In Elden Ring, mastering the battlefield isn’t just about raw damage output or defensive stats—it’s about controlling the flow of combat. Whether you’re facing a tough boss or a swarm of enemies, having the right tools to manipulate the pace and positioning can turn the tide in your favor. Here are 10 essential Elden Ring items that help you command the battlefield and keep your opponents on their toes.

1. Radagon’s Scarseal and Radagon’s Soreseal

These talismans increase your damage output at the cost of taking slightly more damage, allowing you to pressure enemies aggressively while maintaining enough defense to survive.

2. Flame, Cleanse Me

This incantation not only cures poison and scarlet rot but also offers a moment of control by negating status effects that could otherwise disrupt your rhythm.

3. Glintstone Pebble

A simple yet effective ranged sorcery that allows you to poke enemies from a distance, disrupting their advances and creating opportunities to reposition.

4. Dung Eater’s Ghastly Mist

Perfect for area denial, this mist inflicts bleed buildup over time, forcing enemies to either retreat or suffer serious damage, letting you dictate their movements.

5. Bloodhound’s Step

A crucial skill that increases your dodge distance and speed, enabling you to evade attacks smoothly and reposition, which is key to controlling engagement flow.

6. Lantern Shield

This unique shield can block enemy sight and project light, creating zones where enemies hesitate, giving you control over enemy positioning in darker areas.

7. Poison Mist

Throwing this item creates a toxic cloud that restricts enemy movement and vision, excellent for controlling choke points or retreat paths during group fights.

8. Flame of the Redmanes

This item summons a fiery spirit that charges at foes, distracting and breaking enemy lines, allowing you to control where the fight happens.

9. Beast Roar

A shout that knocks back nearby enemies, useful for crowd control and resetting engagements when overwhelmed.

10. Stonesword Key

While not a combat item, this key lets you remove magical wards and barriers that block paths or summon enemies, effectively controlling where battles can take place.

How to Use These Items Efficiently

To make the most out of these battlefield control tools, consider investing in upgrades using cheap Elden Ring runes so your items and spells remain effective throughout your journey. Additionally, if you’re looking to supplement your arsenal quickly, it’s often worth it to buy Elden Ring items from merchants or other sources to avoid unnecessary farming.

Controlling the flow of battle in Elden Ring goes beyond just brute force. With these 10 items in your inventory, you can manipulate enemy behavior, manage spacing, and turn chaotic fights into manageable encounters. Experiment with combining these tools and find the best way to control every skirmish and boss fight you face.