U4GM - 5 Ways Elden Ring Items Differ from Other Souls Games: Comparative Guide
If you’ve played Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Sekiro, then you’re already familiar with FromSoftware’s approach to itemization—cryptic names, hidden effects, and tight inventory management. But Elden Ring shakes things up in more ways than one. While it remains true to the studio’s core philosophies, its open-world structure and expanded systems introduce several key changes that make its item economy and usage feel fresh—even for veteran Souls players.
In this comparative guide, we’ll explore five meaningful ways Elden Ring items differ from those in previous Soulsborne titles. Whether you're a longtime fan or just getting into the series, understanding these differences can seriously enhance your gameplay and build strategies.
1. Crafting Adds Flexibility Never Seen Before
One of the biggest shifts in Elden Ring is the introduction of crafting—a feature absent from the mainline Souls games. Players can collect materials throughout the Lands Between and use cookbooks to create everything from arrows to status-curing consumables.
Comparison: In Dark Souls, you had to rely solely on merchants or drops. Crafting now means you can tailor your inventory to suit your playstyle or prepare for specific regions.
Tip: Stocking up on crafted items lets you adapt to co-op, PvP, or PvE encounters without relying on limited loot drops or merchant stock.
2. Summoning Ashes Replaces Traditional Companion Systems
Rather than relying on co-op NPC summons or limited-use phantoms like in earlier games, Elden Ring introduces Spirit Ashes—summonable allies that offer a wide range of tactical options.
Why It’s Different: These companions are fully customizable based on your build and preferences, a major upgrade from Dark Souls III’s set NPC helpers.
Pro Strategy: Some players choose to invest in high-cost Ashes like Lhutel the Headless for tanking, while others prefer swarm options like Skeletal Militiamen for distraction and bleed buildup.
3. Item Variety and Quantity Are Vastly Expanded
Elden Ring features a significantly broader range of items than previous Souls games, including new talismans, reusable flask effects, and dozens of ashes of war.
Comparison: In earlier Souls titles, talismans and rings were limited, and you often had to make trade-offs. Elden Ring offers more nuanced loadout potential due to its increased item diversity.
Note: This has led to a rise in players seeking optimized inventories. It's common now to see players searching for ways to buy Elden Ring Items or track down specific upgrades without endless farming.
4. The Wondrous Physick Flask Is a Customizable Game-Changer
The Wondrous Physick is a new type of flask in Elden Ring that allows players to mix two Crystal Tears for unique effects, like increased stamina regen, damage negation, or delayed healing.
Unique to Elden Ring: There’s nothing quite like this in Dark Souls. The closest comparison would be ring stacking, but even that lacks the flexibility and accessibility of the Physick system.
Build Potential: Mixing tears tailored to your class or role in co-op lets you boost performance in a way that simply didn’t exist in earlier titles.
5. Rune and Item Farming Are More Integrated—and More Exploitable
With its sprawling open world and enemy density, Elden Ring makes rune and item farming easier and more rewarding. Unlike in previous titles where soul grinding was typically repetitive and confined, Elden Ring offers multiple high-efficiency farming spots that encourage exploration.
Observation: This has led to an increased demand for cheap Elden Ring runes, especially among players looking to experiment with new builds or level alternate characters without repeating content.
Community Tip: Sites like U4GM are often mentioned by players looking for a fast way to boost new characters or gear up for PvP without excessive grinding.
While Elden Ring retains the DNA of the Souls series, its approach to itemization is more modern, flexible, and player-friendly. From crafting and custom summons to expanded gear and farming routes, the game empowers players to experiment and adapt in ways never seen in previous entries.
Understanding these differences isn’t just a matter of trivia—it directly impacts how you play, explore, and build your character. Whether you’re farming runes, planning your next PvP loadout, or just exploring new content, knowing what sets Elden Ring apart will help you get the most out of your journey through the Lands Between.