Elden Ring: All Keepsakes & How To Get Them

After having done multiple playthroughs of Elden Ring, here's my list of the Best Keepsakes to help you in choosing the right starter buff.

Elden Ring starts offs you with various options to best fit your playstyle with its starting classes. Among those options is the ability to pick a starting gift item known as Keepsakes. These different magical items grant unique perks to you, which can give you an edge early on in the game. Therefore, knowing which Elden Ring Keepsake to pick is important if you want to have a smooth start to the game, and I’ve got you covered.

Key Takeaways
  • Once you have finished making your character, you can finalize changes and start your journey off by choosing between 9 different keepsakes in Elden Ring.
  • These Keepsakes are essentially starting gift items given to you in order to give you a head start in the treacherous lands between.
  • One of the best keepsakes includes the Stonesword Key, which allows you to unlock secret inaccessible areas such as dungeons or caves for hidden rewards.
  • Other keepsakes include an extra Golden Seed to increase your overall Flask Uses as well as a Crimsom Amber Medallion to give you a slight health boost.
Quiz Time

Elden Ring: All Keepsakes

You get to pick between ten keepsakes, well, in reality, nine items as the first is no item at all. These items provide various enhancements such as a special ability, passive buff, or something to affect your enemies with.

More From Exputer: Elden Ring Twinblade Location

However, it is important to note that the item you choose is not the item that you will be stuck with. Most of the keepsakes at the start can be later acquired in the game in the Lands Between. You just simply need to explore or buy them from Merchants. So, if there are multiple items that you would like to have, worry not because you’ll get them later. Regardless, it is still important to choose the right item so let’s delve deep into the specifics of each item. I will also discuss in-game locations for each Keepsake in case you do not choose it as an initial item.

None

Let’s get this option out of the way. Set by default, your first option is to have no Keepsake with you whatsoever. Quite self-explanatory. If you want an extra challenge like I usually prefer, then go ahead, but it certainly is not favorable, especially in a soul’s game.

1. Crimson Amber Medallion

The Best Keepsake For HP Boost.

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Crimson Amber Medallion In The Game (Screenshot Captured by eXputer)
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This wearable medallion gives a slight increase to your maximum HP. An extra health boost in a soul’s game is always a blessing, especially at the start. Additionally, in my testing I found it pretty useful if you want to use a class with a lower Vigor and starting HP. However, if you do not pick this item initially, you can always upgrade your vigor through skill points and even find the medallion later.

Location

You might be wondering, how to get this keepsake? The item can be found later in the game as well. Head over to the Nomadic Merchant at the eastern side of Weeping Peninsula in South Limgrave. It’s near the Castle Morne Rampart Site of Grace, and the merchant will be near a campfire. He will sell you the medallion for 1,500.

If you prefer leveling your Vigor instead of equipping this talisman and still want something to use, then I recommend the Crimson Seed Talisman. It increases the amount of health recieved from the Flask of Crimson Tears by 20%.

  • Increases HP, very usefull on a starting class with low vigor.
  • Even if you do not choose it at the start, you can always get it early-on.

  • Not neccessary, once you progress through the game.
  • The starting equipment only provides 6% HP boost.

2. Lands Between Rune

The Best Keepsake For Early Levels.

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Lands Between Rune In The Game (Image Credit Copyright: eXputer)
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Do you prefer having extra currency or XP at the game? I know I do. Well, you can pick this consumable item that grants you 3000 Runes upon one-time use. However, I suggest you to save this item up until you accept Melina’s accord, which allows you to level up. Considering Runes work as XP and currency, you can easily utilize these 3000 runes to level up your character after the accord. Furthermore, if you use the item, make sure to utilize it immediately, as every time you die, you do risk losing the runes.

Elden Ring Best Keepsakes
Elden Ring – Melina’s First Appearance

Location

Unfortunately, this is one of those items which can only be picked at the start of the game as of now. But luckily, there are other items like this that grants you with runes.

There are many variations of Golden Runes available throughout the game so if you want equal amount of runes as provided by the Lands Between rune, then the Golden Rune variation of the Lands Between rune is the Golden Rune (8).

  • Essentially good for early level-ups.
  • Can also be used to purchase many items from the starting merchants.

  • Can only be picked as a keepsake, never obtained later.
  • Alternative items like Golden rune variants available.

3. Golden Seed

The Best Keepsake For Extra Heals.

keepsakes elden ring
Golden Seed In The Game (Image credit: eXputer)
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Yet another consumable item that can be utilized at a Site of Grace. This item grants you an extra permanent use of the Sacred Flasks. Initially, you begin with 4 Flask uses, but if you equip this item, you will have 5 with you.

