Can You Bring Back Dead NPCs in Elden Ring?

The Lands Between in Elden Ring is a harsh and unforgiving world, and even the most careful Tarnished will inevitably face the consequences of death, both their own and that of the NPCs they encounter. So, the burning question remains: Can you bring back dead NPCs in Elden Ring? The short, somewhat disheartening answer is: Generally, no, you cannot permanently revive dead NPCs in Elden Ring. However, the situation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s delve into the specifics.

Understanding NPC Death in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, when an NPC dies, whether by your hand (accidental or intentional), by an enemy’s, or due to story events, they are typically gone for good. This differs significantly from some other RPGs where resurrection spells or mechanics are readily available. Unlike reviving Torrent, your spectral steed, which is achievable through a Flask of Crimson Tears, NPC deaths are far more permanent.

The Finality of Death

The permanency of NPC death underscores the weight of your decisions and actions within the game. Killing an NPC, even unintentionally, can lock you out of questlines, vendors, and crucial lore insights. This encourages players to consider the ramifications of their choices and to approach NPC interactions with a degree of caution. It’s also a major reason why many players choose to create multiple characters, allowing them to explore different paths without permanently altering their “main” playthrough.

Exceptions and Circumstances

While true resurrection isn’t possible, there are a few key exceptions and circumstances to consider:

• Accidental Aggression and Absolution: If you accidentally attack an NPC and they become hostile, you can seek Absolution at the Church of Vows. Using a Celestial Dew at the altar will usually reset their aggression, allowing you to continue interacting with them. This doesn’t revive them, but it prevents their permanent death if you’ve only made them hostile.

• Story-Related Deaths: Some NPCs are scripted to die as part of the main storyline or specific questlines. In these cases, their deaths are unavoidable and often serve to advance the narrative. This isn’t a matter of being able to revive them, but rather accepting the pre-determined events of the game.

• New Game Plus (NG+): While technically not a resurrection, starting a New Game Plus allows you to replay the entire game, essentially resetting all NPC states. This means you can encounter and interact with them again, even if they died in your previous playthrough. This provides an opportunity to complete missed questlines or make different choices.

The Importance of NPC Questlines

Many NPCs in Elden Ring offer intricate and rewarding questlines that can lead to powerful weapons, armor, spells, and invaluable knowledge. These quests often require careful attention to dialogue, specific actions, and exploration of hidden areas. The death of an NPC can halt progress on these quests, making careful consideration and strategic gameplay essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further clarity on the topic of NPC deaths in Elden Ring:

1. Can I use a Rebirth Larva to revive a dead NPC?

No, Rebirth Larvae allow you to respec your character’s stats but do not affect the state of NPCs, dead or alive.

2. Does Absolution bring back dead NPCs?

No, Absolution only reverses hostility caused by accidental aggression. It doesn’t revive NPCs who have already died.

3. If I kill an NPC accidentally, is there any way to undo it without starting over?

Unfortunately, without resorting to New Game Plus, there’s no in-game mechanic to undo the death of an NPC. This is one of the harsher aspects of the game.

4. Can I reload a previous save to bring back a dead NPC?

Elden Ring does not allow manual saving and loading. The game uses an autosave system, making it impossible to revert to a previous point before an NPC’s death unless you’ve backed up your save externally (which is generally frowned upon).

5. Are there any mods that allow me to revive dead NPCs?

Yes, some mods available in the PC version of Elden Ring allow you to manipulate the game world, including reviving NPCs. However, using mods can have unintended consequences and may affect online play if the mods aren’t specifically designed for offline use.

6. What happens to the items that a dead NPC would have sold?

If a merchant NPC dies, their Bell Bearing will usually drop. You can give this Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold, allowing you to purchase the items they would have sold.

7. Does killing an NPC affect my ending?

Some NPC questlines are tied to specific endings. Killing certain NPCs can lock you out of those endings. Consider researching which NPCs are critical to your desired ending.

8. Is it possible to accidentally kill an essential NPC for the main storyline?

It is possible to kill NPCs that offer beneficial quests, however, the game is generally designed to avoid locking you completely out of the main storyline through NPC deaths. You might miss out on valuable items or information, but progressing the central narrative is usually still possible.

9. What’s the best way to avoid accidentally killing an NPC?

Be extremely cautious when using AoE (Area of Effect) attacks or spells near NPCs. Also, pay close attention to your target lock. Consider unequipping your weapon in friendly areas to minimize the risk of accidental attacks.

10. If I kill an NPC early in the game, will they respawn later?

No, NPCs do not respawn during a single playthrough. Their death is permanent until you start a New Game Plus.

11. Can I summon other players to help me protect NPCs?

Yes, you can summon other players for co-op play, and they can assist in protecting NPCs from enemies. However, be mindful that summoned players can also accidentally harm NPCs if they aren’t careful.

12. Does changing my character’s appearance at the mirror affect dead NPCs?

No, changing your character’s appearance only alters your character’s visuals. It has no impact on the state of NPCs.

13. Are there any hidden items or spells that allow for NPC revival?

No, there are no hidden items or spells within the vanilla game that allow you to revive dead NPCs.

14. Does playing offline change the consequences of killing an NPC?

Playing offline does not change the consequences of killing an NPC. Their death remains permanent within that playthrough. The only difference is you avoid the risk of PvP invasions related to your actions.

15. How does New Game Plus affect NPC death?

New Game Plus essentially resets the game world, including all NPC states. They will be alive and well, allowing you to interact with them as if it were your first playthrough. However, you retain your character’s level, equipment, and other progress. This offers a second chance to engage with NPC questlines you may have missed or ruined in your previous game.