Should You Embrace the Frenzy? A Comprehensive Guide to the Three Fingers in Elden Ring
The question of whether to embrace the Three Fingers in Elden Ring is a significant one, carrying heavy implications for your journey and the ultimate fate of the Lands Between. The short answer is: it depends entirely on your desired experience and ending. Joining the Three Fingers irrevocably sets you on the path to becoming the Lord of Frenzied Flame, locking you into a unique, chaotic conclusion. However, this path is not without its consequences, and understanding those is key to making an informed decision. This article will delve into what embracing the Three Fingers entails, its ramifications, and help you decide if this path is the right one for you.
Understanding the Three Fingers and the Frenzied Flame
The Three Fingers represent a force of chaotic destruction, opposed to the Two Fingers and the established order of the Greater Will. They are essentially agents of the Frenzied Flame, an Outer God that seeks to return the world to a primal state of chaos, before the influence of the Greater Will. Their goal is to imbue a host, namely you, with the Frenzied Flame curse, transforming you into the Lord of Frenzy and ultimately destroying the Erdtree and reshaping the Lands Between through fiery chaos.
The Path to the Three Fingers
To encounter the Three Fingers, you must navigate the Leyndell City Catacombs. Reaching them involves a descent into the depths, which in itself acts as a metaphor for the chaotic path you’re about to embark on. This encounter isn’t just a fleeting moment; it’s a pivotal decision that will shape your endgame.
The Consequences of Embracing the Frenzy
Accepting the Frenzied Flame comes with several notable consequences:
- Ending Lock-in: The most crucial consequence is that you’re effectively locked into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. All other endings become inaccessible unless you undertake a specific process to reverse your decision.
- Melina’s Fate: If you allow Melina to burn the Erdtree before accepting the Frenzied Flame, she will disappear from your playthrough, never to return. However, if you embrace the Frenzied Flame before the burning, she will appear in a brief cutscene at the end, vowing to kill you, a stark difference from the other endings.
- A Unique, Destructive Path: This path offers a distinct narrative experience and is dramatically different from the more traditional endings.
Reversing the Frenzied Flame
If, after accepting the Frenzied Flame, you wish to change your mind, it is possible to do so. This requires using Miquella’s Needle in the boss arena of Dragonlord Placidusax at Crumbling Farum Azula. This action permanently removes the Frenzied Flame curse and allows you to pursue other endings. However, it’s important to note that this reversal is permanent, and you can’t re-accept the Frenzied Flame after using Miquella’s Needle.
Should You Choose This Path?
The decision to join the Three Fingers isn’t a matter of “good” or “bad,” but rather a question of what kind of ending you want to experience and how deeply you resonate with the game’s various narratives. Here are some points to consider:
- Desire for Chaos: If you are fascinated by the game’s lore and prefer to see the world remade and free from the control of the Greater Will, then the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending could be appealing.
- Narrative Variance: The Frenzied Flame path provides a powerful and unique narrative and ending cutscene, dramatically different from other paths. It’s an option for players who want a dramatically different experience, showcasing one of the darkest routes possible in the game.
- Consequences of Actions: It allows you to experience the weight of your decisions, with profound impacts on the game’s world.
- Exploration of Morality: Elden Ring is not a game of simple good versus evil. The choices are morally gray, and the Three Fingers path encourages players to grapple with these complex themes.
The Final Verdict
Ultimately, the question of whether you should join the Three Fingers is a personal one. It’s a decision that significantly impacts the narrative and outcome of your game. If you seek a radically different and powerful ending, one that challenges the status quo and offers a taste of pure chaos, then the path of the Lord of Frenzied Flame is worth considering. However, if you are looking for a less destructive, and more conventional path, or if you have a particular ending in mind, the Three Fingers should be avoided or the Frenzied Flame should be undone using Miquella’s Needle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ultimate goal of the Three Fingers?
The Three Fingers aim to imbue a host with the Frenzied Flame, ultimately leading to the destruction of the existing world and its return to a primal state of chaos. They believe this is the only true freedom.
2. Can I still get the “good” ending if I accept the Frenzied Flame?
No, accepting the Frenzied Flame locks you into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending unless you use Miquella’s Needle to reverse it, making all other ending inaccessible prior.
3. Is the Frenzied Flame inherently evil?
While the consequences of the Frenzied Flame are undeniably destructive, Elden Ring avoids simplistic labels of “good” and “evil.” The Frenzied Flame is a force of chaos, challenging the oppressive order of the Greater Will.
4. What is the significance of Miquella’s Needle?
Miquella’s Needle is a unique item that can remove the Frenzied Flame curse, allowing you to pursue other endings. This is the only way to reverse the decision to join the Three Fingers.
5. Does Melina approve of the Frenzied Flame?
No, Melina strongly opposes the Frenzied Flame. If she burns the Erdtree before you accept the Frenzied Flame, she will no longer appear. If you get the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, she will appear as a very vengeful opponent.
6. Does the Three Fingers path affect gameplay?
The Three Fingers path doesn’t significantly alter the gameplay itself but instead changes your end game choice and the narrative ending.
7. Can I undo the Three Fingers after accepting them?
Yes, by using Miquella’s Needle in the Dragonlord Placidusax arena at Crumbling Farum Azula, you can reverse the Frenzied Flame.
8. Is the Lord of Frenzied Flame the most powerful ending?
It could be argued as being the most destructive, but not necessarily the most powerful. The Frenzied Flame is capable of entirely obliterating the Erdtree, demonstrating its raw power. However, power can be subjective in the game, varying from player perception.
9. Who is Shabriri in relation to the Frenzied Flame?
Shabriri is considered a human representative of the Frenzied Flame. He guides you toward the Three Fingers and embodies the chaotic philosophy of this force.
10. Is the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending worth it?
If you’re seeking a unique and dramatically different ending that showcases a pure destructive route, then the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is worth exploring. It is not a conventional “good” or “happy” ending, but it’s certainly impactful and offers a powerful conclusion to the narrative.
11. How does accepting the Three Fingers affect the world state?
Accepting the Three Fingers changes the ending cut scene, but does not change the current state of the world.
12. Does accepting the Frenzied Flame have a negative effect on other characters or NPCs?
Accepting the Frenzied Flame primarily affects the end game narrative and does not have a specific negative effect on other character and NPC questlines.
13. What is the connection between the Three Fingers and the Two Fingers?
The Three Fingers and the Two Fingers are opposing forces. The Two Fingers represent the Greater Will and the established order, while the Three Fingers represent the chaos of the Frenzied Flame.
14. Is it possible to explore the entire game before deciding about the Three Fingers?
Yes, you can freely explore most of the game and decide about the Three Fingers path later in the playthrough.
15. Can I reverse the Frenzied Flame at any point before the final battle?
Yes, you can use Miquella’s Needle in the Dragonlord Placidusax arena at Crumbling Farum Azula anytime after accepting the Frenzied Flame and before the final battle to reverse it and pursue other endings.