Managing items in Elden Ring isn’t just about hoarding everything you find—it’s a skill that can make or break your journey through the Lands Between. From keeping your inventory organized to knowing which items to upgrade or sell, smart item management can help you survive longer, travel lighter, and upgrade more efficiently. After hundreds of hours navigating dungeons, looting corpses, and farming resources, here are 30 essential tips to help you manage your Elden Ring items like a true Tarnished veteran.
1. Use Item Storage Early
The Storage Chest at Sites of Grace isn’t just for hoarders. Use it to stash excess crafting materials, duplicate weapons, and boss items you’re not using yet.
2. Don’t Carry All Your Runes
If you’re heading into a tough area, bank some of your runes by using them to level up or stash valuable Rune items in storage. This minimizes the risk of losing big stacks on death.
3. Lock Your Favorite Weapons
You can lock items in your inventory by pressing the designated button (depending on your platform). This prevents accidental selling or discarding of important gear.
4. Sell Unused Ashes of War
Once you’ve decided on your build, many Ashes of War may become redundant. Selling extras at Roundtable Hold can net you a few extra runes.
5. Sort Regularly
Sort your inventory by item type or weight to easily locate important equipment, consumables, or key items. This saves time in battle and prevents clutter.
6. Use Quick Item Slots Wisely
Reserve your quick item bar for things you constantly use—healing flasks, Torrent’s whistle, or buffs—not situational gear that could distract you mid-fight.
7. Mark Temporary Favorites
If you’re testing out new gear or spells, mark them with custom icons (e.g., star or exclamation mark) so you can find them easily in your inventory.
8. Keep a Backup Weapon Type
Even if you’re a strength build, keeping a fast weapon like a dagger or curved sword in your inventory helps in close-quarters or against certain bosses.
9. Know When to Upgrade
Prioritize upgrading one or two core weapons instead of spreading your Smithing Stones thin. This ensures you always have a powerful option ready.
10. Farm Crafting Materials, Don’t Hoard
Items like Herba, Erdleaf Flowers, and Thin Beast Bones are easy to farm. Don’t worry about hoarding 999 of each—farm when you need more.
11. Discard Broken or Useless Items
Don’t be afraid to discard items like Tarnished’s Furled Fingers or basic boluses once you have better alternatives or max stock in storage.
12. Make Use of Satchels
Use your pouch (left on the D-pad) to access mount summoning, flasks, or lanterns without cycling through your main item bar.
13. Upgrade Pouch Items Too
Don’t forget you can swap out pouch items at any time—perfect for switching from healing focus to buffs between areas or bosses.
14. Trade Rare Items Carefully
Some unique items—like Remembrances—can be used to get multiple boss weapons. Decide wisely or duplicate them at a Walking Mausoleum before consuming.
15. Track Where You Got What
If you’re playing with friends or like sharing tips, keep a small note of where you got your best finds. It helps when backtracking or recommending items.
16. Avoid Cluttered Buff Bars
Too many consumable buffs can get overwhelming. Stick to one or two reliable items (like Wondrous Physick and boiled crab) for most fights.
17. Learn Crafting Early
Unlock the Crafting Kit from Kale the merchant early on and collect cookbooks to make your own arrows, buffs, and healing items. Saves weight and runes.
18. Keep Weapon Types Diverse
Have at least one slash, thrust, and blunt weapon to cover enemy resistances. You’ll thank yourself when you hit a stone enemy that shrugs off your sword.
19. Don’t Sleep on Arrows and Bolts
Even melee builds benefit from ranged tools. Keep a small stash of elemental or poison arrows handy to kite tough enemies.
20. Don’t Hoard Spirit Ashes
Pick your best 2-3 Spirit Ashes and focus your upgrades there. The rest can sit in storage until you try a new build or strategy.
21. Track Consumable Rarity
Some buffs are rare or one-time use (like certain Preserving Boluses or Ritual Pots). Save them for critical boss fights or PvP moments.
22. Use Map Markers for Item Hotspots
Place custom map markers on good farming locations, like Erdleaf spawns or rune-rich caves. It’ll save you time later.
23. Label Weapon Builds
If you’re carrying multiple weapon builds (e.g., bleed, frost, poison), name or mark them for quick access.
24. Know Vendor Locations
Vendors like Patches, Twin Maiden Husks, or isolated merchants offer unique wares. Learn their inventory and revisit often for limited items.
25. Manage Equipment Load Efficiently
Keep your weight just below the medium threshold unless you really need poise. Carry only the essentials for fast dodging.
26. Stash Old Armor Sets
Heavy armor you don’t wear anymore? Toss it in storage unless it’s part of a set you plan to show off or reuse later.
27. Use Wondrous Physick Regularly
This custom buff item can carry you through tough areas. Experiment with different tear combinations and don’t forget to reassign it as your needs change.
28. Don’t Ignore Resistance Items
Items that boost resistance to rot, poison, or madness can be lifesavers in late-game zones like Lake of Rot or Deeproot Depths.
29. Upgrade Summons with Grave/Glovewort
Keep an eye on the type of material needed—Grave Glovewort for common spirits and Ghost Glovewort for unique ones. Farm accordingly.
30. Cull Inventory Before New Game+
Before jumping into NG+, sort and store your gear. It’ll give you a clean start while keeping your essentials ready to go.
With the right approach to item management, Elden Ring becomes a much more fluid experience. You’ll spend less time fumbling through menus and more time exploring, fighting, and surviving. Clean up your inventory, plan your loadouts, and enjoy the freedom of a well-organized Tarnished.
If you’re looking to speed up your progress, especially with high-end gear or rare upgrade materials, some players opt to buy Elden Ring items from trusted third-party marketplaces. Just make sure any platform you use is reputable and safe to avoid issues.
