Can You Do Other Endings After Frenzied Flame in Elden Ring?
Yes, you absolutely can do other endings after receiving the Frenzied Flame in Elden Ring, but it requires a specific and somewhat challenging process. You are not permanently locked into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. However, merely achieving another ending will not automatically remove the Frenzied Flame mark. You must undergo a separate process of removing the Frenzied Flame to avoid triggering that ending sequence.
Understanding the Frenzied Flame Ending
Before diving into how to reverse the Frenzied Flame, it’s crucial to understand what triggers it. The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is triggered by inheriting the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers beneath the Cathedral of the Forsaken in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds of Leyndell. This action brands your character with the Frenzied Flame mark, and if no action is taken to remove it, you will automatically trigger this ending after defeating the final boss.
The Implications of Inheriting the Frenzied Flame
Inheriting the Frenzied Flame alters your character’s appearance and effectively places a “flag” in your game save. This flag designates you as the destined Lord of Frenzied Flame. While it might seem like a point of no return, Elden Ring provides a way out, emphasizing its commitment to player choice, even after seemingly irreversible decisions.
Reversing the Frenzied Flame: Miquella’s Needle
The key to averting the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending lies in obtaining and using Miquella’s Needle. This unique key item is crafted from Unalloyed Gold Needle after defeating Malenia, Blade of Miquella, one of the most challenging optional bosses in the game.
Obtaining the Unalloyed Gold Needle
The Unalloyed Gold Needle is dropped by Malenia upon her defeat. You will find her deep within the Haligtree, an optional area accessible after collecting both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion and using it at the Grand Lift of Rold. Be warned: Malenia is notoriously difficult, requiring patience, skill, and a well-optimized build to overcome.
Converting the Needle: Gowry’s Assistance
After defeating Malenia and obtaining the Unalloyed Gold Needle, you must return to Gowry in Gowry’s Shack in Caelid. He will ask you to give the needle to him, and after a short while, returning to the shack will reveal that Gowry has been experimenting with the needle. He returns the needle to you as the Repaired Unalloyed Gold Needle and asks you to defeat Commander O’Neil to remove the Scarlet Rot. Defeating Commander O’Neil, located in the Aeonia Swamp, and giving Gowry the information completes the quest and allows you to continue the main quest with the unalloyed gold needle.
Using Miquella’s Needle: The Dragonlord’s Domain
The Repaired Unalloyed Gold Needle cannot be used just anywhere. It must be used within the arena of the Placidusax boss fight, accessed by lying down in the dilapidated arena, after defeating Maliketh, the Black Blade, and progressing far enough in Crumbling Farum Azula. This hidden area is found by carefully navigating the floating ruins and finding a spot to lie down and be transported back in time. Using Miquella’s Needle in this specific location will remove the Frenzied Flame, allowing you to pursue other endings. This process cannot be undone.
Important Considerations When Using Miquella’s Needle
- Timing is Crucial: Using Miquella’s Needle before defeating the final boss is essential. Once you trigger the final ending sequence, you will be locked into whichever ending condition is active.
- One-Time Use: Miquella’s Needle can only be used once. Ensure you are prepared to commit to removing the Frenzied Flame before using it.
- Backup Saves: As a precaution, many players create backup saves before using Miquella’s Needle. This allows them to experiment with both the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending and another ending without having to replay the entire game.
After Removing the Frenzied Flame
Once you have successfully used Miquella’s Needle to remove the Frenzied Flame, you are free to pursue any of the other available endings in Elden Ring. This includes the Elden Lord endings (Age of Order, Age of Stars, Blessing of Despair, etc.) and any other ending you qualify for based on your actions throughout the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I defeat the final boss before removing the Frenzied Flame?
If you defeat the final boss while the Frenzied Flame mark is active, you will automatically trigger the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. There’s no way to circumvent this without loading a previous save.
2. Can I still get the Frenzied Flame ending after using Miquella’s Needle?
No. Once you use Miquella’s Needle to remove the Frenzied Flame, it is permanently removed, and you can no longer trigger the Frenzied Flame ending in that playthrough.
3. Does using Miquella’s Needle affect my ability to get other endings?
No, using Miquella’s Needle does not negatively affect your ability to achieve other endings. It simply removes the Frenzied Flame as the default ending.
4. Do I have to fight Malenia to remove the Frenzied Flame?
Yes, defeating Malenia is a prerequisite for obtaining the Unalloyed Gold Needle, which is necessary for crafting Miquella’s Needle.
5. Can I use Miquella’s Needle in New Game Plus (NG+)?
Yes, you can obtain the Unalloyed Gold Needle and craft Miquella’s Needle in NG+, allowing you to reverse the Frenzied Flame ending in subsequent playthroughs.
6. Does removing the Frenzied Flame change my character’s appearance?
Yes, removing the Frenzied Flame with Miquella’s Needle will remove the Frenzied Flame mark from your character’s appearance.
7. Can I get multiple endings in a single playthrough of Elden Ring?
No, you can only trigger one ending per playthrough. To experience different endings, you must either load a previous save or begin a New Game Plus (NG+) playthrough.
8. Where exactly do I use Miquella’s Needle in the Placidusax arena?
You can use Miquella’s Needle anywhere within the arena where you fought Dragonlord Placidusax.
9. What happens if I don’t talk to Gowry after defeating Malenia?
If you don’t give the Unalloyed Gold Needle to Gowry, you won’t be able to progress the quest and obtain the repaired needle, which is the Miquella’s Needle. It’s a necessary step in the process.
10. Is it possible to miss the opportunity to inherit the Frenzied Flame?
No, you cannot miss the opportunity to inherit the Frenzied Flame. The Three Fingers will always be waiting beneath the Cathedral of the Forsaken, regardless of your progress in the game.
11. Does the order in which I complete other questlines affect whether I can remove the Frenzied Flame?
No, the order in which you complete other questlines does not affect your ability to remove the Frenzied Flame using Miquella’s Needle. The removal process is independent of other quests.
12. Is there a way to remove the Frenzied Flame without fighting Malenia?
No, unfortunately, defeating Malenia and obtaining the Unalloyed Gold Needle is the only known method to craft Miquella’s Needle and reverse the Frenzied Flame ending.
13. What level should I be before attempting to fight Malenia?
It’s generally recommended to be at least level 120-150 with a fully upgraded weapon (+25 standard or +10 somber) before attempting to fight Malenia. However, skilled players can defeat her at lower levels.
14. Can I use Miquella’s Needle while in co-op?
No, you cannot use Miquella’s Needle while summoning other players to co-op play. You must use it while alone.
15. Does removing the Frenzied Flame affect my ability to get the “All Endings” trophy (if one existed)?
If a hypothetical “All Endings” trophy existed, removing the Frenzied Flame and then completing the game with another ending would still contribute towards unlocking the trophy, as you would have experienced both endings across multiple playthroughs.
By following these steps and understanding the mechanics, you can successfully navigate the complex ending choices in Elden Ring and achieve the ending you desire, even after embracing the Frenzied Flame.