Why is Elden Ring so Difficult for Beginners? An In-Depth Analysis
As a long-time fan of FromSoftware games, I‘ve been immersed in the world of Elden Ring since it launched. Through countless hours exploring the Lands Between and engaging in fierce battles, I’ve experienced first-hand why this game presents a steep challenge for beginners.
Elden Ring Tops Charts for Player Deaths
Elden Ring quickly gained notoriety as an extremely punishing game. According to various player statistics, it ranks at or near the top for number of deaths:
- Elden Ring saw players die over 5.8 billion times in the first month [Source: Forbers]
- This death count dwarfs the deaths in Dark Souls III, previous record holder at 2.5 billion
- On average, players die 26.72 times before beating a main boss in Elden Ring [Source: USGamer]
This sheer volume of deaths reveals an unprecedented level of difficulty that causes even seasoned gamers to struggle.
| Games | Player Deaths |
|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 5.8 billion |
| Dark Souls 3 | 2.5 billion |
Enemies and Bosses Provide Brutal Challenges
While previous FromSoft games had punishing foes, Elden Ring turns the difficulty up to 11. The expanded open world packs in more – and tougher – enemies than ever before. Many newcomers find the steep learning curve overwhelming.
Field Enemies
The common foes scattered in the open world present constant threats. Instead of mindless monster hordes, even basic soldiers use intricate movesets and tenacious tracking attacks. Simple encounters turn lethal in an instant for the unprepared.
Mini-Bosses
In addition to standard enemies, “hero” mini-bosses wield huge weapons and powerful magic. These one-on-one duels act as major skill checks. Success demands mastery of combat mechanics – dodging, blocking and parrying. Otherwise, swift demise is all but guaranteed.
Main Story Bosses
The pinnacle Elden Ring challenges come in the form notable story bosses like Godrick and Margit. These enemies push players to the very limits by combining large health bars with long combos and devastating area attacks. Top players average 15-30 attempts before besting lethal foes like Malenia.
Unforgiving Core Mechanics Compound the Challenge
On top of formidable opponents, several central mechanics in Elden Ring also contribute to repeatedly crushing new players.
Losing Progress on Death
Dying results in losing all runes (xp) with one chance to recover them. Early on, losing hours of progress with each death creates huge setbacks and endless grinding. The minimal checkpoints often require re-treading through already cleared areas.
Unrestricted Open World Exploration
The massive open world design enables (and often encourages) traveling into areas well beyond the player’s skill level. Without sufficient attacks, defense or HP for a given zone, fights quickly overwhelm. Yet the game gives no warning players are venturing into assassinations rather than battles.
Relentless Multi-Phase Bosses
Major bosses use multi-phase formats spanning several health bars. With each phase, attack patterns and movements shift to keep players constantly adapting and reacting. These tense, drawn-out battles easily stretch 10+ minutes requiring intense focus. A single mistake erases all progress.
While certainly daunting for new players, I encourage anyone intrigued by Elden Ring to keep pushing forward. The unparallelled challenge makes each minor achievement incredibly rewarding. You’ll swiftly improve through diligence and determination until no foe stands in your way. The punishment will temper you into a formidable warrior ready to conquer the entire realm.
Now if you’ll excuse me, Radahn awaits my next futile attempt…wish me luck fellow Tarnished!
