Can You Finish Quests After Beating Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of what happens to your unfinished business in the Lands Between after you’ve defeated the final boss, the Elden Beast, is a common one among Tarnished. The short answer is: no, you cannot continue to complete or progress quests in your current game save after defeating the Elden Beast and choosing an ending. Once you’ve triggered an ending, the game world essentially locks into that state and you are presented with the choice to either stay in your current world to prepare for New Game+ or to immediately begin your journey again from the start in NG+. Any open questlines will remain in their current state but will not be able to be progressed.
Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the implications of initiating the final boss fight and choosing an ending. Many quests in Elden Ring have multiple stages, branching paths, and even missable components. Knowing when to prioritize quests before tackling the final challenge can significantly impact your overall experience. The game encourages exploration and experimentation, but the nature of its progression can be tricky if you’re aiming to experience all the content in a single playthrough.
Understanding the Post-Elden Beast World
After defeating the Elden Beast, a Site of Grace appears near the fractured Marika statue. This is your pivotal moment. Here, you’ll interact with the statue to choose an ending, or, if you’ve fulfilled certain criteria, you might be prompted with the summoning sign for Ranni instead. Choosing an ending triggers the game’s ending cinematic, after which you’ll be presented with a choice to remain in your current game or start a New Game Plus. Regardless, at this point the game state is fixed, and all quests will remain in their current state.
Choosing an ending means your current game will not be further modifiable. This isn’t a “point of no return” in the sense that you are prevented from experiencing that content at all. You will have a chance to complete any missed quests or endings in the subsequent NG+ playthroughs. You’ll also be able to change your appearance, build, and generally explore the game again with all the knowledge and gear you’ve gained, allowing for an even richer gameplay experience.
Preparing Before the Final Battle
Before facing the Elden Beast, make sure you’ve explored all corners of the map, completed as many side quests as possible, and acquired all the key items you want. This also includes ensuring you’ve met all the major NPCs and fulfilled any necessary conditions for their questlines. Key actions like collecting the Finger Slayer Blade or defeating Rykard can affect other questlines, so be mindful of your decisions. Remember, Blaidd’s quest is a prime example of an easily missed one if you don’t talk to Kale at the Church of Elleh after hearing his howl. Ranni’s questline, one of the longest in the game, is another that rewards diligent exploration.
The Importance of New Game Plus
New Game Plus is an integral part of the Elden Ring experience. It allows you to carry over your level, equipment, and items to a new game cycle, while also increasing the difficulty. If you missed out on a particular ending or questline, New Game Plus is your second chance (and third and fourth etc.). It’s also a good opportunity to replay the game with a different build, try out new weapons, and explore the Lands Between from a fresh perspective. Many players consider NG+ essential for fully completing the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I still explore the world after beating the Elden Beast?
Yes, after defeating the Elden Beast and triggering an ending, you’ll have the option to remain in your current game world and explore, collect items and prepare for New Game+, but you cannot progress quests that have not already been completed. The world will remain in the state you left it before the ending cinematic. You also have the option to begin NG+ immediately from this screen.
2. Does going to Altus Plateau ruin any quests?
While traveling to the Altus Plateau doesn’t inherently ruin quests, certain actions there, such as acquiring the Finger Slayer Blade or defeating Rykard, can significantly affect some NPC questlines.
3. What are some easily missable quests in Elden Ring?
Blaidd’s questline is one of the most easily missed if you don’t speak to Kale at the Church of Elleh after hearing his howl in the Mistwood Ruins.
4. Who has the longest questline in Elden Ring?
Ranni’s questline is one of the most extensive, requiring travel to multiple locations and the defeat of multiple bosses, including two Demi-Gods.
5. What is the best ending in Elden Ring?
The ‘best’ ending is subjective, but many players consider the Age of the Stars ending (achieved through Ranni‘s quest) to be the most rewarding and positive outcome for the Lands Between.
6. Can I choose a different ending in New Game Plus?
Yes, New Game Plus allows you to experience different endings by completing their respective requirements. You are not locked into a single ending from your first playthrough.
7. What is the hardest ending to achieve in Elden Ring?
The Lord of the Frenzied Flame ending is often considered the hardest to unlock due to its esoteric requirements and potentially missing it entirely.
8. Is there any DLC for Elden Ring?
Yes, FromSoftware has released downloadable content for Elden Ring, adding to the content and enriching the experience.
9. What is the recommended level for the Elden Beast?
Players should aim to be around level 120 or higher with weapons at +22 or above for the final encounter with the Elden Beast.
10. What reward do I get for defeating the Elden Beast?
Upon defeating the Elden Beast, you’ll receive 375,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Elden Beast which can be used at Roundtable Hold for powerful weapons and abilities.
11. Can I cheese the Elden Beast?
Yes, although it may not be the most challenging boss in the game, there are methods to “cheese” the Elden Beast, such as focusing high-damage attacks on its rear.
12. Is Ranni a good or evil character?
Ranni is considered a morally grey character, but her ending is often regarded as one of the better outcomes for the Lands Between.
13. What does the Dung Eater ending do?
Dung Eater’s ending, Blessing of Despair, involves spreading his curse throughout the Lands Between for eternity. It is one of the darker endings.
14. What is the ‘true’ ending of Elden Ring?
The standard ending, The Age of Fracture, where the Tarnished becomes the Elden Lord is a common ‘true’ ending however this term is subjective as there are multiple outcomes available.
15. Which are some of the hardest bosses in Elden Ring?
Some of the most challenging bosses include Malenia, Blade of Miquella, Starscourge Radahn, and the Godskin Duo.
In conclusion, while you can’t complete unfinished quests in your current game after defeating the Elden Beast, Elden Ring’s New Game Plus system offers a fantastic opportunity to experience all the content you may have missed, explore alternate endings, and generally replay the game with a more robust character build. Prepare thoroughly before you face the final boss, and remember that every ending is part of the journey.