Elex beginner tips: 12 tricks to get you started on your adventure

Ever since the first Gothic was released in 2001, developer Piranha Bytes has stuck to a tried-and-true concept in its Gothic and Risen games:

At the beginning, you're thrown into an open game world in the skin of a feckless nobody. It's full of bad-tempered guys and nasty monsters, all of which will quickly show you your limits.

Unlike in many other genre representatives, your enemies in Piranha Bytes games have a fixed level and don't adapt to your hero. So if you take a wrong turn, you'll quickly end up as a lunch snack from some beast that knocks you off your feet with one blow.

Of course, Elex doesn't change this basic situation and doesn't make it easy for you to enter the post-apocalyptic Magalan, as the new world is called.

However, if you take the following 12 tips to heart, your adventure should start much less frustrating than if you run off blindly:

1. Search extensively for loot in the starting area

After the intro sequence, Elex first throws you into a manageably large tutorial area where you learn the basics of the game. But there, not only the first enemies are waiting for you, but also a lot of useful items are already hidden.

Among other things, you can put all sorts of plants, a first amulet, a piece of armor, a ranged weapon and lots of stuff that can be sold for cash into your backpack. But don't worry: as soon as you've left the starting area, there are of course plenty of better weapons waiting for you.

Therefore: Take your time to explore the area before you venture into the rough and overwhelmingly large open world of Elex.

Screenshot from Elex.

2. Take everything you find with you if possible

Magalan is not only immensely large, but also crammed with items. These are not just randomly distributed, as Piranha Bytes has always been known for placing the loot pieces by hand.

Basically, it is advisable to take everything you find at first. Don't worry, in Elex your inventory is not limited, just a bit confusing. For example, you can use some items directly for healing - like healing potions, plants or food. Others are useful for crafting, quests and more.

You only have to be careful here if the things already belong to someone - for example, in apartment buildings and the like. Elex will show you the imminent theft in red letters.

If you want to steal such items, you have to make sure that no witness is watching you. Otherwise, you'll soon be surrounded by a few bad-tempered fellows who will punch you in the mouth in typical Piranha Bytes fashion.

As mentioned above, a monster can be waiting for you behind every fork in the road in Elex, and it can reduce your hero to rubble with a single blow. Therefore, get into the habit as early as possible of using the quick save function regularly (default key: F5). Every time you press it, Elex will create a quick save, so it won't overwrite the previous one every time. This way you can easily continue the adventure from where you were before an invincible giant bird knocked you out. Or you can even go back a long way if a decision you made turns out to be unfavorable.

4. Regular sleep helps!

Your hero gets injured quickly in Elex. It is unlikely to survive fights without injuries, and many a jump from a subjectively low height also scratches the health. However, if you want to save on potions and food for healing, then simply look for a place to sleep. There are always sleeping bags scattered around the game world and plenty of beds in buildings. A nap refills the life bar and turns the time at a time of your choice (so you don't have to stumble through the forest in the middle of the night, for example).

5. Character menus, map and co. do not pause the game!

You're in the middle of battle, but you're running out of the healing potions you put on the quick select buttons? You think a quick look into the inventory will help you to throw in a healing plant? Then you need to be careful. Elex does not pause when you go to the inventory, map, character menu or similar menus. So as long as you're rummaging around in your backpack to find the right medicine, monsters will keep hitting you, NPCs will go about their day, and so on.

Therefore, always consider whether you're safe to click around in such screens right now, or if it could quickly cost your hero his life.

6. The jetpack is more than just a gimmick!

Since Elex is set in a post-apocalyptic, mechanized world, Piranha Bytes gives you unusual toys compared to Gothic and Risen. Not only are there combat robots or futuristic weapons in Magalan, your hero also gets a jetpack right at the beginning of the role-playing game, which you can activate with a double-click of the space bar. And even though the controls are a bit fiddly once your hero takes to the air, the jetpack is great for a few things:

• With the help of the device you'll be able to reach high places that you wouldn't be able to otherwise. For example, you'll often find handy items on rooftops, such as elexit bags (i.e. money), quivers with arrows and so on. Also the radio towers, which are always in the game world, have exciting stuff ready, however, you have to find out there partly first, how you get best up there. </l

  Screenshot from Elex.

  2. In general, take everything you can find with you

  Magalan is not only immensely large, but also crammed with items. These are not simply distributed randomly, as Piranha Bytes has always been known for placing the loot pieces specifically by hand. Basically, it is recommended that you first take everything you find. Don't worry, your inventory is not limited, just a bit confusing. For example, you can use some items directly for healing, such as healing potions or plants and food. Others are useful for crafting, quests and so on.

  You only have to be careful here if the things already belong to someone - for example in houses and the like. Elex shows you the imminent theft with a red font color. If you want to steal such items, then you have to make sure that no witnesses are watching you. Otherwise you'll quickly have a few bad-tempered fellows around you, who will punch you in the mouth in typical Piranha Bytes fashion.

