Table of Contents

Does Frenzied Flame Ending Lock Other Endings in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

Quick answer

This page answers Does Frenzied Flame ending lock other endings? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

The burning question on every Tarnished’s mind: does embracing the Frenzied Flame doom you to a single, fiery fate? The answer, thankfully, is nuanced. Initially, yes, inheriting the Frenzied Flame does lock you into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. Once you’ve received the mark of the Three Fingers, defeating the Elden Beast will automatically trigger this destructive conclusion. However, all hope is not lost! There is a way to reverse this lock and pursue other endings. This involves a specific, challenging process related to Miquella’s Needle. More on that later.

Breaking Free from the Frenzy: Miquella’s Needle

The key to unlocking other endings after accepting the Frenzied Flame lies in a powerful artifact: Miquella’s Needle. Obtaining and using this needle requires several crucial steps:

Defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella: Located at the bottom of Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, Malenia is an infamously difficult boss. Defeating her grants you Malenia’s Great Rune and the Remembrance of the Rot Goddess.
Trade the Remembrance for the Unalloyed Gold Needle: At the Roundtable Hold, Enia will trade the Remembrance for the Unalloyed Gold Needle.
Complete Millicent’s Questline: This extensive quest involves helping Millicent, a Scarlet Rot afflicted warrior. Her quest is lengthy and has a few possible outcomes, but the correct outcome needs to be achieved for your game for the gold needle to be reforged.
Defeat Commander O’Neil. Located in the Swamp of Aeonia, this boss is a necessary part of Millicent’s questline.
Defeat the Ulcerated Tree Spirit near Elphael Inner Wall grace. This is the final step for reforging the needle. It is only available when you make a particular choice regarding Millicent’s questline.
Use the Needle in Dragonlord Placidusax’s Arena: After reforging, the needle can be used during the Dragonlord Placidusax boss fight to rid yourself of the Frenzied Flame.

Once you’ve defeated Dragonlord Placidusax in Crumbling Farum Azula and triggered the arena, use Miquella’s Needle while inside it. This will quell the Frenzied Flame, removing the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending lock and allowing you to choose from the other available endings after defeating the Elden Beast.

Endings and Questlines: Unraveling the Connections

Importantly, accepting the Frenzied Flame before burning the Erdtree will cause Melina to abandon you, believing you’re no longer fit to become Elden Lord. However, if you cure yourself before the final boss, you can choose any other ending you’ve unlocked through other questlines. It’s crucial to understand that various questlines directly influence which endings become available to you. For example:

Ranni’s Questline: Completing Ranni’s quest unlocks the Age of Stars ending. This is a distinct and unique ending that sees Ranni becoming the new god of the Elden Ring, with the Tarnished as her consort.
The Dung Eater’s Questline: Pursuing the Dung Eater’s quest unlocks one of the “mending rune” endings, specifically the Age of Despair.
Fia’s Questline: Following Fia’s quest to its conclusion unlocks the Age of the Duskborn ending.

Therefore, while the Frenzied Flame initially locks you in, your actions throughout the game through various questlines are what ultimately determine which alternative endings you can access after using Miquella’s Needle.

The Moral Quandary: Is the Frenzied Flame the “Worst” Ending?

The “worst” ending is subjective, but the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is undeniably the most destructive. It involves embracing chaos, burning the Erdtree, and essentially annihilating the Lands Between, fulfilling the will of the Three Fingers. Melina herself sees this path as a betrayal of her purpose and vows to deliver Destined Death upon the Tarnished. Whether it’s the “worst” depends on your perspective – some players may find its radical, nihilistic conclusion compelling.

The Allure of Multiple Endings: One Playthrough, Infinite Possibilities?

While you can unlock all endings in one playthrough, you can only experience one per playthrough without save scumming on PC or cloud saves on consoles. By completing the associated questlines, you make all the endings available. Then, before interacting with the Elden Beast remains, you can back up your save file. After seeing one ending, restore your save and select a different one.

FAQs: Your Frenzied Flame and Ending-Related Questions Answered

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Frenzied Flame and its impact on Elden Ring’s endings:

Can I still do side quests after getting the Frenzied Flame? Yes, you can complete side quests, but accepting the Frenzied Flame will affect some character interactions, primarily with Melina. However, most side quests remain accessible.
What happens if I accept the Frenzied Flame before talking to Melina at the Forge of the Giants? Melina will leave you, deeming you unworthy of becoming Elden Lord and vowing to deliver Destined Death.
Is Miquella’s Needle the only way to remove the Frenzied Flame? Yes, Miquella’s Needle, used in Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena, is the only known method to quell the Frenzied Flame and unlock other endings.
Does removing the Frenzied Flame bring back Melina? Only if you received the Frenzied Flame after Melina burned the Erdtree. If she leaves you before the burning, quelling the flame won’t bring her back. If you do choose the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, she will appear in a post-ending cutscene promising vengeance.
What are the “mending rune” endings? These endings involve using specific Mending Runes on the Elden Ring after defeating the Elden Beast, offering variations on the standard Elden Lord ending. Examples include the Mending Rune of Perfect Order, the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, and the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse.
Is the Age of Stars ending considered the “best” ending? This is subjective, but many players consider it a favorable outcome, as it establishes a new order under Ranni’s rule, ushering in an age of stars. Julianna Swickard of CBR argued that this ending represents the “best possible outcome” of all the game’s endings.
What is the Age of Duskborn ending? Unlocked by completing Fia’s quest, this ending introduces a new order focused on coexistence with Those Who Live in Death. Shadow of the Erdtree art suggests that the Age of Duskborn ending may make the most sense as Elden Ring’s canon ending.
How many different endings are there in Elden Ring? The game features six distinct endings, with four being variations of the standard Elden Lord ending.
Does the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending affect future playthroughs? No, your ending choice only impacts the current playthrough. Subsequent playthroughs start fresh, allowing you to pursue different endings.
Can you fight Melina if you choose the Frenzied Flame ending? No, you cannot fight Melina, but she appears in a cutscene after choosing this ending, vowing to deliver Destined Death to you.
Is Ranni a good or evil character? Ranni’s morality is complex. Her actions are driven by a desire to break free from the Greater Will’s influence, but her methods involve significant sacrifice. Whether she’s “good” or “evil” is open to interpretation.
Does Melina have a connection to the Gloam-Eyed Queen? Some theories suggest a connection, pointing to the similar eye color revealed when Melina opens her eye during the Frenzied Flame ending. However, this remains speculative.
Who is Melina’s mother? While never explicitly stated, the game strongly implies that Queen Marika is Melina’s mother, referencing Melina’s birth at the foot of the Erdtree and her mother being “within” it.
What is the easiest ending to achieve? The default Age of Fracture ending is the simplest, requiring only the completion of the main story path and defeating the final bosses.
Are there any cut endings in Elden Ring? Yes, there are rumors of a seventh ending being planned, but was ultimately cut.

Delving Deeper into Game Lore and Mechanics

Elden Ring’s intricate web of quests, characters, and lore makes understanding the implications of your choices crucial. The Frenzied Flame ending, while initially restrictive, is ultimately just one path among many. By exploring the Lands Between, uncovering hidden stories, and mastering challenging encounters, you can shape your own destiny and choose the ending that best reflects your Tarnished’s journey. Remember to consult online resources like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) for further insights into game mechanics and lore, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of Elden Ring’s rich and complex world.