Spoilers ahead

Progression in Elden Ring remains mostly familiar, but key changes reshape the early game and endgame flow.

After awakening in the Stranded Graveyard, you are directed south into the Weeping Peninsula instead of west Limgrave. At the Church of Pilgrimage, you’ll find Kale, now positioned to greet you early. The peninsula has been rescaled as an onboarding region, with tutorials integrated naturally through exploration and dungeon design. From there, progression follows the vanilla path, though overall difficulty is increased.

White Mask Varre is killed by a Bloodfiend before you can meet him, removing his questline and the usual method of obtaining the Blood Knight’s Medallion (his gear can still be found near his vanilla location).

At the Forge of the Giants, Okina invades and drops the Blood Knight’s Medallion upon defeat, granting access to Mohg’s Palace and the Land of Shadow.

The final bosses are far more punishing than in vanilla. Unless you seek an extreme challenge, it is strongly recommended to first journey into the Land of Shadow, draw power from the Scadutree and return once prepared to slay the gods.