Elden Ring: The Rewards (and Consequences) of Eliminating White Mask Varré
So, you’re considering ending the first encounter most Tarnished have in the Lands Between prematurely? White Mask Varré, that snide fellow with a penchant for calling you “maidenless,” might seem like a justifiable target for some early aggression. But what exactly do you get for ending his questline before it begins?
By killing White Mask Varré early in Elden Ring, you immediately obtain Varre’s Bouquet (a weapon) and 5 Festering Bloody Fingers (used for invading other players’ worlds). You also obtain 1 Rune Arc. However, you will lock yourself out of completing his quest line and obtaining its valuable rewards. These rewards include earlier access to a valuable rune farming area and access to a powerful boss. This is an important trade-off to consider. Varré’s questline can be highly beneficial, but ultimately it boils down to playstyle preference.
Should You Kill Varré? A Breakdown
The decision to kill Varré hinges on several factors. Let’s break down the pros and cons:
Pros of Killing Varré Early:
- Immediate Access to Varre’s Bouquet: This unique weapon, though not the most powerful in the game, can be a fun and stylish choice, especially early on.
- Early Access to Festering Bloody Fingers: If you enjoy invading other players’ worlds, these fingers provide an early and readily available source.
- Rune Arc: A useful consumable that boosts your character’s attributes.
Cons of Killing Varré Early:
- Locked Questline: You permanently forfeit the opportunity to complete Varré’s questline, which offers significant advantages.
- Missed Rune Farming Opportunity: Varré’s questline is an early way to access the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, a prime location for incredibly efficient rune farming. This is a huge asset for leveling up quickly.
- Missed Boss Fight: Completion of the quest provides access to an encounter with a particularly cool and valuable boss, Mohg, Lord of Blood. Defeating this boss will yield runes and the remembrance of a Shardbearer, which will unlock the ability to acquire unique skills from Finger Reader Enia.
- Missed Armor Set: You won’t be able to get his War Surgeon Set.
- Missed White Mask: Perhaps the most important potential loss is the White Mask helmet. This headgear provides a 10% attack power boost when bleed is inflicted in the vicinity of the wearer.
Varré’s Questline: A Deeper Dive
Before making your decision, let’s further examine Varré’s questline and its rewards:
- Initial Encounter: Speak with Varré at the First Step after becoming the Elden Lord. This will be after obtaining your first great rune and speaking with Enia, the Finger Reader.
- Anointment: Choose to be anointed. Varré will present you with the Lord of Blood’s Favor.
- Maiden’s Blood: Your final trial will be to soak the cloth with a Maiden’s Blood.
- Teleportation: After soaking the cloth with a Maiden’s Blood, return to Varré and he will teleport you to the Mohgwyn Dynasty.
- The Bloody Finger: Varré will present you with The Bloody Finger. Use this three times and return to Varré.
- Lord of Blood’s Exultation: After completing the prior steps, Varré will dub thee a knight and provide the Lord of Blood’s Exultation spell.
The Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum: Rune Farming Paradise
The Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum is renowned for its exceptional rune farming potential. You can easily amass significant runes with relative safety by utilizing the Mausoleum’s unique environment. The Mausoleum provides early-game access to a high-level rune farming area.
The White Mask and Bleed Builds
For players specializing in bleed builds, the White Mask helmet is a crucial component. The 10% attack power boost it provides when bleed is inflicted significantly enhances damage output. Therefore, if you intend to use bleed-focused weapons, completing Varré’s questline to acquire the White Mask is highly recommended.
Moral Considerations
Finally, consider the moral implications. Is Varré inherently evil, or is he simply a product of the harsh world of the Lands Between? Some players may choose to spare him, hoping to glean more information or simply out of a sense of compassion. Ultimately, the decision is yours.
Conclusion
Killing White Mask Varré early provides immediate but limited rewards. However, it locks you out of a valuable questline, preventing access to early rune farming, a potentially powerful helmet, and a challenging boss fight. Weigh these factors carefully before making your choice. Are you simply eager to smack down the first snide character you meet, or are you willing to play the long game for greater rewards? The choice, as always in Elden Ring, is yours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you do Varre’s quest if you killed him?
No, you cannot complete Varré’s questline if you kill him. Once he is dead, the quest is permanently unavailable for that playthrough.
2. What happens if you get anointed by White Mask Varré?
If you choose to be anointed, Varré will present you with the Lord of Blood’s Favor, a cloth you must soak with maiden’s blood. This is a crucial step in progressing his quest.
3. What does White Mask drop?
The White Mask is dropped by one of the three Nameless White Mask invaders in the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, a location accessible through Varré’s questline or via a late-game area. It is not dropped by killing Varré himself.
4. Does Varré’s quest affect anything major?
Yes! Varré’s questline provides early access to the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum, a prime location for rune farming. This can significantly accelerate your character’s progression. It also allows access to the Mohg, Lord of Blood boss fight.
5. Can you revive White Mask Varré?
No, Varré cannot be revived. Like most dead NPCs in Elden Ring, his death is permanent for that playthrough.
6. Is White Mask Varré good or bad?
Varré is generally considered an unpleasant character, mocking the player and associating with dark forces. He is undoubtedly one of the more morally questionable figures in the game.
7. What is the best bleed mask in Elden Ring?
The White Mask is widely considered the best head armor for bleed builds in Elden Ring. It boosts attack power by 10% whenever bleed is inflicted in the vicinity of the wearer.
8. Should I tell Varré I’ll fly straight and true?
Yes, choosing the option “I’ll fly straight and true!” when speaking with Varré progresses his questline and moves you closer to accessing the Mohgwyn Dynasty Mausoleum.
9. Can you get White Mask after killing Mohg?
No, killing Mohg before obtaining the White Mask locks you out of getting it on that playthrough. You will need to wait until New Game Plus (NG+) to acquire it.
10. Is bleed worth it in Elden Ring?
Yes, bleed builds are extremely powerful in Elden Ring. They combine raw damage with percentage-based damage from Bloodloss, making them highly effective against many enemies and bosses.
11. What is Mohg weak against?
Mohg is ironically weak to Hemorrhage (Bleed), as well as Physical attacks and Gravity Spells. Weapons and spells that inflict Bleed or Scarlet Rot are highly effective against him.
12. What Elden Ring weapon has the highest bleed buildup?
The Rivers of Blood katana is widely considered one of the best weapons for bleed builds, offering high damage output and rapid bleed buildup.
13. What does the Okina Mask do?
The Okina Mask, part of the White Reed Armor Set, increases Dexterity but lowers Focus. It is an alternative head armor option for players who want a different stat distribution than the White Mask offers.
14. Where can I learn more about the game mechanics and learning through video games?
For valuable resources and information, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or by linking the anchor text GamesLearningSociety.org.
15. What is the earliest Great Rune you can get?
The earliest Great Rune you can acquire is that of Godrick. However, you can complete Varré’s quest with any acquired Great Rune.