Can You Use Miquella’s Needle After Killing Placidusax in Elden Ring?
Yes, absolutely! You can use Miquella’s Needle after defeating Dragonlord Placidusax. The key is to use the needle within the Dragonlord Placidusax arena in Crumbling Farum Azula. Whether you use it before or after vanquishing the dragon doesn’t matter; as long as you’re within the designated arena, you’re good to go. This is crucial for players aiming to reverse the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending and pursue a different conclusion to their Elden Ring journey.
Understanding Miquella’s Needle and Its Purpose
Miquella’s Needle is a vital key item in Elden Ring, specifically designed to counteract the effects of the Frenzied Flame. Once you’ve inherited the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers, you’re essentially locked into the Frenzied Flame ending. However, Miquella’s Needle provides a way out, allowing you to subdue the Flame of Frenzy and open up alternative ending possibilities.
The needle is a culmination of a long and challenging questline involving Millicent, and it requires defeating one of the game’s most formidable bosses: Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Getting your hands on this needle is no easy feat, making its proper usage all the more important.
Why Use Miquella’s Needle?
The primary reason for using Miquella’s Needle is to avoid the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. This ending, while valid, drastically alters the fate of the Lands Between. Many players prefer to explore other, potentially more benevolent, conclusions to their adventure.
By using the needle within Placidusax’s arena, you effectively “cure” yourself of the Frenzied Flame. This allows you to interact with the Elden Ring and choose a different ending after defeating the final boss. Remember, once you defeat the final boss without using the needle, you’re locked into the Frenzied Flame ending.
Key Steps to Using Miquella’s Needle
- Obtain Miquella’s Needle: Complete Millicent’s questline and defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Return the Unalloyed Gold Needle to the Scarlet Aeonia left behind after Malenia’s fight.
- Reach Dragonlord Placidusax’s Arena: This hidden arena is located in Crumbling Farum Azula. To access it, you must lie down in a specific spot after defeating the Godskin Duo.
- Use Miquella’s Needle: With the needle in your inventory, simply select it and use it while within the confines of Placidusax’s arena. It doesn’t matter if Placidusax is alive or defeated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Miquella’s Needle and Placidusax
1. Where Exactly is the Dragonlord Placidusax Arena?
The arena is hidden in Crumbling Farum Azula. After defeating the Godskin Duo, search for a ledge where you can lie down in a seemingly empty space. This will transport you to the arena. Look for the floating islands and the distinct, broken architecture.
2. Do I Need to Fight Placidusax to Use the Needle?
No, fighting Dragonlord Placidusax is not a prerequisite. Simply being present in the arena is sufficient to use Miquella’s Needle. You can run straight to the arena and use the needle without engaging the boss.
3. What Happens if I Use the Needle Outside the Arena?
The needle will not work. It is specifically coded to function only within the designated area of the Dragonlord Placidusax arena. Trying to use it elsewhere will result in a prompt indicating it cannot be used here.
4. Can I Get Miquella’s Needle in New Game Plus (NG+)?
Yes, but you’ll need to repeat Millicent’s questline and defeat Malenia again. Your previous progress does not carry over. This means you’ll start fresh in NG+ to acquire the needle.
5. What Level Should I Be to Fight Placidusax?
A recommended level is at least level 100, with a fully upgraded weapon. Placidusax is a challenging boss, so adequate preparation is crucial.
6. What Rewards Do I Get for Defeating Placidusax?
Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax rewards you with 280,000 runes and the Remembrance of the Dragonlord. This Remembrance can be exchanged for powerful weapons and incantations, such as the Dragon King’s Cragblade and Placidusax’s Ruin.
7. Is Placidusax Weak to Any Specific Damage Type?
Placidusax is weak to Piercing damage and attacks to its head(s). Targeting the head deals significantly more damage. He is relatively resistant to most status effects, but Scarlet Rot can still be effective.
8. What Happens if I Accept the Frenzied Flame But Want a Different Ending?
This is where Miquella’s Needle comes in. By using it in Placidusax’s arena, you reverse the effects of the Frenzied Flame, allowing you to choose a different ending.
9. Can I Get Locked Out of Using Miquella’s Needle?
Yes, you can. The point of no return is after defeating the final boss. Once you trigger the ending sequence without having used the needle, you will be locked into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
10. How Do I Start Millicent’s Questline?
Begin by finding Gowry’s Shack in Caelid and speaking to Gowry. He will task you with finding the Unalloyed Gold Needle, which is located in the Church of the Plague.
11. Is Malenia Harder Than Dragonlord Placidusax?
Many players consider Malenia to be the harder boss due to her aggressive attacks, ability to heal with each hit, and the infamous Waterfowl Dance. However, Placidusax is still a formidable opponent with his unique teleportation and lightning attacks.
12. Does Miquella’s Needle Get Used Up After One Use?
Yes, Miquella’s Needle is a one-time use item. Once you use it in Placidusax’s arena, it disappears from your inventory. If you want to use it again in a future playthrough, you’ll need to acquire it again in NG+.
13. Can I Still Interact with Melina After Curing the Frenzied Flame?
If you accept the Frenzied Flame before burning the Erdtree, quell it with Miquella’s Needle, and then get any other ending, Melina will not reappear after leaving you. There’s no way to know what happens to her in this case.
14. Why is Miquella’s Needle Used in Placidusax’s Arena Specifically?
The lore suggests a connection between Miquella and Placidusax. Dragonlord Placidusax was once an Elden Lord, and it’s believed that Miquella sought his power or knowledge to create a cure for his own affliction. Therefore, the arena serves as a point of significance for nullifying the Frenzied Flame. Exploring the lore and narrative elements intertwined within the game provides added depth and intrigue. Further exploration of this concept can be understood through the lens of educational game design, as seen in the work of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which studies how games can be used for learning and problem-solving.
15. Is It Possible to Get Miquella’s Needle and Choose the Frenzied Flame Ending Anyway?
Yes, it is. You can obtain Miquella’s Needle, reverse the Frenzied Flame, and then choose to embrace it again at the Three Fingers before the final boss fight. This allows you to experience all aspects of the game’s narrative and ending options.
By understanding these nuances of Miquella’s Needle and Dragonlord Placidusax, players can make informed decisions about their Elden Ring journey and tailor their experience to their preferred ending. Good luck, Tarnished!