  3. Use the save function often

  As mentioned above, there can be a monster waiting for you behind every fork in the road in Elex, who can turn your hero into a piece of wood with one blow. Therefore, get into the habit as early as possible of using the quick save function regularly (default key: F5). Every time you press it, Elex will create a quick save, so it won't overwrite the previous one every time. This way you can easily continue the adventure from where you were before an invincible giant bird knocked you out. Or you can even go back a long way if a decision you made turns out to be unfavorable.

  4. Regular sleep helps!

  Your hero gets injured quickly in Elex. It's unlikely that you'll survive a fight without any injuries, and many a jump from a subjectively low height will also damage your health. However, if you want to save on potions and food for healing, then simply look for a place to sleep. There are always sleeping bags scattered around the game world and plenty of beds in buildings. A nap refills the life bar and turns the time at a time of your choice (so you don't have to stumble through the forest in the middle of the night, for example).

  5. Character menus, map and co. do not pause the game!

  You're in the middle of battle, but you're running out of the healing potions you put on the quick select buttons? You think a quick look into the inventory will help you to throw in a healing plant? Then you need to be careful. Elex does not pause when you go to the inventory, map, character menu or similar menus. So as long as you're rummaging around in your backpack to find the right medicine, monsters will keep hitting you, NPCs will go about their day, and so on.

  Therefore, always consider whether you're safe to click around in such screens right now, or if it could quickly cost your hero his life.

  6. The jetpack is more than just a gimmick!

  Since Elex is set in a post-apocalyptic, mechanized world, Piranha Bytes gives you unusual toys compared to Gothic and Risen. Not only are there combat robots or futuristic weapons in Magalan, your hero also gets a jetpack right at the beginning of the role-playing game, which you can activate with a double-click of the space bar. And even though the controls are a bit fiddly once your hero takes to the air, the jetpack is great for a few things:

  • With the help of the device you'll be able to reach high places that you wouldn't be able to otherwise. For example, you'll often find handy items on rooftops, such as elexit bags (i.e. money), quivers with arrows and so on. Also the radio towers, which are always in the game world, have exciting stuff ready, however, you have to find out there partly first, how you get best up there. </l

3. Use the save function often

As mentioned above, a monster can be waiting for you behind every fork in the road in Elex, and it can reduce your hero to rubble with one blow. Therefore, get into the habit as early as possible of using the quick save function regularly (default key: F5).

Every time you press this key, the role-playing game creates a quick save state, so it doesn't overwrite the previous one every time. So you can easily continue the adventure where you were before an invincible giant bird knocked you out. Or you can even go back a long way if a decision you made in Elex turns out to be unfavorable.

Screenshot from Elex.

4. Regular sleep helps!

Your hero gets injured quickly in Elex. It is unlikely to survive fights without injuries, and many a jump from a subjectively low height also scratches the health.

However, if you want to save on potions and food for healing, then simply look for a place to sleep. There are always sleeping bags scattered around the game world and plenty of beds in buildings.

A nap will fully replenish your life bar and turn time forward at a time of your choosing (so you don't have to stumble through the forest in the middle of the night, for example).

Screenshot from Elex.

5. Character menu, map & co. do not pause Elex!

You're in the middle of battle, but you're running out of the healing potions you put on the quick select buttons? You think a quick look in the inventory will help you to throw in a healing plant? Then you need to be careful.

Elex doesn't pause when you go to the inventory, map, character screen or similar menus to equip your hero with the perfect skills and character stats. So as long as you're rummaging through your backpack to find the right medicine, monsters will keep hitting you and NPCs will go about their day.

Therefore, always consider whether you are safe or not are to click around in such screens or if it could quickly cost your hero his life.

6. The jetpack is more than just a gimmick!

Since Elex is set in a post-apocalyptic, technologized world, Piranha Bytes gives you unusual toys compared to Gothic and Risen.

Not only are there combat robots or futuristic weapons in Magalan, your hero also gets a jetpack right at the beginning of the role-playing game, which you can activate with a double-click of the space bar.

And even though the controls are a bit fiddly once your hero takes to the air, the jetpack is great for a few things in Elex:

Screenshot from Elex.

• With the help of the device, you'll be able to reach high places that you wouldn't be able to reach otherwise. For example, you can often find practical items on rooftops, such as Elexite pouches (i.e. money), quivers with arrows, and so on. Radio towers, which are always around in the open game world, also have exciting stuff ready for you. However, you'll have to figure out how to get to the top first.
• Higher locations can also be useful in combat. Some monsters will look silly if you fly to the roof of a house and shoot around with a bow and arrow. Human opponents in Elex are also sometimes confused by this. This can be especially useful in "quest brawls", because companions you may have in tow won't help you.

But becareful: There are also beasts that spit slime or fire at you and then still pose a danger at a distance. And even human opponents sometimes pull out a ranged weapon - just to keep things fair ..

• In combat, the jetpack can also serve you well as a dodging aid. Elex actually teaches you how to dodge, but it requires a little practice and the right timing. It also eats up stamina. If a monster rushes at you, you can just as well hit the space bar twice and fly away.

Screenshot from Elex.

