Elden Ring: When should I travel where? The best order

The gigantic world of Elden Ring can be explored almost completely from the start. However, the enemies and bosses are not equally strong in every region. Therefore, we will reveal to you the optimal order in which you should explore the Lands Between.

We present to you the optimal order in which you should explore the vast world of Elden Ring. To provide better orientation, we also state the optimal level of your character and the best upgrade levels of your weapons for each region. We also differentiate between standard weapons and darksmith stone weapons.

This order is largely adopted from the controversial website Fextralife. It is based “on multiple playthroughs and the frequency of summons” (via Fextralife). However, we have closed existing gaps and adjusted and expanded the list with our own assessments.

The weapon tier list will also help you to go into battle with the correct equipment:

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Elden Ring Tier List – All 411 Weapons in the Ranking

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Here is the optimal order for the areas

1. Limgrave West
   • Level 1 – 15
   • Standard weapons: +0
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +0 – 1
2. Stormhill
   • Level 10 – 20
   • Standard weapons: +0
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +0 – 1
3. Limgrave East
   • Level 10 – 20
   • Standard weapons: +2
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +1
4. Peninsula of Tears
   • Level 20 – 30
   • Standard weapons: +3
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +1
5. Castle Stormveil
   • Level 30 – 40
   • Standard weapons: +3 – 4
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +1 – 2
6. Liurnia of the Lakes
   • Level 40 – 50
   • Standard weapons: +3 – 6
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +1 – 2
7. Academy of Raya Lucaria
   • Level 40 – 60
   • Standard weapons: +4 – 8
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +2 – 3
8. House Caria
   • Level 40 – 60
   • Standard weapons: +4 – 8
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +2 – 3
9. Ainsel
   • Level 50 – 60
   • Standard weapons: +4 – 8
   • Darksmith stone weapons: +2 – 3
10. Siofra
    • Level 60 – 70
    • Standard weapons: +8 – 12
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +3 – 4
11. Caelid
    • Level 60 – 70
    • Standard weapons: +10 – 14
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +4 – 5
12. Altus Plateau
    • Level 60 – 80
    • Standard weapons: +10 – 14
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +4 – 5
13. Nokron, the Eternal City
    • Level 70 – 80
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
14. Aqueduct at Siofra
    • Level 70 – 80
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
15. Depths of Deeproots
    • Level 80 – 90
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
16. Gelmir
    • Level 80 – 100
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
17. House Volcano
    • Level 80 – 100
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
18. Nokstella, the Eternal City
    • Level 80 – 100
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
19. Rotten Lake
    • Level 80 – 100
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
20. Greyoll’s Dragon Hill
    • Level 90 – 110
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
21. Leyndell, Royal Capital
    • Level 90 – 110
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
22. Underground Reserve of Shame
    • Level 100 – 110
    • Standard weapons: +15 – 20
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +6 – 8
23. Forbidden Lands
    • Level 100 – 120
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 24
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 9
24. Giant’s Peak
    • Level 100 – 120
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 24
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 9
25. Sacrificial Snowfield
    • Level 100 – 120
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 24
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 9
26. Mohgwyn Palace
    • Level 110 – 140
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 24
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 9
27. Miquella’s Haligbaum
    • Level 120 – 150
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 25
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 10
28. Elphael, Support of the Haligbaum
    • Level 120 – 150
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 25
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 10
29. Falling Farum Azula
    • Level 120 – 150
    • Standard weapons: +20 – 25
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +8 – 10
30. Leyndell, Ashen Capital
    • Level 120 – 150
    • Standard weapons: +25
    • Darksmith stone weapons: +10

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This is the optimal order in which you should explore the Lands Between. This classification also considered that you miss as few NPC interactions and items as possible. That’s why, for example, Elphael, Support of the Haligbaum is placed before Falling Farum Azula, as otherwise you would miss an important interaction with Gideon Ofnir – and thus also unique items.

Also note that the Underground Reserve of Shame can be completed with a level of around 100 to 110, but you will unlock an ending that you can only bypass with great effort. What this effort involves, you will find out here:

Elden Ring: Millicent Quest Guide – How to Avoid the Worst Ending