Can You Change Ending After Beating Elden Beast? A Tarnished’s Guide to Fate
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So, you’ve felled the Elden Beast, the culmination of your arduous journey through the Lands Between. The credits roll, the weight of a shattered world settles upon your shoulders… but a nagging question remains: Can you change the ending after beating Elden Beast?
The short answer is yes, with a caveat. After defeating the Elden Beast, you are given the choice of which ending to trigger based on the prerequisites you’ve met throughout the game. However, once you select an ending, that playthrough is complete. You cannot immediately reload and choose a different one.
But fear not, Tarnished! FromSoftware games are known for their replayability, and Elden Ring is no exception. This article will delve into the nuances of Elden Ring’s multiple endings and how you can experience them all.
Unlocking Elden Ring’s Multiple Endings
Elden Ring boasts a rich tapestry of possible endings, each reflecting the choices and allegiances you’ve forged along the way. These endings aren’t simply handed to you; they require specific actions, quest completions, and the acquisition of key items. Before facing the Elden Beast, make sure you’ve secured the necessary conditions for the ending(s) you desire.
Pre-Elden Beast Preparation is Key
This is where things get interesting. Several endings are tied to specific NPC questlines. Miss a step, and you might lock yourself out of a particular fate for the Lands Between. Some notable questlines include:
- Ranni the Witch: Following Ranni’s questline unlocks the “Age of Stars” ending, arguably the most unique and visually stunning ending. This involves a complex series of tasks involving Blaidd, Seluvis, and several key locations.
- Fia, the Deathbed Companion: Completing Fia’s questline allows you to mend the Elden Ring with the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, leading to the “Age of Duskborn” ending.
- Corhyn and Goldmask: Helping Corhyn and Goldmask with their theological research allows you to mend the Elden Ring with the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, leading to the “Age of Perfect Order” ending.
- Dung Eater: (Beware, this quest is… unsavory.) Completing the Dung Eater’s questline allows you to mend the Elden Ring with the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, leading to the “Age of Despair” ending.
- Hyetta and the Frenzied Flame: Embracing the Three Fingers and becoming the Lord of Frenzied Flame unlocks the “Lord of Frenzied Flame” ending. However, this ending will override all others unless you complete Millicent’s questline and obtain Miquella’s Needle to purge the Frenzied Flame.
- The Default Ending: If you don’t fulfil the requirements for any of the special endings, you’ll trigger the standard “Elden Lord” ending, where you simply mend the Elden Ring.
Crucially, after defeating the Elden Beast, you are presented with multiple interaction points where you choose which shards of the Elden Ring to mend together. These interaction points only appear if you’ve completed the corresponding questlines and obtained the necessary Mending Runes. If you’ve unlocked multiple endings, you’ll have multiple choices. If you’ve only unlocked one, then that’s your ending.
The Power of New Game Plus (NG+)
This is where the ‘caveat’ comes into play. If you want to experience all the endings Elden Ring has to offer, you’ll need to embark on New Game Plus (NG+). After seeing your chosen ending, the game will prompt you to start a new journey. Choosing “yes” will begin NG+, allowing you to replay the entire game with your character’s stats, equipment (with a few exceptions), and memories intact.
This is your opportunity to pursue different questlines and unlock different endings. In NG+, you can make different choices, explore new areas, and ultimately shape a different destiny for the Lands Between.
Important Note: All Sites of Grace, maps, and key items will reset in NG+. You’ll need to rediscover them. However, your level, weapons, armor, talismans, spirit ashes, and most other items carry over. This makes subsequent playthroughs significantly easier, allowing you to focus on the quests and choices necessary to unlock the endings you haven’t yet seen.
Purging the Frenzied Flame – A Critical Exception
As previously mentioned, the “Lord of Frenzied Flame” ending has a unique condition. Once you’ve been embraced by the Three Fingers, that ending will be unavoidable unless you undertake a specific task: using Miquella’s Needle within Placidusax’s arena in Crumbling Farum Azula to purge the Frenzied Flame. This needle can only be obtained by completing Millicent’s questline and defeating her sisters.
