Is It Possible to Miss Ranni’s Quest in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: no, you cannot permanently miss Ranni’s questline in Elden Ring. While it might seem daunting given the game’s sprawling world and intricate interconnected systems, there are multiple fail-safes in place to ensure that the quest remains accessible. However, certain actions can make it temporarily unavailable or significantly alter the order in which you experience it. Understanding these potential roadblocks is key to navigating Ranni’s complex and rewarding path. Let’s dive into a detailed exploration of what can affect your journey through the Age of Stars.
Understanding the Accessibility of Ranni’s Questline
Ranni the Witch’s quest is one of the most popular and pivotal side quests in Elden Ring, leading to one of the game’s alternative endings, the Age of Stars. While the quest itself is optional in the broader narrative, it is considered the best ending by many players and yields the powerful Dark Moon Greatsword. Therefore, most players seek to embark on this specific path. This popularity and the significance of the quest mean that the game provides a surprisingly robust structure for accessibility. Even if you miss the initial meeting with Ranni at the Church of Elleh (disguised as Renna), you can always find her later at Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters area of Liurnia of the Lakes.
To reach Ranni’s Rise, you’ll need to traverse Caria Manor and defeat Royal Knight Loretta. Once you’ve accomplished this, the Three Sisters area opens up, and you can ascend Ranni’s tower to begin the quest proper. Even if you progress far into the game without ever encountering Ranni, she will still be available at her tower.
Factors That Might Delay or Complicate the Quest
While Ranni’s questline is not entirely missable, several factors can complicate or delay its progression:
- Early Defeat of Starscourge Radahn: This is perhaps the most significant potential issue. Defeating Radahn before initiating Ranni’s quest can cause Blaidd to become unavailable. While you can still technically do Ranni’s quest, a specific character will vanish preventing you from completing it.
- NPC Interactions: While you can’t permanently lock yourself out, certain dialogue choices or actions taken in unrelated quests could influence the sequence of events. For instance, your relationship with other characters and the order in which you perform certain side quests could influence dialogue or trigger points.
- Accidental Aggression: Accidentally attacking Ranni or other key NPCs can temporarily halt the questline and require absolution at the Church of Vows to resume.
Despite these potential challenges, the fundamental availability of Ranni and her quest remains intact. The game prioritizes allowing players to experience this significant aspect of the Elden Ring narrative.
The Importance of Ranni’s Quest
Ranni’s questline is not just about obtaining a powerful weapon or a different ending. It offers deep insights into the lore of Elden Ring, the motivations of its characters, and the history of the Lands Between. Completing her quest allows you to witness the culmination of her plans to usher in a new age, one where the influence of the Greater Will wanes, and a new cosmic order takes its place.
Furthermore, Ranni’s character, her morally ambiguous nature, and her profound impact on the game’s world make her a fascinating and complex figure. Her quest encourages players to question the established order and consider alternative paths for the future of the Lands Between. To continue learning more about game’s story and mechanics, you could check the resources at GamesLearningSociety.org, or Games Learning Society, which features research on effective game-based learning.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the accessibility and specifics of Ranni’s questline in Elden Ring:
1. Can I still do Ranni’s quest if I’ve already beaten some major bosses?
Yes, you can. Defeating major bosses does not lock you out of Ranni’s quest, with the exception of defeating Radahn before meeting her. You can still find Ranni at Ranni’s Rise.
2. What happens if I accidentally attack Ranni?
Attacking Ranni will likely make her hostile. You’ll need to seek absolution at the Church of Vows using Celestial Dew to reset her disposition.
3. Is it possible to fail Ranni’s quest altogether?
No, it’s not possible to completely fail Ranni’s quest, although progressing certain other quests or taking certain actions can make parts of it harder.
4. Does rejecting Ranni’s offer initially lock me out of the quest?
No, rejecting Ranni’s initial offer doesn’t lock you out. You can always return to her later and accept her proposal.
5. Can I complete other endings if I’ve already started Ranni’s quest?
Yes, you can. Starting Ranni’s quest doesn’t prevent you from pursuing other endings. You can choose your desired ending at the very end of the game.
6. How do I get to Ranni’s Rise?
You need to defeat Royal Knight Loretta at the entrance of Caria Manor in Liurnia of the Lakes.
7. What if I can’t find Blaidd?
Blaidd’s location can vary based on your progress in Ranni’s quest and other side quests. If you’ve triggered the Radahn fight prematurely, that may be the reason. Consult a detailed guide to track his movements.
8. What is the Dark Moon Greatsword?
The Dark Moon Greatsword is a powerful legendary weapon obtained by completing Ranni’s questline.
9. Does completing Fia’s quest affect Ranni’s?
Ranni’s Questline must be completed in order to continue Fia’s Questline, which unlocks yet another unique ending as well.
10. When should I start Ranni’s questline?
There’s no fixed time, but starting it relatively early in Liurnia of the Lakes is generally recommended to avoid potential conflicts with other quests.
11. Do I have to kill Blaidd?
Yes, you have to kill Blaidd in order to receive his gear.
12. What happens after giving Ranni the Fingerslayer Blade?
After giving Ranni the Fingerslayer Blade, head over to Renna’s Rise.
13. Is Ranni’s quest necessary?
Yes, if you’re seeking the Age of Stars ending and the Dark Moon Greatsword.
14. Should I summon Ranni or touch Marika?
Once you defeat the Elden Beast, do not touch Marika’s head. Instead, look for a blue summon sign on the floor and use it to summon Ranni.
15. What is the best Elden Ring ending?
That’s subjective, but many players consider the Age of Stars ending, achieved through Ranni’s questline, to be the most compelling and thoughtful.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey
While Elden Ring’s open world and interconnected systems can create the illusion of missable content, Ranni’s questline is designed to remain accessible to players. Understanding the nuances of the quest, potential complications, and the critical steps involved will empower you to navigate this intricate path and ultimately shape the destiny of the Lands Between. Good luck, Tarnished, and may the stars align in your favor.