Should You Show Gideon the Potion in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, absolutely, you should show Gideon the potion in Elden Ring. Giving Seluvis’s potion to Gideon Ofnir is generally considered the best course of action within the game, particularly if you’re aiming to maximize quest completion and avoid undesirable outcomes for certain characters. This decision unlocks significant benefits, impacting multiple questlines and overall game progression.
Why Gideon is the Optimal Choice for Seluvis’s Potion
The world of Elden Ring is filled with moral choices that have far-reaching consequences. Seluvis’s potion is one such choice, presenting players with a seemingly simple decision that can dramatically alter the fates of key NPCs. Here’s why opting to give the potion to Gideon is the superior strategy:
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Preserves Nepheli Loux’s Questline: The most significant advantage of giving the potion to Gideon is that it prevents Nepheli Loux from being turned into a puppet by Seluvis. This dark fate prematurely ends her questline, locking you out of potential rewards and a satisfying character arc. By giving the potion to Gideon, he will destroy the potion and advise you to lie to Seluvis, allowing you to continue Nepheli’s quest.
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Maintains Dung Eater’s Questline: Similar to Nepheli, the Dung Eater’s questline is also linked to Seluvis’s manipulation. Choosing Gideon ensures that you can continue both characters’ individual journeys toward their unique endings.
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Avoids Undesirable Spirit Ashes: Giving the potion to Nepheli results in acquiring the Dolores the Sleeping Arrow puppet Spirit Ash. While Spirit Ashes can be valuable tools, Dolores is generally considered one of the weaker options and isn’t worth sacrificing Nepheli’s questline for.
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Maintains Access to Seluvis’s Sorceries: Paradoxically, even if you lie to Seluvis about giving the potion to Nepheli (after giving it to Gideon), you can still purchase Elden Ring sorceries from him. This allows you to reap the benefits of his shop without condemning Nepheli to a bleak existence.
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Gideon’s Knowledge: Gideon is presented as the All-Knowing, and he knows how evil Seluvis really is. He is the best person to trust in this situation.
The Consequences of Other Choices
To fully appreciate the benefits of giving the potion to Gideon, it’s important to understand the ramifications of alternative choices:
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Giving the potion to Nepheli: This is the least desirable outcome. Nepheli is turned into a puppet, her questline ends abruptly, and you receive a subpar Spirit Ash.
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Giving the potion to the Dung Eater: While this doesn’t impact Nepheli’s quest, it commits the Dung Eater to Seluvis’s control, which is still an undesirable outcome.
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Refusing to engage with the quest: Ignoring Seluvis’s quest entirely is an option, but it means missing out on potential rewards and lore implications. By engaging with it and choosing Gideon, you gain the most benefit.
Stepping Through the Process
Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough to make sure you take the best path:
- Receive the Potion: Acquire the potion from Seluvis.
- Locate Gideon: Find Gideon Ofnir in Roundtable Hold, usually sitting at his desk.
- Show Gideon the Potion: Talk to Gideon and select the option to show him the potion. He will understand the evil nature behind Seluvis.
- Follow Gideon’s Advice: Gideon will advise you to lie to Seluvis. Take his advice and LIE.
- Return to Seluvis: Speak to Seluvis and tell him you gave the potion to Nepheli (or the Dung Eater, if you’re pursuing that path).
- Continue Quests: Continue both Nepheli Loux and Dung Eater’s questlines as normal.
Understanding the Larger Narrative
The Seluvis potion quest is a microcosm of the broader themes in Elden Ring: manipulation, power, and the cost of ambition. By making informed choices, players can shape the fates of characters and influence the trajectory of the narrative. This quest is also a great example of video game based learning. For more information on learning through video games check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I show Gideon the potion?
Gideon will recognize the potion’s purpose and advise you to lie to Seluvis after disposing of it. This is the recommended course of action to preserve NPC questlines.
2. Can I still buy sorceries from Seluvis if I lie to him?
Yes, you can continue purchasing sorceries from Seluvis even after lying about giving the potion.
3. Is it better to give the potion to Nepheli or Gideon?
Gideon is the better choice. Giving the potion to Nepheli will lock you out of her quest and turn her into a puppet.
4. Where can I find Nepheli after killing Godrick?
Initially, Nepheli can be found in a room near Godrick’s arena. Later, she will return to Roundtable Hold, crouching near the blacksmith.
5. Why can’t I give the potion to Gideon?
You may need to progress Nepheli’s questline further, including speaking to her in the Village of the Albinaurics, before the option to give the potion to Gideon becomes available.
6. What is the best ending for Seluvis’s potion quest?
The best ending is giving the potion to Gideon, lying to Seluvis, and continuing Nepheli’s questline.
7. What are the rewards for defeating Gideon?
Defeating Gideon rewards you with the Scepter of the All-Knowing and the All-Knowing Armor Set.
8. Is Gideon an easy boss?
Gideon is considered one of the easier bosses in the late game, vulnerable to melee damage and easily staggered.
9. Can I complete Nepheli’s quest after killing Gideon?
It’s possible, but may require warping to Godrick’s arena and resting multiple times to trigger her next location.
10. Does Gostoc need to be alive for Nepheli’s quest?
No, Gostoc’s death won’t lock you out of Nepheli’s quest, but you’ll miss out on his associated rewards.
11. Should I summon Nepheli for the Godrick fight?
Summoning Nepheli for the Godrick fight is optional but recommended to progress her questline.
12. What happens if I lie to Seluvis about the potion?
Lying to Seluvis has no negative consequences and is required to continue other questlines.
13. What is the Stormhawk King used for?
The Stormhawk King is a key item used to progress Nepheli Loux and Kenneth Haight’s questlines.
14. Is Nepheli Godfrey’s daughter?
The lore suggests Nepheli may be related to Godfrey’s persona as Hoarah Loux, chieftain of the badlands.
15. Who killed Seluvis?
Ranni (offscreen) kills Seluvis for attempting to turn her into a puppet after you give her the Fingerslayer Blade.
Conclusion
Navigating the complex quests and moral choices in Elden Ring can be daunting, but choosing to give Seluvis’s potion to Gideon Ofnir is a clear strategic advantage. It protects key characters, preserves questlines, and ultimately allows you to experience more of what the game has to offer. So, trust in the All-Knowing, and make the wise choice!