Should You Give Millicent the Golden Needle in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely. Giving Millicent the Unalloyed Gold Needle is a crucial step in her questline, and the benefits far outweigh any perceived drawbacks. Not only is it necessary to progress her story and unlock valuable rewards, but it also ties into the larger lore of Malenia, Goddess of Rot and her connection to the Scarlet Rot. Refusing to give her the needle essentially cuts her quest short and prevents you from experiencing one of the more compelling narratives in Elden Ring. The rewards for seeing her quest through to its proper conclusion can be a powerful boost to your character and a deeper understanding of the game’s world.

Unlocking Millicent’s Quest: A Step-by-Step Approach

Millicent’s questline is somewhat involved, requiring you to track her down across the Lands Between. Here’s a basic rundown:

1. Begin at Gowry’s Shack: This is where you’ll first encounter the mysterious Gowry, who tasks you with finding the Unalloyed Gold Needle in Caelid.
2. Obtain the Unalloyed Gold Needle: Head to the Swamp of Aeonia in Caelid. You’ll find the needle in a chest guarded by a Commander O’Neil boss fight.
3. Return to Gowry: Give the needle to Gowry, who will repair it for you after resting at a Site of Grace.
4. Give the Needle to Millicent: This is the critical decision we’re discussing. Find Millicent in Gowry’s Shack and hand over the repaired needle.
5. Follow Millicent’s Journey: From here, Millicent will move to several locations, each requiring you to speak with her and progress her quest. The details of these locations will depend on your prior choices and progress throughout the Lands Between.

The Rewards for Helping Millicent

By aiding Millicent, you’re not just being a good Samaritan; you’re also unlocking some fantastic rewards. The most notable rewards include:

• Prosthesis-Wearer Heirloom: This talisman, which raises your Dexterity, is received immediately after giving Millicent the needle and resting at a Site of Grace.
• Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: This talisman significantly boosts your attack power with successive attacks. This is rewarded for assisting Millicent during her questline when facing the invaders. This is considered by many to be one of the best talismans in the game for damage output.
• Millicent’s Prosthesis: This talisman is acquired if you choose to challenge and kill Millicent near the end of her questline. It grants the same successive attack bonus as the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, but also provides a +5 to Dexterity.
• Miquella’s Needle: Completing Millicent’s questline and choosing to assist her is ultimately necessary to obtain Miquella’s Needle, which is acquired by returning the Unalloyed Gold Needle to Malenia’s Scarlet Aeonia after defeating her. Miquella’s Needle allows you to reverse the Frenzied Flame ending, which is crucial if you want to experience all of Elden Ring’s possible conclusions.

The Moral Implications

While Elden Ring is full of morally grey choices, helping Millicent feels like the “right” thing to do. She is a tragic figure, afflicted with the Scarlet Rot and struggling to define her own identity separate from Malenia. By giving her the needle, you offer her a chance at a better life, or at least the opportunity to make her own choices before the rot consumes her completely.

The Alternative: Betraying Millicent

It’s possible to betray Millicent and kill her for her Prosthesis. However, this path has several downsides:

• Missing out on Lore: You’ll completely cut yourself off from the rest of Millicent’s compelling story, losing out on the narrative insights the quest provides.
• Less Powerful Talisman Early: Obtaining Millicent’s Prosthesis early by killing Millicent can be helpful. However, it means locking yourself out of the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia by progressing her quest, as you can only get one per playthrough without trading with other players.
• Missing out on Miquella’s Needle: As previously mentioned, completing Millicent’s questline is a requirement to get Miquella’s Needle, which is important to have in order to achieve one of the endings of the game.
• The Death of Gowry: If you choose to kill Millicent and take her prosthesis, Gowry will be found dead if you return to his shack.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. But from a gameplay and narrative perspective, giving Millicent the needle and following her questline offers a far more rewarding experience.

FAQs About Millicent and the Golden Needle

1. Where do I find the Unalloyed Gold Needle initially?

The Unalloyed Gold Needle is located in the Swamp of Aeonia in Caelid. It’s in a chest guarded by the boss Commander O’Neil.

