What is the Best Starting Keepsake in Elden Ring?

In previous Souls games, you would receive one of a few different starting gifts when you create your character. In-universe, these would be remnants of who your character was before they embarked on their long, strange journey, while in a meta level, it would be an extra boost that could potentially set the short-term or long-term tempo for your playthrough. Elden Ring has continued this tradition in the form of Keepsakes, and if you want to make your playthrough a little less painful, it’s ideal you pick the right one. So, what is the best starting Keepsake in Elden Ring?

While you’re creating your character at the start of a new Elden Ring file, you’ll get to choose between one of 10 Keepsake options. Some of these are consumable items you can only use once, while others are deceptively important items that you may not be able to discern the use of until much later (when you really need them).

All Keepsakes in Elden Ring

The 10 options and their basic effects are as follows:

1. Crimson Amber Medallion: An equippable talisman that gives you a small boost to your max HP.
2. Lands Between Rune: A consumable that immediately gives you a lump payout of level-up Runes upon use.
3. Golden Seed: A special consumable that adds an additional charge to your Sacred Flask for restoring HP or FP.
4. Fanged Imp Ashes: A consumable used in conjunction with the Spirit Calling Bell to summon Fanged Imp specters to help you in a fight.
5. Cracked Pot: A crafting material used in the creation of various throwable weapons. Selecting this Keepsake will give you a stack of 3 Cracked Pots.
6. Stonesword Key: A special key consumable used to unlock the seals on Imp Statues, which contain rare loot. Selecting this Keepsake will give you 2 Stonesword Keys.
7. Bewitching Branch: A consumable item that, when used on an enemy with FP, temporarily turns them to your side.
8. Boiled Prawn: A consumable that provides a temporary physical defense buff.
9. Shabiri’s Woe: A consumable that immediately draws the aggro of all nearby enemies.
10. None: Literally nothing. Don’t pick this.

What is the Best Starting Keepsake in Elden Ring?

So which Keepsake should you start your adventure with? The best ones are definitely the ones that promote longevity. As such, your early game would benefit from either the Crimson Amber Medallion or the Golden Seed. As you play through the game, you’ll want to endeavor to not get hit at all, but when you’re still getting a hang of the combat system, it’d definitely help to have a little extra HP insurance. The Golden Seed is an especially good choice, as your Sacred Flask can be used to restore both your HP and FP, so with two charges, you can restore both once without resting.

There you have it; that’s the best starting Keepsake in Elden Ring. For more related guides and content, check our website’s Elden Ring section.