Why Is Elden Ring So Hard Game Design Philosophy Explained For Beginners

Elden Ring isn’t just difficult—it’s designed to be. From the moment players step into the Lands Between, they’re met with towering enemies, cryptic objectives, and punishing combat. But beneath this apparent cruelty lies a meticulously crafted philosophy rooted in player agency, meaningful progression, and deep respect for skill development. For newcomers, the game can feel overwhelming. Yet understanding the reasoning behind its difficulty reveals not frustration, but intentionality—each challenge serves a purpose.

Developed by FromSoftware and directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki in collaboration with fantasy novelist George R.R. Martin, Elden Ring continues the legacy of titles like Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. These games are known for their uncompromising difficulty, but also for their rewarding gameplay loops. The question isn’t whether Elden Ring is too hard—it’s why it’s hard, and what that teaches players about resilience, observation, and growth.

The Design Principle Behind Intentional Difficulty

At its core, Elden Ring embraces what game designers call “fair but challenging” difficulty. This means enemies follow predictable patterns, attacks can be dodged or parried with proper timing, and failure always provides information. There are no random deaths or cheap hits—only consequences of misjudgment, impatience, or lack of preparation.

This philosophy stems from a belief that overcoming adversity creates deeper satisfaction than effortless victory. When a player finally defeats Margit the Fell Omen after multiple attempts, the triumph feels earned. That emotional payoff is central to FromSoftware’s design ethos.

“We don’t make our games hard to frustrate people. We make them hard so that when you succeed, it truly feels like your success.” — Hidetaka Miyazaki, Game Director

The absence of hand-holding reinforces this idea. Players aren’t told where to go, how to upgrade, or which weapon suits their build. Exploration and experimentation become essential tools. This freedom fosters curiosity and personal investment—players aren’t following a script; they’re writing their own journey through trial and error.

Key Pillars of Elden Ring’s Challenge

The difficulty in Elden Ring isn’t arbitrary. It’s built on several foundational design principles:

• Pattern Recognition Over Reflexes Alone: Enemies telegraph their attacks clearly. Success depends on learning rhythms, not just twitch responses.
• Environmental Awareness: Terrain matters. Fighting near cliffs, narrow bridges, or hazards forces strategic positioning.
• Resource Management: Stamina, healing flasks, and spell charges are limited. Poor management leads to defeat.
• Consequence of Death: Dying means losing runes (currency/experience), creating tension between risk and reward.
• Player Accountability: There’s no blame on RNG or unfair mechanics—losses are usually due to player mistakes.

Tip: Never rush into combat. Observe enemy movements during the first few encounters—even if it means dying intentionally to learn.

How Progression Balances Difficulty

One reason Elden Ring remains engaging despite its steep curve is its layered progression system. While early hours may feel brutal, steady improvement comes from both character growth and player skill.

Players earn runes to level up attributes like Vigor (health), Mind (focus), and Endurance (stamina). They also discover new weapons, spells, and summons that open alternative strategies. A boss who seemed impossible at level 30 might fall easily at level 50—with the same skill level—thanks to better gear and stats.

But crucially, power creep is slow. Even high-level areas contain threats capable of killing overleveled players who rely solely on stats instead of technique. This balance ensures that mechanical mastery remains relevant throughout the game.

Mechanic	Purpose	Player Benefit
Stamina Depletion	Limits spamming attacks or dodging	Rewards tactical pacing and timing
Death Penalty (Lost Runes)	Adds stakes to exploration and combat	Encourages careful planning and risk assessment
No Map Markers for Quests	Forces active engagement with world and NPCs	Deepens immersion and discovery
Hidden Areas & Secret Bosses	Rewards curiosity and thorough exploration	Creates memorable moments and unique loot
Multiple Build Paths	Supports diverse playstyles (magic, melee, stealth)	Allows adaptation based on preference and challenge

A Real Example: Conquering Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Malenia is often cited as one of the hardest bosses in video game history. Her fight features rapid combos, unblockable waterfowl dance spin attack, and a devastating phase two transformation. Most players lose dozens—if not hundreds—of times before prevailing.

Consider Alex, a first-time Elden Ring player. He encountered Malenia early, lured by rumors of her legendary status. His initial attempts ended in seconds. No strategy worked. After researching online, he learned key truths: she has a small window of vulnerability after her scarlet rot explosion, and summoning Spirit Ashes distracts her enough to land consistent damage.

