The essential items you need to find for upgrading your character, weapons, and surviving the Lands Between.
Elden Ring's world is massive and filled with loot, but not all items are created equal. If you want to survive, you need to prioritize finding these essential items that permanently upgrade your character's capabilities.
Upgrading your Sacred Flasks should be your number one priority in exploration.
What they do: Increases the total number of uses (charges) your flasks have.
Where to find them: Usually found at the base of glowing, golden saplings scattered across the world map. Keep an eye out for these small trees near roads and legacy dungeons.
What they do: Increases the amount of HP/FP replenished per flask use.
Where to find them: Exclusively found at the base of statues inside ruined churches (e.g., Church of Elleh, Third Church of Marika, Pilgrimage Church). Always stop at every church you see.
Your weapon's level is far more important for dealing damage than your character's stats in the early game.
What they do: Used at blacksmiths (like Hewg in Roundtable Hold or Iji in Liurnia) to upgrade weapons. Regular stones upgrade standard weapons to +25. Somber stones upgrade unique/boss weapons to +10.
Where to find them: The best place to farm them early is inside mines and tunnels (marked by dark, reddish holes on the world map). Look for glowing deposits on the walls.
What they do: Give these to the Twin Maiden Husks in the Roundtable Hold to unlock the ability to infinitely purchase Smithing Stones and Gloveworts for runes.
Where to find them: Usually dropped by bosses at the end of mines/tunnels, or found in high-level catacombs.
What they do: Used by Roderika in the Roundtable Hold to upgrade your Spirit Ashes (summons).
Where to find them: Almost exclusively found growing in underground Catacombs and Hero's Graves. They look like glowing white flowers.
What it does: Allows you to craft items (arrows, pots, buffs) from materials you gather in the world.
Where to find it: Buy it from Kalé at the Church of Elleh for 300 Runes. It is practically mandatory.
What they do: Expands the list of items you can craft using your Crafting Kit.
Where to find them: Sold by various merchants, found in chests, and looted from camps. Buy every cookbook you see from merchants.
What it does: A customizable, single-use (refills at grace) potion that provides massive buffs (like temporary infinite magic, huge stamina regen, or explosive damage).
Where to find it: Third Church of Marika in eastern Limgrave. You customize it by finding Crystal Tears at Minor Erdtrees.
What it does: Summons your horse, Torrent.
Where to find it: Given to you by Melina when you rest at the Gatefront Ruins Site of Grace (or a few other specific graces early on).
What it does: Allows you to summon Spirit Ashes (like Lone Wolves) to aid you in combat in designated areas.
Where to find it: Given to you by Renna (Ranni) at the Church of Elleh at night, after you have acquired Torrent.