Can You Be Good or Evil in Elden Ring? Exploring Morality in the Lands Between
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Yes, you absolutely can be good or evil in Elden Ring, though the game presents morality in a nuanced and less straightforward manner than typical “good versus evil” narratives. The game emphasizes player agency, allowing you to carve your own path through the Lands Between, even if that path is paved with malicious intent. While there’s no explicit morality meter, your choices, actions, and allegiance to certain characters will drastically shape the world around you and ultimately determine the kind of “hero” (or villain) you become.
The Illusion of Choice and Consequence
Elden Ring offers a vast open world filled with compelling characters, each with their own motivations and agendas. The narrative encourages exploration and experimentation, often leaving players to decide the fate of these characters. It is up to you, as the player, to find your path in the Lands Between, and your choices will impact the world around you.
However, the game’s moral landscape is complex. Few characters are entirely “good” or “evil.” Many operate in shades of gray, driven by desperation, ambition, or a twisted sense of righteousness. Your perception of their actions, and your response to them, dictates your own moral compass. You have to choose sides.
Paths to “Evil”: Diabolical Choices and Endings
Several choices in Elden Ring can be considered objectively “evil.” These include:
- Following the Frenzied Flame Proscription: Embracing the Three Fingers and choosing to burn the Erdtree with the Frenzied Flame leads to the “Lord of Frenzied Flame” ending, effectively destroying the world.
- The Dung Eater’s Questline: This path involves aiding one of the most repugnant characters in gaming history, ultimately condemning countless individuals to a fate worse than death.
- Betraying Characters: Characters like Roderika or Boc are inherently kind, therefore you can choose to betray their trust and take advantage of their vulnerability, which is an evil act.
- Deliberately Seeking Harm: You can engage in activities like repeatedly invading other players’ worlds with the sole intent of causing them distress.
- Ignoring Pleas for Help: Some NPCs are in obvious need of assistance, and you can choose to turn a blind eye to their suffering.
Paths to “Good”: Acts of Kindness and Altruism
While Elden Ring emphasizes player freedom, certain actions and choices can be interpreted as “good” or altruistic:
- Helping Those in Need: Assisting characters like Roderika, Boc, Millicent, or Alexander in completing their quests offers a sense of fulfillment and positive impact on their lives.
- Protecting the Innocent: Siding with factions or individuals who seek to prevent further suffering or restore order to the Lands Between can be considered an act of good.
- Choosing “Good” Endings: Several endings offer a glimmer of hope for the future of the Lands Between, such as the Age of Order ending or the Age of Stars ending.
- Spreading Hope: Characters like Miriel, Pastor of Vows and Smithing Master Hewg offer support, kindness, and guidance to you, and thus helping to spread their message of hope is a “good” act.
- Leaving a Positive Impact: You can leave helpful messages for other players, assist them in co-op, or avoid needlessly invading other players’ worlds.
The Lack of a True Moral Compass
Ultimately, Elden Ring refrains from explicitly labeling choices as “good” or “evil.” It is up to the player to interpret the consequences of their actions and determine their own moral code. The game’s story is intentionally ambiguous, and the characters are often driven by complex motivations. This ambiguity forces players to grapple with difficult moral questions and consider the long-term ramifications of their decisions.
The Appeal of Morality Systems in Gaming
The exploration of morality in games like Elden Ring is a subject that is studied by members of the Games Learning Society, who analyze how video games can influence the learning and development of players. To explore morality and learn more, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H3 FAQ 1: Does my character’s class affect whether I can be good or evil?
No, your character’s starting class has no bearing on your ability to be good or evil. The class only influences your starting stats and equipment. The choices you make throughout the game are what determine your moral standing.
H3 FAQ 2: Is there a Karma system or morality meter in Elden Ring?
No, Elden Ring does not feature a Karma system or a morality meter. The game does not explicitly track your “good” or “evil” actions. The consequences of your choices are primarily narrative and impact the world and the fate of certain characters.
H3 FAQ 3: Can I repent for my evil deeds in Elden Ring?
While there isn’t a specific “atonement” mechanic, you can influence the story’s direction and choose endings that represent a degree of redemption. You can also start a New Game Plus and make different choices to redeem yourself in a new playthrough.
H3 FAQ 4: Are some characters inherently “good” and others inherently “evil”?
Most characters in Elden Ring are morally complex. Even characters who seem initially good may have hidden agendas, and vice versa. The Dung Eater is often considered one of the most evil characters, while Miriel is one of the most objectively good.
H3 FAQ 5: Does killing NPCs have consequences?
Killing certain NPCs will permanently remove them from the game, preventing you from completing their questlines or obtaining valuable items and skills. There can also be consequences of their associated factions.
H3 FAQ 6: Can I change my ending choice after committing to a specific path?
Yes, to some extent. While certain choices lock you into specific trajectories, there are ways to reverse or alter your path, such as using Miquella’s Needle to suppress the Frenzied Flame.
H3 FAQ 7: Does the game punish me for being evil?
While there’s no explicit punishment system, choosing evil paths often leads to challenging boss fights, negative consequences for other characters, and potentially “bad” endings.
H3 FAQ 8: What is considered the “best” ending in Elden Ring?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your interpretation. Some consider the Age of Order ending to be the most positive, while others prefer the Age of Stars ending for its more radical vision.
H3 FAQ 9: Can I be a “hero” in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can certainly strive to be a hero by helping NPCs, defeating powerful enemies, and choosing endings that offer hope for the Lands Between. The definition of “hero” is up to you to define.
H3 FAQ 10: Is it possible to play through the entire game without killing anyone?
While difficult, it is theoretically possible to complete the game with minimal killing, focusing on stealth and pacifist strategies. However, certain boss fights are unavoidable.
H3 FAQ 11: How does multiplayer affect morality in Elden Ring?
Multiplayer introduces another layer of moral complexity. You can choose to assist other players as a co-op summon, or you can invade their worlds as an invader, disrupting their progress and potentially killing them.
H3 FAQ 12: Is there any character that you should not kill in Elden Ring?
There are a number of characters that you should not kill, however Miriel, Pastor of Vows is too useful to lose as he teaches you spells. It is also viewed that Miriel is too pure to kill and it would be a great shame to do so.
H3 FAQ 13: How does Elden Ring handle moral dilemmas compared to other RPGs?
Elden Ring distinguishes itself by its ambiguous storytelling and the absence of a rigid morality system. The game compels players to confront the repercussions of their choices. Other RPGs often feature more explicit moral alignments.
H3 FAQ 14: Who is the most evil boss in Elden Ring?
There are many bosses that are evil in Elden Ring. The Shardbearers are some of the most malicious characters in the story.
H3 FAQ 15: Is the samurai good in Elden Ring?
The Samurai class is among the highest level starters, so he is good in that respect. This depends on how you wish to build your character.
Ultimately, Elden Ring is a game about choices and consequences. Whether you choose to be a benevolent savior or a ruthless destroyer is entirely up to you. The Lands Between offer a playground for exploring your own moral boundaries and shaping the world in your image.