What's the best Keepsake in Elden Ring? What do all starting items do? Just like previous games, Elden Ring lets you take one item into the open world with you alongside creating starting class character. This is an important decision as it can impact your experience in the opening few hours. In this Elden Ring guide, we're going to reveal the best starting Keepsake.

For more information on creating your character and starting the game, please refer to the following guide: Elden Ring: Best Starting Class for All Playstyles. You may also want to know what are the Best Weapons to Get First, which can help you during the early moments of your adventure.

All Keepsakes and Starting Items Explained

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We will begin by detailing every Keepsake in the game, sharing their description and what they can do for you out in the open world. You'll need to pick your Keepsake when creating your character, and it's a crucial decision alongside best starting class. There are nine Keepsakes to choose from, or you can opt to begin your playthrough without one. Of course, we strongly recommend selecting one. Please note you can find all of these items in the game itself; not one of them is exclusive to the Keepsake selection screen.

Crimson Amber Medallion

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A medallion inlaid with crimson amber. Increases maximum HP.

This is an equippable Medallion that slightly increases your maximum HP. You'll be able to select it from the Equipment menu, with two slots open for Medallions at the start of the game. Upgrades open up more slots.

Lands Between Rune

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The gold of grace shining in the eyes of the people of the Lands Between. Use to gain many runes.

This is an example of Elden Ring's replacement for the items you'd store in your inventory that reward you Souls. For example, in Dark Souls, they are referred to as Soul of a Lost Undead and so forth. You'll get a bunch of Runes straight away if you use this item.

Golden Seed

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A golden seed washed ashore from the Lands Between. Said to reinforce Sacred Flasks.

Golden Seeds increase the number of uses of your Sacred Flasks. You'll be able to upgrade them once at the very start of the game if you pick this Keepsake.

Fanged Imp Ashes

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The ashes of small, diminutive golems. Ashes are said to hold spirits within.

Ashes are NPC summons activated from the item menu which fight alongside you. Many more are found out in the open world, but the Fanged Imp Ashes gives you one straight away.

Cracked Pot

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Three strange cracked pots that somehow mend themselves. A container for certain thrown items.

Cracked Pots are used during Item Crafting, required to make the likes of Firebombs. This Keepsake provides you with three of them right away, but you'll find plenty out in the open world.

Stonesword Key

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Two stone keys shaped like swords. Breaks the seal on imp statures, but can only be used once.

Stonesword Keys are one-time use keys that open up new areas on the map and rooms in the Roundtable Hold. All of these areas are optional, but contain powerful weapons and gear. This Keepsake grants you two at the start of the game, meaning you can unlock one new area. Stonesword Keys are found on occasion throughout the open world.

Bewitching Branch

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Five sacred branches charged with beguiling power. Said to originate from the demigod Miquella.

FP (Focus Points) is used to charm pierced enemies.

Boiled Prawn

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Five pieces of boiled prawn. Boosts physical damage negation.

You'll receive five Boiled Prawns which lessen the amount of damage you take from enemy attacks for a limited time. They're single-use items so once they're gone, they're gone.

Shabriri's Woe

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The crazed likeness of a noble whose eyes have been gouged out. Attract enemies' aggression.

Enemies always focus their attacks on you while the item is active.

What's the Best Keepsake or Starting Item in Elden Ring?

The Keepsake we strongly recommend choosing is the Golden Seed. Picking it means you'll be able to immediately upgrade your Sacred Flask at the first Site of Grace, allowing you to replenish your HP or FP more and survive for longer. You'll also get a head start on future upgrades for the Sacred Flask, since you'll always require one less Golden Seed compared to where you're at in the same because you chose it as a Keepsake.

If you're not interested in that Keepsake, the second-best option is probably the Stonesword Key. However, we urge you not to use them at the first opportunity just past the tutorial area. You won't get any worthwhile loot out of it, and instead will have to avoid a trap that'll kill you in one hit.

What starting Keepsake did you choose in Elden Ring, and did you find our intel on all starting items explained helpful? Share your pick in the comments below and check out our Elden Ring guide for much more help and information.