How Long Does It Really Take to Get All Elden Ring Achievements?

So, you’re staring down the barrel of Elden Ring’s colossal map, drooling over the prospect of becoming the ultimate Tarnished, the one who conquers everything. But a burning question lingers: How long will it take to snag all those tantalizing achievements? The answer, as is often the case in the Lands Between, is… it depends.

On average, aiming for a 100% achievement completion in Elden Ring will set you back 80 to 130 hours. However, this is a very broad estimate. Several factors can drastically alter this timeline, including your prior Soulsborne experience, playstyle, and sheer determination. Newcomers to the genre may easily spend 150+ hours, while seasoned veterans could potentially shave that down to 70-80.

The key takeaway? Prepare for a marathon, not a sprint. Elden Ring rewards patience, exploration, and a healthy dose of “git gud.” Now, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of what influences this timeframe and how to potentially optimize your path to platinum.

Factors Influencing Completion Time

Several elements directly impact how long it’ll take you to claim every Elden Ring achievement:

• Prior Soulsborne Experience: If you’re a veteran of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Sekiro, you’ll likely breeze through combat encounters and understand the intricate mechanics more quickly. This translates to a significant time saving.
• Playstyle: A meticulous, completionist playstyle where you explore every nook and cranny will naturally extend the time. Conversely, a focused approach, sticking to essential quests and boss fights, will shorten it.
• Build Choice: Certain builds are simply more efficient at dispatching enemies and bosses. Opting for a powerful, meta-friendly build can make your journey considerably smoother.
• Co-op Assistance: Summoning other players for boss fights can dramatically reduce the difficulty (and therefore, time) spent on challenging encounters.
• Save Scumming: Utilizing cloud saves to obtain all three endings in a single playthrough is a common tactic for achievement hunters, saving considerable time.
• Luck (RNG): Some achievements are tied to rare item drops or specific enemy spawns. Unfavorable RNG can lead to frustrating farming sessions.
• Game Knowledge: Understanding enemy weaknesses, boss attack patterns, and the optimal routes through the world will dramatically reduce your overall playtime.
• Guide Usage: Referencing online guides and walkthroughs can expedite the process significantly, especially for obscure quests or hidden items. The opposite is also true; if you try to play blind and figure everything out on your own, expect a significantly increased playtime.

Achievement Breakdown and Time Commitment

Let’s break down the major achievement categories and estimate the time required for each:

• Main Story Achievements (Ending Related): These are tied to defeating major bosses and reaching the game’s various endings. Completing the main story, even with a focused approach, will take approximately 40-60 hours. Getting all three endings requires either multiple playthroughs (adding another 40-60 hours per playthrough) or save scumming (potentially adding only 1-2 hours).
• Legendary Armaments/Talismans/Ashes/Spells: These achievements require collecting specific items scattered throughout the world, many of which are hidden or require completing lengthy questlines. This can add another 20-40 hours to your completion time.
• Remembrance Achievements: These are awarded for obtaining and duplicating the remembrances of key bosses, often tied to optional encounters. Expect to spend 10-20 hours tackling these formidable foes.
• All Achievements Unlocked: This meta-achievement unlocks automatically when you’ve obtained all other achievements, signifying your complete mastery of Elden Ring (at least from an achievement perspective!).

Optimizing Your Achievement Run

Here are some tips to streamline your Elden Ring achievement hunt:

• Plan Your Build: Research and choose a powerful build that suits your playstyle. This will make combat encounters significantly easier.
• Utilize Guides: Don’t be afraid to consult online guides and walkthroughs, especially for missable items or obscure quests.
• Embrace Save Scumming: If you want to minimize playthroughs, learn how to back up and restore your save data to obtain all three endings in a single run.
• Prioritize Key Achievements: Focus on the achievements that require the most time or effort, such as collecting all legendary items.
• Learn Enemy Weaknesses: Understanding enemy vulnerabilities will drastically reduce your combat time.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Summon: Utilize co-op to overcome challenging bosses.
• Explore Methodically: Divide the map into sections and systematically explore each area to ensure you don’t miss any crucial items.
• Manage Your Time: Break down your achievement goals into smaller, manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

FAQ: Elden Ring Achievement Hunting

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Elden Ring achievement completion:

1. Is it possible to get all Elden Ring achievements in one playthrough?

Technically, no. You need to experience the three different endings to earn those achievements. However, you can exploit save backups to get them all in one playthrough.

