How to Progress Varre’s Quest in Elden Ring Without Invading

You can progress White Mask Varre’s questline in Elden Ring without engaging in player invasions. This is achieved by traveling to the Consecrated Snowfield and locating a specific NPC invader, Magnus the Beast Claw. Successfully defeating him will advance the quest in lieu of three player invasions.

Understanding Varre’s Questline

White Mask Varre is one of the first NPCs you encounter in Elden Ring, found at the First Step Site of Grace in Limgrave. His initial dialogue sets the stage for a potentially bloody path, often associated with player-versus-player (PvP) invasions to gather Maiden’s Blood. However, for players who prefer a purely PvE experience, FromSoftware has provided an alternative.

The Traditional (Invasion-Based) Route

Typically, after meeting Varre at the First Step, he’ll instruct you to explore and seek guidance at Roundtable Hold. After defeating Godrick the Grafted (or other shardbearers) and returning to Varre at the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes, he tasks you with invading other players three times. You don’t need to win these invasions, just participate in them. This is the most common way players advance the quest.

The Alternative: Magnus the Beast Claw

The key to avoiding invasions lies in the Consecrated Snowfield, a late-game area accessible after obtaining both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion. Within this region, you need to locate a specific invasion sign left by Magnus the Beast Claw. Defeating him counts as completing the invasion requirement for Varre’s quest.

Step-by-Step Guide: The No-Invasion Method

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to complete Varre’s quest without invading:

1. Meet Varre at the First Step: As mentioned, he’s located at the very beginning of the game in Limgrave. Speak to him to initiate the start of his quest.

2. Complete Limgrave and Defeat a Shardbearer: Progress through the game and defeat a major boss, such as Godrick the Grafted at Stormveil Castle.

3. Return to Varre at the Rose Church: Find him at the Rose Church in Liurnia of the Lakes (west of the Academy of Raya Lucaria, accessed via the Liurnia Highway North). He will give you Festering Fingers and task you with using them to invade other players. Do not use these fingers! This is the point where you deviate from the invasion-based path.

4. Progress to the Consecrated Snowfield: You must gather both halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion. One half is found in the Village of the Albinaurics in Liurnia of the Lakes, and the other is at Castle Sol in the Mountaintops of the Giants. Once obtained, use the Grand Lift of Rold to reach the Consecrated Snowfield.

5. Locate Magnus the Beast Claw’s Invasion Sign: In the Consecrated Snowfield, head southwest from the Inner Consecrated Snowfield Site of Grace. The invasion sign is located near a ruined building and several trees. It’s important to note that you must be in a multiplayer area for the sign to appear. If it’s not showing up, make sure you haven’t used a Furlcalling Finger Remedy and that you are online.

6. Defeat Magnus the Beast Claw: Activate the invasion sign and defeat Magnus. He’s a fairly strong NPC invader, so be prepared for a challenging fight. He typically uses beast incantations and claw weapons.

7. Return to Varre at the Rose Church: After defeating Magnus, go back to Varre at the Rose Church. He will acknowledge your accomplishment (even though you didn’t technically invade a player), and he will proceed with his questline by giving you the Lord of Blood’s Favor and requesting you to soak it with Maiden’s Blood.

8. Obtain Maiden’s Blood: You can find a suitable corpse in several locations. One of the easiest is at the Church of Inhibition in Liurnia of the Lakes. The church is located atop a difficult-to-reach cliff, and you’ll be invaded by Festering Fingerprint Vyke along the way. Another option is to use the corpse in the Chapel of Anticipation (where you started the game) or the corpse in the Testu’s Rise tower (just west of the Academy of Raya Lucaria).

9. Return to Varre with the Blood-Soaked Cloth: Show Varre the blood-soaked Lord of Blood’s Favor. He will be pleased and grant you the Bloody Finger, allowing you to invade other players at will (if you choose). He will also knight you and give you an audience with Mohg.

