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Are There Bad Endings in Elden Ring? A Tarnished’s Guide to Destinies

In the sprawling, lore-rich world of Elden Ring, the question of “good” and “bad” endings is far from straightforward. While no ending is objectively labeled as “bad” within the game itself, some conclusions to your Tarnished’s journey undeniably paint a bleaker picture for the Lands Between and its inhabitants than others. Ultimately, whether an ending is “bad” boils down to your personal interpretation of the narrative, your values, and what you believe is best for the future of the world. This guide will explore the nuances of each ending, helping you decide which fate you deem the most desirable – or undesirable.

Understanding Elden Ring’s Endings: A Spectrum of Gray

Instead of a simple good vs. evil dichotomy, Elden Ring offers a spectrum of outcomes, each colored with shades of gray. The core of the narrative revolves around the shattered Elden Ring and the quest to become Elden Lord. However, the specific path you take and the choices you make along the way dramatically alter the nature of that Lordship. You’re not simply claiming a title; you’re shaping the very fabric of reality. This makes the endings philosophical statements as much as they are narrative conclusions.

The Elden Lord Endings: Variations on a Theme

The four “Elden Lord” endings – Age of Fracture, Age of Order, Age of Duskborn, and Blessing of Despair – all see you mend the Elden Ring and assume the mantle of Elden Lord. However, the specific Mending Rune you use determines the consequences:

Age of Fracture: This is the most straightforward ending. You simply restore the Elden Ring as it was (or as close as possible), perpetuating the status quo and potentially inviting future conflicts. It’s arguably neutral, neither significantly improving nor worsening the Lands Between.
Age of Order: Achieved by completing Goldmask’s questline, this ending focuses on restoring the Golden Order to a state of “perfect” order. This may sound appealing, but the Golden Order, as it existed previously, was flawed and restrictive. It could be argued that enforcing absolute order stifles freedom and individual growth.
Age of Duskborn: Reached by using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince after completing Fia’s questline, this ending introduces the concept of Destined Death back into the Lands Between, allowing those who live in Death to coexist. While seemingly benevolent, it could destabilize the existing power structures and lead to unforeseen consequences. Some lore enthusiasts believe the art for the upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC suggests that this may very well be the canon ending.
Blessing of Despair (Dung Eater Ending): This is perhaps the most universally considered “bad” ending. By completing the Dung Eater’s questline and using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, you curse the entire world, ensuring that all future generations will be tainted by the Dung Eater’s defilement. It’s a bleak and pessimistic conclusion, offering no hope for redemption.

The “Alternative” Endings: Shaking the Foundations

Beyond the Elden Lord variations, two endings drastically alter the future of the Lands Between:

Lord of Frenzied Flame: This ending, considered by many to be the “darkest,” involves inheriting the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers and burning the Erdtree, the world, and everything in it to the ground. Your goal is to undo all creation and return everything to a state of chaos and formlessness. It’s a complete rejection of the established order and a nihilistic path.
Age of Stars (Ranni’s Ending): This ending, often considered the “best” or “most hopeful” by many players, involves summoning Ranni the Witch after defeating the Elden Beast. She becomes the new god of the Lands Between, ushering in an Age of Stars and ending the influence of the Greater Will. While it promises change and a new order, it’s still an unknown future, and some might argue that replacing one cosmic power with another is not true liberation.

Defining “Bad”: A Matter of Perspective

Ultimately, what constitutes a “bad” ending is subjective. Some players might find the Blessing of Despair abhorrent, while others might see it as a necessary destruction of a corrupt system. Similarly, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, while undeniably destructive, might appeal to those who believe the existing order is irredeemable.

Therefore, consider your own values and your interpretation of the lore when deciding which ending to pursue. Do you value order, freedom, hope, or destruction? Your answer to these questions will determine which ending you perceive as “good” or “bad.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Elden Ring Endings

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further navigate the complex landscape of Elden Ring’s conclusions:

What is the most difficult ending to achieve in Elden Ring? The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is often considered the most difficult to achieve due to its obtuse and easily missed questline.
What is the darkest ending in Elden Ring? The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending and Blessing of Despair ending compete for the title of “darkest,” depending on your perspective.
How many endings does Elden Ring have? There are a total of 6 endings in Elden Ring.
Is Ranni good or evil? Ranni is a morally gray character. Her Age of Stars ending is often seen as a positive outcome, but it involves replacing one cosmic power with another.
Is the Ranni ending good or bad? The Age of Stars ending is generally seen as the “best” by many players, offering hope for a new era.
Does Melina sacrifice herself? Yes, Melina sacrifices herself to ignite the Erdtree, allowing you to progress towards the endgame.
What happens if you refuse Melina? Refusing Melina means you cannot level up or summon Torrent, making the game significantly harder.
How rare is the Elden Lord ending? The standard Elden Lord ending is less common than the Age of Stars ending among players on Steam.
What is the canon ending of Elden Ring? The Age of Duskborn ending is often theorized to be the canon ending.
What endings do you need to 100% Elden Ring in terms of achievements? To get all achievements, you need to see one Elden Lord ending, the Age of Stars ending, and the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
Should I summon Ranni or touch Marika? To get the Age of Stars ending, you must summon Ranni using the blue summon sign after defeating the Elden Beast.
Should I tell the Dung Eater to leave? Yes, to progress his questline towards the Blessing of Despair ending, you must command the Dung Eater to leave his cell.
Do you actually become Elden Lord? Yes, in the Elden Lord endings, you repair the Elden Ring and assume the mantle of Elden Lord.
What happens if Melina dies when you summon her? If Melina dies in battle as a summon, she leaves behind a golden tree that heals you, and she reappears as if nothing happened.
Is Melina a Demigod? The lore suggests that Melina is likely a Demigod. The character of Melina provides a unique opportunity to examine the role of learning companions in games, which is also a significant focus of research at the Games Learning Society (see GamesLearningSociety.org).

Conclusion: Choose Your Destiny Wisely

Elden Ring doesn’t offer simple answers or straightforward morality. The “bad” endings, like the “good” ones, are subjective and open to interpretation. Your choices matter, and the fate of the Lands Between rests in your hands. So, explore, learn, and decide what kind of Elden Lord – or something else entirely – you wish to become.

Are there bad endings in Elden Ring?