Elden Ring: The Best Places To Unlock First With Stonesword Keys

gamerant.com:

It might not look like it, but Elden Ring is also a resource-management game. The most valuable resource, of course, is that red HP bar that needs to be spent wisely in boss fights. What other resources need careful consideration before splurging? Keys. Stonesword Keys, in particular. Opening locked passages that require Stonesword Keys is like a box of chocolates, players never know what they're getting.

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But if they did, then they can be picky with which Stonesword locks (or imp statues) to unlock. Because some of them might have disappointing rewards or are simply not worth the danger and the effort. So in order to maximize those Stonesword Keys in Elden Ring, make sure to prioritize unlocking these places first. They contain either useful meta items or lead to some big, secret places.

Even as early as the tutorial area, players can spot one of those foggy Stonesword locked passages. It's near the Stranded Graveyard Site of Grace, just standing in front of the site. If players are fresh in a New Game playthrough at single-digit levels, it's not advised to unlock this as the whole dungeon is a gauntlet of death and despair.

Gain a couple of dozen levels though and come back with a Stonesword Key and it becomes manageable. Inside is a death chariot puzzle and a boss enemy near the end. That would be the troublesome Ulcerated Tree Spirit but it drops a Golden Seed so the venture is worth it.

The Rampart Tower in Stormveil Castle is an important location as it serves as a hub for some secret areas that interconnect. One of those is a Stonesword lock room filled with two enemies that wield greataxes. They're not too tough to defeat. To get to this room, refer to the images