How To Level Up In Elden Ring - IGN

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This page includes information on how to level up and increase your power in Elden Ring.

When you begin your adventure in the Lands Between, you will soon be told that your character is "Maidenless" and lacks the power to seek the Elden Ring for yourself. In order to grow in power, you will need to find a maiden of you own to level up with.

Where to Find the Melina the Finger Maiden

Simply finding and resting at the first Site of Grace you find won't be enough to level up, though you can at least recover your wounds. In truth, you'll need to rest at 3 different Sites of Grace out in the open world to trigger her appearance. Note that this does not include the Sites of Grace in the Stranded Graveyard, or any in the mini dungeons that are found in the Lands Between. For a simple path to take to find three quickly, see below:

1. As soon as you leave the Stranded Graveyard and Cave of Knowledge, take the lift up to enter the region of Limgrave. Walk straight for a few paces, and you'll find your first Site of Grace at a place known as The First Steps, next to a somewhat friendly NPC.
2. Note the trail of light that floats in a certain direction from this site, and check your map to notice an arrow pointing from your location. Follow the path created by the Sites of Grace and head north - but beware the giant mounted Tree Sentinel that wanders the path. Give him a wide berth and make for a small ruined building - the Church of Elleh, to find the second Site of Grace next to a nomadic merchant.
3. Look at the map once more to see the arrows pointing north and slightly west, and proceed down the dirt road from the church through a wooded area where a few soldiers patrol. This will lead to a large fortified area full of enemies called the Gatefront Ruins, at the foot of a large doorway. Just to the north of the ruins is a large imposing Stormgate, and at its base is a third Site of Grace.

By resting here, you will be visited by Melina. She is a Finger Maiden, and can aid the Tarnished in the search for the Elden Ring, by allowing you to trade in Rune Fragments for strength.

How to Level Up

Once you have met with Melina, she can use her power to level up your character in exchange for Runes (What is normally referred to as Souls in Dark Souls games). You will be able to choose one of several attributes to increase at a time, which can in turn raise various stats or allow you to equip certain weapons and magic when you reach the required level.

Unlike other FromSoft games, you can now use Melina's power at any Site of Grace you rest at thereafter, and do not need to return to the Site of Grace you met the Finger Maiden at.

Remember that the Runes you carry and collect by defeating enemies are dropped upon death, and you'll need to pick them up where you died after you respawn. If you die on the way back to getting them, they'll be gone forever. However, you can also collect Fringefolk Runes that can be consumed to obtained many Runes at once, making them a great way to store Runes until they are needed.

Up Next: How to Get Your Mount

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