If you've been sinking hours into Elden Ring, there's a good chance you've found yourself settling into a comfortable farming playstyle. Whether it's gathering resources, leveling up, or stockpiling runes, farming in Elden Ring can be a satisfying grind. However, there may come a time when you feel ready to switch gears and dive deeper into the combat side of the game. The good news is, transitioning from farming to combat doesn’t have to be a steep hill to climb—it just takes a little adjustment.

In this guide, we'll explore some tips and strategies to help you make that shift, boost your combat skills, and really experience the thrill of Elden Ring’s challenging battles. Let’s get started!

1. Get Comfortable with Your Character Build

Before you even think about combat, it's important to ensure your character is well-suited for it. A common mistake when transitioning from farming is to continue using a farming-oriented build that isn't optimal for fighting enemies. That means you might need to tweak your gear and stats a bit.

If you're mainly focused on farming, you may have invested in endurance, vitality, and maybe even some boosting stats for resource gathering. Combat, on the other hand, will require you to focus on damage-dealing stats like strength, dexterity, intelligence, or faith, depending on your chosen playstyle. If you’re unsure where to start, a balanced approach with decent offense and defense is a good idea for beginner combatants.

Additionally, take a moment to evaluate your weapon loadout. The right weapon can make all the difference in combat. Do you prefer heavy, slow-hitting weapons that deal massive damage, or do you lean towards quick, nimble weapons that allow for faster attacks and dodges? Your farming gear might not cut it when you’re facing off against aggressive enemies or bosses, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

2. Learn the Art of Dodging and Blocking

Farming might have taught you to grind for runes and resources, but combat will teach you the importance of dodging and blocking. Elden Ring's combat is heavily reliant on good timing, positioning, and reaction speed. For many players, dodging becomes second nature after a while, but it's worth pointing out that blocking can be just as effective in some situations.

If you haven’t done much combat, try practicing dodging and blocking against weaker enemies before taking on tougher foes. Learning when to dodge versus when to block will help you conserve your resources and ensure you can fight for longer stretches. Mastering these two basic techniques is one of the first steps in becoming a combat pro in Elden Ring.

On that note, if you're feeling a bit behind on the combat front, it might be tempting to buy Elden Ring runes to quickly level up and boost your character's power. This can be a good option if you need a little extra help getting started. But remember, buying runes is just a shortcut—true combat mastery comes from practice!

3. Make Use of Buffs and Consumables

In farming, you might have gotten used to just sitting back, collecting, and chilling out. Combat, however, will require you to be proactive, and that means using everything at your disposal—especially buffs and consumables.

From healing items to attack buffs, Elden Ring offers a variety of tools to help you survive tough encounters. Before heading into battle, make sure your inventory is stocked with healing flasks, status-curing items, and anything that can boost your combat effectiveness. For example, using a Strength or Agility buff right before facing off against a tough boss can make a huge difference.

Also, don’t forget about the power of your Spirit Ashes. These handy summons can provide extra support in combat and can make the difference between life and death when you're up against overwhelming odds. Take some time to experiment with different summons to find out which ones best suit your combat style.

4. Improve Your Combat Awareness

While farming is often about patience and resource management, combat is about awareness and adaptability. Enemies in Elden Ring, especially the tougher bosses, will challenge your skills and test your reactions. One of the most important things to focus on is learning enemy patterns. You’ll want to study the movements and attack combos of your foes, especially in boss fights.

When you're transitioning to combat, try to remember that it's not always about charging in headfirst. Instead, focus on timing your attacks and knowing when to retreat and regroup. Sometimes, patience is key, especially when facing off against a boss that requires you to learn its rhythm before making your move.

The more you fight, the more you'll pick up on patterns, allowing you to be a more effective and confident fighter. Combat in Elden Ring rewards players who can read their enemies and react accordingly—whether that means dodging an incoming blow or landing a devastating counterattack.

5. Know When to Take a Break from Combat

One thing you may have learned from farming is how to pace yourself. Combat in Elden Ring can be intense, and sometimes it’s okay to step back and take a breather. If you're finding combat overwhelming, don’t hesitate to return to a more relaxed farming routine. Gather resources, level up, and come back stronger for the next fight.

That said, don't use farming as an excuse to avoid combat forever. The longer you put off fighting, the more you risk falling behind in terms of skill and experience. It's all about balance. Take the time to level up through farming if needed, but don’t forget to challenge yourself in combat to see the true breadth of what Elden Ring has to offer.

6. Keep Improving and Have Fun!

At the end of the day, Elden Ring is all about the experience. Whether you're farming or fighting, the goal is to enjoy yourself and embrace the challenge. As you transition from farming to combat, you'll learn that victory feels even sweeter after you've put in the effort.

If you find yourself needing some extra runes or gear to help you along the way, there are plenty of opportunities, such as checking out an Elden Ring runes sale today, where you can grab some quick resources to aid your journey.

Finally, don’t be discouraged if you struggle at first. Combat in Elden Ring is tough, but every defeat teaches you something new. With persistence and practice, you'll soon find yourself comfortably switching between farming and combat playstyles, enjoying both to their fullest.

Essential Update: Who is the hardest boss in Elden Ring?