Character Creation | Elden Ring Wiki

Character Creation for Elden Ring allows players to fully shape and customize their character. When creating a character, you are able to define a wide variety of features, ranging from its voice and face structure, to gamestyle-defining characteristics like its Class. Elden Ring features a Rebirth mechanic that allows you to Respec your character. You can unlock this function by defeating Rennala Queen of the Full Moon. Once defeated, you'll be able to trade Larval Tears for a Respec. Please visit the Rebirth Page for more information on how to respec your character.

Character Creation Overview in Elden Ring

Elden Ring Character Creation

Elden Ring Character Creation Guides

Elden Ring Character Creation Screen

What are the Base Attributes?

Elden Ring Character Appearance

Keepsakes in Elden Ring

Choosing a Class in Elden Ring

Elden Ring Character Creation Useful Links

Classes: A selection of Guides on the available classes
Keepsakes: Find a list of Keepsakes that can be chosen in the beginning of the game
Builds: A list of builds available for players to experiment with
Rebirth: Guides on how to respec stats

Elden Ring Character Creation Guides

In Elden Ring, you have the option to choose your character's Name, Body Type (Male/Female), Age, Class, Keepsake and tweak its physical appearance. Additionally, you have the option to choose among 10 character presets under "Base Templates". In this page you'll find a comprehensive description of what these attributes do and how they work.

What is the Best Class in Elden Ring?

Regardless of the type of character you choose, any Class allows you to complete your journey through The Lands Between. You should pick your character class based on the playstyle that best suits you, as combat styles greatly vary since the early stages of the game and these differences intensify throughout the game. That said, some classes provide an easier start. The recommended classes for beginners are Vagabond due to the straightforward starting gear and good stats for a melee focused playstyle, and Samurai as it starts with a Longbow and a good amount of arrows, and an Uchigatana which is a very good bleed weapon. For those looking for a magic casting class, the Astrologer is a strong beginner option with its focus in sorcery type magic.

Can I Respec my Character in Elden Ring?

Yes, you will be able to reallocate your character's stat points once you have the ability to do so. In addition to learning the skill, you will be required to turn in a rare item in exchange for reallocating points. You will be able to get the ability to respec your character during your playthrough. Please visit the Rebirth Page for more information on how to respec your character.

Who do we Play as in Elden Ring?

In Elden Ring, the players explore as a character known as a Tarnished, part of a tribe that once lived in the Lands Between until they were expelled from the kingdom. The characters can be modeled to many different appearances during character creation and can be sorted into different Classes. The Tarnished are known as a group of outcasts who were once exiled. They return and rise to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between, which is where the main gameplay storyline begins. According to legend, they have been promised the Elden Lordship.

Who is The Tarnished in Elden Ring?

In the opening of the official reveal trailer that was presented in E3 2021, we see a softly spoken, hooded woman saying "The Tarnished, will soon return." The question is, who and what is The Tarnished? Simply put, you are the Tarnished. As the player, you are one of the Tarnished that have been exiled upon losing their blessing of Grace granted by the Elden Ring and the Erdtree, a tree that hosts source and life of The Lands Between. Very much like previous Souls games, where you are the Chosen Undead or the Ashen One. After the shattering of the Elden Ring, you are then called back by this lost Grace to The Lands Between, along with other Tarnished to recover the shards of the Elden Ring, to make them whole once again, and to become the Elden Lord of The Lands Between.

Elden Ring Character Creation Screen

Elden Ring Base Attributes

The first basic attribute to define in the main Character Creation window is Name, followed by the "Body Type" option, in which the sex of your character is chosen. This is done by selecting between two options: "Type A" (Male) and "Type B" (Female).

Next you can select you character's apparent Age: Young, Mature or Aged. Here the game explains that this option "only affects appearance" and "has no bearing on ability".

At the main Character Creation window, you are also able to preview both the initial Stats for your character, as well as the appearance of the character itself. You can zoom in or out and rotate your character's model for further examination.

Elden Ring Character Appearance

Besides Body Type and Age, there are two other sections to further shape the character's appearance: "Choose Base Template" and "Detailed Appearance". The first one provides 10 different appearance presets to choose from. Even though each is displayed with a brief description, this is not a background for the character, but more of a description of represented type of character.

The second section accesses the "Detailed Appearance" sub-menu. Here, a wide variety of appearance-defining controls are available for players to tweak the aspect of their character. It also offers options to save and recall custom presets.

