Could There Be More Than 6 Endings in Elden Ring?
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The Lands Between are a vast and mysterious place, brimming with lore, secrets, and, most importantly, choices. These choices culminate in the ending of Elden Ring, a game already renowned for its multiple narrative conclusions. The immediate question on many Tarnished minds is this: Could there be more than the six currently known endings? While definitive proof remains elusive without direct confirmation from FromSoftware, the answer is a resounding “potentially, yes.” The sheer depth of Elden Ring’s world, coupled with FromSoftware’s history of adding content and secrets post-launch, makes the possibility of undiscovered endings, or future additions via DLC, a highly compelling one.
The Case for Additional Endings
Several factors support the theory that more endings might exist, either currently hidden or planned for future updates.
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Unresolved Lore Threads: Elden Ring, like all FromSoftware games, is rife with ambiguous lore and characters whose motivations remain shrouded in mystery. Figures like Miquella, the missing Empyrean, possess enormous narrative weight. Their stories could easily be tied to entirely new ending scenarios. The Formless Mother, an Outer God referenced but never directly encountered, is another potential catalyst for a unique ending.
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Datamining Discoveries: While to be taken with a grain of salt, datamining has unearthed content that suggests potential storylines or variations on existing endings that didn’t make it into the final cut. These snippets of code could point to abandoned concepts or content intended for future implementation.
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The Nature of Choice and Consequence: FromSoftware games are defined by player agency. The number of side quests, NPC interactions, and optional bosses in Elden Ring is staggering. It stands to reason that some of these more obscure choices could contribute to variations on existing endings or even unlock entirely new ones. Think about the impact of siding with different factions throughout the game—might some of those loyalties lead to outcomes currently undiscovered?
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FromSoftware’s Track Record: The studio has a history of adding content, secrets, and even altered endings through patches and DLC in their previous titles. The Artorias of the Abyss DLC for Dark Souls, for example, enriched the lore and offered new layers of understanding to the game’s world. The possibility of similar expansions for Elden Ring is high.
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The Power of Fan Theories: The Elden Ring community is incredibly dedicated to uncovering every secret and nuance of the game. Fan theories often explore plausible, and sometimes highly creative, interpretations of the lore. These theories, though not official, highlight the potential for untold narrative paths within the game. Many players believe there is a secret linked to the Erdtree and its relationship with the Outer Gods.
Current Endings and Their Limitations
To understand the potential for new endings, it’s crucial to revisit the existing ones. Elden Ring offers six main endings:
- Age of Fracture: The “standard” ending, where the Tarnished simply mends the Elden Ring and becomes the Elden Lord.
- Age of Order: Achieved by completing Goldmask’s questline and using the Mending Rune of Perfect Order.
- Age of Duskborn: Requires completing Fia’s questline and using the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
- Blessing of Despair: A dark ending where the Tarnished uses the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse after following the Dung Eater’s questline, cursing the Lands Between.
- Age of Stars: The most popular ending, involving Ranni the Witch, where the Tarnished becomes her consort and ushers in an age of stars.
- Lord of Frenzied Flame: Perhaps the most “evil” ending, achieved by embracing the Three Fingers and becoming the Lord of Frenzied Flame, burning the Erdtree and the world.
While diverse, these endings primarily focus on manipulating the Elden Ring itself. They primarily deal with Marika and the Golden Order. What if there were endings focused on completely different aspects of the world, the Outer Gods, or even abandoning the Lands Between entirely?
The DLC Factor: Shadow of the Erdtree
The upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC represents the most significant opportunity for new endings. The trailer hints at exploring the history of Miquella and the Land of Shadow, a realm separate from the Lands Between. This new location could introduce new factions, power structures, and ultimately, new choices that lead to alternative conclusions to the Elden Ring saga. It is possible that the DLC might add a true “good” ending to the game, one that does not involve any of the curses or dark aspects of the current endings. The DLC’s plot might be centered around the Erdtree, and its connections to the Outer Gods.
The Future of Elden Ring’s Narrative
Whether through undiscovered secrets or future DLC expansions, the potential for more endings in Elden Ring remains a compelling prospect. The game’s rich lore, combined with FromSoftware’s commitment to player choice and world-building, suggests that the story of the Tarnished is far from over. As players continue to explore the Lands Between, share their theories, and eagerly await new content, the mystery of additional endings will continue to fuel the community’s passion for Elden Ring. The depth of the game’s narrative possibilities means it is possible that more endings are already hidden in the game’s code, awaiting discovery by a dedicated fan. The future of Elden Ring’s narrative depends on the community’s continued engagement and FromSoftware’s ongoing support.
Elden Ring: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many endings does Elden Ring definitively have?
Currently, Elden Ring has six known endings. These are the Age of Fracture, Age of Order, Age of Duskborn, Blessing of Despair, Age of Stars, and Lord of Frenzied Flame.
2. Is there a “canon” ending in Elden Ring?
FromSoftware has not declared a canon ending. The Age of Fracture is often considered the default or “standard” ending. The ending does not drastically alter the world. The Games Learning Society is a great resource for information about this topic.
3. Can you get all Elden Ring endings in one playthrough?
No, you can only achieve one ending per playthrough. To experience all endings, you need to complete the game multiple times in New Game Plus.
4. Which ending is the most popular in Elden Ring?
The Age of Stars ending is widely considered the most popular, likely due to Ranni’s character and the significant questline required to unlock it.
5. Which ending is considered the “bad” ending?
The Blessing of Despair ending, achieved by completing the Dung Eater’s questline, is generally considered the most negative outcome, cursing the Lands Between.
6. How do you unlock the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending?
To unlock this ending, you must embrace the Three Fingers at the Cathedral of the Forsaken beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital.
7. Does Melina have to die?
Melina will sacrifice herself to burn the Erdtree unless you embrace the Frenzied Flame, which locks you into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. Using Miquella’s Needle is a way to stop Melina from sacrificing herself.
8. What is Miquella’s Needle used for?
Miquella’s Needle is used to reverse the effects of the Frenzied Flame, allowing you to choose a different ending if you’ve embraced the Three Fingers.
9. How does Ranni factor into one of the endings?
Ranni is central to the Age of Stars ending, where you become her consort and usher in a new age. She will bring forth an age of the stars.
10. Could DLC add more endings to Elden Ring?
Yes, it is highly likely. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC presents the most significant opportunity to introduce new storylines and, consequently, new endings.
11. What is the significance of the Outer Gods in Elden Ring?
The Outer Gods are powerful cosmic entities that influence the Lands Between. Their influence can be seen in various storylines and could potentially lead to new endings focused on their agendas.
12. What role does Marika play in the endings?
Marika’s shattered form, the Elden Ring, and her relationship with the Greater Will are central to many endings, as the Tarnished seeks to mend or alter the Elden Ring under her control.
13. Is there a “true” Elden Lord ending?
There is no definitively labeled “true” Elden Lord ending. Several endings involve becoming the Elden Lord, each with different implications for the Lands Between.
14. Are there any hidden quests that could affect the endings?
Elden Ring is full of hidden quests and secrets. It is possible that some of these undiscovered quests could lead to variations on existing endings or even entirely new ones.
15. Will my ending affect the DLC?
Unless FromSoftware states otherwise, it is unlikely that your chosen ending will directly impact your experience in the DLC. The DLC will likely be a standalone story. Although it could add to the current landscape.