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How Many Shardbearers Do You Need in Elden Ring?

To beat Elden Ring, you technically only need to defeat two Shardbearers to gain enough Great Runes to enter the Erdtree and progress to the final boss encounters. However, to experience the full story, unlock all possible endings, and gain access to all areas and quests, you will likely want to defeat at least four Shardbearers. This ensures a smoother progression and maximizes your enjoyment of the game’s rich content.

Understanding Shardbearers and Great Runes

Shardbearers are demigod offspring of Queen Marika the Eternal, each possessing a fragment of the Elden Ring, known as a Great Rune. These Runes are powerful artifacts that, when restored at their respective Divine Towers, grant significant buffs and advantages to the Tarnished. Defeating a Shardbearer is a challenging task, but the rewards, both in terms of power and story progression, are well worth the effort.

Why Only Two are Required

The game is designed with some flexibility. Obtaining two Great Runes allows you to present them to the Two Fingers at the Roundtable Hold. This fulfills the basic requirement to access the Erdtree. You can then proceed through the Leyndell, Royal Capital area and eventually face the final bosses. This is a valid path to completing the game, but it leaves much of the Lands Between unexplored and many stories untold.

The Benefits of Defeating More Shardbearers

While only two are strictly necessary, defeating more Shardbearers provides several key advantages:

Increased Character Power: Each Great Rune, when activated, grants a unique and powerful buff. Having access to more Runes allows for greater customization of your build and playstyle. You can switch between different Runes depending on the situation.
Access to More Areas: Some areas are locked behind defeating specific Shardbearers. For example, defeating Radahn is crucial for triggering the Nokron, Eternal City questline and unlocking new weapons, spells, and armor.
Fuller Narrative Experience: Each Shardbearer has their own tragic backstory and connection to the overall narrative. Engaging with these characters provides a much deeper understanding of the world of Elden Ring and its lore. Skipping them means missing out on crucial plot points and character development.
Easier Progression: Defeating more Shardbearers and exploring their regions will inevitably lead to higher levels and better equipment, making subsequent boss fights and areas less challenging.
Unlocking Alternative Endings: Some endings require specific actions related to certain Shardbearers and their associated questlines. Ignoring these characters can limit your ending options.

Recommended Shardbearer Order

While the order in which you tackle the Shardbearers is largely up to you, a recommended path for a balanced experience is:

Godrick the Grafted: Located in Stormveil Castle. He is the most accessible early-game Shardbearer and provides a good introduction to the challenges ahead.
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon: Found in the Raya Lucarian Academy. She offers a unique boss fight and the ability to respec your character.
Radahn, Starscourge: Located in Redmane Castle. This challenging boss unlocks access to Nokron and triggers several important questlines.
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy: Found in Volcano Manor. His fight requires a specific weapon and offers a unique experience.
Morgott, the Omen King: Located in Leyndell, Royal Capital. He guards the entrance to the Erdtree.
Mohg, Lord of Blood: Found in Mohgwyn Palace. This optional boss offers a challenging fight and unique rewards.
Malenia, Blade of Miquella: Found in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. Widely considered the hardest boss in the game, she is optional but offers significant bragging rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I beat Elden Ring without defeating any Shardbearers?

No. You must obtain at least two Great Runes from Shardbearers to enter the Erdtree and progress to the final boss encounters.

2. Which two Shardbearers are the easiest to defeat early on?

Generally, Godrick the Grafted and Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon are considered the easiest and most accessible Shardbearers for early-game players.

3. What do Great Runes do?

Great Runes are powerful artifacts that, when restored at their respective Divine Towers, grant significant buffs to your character. You need to use a Rune Arc to activate the effect after restoring the Great Rune.

4. How do I restore a Great Rune?

Each Great Rune has a corresponding Divine Tower. You must travel to the specific Divine Tower and activate the Rune at its peak.

5. Where are the Divine Towers located?

The locations of the Divine Towers are scattered throughout the Lands Between. They are usually located in or near the regions controlled by the Shardbearers who possess the corresponding Great Runes.

6. What is a Rune Arc?

A Rune Arc is a consumable item that activates the effect of a restored Great Rune. The effect lasts until you die.

7. Can I change which Great Rune I have active?

Yes. You can freely switch between activated Great Runes at any Site of Grace.

8. Is Malenia a Shardbearer I need to defeat?

No, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is an optional boss and not required to complete the main storyline. However, defeating her grants access to powerful items and bragging rights.

9. What happens if I defeat all the Shardbearers?

Defeating all the Shardbearers doesn’t change the main storyline significantly, but it does provide a much richer and more complete experience. You’ll have access to more Great Runes, areas, items, and questlines, which can significantly impact your character’s power and your understanding of the game’s lore.

10. Does defeating more Shardbearers unlock more endings?

Yes, some endings require specific actions related to certain Shardbearers and their associated questlines. Ignoring these characters can limit your ending options. For example, the Dung Eater questline requires you to defeat him (who technically isn’t a shardbearer) and complete his related tasks.

11. Is Mohg, Lord of Blood, a required boss?

No, Mohg, Lord of Blood, is also an optional boss. However, defeating him grants access to unique rewards and a powerful Great Rune. Also, he is tied to the questline of Varre, so you might defeat him during Varre’s quest.

12. Can I skip directly to the final boss after defeating two Shardbearers?

Yes, technically, you can skip directly to the final boss after defeating two Shardbearers and gaining access to the Erdtree. However, doing so would mean missing out on a significant portion of the game’s content, including optional areas, bosses, and questlines. Your character might also be significantly underleveled, making the final boss encounters extremely difficult.

13. Does the order in which I defeat the Shardbearers matter?

While the game is relatively open-ended, the order in which you defeat the Shardbearers can impact the difficulty and your access to certain areas and items. Some areas and bosses are easier to tackle at certain levels, and some questlines are gated behind defeating specific Shardbearers.

14. What are the best builds for defeating Shardbearers?

The best builds for defeating Shardbearers vary depending on your playstyle and preferences. However, some popular and effective builds include:

Strength builds: Focusing on heavy weapons and high damage output.
Dexterity builds: Utilizing fast weapons and critical hits.
Faith builds: Relying on incantations for healing, buffs, and offensive spells.
Intelligence builds: Using sorceries to deal ranged damage and control the battlefield.

Experiment with different builds and weapons to find what works best for you.

15. Where can I find more information about each Shardbearer and their lore?

You can find more information about each Shardbearer and their lore by exploring the Lands Between, talking to NPCs, reading item descriptions, and watching lore videos on YouTube. The Elden Ring community is also a great resource for information and advice.

Ultimately, the number of Shardbearers you choose to defeat is a matter of personal preference. However, for the most rewarding and complete Elden Ring experience, taking down at least four, if not all, of these demigod adversaries is highly recommended. Good luck, Tarnished!

How many shardbearers do you need?