1. The First Steps
As you emerge from the tutorial cave, you will see a Site of Grace and an NPC named White Mask Varré. Talk to him until he repeats his dialogue to start his questline. The glowing golden trails from the Sites of Grace will always point you toward the main story objectives.
Do not engage the giant golden knight riding the horse right in front of you. Sneak past him by going left through the bushes. You can return when you are Level 25+.
2. Church of Elleh
Follow the path north, avoiding the Tree Sentinel, to reach the ruins of a church. This is your first major hub.
3. Gatefront, Map & Whetstone Knife
Follow the road north from the Church of Elleh through the woods until you reach a large encampment of soldiers (Gatefront Ruins). This camp contains three critical items you cannot miss.
🐎 Meeting Melina & Getting Torrent
Sneak around the camp to the large gate on the north side. Touch the Gatefront Site of Grace and rest. Melina will appear and give you the Spectral Steed Whistle. You can now summon Torrent, your horse.
Immediately after getting Torrent, fast-travel back to the Church of Elleh at night. You will meet the witch Renna sitting on the wall. Speak to her to receive the Spirit Calling Bell and the Lone Wolf Ashes for free.
4. Crucial Limgrave Pitstops (100% Route)
Before charging up the hill to face Margit, ride Torrent around Limgrave to collect these vital items and start the best NPC questlines:
1. Third Church of Marika
Ride far to the East of Limgrave. Here you will find the Flask of Wondrous Physick (a customizable potion) and a Sacred Tear.
2. Murkwater Cave (Patches)
Located in the central river. Fight the boss (Patches), but stop attacking when he surrenders. He becomes a merchant who sells Margit's Shackle (5,000 runes).
3. Stormhill Shack (Roderika)
Just up the road toward the castle. Talk to the woman in red three times to get the Spirit Jellyfish Ashes. Grab the Golden Seed outside.
4. Mistwood Ruins (Blaidd)
Enter the eastern woods and listen for howling. Return to Merchant Kalé and ask about the howling to get the "Snap" gesture. Go back to the ruins, snap, and meet Blaidd the Half-Wolf.
5. Waypoint Ruins (Sorceress Sellen)
Defeat the Mad Pumpkin Head boss in the basement to unlock Sellen. She is the most important NPC for Intelligence/Mage builds, selling powerful early spells.
6. Fort Haight (Dectus Medallion)
Clear this fort in the far southeast. Climb the tallest tower and open the chest to find the Dectus Medallion (Left), crucial for reaching Altus Plateau later.
5. Boss: Margit, the Fell Omen
Ride your horse up Stormhill. Before the castle entrance, you will face the first major skill-check of the game. Recommended Level: 20-25.
| Weaknesses | Strategy | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Bleed, Poison, Scarlet Rot | Summon Sorcerer Rogier (gold sign outside door). Use Lone Wolf Ashes or Jellyfish. Use Margit's Shackle (bought from Patches) to pin him to the ground twice during phase 1 for free damage. | 12,000 Runes Talisman Pouch (+1 Talisman Slot) |
6. Stormveil Castle Secrets
This is your first Legacy Dungeon. It is a massive, multi-layered labyrinth. At the main gate, Gostoc will advise you to take the side path. Take the side path. The main gate is heavily fortified and means instant death.
Notice you are losing 30% of your Runes every time you die in Stormveil? Gostoc is stalking you and stealing them. Furthermore, he locks you in the dark room with the Banished Knight. You can kill him to get his Bell Bearing, or let him live to finish Nepheli's questline later.
- Iron Whetblade: Found behind an Imp Statue seal near the grafted scion courtyard. Essential for adding Heavy, Keen, or Quality affinities to weapons.
- Sorcerer Rogier: Found resting in a small chapel inside the castle. Talk to him to buy early-game ashes of war (Glintstone Phalanx).
- Nepheli Loux: Just before the boss arena, check the small room in the courtyard guarded by a giant troll. Talk to Nepheli to summon her for the Godrick fight.
From the Liftside Chamber Grace, head out to the courtyard, drop down the ledge into the abyss, and follow the bloody path. You will fight a terrifying Ulcerated Tree Spirit.
Beyond it lies a massive, deformed face (Godwyn's corpse). Pick up the Prince of Death's Pustule talisman here and touch the bloodstain to advance Rogier and Fia's questlines later.
7. Boss: Godrick the Grafted
The lord of Stormveil Castle. Summon Nepheli Loux (if you spoke to her) and use your Spirit Ashes right away to split his aggro. Recommended Level: 30+.
⚔️ Phase 1 (Melee)
He uses slow, telegraphed axe swings. When he creates a whirlwind around himself, run away. If you get caught, roll INTO his rolling attack, not away from it. Let Nepheli draw aggro while you attack his back.
🔥 Phase 2 (Dragon Fire)
At 50% HP, he grafts a dragon head onto his arm. When he breathes fire sweeping from left to right, sprint to your right and roll through the fire to get behind him for free hits. Stay close to his legs to avoid most fire attacks.
🏆 Reward: Godrick's Great Rune & Remembrance of the Grafted.
(Do not consume the Remembrance! Trade it at the Roundtable Hold with Enia to get the Axe of Godrick or the Grafted Dragon weapon).
💬 Community Strategies & Discussion
Did you find a hidden chest? Struggling with a boss? Share your tips and questions with other mercenaries below!