Taming the Frenzied Flame in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Taming the Frenzied Flame in Elden Ring essentially reverses your decision to inherit the destructive power of the Three Fingers. By using Miquella’s Needle within the arena of Dragonlord Placidusax in Crumbling Farum Azula, you purge the flame from your body, unlocking all other ending possibilities that were previously locked. This allows you to pursue any of the other endings, such as the Age of Stars, Age of Order, or the standard Elden Lord endings, effectively giving you back control over the fate of the Lands Between.
Understanding the Frenzied Flame and its Implications
The Frenzied Flame is a powerful, chaotic force in Elden Ring, representing the desire to destroy all order and return the world to a primal state of chaos. Accepting this flame by interacting with the Three Fingers deep beneath the Leyndell, Royal Capital initially locks you into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending, a devastating conclusion where the world is consumed by madness. This ending is often considered the “bad” ending, or at least the most destructive. However, Elden Ring provides a path to reverse this decision, offering players the chance to redeem their character and pursue a more benevolent fate for the Lands Between.
The core reason for taming the Frenzied Flame stems from a desire to experience the full breadth of Elden Ring‘s narrative. Each ending provides a unique perspective on the world, its lore, and the potential future under a new Elden Lord. By removing the Frenzied Flame, you open yourself up to these alternative narratives, allowing you to shape the destiny of the Lands Between according to your own vision. Moreover, many players find the Frenzied Flame ending morally reprehensible, preferring to pursue endings that offer hope or stability.
The Process of Taming the Flame: A Step-by-Step Guide
The journey to tame the Frenzied Flame is a complex and perilous one, requiring both skill and dedication. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:
-
Inherit the Frenzied Flame: This involves venturing deep beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital, navigating the treacherous Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, and interacting with the Three Fingers. Be warned: this action will lock you into the Frenzied Flame ending unless you take further action.
-
Obtain Miquella’s Needle: This is a crucial item crafted from Unalloyed Gold Needle acquired from Millicent’s questline. Completing her quest requires making specific choices to ensure she reaches the point where she can grant you the Unalloyed Gold Needle. Then, you need to defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and use the Unalloyed Gold Needle in the flower where she was to get Miquella’s Needle.
-
Reach Dragonlord Placidusax: This optional boss fight is located in Crumbling Farum Azula. To access the arena, you need to find a specific spot where you can lie down to be transported to the boss area.
-
Use Miquella’s Needle: Once inside the arena, use Miquella’s Needle from your inventory. This will trigger a sequence where the Frenzied Flame is purged from your body, unlocking the other ending options. You can only use the needle at the Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena.
-
Continue the Game: After successfully taming the flame, you are free to pursue any of the other ending paths by fulfilling their respective requirements.
Consequences and Considerations
While taming the Frenzied Flame unlocks other endings, it’s important to understand the consequences:
-
Melina’s Fate: If you inherit the Frenzied Flame before burning the Erdtree, taming it will not bring Melina back as your maiden. She will still intend to kill you if you choose the Frenzied Flame ending without curing it. If you let Melina burn the Erdtree, she will not be with you.
-
Questlines: Certain questlines may be affected by your initial decision to accept the Frenzied Flame. Ensure you’ve completed any desired quests before progressing too far down a specific ending path.
-
Permanent Reversal: Using Miquella’s Needle is a permanent decision. Once you tame the flame, you cannot re-inherit it unless you start a new game or use a save file from before you accepted the Frenzied Flame.
-
Moral Implications: The choice to tame or embrace the Frenzied Flame is a significant one with moral implications. Consider the long-term consequences of your actions on the Lands Between and its inhabitants.
Embracing Chaos vs. Seeking Order: A Matter of Perspective
Ultimately, the decision to tame the Frenzied Flame is a personal one. Some players are drawn to the chaos and destruction it represents, while others prefer to seek order and restoration. There’s no right or wrong answer; it all depends on your individual playstyle and your interpretation of Elden Ring‘s complex lore.
The Frenzied Flame ending provides a nihilistic perspective, suggesting that the current order of the Lands Between is fundamentally corrupt and that complete destruction is the only way to achieve true freedom. In contrast, the other endings offer various degrees of reform, seeking to mend the Elden Ring or establish a new order based on different principles.