He spent days preparing—leveling health, equipping frostbite-inducing weapons, mastering jump attacks to avoid her sweep. On his 47th try, he won. Not because he “got lucky,” but because he adapted, studied, and executed a plan forged through repeated failure.

This experience encapsulates Elden Ring’s design: the mountain seems insurmountable, but every fall teaches something vital. Victory isn’t handed out—it’s constructed brick by brick through persistence.

Step-by-Step Guide to Surviving the Early Game

If you're new to Elden Ring and struggling, follow this practical sequence to build confidence and capability:

1. Start in Limgrave: Explore freely but avoid major dungeons until you’ve leveled up and gathered basic gear.
2. Visit Sites of Grace: Activate them to fast travel later and replenish healing flasks.
3. Level Up Key Stats: Prioritize Vigor (for survivability) and either Mind or Endurance depending on your build.
4. Upgrade Your Weapon: Find Smithing Stones and use crafting benches to improve damage output.
5. Learn Enemy Tells: Watch attack animations closely. Backstep or roll only when necessary.
6. Use Spirit Summons: Acquire Spirit Ashes (e.g., Lone Wolf, Crucible Knight) to draw aggro and create openings.
7. Don’t Chase Story Too Fast: Side quests and optional areas often offer better rewards and preparation than main path bosses.

Progress isn’t linear. Sometimes retreating to explore elsewhere is smarter than pushing forward. The world adapts to your readiness—not the other way around.

Common Misconceptions About the Game’s Difficulty

Many players assume Elden Ring is unfairly hard because they approach it like traditional action RPGs. However, certain assumptions lead to unnecessary frustration:

• “I should beat every enemy I see.” Truth: Some foes are meant to be avoided or revisited later.
• “There must be a glitch—I didn’t see that attack coming!” Reality: All attacks have wind-up cues. Review replays or watch tutorials.
• “I need the best gear to win.” Myth: Proper timing and positioning matter more than raw stats.
• “The game doesn’t tell me what to do.” Actually: Clues are embedded in item descriptions, NPC dialogue, and environmental storytelling.

FromSoftware trusts players to figure things out. Guidance exists—but it’s subtle, not spoon-fed. Reading an Estus Flask description might reveal stamina regeneration rates. Talking to multiple NPCs could piece together a hidden questline.

Checklist: Essential Habits for New Tarnished

To thrive in the Lands Between, adopt these practices early:

• ✅ Always check behind you during boss fights—summon Spirit Ashes for extra pressure.
• ✅ Carry at least one healing item besides Flasks (like Golden Seed for increased charges).
• ✅ Memorize dodge timings—rolling too early or late wastes stamina and leaves you open.
• ✅ Use environmental traps to your advantage (e.g., lure enemies off cliffs).
• ✅ Save before tough fights by resting at a Site of Grace.
• ✅ Experiment with different weapon types and incantations to find your ideal playstyle.
• ✅ Join multiplayer covenants for support, buffs, or PvP practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elden Ring harder than Dark Souls?

It depends on the player. Elden Ring offers more freedom—meaning you can avoid tough fights temporarily or come back stronger. However, some bosses (like Malenia) surpass previous games in complexity. Overall, it's more accessible due to open-world pacing, but peak difficulty is higher.

Do I need to be good at reflexes to beat Elden Ring?

Not necessarily. While reaction time helps, pattern recognition and preparation matter more. Many players succeed using methodical builds, shields, and well-timed parries rather than flashy dodges.

Can I complete Elden Ring without dying?

In theory, yes—but extremely unlikely. Death is part of the learning process. Even expert players die frequently. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress through persistence.

Conclusion: Embracing the Struggle

Elden Ring’s difficulty isn’t a flaw—it’s the foundation of its brilliance. Every setback carries instruction. Every death narrows the gap between failure and mastery. The game doesn’t cater to instant gratification; it rewards patience, observation, and courage.

Beginners shouldn’t aim to “beat” the game quickly. Instead, focus on growing alongside it. Learn one enemy’s pattern. Unlock a new region. Defeat a mini-boss that once felt impossible. These milestones, earned through effort, form the heart of the Elden Ring experience.

🚀 Your next breakthrough is closer than you think. Revisit that boss, refine your build, and keep moving forward. Share your hardest-won victory in the comments—someone else might find hope in your story.