TRAILDURO

In Elden Ring, some of the best tools you’ll rely on throughout your journey aren’t flashy late-game weapons or high-tier spells—they’re the humble items you find early and never stop using. Whether you're dodging dragons in Caelid or diving into the depths of Nokron, the right utility tools can make all the difference. Below are five early Elden Ring items that remain surprisingly useful no matter how deep into the game you get.

1. Torrent’s Whistle (Spectral Steed Whistle)

It’s easy to overlook Torrent as just a means of transportation, but his value goes far beyond travel. From precise platforming in areas like the Altus Plateau to mounted combat against roaming bosses, Torrent’s agility and mobility let you bypass dangerous zones or kite enemies safely. Even in endgame zones, Torrent saves time and Elden Ring Runes by helping you avoid unnecessary fights and making long-distance exploration more efficient.

2. Crafting Kit

You can buy the Crafting Kit from Kale at the Church of Elleh, and it immediately opens up a massive portion of the game’s item system. With it, players can turn gathered materials into vital consumables like Fire Grease, Poisonbone Arrows, and Staunching Boluses. This tool remains relevant all game long, especially for status-heavy boss fights or stealth-based approaches. When paired with a good stock of ingredients, the crafting system offers a flexible and cost-effective alternative to farming rare items or spending Elden Ring Runes on merchants.

3. Wondrous Physick Flask

You can grab the Flask of Wondrous Physick fairly early near the Third Church of Marika, and its ability to combine two different effects makes it one of the most customizable healing options in the game. Whether you need a burst of HP, damage negation, or boosted stamina regeneration, this flask scales with your build and situation. It’s also one of the few tools that lets you pre-buff before a fight, giving it a unique edge in PvE and PvP scenarios alike.

4. Spirit Calling Bell

Unlocked through Ranni’s questline or by visiting Renna at the Church of Elleh, the Spirit Calling Bell enables the use of Spirit Ashes—AI companions that can turn the tide in tough battles. Early summons like Lone Wolf Ashes might seem weak, but upgraded versions such as Lhutel or Black Knife Tiche remain viable into the endgame. Using spirits effectively not only helps conserve Elden Ring Runes by reducing deaths but also creates openings to safely deal damage or heal during boss encounters.

5. Lantern

It’s not flashy, but the lantern is essential for safe traversal in dark caves, catacombs, and dungeons. Unlike torches, it frees up your hand so you can keep your shield or secondary weapon equipped. Some of the game’s most rune-rich zones, like the Deeproot Depths or Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, are cloaked in near-total darkness, making the lantern a quiet but critical tool for visibility, enemy detection, and survival.

While it’s tempting to chase every shiny new weapon or item, these early tools prove that smart resource management often beats brute force. They’re not just stepping stones—they’re core parts of your long-term strategy. As many veteran players on U4GM will attest, keeping your essentials close and your rune count higher often comes down to how well you use the tools you had from the start. So next time you boot up Elden Ring, take a second look at your old favorites. You might find they’re still pulling their weight.