These flasks (Flask of Crimson for HP and Flask of Cerulean Tears for FP) are the key items in Elden Ring that help you midst battle. They can be refilled every time you rest at a Site of Grace and can be used multiple times depending on how much you upgrade it. Thus, In my opinion, this is a top contender for Elden Ring Best Keepsakes category. 

Golden Seed Location Elden Ring
Elden Ring – Golden Sapling for Golden Seed

Location

Because Golden Seeds are key items for increasing your flasks number, they can be found throughout the open world of Elden Ring. Read my full article on Elden Ring Golden Seeds.

They are always underneath golden Erdtree saplings. Despite their relatively small size, these trees stand out as they emit golden light.

  • Very useful as provides an extra flask use.
  • Handy for mage classes to replenish FP.

  • Can be found across the game extensively.
  • Does not increases the uses of Flask of Wondrous Physick.

4. Fanged Imp Ashes

The Best Keepsake For Boss Battles.

keepsakes elden ring
Fanged Imp Ashes In The Game (Image Captured by Us)
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This item is a Spirit Ash that allows you to summon spirits to fight by your side. These ashes are some of the interesting items in the game as they allow the summoning of many NPC creatures like wolves, knights, and mages to fight alongside you. They’re useful in distracting enemies, allowing you to get a breath during battle. You might say it’s unfair, but I find Spirit Ashes to be very handy to divide boss agro.

The spirits through this item are of Imps, and the item can be used as many times as you want. The only initial restriction is that you can only use the item after you’ve acquired the Spirit Calling Bell item.

Location

Although this particular summon may only be available during the start as a keepsake, there are plenty of better ashes in the world of Elden Ring. So, it is safe to skip this item when you’ll actually need the summons, and you will most likely have a better one.

  • Can be used early-on, and is pretty helpful for starting players.
  • Used in solving a riddle to open the entrance of a secret area.

  • High FP cost of 50.
  • As a spirit ash can only be summoned in camps or boss fights.

5. Cracked Pot

The Best Crafting Keepsake In Elden Ring.

elden ring keepsakes
Cracked Pot In The Game (Image Captured by eXputer)
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This item is a crafting material useful for crafting throwable bombs like firebombs. Choosing it as a keepsake will allow you to start off with three of these.

Essentially the pots act as a container. You take these pots and fill them with the materials needed to create a specific bomb. After you use the bomb by throwing it, the pot will mend itself and allow you to put in the materials needed for another or a different type of bomb. In my experienced, ranged consumable are quite effective for safe-distance killing.

Location

As it is an essential crafting item and useful for combat items, you can find and purchase many more of these cracked pots throughout the game. You can purchase one from the Gatekeeper Gostoc for 200 Runes in the Stormveil Castle Entrance.

  • The Cracked Pot is very convenient for ranged kills.
  • Is a permanent item, not lost on use.

  • There is a maximum limit of 20 Cracked Pots in your inventory.
  • Can be obtained easily afterwards in the game.

6. Stonesword Key

The Best Keepsake For Secret-Hunting.

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Stonesword Key In The Game (Image by eXputer)
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This one-time-use key item is great for venturers. The Keepsake grants two stone keys that can break Imp Statue Seals and unlock secret areas in the game that may have a worthwhile treasure with powerful weapons and gear. They are also used for rooms in the Roundtable Holds. Of course, these items are optional however can aid you quite a bit with the loot inside.

This definitely makes it very useful. What’s more, the fact that it lets you open a secret area in the tutorial section is enough to call it one of the best keepsakes in Elden Ring.

Location

As I mentioned, the Stonesword keys are essential for accessing optional areas. This is why you can find them easily throughout the land. They can either be purchased or found by exploring. You can purchase one for 2000 runes from the Isolated Merchant, very west of the Weeping Peninsula.

  • Can be used to access an area right at the start of the game.
  • Required to open secret areas full of loot.

  • One time use only.
  • Can be found and purchased from many other places throughout the game.

7. Bewitching Branch

The Best Early-Game Crowd Control Item.

elden ring keepsakes
Bewitching Branch In The Game (Image by eXputer)
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These are five consumable branches used for a short-range attack. It releases a pink fog when used, with any enemy submerged in it becoming charmed and seizing to attack you. They won’t die; they will simply put away their weapons and pretend as if you do not exist. Additionally, it can also make them join your side and attack other enemies. Good to get out of some sticky situations. Watching enemies kill each other never gets old for me.

