Every Region in Elden Ring, Ranked

Elden Ring is a massive game with many locations to explore. While you may start the game in Limgrave, you are free to explore the various sections of the world, like Caelid, Liurnia, and more.

Of course, each of these regions or biomes comes with its own fair share of difficulties. Some locations have extremely tough enemies, while others feature difficult terrain that makes it hard to traverse. Don't get us started on the Siofra River and the spirits that can snipe you with their bows.

Knowing which of these regions in Elden Ring is the best to explore may help you plan out your route when starting the game.

15 Abyssal Woods

Instant Kill

Deep beneath much of what you will see in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is the Abyssal Woods. This is the home of madness, and where you will find the Lord of Frenzied Flame — should you decide to seek Midra out, that is.

This region invokes fear. It is dark, it is damp. It gives you the feeling of danger lurking around every corner. That is something that FromSoftware has mastered when creating a level.

Unfortunately, the Abyssal Woods is more like the Blightown of Elden Ring. This region is easy to get lost in, has multiple tough enemies, and the Winter Lanterns that will kill you instantly if you let them see you. It is not a region that is very fun to explore multiple times.

14 Ainsel River

Scarlet Rot

There are a few underground regions you can explore in Elden Ring, with one of the earliest ones being Siofra River. Later in the game, you will come across Ainsel River — the second of the great rivers flowing beneath the Lands Between.

While Ainsel River may seem like an okay location at first, this quickly changes as you make your way deeper underground, as you will soon find yourself in the Lake of Rot, an unforgiving area covered in Scarlet Rot that will drain your health rapidly should you contract it, which is guaranteed without the proper equipment.

This massive subterranean lake can spell the end of your run if you aren't careful, and to make matters worse, multiple enemies are hiding within the noxious fumes.

13 Deeproot Depths

Lacking Items

Another area hidden deep within the subterranean landscape of the Lands Between is the Deeproot Depths — a location that is not easily accessible, but offers some grand views.

The main reason you come here is to finish out Fia's questline, which ultimately ends with you fighting her champions in one of the more lackluster boss fights in the game. Afterward, however, you get to go up against Lichdragon Fortissax, who is easily one of the most epic dragons you can fight.

Overall, this area doesn't have a ton going for it, with only a few boss fights and items that you can frankly ignore unless you have a specific build in mind. It is mostly better than Ainsel River because you don't need to worry about dying to Scarlet Rot twenty times over.

12 Caelid

Red Hell

Caelid is one of those areas that you don't want to accidentally stumble upon because it will easily be the death of you. You have to come prepared in this area, or you will have the absolute worst time imaginable.

This is thanks to the many powerful enemies roaming the region, along with the countless environmental hazards. Luckily, this location makes up for it by being the home of some very memorable bosses, like Commander O'Niel, Greyll, and Radahn.

Caelid is often referred to by the Souls community as literal Hell in Elden Ring, and this is for good reason. It is very difficult to survive in this region, and nearly everything is out to kill you. There are traps, Scarlet Rot, massive dogs, countless dungeons, and much more. You won't get a break here, but that also means that you will constantly be on the move and searching for your next Site of Grace.

11 Jagged Peak

Curse You Bayle!

Jagged Peak is one of the several regions in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and it is possibly the most cinematically beautiful region in the entirety of Elden Ring. As you make your way to the top of this mountain, lightning cracks, the wind howls, and you see countless dead dragons.

It is rather jaw-dropping how cinematic FromSoftware managed to make this region of the game. At the end, you even fight Bayle — a massive dragon, and the most epic fight in Elden Ring.

Unfortunately, the reason this region ranks so low on the list is that it is a one-note song. You see some dragons, have a cool boss fight, and that is it. There isn't much to it, making it a bit lackluster when compared to the amount of exploration there is in other regions.

10 Crumbling Farum Azula

More Dragons

Dragons play a big role in Elden Ring, with them appearing in numerous areas throughout the game, but Crumbling Farum Azula is where you will find some of the best dragon fights. Of course, they aren't as cinematic as the Bayle fight, but they get close.

Similar to Jagged Peak, this area is very cinematic, with a massive storm surrounding you at all times. Floating debris and crumbling buildings litter the skies, and it is a sight to behold. Along with this, the dragons promote a rather amazing experience, with you needing to dodge lightning at times.

Unfortunately, this area also feels more annoying than most, as you are expected to perform platforming and dodge many tough enemies. This makes it far less enjoyable than other regions in the game.

9 Limgrave

A Basic Start

Limgrave is the starting region you find yourself in whenever you finally awaken in the Lands Between. It is here that you begin your long journey to become Elden Lord.

Despite this, the region feels a tad bit bland. It is a good starting region, featuring a smaller lake, some mines, and your basic necessities. There are a few secrets to be found here, but they aren't as grand as some of the secrets hidden in later parts of the game.

While there is nothing wrong with Limgrave, it doesn't stand out enough to make it higher on this list. Still, it is better than other regions in the game, especially since there is a rather large castle to explore in the northern part of the region.

8 Cerulean Coast

A Beautiful Ocean

The Cerulean Coast is my personal favorite location in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and this is because of the beautiful blue flowers you see across the area. This, combined with the graves jutting out of the ground and the large mausoleum-like structures, bring a somber beauty to the coast.

Of course, it is easy to recognize that there isn't as much to see on the Cerulean Coast as there are other parts of the DLC, placing it a bit further back on the list. Despite this, it is home to some of the best items, a massive dungeon that leads to the Putrescent Knight, and amazing views that you just don't see in the other regions.

This region is one that feels like it should be a bit bigger than it is, and in the future, it would be amazing to see FromSoftware explore making more regions with grand coastal views.

7 Gravesite Plain

A Second Start

If you are brave enough to enter the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you are first brought to the Gravesite Plain. This is another fairly basic starting area in Elden Ring that introduces you to the DLC and helps you learn some of the mechanics.

Of course, the second is typically better than the first, with the Gravesite Plain being a bit more interesting than Limgrave. This is thanks to a large open landscape that stretches out before you, inviting you to run across the fields and discover the secrets hidden in the nearby forest, or attempt to take down the massive pyre enemy just beyond your first ruins.

This region includes two major castles as well, with one being the home of Rellana, and the other being home to the Divine Dancing Lion boss. With so much to explore, it is hard not to think of this region as being the better of the starting areas.

6 Liurnia of the Lakes

Magical Lake

Liurnia istypically the third or fourth region you will discover in Elden Ring, as you typically will make your way there after progressing through Stormveil Castle in Limgrave. Of course, you can always take the shortcut and make a quick trip to Liurnia - something I do quite often.

This region is rather expansive, and has the massive Academy of Raya Lucaria positioned in the center of the lake, giving you a beautiful central structure that can be viewed from around most parts of the map.

One of the main reasons Liurnia stands out, however, is that it is the point where the game starts to feel much more open. It is your doorway to the Altus Plateau, it features many hidden secrets — with illusory walls, large crystal caves, and towers that can teleport you — and it is where you continue multiple quests. To top it off, the region is very well-balanced for those who sprint here early or take their time.