Should You Keep Remembrances in Elden Ring? A Tarnished Guide to Power and Progression
In the sprawling, treacherous world of Elden Ring, Remembrances stand as potent testaments to your victories against the game’s most formidable foes. The immediate question many Tarnished face upon acquiring one is: should you keep them, or cash them in for runes? The short answer is a resounding yes, keep them! While the allure of a quick rune boost might be tempting, the true value of Remembrances lies in the unique weapons, spells, and incantations they unlock. Cashing them in for runes is generally considered a short-sighted decision by experienced players, given the wealth of rune farming methods available in the game.
Understanding Remembrances and Their Value
Remembrances are essentially the souls (or memories) of the Shardbearers and other powerful bosses you defeat in Elden Ring. Each Remembrance corresponds to a specific boss, such as Godrick the Grafted, Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, or Malenia, Blade of Miquella. Upon acquiring a Remembrance, you have two primary options:
- Consume it for Runes: This grants a large number of runes, the game’s primary currency, which you can use to level up your character or purchase items from merchants.
- Trade it for Unique Items: By visiting Finger Reader Enia at the Roundtable Hold, you can trade your Remembrance for one of two powerful weapons, spells, or incantations associated with the defeated boss.
While the rune reward might seem appealing, the unique items offered are almost always the superior choice. These items are often powerful, possess unique skills, and cannot be obtained through any other means in the game.
The Power of Unique Items vs. Runes
Elden Ring offers numerous ways to farm runes, some of which are incredibly efficient, especially in the late game. These farming methods make the rune boost from consuming a Remembrance significantly less valuable than obtaining a unique weapon or spell. For example, late-game rune farming methods can yield tens or even hundreds of thousands of runes per hour, making the one-time rune boost from a Remembrance seem paltry in comparison.
Furthermore, the weapons and spells obtained from Remembrances are often tailored to specific builds and playstyles, offering significant power spikes and unique gameplay opportunities. The Blasphemous Blade, obtained from the Remembrance of the Grafted, for instance, is renowned for its self-healing weapon skill, making it a fantastic choice for players who prefer aggressive melee combat.
Duplicating Remembrances at Walking Mausoleums
Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between obtaining both items associated with a Remembrance. Walking Mausoleums, the giant, lumbering stone structures scattered throughout the Lands Between, allow you to duplicate Remembrances.
Each Mausoleum can only be used once per playthrough to duplicate a single Remembrance. To use a Mausoleum, you typically need to clear the white skull barnacles encasing its legs and feet. Once cleared, the Mausoleum will lower itself to the ground, allowing you to enter and duplicate your desired Remembrance.
Important Note: There are two types of Walking Mausoleums: those with a bell and those without. Mausoleums with bells are required to duplicate the Remembrances of the main Shardbearer bosses, such as Godrick, Rennala, Radahn, Morgott, Rykard, Mohg, and Malenia. Mausoleums without bells can only duplicate Remembrances from non-Shardbearer bosses.
New Game Plus and Remembrance Carryover
Good news for completionists! Any unused Remembrances will carry over to New Game Plus (NG+). This allows you to duplicate them in a new playthrough to acquire items you may have missed during your initial run or simply acquire a second copy of a powerful weapon for dual-wielding purposes.
Making the Right Choice: A Strategic Approach
Ultimately, the best course of action is to always trade your Remembrances for unique items at the Roundtable Hold, and then duplicate them at a Walking Mausoleum to acquire the second item if desired. Avoid consuming them for runes unless you are in dire need of a small level boost early in the game and have no other readily available rune farming options.
By strategically managing your Remembrances and utilizing Walking Mausoleums, you can maximize your character’s power and explore the full range of build options available in Elden Ring. This strategic gameplay is a testament to the intricate game design that is sometimes analyzed at the Games Learning Society and on GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Remembrances in Elden Ring
1. Can I duplicate a Remembrance after I’ve already used it?
Yes, you can duplicate a Remembrance at a Walking Mausoleum even if you’ve already traded it for a weapon or consumed it for runes. As long as you originally obtained it from the boss, it can be duplicated.
2. What happens if I defeat a boss again in NG+? Do I get another Remembrance?
Yes, defeating a boss in NG+ will reward you with another Remembrance. This allows you to acquire multiple copies of the same weapon or spell across multiple playthroughs.
3. Are there any Remembrances that are objectively “bad” and should be consumed for runes?
While personal preference plays a role, most Remembrances offer valuable items that are worth obtaining. Even if you don’t immediately see a use for an item, it might become useful later in the game or for a different build. It is generally recommended to avoid consuming any Remembrances unless absolutely necessary.
4. How many Walking Mausoleums are there in Elden Ring?
There are approximately seven Walking Mausoleums in Elden Ring, although the exact number can vary slightly depending on how you count them. Keep an eye out for the large structures with skull-covered feet!
5. Can I duplicate a Remembrance multiple times?
No, you can only duplicate a Remembrance once per Walking Mausoleum. Each Mausoleum can only be used once per playthrough.
6. Do Golden Runes affect Remembrance choices?
No, Golden Runes are separate from Remembrances. Golden Runes are consumable items that grant a fixed amount of runes when used, while Remembrances are tied to specific bosses and offer unique items.
7. What is the best Remembrance weapon for a strength build?
Several Remembrance weapons are excellent for strength builds. The Axe of Godrick (from Godrick’s Remembrance) and Starscourge Greatsword (from Radahn’s Remembrance) are strong contenders.
8. What is the best Remembrance spell for an intelligence build?
The Carian Regal Scepter (from Rennala’s Remembrance) is an excellent choice for intelligence builds, scaling well with Intelligence and providing access to powerful sorceries.
9. Is it possible to miss a Walking Mausoleum and lose the opportunity to duplicate a Remembrance?
Yes, it is possible to miss a Walking Mausoleum, but you won’t completely lose the opportunity. You can duplicate the Remembrance in NG+ if you missed it in your initial playthrough.
10. What determines whether a Walking Mausoleum has a bell or not?
The Walking Mausoleums with bells are specifically designed to duplicate the Remembrances of the main Shardbearer bosses. This is likely a design choice to limit the duplication of certain powerful items.
11. Can I duplicate the Elden Remembrance?
No, you cannot duplicate the Elden Remembrance, as it is obtained from the final boss and there are no Walking Mausoleums available after defeating it.
12. Does the level of my weapon affect the decision to use a Remembrance for runes vs. items?
No, your current weapon level does not directly influence the decision. The value of the Remembrance lies in the potential items it offers, regardless of your existing equipment.
13. Are there any hidden consequences to consuming a Remembrance for runes instead of trading it?
No, there are no hidden negative consequences beyond missing out on the unique items.
14. What is the recommended level for fighting the Elden Beast?
While it varies depending on your skill and build, a recommended level for fighting the Elden Beast is around 120 and up, with weapons of +22 or higher.
15. Can I get both Marika’s Hammer and the Sacred Relic Sword from the Elden Remembrance in a single playthrough?
No, you cannot get both weapons in a single playthrough. You must choose one or the other. However, you can obtain the other weapon in NG+ after defeating the Elden Beast again.