Choose Base Template

"Choose Base Template" offers 10 different pre-set character appearances to set the starting point of your aesthetics customization process. These provide a wide range of varying traits such as hairstyle, skin color and body shape. Each template is displayed with a description of the intended type of descendance. However, note that this is not a background for the character itself, it doesn't reflect any narrative arc and won't affect gameplay.

All Available templates in Rlden Ring

Warrior

The most common face among the Tarnished. After all, they were all warriors once.

Truth-Seeker

The face of an austere pilgrim. There are many roads to truth.

Aristocrat

A regal face found among those who claim noble blood in the Lands Between.

Loner

Face found among a proud and seclusive tribe of folk well-versed in ancient legends and heresies alike.

Northerner

A face found among the hardy people of the unforgiving north. Some say they're descended from giants.

Seafarer

The face of one who wanders the seas in search of their home in the Lands Between.

Reedlander

A face from the faraway, isolated Land of Reeds, where blood is a familiar sight.

Draconian

The stony face of the people of the ancient dragons, among whom life is typically short.

Nightfolk

The features of those known as Nightfolk. Few in number, they were said to bleed silver long ago.

Numen

The face of the Numen, supposed descendants of denizens of another world. Long-lived but seldom born.

Choosing Detailed Appearance in Elden Ring

This section offers a variety of controls to tweak the aspect of the character. These options are divided in 5 groups: Age, Voice, Alter Skin Color, Alter Face & Hair and Alter Body.

It also offers options to save custom presets by selecting "Save to Favorites" and recall them using "Load Favorite".

Alter Skin Color

This tab allows you to modify the skin color of your character, either from a "Preset Colors" palette or by fine-tuning it with the "Adjust Color" option, which gives an even deeper control on skin tone.

The color of the skin is applied on top of the selected Base Template, and "Temporary Colors" can be stored.

details on the adjust color menu and functionality.

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Alter Face & Hair

In the "Alter Face & Hair" menu, you will come across 11 more options to further manipulate specific parts of the character's face and hair. These are:

Adjust Face Template: Select among a variety of pre-set faces.
Face Structure: Modify the shape of the face with dedicated controls.
Hair: Modify the character's hairstyle. (Five new hairstyles added with Colosseum Update.)
Eyebrows: Alter diverse properties of the eyebrows of the character.
Facial Hair: Tweak parameters for the character's facial hair, i.e. beards or mustaches.
Eyelashes: Controls for modifying different eyelashes parameters.
Eyes: Modify various parameters for your character's eyes. Includes unlockable Eye Alteration setting.
Skin Features: Fine-tune the skin of the character by adding and modifying skin details.
Cosmetics: Choose among several different cosmetic add-ons.
Tattoo/Mark/Eyepatch: Add a Tattoo, Mark or an Eyepatch to your character.
Similar Face: Generate similar faces.

Alter Body

This tab allows you to modify the proportions of your character and some other cosmetic body-wide settings. List of settings:

Head: Adjust size of head body part.
Chest: Adjust size of the upper body area.
Abdomen: Adjust size of the lower body area.
Legs: Adjust leg thickness.
Body Hair: Adjust abundance of body hair.
Body Hair Color: Adjust the color of Body Hair.
Musculature: Choose between Standard and Muscular options.
Burn Marks: Skin alteration akin to hollowing in the Dark Souls series that can be turned on and off. Option appears after meeting the Three Fingers.

Keepsakes in Elden Ring

What are Keepsakes in Elden Ring?

Keepsakes in Elden Ring are optional pieces of equipment or consumables available to the player at Character Creation, granting additional strength or utility at the start of one's journey. These items range from practical upgrades that boost survivability, to utility items and consumables that support various early-game playstyles. There are nine Keepsakes to choose from, but players may opt to start the game without one. This page covers their names, descriptions, and usages. You will find each starting item thoroughly explained, along with community recommendations on the best keepsakes to take depending on your desired build and playstyle.

All Keepsakes are obtainable later in the game except for the Lands Between Rune, some almost immediately, meaning you can safely make your choice for the early-game without consequence. For instance, highly recommended choices like the Golden Seed grant an immediate extra flask use, while the Stonesword Key allows access to locked tombs and treasures right from the very beginning.

