Is Caelid Part of the Main Story in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive
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Caelid, that blasted, scarlet-rotted wasteland of Elden Ring, evokes strong feelings in players. Its oppressive atmosphere and challenging enemies make it a memorable, if not always pleasant, experience. But is it essential? The short answer is no, Caelid itself is not a mandatory region to complete the main story of Elden Ring. However, its importance is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While you don’t have to set foot there, the consequences of avoiding it might significantly impact your journey. You must defeat at least two shardbearers to access Leyndell, Royal Capital, a critical step in progressing towards becoming Elden Lord. Starscourge Radahn, located in Caelid, is one such shardbearer. Skipping Caelid means you’ll need to find two shardbearers elsewhere. Understanding the context of Caelid’s narrative and the ripple effect of your choices is crucial for any Tarnished venturing through the Lands Between.
Understanding Caelid’s Role in Elden Ring
Caelid’s significance transcends its optional status. The region serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic events that occurred during The Shattering, specifically the devastating conflict between Malenia and Radahn. The visual storytelling is potent; the crimson skies, the grotesque, mutated creatures, and the overall sense of decay all paint a vivid picture of a land ravaged by war and disease.
While you can bypass Caelid and find two other shardbearers, you will miss key items, spells, and, crucially, a significant amount of Runes (Elden Ring’s equivalent of experience points). Radahn’s Great Rune, when activated, substantially boosts your HP, FP, and Stamina, which can be incredibly useful, especially for builds that rely on close combat or extensive spellcasting. Moreover, defeating Radahn opens the path to Nokron, Eternal City, another optional but highly rewarding area brimming with valuable resources and challenging encounters. Ignoring Caelid entirely means missing out on these potential advantages, making your overall journey potentially more difficult.
Caelid: A Rite of Passage for the Tarnished?
Caelid, in many ways, acts as a brutal “skill check” for players. The enemies are significantly tougher than those found in Limgrave and Liurnia, forcing you to adapt your strategies, improve your equipment, and refine your combat prowess. Successfully navigating Caelid prepares you for the challenges that lie ahead in the later stages of the game. While not required, braving the horrors of Caelid might be considered a sort of harsh initiation into the deeper, darker aspects of Elden Ring’s world.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Caelid
1. What is the recommended level for Caelid?
The general consensus is that levels 60-70 are appropriate for tackling Caelid. However, skilled players can venture in at lower levels, while those prioritizing exploration and a smoother experience might prefer to wait until they’re slightly higher. Experiment and see what works best for your playstyle.
2. Why is Caelid covered in Scarlet Rot?
The Scarlet Rot is a consequence of the cataclysmic battle between Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and Starscourge Radahn. Malenia unleashed the Rot in a desperate attempt to defeat Radahn, resulting in widespread devastation.
3. Is Starscourge Radahn a mandatory boss?
No, Starscourge Radahn is not mandatory, but he is a shardbearer. You only need to defeat two shardbearers to progress to Leyndell, so you can choose to skip Radahn if you prefer.
4. How do I cure Scarlet Rot in Elden Ring?
You can cure Scarlet Rot by using the Flame, Cleanse Me incantation (requires 12 Faith) or by consuming a Preserving Boluses.
5. Is there anything important to find in Caelid besides Radahn?
Yes! Caelid is home to several useful items, weapons, and spells. Notable locations include the Church of the Plague, the Abandoned Cave, and various dragon encounters. The sleeping dragon, Greyoll, can be farmed for a large number of Runes early in the game.
6. What are Radahn’s weaknesses?
Radahn is particularly vulnerable to Scarlet Rot and Frostbite. He’s also susceptible to other status effects like Bleed.
7. What happens after I defeat Radahn?
Defeating Radahn triggers a meteor to fall, opening the way to Nokron, Eternal City. You’ll also acquire Radahn’s Great Rune and his Remembrance, which can be traded for powerful weapons and spells.
8. Is Malenia immune to Scarlet Rot?
Malenia is not immune to Scarlet Rot, but she has a very high resistance. Applying Rot requires significant buildup.
9. How tall is Malenia?
According to in-game scaling and comparisons, Malenia is approximately 8 feet 4 inches (256 cm) tall.
10. Is the dragon Greyoll in Caelid important?
Yes, Greyoll is considered the mother of all dragons in the Elden Ring universe. While defeating her doesn’t directly advance the main story, it grants a massive amount of Runes.
11. Did Malenia intentionally poison Caelid?
While the use of the Scarlet Rot was likely a calculated strategy, the extent of the devastation was probably not her intention. It was a desperate measure born of a stalemate.
12. Is Godrick a mandatory boss?
Yes, Godrick the Grafted is considered a mandatory boss, as he guards the path through Stormveil Castle, a necessary step to reach the northern regions of the Lands Between.
13. Is Rennala mandatory?
Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, is optional, but she is a shardbearer. Defeating her is not strictly required, but you must defeat two shardbearers to access Leyndell.
14. What should I do after killing Radahn?
After defeating Radahn, you should explore the crater caused by the meteor impact to access Nokron, Eternal City. You can also pursue several questlines and use Radahn’s Remembrance.
15. Who is the final boss in Elden Ring?
The final boss is actually a two-stage fight: first, Radagon of the Golden Order, followed immediately by the Elden Beast.