How Long Does 100% Elden Ring Take? A Tarnished’s Guide to Completion
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The burning question on every Tarnished’s mind: How long does it realistically take to 100% complete Elden Ring? The answer, as with most things in the Lands Between, is complex and depends heavily on your playstyle, prior Souls experience, and willingness to consult guides. However, a good estimate lands somewhere between 80 to 150 hours. This range reflects the variability in player skill, the thoroughness of exploration, and the occasional need to backtrack or farm for specific items. Aiming for the Platinum trophy on PlayStation or all achievements on other platforms requires dedication, patience, and a deep understanding of the game’s intricate mechanics.
Breaking Down the Completion Time
Achieving 100% completion in Elden Ring involves more than just finishing the main storyline. It necessitates a meticulous approach that encompasses several key aspects:
- All Endings: Elden Ring features multiple endings, but thankfully, you don’t need to experience them all on a single character for 100% completion. Obtaining the achievements requires seeing at least three specific endings: the standard Elden Lord ending, the Age of Stars ending (Ranni’s questline), and the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
- Legendary Items: Hunting down all the Legendary Weapons, Talismans, Ashes of War, Sorceries, and Incantations is a time-consuming endeavor. These powerful items are scattered throughout the Lands Between, often hidden in obscure locations or guarded by challenging bosses.
- Boss Battles: Defeating every boss in the game, including all mandatory and optional bosses, is crucial. Many of these optional bosses guard valuable items or unlock new areas.
- Exploration: Thorough exploration is paramount. The Lands Between are vast and filled with secrets, hidden dungeons, and valuable resources. Leaving no stone unturned is essential for discovering all the necessary items and completing all quests.
- Character Level: While there isn’t a specific level requirement for 100% completion, you’ll likely need to reach a high level to comfortably tackle the later areas and bosses. Farming runes to level up can significantly extend your playtime.
Factors Influencing Completion Time
Several factors can dramatically influence how long it takes to achieve 100% completion:
- Previous Souls Experience: Players familiar with FromSoftware’s previous titles, such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, will likely have a shorter completion time. They’ll be more accustomed to the game’s combat mechanics, exploration style, and challenging difficulty.
- Playstyle: Players who adopt a methodical and thorough approach to exploration will naturally spend more time in the game than those who rush through the main storyline.
- Guide Usage: Consulting guides and online resources can significantly reduce completion time. However, relying too heavily on guides can diminish the sense of discovery and accomplishment.
- Build Optimization: Creating an effective character build is essential for overcoming the game’s challenges. Players who experiment with different builds and optimize their stats will likely have an easier time and potentially a shorter completion time.
- Cooperative Play: Playing with friends can make the game easier and more enjoyable. However, it can also extend the completion time if you spend a lot of time helping others defeat bosses or explore areas.
How Long Does it Take for Casual vs. Completionist Players?
As noted from the search results, there’s a marked difference in playtime between casual players and those aiming for completion:
- Casual Players: A first playthrough for a casual player might take around 40-60 hours. This typically involves focusing on the main story and exploring a reasonable portion of the open world.
- Completionist Players: Completionists can expect to spend 100 hours or more. Some even report exceeding 130 hours to achieve a true 100% experience.
Is Elden Ring Hard to 100%?
Yes, Elden Ring is undeniably challenging to 100%. The difficulty stems not only from the demanding combat and unforgiving bosses but also from the sheer size and complexity of the game world. Finding all the necessary items and completing all the quests requires a significant investment of time and effort. Furthermore, some achievements, such as defeating certain optional bosses or collecting all the Legendary items, can be particularly difficult. The “Legendary Sorceries and Incantations” and finding “Dragonlord Placidusax” are especially challenging, requiring diligent exploration.
Alternative Definition of Completion
The search results also point out that technically reaching 100% completion in Elden Ring is impossible due to branching points near the end. Therefore, the common interpretation of “100%” completion often means obtaining all trophies/achievements and experiencing all significant content.
FAQs: Your Questions About Elden Ring Completion Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions about completing Elden Ring, addressing common concerns and offering valuable insights:
1. What endings do I need for 100% completion/Platinum?
You need to experience at least three different endings across multiple playthroughs or by save-scumming: the default Elden Lord ending, Ranni’s Age of Stars ending, and the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. Experiencing these three will grant you all ending-related achievements/trophies.
2. Is level 400 too high for Elden Ring?
Level 400 is considerably high for Elden Ring. While there’s no level cap until 713, diminishing returns on stat gains make leveling beyond 150-200 less impactful for most builds. However, reaching level 400 can be fun for experimentation and dominating in PvE.
3. What’s the hardest trophy/achievement in Elden Ring?
Many players consider the “Legendary Sorceries and Incantations” achievement to be one of the most difficult due to the sheer number of spells required and the challenge of finding them all. Defeating Dragonlord Placidusax also presents a significant challenge.
4. How many people actually beat Elden Ring?
While the exact numbers fluctuate, estimates suggest that a significant percentage of players have completed Elden Ring. Data from various tracking sites indicates that Elden Ring is one of the most completed games of its year.
5. Is Elden Ring harder than Dark Souls?
Many consider Elden Ring’s bosses to be more challenging overall than those in Dark Souls. Elden Ring’s open-world nature offers more flexibility, but some bosses present steeper learning curves.
6. Is Elden Ring too hard for a casual gamer?
Elden Ring can be intimidating for casual gamers due to its difficulty and complex mechanics. However, the open-world structure allows players to explore at their own pace and level up before tackling challenging areas. Persistence and a willingness to learn are key.
7. Can stats exceed 99 in Elden Ring?
No, stats cannot exceed 99 in Elden Ring. This is the “hard cap” for individual attributes. While you can temporarily boost stats beyond 99 with certain equipment or buffs, the underlying stat remains capped at 99.
8. Is Ranni good or evil?
Ranni’s morality is a subject of debate. While her actions lead to a new cosmic order, they involve significant upheaval and disruption. Many players consider her ending the “best” but acknowledge her morally grey nature.
9. What happens if you refuse Melina?
Refusing Melina will halt your progress. You need her to level up and access key game mechanics. Accepting her accord is essential for progressing through the story.
10. What’s the best way to farm runes in Elden Ring?
Several rune farming methods exist, ranging from early-game exploits to late-game farming locations. Popular options include the Albinaurics farm in Mohgwyn Palace and various boss remembrance duplication strategies.
11. How many hours is the average playthrough of Elden Ring?
The average playthrough of Elden Ring takes around 58 hours, focusing mainly on the main objectives. Completionists, however, will spend significantly more time.
12. Who was the first person to 100% Elden Ring?
It’s difficult to definitively determine the first person to achieve 100% completion, but players like RondogeRekt were among the first to document their achievements.
13. Is 99 the max stat in Elden Ring?
Yes, 99 is the maximum level that each stat can reach in Elden Ring.
14. What build is best for 100% completion?
There’s no single “best” build, but strong options include Faith builds with powerful incantations, Intelligence builds with devastating sorceries, and Strength/Dexterity builds with versatile weapon choices. Choose a build that suits your playstyle.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and the impact of games on learning?
For further insights into game design and the educational potential of games, visit the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Exploring resources like GamesLearningSociety.org can provide valuable context and understanding of how games impact learning and engagement.
Final Thoughts
Achieving 100% completion in Elden Ring is a monumental task that requires dedication, skill, and a deep appreciation for the game’s intricacies. While the time investment can be significant, the sense of accomplishment and the wealth of experiences gained along the way make it a truly rewarding endeavor for any dedicated Tarnished. So, embrace the challenge, explore the Lands Between, and forge your own path to becoming Elden Lord.