2. How many endings are there in Elden Ring, and how do they affect achievements?

There are six distinct endings in Elden Ring, but only three are directly tied to achievements. These are: Elden Lord (default ending), Age of the Stars (Ranni’s ending), and Lord of Frenzied Flame (secret ending).

3. What is “save scumming” and how does it help with Elden Ring achievements?

Save scumming involves backing up your save data to the cloud (or a USB drive) before making a critical decision (like choosing an ending). After getting one ending, you restore the backed-up save, allowing you to choose a different ending without replaying the entire game.

4. Are there any missable achievements in Elden Ring?

Yes, mainly the ending-related achievements if you lock yourself out of specific questlines. It’s also possible to miss certain legendary weapons or talismans if you don’t follow specific steps in certain quests.

5. How difficult are Elden Ring achievements compared to other Soulsborne games?

The difficulty is comparable to other Soulsborne titles. Most achievements involve defeating challenging bosses or completing intricate questlines.

6. What is the “hardest” Elden Ring achievement to obtain?

Many consider the “Legendary Armaments” achievement the most challenging, due to the sheer number of items required and their often-obscure locations. Defeating Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is also a significant hurdle.

7. Do I need the DLC (Shadow of the Erdtree) to get all base game achievements?

No. The DLC will likely introduce new achievements, but it’s not required to obtain all the achievements in the base game.

8. Can I get achievements while playing in co-op?

Yes, you can earn achievements while playing in co-op, but the host player is the one who typically receives credit for boss kills and quest completions.

9. What level should I be to comfortably complete all achievements?

There’s no specific level requirement, but aiming for level 120-150 is generally sufficient to handle most challenges in the game.

10. What are the “soft caps” and “hard caps” in Elden Ring, and how do they affect my achievement run?

Soft caps are points where stat gains diminish significantly. Hard caps are the maximum stat values (99). Understanding these caps helps you optimize your build and avoid wasting levels.

11. Is there a recommended order for tackling the Elden Ring achievements?

There isn’t a strict order, but it’s generally recommended to complete the main story first, then focus on collecting legendary items and tackling optional bosses.

12. How many people have completed all achievements in Elden Ring?

As the article states, “Less than 37% of players have beaten the game, but 6% of players have gotten all achievements according to steam”. This percentage fluctuates over time.

13. Which Elden Ring ending takes the longest to achieve?

The Age of the Stars (Ranni’s) ending typically takes the longest due to the extensive and multi-stage questline required.

14. What are some common mistakes to avoid when going for 100% achievement completion?

Missing missable items, accidentally locking yourself out of questlines, and neglecting to back up your save data before making critical decisions.

15. Are there resources that I should utilize to help with getting all of the achievements?

Yes, websites such as Fextralife and YouTube videos can provide tutorials on completing quests and finding legendary items and weapons. You can also consult with your friends or other people through forums and online message boards. Also, exploring the educational potential of gaming extends beyond entertainment. At Games Learning Society, educators and researchers explore the learning dimensions of games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.

Final Thoughts: The Allure of Completion

Elden Ring’s achievement list is a testament to the game’s vastness and depth. While the road to 100% completion can be long and arduous, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled. By understanding the factors that influence completion time, optimizing your approach, and utilizing available resources, you can conquer the Lands Between and claim your place among the elite Tarnished. Good luck, and may the Great Runes guide your way!