Enshrouded: Starter Guide

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Enshrouded takes you into a world that’s plagued by the Shroud, an evil that escaped from the depths of the Elixir Wells and threatens to take over Embervale as we know it. With the Shroud among them and no other options, the Ancients and humans teamed up to create you, the Flameborn. It is now time for you to awaken and take back Embervale, but here’s the catch – you really don’t know what you’re doing. The first few minutes and even hours of Enshrouded can be a bit confusing without a helping hand to guide you through the process and lead you in the right direction. Let’s take a look at how to handle your first few hours in Enshrouded as the savior Embervale truly needs.

Enshrouded: Getting Started

Awaken, Flameborn — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Enshrouded is a rather unique survival game with an interesting twist to it. Not only do you have to defeat enemies, build up a base, and reclaim Embervale, but you also have to battle the Shroud, a thick, corrupting fog that you can only physically stand to be around for so long. It’s a bit tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

Enshrouded: Getting Started
- Awaken, Flameborn
Waking Up In the Cinder Vault
Your First Peek At Enshrouded Gameplay
- Leveling Up
Basic Tools
Your First Weapons and Armor
Venturing Into the Shroud
Enshrouded F.A.Q.

Awaken, Flameborn

Enshrouded Character Creation — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

When you start Enshrouded for the first time, there will be a few different options you can choose from. Of course, you should begin with “Play.” This will push you right into the Character Creation menu, where you will create your own Flameborn to play with. Character creation allows you to change several aspects of your character’s look, and even voice, including:

Several different presets
Hairstyle and color
Facial hairstyle and color
Voice
Name

Game Mode Options — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Once you’ve created your character, it’s time to press that Play button again and dive into your very own world, or maybe even someone else’s. The choice you make next will determine how you play, and whether or not your game will be saved locally. You can:

Begin a private game
Host a public game
Join an online game

Waking Up In the Cinder Vault

Enshrouded Cinder Vault — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

After a cutscene plays, explaining a bit of the history behind the present predicament Embervale is in, you’ll wake up in the Cinder Vault and take your first steps into Enshrouded. At this point, you’ll have full control over your Flameborn, and speaking of controls, you’ll probably need to know some of them:

WASD – Movement
Space – Jump
Shift – Sprint
E – Interaction
ALT – Switch Action Bar
1-9 – Action Bar Slots
Left Mouse Button – Attack
Right Mouse Button – Block and Parry
CTRL – Evade/Dodge
TAB – Lock on Target
I – Inventory
V – Crafting Menu
B – Backpack
N – Character Menu
M – Map
H – Skills Menu
J – Journal

Enshrouded Console Controls — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Once you get the hang of the controls, it’s time to Commune with The Flame. The Flame calls to you, which means you need to get out there and kick some Shroud butt. The Flame will tell you to construct a Flame Altar, which will act as your home base as well as your respawn location, should you die.

Your First Peek At Enshrouded Gameplay

While you can begin base building right away, assuming you can get your hands on the materials necessary, it shouldn’t be your first priority. Let’s talk about how to gain some extra levels and get some resources to build and craft with.

Leveling Up

Enshrouded Levels — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Leveling up can be pretty time-consuming. However, if you know all the right things to do to get some extra XP, you’ll be flying through levels in no time. There are two things that will get you a good amount of XP in the beginning and really push you through levels: Mining and Killing.

Killing Enemies

Given that some enemies and creatures spawn just about everywhere you can imagine in Embervale, it’s not too hard to come across a few to take down here and there. However, you need to keep in mind that the enemy levels vary depending on the area you’re in, not on your level. Though, the higher the enemy level, the more XP you will gain from defeating them.

Mining

Mining can be done just about anywhere you can find ores. In the beginning, you won’t find anything other than Flintstone, but that’s alright. It still gives you a solid 7 XP for every Flintstone mined, which can add up pretty quickly. Craft yourself a pickaxe, and set off looking for ore veins on the side of mountains, or even just on the ground.

Basic Tools

There are certain tools that will make your gameplay much easier, and allow you to do certain things that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Before you can do anything advanced in the game, you’ll need an Axe, a Pickaxe, and a Torch. Each can be crafted relatively easily.

