Best Starter Keepsake in Elden Ring on Steam Deck

Before you start your adventure as the Tarnished in Elden Ring, you’ll be asked to choose a Keepsake, which is essentially an item you can start the game with. There are exactly nine Keepsakes to pick from, but which one is the best? Today, we’ll show you what the best starter Keepsake in Elden Ring on Steam Deck is!

Best Starter Keepsake

We’ll list each Keepsake and what they do here before we decide on the best one.

Crimson Amber Medallion

The Crimson Amber Medallion is an early game Medallion that slightly increases your max HP. Medallions are basically the new equivalent of Rings from past Souls games, as they grant you passive bonuses. While the max HP boost is nice, you can find one of these normally as you explore The Lands Between.

Lands Between Rune

The Lands Between Rune will immediately grant you 3,000 Runes, which are essentially the currency used for leveling up and buying items. This may seem like a lot in the beginning, but in the long run, this Keepsake isn’t really worth it.

Golden Seed

Golden Seeds can be used to increase the maximum amount of charges on your Flask of Crimson/Cerulean Tears. The Golden Seed is probably one of the more helpful Keepsakes to choose.

Fanged Imp Ashes

Ashes can be used to summon NPCs to your aid in specific locations. You normally find these as you explore The Lands Between, but choosing this will start your adventure out with one, which can be helpful with early game battles.

Cracked Pot

Certain craftable items require a Cracked Pot to store the item in, like Firebombs. You’ll start out with three Cracked Pot, which isn’t too useful in the long run. On top of that, you can craft these yourself once you get the recipe.

Related | Where to Find Bloodflame Blade in Elden Ring on Steam Deck

Stonesword Key

There are stone imp statues scattered throughout The Lands Between. If you insert a Stonesword Key into one of them, they’ll open a secret passage that usually contains rare goodies for you to collect. You get two of them at the start, so pick this Keepsake if you’re going after specific treasures you already know about.

Bewitching Branch

The Bewitching Branch lets you temporarily charm an enemy to fight for your side. This can be very helpful when facing off against a large group of enemies, but just keep in mind that it doesn’t work on powerful foes like bosses. Like many of the other Keepsakes, these are craftable later on.

Boiled Prawn

If you’d rather choose to start your adventure out with some tasty rations, the Boiled Prawns can be eaten to increase your physical defense. They do not help against elemental damage however, so keep that in mind.

Shabiri’s Woe

Shabiri’s Woe is another Talisman that attracts nearby enemies to focus you. Enemies will spot you from farther away, and if you’re playing co-op, they’re more likely to target you. This Talisman can be helpful to protect your Host of Fingers, but like the Crimson Amber Medallion, it can be found in The Lands Between.

Those are all the starting Keepsakes in the game. Ultimately, the choice is yours to decide, but we think that the Golden Seed is the best Keepsake. Golden Seeds increase the max amount of charges your Flask of Tears can hold, which can mean the difference between life and death during a long adventure.

That concludes our list of the best Keepsake in Elden Ring. If you have any other suggestions or tips, let us know in the comments below!