Table of Contents

Sigurd’s Fate Decided: What Happens to Sigurd at the End of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

At the conclusion of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Sigurd’s fate hinges significantly on Eivor’s choices throughout the game. Depending on the decisions you make, Sigurd will either remain in Norway, relinquishing his position as jarl and acknowledging Eivor’s leadership, or he will continue to grapple with the trauma and confusion caused by Basim’s manipulation, potentially undermining his relationship with Eivor. There are a variety of interactions, all of which accumulate points that decide his ultimate loyalty. While his romantic relationship with Randvi is effectively over regardless, the core of his ending lies in his acceptance of reality and Eivor’s role. Let’s delve into the details.

Understanding Sigurd’s Journey

Sigurd, Eivor’s adopted brother, plays a critical role in the Valhalla narrative. He’s ambitious, prone to flights of fancy, and deeply affected by his experiences in Norway, particularly his capture and torture by Kjotve the Cruel and his subsequent exposure to Isu technology. This exposure leads him to believe he is destined for greatness, a delusion expertly fostered by Basim, who seeks to manipulate Sigurd for his own ends.

The key to understanding Sigurd’s ending lies in recognizing that his fate is directly tied to Eivor’s actions and choices. A series of decisions throughout the game contribute to a “loyalty” score, which ultimately determines whether Sigurd remains by Eivor’s side and accepts their leadership, or distances himself and stays in Norway. These decisions are crucial moments where Eivor can either support Sigurd’s ego and delusions or challenge them with reason and humility.

The Decisive Choices

The game tracks roughly five key decisions that affect Sigurd’s loyalty. Making poor decisions relative to Sigurd damages your relationship. The quality of that relationship decides Sigurd’s fate. These include:

Taking or Leaving the Resources from England: When raiding, Eivor often has a choice to take or leave the resources and goods. Leaving the goods is the better choice because you are leaving them as tribute to the Viking King Styrbjorn.
Romancing Randvi: Randvi is Sigurd’s wife, and romancing her does not help build their bond. Choosing to get romantically involved with her after the “Taken For Granted” quest puts a massive strain on Sigurd’s trust.
How Eivor Handles the Fulke Mission: There are critical decisions throughout the Fulke mission. It is necessary to tread cautiously through this portion of the game.
Fighting with Dag: Sigurd is the leader and will often have to make harsh calls. One of those calls will result in a battle. Eivor must give Dag his axe to show respect to the fallen leader.
Siding with or Against Sigurd in Arguments: When returning to the longhouse, two NPCs will be engaged in a serious argument. It is necessary to side with Sigurd to help build loyalty and trust.

Choosing negatively for three or more of these five choices leads Sigurd to believe Eivor doesn’t respect his judgment. The final choice in the game can override some previous decisions, but it is risky to count on.

The Good Ending: Sigurd Stays

If Eivor consistently demonstrates humility, respect for Sigurd’s leadership (early on), and sound judgment (particularly when challenging Sigurd’s delusions of grandeur), the game can have a good ending. In this “good ending”, which typically involves making fewer than three “bad” choices from the list above, Sigurd realizes the extent of Basim’s manipulation and recognizes Eivor’s strength and wisdom. After defeating Basim, Sigurd acknowledges that Eivor is the better leader and willingly relinquishes his role as jarl. He expresses a desire to return to Norway to find himself and understand the visions he experienced.

Crucially, in this ending, Sigurd ultimately stays in England for a time before departing for Norway, which signifies his acceptance of Eivor’s leadership and his faith in their ability to lead the Raven Clan. He also breaks up with Randvi, leaving her free. Eivor officially becomes the jarl of Ravensthorpe, leading the clan to prosperity. This outcome is generally considered the “best” ending, as it reflects growth and understanding between the siblings.

The Bad Ending: Sigurd Leaves

Conversely, if Eivor makes several choices that undermine Sigurd’s authority or reinforce his delusions, the ending takes a darker turn. If Eivor consistently chooses to take glory for themselves, disregard Sigurd’s advice, or indulge in Randvi’s affections, Sigurd begins to doubt Eivor’s loyalty and judgment.

In this scenario, Sigurd leaves for Norway permanently, feeling betrayed and disillusioned. He may continue to cling to his belief in his own destiny, potentially becoming isolated and resentful. Eivor still becomes the jarl of Ravensthorpe, but the victory is bittersweet. Sigurd’s departure casts a shadow over the settlement, representing a failure to reconcile and maintain the bond between the siblings.