Axe

Axe Crafting — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

The Axe is used for cutting down trees, as well as cleansing Shrouded areas of their Shroud Root.

4x Twigs
1x Stone
1x String

Pickaxe

The Pickaxe is fantastic for mining and anything that involves excavating stronger structures.

1x Stone
4x Twigs
1x String

Torch

If you don’t have a bed handy, it’ll be pretty difficult to make it through the long nights or even through caves and dark basements without a light source.

1x Twigs
1x Plant Fiber

Your First Weapons and Armor

Depending on the type of fighting you want to do, you’ll need to get yourself a weapon to use and a set of armor that can protect you from the elements and attacks. Before you unlock any additional crafting stations, you will have a decent selection of weapons that you can craft, as well as some basic armor. Let’s take a look at how to craft them now.

Club

6x Wood Logs

Bow & Arrows

Crafting Bow — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Bow
- 5x Twigs
- 1x String
Wooden Arrow x10
- 3x Twigs

Wand & Staff

Enshrouded Staff — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Wand
- 2x Bones
Staff
- 1x Bones
- 2x Resin

Rag Armor

Crafting Ragged Armor — Image Source: Keen Games via The Nerd Stash

Ragged Shirt
- 3x String
- 4x Torn Cloth
Ragged Pants
- 2x Torn Cloth
- 2x String
Ragged Boots
- 3x Torn Cloth
- 2x String

Venturing Into the Shroud

By the time you have your armor, tools, and weapons all situated, it’s time to make your way into the Shroud. The Shroud is a relatively tricky place to traverse. The lighting is terrible, the inhabitants are always cranky, and you can only stand being in there for so long before you literally die. No big deal, obviously. So let’s check it out.

The Shroud is a strange, corrupted portion of the map that’s covered with thick fog and fueled by Shroud Roots. The Shroud is where some of the worst enemies linger, and most of the bosses you’ll come across in the game. It’s always wise to stock up on healing items and ammo before venturing inside.

Whenever you’re inside the Shroud, there are some things you need to be particularly careful of. Specifically, you need to watch your Shroud Timer. By default, you can only be inside the Shroud for five minutes. If you go over that time at all, you will die on the spot and need to return to pick up your items later.

Enshrouded F.A.Q.

Since Enshrouded is such a new game, there are bound to be questions that you still have. Check the answers below to see if we can help.

Is Enshrouded Multiplayer?

Enshrouded is absolutely multiplayer. In fact, the game is much more fun and rewarding when you play with a friend… or five. Up to 16 players can play on the same server.

What Platforms Will Enshrouded Be On?

On its release date, Enshrouded will only be available on PC. However, after a while, Keen Games will be bringing Enshrouded to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players as well.

Does Enshrouded have PvP?

Currently, Enshrouded doesn’t have any type of PvP game mode. Keen Games has noted that there aren’t currently any plans for expanding to PvP in the future.

Is Loot Randomly Generated?

From our experience, yes — loot is indeed randomly generated. While enemies may feature similar drops to one another, loot that’s found in chests is completely randomised.

What PC Specs Do I Need To Run Enshrouded?

Minimum:
- 64-bit processor and Operating System
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core -5-6400 (2.7GHz 4 Core) / AMG Ryzen 5 1500X (3.5 GHz 4 Core) or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (req. 6GB VRAM) / AMD Radeon RX 580 (req. 6GB VRAM)
- Network: Broadband Internet Connection
- Storage: 60 GB available space
- Sound Card: on board
Recommended:
- 64-bit processor and Operating System
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel i7-8700 (3.7 GHZ 6 Core) / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (3.7 GHz 8 Core) or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super (req. 6GB VRAM) / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (req. 6GB VRAM)
- Network: Broadband Internet Connection
- Storage: 60 GB available space
- Sound Card: on board

Does Enshrouded Support Mods?

As of right now, Enshrouded does not support mods given that it’s still in early access. However, there is hope that mods will be available in the future.

Check out the following guides for more information as you make your way through Embervale and explore the world within Enshrouded.

Enshrouded: Starter Guide

Enshrouded: Getting Started