Elden Ring DLC: How to Choose Items That Enhance Your Survivability
Since the launch of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, players have been greeted with a host of challenges that many describe as the most difficult in the game’s history. With extremely tough bosses and intricate combat mechanisms, players often feel overwhelmed by the sheer difficulty of the DLC. However, there’s a solution! Understanding combat mechanics
Elden Ring Runes and making strategic item choices can significantly enhance your survivability.
Understanding the Importance of Health
In Elden Ring, maintaining your health is crucial for success. The primary way to boost your survivability is by increasing your maximum health. A higher maximum health allows you to withstand enemy attacks, spells, and projectiles, providing you with more opportunities to make mistakes and recover from them.
In the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, numerous items can help you increase your maximum health, including armor pieces and talismans. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best options available and how to effectively incorporate them into your build to maximize your survivability.
Best Items to Increase Maximum Health
1. Crimson Amber Medallion +3
One of the standout items in the game is the Crimson Amber Medallion +3. This talisman provides a substantial 10% increase to your maximum health. This boost significantly outshines many armor pieces, and unlike Great Runes, it comes without drawbacks or caveats.
Location: You can find the Crimson Amber Medallion +3 in the Fog Rift Catacombs after defeating the Death Knight boss.
Alternatives: If you’re looking for a less powerful option, the Crimson Amber Medallion +2, found in Ashen Capital Leyndell, still provides a respectable boost to your health.
2. Morgott’s Great Rune
When it comes to items that increase your maximum health, Morgott’s Great Rune reigns supreme. This rune boosts your health by an impressive 25%, making it invaluable in prolonged battles.
Usage: Morgott’s Great Rune is especially effective when combined with other health-boosting items, equipment, and spells. When you focus on health for your build, you become nearly invincible in fights.
Activation: Keep in mind that, like all Great Runes, Morgott’s requires a Rune Arc for activation, which can be a bit cumbersome. However, the benefits it provides justify the minor inconvenience.
3. Erdtree’s Favor +2
While the Erdtree’s Favor +2 may only offer a 4% increase to your maximum health, it provides additional benefits that make it a valuable choice. This talisman also increases your Stamina by 10% and your Equip Load by 8%, making it versatile for various builds.
Combining Buffs: Pairing this talisman with Radahn’s Great Rune can yield a substantial increase in both health and stamina.
Location: You can find the Erdtree’s Favor +2 in the large courtyard in Ashen Capital Leyndell, guarded by three Lesser Ulcerated Tree Spirits. If you prefer to avoid combat, you can simply grab the talisman and run away.
4. Radahn’s Great Rune
Another powerful option for boosting your survivability is Radahn’s Great Rune, which increases your health by 15% and your Stamina by 15%. This makes it a favorite among high-level players.
Synergistic Use: The combination of Radahn’s Great Rune and Erdtree’s Favor +2 creates a formidable boost to essential attributes.
Acquisition: To obtain Radahn’s Great Rune, you must defeat Starscourge Radahn in a challenging battle that involves navigating dangerous terrain.
5. Fire Knight Helm
The Fire Knight Helm is a unique armor piece introduced in the DLC that directly increases your total health by 2%. It also enhances your Stamina by 5% and your Equip Load by 4%.
Defensive Benefits: In addition to its health boost, the Fire Knight Helm offers strong resistance to physical and fire damage, making it a well-rounded item for survivability.
Acquisition: While it may take some effort to obtain, as it drops from Fire Knights in Shadow Keep, this helm is worth the challenge due to its overall benefits.
How to Integrate These Items into Your Build
Prioritize Health-Boosting Talismans and Runes: Focus on equipping items that specifically enhance your maximum health. Ensure you have a combination of items that offer health boosts, like the Crimson Amber Medallion and Morgott’s Great Rune.
Balance Your Build: While increasing health is vital, don’t neglect other attributes such as stamina and equip load. Talismans like Erdtree’s Favor +2 can help you maintain a balanced build, enhancing your survivability across the board.
Experiment with Combinations: Mix and match different items to find a combination that works best for your playstyle. You might find that certain items work better in specific situations, so flexibility is key.
Consider Your Armor: Beyond talismans and runes, your choice of armor can impact your survivability. Look for armor pieces that complement your health-boosting items while providing necessary defense.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Using items to increase your health can provide a buffer, but always be mindful of enemy attacks and environmental hazards. Good positioning can prevent damage even with a high health pool.
Conclusion
In Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, enhancing your survivability is crucial for overcoming the game's most challenging bosses and combat scenarios. By choosing the right items, such as the Crimson Amber Medallion +3, Morgott’s Great Rune, Erdtree’s Favor +2, Radahn’s Great Rune, and Fire Knight Helm, you can significantly increase your maximum health and overall survivability.
As you embark on your journey through this intricate and demanding DLC, keep these items in
cheap Elden Ring Items mind and strategically incorporate them into your build. If you have other suggestions or better options for survivability, consider sharing them with the community on Discord.
Happy gaming, and may you find success and enjoyment in the challenging world of Elden Ring!