If you fail to purge the Frenzied Flame, the “Lord of Frenzied Flame” ending will automatically trigger regardless of any other endings you may have unlocked. So, if you want to experience other endings and still see what the Frenzied Flame offers, make sure to complete Millicent’s questline before the Elden Beast.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Elden Ring Endings
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Elden Ring’s ending system:
1. Can I save before the Elden Beast and reload to see different endings?
No, once you select an ending, the credits roll and the game ends. You cannot reload a save to choose a different ending in the same playthrough.
2. Do I need to beat all the bosses in NG+ to unlock endings?
No, you only need to beat the required bosses to progress the story and reach the Elden Beast. Optional bosses are not necessary for unlocking specific endings, though they can provide valuable rewards and experience.
3. Does difficulty increase in NG+?
Yes, enemies in NG+ are slightly stronger than in your first playthrough. However, your significantly improved character build will likely offset this increase.
4. What items don’t carry over to NG+?
Key items like Great Runes, Sites of Grace, map fragments, and Bell Bearings (for purchasing smithing stones) do not carry over to NG+.
5. Is there a ‘true’ ending in Elden Ring?
No, Elden Ring doesn’t have a single “true” ending. Each ending is valid and represents a different outcome based on your choices. The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal preferences.
6. Can I revert the Frenzied Flame after defeating the Elden Beast?
No, you must use Miquella’s Needle in Placidusax’s arena before defeating the Elden Beast to revert the Frenzied Flame. After the fight, it’s too late.
7. How many times can I do NG+?
You can do NG+ up to seven times, with each iteration increasing the difficulty until it plateaus around NG+7.
8. Does completing an ending lock me out of any other content in that playthrough?
Yes, completing any ending will immediately trigger the credits and end that playthrough, preventing you from exploring further or completing unfinished side quests. Make sure you’ve done everything you want to do before facing the Elden Beast and selecting an ending.
9. What are Mending Runes and how do they work?
Mending Runes are key items obtained by completing specific NPC questlines. After defeating the Elden Beast, you can use these runes to “mend” the Elden Ring, triggering the corresponding ending associated with that rune.
10. Can I skip bosses in NG+?
Yes, you can skip optional bosses in NG+ if you choose to focus on the main story path and the quests required for your desired ending.
11. Does my level affect the endings I can achieve?
No, your level doesn’t directly affect the endings you can achieve. The endings are determined by the specific questlines you complete and the items you acquire. However, a higher level will make completing those quests significantly easier.
12. What happens if I accidentally attack an NPC related to an ending?
Attacking an NPC can negatively impact their questline and potentially lock you out of an associated ending. You can attempt to absolve yourself at the Church of Vows using Celestial Dew, but this isn’t guaranteed to fix every situation.
13. Is there a way to track which endings I’ve already seen?
Unfortunately, Elden Ring doesn’t provide an in-game tracker for the endings you’ve achieved. You’ll need to keep track of them yourself, perhaps by making notes or using an online checklist.
14. Are there any achievements or trophies related to the different endings?
Yes, there are specific achievements/trophies for achieving each of the major endings in Elden Ring. Obtaining all of them is a significant accomplishment for completionists.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and implications of each ending?
Exploring the Lands Between, reading item descriptions, and listening carefully to NPC dialogue are excellent ways to learn more about the lore surrounding each ending. The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource to delve deeper into the educational value of games like Elden Ring and understand the intricate narrative and design choices behind its branching storylines. You can find them at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Embrace the Replayability
Elden Ring’s multiple endings offer a compelling reason to return to the Lands Between again and again. Each ending provides a different perspective on the fate of the world and allows you to explore different facets of the game’s rich lore and complex characters. So, don’t be afraid to embrace the challenge and forge your own path towards a new destiny in NG+! The Lands Between await your Tarnished soul, ready to be shaped by your choices. Good luck, and may your journey be filled with grace.