However, the caveat is that only select enemies are affected by this item, making it only useful right at the start of the game.

It is a consumable item and requires 14 Focus Points to use. Luckily you can craft and get the item later in the game too.

Location

This item can be purchased from the Nomadic Merchant located in the Liurnia of the Lakes, costing you 1600 Runes. Additionally, you can craft the item as well.

  • Is a very valueable item, as acquired considerably late in the game.
  • Handy in clearing hordes of enemies.

  • Only few enemies can be bewitched.
  • Requires difficult-to-get ingredients for crafting.

8. Boiled Prawn

The Best Keepsake For Physical Defenses.

elden ring keepsakes
Boiled Prawn In The Game (Screenshot Captured by eXputer)
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This item is prawn meat, and you get 5 of them if you choose it as your Keepsake. Boiled Prawn consumable item boosts your physical damage resistance, making you take less overall damage. Quite a useful item, especially against tougher and higher-level bosses. I’ve always found this extra buff to be a life-saver in a pinch. But of course, it is consumable, so one use only and will run out.

Location

As of yet, there is only one source to obtain the item in-game. That is from Blackguard Big Boggart, a merchant found in the Liurnia of the Lakes swamps. I suggest to follow his quest or either get his Bell Bearing to unlock the supply of Boiled Prawn.

If you have progressed Blackguard’s quest or have gained access to his Bell Bearing than another item available in his shop is the Boiled Crab consumables. Provides more dmg negation for equal time and is more effective.

  • Provides 15% Physical damage negation for 60 seconds.
  • Given amount (5) is pretty generous for early-game encounters.

  • A very rare resource, can only be purchased from a single merchant.
  • Cannot be purchased if you mess up the quest.

9. Shabriri’s Woe

The Best Keepsake For Extra Difficulty.

keepsakes elden ring
Shabriri’s Woe In The Game (Image Credit Copyright: eXputer)
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More of a cursed item than a helpful one, this item constantly draws enemies towards the you in Elden Ring. Considering every enemy already wants to kill you in Elden Ring, you might think it’s unwanted. But I believe what fun there is if you don’t spice things up further. In a way, I think it’s worthy of being one of the best keepsakes in Elden Ring for making your life hell.

If you are in co-op mode, the enemies will be more focused on you, which is the only use-case of the item. You can strategize and get enemies towards you while your partner figures something out, but that’s about it for the item.

Location

Again, I’m not sure why any sane player would want this item. But if you’re crazy like me, you can find it on a body at the edge of the Frenzied Flames Village.

  • Is great for players who are willing to do a challenge run.
  • Quite useful in co-op mode, for agro manipulation.

  • The effect is only observed in co-op or with Spirit summons.
  • The agro is copied to Ash Mimic Tear, causing Mimic Tear’s early death.

My Choice For Best Keepsake

Elden Ring
Elden Ring Sphinx Profile

For newcomers, the choice can be difficult, especially if they are new to Fromsoftware games. As per my experience, Golden Seed is easily the best keepsake choice for the first playthrough. It grants an additional flask, and with how tough the game is, it’s best to have as many health refills as possible. Veterans of the genre already know the importance of this choice, and I strongly recommend it, too.

With that, I have all the Elden Ring Best Keepsakes that you can choose. Overall some are useful, some aren’t. Regardless of what you choose, you will have to face the soul-crushing bosses of Elden Ring, and I wish you the best of luck. If you have any questions, comment below.

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Community Feedback
The Good Ol\' G

Homie is speaking fax at the end there. The Golden Seed is arguably the only correct choice for the keepsake

Fred

Golden Seed Should\'ve been number 1, but still a solid list.

StrumlessBard

I\'m definitely going with the Golden Seed as my Keepsake. that extra Flask of Crimson Tears seems invaluable, especially when you\'re still learning the ropes.

SunlitBun_

This guide is amazing for confused newbies like me!

Corolla

Nice guide. Very thorough

Sakai Jin

guides with proper pros and cons are always welcomed. makes it so much easier to choose for a gamer

kory

good list however alot of text inside the article couldve been more concisee

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Hamid Ali is a Guides Writer & Editor on eXputer who occasionally covers Game Codes. He is a huge Doom fanatic and loves to melt his stress away in titles such as God of War games and Elden Ring. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Hamid’s been writing and updating about the majority of games for several years. Hamid's gaming experience can be verified on his Steam and PSN profiles.

Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.

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