Lords of the Fallen (2023): Beginner's Guide

Getting Started in Lords of the Fallen

You create an avatar and choose from nine classes. According to Fextralife, Hallowed Knight (level 10) is the sword-and-shield class with the highest starting Endurance and is recommended for new players. Orian Preacher (level 11) is the Radiance caster, with a hammer that scales with Radiance and a strong ranged spell. Condemned starts at level 1 with the lowest stats and only a broken bucket and throwing rocks, so it is the hardest start. Dark Crusader is an unlockable class.

The Umbral Lamp is given to you by the Dark Crusaders and is needed for progression. Save points are rare, but you can craft your own using materials dropped by Umbral monsters.

Core Mechanics

The world exists in two layers: Axiom (the living) and Umbral (the dead). The Umbral Lamp lets you reach Umbral. If you die in Axiom the first time, you are sent to Umbral for a second chance; if you die again there, you respawn at your last save point in Axiom and forfeit your unspent experience (Vigor), which you can recover only by returning to where you died.

Co-op

The campaign can be played with one other player. The version 2 update (April 2025) improved co-op, and added a character creator, quality-of-life changes that reduce difficulty and more tutorials.

Essential Tips

1. Pick up lost Vigor first. If you die twice, go back to the death location before anything else.
2. Craft a save point before a long stretch with none, using materials from Umbral monsters.
3. Choose a class to match your play style. Hallowed Knight is the safest starting point according to Fextralife.
4. Play co-op if you want help. Up to two players can play the campaign together.

First Major Boss: Pieta, She of Blessed Renewal

Pieta is fought in front of the cathedral before Skyrest Bridge, and she is mandatory: you must defeat her to advance the story. The Iron Wayfarer can be summoned before the arena. According to Fextralife the fight has two phases; phase 2 begins at roughly three-quarters health, when she gains wings and a new moveset. She is weak to Burn and Poison, resists Smite and Ignite, and is strong against Holy, Physical and Fire. Her phase 1 attacks include a stab, a back-to-back sweep, a Smite Beam and a Jump Swing that leaves a Smite area on the ground; phase 2 adds aerial strikes, a swoop dive, a rain of suspended swords and a line of swords. Sidestep linear attacks and run out of the falling sword zones.

FAQ

Q: Is co-op available?
A: Yes. The campaign can be played cooperatively with one other player.

Q: Has the game changed since launch?
A: A major update called version 2 arrived in April 2025, adding improved co-op, quality-of-life changes that reduce difficulty, a character creator, redone audio cues and more tutorials.

Q: Which platforms?
A: PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S.

Q: Is there DLC?
A: Wikipedia lists no expansions; the major post-launch change is the free version 2 update.