Elden Ring: Should you use Stormveil Castle’s main gate or take the side path?

As you approach Elden Ring's Stormveil Castle, you'll have to decide whether to enter through a secret cliffside road or through the main gate, where hordes of enemies await you. Here's a rundown of both choices, as well as our recommendation.

Taking the back road

The NPC near the castle's main gate will advise you to use the sideway up a cliffside, which will allow you to reach the fortress without encountering any resistance. Thankfully, unlike Patches, this NPC isn't up to anything malicious; instead, he's delivering a legitimate piece of advice that will make entering the castle much easier than bursting through the front gate.

You'll be able to open the main gate from the inside after you've gained access, so you won't be missing out on any stuff or weapons by taking the side path. We highly recommend choosing the side path while tackling the castle because it allows you to get into the castle quickly and you won't lose anything by doing so.

Passing through the main entrance

If you want to enter through the main gate, simply ask the aforementioned NPC to unlock it for you, and he will. If you go through the gate, though, you'll be greeted with a swarm of adversaries ready to kill you with long-range assaults.

This way can be pretty frustrating, especially if you’re not that high of a level. We don't recommend taking this route on your first playthrough; instead, reserve it for later New Game+ replays.