Crafting in Elden Ring is more than a simple side activity—it’s a core system that can dramatically enhance your survivability and combat prowess. As someone who has spent hundreds of hours exploring the Lands Between, I can confidently say that mastering crafting not only makes your journey smoother but also saves precious runes and resources. In this guide, I’ll share 9 tried-and-true tricks to help you craft efficiently, whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned Tarnished.

1. Unlock the Crafting Kit Early

One of the first things I always recommend to new players is buying the Crafting Kit from Merchant Kale at the Church of Elleh. For a small rune investment, it opens the door to crafting from the get-go. This kit is essential, and I personally never start a new character without grabbing it within the first 10 minutes.

2. Gather Cookbooks Regularly

Crafting in Elden Ring relies heavily on Cookbooks, which unlock new recipes. Exploring every nook and cranny pays off here. I’ve found that returning to old zones often leads to missed Cookbooks hidden behind minor bosses or tucked away in ruins. Prioritize these items to vastly expand your crafting options.

3. Farm Materials in Looped Routes

Rather than randomly collecting resources, plan out material farming loops. For example, I have a route in East Limgrave where I can gather crafting flowers, butterflies, and shrooms all in one go. This saves time and ensures I’m always stocked up on vital components for arrows, firepots, and curing items.

4. Use U4GM Guides to Optimize Recipes

For those who want an efficient experience without endless trial and error, I recommend checking U4GM for reliable crafting strategies. Their guides helped me pinpoint the best locations and recipes for late-game crafting, particularly when I needed to prepare for hard-hitting bosses or rune farming areas.

5. Focus on Utility Items Early On

While damage-focused items like Fire Grease are tempting, prioritize utility crafts first—like Preserving Boluses or Neutralizing Boluses. In my early playthroughs, crafting these saved me countless deaths from poison and rot. They’re especially important in zones like Caelid and Lake of Rot.

6. Rest at Sites of Grace to Reset Materials

Did you know you can respawn crafting materials by simply resting at a nearby Site of Grace? I use this trick often when I need large amounts of specific flowers or beast bones. It beats fast traveling and minimizes time waste, especially when I’m prepping before a boss run.

7. Customize Crafting to Your Build

Tailor your crafting based on your character build. For example, my Faith-based build benefits heavily from Holy Pots and healing items, while my Dex build relies more on elemental coatings and arrows. This focused crafting approach lets you make the most of your limited inventory space and ingredients.

8. Balance Crafting with Rune Usage

Crafting doesn’t replace the need for solid gear and level-ups. I’ve learned to balance rune spending carefully—sometimes choosing to buy Elden Ring Items rather than farming materials endlessly. If you find yourself rune-starved, it might be time to buy elden ring runes from a reliable source to maintain your momentum.

9. Stock Up Before Boss Fights and PvP

Before heading into boss arenas or PvP zones, I always craft and stock up on damage-enhancing items and curatives. Fire Pots, Sleep Pots, and Dappled Cured Meats have made the difference in many close fights. Don’t underestimate the edge crafting gives you in battle.

Crafting in Elden Ring is both a strategic and immersive system that rewards planning and experimentation. From my experience, following these tricks not only improved my efficiency but also made the game more enjoyable. And when you need an extra push, resources like U4GM are invaluable—whether you're looking to buy Elden Ring Items or buy elden ring runes to support your build.

With the right crafting habits, every Tarnished can walk into the battlefield better prepared and more powerful.