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Can Killed NPCs Be Revived in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, some killed NPCs in Elden Ring can be revived, but the process isn’t straightforward and doesn’t apply to every character. The mechanic primarily revolves around seeking absolution at the Church of Vows using a rare item called Celestial Dew. However, understanding the nuances of this system is crucial, as there are limitations and alternative outcomes depending on the NPC, the circumstances of their death, and the progress of their respective questlines.

Understanding Absolution and the Church of Vows

The Church of Vows, presided over by the giant turtle Miriel, Pastor of Vows, is the key to reviving NPCs and resolving hostility issues. Located in Liurnia of the Lakes, this location offers a way to atone for your sins against certain characters. However, it’s not a magical cure-all.

Using Celestial Dew

Celestial Dew is the item required to perform absolution at the Church of Vows. When used at the statue, it “absorbs your sins,” which essentially means it resets the state of certain NPCs you might have wronged, including accidentally attacking or killing them. It’s important to note that this doesn’t work on all NPCs, especially those central to the main story or whose deaths trigger significant questline changes.

Celestial Dew can be found in various locations, including:

Ainsel River
Nokron, Eternal City
Purchased from merchants (e.g., the Isolated Merchant near Raya Lucaria Academy after progressing certain questlines)

Limitations of Absolution

It’s crucial to understand that absolution doesn’t simply bring back any dead NPC. It primarily addresses issues of aggression and hostility. If you’ve angered an NPC, making them attack you on sight, using Celestial Dew can reset their disposition, allowing you to interact with them normally again, and allowing you to continue the quests.

However, in many cases, once an NPC is truly dead (especially those involved in major questlines), they are gone for good in that playthrough. Absolution will not magically bring them back to life in those scenarios. It’s also possible that the act of killing them has progressed the questline in a way that cannot be reversed.

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Cases Where Revival Might Work (or Not)

Sellen: As mentioned in the introductory text, Sellen’s situation is complex due to her involvement in a significant questline with multiple possible outcomes. Using Celestial Dew might restore her to a previous state if you killed her prematurely, but it depends on the specific point in the questline and the choices you made.
Boc the Seamster: Boc’s fate is tied to dialogue choices. While the article suggests that encouraging him with good wishes can prevent his death, this is a simplification. Boc’s questline involves him potentially becoming a human, and this process can lead to his demise. Absolution won’t revive him if he dies during that process.
Roderika: If you accidentally attacked and angered Roderika before completing her initial dialogue at Stormhill Shack, Celestial Dew could restore her to a friendly state. However, if she dies later in the questline (if you killed her for example), she is gone for that playthrough.
Other Important NPCs: Generally, if you kill an NPC integral to the main story, like Ranni the Witch, Fia, or Blaidd, they are dead, and the game will proceed with that consequence. Absolution won’t revive them.

Console Commands (PC Only)

The article mentions using console commands on PC to revive NPCs. While this is technically possible, it’s important to understand the implications.

Using console commands can break your game or corrupt your save file.
It bypasses the intended game mechanics and may lead to unexpected consequences.
It’s generally not recommended unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

If you choose to use console commands:

Press the tilde key (`) to open the console.
Click on the dead NPC’s body (or use their RefID if the body is gone).
Type resurrect or resurrect 1 and press Enter.

Resurrect will make the body disappear and respawn the NPC in their original location. Resurrect 1 will make them stand up where they died.

The Importance of Considering Consequences

Elden Ring is designed with consequences in mind. Killing NPCs can have significant repercussions on questlines, item availability, and the overall narrative. Before resorting to killing an NPC, consider the potential ramifications. It’s often best to exhaust all other options or consult a guide to understand the full impact of your actions.

Elden Ring: Can killed NPCs be revived – FAQs

1. Can I revive any NPC I kill in Elden Ring?

No, not all NPCs can be revived. The Celestial Dew and the Church of Vows primarily address issues of hostility. Important NPCs involved in key questlines usually stay dead if killed.

2. How do I use Celestial Dew to revive an NPC?

You don’t exactly “revive” them. Use Celestial Dew at the altar in the Church of Vows to atone for your sins. This resets the disposition of certain NPCs, potentially making them friendly again if you had angered them.

3. Where can I find Celestial Dew?

Celestial Dew can be found in various locations, including Ainsel River, Nokron, Eternal City, and purchased from specific merchants.

4. Does reviving an NPC with Celestial Dew restore their questline?

Sometimes. If you killed an NPC early in their questline, restoring their disposition might allow you to continue it. However, if you killed them later, after making significant progress or choices, the questline may be permanently altered.

5. What happens if I kill Miriel, Pastor of Vows?

Killing Miriel is a bad idea. While you can still use the Church of Vows even if he is dead, he can no longer provide lore or explanations. He doesn’t respawn in a playthrough. He is central to the whole “revive” mechanic.

6. Can I revive Boc the Seamster if he dies during his quest?

Generally, no. Boc’s death, particularly if it happens during his transformation quest, is usually permanent.

7. Will Celestial Dew work on NPCs I killed accidentally?

Yes, this is one of the primary uses for Celestial Dew. If you accidentally attacked and killed an NPC, using it at the Church of Vows may restore their disposition.

8. What’s the difference between “resurrect” and “resurrect 1” in the console commands?

Resurrect will make the NPC’s body disappear and respawn them in their original location. Resurrect 1 will make them stand up right where they died.

9. Is it worth killing Kenneth Haight for the Golden Seed?

It is not worth it to kill him because he will be involved in completing Nepheli Loux’s questline.

10. How long does it take for NPCs to respawn naturally in Elden Ring?

Most important NPCs don’t respawn at all. Basic enemies and minor NPCs will respawn when you rest at a Site of Grace.

11. What happens if the Guide dies in Terraria (referenced in the original text)?

The reference to Terraria is not relevant to Elden Ring.

12. Can I undo killing an NPC to get a different ending?

In most cases, no. The choices you make, including killing NPCs, often have lasting consequences that affect the ending you receive.

13. Is Millicent Malenia’s daughter, and does this affect her revival?

The lore connecting Millicent and Malenia is complex, but it doesn’t directly affect whether Millicent can be revived with Celestial Dew. Her questline has specific outcomes that determine her fate, and once she dies at the end of the quest, she cannot be resurrected.

14. Should I save or fight Millicent?

This depends on your desired outcome. Assisting her rewards you with the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia. Killing her grants Millicent’s Prosthesis, but ends her questline prematurely.

15. Do all creatures in Elden Ring make death saves (referenced from D&D)?

The concept of “death saves” from Dungeons & Dragons doesn’t apply to Elden Ring. NPCs and enemies either die or don’t, without a chance to roll for survival.

In conclusion, while the option to revive NPCs exists in Elden Ring, it’s not a simple solution. Understanding the limitations of Celestial Dew, the importance of consequences, and the specific circumstances of each NPC is crucial for navigating this complex system.

Can killed NPCs be revived Elden Ring?