Elden Ring: All Keepsakes & How To Get Them

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.

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.

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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

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%.

2. Lands Between Rune

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.

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).

3. Golden Seed

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. 

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.

4. Fanged Imp Ashes

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.

5. Cracked Pot

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.

6. Stonesword Key

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.

7. Bewitching Branch

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.

8. Boiled Prawn

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.

9. Shabriri’s Woe

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.

My Choice For Best Keepsake

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.