Educational Perspective on Game Choices
As educators and researchers at the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org), we believe that choices in games like Elden Ring can offer valuable insights into player decision-making and moral reasoning. The Frenzied Flame and its associated consequences provide a complex scenario where players must weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of different paths, fostering critical thinking and ethical considerations. The Games Learning Society studies how games impact learning and behavior.
Understanding why players choose certain endings, whether it’s the destructive Frenzied Flame or the hopeful Age of Stars, can inform our understanding of human motivations and values. These narratives also provide excellent opportunities to explore themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of our actions.
Conclusion
Taming the Frenzied Flame is a pivotal decision in Elden Ring, allowing you to regain control over your destiny and explore the many alternative endings the game has to offer. By understanding the process, consequences, and moral implications of this choice, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your own vision for the Lands Between. Whether you choose to embrace the chaos or seek a new order, Elden Ring provides a rich and rewarding experience that will challenge and captivate you until the very end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does accepting the Frenzied Flame permanently lock me out of other endings?
Yes, initially. Meeting with the Three Fingers and accepting the Frenzied Flame will lock you out of all other ending choices unless you use Miquella’s Needle at Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena in Crumbling Farum Azula.
2. How do I obtain Miquella’s Needle?
Miquella’s Needle is crafted from the Unalloyed Gold Needle you get by killing Malenia, Blade of Miquella and then using Unalloyed Gold Needle in the flower where she was. You get the Unalloyed Gold Needle from the Millicent questline.
3. Where is Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena?
Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena is in Crumbling Farum Azula. You need to find a specific spot where you can lie down to be transported there.
4. What happens if I use Miquella’s Needle outside Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena?
Miquella’s Needle can only be used in Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena. If used elsewhere, it will have no effect.
5. Will taming the Frenzied Flame bring back Melina?
Not necessarily. If you inherit the Frenzied Flame before burning the Erdtree, taming it will not bring her back as your maiden. However, if you proceed with the Frenzied Flame ending without curing it, she will appear at the end, vowing to kill you.
6. Can I re-inherit the Frenzied Flame after taming it?
No. Using Miquella’s Needle is a permanent reversal. To re-inherit the Frenzied Flame, you’d need to start a new game or load a save file from before you accepted it.
7. What is the “best” ending in Elden Ring?
The “best” ending is subjective and depends on your personal preferences. Many players consider the Age of Stars ending, where you help Ranni replace Marika, to be a favorable outcome. However, each ending has its own merits and consequences.
8. Does Melina hate the Three Fingers?
Yes. Melina is strongly opposed to the Frenzied Flame and the Three Fingers. She would rather sacrifice herself to burn the Erdtree than see you become the Lord of Frenzied Flame.
9. What are the consequences of refusing Melina?
Refusing Melina’s help early in the game will eventually lock you out of progressing beyond Morgott in Leyndell. She provides a crucial item needed for the Grand Lift of Rold.
10. Can I level up after accepting the Frenzied Flame?
Yes, you can still level up after accepting the Frenzied Flame, but Melina will no longer appear at Sites of Grace.
11. Is the Frenzied Flame the “worst” ending?
Many consider the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending to be the most destructive, as it involves burning the world and ushering in an age of chaos. However, some players may find this ending appealing from a nihilistic perspective.
12. What is the point of the Frenzied Flame?
The Frenzied Flame seeks to destroy the current order of the Lands Between and return the world to a primal state, eliminating the influence of the Greater Will.
13. Is Melina a Finger Maiden?
No, Melina is not a traditional Finger Maiden, but she fulfills many of the duties associated with the role, guiding the Tarnished and helping them progress.
14. Are Melina and Ranni connected?
There are theories suggesting connections between Melina and Ranni, potentially as sisters through Queen Marika. However, their exact relationship is complex and open to interpretation.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and themes in Elden Ring?
Explore online communities, forums, and video essays dedicated to Elden Ring lore. You can also find insightful discussions at academic conferences focusing on game studies and narrative, such as those organized in part by the Games Learning Society.