Should I Help or Defeat Millicent in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The agonizing choice: helping or defeating Millicent in Elden Ring. There’s no single “right” answer, as it hinges on your desired ending, your character build, and your willingness to bear the consequences of your actions. However, helping Millicent generally leads to a more rewarding narrative outcome, granting access to powerful talismans and contributing to a more optimistic conclusion for the character’s storyline, although it may lock you out of a specific ending. Conversely, defeating Millicent offers a unique, powerful item tailored for specific builds but comes with the emotional weight of ending her journey prematurely. Ultimately, the decision is yours, Tarnished.
Understanding Millicent’s Questline
Millicent’s questline is one of the most emotionally resonant and narratively complex in Elden Ring. It intertwines with the lore of Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and delves into themes of destiny, free will, and the corrosive nature of the Scarlet Rot. Engaging with her questline unlocks significant rewards, regardless of your ultimate choice, and offers deep insights into the world and its tragic characters.
Meeting and Healing Millicent
Your journey with Millicent begins in the Church of Plague in Caelid, a region ravaged by Scarlet Rot. You’ll find her debilitated and in desperate need of assistance. To initiate her quest, you need to obtain the Unalloyed Gold Needle from Commander O’Neil, located in the heart of the Aeonia Swamp. Once obtained, return to Gowry in Gowry’s Shack outside Sellia, Town of Sorcery. He will repair the needle and instruct you to use it on Millicent. This act of healing sets her on a path of self-discovery and allows her to travel the Lands Between, following a destiny seemingly predetermined by her connection to Malenia.
Guiding Her Journey
As Millicent recovers, she’ll relocate to various locations, including Erdtree-Gazing Hill in the Altus Plateau, Windmill Village, and eventually Ancient Snow Valley Ruins in the Mountaintops of the Giants. Each encounter provides opportunities to learn more about her past, her struggles with the Scarlet Rot, and her determination to forge her own path, independent of Malenia’s influence. Following her dialogue options is crucial for progressing the questline.
The Crossroads: Choice Time
The defining moment arrives in the Haligtree. After defeating the Ulcerated Tree Spirit in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree, you’ll find two summon signs near a small pool of rot. One sign will allow you to assist Millicent in defeating her sisters, while the other will allow you to invade and defeat her. This is the crux of the decision.
Consequences of Helping Millicent
Choosing to help Millicent has several significant outcomes:
-
Millicent’s Prothesis: After defeating her sisters, she will remain weakened. Reloading the area allows you to speak with her one last time. Exhausting her dialogue will result in her dying peacefully, leaving behind the Millicent’s Prothesis talisman. This powerful talisman grants +5 Dexterity and boosts attack power on successive attacks, making it invaluable for Dexterity-based builds.
-
Unlocking the Lord of Frenzied Flame Ending (Potential Lockout): Helping Millicent contributes to a narrative arc that potentially closes off the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending (if you received the Frenzied Flame Proscription from the Three Fingers). This is because her quest, along with others, helps solidify your resolve against the influence of outer gods.
-
Narrative Satisfaction: Many players find helping Millicent to be a more emotionally fulfilling experience, as it allows her to find peace and agency in her final moments. It’s a poignant narrative of overcoming a predetermined fate.
Consequences of Defeating Millicent
Choosing to defeat Millicent also has specific consequences:
-
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia: Upon defeating her, you’ll receive the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia talisman. This talisman provides a substantial boost to attack power on successive attacks, exceeding that of Millicent’s Prothesis. However, it requires a more aggressive playstyle to fully utilize.
-
Premature End to Her Story: Defeating Millicent cuts her journey short and prevents her from achieving closure or finding peace. It’s a morally ambiguous choice with potentially negative narrative implications.
-
Access to Gowry’s Bell Bearing: After defeating Millicent, you can return to Gowry’s Shack. He will be dead and drop Gowry’s Bell Bearing, which allows you to purchase his sorceries from the Twin Maiden Husks at the Roundtable Hold.
Which Choice is Best?
