Can You Get Shard of Alexander Without Completing His Questline in Elden Ring?

In the vast and treacherous world of Elden Ring, players are constantly seeking powerful tools to enhance their combat prowess. One such coveted item is the Shard of Alexander, a talisman that significantly boosts skill damage. The burning question for many Tarnished is: Can you acquire this talisman without meticulously following Alexander the Iron Fist’s sometimes convoluted questline?

The direct answer is no. The Shard of Alexander is exclusively obtained by either completing Alexander’s questline or by defeating him at its conclusion in Crumbling Farum Azula. If you decide to forgo the quest and simply eliminate him early, you’ll receive the Warrior Jar Shard instead (provided you fight him before Crumbling Farum Azula). This lesser variant, while still useful, offers a smaller boost to skill damage. Therefore, to claim the superior Shard of Alexander, you must either see Alexander’s quest to its bittersweet end or choose to prematurely end his journey in Farum Azula.

The Allure of the Shard of Alexander: Why Bother with the Quest?

The Shard of Alexander is a powerful talisman that significantly increases the damage of your character’s skills by 15%. This makes it an indispensable asset for builds heavily reliant on weapon arts, Ashes of War, and other skill-based attacks. Its effectiveness is undeniable, pushing it high on the list of priorities for many builds.

Understanding the Value Proposition

Compared to its lesser counterpart, the Warrior Jar Shard, the Shard of Alexander’s extra damage boost is substantial. This is a critical difference, especially in later stages of the game where enemies possess immense health pools and defenses. The extra percentage points can be the difference between staggering a boss and being flattened, or finishing off an enemy with a single critical skill.

Navigating Alexander’s Questline: A Road Map

Alexander’s quest is a refreshingly straightforward journey, albeit with a few easily missable steps. You’ll encounter this rotund warrior throughout your travels, and it’s crucial to interact with him at each key location to keep his quest progressing. Skipping these interactions will not only cause frustration but also could make it difficult to complete the quest later.

Key Encounters & Their Significance

1. Limgrave: His quest begins in Limgrave, where he is stuck in a hole. Free him by striking him from behind with a weapon.

2. Stormhill: After freeing him from Limgrave, he’ll reappear near Stormhill Shack, north of Stormgate. Exhaust his dialogue here.

3. Redmane Castle: Next, he participates in the Radahn Festival at Redmane Castle, crucial for opening up the path to Nokron. Speak to him in the courtyard before challenging Radahn.

4. Liurnia of the Lakes: After defeating Radahn, find him in Liurnia of the Lakes, near Jarburg. He’ll be stuck again. This time, you’ll need an Oil Pot to free him.

5. Mt. Gelmir: He then moves to Mt. Gelmir, near the Lava Pool. He’s training in the lava. Speak to him again after he’s finished his training.

6. Crumbling Farum Azula: Finally, he arrives in Crumbling Farum Azula. He’ll ask to duel you. Accept, and defeating him will grant you the Shard of Alexander.

What Happens If You Miss an Encounter?

It’s important to note that while missing early encounters doesn’t necessarily break the quest, it does make it trickier. If you’ve already defeated Radahn, you can still find him in Liurnia of the Lakes. However, you will miss out on some dialogue and potentially some context.

The End of the Line

Upon arriving in Crumbling Farum Azula, you will find Alexander ready for a duel. Accepting his challenge and emerging victorious will reward you with the coveted Shard of Alexander. It’s a bittersweet moment, as you’re essentially ending the journey of a beloved character, but the reward is undeniable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Obtaining the Shard of Alexander

1. Can I still do Alexander’s quest after killing the Fire Giant?

Yes, but with potential complications. Some reports indicate that certain NPC questlines, including Alexander’s, can be disrupted after defeating the Fire Giant. Proceed with caution. It’s safer to complete his quest before venturing too far into the late-game areas.

2. Can I start Alexander’s quest if I’ve already beaten Radahn?

Yes, you can still begin Alexander’s quest even after defeating Starscourge Radahn. However, you’ll need to find him in Liurnia of the Lakes, and you will have missed some earlier interactions.

3. What happens if I kill Alexander before Crumbling Farum Azula?

If you kill Alexander before reaching Crumbling Farum Azula, you will only receive the Warrior Jar Shard, not the Shard of Alexander. You’ll also lock yourself out of completing his quest.

4. What is the difference between the Warrior Jar Shard and the Shard of Alexander?

The Shard of Alexander provides a greater damage boost to skills (15%) compared to the Warrior Jar Shard. They are both talismans that increase the damage of weapon skills, but the Shard of Alexander provides a more substantial boost.

5. How do I free Alexander from the hole in Liurnia of the Lakes?

To free Alexander in Liurnia of the Lakes, you need to craft an Oil Pot using the Crafting Kit and the following ingredients: Cracked Pot and Oil. Then, throw the Oil Pot at him to loosen him up. Afterward, hit him with your weapon to free him completely.

6. Is Alexander a good summon for the Fire Giant?

Yes, Alexander can be summoned for the Fire Giant fight. He can draw aggro and provide valuable support, but remember that summoning him will increase the boss’s health and damage.

7. What are Alexander’s Innards used for?

Alexander’s Innards are a key item obtained after defeating Alexander at the end of his quest. You need to give them to Jar Bairn in Jarburg to obtain the Companion Jar Talisman.

8. What does the Companion Jar Talisman do?

The Companion Jar Talisman, received from Jar Bairn, improves the potency of thrown jar items. This can significantly boost the damage and effectiveness of items like Fire Pots, Lightning Pots, and other jar-based consumables.

9. Does the Shard of Alexander stack with other skill-boosting items?

Yes, the Shard of Alexander stacks additively with other talismans like the Godfrey Icon, which enhances charged skills. Experiment with different combinations to maximize your skill damage output.

10. Where is Jarburg located, and how do I access it?

Jarburg is located in Liurnia of the Lakes, south of the Carian Study Hall. To reach it, you must carefully descend the cliff face on the eastern side, near the area with the Living Jars.

11. What are Stonesword Keys, and where can I find them?

Stonesword Keys are consumable items used to unlock Imp Statues, which often guard valuable areas and items. They can be found throughout the Lands Between, purchased from merchants, or received as rewards for completing dungeons.

12. Is Ranni’s questline missable?

Yes, Ranni’s questline is one of the most easily missable quests in Elden Ring, as it involves numerous steps and triggers. Completing certain events, such as defeating Radahn, before starting her quest can render it impossible to finish.

13. What happens if I kill merchants in Elden Ring?

Killing merchants will cause them to drop their Bell Bearing. Offering the Bell Bearing to the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold allows you to purchase their wares indefinitely.

14. What level should I be to fight Radahn?

It is generally recommended to be at least level 70 before challenging Starscourge Radahn. Ensure you have a well-upgraded weapon and a build suited to your playstyle to increase your chances of success.

15. What is a Potentate in the context of Jarburg?

Becoming Jar Bairn’s “Potentate” is part of the Jar-Bairn questline. It essentially means becoming his guardian and protector. You will have to fulfill a series of tasks for him, showing your commitment to looking after him. Learning from games and understanding the social impact of video games and interactive media can be discussed further with organizations like the Games Learning Society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for further research.

The Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Effort?

Obtaining the Shard of Alexander requires dedication and a willingness to engage with Alexander’s questline. However, the reward is undoubtedly worth the effort for any build that relies heavily on weapon skills and Ashes of War. The significant damage boost it provides can dramatically improve your combat effectiveness, making you a force to be reckoned with in the Lands Between. So, steel yourself, Tarnished, and embark on this rewarding journey to claim your prize.