Which early dungeons are the most beginner-friendly in Elden Ring?

When you first arrive in the Lands Between, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There are caves everywhere, half-buried ruins, and catacombs full of traps that seem designed specifically to punish anyone who walks in without caution. But not every dungeon is out to break you. Some are actually great introductions to exploration, combat pacing, and basic Elden Ring mechanics. Below is a breakdown of the easiest dungeons I recommend for new Tarnished, along with some simple tips that make these places much smoother to clear.

Why is Groveside Cave often the first stop for new players?

Groveside Cave sits right near the Church of Elleh in Limgrave, so most players naturally stumble upon it. The enemies inside are simple wolves, the layout is short, and you get an early look at how FromSoftware designs compact encounters. The boss fight with the Beastman of Farum Azula can look intimidating, but his moves are slow and readable, making him a perfect practice target for dodging timing. If you’re still getting used to your weapon, this cave is a helpful warm-up before diving into anything more complex.

Some players like to clear a few easy spots like this before leveling up further. That’s when discussions about how to buy elden ring runes pop up in communities, especially among players who prefer a more relaxed start. It’s something I occasionally see mentioned, particularly by people who don’t want to grind early mobs for hours. Still, this cave alone usually gives enough runes to push a couple of useful early levels.

What makes Coastal Cave such a calm, low-pressure dungeon?

Coastal Cave is another Limgrave classic. It’s tucked along the western beach, and most players find it while roaming near the shoreline. The reason it’s considered one of the gentlest early dungeons is that nearly everything inside is slow and predictable. Demi-humans can be dangerous in groups, but they’re weak individually, and the narrow layout means you can pull enemies little by little.

The real reward is the boss: a duo of demi-human chiefs. At first, two enemies might feel stressful, but they’re perfect for learning how to juggle threats and use summons. Spirit Ashes can help more here than in most early encounters. Clearing this cave also opens the path to the island church, which gives access to a useful crafting item for certain builds. Players sometimes talk about finding the buy elden ring runes lowest price options when they want to test different equipment early on, but honestly, Coastal Cave gives you a comfortable amount of runes without needing anything extra.

Is Stormfoot Catacombs too tricky for beginners, or still manageable?

Stormfoot Catacombs is a slight step up, but still completely manageable for new players. The imps inside are small, quick, and capable of dealing bleed damage, but they’re also incredibly fragile. The reason this place feels fair is that every danger can be anticipated: the imps always hide in corners, and the flame traps follow a predictable pattern. As long as you walk slowly, keep your shield ready, and learn to bait attacks, the dungeon becomes an excellent lesson in patience.

The boss, the Erdtree Burial Watchdog, looks bizarre but is quite slow. Its hitboxes are strict, but if you stay close to its legs and sidestep the big slams, you’ll be fine. Many players claim this fight is where Elden Ring first teaches you that patience matters more than aggression. Even if you haven’t invested heavily into your stats yet, the dungeon’s design lets you rely on fundamentals rather than raw strength. If you’re experimenting with early gear or crafting items you picked up from U4GM discussions or other community spots, this dungeon gives you a good place to test your setup’s balance.

Why is Murkwater Cave such a lighthearted early dungeon?

Murkwater Cave makes the list not just because it’s easy, but because it’s fun. The bandits inside are basic enemies, and the mini-boss fight is more comedic than threatening. Without spoiling the twist, the encounter teaches you that Elden Ring’s world can be playful, not just punishing. It’s a great break for new players who feel tense after facing tougher open-world enemies.

The dungeon also gives access to useful tools for stealth and quick-hit builds, which can really help if you like avoiding direct confrontation. Even though Murkwater doesn’t shower you with runes, it’s a stress-free place that builds confidence without demanding much.

Which dungeon should new players try after clearing the simplest ones?

Once you’ve warmed up with these dungeons, you can comfortably move on to slightly tougher ones like Tombsward Cave or the Deathtouched Catacombs. By then, you should have enough runes, upgrade materials, and confidence to tackle more varied enemy types. Many players mention that after clearing the early Limgrave set, the overall world feels much easier to approach.

If you’re interested in trying different weapons, adjusting your stats, or simply experimenting with builds you’ve seen recommended by other players, these early caves give you the perfect foundation. They’re small, approachable, and designed to teach you core Elden Ring habits without overwhelming you.

So which dungeon should a brand-new Tarnished do first?

If I had to pick, I’d say Groveside Cave is the best first stop, followed closely by Coastal Cave. Both offer forgiving layouts, gentle enemies, and helpful early rewards. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the dungeons on this list. They’re all friendly entry points that help you understand how Elden Ring structures its challenges.

Take them at your own pace, enjoy the process, and don’t worry too much about optimizing your character right away. Exploration is part of the fun, and these early dungeons are the perfect places to start discovering why Elden Ring feels so rewarding.