If you're confronted with a massive adversary, sometimes the only option is to fight dirty. In my case, Elden Ring Runes dev FromSoftware is a massive Goliath. I'm just a little David loading up his sling. So I was not ashamed of adopting hit-and-run tactics against the feared enemy after I found me without options for healing while exploring a daunting fortress.

Stormveil Castle is the first "legacy dungeon" found inside Elden Ring. These areas play an important part in the game's overall mission (i.e. conquering all the story bosses) while also providing players with some old-school, Souls-like adventuring. Every aspect of the game is designed to lead you to this massive stronghold and, once you're there, it serves as a wonderful intro to the verticality that's created by the jump button. Be sure to not look down when navigating the ledges and parapets placed on Stormveil's different towers.

Where Elden Ring's open-world format provides a wide range of options for fighting enemies and escaping battle by way of the horse with the horns Torrent and the like, the dungeons of the past have more in common with traditional FromSoftware levels in that the careful management of resources and the ability to backtrack to checkpoints via shortcuts are essential. Sometimes, the best choice is to sacrifice some progress in the hope of saving your runes. They are a great currency for leveling up, and purchasing items similar to souls from Dark Souls, and try new areas with more understanding of their dangers at your at your disposal.

However, I've never claimed be an intelligent man.I was, at least what felt like at the time, an hour into my journey through Stormveil. The crucial Flask of Crimson Tears (read: Estus Flask) that is the main source to restore your health Elden Ring was empty and I wasn't ready to spend the energy needed to invoke an incantation of healing from my Prophet. My health was in a decent place, but I wanted to find a shortcut before engaging in any more battles. Then I ran into a terrifying, multi-armed monster I had come across for its pity in the a** during the closed network test. After attempting all of possible avenues I realized that my only avenue of escape was through the cathedral-like environment that the creature called home.

I started slow. As I sneaked behind my enemy and using my last little bit of magic make Flame Sling, a long-range fireball spell that I learned following defeating Stormveil's boss in the first game. My most potent attack, took away less than 1/10 of the creature's health and forced me to speed back to safety in an adjacent room. I considered my options. Do I go back to the last checkpoint I was at and check if I can make it back here with more resources? It was not my idea it would take too long. Do I have to take on this man directly with buy Elden Ring Items my short spear? It's not possible, and I'm not strong enough at this kind of game.