2. What happens if I don’t give Millicent the needle?

If you don’t give Millicent the needle, her questline will not progress. She’ll remain in Gowry’s Shack, afflicted by the Scarlet Rot, and you’ll miss out on all the subsequent events and rewards associated with her quest.

3. Can I get the Unalloyed Gold Needle back after giving it to Millicent?

No, you cannot get the original Unalloyed Gold Needle back after giving it to Millicent. However, you will eventually be able to obtain Miquella’s Needle by using the Unalloyed Gold Needle on Malenia’s Scarlet Aeonia after you defeat Malenia.

4. Is Millicent related to Malenia?

The game heavily implies that Millicent is related to Malenia, potentially being a “bud” or an extension of her. This connection is never explicitly stated, but it is strongly suggested through dialogue, item descriptions, and the nature of the Scarlet Rot. Gowry even speaks of her as if she is Malenia’s daughter or clone.

5. What is the best ending for Millicent’s questline?

The “best” ending is subjective, but assisting Millicent in her final battle and allowing her to die peacefully is considered the more complete and narratively satisfying ending. This also ensures you get the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and, crucially, allows you to get Miquella’s Needle later on.

6. Can I get both the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and Millicent’s Prosthesis in one playthrough?

Without trading with another player, you cannot get both the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia and Millicent’s Prosthesis in a single playthrough. To acquire the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, you must complete the quest by assisting Millicent until her death. To get Millicent’s Prosthesis, you must kill her when given the choice. To get both, you must get one and trade with another player for the other.

7. What is the significance of Miquella’s Needle?

Miquella’s Needle allows you to suppress the influence of the Frenzied Flame if you’ve inherited it. This is vital if you want to achieve any ending other than the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.

8. Where does Millicent go after I give her the needle?

After giving Millicent the needle and exhausting her dialogue, she moves to Altus Plateau, specifically the Erdtree Gazing Hill.

9. Does Millicent’s quest affect other quests?

Millicent’s quest does not directly block any other questlines, but as you advance through the game and story, you can lock yourself out of certain questlines or be prevented from obtaining certain items. However, some quests, like Gowry’s, are intertwined with hers.

10. What level should I be when attempting Millicent’s quest?

Millicent’s questline spans several regions with varying difficulty levels. A character level of 60-80 is generally recommended before delving into the areas where her quest progresses. The more important factor is how upgraded your weapons are. +15 or higher on regular weapons, or +6 or higher on somber weapons, will ensure you’re dealing enough damage to survive the encounters.

11. Where can I learn more about the lore surrounding Millicent and Malenia?

Examining item descriptions, listening carefully to NPC dialogue (especially Gowry), and exploring the areas associated with the Scarlet Rot will provide valuable insights. There are also countless online communities and lore videos dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of Elden Ring’s world.

12. What are the differences between Millicent’s Prosthesis and the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia?

Both talismans boost attack power with successive attacks. The Rotten Winged Sword Insignia provides a greater increase to attack power than Millicent’s Prosthesis. However, Millicent’s Prosthesis also grants +5 Dexterity.

13. Is Millicent’s quest necessary for 100% completion of Elden Ring?

While you can technically “complete” Elden Ring without doing Millicent’s quest, it is required for obtaining Miquella’s Needle, which is required to change your ending of the game if you have accepted the Frenzied Flame. For most, that means this questline is vital in experiencing the full breadth of what the game has to offer.

14. What happens if I kill Gowry before completing Millicent’s quest?

Killing Gowry early will prevent you from initiating Millicent’s questline. It’s best to complete at least the initial stages of her quest before considering harming him (though there’s little reason to do so).

15. Can I respec my stats if I regret choosing Millicent’s Prosthesis or the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia?

Yes, you can respec your stats by using a Larval Tear after defeating Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and reallocating your points as needed. This allows you to adjust your build to better utilize either talisman.

Ultimately, the journey through the Lands Between is one of discovery and choice. But when it comes to Millicent and her plea for help, the path of compassion is ultimately the more rewarding one, both in terms of gameplay and the rich narrative tapestry that Elden Ring weaves. And if you’re interested in learning more about how games like Elden Ring create these compelling experiences, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society through their website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They study how games impact learning and human behavior, providing valuable insights into the design and impact of these interactive worlds.