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Next to a No-Hit or a No-Death run, a Level 1 run inElden Ringis one of the toughest challenges players can impose upon themselves. It means starting out as a Wretch, staying at Rune level 1, and ignoring Melina whenever she offers to put the player’s Runes to good use. Such a challenge has been a staple forSoulsbornegames ever since the firstDark Souls.
What changed is thatElden Ringadded more mechanics that made things easier and more simple. That means these kinds of challenge runs — Level 1 runs included, are now more accessible than ever to a wider audience. Should players want to try it out but are intimidated by the more limited options, then this build ensures asmooth and somewhat effortless Level 1 run.
Let’s call this build “The Struggler.” It’s inspired by a certain dark and gloomy manga and anime franchise where the protagonist is a hopeless and brooding human whose deity enemies keep spitting in his face. Pretty apt theme as far as Level 1 runs go. This is what players need to make this build work wonders.
Note that the essential components of this build are easily obtainable as soon as players set footon Limgrave. It’s recommended to grab them all ASAP.
Updated June 07, 2025, by Hamza Haq:With the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, RL1 runs have taken on a new meaning. A whole new area to explore means new challenges to overcome and new items to factor in. The DLC adds an entire game’s worth of items on top of the already massive list in the base game, upending the status quo entirely. Much of this build remains the same as the Shadow Realm only unlocks very late in the game. However, some additions have been made to keep things up to date.
Weapons
Not many options here as players get a flat 10 points to all stats in Rune level 1 as a Wretch. However, there are many ways to increase stats other than leveling. So players might as well go all out with the choices.
Weapon 1:Heavy Greatsword +25w/Lion’s Claw
Surprised? Understandable. This hefty hunk of iron requires 30 Strength. However, if playerstwo-handit, then their Strength is going to be multiplied by 1.5. That amounts to 15 Strength in a level 1 Wretch. Halfway there.Radagon’s Soresealadds +5 more points to Strength. Also, theStrength-knot Crystal Tearadds another 10 points. That’s a total of 30 or more if the two-hand multiplier is applied to the total amount after the sum.
Suddenly, players can use this Colossal Greatsword and they should because when paired withAsh of War: Lion’s Claw, it will obliterate anything in its path. This combination is what will carry players in this Level 1 run. Spamming Lion’s Claw and then going in for Critical Hits is too overpowered in PvE. Even Radagon gets stunned by this. Malenia? She’s as good as a pancake against this weapon and Ash of War combo.
Greatswordcan be picked up easilyin Caelidthough players will have to fight the Lion Guardian mini-boss in Fort Gael. This boss can be cheesed quite easily using the Greatsword’s default Ash of War.
Just remember to +24 or +25 this weapon ASAP (lots of guides for this one), and put a Heavy prefix on it so it scales primarily with Strength.
If players have trouble maintaining the Strength requirement for this Greatsword, then aHeavy Zweihander +25is agood alternativealbeit with a lower damage output.
Weapon 2:Heavy Misericorde +25w/Flames of the Redmane
A good backup for when there are multiple enemies or if the enemy is too large to be staggered with Lion’s Claw isAsh of War: Flame of the Redmanes. This Ash of War can be obtained just outside ofFort Gael; players can grab it from an invisible beetle on their way to obtaining Lion’s Claw.
At most, it takes Flames of the Redmanetwo casts to stagger anythingin the game. Afterward, players are free to go in for aCritical Hitusing either a HeavyMiséricordeor their Heavy Greatsword.
Misericorde is easily obtainable in Stormveil Castle usinga Stonesword Key. It does require 12 Dexterity, but not a big deal as players will be using Radagon’s Soreseal anyway.
Weapon 3: Anything withBloodhound’s Step
For emergency defense, nothing quite beatsAsh of War: Bloodhound’s Stepas the most generous evasion skill in the game. On top of that, it’s also great for moving across poison swamps or magma patches quickly, ignoring the penalty to movement speed. Putting it on thelightest dagger availableis a sound idea.
Sadly, it’s only obtainable in a high-level area by fighting a Night Cavalry boss. But once the players have the Greatsword with a Lion’s Claw, then this boss isn’t really difficult anymore.
Off-Hand:Commander’s Standard
If the weight limit still allows for an extra weapon, then theCommander’s Standardis a solid option. It has no other purpose than buffing the players with amore powerful version of Golden Vow.Quite useful during boss fights. Players can grab it after they kill Commander O’Neil in Caelid’s rot swamp.
Armor
Armor typically doesn’t matterhere. Players can pick the lightest one they find that has a cape or allows medium weight limit. But for those looking to min-max then these pieces are recommended:
TheImp Head (Wolf)can be obtained by killing wolf-headed imps in theMinor Erdtree Catacombs in Caelid. Players can make a beeline toward this location as soon as they unlock Torrent. Equipping the Imp Head (Wolf) increases Endurance by 2, a universally useful option in all scenarios.