The Importance of Dialogue Choices

Beyond the key decision points mentioned above, dialogue choices play a significant role in shaping Sigurd’s perception of Eivor. Choosing humble and supportive responses, even when disagreeing with Sigurd, demonstrates respect and understanding. Conversely, arrogant, dismissive, or confrontational dialogue can further damage their relationship.

Remember, Sigurd is a complex character struggling with trauma and manipulation. Empathy and understanding, even when challenging his flawed logic, are crucial to securing the best possible outcome.

Eivor’s Legacy

Regardless of Sigurd’s ultimate fate, Eivor’s story ends with their death in North America. This ending is hinted at throughout the game. The details of Eivor’s journey to North America and the events leading to their death remain somewhat mysterious.

Eivor’s story serves as a testament to the power of choice and the importance of relationships. The ending, whether triumphant or tragic, is a direct consequence of the player’s decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sigurd’s Ending

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Sigurd’s fate in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla:

Can I punch Sigurd and still get the good ending? Yes, but repeatedly punching Sigurd can negatively impact your relationship and contribute to a “bad” ending. It’s best to avoid physical altercations if you’re aiming for the optimal outcome.
What happens if Randvi cheats on Sigurd? If Sigurd discovers the affair, it will negatively impact his trust in Eivor and make it more difficult to achieve the “good” ending where he stays.
Should Eivor sleep with Randvi? Romancing Randvi adds one negative strike to Eivor’s reputation. Getting romantically involved can have adverse consequences and strain Eivor’s relationship with Sigurd.
What are Sigurd’s 5 strikes? As mentioned earlier, the five key decisions that affect Sigurd’s loyalty are taking or leaving resources, romancing Randvi, how you handle the Fulke mission, fighting with Dag, and siding with or against Sigurd in arguments.
Does Basim betray Sigurd? Yes, Basim, being the reincarnation of Loki, manipulates and betrays Sigurd, feeding his ego and ultimately attempting to use him for his own purposes.
What happens if I betray Sigurd? If you make too many choices that undermine Sigurd’s authority or disregard his feelings, he will likely leave for Norway at the end of the game.
Does Randvi break up with Sigurd? Yes, regardless of whether Eivor romances her, Randvi will ultimately break up with Sigurd due to the trauma and changes he experiences.
Is it better for Sigurd to stay or leave? For the “best” ending, it’s generally considered better for Sigurd to stay, as it signifies reconciliation and acceptance of Eivor’s leadership.
What happens after you save Sigurd? After saving Sigurd, your choices continue to matter. The key is to not act like he owes you his life. That adds to an increased loyalty score.
Can I romance Randvi and still get the good ending? Yes, but it’s risky. You can romance Randvi and still achieve the “good” ending, but you need to be careful to avoid making other “bad” choices that would further damage your relationship with Sigurd.
What is the good ending in AC Valhalla? The “good” ending involves Sigurd acknowledging Eivor’s leadership, staying in England for a time, and then departing for Norway on his own terms, signifying a peaceful resolution and Eivor becoming the jarl of Ravensthorpe.
Why isn’t Sigurd in Ravensthorpe? Depending on your choices, Sigurd might not be in Ravensthorpe at the end of the game. The poor ending may result in him being in Norway.
Why did Basim betray Sigurd? Basim, as Loki’s reincarnation, seeks revenge against the Isu, including Odin (who is connected to Eivor), and manipulates Sigurd to further his own agenda.
What happens if Eivor punches Sigurd? Punching Sigurd isn’t a game-ender, but repeated aggression towards him will negatively impact your relationship and increase the likelihood of a “bad” ending.
Who betrayed Eivor? This is a separate questline from Sigurd’s fate. Galinn betrays Soma and the clan.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Sigurd’s fate in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a reflection of the choices players make throughout the game. By prioritizing humility, empathy, and respect for Sigurd’s journey, players can secure a positive outcome where he accepts Eivor’s leadership and finds his own path. However, if Eivor consistently undermines Sigurd’s authority or reinforces his delusions, the ending will likely be a more tragic one, with Sigurd leaving for Norway, disillusioned and resentful. Understanding the key decision points and making informed choices is essential to shaping Sigurd’s destiny and securing the best possible outcome for the Raven Clan.

To learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and game design, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

What happens to Sigurd at the end of Valhalla?