What Happens If You Ignore Melina in Elden Ring? A Tarnished’s Guide to Avoiding Accord
So, you’ve landed in The Lands Between, Tarnished, and are feeling a bit rebellious, are you? Perhaps you’re wondering if you can just ignore that spectral maiden, Melina, who keeps popping up and offering you an accord. Well, let’s cut to the chase: ignoring Melina in Elden Ring is a recipe for a very short and frustrating adventure. You’ll essentially be locked out of core game mechanics and progression. You won’t be able to level up your character, nor will you be able to summon Torrent, your spectral steed, significantly hindering exploration and combat.
Melina is more than just a helpful NPC; she’s a key to unlocking the core gameplay loop. While the allure of wandering off into the vast open world is strong, accepting Melina’s accord is essential to progress beyond the initial areas and experience Elden Ring to its fullest. Think of it as refusing the tutorial – you can do it, but you’ll be crippling yourself unnecessarily. The game will not give you the items needed to progress.
The Consequences of Refusal
Let’s break down the specific consequences:
- No Leveling: This is the big one. Melina is the conduit through which you spend your hard-earned runes to increase your character’s stats. Without her, you’re stuck at your starting level, making even early-game enemies a monumental challenge. Every boss fight becomes a test of sheer luck and masochistic endurance, rather than strategic skill and character development.
- No Torrent: Torrent, your spectral steed, isn’t just a faster way to travel. He’s critical for navigating the sprawling landscapes, scaling cliffs with Spirit Springs, and engaging in mounted combat. Denying Melina means forfeiting this essential tool, forcing you to traverse The Lands Between on foot, which is both tedious and dangerous.
- Progression Block: Certain areas and bosses are practically impossible to reach without Torrent’s mobility. Furthermore, Melina is integral to triggering key events and moving the main story forward. Refusing her will effectively trap you in the early game zones, unable to progress past certain roadblocks. You will not be able to unlock the Great Lift.
- Limited Roundtable Hold Access: Eventually, even if you stubbornly persist, you may trigger access to the Roundtable Hold through unconventional means. However, your interactions there will likely be limited compared to someone who accepted Melina’s guidance. You’ll miss out on valuable dialogue and opportunities to advance the quests of other NPCs.
In short, ignoring Melina is akin to playing Elden Ring with one hand tied behind your back. While some dedicated and skilled players might try to complete the game without leveling (a challenge run, if you will), it’s not a feasible or enjoyable option for most.
Why Melina Matters
Beyond the mechanical benefits, Melina serves a crucial narrative purpose. She’s your guide, your confidante, and the key to understanding the mysteries of the Erdtree and your role as a Tarnished. She’s not just a vendor or a quest giver; she’s a character whose story is intertwined with your own.
Refusing her isn’t just about gameplay; it’s about rejecting the core narrative and themes of Elden Ring. It’s about choosing to wander aimlessly through a world you don’t understand, without guidance or purpose. The Games Learning Society understands the importance of narrative engagement in games, and refusing Melina significantly diminishes this aspect of the Elden Ring experience. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how games facilitate learning and storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I beat Elden Ring without talking to Melina at all?
No, it’s virtually impossible to complete Elden Ring without interacting with Melina at least once. She provides core functionality that is mandatory for progression. While some incredibly skilled players have attempted and achieved incredible feats in challenge runs with restrictions, avoiding Melina entirely locks you out of essential game mechanics like leveling and receiving Torrent, the spectral steed. You will be unable to progress past certain roadblocks without her.
2. What happens if I initially refuse Melina’s offer but later change my mind?
Don’t worry, you’re not permanently locked out! Melina will typically reappear at a later Site of Grace, giving you another chance to accept her accord. This is a FromSoftware game, after all; they give you chances to course correct. Keep resting at Sites of Grace and she will return eventually.
3. Does Melina die in every ending of Elden Ring?
No, Melina’s fate varies depending on the ending you achieve. In some endings, she sacrifices herself to burn the Erdtree. However, with specific actions, like embracing the Frenzied Flame, you can potentially alter her fate, although not necessarily for the better.
4. Is Melina a Finger Maiden?
Technically, no. Melina isn’t a traditional Finger Maiden in the same vein as others mentioned in lore. However, she effectively fulfills many of the duties associated with the role, such as guiding the Tarnished and offering support. She introduces the Tarnished to the Roundtable Hold and gifts them Torrent.
5. What is Melina’s connection to Queen Marika?
The game heavily implies that Queen Marika is Melina’s mother. Melina states that she was born at the foot of the Erdtree and that her mother resides within it. This connection adds another layer to Melina’s importance and her purpose in guiding the Tarnished.
6. What is the significance of Melina’s closed eye?
The closed eye is often theorized to represent a loss or wound to the soul, potentially linked to her connection to Marika and the shattering of the Elden Ring. The scar over her closed eye is in the shape of a claw. Some theorize that this is related to Ranni.
7. Can I betray Melina in Elden Ring?
Yes, you can effectively betray Melina by embracing the Frenzied Flame. This path leads to an ending where Melina becomes your enemy, vowing to deliver Destined Death upon you. This can be considered the “bad ending” for her storyline.
8. What is the “secret” Melina ending?
The “secret” Melina ending generally refers to the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. This is the only ending where Melina actively becomes an antagonist, promising to kill you. To achieve this, you must inherit the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers beneath Leyndell before burning the Erdtree.
9. Is Melina the same person as Ranni?
While there are theories connecting them, Melina and Ranni are ultimately distinct characters with separate identities and goals. Their similarities, such as the closed eye, fuel speculation, but there’s no definitive proof they are the same person. They are both related to Black Knife Assassins.
10. Does sacrificing Melina end the game immediately?
No, sacrificing Melina doesn’t end the game prematurely. It’s a crucial part of progressing through the story towards specific endings. Her sacrifice is used to burn the Erdtree, allowing you to enter Leyndell and defeat the final bosses.
11. Where can I find Melina’s weapon, the Blade of Calling?
Melina’s Blade of Calling can be found in a hidden room within the unnamed lift leading to the Forbidden Lands. It’s a Dagger that she uses in the Morgott boss fight if you summon her.
12. Does removing the Frenzied Flame bring Melina back to normal?
If you accept the Frenzied Flame before burning the Erdtree, then remove it using Miquella’s Needle, Melina will still appear in the ending, but her dialogue will be the same: she will vow to deliver Destined Death upon you. You can only trigger her to burn the Erdtree once.
13. What level should I be before fighting Malenia?
Note that Melina is not to be confused with Malenia. The recommended level for fighting Malenia, Blade of Miquella, is at least 120, ideally 125+, with weapons upgraded to +23 or higher. Malenia is an optional boss.
14. Is Melina good or evil in Elden Ring?
Melina is generally considered a “good” character. She remains loyal to the player and doesn’t appear to have ulterior motives. She genuinely wants to guide you on the path to becoming Elden Lord, even if it ultimately leads to her demise.
15. What are some tips for beginners who have just started Elden Ring?
Accept Melina’s accord! Explore the open world, but don’t be afraid to retreat and level up when necessary. Experiment with different weapons and builds to find what suits your playstyle. Don’t be discouraged by death; it’s a core mechanic of the game.