Raptor’s Black Feathers
Raptor’s Black Feathersincreases jump attack damage by 10 percent. Jump attacks are a good alternative to spamming Lion’s Claw or roll-pokes, as having an extra buff makes it viable as a form of attack.
Omensmirk Mask
Omensmirk Maskincreases Strength by +2 so it might add a bit more damage or allow players to meet Greatsword’s Strength requirement much easier.
Talismans
Red-Feathered Branch Sword / Ritual Sword Talisman
Players have two choices here. TheRed-Feathered Branchswordgives a 20 percent attack buff if players are on low HP. Meanwhile, theRitual Sword Talismanonly gives 10 percent, but players have to be at full HP.
Now, the thing about Level 1 runs is that after Limgrave, most enemies will kill the players in just one hit anyway. So, players might as well pick the more dangerous option of the talismans. Still, it can be tedious finding ways to lower HP, so for people who can’t be bothered, then the Ritual Sword Talisman is a good alternative.
Shard Of Alexander / Warrior Jar Shard
Players sadly don’t get to obtain thisuntillate-game, but it has a weaker but still decent variant if playerskill Alexander early on. It’s essentially for boosting the damage for Lion’s Claw and Flames of the Redmane.
Dagger Talisman
Dagger Talismanis for increasing Critical Hit damage, as players will weave those kinds of attacks in quite often. Lion’s Claw will stagger enemies in three hits, usually, while Flames of the Redmane will stagger in two hits. Hence, this talisman will see a lot of use.
Radagon’s Soreseal
Radagon’s Soresealis very easy to obtain in Fort Faroth. It increases all the important melee stats by +5 but also increases the damage taken. Thankfully, that drawback doesn’t matter on a Level 1 run becauseplayers are dead on just one hit regardless.
Flask Of Wondrous Physick
Strength-knot Crystal Tear
TheStrength-knot Crystal Tearis an essential part of the build and allows players to use the Greatsword or buff its attacks. It gives+10 to Strengthforthree minutes. This is usually long enough for players to hop between Graces or long enough for boss fights.
Players can obtain this one at the start of the game just by exploring Stormhill.
Cerulean Hidden Tear / Greenburst Crystal Tear
TheCerulean Hidden Tearserves a singular purpose for this build: to allow players to summon their preferred Ash or Spirit Summon, even with low FP. This will make boss fights a lot easier.
For those who want to do Level 1 runs solo with no summons, then they can replace the Cerulean Hidden Tear with a Greenburst Crystal Tear for better Stamina regeneration.
Consumables/Buffs
Bloodboil Aromatic
TheBloodboil Aromaticis a lovely buff that gives+30 percent Physical damageas well as+20 percent to max Stamina, all in a span ofone minute. It’s pretty great for blitzing down a boss into phase two. It’s also worth noting that the buffs here also apply to Critical Hitsafter a stance break or stagger.
Exalted Flesh
Exalted FleshboostsPhysical damageby20 percent for only 30 seconds, but that’s still good enough for aggressive playstyles can last for a whole phase one of a boss fight.
Ash/Spirit Summons
For some, it might be acceptable for summons to join a Level 1 run. After all, players are already handicapping themselves by not leveling. These summons work well in these kinds of challenges.
Jellyfish +10
It’s pretty tanky once players have upgraded theSpirit Jellyfish Ashessummon to max. This allows players to avoid getting hit or sneak in some tactical Lion’s Claws against fast bosses like Malenia. As an added bonus, the Jellyfish deals poison damage to enemies.
Black Knife Tiche +10
Black Knife Tiche Ashesis the better option here, though it might take a while and a long questline before players get to unlock her. Tiche, for starters, can apply a debuff to her targets which lowers their maximum HP.
Omenkiller Rollo +10
Omenkiller Rollo Ashesis a key addition as he functions both as an effective Tank and a Stagger bot, allowing players much-needed breathing room in hectic fights. Depending on the situation, Rollo has the ability to perform a fire breath attack as well but usually prefers to swing his swords at targets. A large health pool ensures that he doesn’t tap out of a fight early, and the inherent bleed build-up can work wonders againsthard-to-defeat bosses.
Other Items
These items add more to the build, but they’re not necessary and should only be considered for convenience or for min-maxing.
Godrick’s Great Rune (Optional)
Godrick’s Great Runegives+5 to all attributesassuming the players have enough Rune Arcs to keep it fueled. It can get expensive or time-consuming to maintain, but if players don’t die much, then this Great Rune is less of a resource drain.
Freezing Pot (Optional)
The Freezing Pot is almost mandatory if players want tostopMalenia, Blade of Miquellafrom performing her most dangerous attack, theWaterfowl Dance. Players do have Bloodhound’s Step already, but the low FP and low Stamina will make it ineffective for evading Malenia’s Waterfowl Dance.
For those who have mastered how to evade the Waterfowl Dance just by rolling, then there’s no need for this consumable.
