Eternal Strands is one of those games that pulls you in with its stunning world and engaging mechanics, but it can throw you into the deep end without much of a lifeline.
If you’re just starting, these tips will help you with the basics so you can skip the learning curve and get straight to the fun part of the adventure.
Not Sure Where to Start in Eternal Strands? These Tips Will Help
Eternal Strands mixes action RPG vibes with a huge world to roam and battles that make you plan ahead.
In a world where everything has gone sideways, Brynn, a quick-thinking scout, is leading the charge to rebuild a caravan of survivors.
While trekking through lively yet dangerous landscapes, you'll confront colossal beasts, ancient magic, and survival tests.
Eternal Strands gives off serious Shadow of the Colossus and Breath of the Wild vibes, with mechanics that make you want to explore and think outside the box.
It can feel pretty overwhelming at first, especially while you're getting used to how things work.
Players have to keep track of resources, upgrade their gear, and survive in rough places.
The world may be full of opportunities, but it can also seem daunting for those just starting.
If you’re just starting in Eternal Strands, here are a few tips to avoid the usual traps and get the most fun out.
1. Stick To the Story & Everything Else Will Follow
There’s a lot to explore in Eternal Strands, but don’t get too sidetracked early on.
Focus on progressing through the main story until you unlock key features like fast travel.
You’ll learn the mechanics gradually, and while the first few hours might drag, they’re necessary to lay the foundation.
Once you make it to Dredger’s Mire, you'll unlock the Loom Gates, which open up fast travel for smoother movement around the map.
Fast travel allows you to avoid all the walking and running, saving you time, especially early on when exploring takes longer.
Follow along with the story; these time-saving features will take care of the rest.
2. Climb It All
The climbing system in Eternal Strands is one of its most thrilling parts.
Almost anything is fair game to climb—trees, cliffs, or broken-down buildings.
This opens up an incredible range of exploration opportunities, but there's a catch: stamina.
Climbing will wear you out, so don’t forget to use your magic to stay on track. Right from the start, you can use ice paths on walls to top off your stamina.
This trick is a lifesaver when you’re midway up a huge cliff or building and need a minute to catch your breath.
This ability lets you get to hidden spots where you might find treasures or resources, pushing you to explore up high.
3. Magic Can Do More Than You Think
Eternal Strands relies on magic for survival, not just combat.
For example, the Weaver's Grasp ability lets you manipulate objects and enemies with telekinetic force.
It allows inventive combat tactics, like sending enemies flying off ledges or into traps.
If you’re not up for a fight, you can always throw enemies into ravines or walls to skip out on it.
You can skip past the dangerous enemies, which is handy early on when your gear and combat abilities might not be at their best.
Not to mention, freezing enemies or casting magic to set up defensive barriers can turn the tide.
These skills give you the edge when things get tricky, either by taking out threats from afar or setting traps to slow enemies down.
Try out your magic early to get a feel for how far it can go and what it can do. This will make combat much more manageable and fun.
4. Don’t Leave Anything Behind
You’ll need to stay on top of your inventory in Eternal Strands.
Your carrying capacity is limited early on, so you’ll run out of room before you know it.
The trick is to upgrade your camp as soon as you can.
If you improve spots like Casmyn’s Caravan, you'll be able to carry more items, which gets pretty important later on.
From the start, take materials from enemies, chests, and whatever you find to boost your gear and camp setup.
The things you collect all come in handy, whether it's for crafting new gear, upgrading your armor, or improving your camp setup.
Anything you find out there can be turned into resources that boost your camp, upgrading everything from inventory space to weapons and potion crafting.
Don’t waste anything—hold onto it and figure out how it fits into the bigger picture.
5. The Right Armor Can Make All the Difference
Exploring Eternal Strands means dealing with extreme weather, from frozen lands to scorching heat.
To survive these conditions, you'll need to craft specialized armor.
It may seem tempting early on to scrap your old armor for materials, but it's better to hold on to a few gear sets.
You’ll need the right armor to deal with the elements in some spots.
Reforge your old gear to handle the heat (or cold), and you’ll be ready for whatever the region throws at you.
You’ll be ready to survive and handle any dangers with these armors.
6. A Little Exploration Goes a Long Way
Exploration pays off through quests and keeping an eye on your environment.
You never know what treasures and resources await in the most unlikely places.
For example, chests can be found in sneaky places, such as hidden crevices, hollowed-out trees, or behind climbable surfaces.
If you spot something intriguing off the main road, take the time to look into it.
These areas usually hide rare items, crafting materials, or blueprints for new gear that will come in handy down the road.
Some enemies drop gear upgrade materials, so even if you're not in the mood for a fight, a quick loot run could save you time later.
Keep in mind that the more you explore Eternal Strands, the more rewards you’ll discover in unexpected places.