Ultimately, the “best” choice depends on your priorities:
-
For Dexterity Builds Seeking Stability: Helping Millicent is the better choice. Millicent’s Prothesis is a consistent damage boost and a valuable addition to Dexterity builds. The emotional resolution is also a strong incentive for many players.
-
For Aggressive Builds and Raw Power: Defeating Millicent and obtaining the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia offers the highest damage potential, albeit requiring a more risky and aggressive playstyle. If maximizing damage output is your sole focus, this may be the preferable option.
-
For Narrative Focus: If you’re invested in the story and want to see Millicent achieve a sense of peace and control over her destiny, helping her is the more rewarding path.
-
For Completionists: If you are looking for a specific ending it is important to consider how this will affect other quests.
Consider your playstyle, your build, and your preferred narrative outcome before making your final decision. There is no objectively correct answer, and the weight of your choice is part of what makes Elden Ring such a compelling experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I accidentally kill Millicent before starting her quest?
Unfortunately, if you kill Millicent before initiating her questline, you will permanently lock yourself out of it for that playthrough. You’ll have to wait until New Game Plus (NG+) to experience her story.
2. Can I reverse my decision if I help or defeat Millicent?
No. Once you’ve chosen to help or defeat Millicent, the decision is irreversible for that playthrough.
3. Does helping or defeating Millicent affect other questlines besides the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending?
Indirectly, yes. Millicent’s quest is intertwined with Gowry’s questline. Your choice will determine Gowry’s fate and the availability of his sorceries. However, it doesn’t directly impact other major questlines significantly.
4. Is Millicent’s Prothesis worth it?
Absolutely, for Dexterity builds. The +5 Dexterity is significant, especially early in the game, and the successive attack power boost is a welcome addition. It’s a highly sought-after talisman.
5. Is the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia worth it?
Yes, for aggressive builds that can consistently land multiple consecutive attacks. The damage boost is substantial, making it a powerhouse for specific playstyles.
6. What are some good builds that benefit from Millicent’s Prothesis?
Any Dexterity-focused build, such as those utilizing katanas, curved swords, or dual-wielding setups, will greatly benefit from Millicent’s Prothesis.
7. What are some good builds that benefit from the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia?
Builds that focus on rapid attacks and high damage output, such as those utilizing dual-wielding weapons with jump attacks, or weapons with skills that allow multiple hits in quick succession (like the Rivers of Blood katana), benefit greatly from the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia.
8. Do I need to defeat Malenia to complete Millicent’s questline?
No, you don’t need to defeat Malenia. While they are connected in the lore, their quests are independent of each other.
9. Can I get both talismans in one playthrough?
No. You can only obtain either Millicent’s Prothesis or the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia in a single playthrough, depending on your choice.
10. What happens if I don’t use the Unalloyed Gold Needle on Millicent right away?
If you delay using the Unalloyed Gold Needle on Millicent, it won’t negatively impact the questline. However, progressing further in the game without doing so will prevent you from advancing her quest.
11. Does Millicent’s quest affect my chances of getting the “Elden Lord” ending?
No. Millicent’s questline does not directly affect your ability to achieve the standard “Elden Lord” ending.
12. Where can I find Gowry’s Bell Bearing if I defeat Millicent?
After defeating Millicent and returning to Gowry’s Shack, you will find Gowry dead, and his Bell Bearing will be available for pickup from his corpse.
13. What level should I be to tackle Millicent’s questline?
Millicent’s quest spans several regions, so a recommended level range would be 80-120. This will ensure you are adequately equipped to handle the enemies and challenges involved.
14. Does my weapon upgrade level matter for this quest?
Yes, weapon upgrade level will definitely make a difference, especially when facing the Ulcerated Tree Spirit and Millicent’s sisters. Aim to have weapons at least +18 or higher with regular smithing stones, and +7 or higher with somber smithing stones.
15. Is Millicent related to Malenia?
Yes, Millicent is a creation of Malenia, sharing her genetic code, and is considered one of her sisters. This connection is central to her struggles and her desire to forge her own destiny.