Is There Any Downside to Killing Tanith in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, there absolutely are downsides to killing Tanith in Elden Ring, though whether they matter depends heavily on your gameplay style and priorities. While dispatching her might seem tempting, especially after witnessing her rather… unique post-Rykard activities, doing so cuts you off from potential questlines, rewards, and a specific flavor of lore. Before you unsheathe your blade, let’s delve into the specifics.
Why You Might Want to Kill Tanith
The immediate incentive is the Consort’s Set, Tanith’s attire. If fashion souls are your thing, this is a perfectly valid reason. Additionally, killing her triggers an invasion by her Crucible Knight, who, upon defeat, drops the Aspect of the Crucible: Breath incantation. This could be desirable for a Faith-based build.
However, this is where the benefits end, and the drawbacks begin to surface.
The Consequences of Killing Tanith
The most significant downside is prematurely ending the Volcano Manor questline. This questline, initiated by accepting Tanith’s offer to join the Manor, involves assassinating other Tarnished. Completing these assassinations nets you various rewards, including weapons, armor, and spells. Killing Tanith immediately severs this path, locking you out of these benefits.
Furthermore, killing Tanith means you can’t complete Patches’ questline fully. At the end of his quest, Patches gives you Dancer’s Castanets to give to Tanith. While giving them offers no tangible reward, it’s a small detail that adds to the game’s rich tapestry. Denying yourself the opportunity to interact with that piece of content is, in a sense, diminishing the experience of the game.
Finally, and perhaps most subjectively, killing Tanith robs you of future interactions with a fascinating, albeit eccentric, character. Her devotion to Rykard, even after his transformation and defeat, paints a compelling portrait of twisted love and obsession. By ending her story prematurely, you miss out on a potential emotional payoff, depending on your interpretation of her actions.
In summary, killing Tanith is a valid choice if you’re solely after her attire and the Crucible Knight’s incantation, and if you don’t care about the Volcano Manor questline. If you want to experience all Elden Ring has to offer, consider holding off on assassinating the consort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tanith
Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding Tanith and her role within Elden Ring.
1. What exactly does Tanith do after eating Rykard?
After you defeat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, Tanith returns to his corpse in the boss arena and begins consuming his remains. The article says it’s unknown why she does this. It can be due to emotional devotion or some hope that his flesh can be reborn through her. Then, you can give the Dancer’s Castanets to her, though it does nothing or kill her.
2. Should I follow Lady Tanith’s offer to join Volcano Manor?
Accepting Tanith’s offer opens the Volcano Manor questline, which involves assassinating other Tarnished. This is the easiest path to Rykard, but it requires exploring a later-game area. It is your choice.
3. What is the lore behind Tanith in Elden Ring?
Tanith was a dancer from a foreign land who became the consort of Rykard. She remained loyal to him even after his transformation into the serpent of blasphemy, showcasing a strong and somewhat disturbing obsession with him. After his defeat, she devours his remains, possibly hoping for his reincarnation. It is not known exactly why.
4. What are the direct rewards for completing Tanith’s questline?
Completing the assassinations for Volcano Manor yields various rewards including weapons such as the Magma Blade, armor sets, and spells.
5. What happens if I decline Tanith’s initial offer?
Refusing Tanith’s offer blocks access to the Volcano Manor questline and locks out the rewards associated with it.
6. What happens if I give Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets?
Giving Tanith the Dancer’s Castanets after she’s consuming Rykard’s remains triggers no special event or reward. It is a simple interaction, a somber moment between you and a broken soul.
7. Is Tanith Rykard’s wife?
Tanith is Rykard’s consort, not his wife. She serves as the leader of the Recusants, a group of Tarnished who oppose the Erdtree.
8. What are the benefits of completing the Volcano Manor questline before fighting Rykard?
The main benefit is gaining access to unique weapons, armor sets, and spells obtainable only through completing the assassination contracts. Also, completing them before fighting Rykard allows you to interact with the quests.
9. What happens if I tell Lady Tanith about Zoraya’s true form?
Revealing the truth about Zoraya/Rya leads to a side quest where you can choose to give her the Tonic of Forgetfulness, impacting her personal story. This might affect the story and the items you can get later on.
10. Does killing Rykard affect the Volcano Manor questline?
Yes, killing Rykard locks you out of any remaining assassination contracts within the Volcano Manor questline, so it’s best to complete them beforehand.
11. How do I get Lady Tanith’s armor set, the Consort’s Set?
You can obtain the Consort’s Set by killing Tanith. Be warned, doing so will trigger the invasion of her Crucible Knight, who must be defeated. The set will be found where Tanith was, by Rykard’s corpse.
12. What are the potential downsides of joining Volcano Manor in terms of story implications?
While there are no concrete “bad” endings or consequences for joining Volcano Manor, some players might feel conflicted about participating in assassinations, as it goes against the Greater Will.
13. Is Volcano Manor considered a “good” or “bad” faction?
Volcano Manor is morally ambiguous. Joining offers access to unique content but involves participating in potentially questionable activities. Whether it’s “good” or “bad” is a matter of personal interpretation.
14. What happens if I complete Millicent’s questline?
Helping Millicent rewards you with the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and allows you to continue her narrative.
15. Can I get locked out of other content by joining Volcano Manor?
No. Joining Volcano Manor doesn’t lock you out of other content; however, killing Rykard prematurely locks you out of the content from Volcano Manor itself.
Ultimately, the decision to kill Tanith comes down to your personal preference and priorities. Are you a completionist aiming for every weapon and armor set? Then, hold off on the assassination. Are you more concerned with acquiring a specific incantation and don’t mind missing out on the other content? Then, go ahead and strike her down. Consider these points before making your decision.
Learning about the nuances of game design and player choices like these can lead to a deeper understanding of the medium. For more information on game-based learning and the impact of games on society, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society offers valuable resources for educators, researchers, and anyone interested in the power of games.