Unlocking Elden Ring’s Completion: Which Endings Do You Need?
Reaching 100% completion in Elden Ring is a monumental task, requiring dedication, skill, and a thorough exploration of the Lands Between. However, when it comes to endings, the good news is that you don’t need to achieve every ending to claim total completion. To truly 100% Elden Ring, you only need to experience one of each ending type. This means seeing the default Elden Lord ending, the Age of Stars ending, and the Lord of the Frenzied Flame ending. Achieving this combination demonstrates you’ve mastered the core narrative branches and fulfilled the major questlines influencing the fate of the Lands Between.
Understanding Elden Ring’s Ending Structure
Elden Ring features six distinct endings (with rumors of a seventh cut ending), each determined by the player’s choices and actions throughout their journey. These endings can be broadly categorized into:
- The Default Elden Lord Endings: These are variations on the theme of becoming the Elden Lord and mending the Elden Ring. They are generally easier to achieve and require minimal deviation from the main storyline.
- Ranni’s Ending (Age of Stars): This ending requires following Ranni the Witch’s extensive questline, involving intricate tasks and challenging boss fights. It’s widely considered one of the “good” endings.
- The Lord of Frenzied Flame Ending: Arguably the most difficult ending, this involves embracing the Three Fingers and inheriting the Frenzied Flame, ultimately leading to the burning of the Erdtree and the world.
Why Only Three Ending Types?
The game focuses on showing you have understood the core variations and narrative impacts on the world. Completion doesn’t require mastering the minutiae of each specific variation of Elden Lord, but rather demonstrating an understanding of the Age of Order, Blessing of Despair, Age of the Duskborn endings by virtue of achieving one of the Elden Lord endings. Focusing on one of each major type allows players to experience the key narrative divergences without the excessive repetition of obtaining every minute variation. It showcases a comprehensive understanding of the possible fates for the Lands Between.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Elden Ring’s Endings
Here are some frequently asked questions about Elden Ring endings and their relation to game completion:
1. How many total endings are in Elden Ring?
There are officially six distinct endings currently available in Elden Ring. However, dataminers have uncovered evidence of a seventh, cut ending within the game’s files, suggesting it was planned but ultimately removed before launch.
2. Can I get all Elden Ring endings in one playthrough?
Technically, no. The endings are mutually exclusive towards the very end of the game. However, you can set up your character to be able to trigger any of them. To see all the endings, you would need to back up your save file before the final boss, then reload the save after each ending to choose a different one.
3. What is the “default” Elden Ring ending?
The Elden Lord, Age of Fracture ending is considered the “default” ending. This is because it requires the least amount of specific quest progression. Simply defeating the mandatory bosses and interacting with the fractured Marika will trigger this ending.
4. Is Ranni’s ending considered a “good” ending?
Many players consider the Age of Stars ending to be the closest thing to a “good” ending in Elden Ring. This is because Ranni’s plan involves ushering in a new age of stars and severing the influence of the Greater Will on the Lands Between, offering a potentially brighter future.
5. What makes the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending so difficult?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is difficult not only because it requires a significant questline, but because accepting the Frenzied Flame permanently alters your character and can lock you out of other endings unless you perform specific and difficult tasks to reverse it.
6. What are the variations of the Elden Lord ending?
The Elden Lord endings are altered based on who you complete side quests for. The Age of Order, Blessing of Despair, and Age of the Duskborn all fall within the variations of the Elden Lord category.
7. Does Melina want me to become the Lord of Frenzied Flame?
No. Throughout the game, Melina guides you towards becoming Elden Lord and mending the Elden Ring. She strongly opposes inheriting the Frenzied Flame and threatens the Lord of Frenzied Flame with Destined Death should they choose that path.
8. What happens if I refuse Melina’s guidance?
Refusing Melina’s guidance will eventually lock you out of progressing further in the game. She is essential for granting access to certain key locations and boss fights.
9. Who is Ranni, and what is her goal?
Ranni is a powerful Empyrean and one of the key figures influencing the fate of the Lands Between. Her goal is to usher in the Age of Stars, breaking free from the control of the Greater Will and establishing a new order.
10. What is the significance of the Frenzied Flame?
The Frenzied Flame represents chaos and destruction, born from the despair and suffering of those rejected by the Erdtree. Inheriting the Frenzied Flame leads to the burning of the Erdtree and the potential destruction of the entire world.
11. Is it possible to “cure” the Frenzied Flame?
Yes, it is possible to cure the Frenzied Flame. This involves completing Millicent’s questline and obtaining Miquella’s Needle. Using the needle in Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena allows you to suppress the Frenzied Flame and unlock other ending options.
12. What is the “canon” ending of Elden Ring?
There is no officially declared canon ending in Elden Ring. However, some believe the Age of Duskborn ending is more likely to be canon, considering hints in marketing and the game world.
13. How long does it take to 100% Elden Ring?
The time required to 100% Elden Ring varies depending on player skill and playstyle. On average, it takes around 133 hours to complete all aspects of the game, including all bosses, dungeons, and significant quests.
14. What are the easiest and hardest endings to achieve?
The easiest ending to achieve is the default Elden Lord, Age of Fracture ending, as it requires minimal deviation from the main story. The hardest ending is the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, due to its challenging questline and potential for locking out other endings.
15. What makes Elden Ring so difficult?
Elden Ring is known for its challenging combat, intricate world design, and cryptic storytelling. The game demands patience, strategic thinking, and a willingness to learn from repeated failures. It rewards exploration and encourages players to experiment with different builds and strategies. The Games Learning Society explores how such games can be understood from a learning and design perspective. Visit Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to know more!
The Path to True Completion
While seeing all six endings would be an impressive feat, it is not necessary for true 100% completion. By achieving one of each major ending type, focusing on the Elden Lord endings, Age of Stars, and Lord of the Frenzied Flame, you demonstrate mastery of the major narrative choices and their impact on the Lands Between, cementing your status as a true Elden Lord…or something far more sinister. Happy hunting, Tarnished!