U4GM - Elden Ring's Item Trading System: How to Use It Effectively
In the vast and mysterious world of Elden Ring, mastering the game’s mechanics can make the difference between life and death. One such feature that often flies under the radar—but can be incredibly useful when used correctly—is the item trading system. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer exploring the Lands Between for the first time, understanding how to trade Elden Ring items effectively can enhance your gameplay, support your build, and even help you progress more smoothly through difficult challenges.
This Elden Ring items guide will walk you through the essentials of item trading, explain its limitations, and share best practices for safe and efficient exchanges.
What Is Elden Ring's Item Trading System?
Elden Ring does not have a formal marketplace or auction house like some RPGs. Instead, trading is done manually between players. This involves dropping items in a multiplayer session for another player to pick up. While this might sound simple, there are several rules and restrictions in place to maintain balance and prevent exploits.
The system supports a range of items including weapons, armor, talismans, upgrade materials, and consumables. However, some rare and powerful items, particularly key story items and boss weapons, cannot be traded.
How to Trade Elden Ring Items
To start trading, both players need to be online and connected via multiplayer. Follow these steps:
Enable Online Play: Ensure both you and your trading partner have online access and have set up a multiplayer password to connect directly.
Meet in a Safe Location: Choose a secluded area where you're unlikely to be invaded or attacked. Some players prefer the First Step Site of Grace or Roundtable Hold for this reason.
Drop the Items: Open your inventory, select the item you want to trade, and choose “Leave.” This drops the item on the ground. Make sure not to select “Discard,” as that will permanently delete the item.
Item Pickup: Your trading partner can now pick up the item. Repeat this process for additional items.
Confirm the Exchange: Once both parties are satisfied, disconnect from the session to complete the trade.
Limitations and Restrictions
FromSoftware has implemented some limitations to prevent abuse:
Level and Upgrade Caps: Players can only trade certain Elden Ring items if the recipient’s level and weapon upgrade level are within an acceptable range. This is to ensure a fair multiplayer experience.
Certain Items Are Non-Tradable: Unique and key quest items are locked to the player and cannot be dropped or traded.
One-Way Trades: There’s no in-game feature to enforce fair trades. Once an item is dropped, it’s up to the players to ensure both sides are satisfied.
Tips for Effective and Safe Trading
Here are some tips to get the most out of your item trading experience:
Use Trusted Communities: Forums like Reddit’s r/PatchesEmporium or dedicated Discord servers are good places to find reliable trading partners.
Avoid Scams: Never trade with players offering something that sounds too good to be true, and always agree on terms beforehand.
Use a Password System: Setting a multiplayer password ensures only your intended trading partner can join your session.
Stick to Value-for-Value Trades: To maintain fairness and goodwill, try to offer items of similar value in return.
Why Trade Elden Ring Items?
Trading can help in numerous ways:
Speed Up Builds: Acquiring a specific weapon or armor set early can save hours of farming and help you tailor your character build more effectively.
Aid Friends: If you’ve got duplicate gear, trading is a great way to support your co-op partners or friends just starting out.
Experiment with Playstyles: Gaining access to different items quickly allows you to test out various builds without restarting the game.
The item trading system in Elden Ring may be simple on the surface, but when used thoughtfully, it becomes a powerful tool in your adventure. By following the steps and tips in this Elden Ring items guide, you can trade confidently and responsibly, gaining valuable gear while helping fellow Tarnished along the way. Whether you’re chasing that elusive +10 weapon or looking to share your loot, mastering item trading is another way to conquer the challenges of the Lands Between.