By the way, this "dodge trick" can be combined wonderfully with your attacks. If you hit your enemies with your sword (or any other weapon), it will gradually deplete the hero's stamina in Elex.

When it drops to zero, you won't be able to attack, but you won't be able to dodge either. You can then simply escape the enemy's blows with the jetpack and get the slowly regenerating stamina, which you can then use for attacks.

• Quests are also easier to solve in Elex thanks to the practical flying device. All too often, items that need to be found for NPCs are hidden in a horde of angry monsters. Instead of charging straight into the group and risking virtual death, it often helps to approach via hills or mountains that are not easy for enemies to reach.

Of course, you'll still be noticed, but the adversaries will usually set off to reach you on foot, leaving the quest item unguarded. So, while a pack of monsters is on a trek to your position, you can quickly collect the object of desire without resistance thanks to the jetpack and disappear again before anyone notices anything.

Screenshot from Elex.

7. Monster too strong? NPCs will help you!

If you encounter a monster that is too strong for your hero while walking or during a quest, you will recognize it by a skull symbol. But even the fight against a beast that you are a match for can quickly go to the eye. In such moments, escape always helps - which is no disgrace, especially at the beginning of Elex.

Smart adventurers, on the other hand, will take the legs in such a way that the beast will chase you at a safe distance. Then you can simply lure it to the nearest town or to a group of NPCs, who will usually immediately draw their weapons and join the fight.

With enough distance, you can then wait calmly until the deadly danger is eliminated. However, this can also mean that you won't get any experience points for killing the monster. But that's not a problem either, since you can get them much more effectively by completing quests in Elex.

Screenshot from Elex.

8. Tricky fights

As tricky as the battles are in the first hours of Elex, there are a few tricks you can use to make your life easier.

For one, there are Albs spells, which you can find in the weapon inventory under their own tab and which you can get to quite quickly. These are one-time use spells - like scrolls in other role-playing games - and let you summon a shockwave, for example. This does quite a bit of damage and the cost is manageable.

On the other hand, you should keep an eye on the environment. For example, there are explosive barrels that stand around here and there in the open world of Elex. If you lure an enemy near them and make them explode, it will cause enormous damage and the fight will be much easier.

Screenshot from Elex.

9. Get a companion!

If you don't want to be on the run the whole time, you can recruit a companion. In Elex, you don't have to go on your own, but are able to find NPCs who will join your hero.

They will follow you through the open game world and are usually quite skilled at beating up monsters. On command, they will also wait in one place until you take them back.

Duras, for example, who is the first one you'll meet directly after the tutorial area, is a possible companion. Near the domed city, you can find an alb that will also make the journey with you. There is also a Berserker waiting for you in the Dome City, and a Cleric in Elex has his camp on the roof of the destroyed converter.

However, some of your colleagues won't just follow you. Sometimes you have to fulfill a quest before they join you. Others don't want a favor from you directly, but expect you to help them with their own goals.

But they are always helpful, especially for greenhorns. If you fulfill additional personal tasks for the companions, their combat power will increase.

Screenshot from Elex.

10. Earn money & search for teachers

As always, Piranha Bytes doesn't make character development easy. In Elex, you can increase your character stats like strength & co. when you level up, but you don't get new abilities right away. Instead, you earn learning points.

You can use these learning points to teach yourself new skills. To do this, however, you first have to find a suitable teacher in the open game world and then have enough cash on you so that the instructor shares his knowledge with you.

Therefore, you should always keep your eyes open to see which NPC offers your hero something and, above all, what he could teach. On the other hand, it's best to complete side quests and always negotiate a little money as a reward. This way you'll earn experience points, level increases and learning points in Elex, and you'll have enough money to learn new skills.

Screenshot from Elex.

11. Search the game world for teleporters

Magalan is immensely large. And even though monsters don't reappear once they've been killed, the paths may eventually be safe, but they still remain insanely long. So keep your eyes open for teleporters.

They can be found at any number of key points in the open world, such as near towns or settlements, important forks in the road, and so on.

You only have to walk to the teleporter once to activate it. From then on, it will be marked on the map and you will be able to fast travel to any teleporter you discover at any time. This saves a lot of time!

If you have difficulties discovering the sometimes well-hidden teleporters, you can have a look at our guide to all 41 teleporters in Elex and later on simply use the skill to display all teleporters on the map.

12. Allow time for faction selection & exploration

Elex offers three factions you can join: the Berserkers, the Clerics, and the Outlaws, all three of which we'll introduce you to in our detailed faction guide.

It might be tempting to go straight to the faction of your choice, but that will only make your life more difficult.

Instead, explore the first regions of the game world where Elex starts, complete quests, collect experience, equipment and new abilities. Only afterwards should you go to outlaws or clerics. By the way, Elex starts near the Berserkers, and reaching them isn't difficult.

Why all this? In order to join a faction, you have to complete several quests for the respective party. But if your character still has sausage status, these tasks quickly prove to be unsolvable.

But: If you know early on that you want to join a certain group, then you can start working in their favor early on and make appropriate decisions in dialogs. These often influence what happens later and may make it easier to join.

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