10. Receive the Pureblood Knight’s Medal: Finally, Varre will give you the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, which allows you to teleport to Mohgwyn Palace, a late-game area.

Benefits of the No-Invasion Method

Choosing the Magnus the Beast Claw route offers several advantages:

• Avoids PvP: Ideal for players who dislike or are uncomfortable with invading other players.
• Guaranteed Progress: You don’t rely on finding suitable invasion targets or winning invasions.
• Controllable Difficulty: While Magnus can be tough, his moveset is predictable and can be learned.
• Maintains Lore Consistency: This method still acknowledges that Varre seeks “blood,” fulfilling the quest’s thematic elements.

FAQs: Varre’s Quest and the No-Invasion Option

1. Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold to complete Varre’s quest without invading?

Yes. Even to access the Magnus the Beast Claw invasion sign, you still need to be connected online via PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold (or their respective PC equivalents). The game needs an internet connection to spawn the NPC invader.

2. What level should I be to fight Magnus the Beast Claw?

It is recommended to be at least level 80-100 before attempting to fight Magnus the Beast Claw. The Consecrated Snowfield is a late-game area, and enemies there hit hard.

3. Where exactly is the Magnus the Beast Claw invasion sign located?

The invasion sign is in the southwestern part of the Consecrated Snowfield, near the Inner Consecrated Snowfield Site of Grace. It is located by some ruined buildings and sparse trees. It is a red summoning sign on the ground.

4. Can I accidentally lock myself out of Varre’s questline?

Yes, it is possible to lock yourself out. If you defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood, before completing Varre’s quest, you will not be able to start or continue the questline in that playthrough.

5. What are some good strategies for defeating Magnus the Beast Claw?

• Utilize Spirit Ashes: Summoning a strong spirit ash can distract Magnus and give you openings to attack.
• Exploit His Weaknesses: He is vulnerable to Bleed and Frostbite.
• Learn His Attack Patterns: Pay attention to his tells and learn how to dodge his attacks effectively.
• Use a Strong Weapon: Ensure your weapon is upgraded and deals good damage.

6. Can I complete Varre’s quest without defeating any major bosses?

No. You need to defeat at least one shardbearer (like Godrick) to advance the quest far enough to reach the Rose Church and trigger Varre’s invasion request.

7. Does using a Mimic’s Veil count as an invasion?

No, using the Mimic’s Veil does not count as an invasion or contribute to Varre’s quest progression.

8. What happens if I die during the invasion by Magnus?

If you die during the invasion by Magnus, you simply need to return to the invasion sign and try again. There’s no penalty for failure other than the loss of runes.

9. Is the Pureblood Knight’s Medal reusable?

No. The Pureblood Knight’s Medal can only be used once to teleport to Mohgwyn Palace. After using it, it disappears from your inventory.

10. What rewards do I get from completing Varre’s questline?

The primary rewards are the Bloody Finger, the Pureblood Knight’s Medal, and access to Mohgwyn Palace, which contains valuable items and resources.

11. Can I respec my character after completing Varre’s questline?

Yes, you can respec your character at any time after completing Varre’s questline, as long as you have Larval Tears.

12. Does completing Varre’s quest lock me into a specific ending?

No, completing Varre’s quest does not lock you into any particular ending. The ending you receive is determined by your actions at the very end of the game.

13. Can I still invade other players after completing Varre’s quest without invading them through the designated three times?

Yes. After receiving the Bloody Finger, you can invade other players at will, regardless of how you completed the initial invasion requirement for Varre.

14. Is Magnus the Beast Claw harder to beat than invading real players?

This depends on the player. Some might find Magnus easier due to his predictable AI, while others may find real players easier to exploit due to their varying skill levels.

15. If I have already started invading players, can I still switch to the Magnus method to complete the quest?

Yes. If you have only invaded once or twice, you can still abandon the traditional method and defeat Magnus to satisfy the invasion requirement. The quest will proceed normally after you talk to Varre again.