The Radahn Rumble Before Ranni’s Request: Navigating Elden Ring’s Tricky Timeline
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So, you’ve charged headfirst into Caelid, conquered the gravity-defying Starscourge Radahn, and now you’re wondering: “Uh oh, did I mess things up with Ranni’s questline?” Don’t panic, Tarnished! While slaying Radahn before initiating Ranni’s questline can complicate matters, it doesn’t necessarily lock you out entirely. The main consequence is the potential disappearance of a crucial character who aids in Ranni’s quest: Blaidd the Half-Wolf. He might not be available in the usual locations, potentially hindering quest progression. However, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage and still pursue the Age of the Stars ending. Let’s dive into the intricacies of this temporal transgression and how to recover!
Understanding the Impact: Blaidd’s Predicament
The key issue lies with Blaidd. Ordinarily, Ranni’s questline begins at Ranni’s Rise in the Three Sisters area of Liurnia. Talking to Ranni sets in motion a series of events, including meeting Blaidd in the Siofra River. If Radahn is already dead, Blaidd’s questline might not trigger correctly.
Typically, you would find him imprisoned in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol in Limgrave, a location you may have visited earlier in the game to fight the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil. Freeing Blaidd from this Evergaol after defeating Radahn might still be possible, but he often disappears afterwards, even if you speak to Iji, his blacksmith friend. This can prevent you from triggering later stages of his quest, which are vital to completing Ranni’s storyline.
Recovering Your Quest: What to Do Next
While the optimal path is to start Ranni’s quest before Radahn, here’s how you can proceed:
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Visit Ranni’s Rise: Go to the top of Ranni’s Rise and check if Ranni is present. If she is, talk to her and see if the questline initiates normally. If she’s not there, try advancing the game a bit (defeating another boss or exploring a new area) and then returning.
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Check the Forlorn Hound Evergaol: As mentioned, try going to the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. If you find him there, free him.
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Talk to Iji: After freeing Blaidd, teleport to Iji (Road to the Manor Site of Grace). If Blaidd is not at the Evergaol, talk to Iji anyway.
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Go to the Siofra River: Even if Blaidd seems to have disappeared, go to the Siofra River Well Depths and explore the area. Look for any signs of Blaidd’s presence. If you previously spoke to him about Nokron, but have already defeated Radahn, he should be in Siofra River.
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Progress the Game: Sometimes, simply advancing the main story or completing other side quests can help reset the flags and allow Ranni’s questline to progress. Try exploring different areas and defeating other bosses.
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Check Ranni’s Rise Again Later: Even if the quest doesn’t immediately start, keep checking back at Ranni’s Rise. She might appear after certain milestones in the game.
Why This Happens: Quest Flags and Event Triggers
Elden Ring’s questlines are governed by a complex system of quest flags and event triggers. Defeating Radahn before certain flags are set can disrupt the intended sequence of events, leading to characters appearing in unexpected locations or disappearing altogether. The game assumes you’ve followed a certain path, and deviating from it can cause glitches.
The Good News: It’s (Probably) Not a Total Loss
While encountering issues is frustrating, it’s important to remember that Elden Ring offers a vast open world and multiple ways to approach challenges. Even if you can’t fully complete Blaidd’s questline, you might still be able to progress Ranni’s quest through other means. Moreover, you may be able to trigger Ranni’s quest after beating the final boss. If you’ve completed all the previous steps, you will be able to summon Ranni using a summon sign on the ground. This will prompt Ranni’s ending for you.
Learning From Experience: Planning Your Next Playthrough
For future playthroughs, keep this in mind:
- Prioritize Ranni’s Quest Early: Begin Ranni’s questline as soon as you reach Liurnia.
- Follow Quest Markers: Pay attention to quest markers and dialogue cues to ensure you’re progressing the quest correctly.
- Consult a Guide: If you’re unsure about the optimal path, consult a reliable Elden Ring guide.
Navigating Game Design: The Importance of Order in Open Worlds
The challenges players face when order matters so much to completing quests in Open World games like Elden Ring have been a topic of discussion among game developers. The Games Learning Society often publishes studies and research on the best practices for game design and world building to engage students and teach useful concepts. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Persistence is Key
Even if you defeat Radahn before starting Ranni’s quest, don’t give up hope. By exploring, experimenting, and consulting resources, you can likely find a way to progress the questline and unlock the coveted Age of the Stars ending. Remember, the Lands Between are full of secrets and unexpected paths, and the journey is just as important as the destination. Good luck, Tarnished!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about completing Ranni’s questline after defeating Radahn.
1. Is it possible to completely lock myself out of Ranni’s quest by killing Radahn too early?
While it’s difficult to say definitively “never,” it’s highly unlikely to be completely locked out. However, you may miss out on certain interactions or items. There is typically always a way to get back on track, even if it requires some extra steps or specific conditions.
2. Where exactly is Blaidd after beating Radahn?
After defeating Radahn, you can often find Blaidd at the Forlorn Hound Evergaol where you fought Darriwil.
3. What level should I be to fight Radahn?
It is generally recommended to be at least level 65-70 before attempting the Radahn fight.
4. Can I skip Radahn entirely?
Yes, Radahn is an optional boss. You only need to defeat two Shardbearers to enter Leyndell, Royal Capital. However, skipping Radahn closes off access to certain late-game events and areas, including Nokron.
5. What happens if I kill Radahn before talking to Iji?
If you kill Radahn before talking to Iji, simply visit him at the Road to the Manor Site of Grace after the fight. He will still provide information about Blaidd.
6. Where is Ranni after killing Radahn?
After killing Radahn and progressing Ranni’s quest, Ranni will eventually be found in the Cathedral of Manus Celes. There is a hole in the floor that leads to her location.
7. What rewards do I get for defeating Radahn?
Defeating Radahn rewards you with approximately 70,000 Runes and the Remembrance of the Starscourge. The Remembrance can be exchanged for unique items at the Roundtable Hold.
8. Does killing Radahn end the game?
No, killing Radahn does not end the game. It opens up new areas and advances certain questlines.
9. What should I do immediately after killing Radahn?
After killing Radahn, you should rest at the new Site of Grace that appears, explore Nokron, and progress relevant questlines.
10. Is Radahn weak to any particular damage type?
Radahn is notably weak to Scarlet Rot. Inflicting it on him can significantly reduce his health.
11. Does Ranni have a specific ending?
Yes, completing Ranni’s questline leads to the “Age of the Stars” ending, often considered one of the best endings in the game.
12. Is it possible to miss Ranni’s quest entirely?
Yes, it is possible to miss Ranni’s quest due to its intricate steps and hidden triggers.
13. Why can’t I fast travel after killing Radahn?
Normally a new site of grace “Starscourge Radahn” spawns where Radahn is (Wailing Dunes) after the boss fight. The game then disables fast travel and requires the player to rest at that grace in order to enable fast travel again.
14. What are some essential items for the Radahn fight?
Useful items for the Radahn fight include weapons that inflict Scarlet Rot, and summons that can distract him. You also need your trusty steed, Torrent.
15. What are some alternative weapons I can use against Radahn?
Good weapons to use against Radahn include the Moonveil Katana, other powerful Katanas or strong spells with good range, including Comet.