Summary
Elden Ringcan be quite challenging, especially for newcomers to its beautiful yet dangerous world. That’s why it’s essential to learn a few tricks to make the journey more manageable. One way to do that is by ensuring a character has enough Health (HP) to withstand even the most brutal attacks. Generally, the larger a Tarnished’s health bar, the longer they’ll survive under the pressure of enemy attacks, spells, and projectiles, giving players more room for error.
While armor plays a significant role in keeping a character alive, boosting their maximum HP is a straightforward way to enhance survivability. This ensures that players won’t be taken down by severe attacks without the chance to take a healing sip from a Flask of Crimson Tears. Fortunately,Elden RingandShadow of the Erdtreeoffer a variety of gear, including armor, talismans, andother helpful items, that can increase vitality. By combining several items, players can achieve over a 50% increase in their HP pool, which can be invaluable when facing the most aggressive or hard-hitting enemies in the game.
1Crimson Amber Medallion +3
Raises Maximum HP By 10%
There are four Crimson Amber Medallions that players can find inElden Ring. The default version grants a 6% boost to total health, while the most powerful, the +3 version, adds a full 10%. Each medallion is a valuable addition to many builds, enhancing survivability, with theCrimson Amber Medallion +3possibly being the best item in the game for increasing maximum HP. Unlike strong but restrictive Great Runes, this talisman has no drawbacks or caveats, making it an excellent choice for any Tarnished seeking to improve their chances against hard-hitting enemies.
The Crimson Amber Medallion +3 can only be obtained inShadow of the Erdtree. Itdrops as a reward for defeatingthe Death Knight boss located in the Fog Rift Catacombs. In the base game, the Crimson Amber Medallion +2 is available near the end of the game, found in Leyndell, Ashen Capital.
2Morgott’s Great Rune
Raises Maximum HP By 25%
In direct comparison,Morgott’s Great Runeis much more powerful than the Crimson Amber Medallion +3, offering a massive 25% boost to total health. This bonus is applied after all other health-increasing buffs, equipment, and spells are calculated, resulting in a significant increase in max HP. However, like most Great Runes, Morgott’s Great Rune requires a Rune Arc to be activated each time. Even though these items are plentiful across the Lands Between, Morgott’s Great Rune is considered the second-best HP-boosting item inElden Ring.
To obtain this Great Rune, players must defeat Morgott, the Omen King, located in Leyndell, Royal Capital, and then activate the Rune at the Divine Tower of East Altus, accessible after the Forbidden Lands elevator in the Capital Outskirts.
3Erdtree’s Favor +2
Raises Maximum HP By 4%
The boost to maximum health provided byErdtree’s Favor +2might not be the highest compared to other items, but it’s not the only benefit this talisman offers. In addition to a modest health increase, it grants a 10% boost to maximum Stamina and an 8% increase to Equip Load. This makes Erdtree’s Favor +2 a versatile and valuable talisman for manyElden Ringcharacters. It’s particularly effective when paired with Radahn’s Great Rune, providing substantial enhancements to both Health and Stamina.
To find Erdtree’s Favor +2, players must reach Leyndell, Ashen Capital. Thetalisman is located on top of a branchin a large courtyard, guarded by three Lesser Ulcerated Tree Spirits. Fortunately, players can quickly dash towards the talisman, grab it, and escape without needing to defeat all the dangerous guardians.
4Radahn’s Great Rune
Raises Maximum HP By 15%
Radahn’s Great Runeis one of the most powerful in its class and a favorite among high-levelElden Ringplayers. In addition to significantly boosting maximum HP, it also provides a 15% increase in both Stamina and FP. When combined with the Erdtree’s Favor +2 talisman, players gain notable enhancements to their key stats, making them stronger and more resilient. However, as with Morgott’s Great Rune, the requirement to use a Rune Arc after every death places it slightly below the talisman in terms of convenience.
Radahn’s Great Rune is earned by defeating Starscourge Radahn in Caelid. Activating the Rune’s power is a challenging task, as players must ascend the Divine Tower of Caelid through careful and dangerous platforming to reach the top.
5Fire Knight Helm
Raises Maximum HP By 2%
TheFire Knight Helmis a new addition inShadow of the Erdtreeand stands out as one of the few armor pieces inElden Ringthat directly increases a character’s total health. While the health bonus is relatively modest, the helmet also provides other valuable buffs, boosting Stamina by 5% and Equip Load by 4%. This essentially makes it comparable to the default version of the Erdtree’s Favor talisman. Additionally, the Fire Knight Helm offers solid protection, with impressive Robustness and strong resistance to both Physical and Fire damage.
To obtain this rare and powerful helm, players must face anddefeat the menacing Fire Knightsfound in the Shadow Keep repeatedly until one drops this coveted headgear.
6Godrick’s Great Rune
Raises Vigor By +5
Godrick’s Great Runeis one of the most powerful inElden Ringand is arguably the best choice for the early to mid-game. It effectively grants the equivalent of 40 free levels to the Tarnished, as it increases every attribute by +5. This includes a +5 boost to Vigor, which can significantly enhance a player’s maximum HP, depending on their character’s current Vigor level. The consensus is that Godrick’s Great Rune is most beneficial until players reach their stat soft caps (around 37 Vigor), at which point the Health increase from this Rune will be less impactful compared to the 15% boost provided by Radahn’s Great Rune.
Godrick’s Great Rune is obtained after defeating Godrick the Grafted at Stormveil Castle. To activate it, players must travel to the Divine Tower of Limgrave, accessible via the Limgrave Tower Bridge guarded by Golems.
7Crimson Hood
Raises Vigor By +1
TheCrimson Hoodmight not be the most effective item for boosting maximum health, as it only grants a modest +1 to Vigor. However, players who appreciate the hood’s unique and vibrant appearance inElden Ringwill be pleased to know that it offers a small but practical benefit. In addition to its lightweight design, the Crimson Hood provides strong Focus and Vitality resistance, along with solid elemental protection.
Players can find the Crimson Hood in Stormveil Castle after completing Roderika’s questline and unlocking the spirit tuning mechanic. It can be looted from the top of a pile of bodies in a room near the Grafted Scion mini-boss area.
8Radagon’s Soreseal
Raises Vigor by +5
Radagon’s Soresealis a more potent version of the Radagon’s Scarseal talisman, providing a +5 boost to Vigor, Endurance, Strength, and Dexterity (compared to +3 with the Scarseal). However, this appealing bonus comes with a significant drawback: it increases the damage taken by 15% (up from 10% with the Scarseal). Because of this, these talismans inElden Ringbecome less useful as players progress through the mid-game, where the increased damage from enemies can lead to more frequent deaths. For those looking to enhance their total HP, it’s generally better to choose the Erdtree’s Favor or Crimson Amber Medallion.
To obtain Radagon’s Soreseal, playersmust thoroughly explore Fort Farothin Caelid. The talisman is found on a corpse accessible via an opening on the fort’s roof.