Recommended Keepsakes in Elden Ring

Keepsakes provide an opportunity for a personalized early-game advantage. Below are reasons for taking some of the more popular among them:

Lands Between Rune - An instant 3000 Runes. Allows for early level-ups or Merchant purchases.
Golden Seed - Grants an additional charge for your Sacred Flasks, providing extra HP or FP restoration.
Fanged Imp Ashes - A duo of Fanged Imps that can deal significant damage to high health targets using attacks which inflict Blood Loss.
Cracked Pot - Used to craft throwing pots. An extra 3 early on can be pretty helpful but continue to grow in value the more Cookbooks you acquire and Materials you collect.
Stonesword Key - Gain early access to areas gated by imp statues. These keys are readily purchasable, but at a starting price of 2000 Runes.

Discouraged Keepsakes in Elden Ring

While Keepsakes will not have a significant impact on your overall experience, below are reasons why some fall short of a recommendation:

Crimson Amber Medallion - Relatively minor health increase. Readily purchasable for 1500 Runes in the Weeping Peninsula.
Bewitching Branch - Inconsistent against different types of enemies, and limited quantity of five leaves opportunities to use them pretty slim.
Boiled Prawn - Fair damage negation and duration, but their limited quantity of five can make players hesitant to use them at the right time, if at all.
Shabriri's Woe - Generating enmity can be situationally powerful. However, its strengths are better explored when players are more familiar with the available summons and Spirit Ashes.

All Keepsakes in Elden Ring

Name	Description	Usage
None	No keepsake. The past has been well and truly left behind.	-
Crimson Amber Medallion	A medallion inlaid with crimson amber. Slightly increases maximum HP.	Talisman While equipped, increases max HP by 6%
Lands Between Rune	The gold of grace shining in the eyes of the people of the Lands Between. Use to gain many runes.	Consumable Item Used to gain 3000 Runes
Golden Seed	A golden seed washed ashore from the Lands Between. Said to reinforce Sacred flasks.	Upgrade Material Grants an additional charge for your Sacred Flasks, providing extra HP or FP restoration.
Fanged Imp Ashes	The ashes of small, diminutive golems. Ashes are said to hold spirits within.	Spirit Ash Summon two Fanged Imps to fight by your side (See Spirit Calling Bell for help using this item)
Cracked Pot	Three strange cracked pots that somehow mend themselves. A container for certain thrown items.	Container Used to craft certain Throwing Pots
Stonesword Key	Two stone keys shaped like swords. Breaks the seal on imp statues, but can only be used once.	Key Item Used to unlock areas gated by imp statutes
Bewitching Branch	Five sacred branches charged with beguiling power. Said to originate from the demigod Miquella.	Consumable Item Used to pierce enemies, turning them into an ally for 3 minutes
Boiled Prawn	Five pieces of boiled prawn. Boosts physical damage negation.	Consumable Item Used to boost Physical Damage negation for 1 minute
Shabriri's Woe	The crazed likeness of a noble whose eyes have been gouged out. Attracts enemies' aggression.	Talisman While equipped, constantly attracts enemies' attention

Choosing a Class in Elden Ring

Well-rounded Classes are recommended for players starting out with Elden Ring. Beginners will have to decide what playstyle they have, how they want to approach the game, and then how they want to Build their character later on. Each Class also comes with a set of starting equipment that other classes can eventually find through regular gameplay, so the most important things to consider are each Classes' base stats and strengths, which will determine the overall flow of the early game. Consider which kinds of Weapons or Equipment you prefer and then create a build that best suits when you prefer Melee, Ranged or Magic Combat. Do not feel restricted by your choice, however; the equipment you pick up on your journey and the stat points you gain from leveling up can radically change your character's combat style.

Players have created their own recommended Builds suitable for beginners or players with an Attribute in mind. Try out ready-made Builds for beginners or for players who want to try something new, then make modifications and switch out different equipment pieces to better fit your style. Find the best Builds here.

Melee Vagabond: The ideal starting class for melee fighters and beginners due to its well-rounded nature and highest Vigor, giving new players the highest health pool to begin the game.
Hybrid Casting Confessor: This class focuses on faith with equal parts Dexterity and Strength, making you a hybrid caster. Good for Magic beginners.
Physical Hybrid Samurai: Samurai is a lot of people's favorite starting class because of its great starting Weapon and access to a Longbow, which gives you great options to approach many combat situations.
Magic Caster Astrologer: For those who want to focus on Magic and Sorcery
Aggressive Warrior: Getting twin Scimitars off the bat is a great base to practice and get used to the double Curved Sword moveset, which has great potential due to how fast the combined swings are.