Leyndell, Ashen Capital | 130–150+ | 25 |
Additional Tips for a Better Journey
-
Optional Bosses: Don’t skip optional fights—they often offer valuable rewards and lore.
-
Secret Areas: Some regions are essential to unlock late-game content, including DLC prerequisites.
-
Upgrade Wisely: Keeping your weapon upgrades on par with suggested levels can significantly ease combat.
By following this suggested route, players can ensure they don’t miss any of Elden Ring’s rich content while maintaining a steady and rewarding pace. Whether you’re a newcomer to FromSoftware games or a seasoned Soulsborne veteran, this roadmap offers a balanced and thorough way to experience everything The Lands Between has to offer.
