Best Reasons To Try A Level 1 Run In Elden Ring

There are a lot of reasons to replay Elden Ring, especially now with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC providing even more options and challenges. Yet, many players have spent long enough with the game that the initial feeling of elation at overcoming a challenge has worn off. If that’s a familiar feeling, it might be time to try a Rune Level 1 run.

A Rune Level 1 run involves starting as the “Wretch” in character creation, and investing no Runes in leveling stats throughout the game. This might sound daunting at first but, since Elden Ring relies a lot on weapon leveling for damage, it just means players have less margin for error when it comes to taking hits.

This little change can make a big difference, making bosses a challenge again, as many will kill the player in one or two hits. The DLC throws another interesting twist into this, as players can still use Scadu Fragments to increase their power. Here are the best reasons to return to Elden Ring for a Rune Level 1 run.

8 Test New Builds

Buildcraft With Heavy Restrictions

Without stat points to work with, buildcrafting might seem like it’s out of the question. However, a lot of Elden Ring relies on weapons and equipment rather than character level. That means it’s perfectly possible to find a lot of variety in what a level 1 character can actually do.

In fact, it’s kind of a litmus test for equipment and effect combinations. If a build works at level 1, then it will only be more effective if the player invests in stat points for scaling. There are mechanics like bleed and frostbite (which do percentage-based damage), different types of buffs and ashes of war, different equipment sets, even certain spells and more that level 1 players can experiment with.

7 Solve The Stat Requirement Puzzle

Equipment, Talismans, and Buffs

Choosing the Wretch as a starting class starts players at level 1. In Elden Ring, that means all the Tarnished’s stats are set to 10. Without adjusting those stats, that puts a lot of weapons out of reach due to their basic requirements. Thankfully, there are a few ways to raise those stats without leveling.

Talismans are the first choice. Marika and Radagon’s Soreseals boost four stats by five points. There are also talismans that boost each damage stat by five points individually. Several helms that various stats even further.

Finally, there is the Mixed Physick to consider. The Knot Tears boost one main damage stat each by ten points, lasting for three minutes. This is more than enough time to use specific weapons or spells to help with tough boss fights. Mixing and matching these effects is key to making life easier in a level 1 run, and it’s a big part of the fun.

6 Master Boss Movesets

Practice Makes Perfect

With the addition of the DLC, there are more than 200 named bosses in Elden Ring. Not every single one is unique, but there are plenty of variations, movesets, and fights to learn. When playing the game in a regular way, balance can depend heavily on how the player has progressed their character. Approaching these bosses at level 1 can give players a new appreciation for their movesets and the phases of the fight. Attacks that could be mostly ignored or tanked through become something players have to dodge, or otherwise find ways to deal with.

Fights will often take longer, too. That means players get to see more of what the boss can do, and hear more of the stellar soundtrack. Without scaling damage to rely on, players will find more effectiveness in targeting specific boss weaknesses, making fights a more interesting prospect.

5 Recapture The Risk Factor

Nostalgia For The Struggle

It could be argued that much of Elden Ring falls below the challenge level of previous Souls games. That’s due to the open-ended nature of the game and the freedom it gives players in approaching challenges. There are moments like Malenia that buck this trend, but once players have an end-game character, even some of this difficulty can fade.

Rune level 1 runs allow players to recapture that feeling of struggle. With the option to come back later with a higher health pool and more damage mostly removed, players are forced to hone their skills and “get good” all over again.

4 Learn That Death Is Inevitable

Zen Souls

Some players find a lot of frustration in fighting and dying in Elden Ring. Whether it’s the loss of precious Runes, or just not liking losing, a quick YouTube search will show plenty of rage clips. In a level 1 run, death is inevitable. Each boss fight will likely cause many deaths as players learn to avoid each and every attack.

Through this repetition, any apprehension of death fades away. There’s no reason to worry about lost Runes, and death is so common that all it means is that it’s time to get up and go again. Regular runs will feel cozy and relaxing in comparison. It’s kind of like aversion therapy for gamer rage.

3 Find Unique PvP Opportunities

Connect With Fellow Masochists

Unless players are password matching, PvP in Elden Ring requires players to be within a certain weapon upgrade and level range of each other to connect. It’s a little complicated, but essentially, players only match within +/- 20 levels of each other and +/- 3 to 5 max weapon upgrade level.

It’s quite a wide range, but in practice, it means that players who stay at level 1 will only match with other players who’ve kept their character levels low. There are even communities dedicated to hosting level 1 and other restricted PvP matches, for those who want to explore PvP builds.

2 Reasons To Use New Equipment

From Useless To Vital

There are pieces of equipment and gear in Elden Ring that are only useful for a level-restricted character. Suddenly, a helm that adds +2 to a stat can help a player use their preferred weapon, a previously meaningless buff can save a player’s life, and so on. Even some weapons and spell casting tools seem to have been designed with level 1 stats in mind. The Clawmark Seal, Frenzied Flame Seal, and Dragon Communion Seal can all be used at base level for faith casting. Meanwhile, Glinstone Staff and Demi-Human Queens Staff can be used for sorcery. Simple weapons like the Club, Longsword, Caestus and Shortbow can be used without stat adjustments, too.

Another example is the Serpent Hunter, a zero-requirement weapon that’s a free pickup before initiating the Praetor Rykard boss fight. Because its gimmick is only useful in the fight, most players will unequip the weapon right after and forget about it. But fully upgraded, it does good damage. Combined with the Raptor’s Black Feathers chest armor, its jump attacks are a very potent tool for level 1 runs.

1 Bragging Rights

Since Elden Ring has been out for some time at this point, it’s been beaten every way players could possibly imagine. From no hit runs to dance mats, to crowd control and trained goldfish, if it can be imagined as a run, it’s been done.

Players will still find a dedicated community open to helping players looking to push their skills though. Engaging with others who have overcome the challenge, taking their advice and eventual GGs when players succeed, is a whole new way of engaging with the game and the wider Souls community.