Don't Die Right Away: Tips for Soulslike Game Beginners

If you've discovered FromSoftware games through Elden Ring, or if you've tried adventuring into Dark Souls or Sekiro and ended up giving up out of frustration, know that you're not alone.

"Soulslike" games have a reputation for being difficult, punishing, and even unfair the first time around, but the truth is that, with patience and a willingness to learn, anyone can overcome these obstacles. However, there's no "right" way to play Soulslikes, and even if you're not one of those people who can finish the game without taking any damage, using controls made out of bananas, or any other crazy trick you've seen out there, you can enjoy a good soulslike without getting stressed.

In this guide, you'll find useful, practical, and, above all, non-obvious tips, organized by game, to help you avoid dying too early, getting frustrated, and abandoning the game. And if you have any questions, leave a comment.

Play Your Way - and Ignore the Fun Inspectors

If you enjoy playing with friends, summon. If you want to use magic, use it. If you love exploits, go for them. What matters is how much fun you have. Soulslike games offer countless ways to play, and they’re all valid. The experience’s yours, not someone else's.

Dying is Part of Progression

In traditional games, death is a failure. In Soulslikes, it's a learning experience. Each death teaches you something new: an attack you didn't know about, a hidden trap, an enemy's weakness. Embracing death as part of the journey will make everything more bearable - and even fun at times.

Each game has its own rhythm - that

Just because you finished Elden Ring by rolling around and using jump attacks doesn't mean that strategy will work in Dark Souls or Sekiro. Some games are slower, others require parrying, deflecting, stealth… Start by observing the pace of the game and adapting to it. This is essential.

Interact with the community

Even years after their release, Fromsoft games still have active communities on Reddit and Discord. They organize events, group raids, help for bosses, and much more. Take advantage of this active community - it's a fundamental part of the Soulslike experience.

Give PvP a chance

Many avoid PvP out of fear, insecurity, or due to finding it confusing. But when explored well, it becomes one of the most rewarding parts of the series. Only try it after you're more comfortable with the game's mechanics. And remember: losing is part of the process.

Avoid getting the Master Key at the start of your first playthrough

While tempting, the Master Key can ruin the sense of discovery. Dark Souls is famous for its interconnected map design, and the key can make you skip important sections and lose the impact of "discovering where the areas connect."

Want a decent weapon right from the start?

You have several options:

• The Claymore, found on the bridge just after Firelink Shrine.

• The Drake Sword by cutting off the red dragon's tail on the bridge.

• The Uchigatana if you kill the merchant in Undead Burg.

• If you're lucky, weapons from the Black Knights might drop.

• If you're a mage, forget all of that. Your life’s already too easy.

Learn how to manage your stamina

In Dark Souls, spamming rolls (like in Elden Ring) often leads to death. Every roll, hit, or parry consumes stamina. Without it, you're vulnerable. Use it wisely.

Choose your build in advance

You won't be able to redistribute attribute points in the first Dark Souls. So decide right at the start: do you want to use strength? Invest in Strength. Do you want magic? Go for Intelligence. And please, never put points into Resistance. When in doubt, Vitality and Endurance are always good options.

Increase your Estus Flasks

You can have up to 20 Estus, but you need to kill the Pinwheel boss in the Catacombs. However, that’s risky at first. It's better to focus on lighting bonfires and making kindling, guaranteeing up to 10 Estus at a time.

Learn to play without locking the camera

Playing with the camera unlocked gives you more control and freedom, especially in combat with multiple enemies or large bosses. Many times, the biggest enemy is the camera itself.

Use Humanities as an emergency heal

If you're out of Estus and you feel like "this is the one attempt," use the Humanity. It fully heals you. And yes, you can lose it upon dying, but the risk’s part of the game's fun.

Have at least one Purging Stone in your inventory

It cures the cursed status. Few moments are as frustrating as being at half health due to a curse and having no way to cure it.

Play Dark Souls II without prejudice

Many people hate this game without ever having played it. Ignore the prejudice and draw your own conclusions. It's a game with its own identity - and it deserves to be played by those who enjoy the genre.

Improve Adaptability early

This attribute influences your i-frames (invincibility time when rolling) and item usage speed. Level it up until you have at least 105 Agility, granting 13 frames - enough for a comfortable roll.

Take advantage of the Soul Vessel to rework your build

Did you make a mistake with your attribute distribution? Dark Souls II allows you to redistribute them with the Soul Vessel item, delivered to the Firekeeper in Things Betwixt. Excellent for testing different builds.

Illusionary walls require an interaction, not an attack

Unlike other games, here you need to press the interaction button, not hit the wall. Many treasures go unnoticed because of this.

Use the Bonfire Ascetic wisely

This item resets the area, including bosses. It's useful for farming rare items, especially weapons that require a boss's soul. But be careful: enemies also get stronger.

