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Here's the TLDR for how I usually set up my Elden Ring runs:
1. Use the randomizer (key items, flask and weapon upgrade mats, and enemies are not randomized)
2. From a new save file, use save editor to set NG to NG8/NG+7
3. Attempt to "100%" the game, SL90/+21/+8 MAX
Here's an in depth explanation of the configuration:
Once you know what you're doing, even end game encounters can be kind of push overs.
Forcing the highest NG value makes every area a challenge again.
Starting from SL1 will encourage you to try new setups and gives you the opportunity to scale with the game.
Since you should have already beat the game before, you will be able to use your game knowledge to quickly set up again anyways.
The following caps apply:
Even on NG+7, with a maxxed character, you will likely be able to brute force encounters. Under these conditions, while not being so brutal as to require perfection, you will now have to be on top of your game to survive.
It also means that you'll have to think more about where you spend your levels and the stats of the equipment you are wearing. This adds more interesting decision making to character planning.
I like to experience the game's story in a more or less vanilla manner, so I typically follow the standard progression route.
In addition to the hard stat caps, additional caps are enforced based on the stage of the game to ensure you don't outscale early game content.
The game's areas will be played in this order with the following stats:
SL50/+12/+4
SL60/+15/+5
SL70/+15/+6
SL80/+15/+6
SL90/+18/+7
SL90/+21/+8
The legacy dungeons are saved for last, so if you're in Limgrave/Weeping Peninsula you clear Stormveil after everything else.
If I see an item worth rushing down in a later stage of the game, I usually go for it (notably the upgrade bell bearings), but only if I can do the content at the currently available highest upgrades and it doesn't sequence break any stories.
The one requirement is that you must kill everything with a boss health bar.
Everything else is kind of loose, since Elden Ring has a lot of stuff in it and a good amount is missable or mutually exclusive with one another.
In general, you should:
But I won't sweat it if I miss the string pickup in generic cave dungeon #343.
Here's the config for my last randomizer:
Let me explain some of the more important settings:
You can probably clear NG+7 fresh start with a true randomizer but it will be suffering, especially early game. The purpose of the randomizer is to make exploration more interesting, not a gamble on whether you get items required to kill bosses in less than 20 minutes.
Running into a couple Malenias in the field of Limgrave is a meme and Youtubers can clip it and go "whaaat that's so crazy" but for me it just kind of ruins the pacing of the game and cheapens what should be a single, epic battle.
Like I said, I want to progress through the game in a vanilla manner. I don't want to clear the end game bosses then go back to clear an early game area I didn't have the key for.
This is kind of a new addition to runs. I decided to do away with stat reqs and open the possibility of being able to use any weapon or tool at any point in the game. It does take away some of the strategy of choosing between VIG or a 70 stat req item, but after a dozen or so planned builds, I think I'm good.
Under these conditions, I started depraved and only ever level VIG/MIND/END, still keeping the ~40 VIG cap, generally staying ~20 levels under the previously listed SL caps. No damage scaling, so there's some trade off.
How An Insane Person Plays Elden Ring
2026-02-28
Here's the TLDR for how I usually set up my Elden Ring runs:
1. Use the randomizer (key items, flask and weapon upgrade mats, and enemies are not randomized)
2. From a new save file, use save editor to set NG to NG8/NG+7
3. Attempt to "100%" the game, SL90/+21/+8 MAX
Here's an in depth explanation of the configuration:
NG+7
Once you know what you're doing, even end game encounters can be kind of push overs.
Forcing the highest NG value makes every area a challenge again.
Fresh Start
Starting from SL1 will encourage you to try new setups and gives you the opportunity to scale with the game.
Since you should have already beat the game before, you will be able to use your game knowledge to quickly set up again anyways.
Level/Upgrade Caps
The following caps apply:
- Soul Level 90
- Standard Weapons +21
- Somber Weapons +8
- ~40 Base Vigor
Even on NG+7, with a maxxed character, you will likely be able to brute force encounters. Under these conditions, while not being so brutal as to require perfection, you will now have to be on top of your game to survive.
It also means that you'll have to think more about where you spend your levels and the stats of the equipment you are wearing. This adds more interesting decision making to character planning.
Area Progression
I like to experience the game's story in a more or less vanilla manner, so I typically follow the standard progression route.
In addition to the hard stat caps, additional caps are enforced based on the stage of the game to ensure you don't outscale early game content.
The game's areas will be played in this order with the following stats:
SL50/+12/+4
- Limgrave/Weeping Peninsula
- Liurnia
- Ainsel South
- Siofra South
- Caelid South
SL60/+15/+5
- Siofra North/Nokron
- Ainsel North/Nokstella
- Lake of Rot
- Deeproot
- Moonlight Altar
SL70/+15/+6
- Caelid North/Dragonbarrow
- Altus Plateau
- Mt. Gelmir
- Capital Outskirts
- Leyndell
SL80/+15/+6
- Subterranean Shunning Grounds
- Forbidden Lands
- Mountaintops of the Giants
SL90/+18/+7
- The rest of the base game
SL90/+21/+8
- DLC
- In depth area list and scad blessing caps pending, have only 100%'d DLC once so still planning out progression...
The legacy dungeons are saved for last, so if you're in Limgrave/Weeping Peninsula you clear Stormveil after everything else.
If I see an item worth rushing down in a later stage of the game, I usually go for it (notably the upgrade bell bearings), but only if I can do the content at the currently available highest upgrades and it doesn't sequence break any stories.
100%
The one requirement is that you must kill everything with a boss health bar.
Everything else is kind of loose, since Elden Ring has a lot of stuff in it and a good amount is missable or mutually exclusive with one another.
In general, you should:
- Pick up every shiny item (full goblin mode)
- Progress every NPC quest
- Kill as many non-respawning enemies as possible
- Buy out all the stores
But I won't sweat it if I miss the string pickup in generic cave dungeon #343.
Randomizer
Here's the config for my last randomizer:
allcraft allmaps bossbgm copydrops crashfix dlc dlcblessing earlylegacy
earlymedal editnames item noenvbgm nogestures norandom norandom_health
norandom_scadu norandom_upgrades phasehp raceloc_altboss raceloc_health
raceloc_scadu raceloc_shops scale sombermode spellshops v14 weaponprogression
weaponreqs woodsfast bias:0Let me explain some of the more important settings:
No Randomized Upgrade Bell Bearings, Flask Upgrade Mats, or Scadtree Frags
You can probably clear NG+7 fresh start with a true randomizer but it will be suffering, especially early game. The purpose of the randomizer is to make exploration more interesting, not a gamble on whether you get items required to kill bosses in less than 20 minutes.
No Randomized Enemies
Running into a couple Malenias in the field of Limgrave is a meme and Youtubers can clip it and go "whaaat that's so crazy" but for me it just kind of ruins the pacing of the game and cheapens what should be a single, epic battle.
No Randomized Key Items
Like I said, I want to progress through the game in a vanilla manner. I don't want to clear the end game bosses then go back to clear an early game area I didn't have the key for.
Removed Item Stat Requirements
This is kind of a new addition to runs. I decided to do away with stat reqs and open the possibility of being able to use any weapon or tool at any point in the game. It does take away some of the strategy of choosing between VIG or a 70 stat req item, but after a dozen or so planned builds, I think I'm good.
Under these conditions, I started depraved and only ever level VIG/MIND/END, still keeping the ~40 VIG cap, generally staying ~20 levels under the previously listed SL caps. No damage scaling, so there's some trade off.