Elden Ring is a game built on secrets. Hidden walls, obscure quests, and tucked-away treasures form the lifeblood of exploration in the Lands Between. Whether you’re a completionist or a casual player looking to get an edge, the game’s hidden items can be the difference between barely surviving and dominating late-game bosses. In this guide, we’ll break down 19 effective methods to uncover, use, and optimize these secret tools.

1. Revisit Early Zones with High Vigor

Don’t overlook early-game areas once you’re stronger. Many hidden items like the Green Turtle Talisman or rare crafting materials can be missed if you rush ahead. Circle back with higher stats to access previously unreachable spots.

2. Hit Every Wall (Seriously)

Yes, it’s the classic “hidden wall” advice, but it works. Legacy dungeons like Raya Lucaria and Volcano Manor are littered with illusory walls concealing secret chambers and useful loot.

3. Level Arcane for Item Discovery

If you're farming hidden enemies that drop rare items, consider temporarily investing in Arcane. Increased item discovery can significantly improve your odds of finding secret gear or consumables.

4. Use the Lantern in Dark Caverns

Several hidden items are placed in unlit tunnels and crypts. The lantern allows hands-free illumination, which is especially useful in areas like the Deeproot Depths.

5. Exhaust NPC Dialogue for Item Clues

NPCs often give vague hints that lead to hidden items. Don’t skip through dialogue—listen carefully, as lines from characters like Patches or Ranni might nudge you toward secret zones or treasures.

6. Explore Vertical Spaces

Look up and down—literally. From narrow cliff ledges to roots you can walk on, Elden Ring loves verticality. Items like Smithing Stones or Larval Tears are often hidden just out of sight above or below.

7. Use Online Messages Strategically

While some messages are jokes, others reveal real secrets. Phrases like “Try attacking” or “Illusory wall ahead” often mark spots where hidden items reside.

8. Equip the Silver Scarab

Boost your item discovery further with the Silver Scarab talisman, especially useful when hunting hidden enemy drops that can’t be farmed easily.

9. Engage in Optional Boss Fights

Hidden bosses such as the Dragon in Caelid’s Greyoll’s area often drop exclusive items that can’t be found elsewhere. These are often skipped by players rushing through the main story.

10. Farm Secret Areas for Rare Drops

Areas like Mohgwyn Palace or the Haligtree are filled with secret items and high-value loot. They may require hidden portals or extensive questlines, but they’re worth the effort.

11. Use Torrent to Access Out-of-Reach Platforms

Many hidden items are only accessible via clever use of your mount. Dash and double-jump your way to seemingly impossible platforms, especially in open-world sections.

12. Watch Out for Environmental Cues

An oddly placed enemy or breakable structure often signals a hidden item nearby. Don’t ignore the design language of the game—FromSoftware rarely places things randomly.

13. Interact With All Statues and Altars

Some statues in ruins or catacombs are connected to nearby sealed doors or secret platforms. Solving their puzzles can reveal hidden gear or magic.

14. Maximize Efficiency With Crafting

Use hidden materials to craft powerful tools. For example, Perfume Bottles and Sleep Pots—easy to overlook—can make stealth and crowd control far more viable.

15. Link Hidden Items to Your Build

Tailor your item collection to suit your build. Hidden talismans, for example, often give minor stat boosts that synergize well with niche playstyles like blood loss or poison builds.

16. Avoid Selling Rare Items

Some hidden items may not seem useful at first, but later become essential. Don’t be quick to sell or discard—FromSoftware is notorious for delayed utility.

17. Compare Multiple Characters

Use alternate characters to experiment with item interactions. Just like how some players experiment in GTA 5 Online accounts to test different builds or mods, you can mirror this in Elden Ring for efficient play.

18. Browse Community Forums (Carefully)

Online platforms like Reddit or community wikis often reveal locations that even seasoned players miss. Just like players who discuss where to buy GTA 5 account setups or compare GTA 5 Online accounts, sharing discoveries in Elden Ring adds value to your own journey.

19. Follow NPC Questlines Fully

Some hidden items are only available at the end of specific questlines. Think of Ranni’s or Fia’s storyline—both reward players with exclusive gear and powerful hidden items.

Whether you're looking to optimize your loadout or explore every shadowed corner of the Lands Between, making the most of Elden Ring's hidden items is a deeply rewarding pursuit. Just like navigating the ecosystem around where to buy GTA 5 account options or managing multiple GTA 5 Online accounts, it’s all about strategy, exploration, and attention to detail. Keep your lantern close and your curiosity closer—there’s always one more secret to uncover.