Sites of Grace are the main checkpoints in Elden Ring and play a crucial role in the game’s exploration, combat, and progression. They function similarly to bonfires from previous Souls games and are scattered across the vast world of the Lands Between. Here’s a detailed guide on how Sites of Grace work, what they offer, and how to make the most of them.
What Are Sites of Grace?
Sites of Grace are glowing, golden symbols on the ground that serve as rest points and checkpoints. They allow players to heal, restore flasks, and fast travel across the map. They also function as respawn points when you die, making them essential for navigating the game’s challenging world.
When you rest at a Site of Grace, enemies respawn, similar to bonfires in Dark Souls. This mechanic encourages careful exploration and resource management.
How to Activate Sites of Grace
Simply approach a Site of Grace and interact with it to activate it. Once activated, you can use it to rest, manage your inventory, and fast travel. Activating a new Site of Grace will also add it to your map, allowing you to return to it later.
Key Features of Sites of Grace
Resting:
•Resting at a Site of Grace will restore your HP, FP, and Flask uses. This is essential for preparing yourself before heading into dangerous areas or after tough encounters.
•Respawn Point: When you die, you will respawn at the last Site of Grace you rested at (or a Stake of Marika if it is closer). You can choose which Site of Grace to respawn at if multiple are nearby.
Fast Travel:
•After you discover a Site of Grace, you can fast travel to it from anywhere on the map, as long as you are not in combat or within certain restricted areas (like legacy dungeons or boss arenas).
•Use the map menu to select your destination Site of Grace and fast travel there instantly. This allows you to quickly move between areas, explore different regions, or return to a vendor without retracing your steps.
Leveling Up:
•Once you meet Melina (an important NPC who first appears after you activate a few Sites of Grace), you can level up at any Site of Grace. This allows you to spend runes to increase your stats and build your character as you see fit.
•Leveling up improves your health, stamina, damage, and other attributes, making it a key part of character progression.
Flask Management:
•Sites of Grace allow you to manage your Flasks. You can allocate your Crimson and Cerulean flasks (health and FP recovery) based on your needs. For example, if you’re focusing more on melee, you might want more Crimson Flasks; if you’re a spellcaster, more Cerulean Flasks.
•You can also upgrade your flasks by using Golden Seeds (to increase the number of flasks) and Sacred Tears (to improve the amount of health/FP restored per flask).
Memorize Spells:
•If you are using sorceries or incantations, you can memorize spells at a Site of Grace. This allows you to choose which spells you want to have equipped in your quick slots, depending on your playstyle or the area you are exploring.
•You can increase the number of spells you can memorize by finding Memory Stones throughout the game.
Sorting Chest:
•Sites of Grace allow you to store items in a sorting chest, which is useful for keeping your inventory organized. This is especially helpful if you’re collecting a lot of gear and don’t want to carry everything around.
•You can access your sorting chest at any Site of Grace, making it easy to retrieve items whenever you need them.
Pass Time:
•Use the “Pass Time” option at a Site of Grace to skip to a specific time of day (morning, noon, evening, or night). This can be useful if certain enemies or events only occur at specific times, or if you want to explore areas under different lighting conditions.
Ashes of War Management:
•You can equip, remove, or alter Ashes of War on your weapons at a Site of Grace. This allows you to customize your weapon’s abilities and choose from a variety of powerful skills and effects.
•Experimenting with different Ashes of War can greatly impact your playstyle, and you can swap them out freely as long as you’re at a Site of Grace.
How to Use Sites of Grace Effectively 
Activate Sites of Grace Frequently:
•Make sure to activate every Site of Grace you come across. Even if you don’t plan to rest at it immediately, activating it ensures you have a new respawn point and a fast travel destination. This makes it easier to explore new areas and return to them later.
•Activating new Sites of Grace can also help you uncover the guidance of grace, which shows you the general direction of important locations and quest objectives.
Plan Your Routes:
•Use Sites of Grace to plan your exploration routes. If you find yourself stuck in a difficult area, consider fast traveling to a different region, leveling up, or upgrading your gear before returning.
•When heading into a new region, make sure to activate a few Sites of Grace along the way so you have multiple respawn points. This is especially helpful when exploring legacy dungeons, where you may need to navigate around tough enemies.
Upgrade Before Difficult Encounters:
•If you’re struggling with a tough enemy or boss, consider fast traveling to a Site of Grace where you can level up, upgrade your weapons, or equip new spells. Taking the time to prepare can make all the difference in difficult battles.
•You can also reallocate your Flasks before entering a boss fight. If you know you’ll need more FP for a specific strategy, adjust your Flask allocation accordingly.
Return to Roundtable Hold:
•After you’ve activated a few Sites of Grace, you’ll unlock Roundtable Hold, a special hub area where you can interact with NPCs, purchase items, upgrade gear, and progress through certain questlines.
•You can fast travel to Roundtable Hold from any Site of Grace. It’s a safe place where you can rest, chat with important characters, and prepare for your next adventure.
Notable Sites of Grace Locations
Here are a few important Sites of Grace that players often use throughout their journey:
First Step:
•This is one of the first Sites of Grace you encounter when you start the game. Located just outside the Stranded Graveyard, it’s your introduction to the Lands Between and the guidance of grace.
Church of Elleh:
•One of the earliest Sites of Grace where you’ll find Kale the Merchant. This is a useful checkpoint early in the game, and it’s a great place to stock up on basic items.
Gatefront:
•Located near the entrance to Stormveil Castle, this Site of Grace marks the beginning of your journey into Limgrave’s legacy dungeon. Many players use this as a checkpoint to explore the surrounding area or farm enemies for runes.
Roundtable Hold:
•An essential hub that can be accessed via fast travel after a few early Sites of Grace have been activated. This is where you’ll find key NPCs, such as Smithing Master Hewg, Roderika, and Fia, who can help with various upgrades, questlines, and interactions.
Raya Lucaria Main Gate:
•Located outside the main gate of the Academy of Raya Lucaria, this Site of Grace serves as an entry point to the academy dungeon. Players often use it to enter the area or farm nearby enemies.
Leyndell, Royal Capital:
•Several Sites of Grace can be found in Leyndell, Royal Capital, which is one of the major areas in the game. These checkpoints make it easier to explore the capital’s sprawling streets, dungeons, and hidden pathways.
Mountaintops of the Giants:
•This late-game area features harsh environments and challenging enemies. Sites of Grace are crucial for navigating the vast snowy landscape and preparing for tough boss encounters.
Conclusion
Sites of Grace are central to your journey through Elden Ring, providing a versatile and essential system for healing, fast travel, upgrades, and more. By understanding how to make the most of them, you’ll be better prepared to face the challenges of the Lands Between and navigate its vast, dangerous world. Remember to activate them frequently, plan your routes carefully, and use their features to your advantage. Happy adventuring, Tarnished!
