Best Keepsake: Which Keepsake Should You Choose?
The Golden Seed is the best Keepsake in Elden Ring as it adds an additional charge to your HP or FP flasks. Read on to learn more about Keepsakes including what the best Keepsake is and a list of all starting Keepsakes.
Best Keepsake in Elden Ring
Golden Seed for Additional Heals
The Golden Seed is the best Keepsake to obtain in the game since it grants you an additional HP/FP flask once you start a new game. On top of increasing your chances of survival, the Golden Seed will immediately be useable at the very first site of grace you rest at.
Alternative Keepsakes You Can Get
| Keepsake | Effect and Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Stonesword Key ★★★★☆ |
Can be used to open locked areas and dungeons. Useful to get since these cost quite a lot of runes, especially for early game players. |
| Lands Between Rune ★★★★☆ |
Grants 3000 Runes on use. Allows you to level up at least thrice upon starting a new game save. |
| Cracked Pot ★★★☆☆ |
Used for crafting consumables and will be permanently added to your inventory. Useful since it's one less Cracked Pot to hunt down during late game. |
List of All Keepsakes
| All 10 Starting Keepsakes | |
|---|---|
|
|
⑩ None
|
Golden Seed
The Golden Seed is used to add an extra charge for your Flask of Crimson or Cerulean Tears. This means you'll be able to use your flasks to manage your health or FP more times before it requires a refill.
Stonesword Key
The Stonesword Key is a safe pick for all players since these key items allow you to enter locked areas and dungeons with valuable loot. Since Stonesword Keys sold by vendors will often be very pricey (especially during the early game), this starting keepsake will be a valuable investment for a new player.
Lands Between Rune
Grants you 3000 Runes once used. During the early game, this should be enough Runes to net you 3 levels. If going this route, we recommend leveling up Vigor to get more HP during the early game. Make sure you avoid using this item until after you reach the Stranded Graveyard.
Cracked Pot
Unlike other crafting materials, Cracked Pots are reusable since they return to you after using them. There are only 20 cracked pots in the game and most of them are hard to find, which makes this starting keepsake a good option for most players.
Boiled Prawn
The Boiled Prawn is a consumable item that reduces the Physical Damage you take for 60 seconds. If you choose this starting keepsake, you will get 5 Boiled Prawns upon starting a new game.
Normally, these consumables cost 600 Runes each from Blackguard Big Boggart in Liurnia. Getting 5 for free (and as early as Limgrave) will give you a bit of damage negation for some of the more difficult Limgrave boss fights.
Fanged Imp Ashes
This Keepsake allows you to summon two Fanged Imps during battle which deal Blood Loss buildup on hit. They are particularly useful during the early game since Bleed damage is a game-changer when fighting your first bosses.
However, these can be bought later on from the Isolated Merchant (for 2000 Runes) at the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Similar to other keepsakes, this one is not missable.
Bewitching Branch
The Bewitching Branch is a consumable item that allows you to turn enemies into temporary allies. Although this item may seem useful against Bosses with summons, the slow animation and its short melee range do not make it worth using.
Bewitching Branches Effects and Locations
Crimson Amber Medallion
The Crimson Amber Medallion is a Talisman that increases your max HP when equipped. While certainly a viable option, you can get much better early game talismans like the Green Turtle Talisman or Radagon's Soreseal.
Players who want to get all items in the game will be able to purchase this (if not chosen as the starting keepsake) from the Nomadic Merchant in the Weeping Peninsula for only 1500 Runes.
How to Get the Crimson Amber Medallion
Shabriri's Woe
When equipped, Shabriri's Woe will allow you to draw enemy aggro. This is useful for co-op (especially when tanking) or for players who like playing around Spirit Ash summons (since this allows your summons to live longer).
Again, if you don't choose this as your starting keepsake, you'll still be able to get the Shabriri's Woe Talisman later on from the Frenzied Flame Village in Liurnia.
None
Players can also choose not to bring any Keepsake when starting a new game. However, do note that this option is best for players looking for an additional challenge and is not optimal for regular playthroughs.
What are Keepsakes?
Optional Starting Items
Keepsakes are optional starting items that are not tied to specific builds or starting classes. These items will usually benefit you regardless of your chosen starting class (except when picking to start with None).
You can only pick one Keepsake to start your game, so the best choice will always be determined by how useful the item is for your overall playthrough.
Elden Ring Related Guides
Beginner's Guide: All Tips and Tricks
