What Happens After Defeating Astel in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
After conquering the formidable Astel, Naturalborn of the Void in Elden Ring, a significant turning point in Ranni’s questline unfolds, leading to pivotal events that affect the game’s ending. Specifically, a previously locked door will now be open, signaling that you’re progressing towards the conclusion of her storyline. However, simply defeating Astel isn’t the end goal, it unlocks the path to access crucial items needed to advance further. Following your victory against Astel, you’ll need to travel to the Academy of Raya Lucaria Grand Library. Here, you will find a treasure chest that needs to be opened using the Discarded Palace Key. This key is acquired not directly after the Astel fight, but following your subsequent battle against Baleful Shadow, who appears after passing through the Astel door in the Moonlight Alter. The Dark Moon Ring awaits inside that chest at Raya Lucaria, which is a vital item for Ranni’s ending.
Therefore, the defeat of Astel serves as a pivotal step but not the final one in accessing Ranni’s ending. It initiates the next phase by opening a door that leads to the Baleful Shadow encounter, which in turn provides the key needed to retrieve the Dark Moon Ring.
The Path Forward After Astel
Obtaining the Discarded Palace Key
The immediate aftermath of Astel’s defeat isn’t solely about proceeding through the opened door. A vital step lies beyond. Once you venture through the door unlocked after Astel, you won’t immediately find the Dark Moon Ring. Instead, you’ll encounter Baleful Shadow, another challenging boss battle that must be overcome. Defeating the Baleful Shadow yields the Discarded Palace Key, which is essential for unlocking the chest in the Grand Library. This key is not obtained from Astel himself, thus explaining the necessity of a fight subsequent to that encounter.
Retrieving the Dark Moon Ring
With the Discarded Palace Key now in your possession, make your way back to the Academy of Raya Lucaria’s Grand Library. Here, in the room where you previously fought Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, locate the chest. Using your newly acquired key, unlock it to obtain the Dark Moon Ring. This ring is not only a key item in Ranni’s questline but also a crucial element for unlocking the Age of Stars ending. This journey through Astel, Baleful Shadow, and finally, back to Raya Lucaria’s library, is pivotal to securing Ranni’s ending.
Progressing Ranni’s Questline
The acquisition of the Dark Moon Ring is a critical milestone. From this point onwards, you will use the ring at the Cathedral of Manus Celus and engage with Ranni’s doll form. The game will then require you to defeat the final boss and, after that victory, use a summoning sign near Fractured Marika to bring in Ranni, triggering the Age of Stars ending. This makes the defeat of Astel a crucial but intermediary step in a longer journey towards one of Elden Ring’s most impactful conclusions. The path between Astel and this end involves key item acquisitions and a crucial boss defeat before you even get to summon Ranni at the very end of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions About Astel and Ranni’s Questline
Here are some frequently asked questions that can help clear up confusion regarding Astel, the related quests, and Ranni’s ending:
1. Do I Have to Beat Astel to Finish Ranni’s Quest?
Yes, you do need to defeat Astel if you are pursuing Ranni’s ending. He’s not crucial for other endings, making him a key boss fight for players seeking to see the Age of Stars ending.
2. Is Astel Important for Other Endings?
No, Astel is generally not important if you are not aiming for Ranni’s Age of Stars ending. You can skip this encounter if you are pursuing other storylines and endings.
3. Where Do I Go After Killing Baleful Shadow?
After defeating Baleful Shadow, you’ll obtain the Discarded Palace Key. Proceed to the Grand Library at the Academy of Raya Lucaria to open the chest there. You’ll also find a lift near the Baleful Shadow arena that leads to the Lake of Rot.
4. Does Summoning Ranni End the Game?
Yes, summoning Ranni at the end of the game will trigger the Age of Stars ending, which concludes your current playthrough and initiates a new game cycle.
5. How Do I Get the Age of Stars Ending?
To achieve the Age of Stars ending, you must follow Ranni’s questline, defeat Astel and Baleful Shadow, obtain the Dark Moon Ring, and, after defeating the final boss, use the summon sign near the Fractured Marika.
6. What Level Should I Be to Fight Astel?
It is recommended to be at least level 55-60 for a reasonably challenging fight against Astel. If you are struggling, consider leveling up further, ideally 110-120, for a much easier time.
7. Can Ranni’s Quest Lock Me Out of Other Endings?
Completing Ranni’s quest won’t inherently lock you out of other endings. You’ll get the option to choose an ending after the final boss, allowing you to decide between the standard Elden Lord ending and Ranni’s Age of Stars (if you completed her questline).
8. Why is Renna’s Rise Blocked?
Renna’s Rise is initially blocked by a magical barrier. You must progress through the game and eventually arrive there to speak with Ranni, initiating her questline.
9. Is Ranni Good or Evil?
Many consider Ranni a morally grey character. While her actions are driven by a desire to break the influence of the Greater Will, her methods can be seen as harsh. Her ending is often perceived as the “best” among all the outcomes.
10. What is the Hardest Ending to Achieve?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is often considered the most difficult to achieve due to its obscure and intricate quest requirements.
11. What Ending Does Melina Want?
Melina guides you towards the standard Elden Lord ending, where you mend the Elden Ring and ascend the throne.
12. Is Ranni’s Ending a “Bad” Ending?
Ranni’s Age of Stars ending is generally viewed as a “good” ending, offering a future where the Lands Between are free from the influence of the Greater Will.
13. Is Melina the Same Person as Ranni?
Although they both have significant roles, Melina and Ranni are different characters. While theories suggest a connection between them, their identities and motivations remain distinct.
14. How Many Endings Are There in Elden Ring?
There are six different endings in Elden Ring, with a seventh cut one having been speculated by some data miners. This variety encourages multiple playthroughs.
15. What Endings Do I Need for 100% Completion?
If you are pursuing all achievements, you will need to obtain one Elden Lord ending, the Age of Stars ending, and the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
Conclusion
Navigating the complexities of Elden Ring can be challenging, but understanding the steps following Astel’s defeat is crucial, particularly if you’re on the path to Ranni’s ending. Be sure to acquire the Discarded Palace Key after beating Baleful Shadow, use it to get the Dark Moon Ring from the Grand Library, and continue on your journey. This will ultimately allow you to summon Ranni and achieve the Age of Stars, a significantly different ending to other outcomes in the game. With a better understanding of what comes after the Astel encounter, you’ll be better equipped to face the challenges ahead and make the choices that shape the fate of the Lands Between.