Start by talking to Yoel of Londor

This NPC gives you five free levels by accumulating kills. But be careful: he dies as soon as you enter the Catacombs of Carthus. Enjoy it while you can.

Learn how to parry

Unlike the previous games, Dark Souls III has many enemies and bosses vulnerable to parrying. This can make combat much easier and even become a central part of your strategy.

Use Embers at the right time

Embers increase your maximum health and allow you to summon help, but they’re a limited resource. Use them mid-fight, when you're sure you can win. This avoids wasting time and also gives you a boost in the bosses’ final phase.

Take advantage of weapon infusions

Try applying special effects to weapons with gems. Some options grant health regeneration or magic affinity, making fights more balanced.

Master deflect

The foundation of combat in Sekiro is posture, and deflecting attacks is the key to breaking it. The sooner you master this, the faster combat will “click”.

Use the ninja prosthetic wisely

Each boss or enemy type has a weakness. Firecrackers work well against beasts, shurikens against aerial enemies, and the axe breaks shields. Test, explore, and adapt.

Stealth isn’t optional

Sekiro allows you to instantly kill enemies if you approach them unseen. This even applies to some bosses and mini-bosses. Use this to your advantage.

Understand how to level up correctly

• Vitality: increased with Prayer Beads, which you find by exploring and defeating mini-bosses.

• Attack Power: improved by using Memories of the main bosses.

• Skills: acquired by spending experience points - which you lose half of when you die without having spent them.

Invest your money

Dying in Sekiro also causes you to lose gold. To avoid this, buy items and save coins in "pouches" - this way, the value’s kept even after death.

Use consumables frequently

The game offers many useful items: buffs, potions, coins to distract enemies, oils to cause fires, etc. They’re meant to be used - don't save everything for a "right moment" that never comes.

Enjoy every combat

The fights in Sekiro are some of the most thrilling in video game history. Each battle is a dance of attack, defense, and rhythm. Even in the moments of rage, there's an undeniable mechanical beauty.

Start with the right class

If you're just starting out, avoid the Wretch. The Vagabond offers good defense and physical damage, while the Astrologer makes life easier with powerful spells. Your starting class defines the beginning, but doesn't restrict your character - it simply guarantees an easier path until you learn how to survive.

Use Torrent wisely

The spirit horse, Torrent, is essential for exploring, running away, and even facing certain enemies. However, it's not ideal in closed spaces or against bosses that require precise control. Get on and off it frequently - mobility is a weapon, but it can also be a trap.

Don't explore everything at once

Elden Ring encourages exploration, but the world’s brutal. If an area seems impossible, come back later. The game is open, but it's not leveled. Advancing on easier paths before tackling more challenging areas can save you frustration and unnecessary deaths.

Invest in the right vials

You can adjust the ratio between healing (HP) and magic (FP) vials right at the start. If you're a warrior, prioritize healing. If you're a mage, focus on the blue ones. Many beginners forget this and end up with a useless vial in the middle of a fight.

Grab the map and the Marikas

Upon arriving at a new region, look for the map icon to reveal it completely. And activate the Marika Statues: they’re respawn points that save you long walks after death. Knowing where you are - and where you'll respawn - changes everything in the game.

Be aggressive

Unlike Souls, Bloodborne rewards offense. If you take damage, you have a few seconds to retaliate and regain some of your lost health. Staying defensive only makes your situation worse. Attack quickly, keep the pressure on, and use the "regain" system to your advantage whenever possible.

Learn how to use firearms

Pistols aren't for dealing damage - they're for interrupting enemy attacks and opening up space for visceral attacks. Shoot the enemy at the right moment to stun them and land a critical hit. It's the equivalent of a Souls parry, but with much more style and risk.

Spend your echoes often

Dying in Bloodborne can cause you to lose a lot of blood echoes. And the game doesn't forgive those who carry too many points without spending them. Whenever possible, return to the Hunter's Dream to level up or buy items. Save echoes only when you know exactly what you're doing.

Use transformations mid-combat

Bloodborne's weapons have two forms - and you can switch between them with the press of a button during combat. This isn't just about style: transformations can push enemies away, interrupt attacks, or extend your range. Learning to switch strategically is a central part of combat.

Explore alleys and shortcuts

Bloodborne's level design is dense and interconnected. Whenever you find an alley, staircase, or side passage, explore it. Many shortcuts save time and frustration, especially in areas with hard bosses. Unlocking these routes completely changes the pace of progression and makes death less punishing.

Soulslike games aren't just about difficulty. They're about resilience. They're about falling, learning, and getting back up - again and again. Playing your way, discovering things little by little, beating that boss that felt impossible… It's all part of the journey.

The reward? The indescribable satisfaction of achieving something that seemed unattainable. So take a deep breath, grip the controller, and dive headfirst into this experience. You’ll die. You’ll get frustrated. You’ll scream. But you’ll also win. And when you do, you'll understand why these games are so special. Leave in the comments which’s your favorite game.