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Unveiling the Toughest Path: Mastering the Lord of Frenzied Flame Ending in Elden Ring

Without a doubt, the most challenging ending to acquire in Elden Ring is the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending. Its difficulty doesn’t stem from combat prowess alone, but rather from the obscurity of its questline, the permanent choices it demands, and the moral implications it forces upon the player. Navigating the hidden depths beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital, accepting the Three Fingers’ embrace, and ultimately choosing to bring about the Age of Frenzy requires a commitment that many players might never stumble upon during a standard playthrough. This ending demands a deep dive into the game’s lore and a willingness to sacrifice the world as you know it.

Delving into the Frenzied Flame: Why is it so Difficult?

The difficulty of achieving the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is multifaceted:

Hidden Questline: Unlike other endings, the path to the Frenzied Flame is not clearly signposted. It requires players to discover a secret area hidden deep beneath Leyndell, the Royal Capital. This area, the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds, is itself a labyrinthine challenge to navigate.
Obscure Requirements: Even upon finding the Shunning-Grounds, the player must descend to its deepest point and locate a hidden door. To open this door, the player must remove all their armor, revealing themselves to the Three Fingers, who will then brand them with the Frenzied Flame.
Irreversible Choice: Accepting the Frenzied Flame is a near-point of no return. It locks the player into the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending unless they undertake another complex and equally hidden questline involving Millicent and the Unalloyed Gold Needle. This added layer of complexity forces players to think carefully before making their final decision.
Moral Implications: The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is arguably the most destructive of all the endings. It involves burning the Erdtree and ushering in an age of chaos and madness, effectively destroying the Lands Between and, most likely, everyone within it. Many players are hesitant to commit to such a bleak outcome.
Skill-Based Challenge: While not the primary source of difficulty, the Shunning-Grounds themselves are challenging. The descent involves intricate platforming, navigating dangerous enemies like the Omen, and facing off against a challenging boss in the form of Mohg, the Omen.

Achieving the Frenzied Flame: A Step-by-Step Guide

While challenging, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is achievable with careful planning and execution. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Progress through the main story until you reach Leyndell, Royal Capital.
Defeat Godfrey, First Elden Lord (Golden Shade), and Morgott, the Omen King, in Leyndell.
Locate the entrance to the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. This is accessible via a well located outside the main city streets of Leyndell, near the Minor Erdtree Church.
Navigate the Shunning-Grounds. This involves descending through sewers, avoiding enemies, and utilizing the environment to your advantage.
Defeat Mohg, the Omen, at the bottom of the Shunning-Grounds.
Strike the altar behind Mohg to reveal a hidden passage.
Traverse the platforming section. This requires careful jumps and precise movement to avoid falling to your death.
Reach the door of the Three Fingers.
Remove all your armor.
Open the door and allow the Three Fingers to brand you with the Frenzied Flame.

Reversing the Frenzy: A Path to Redemption (Sort Of)

If you regret accepting the Frenzied Flame, there is a way to potentially reverse the ending, though it’s not a guaranteed solution:

Complete Millicent’s questline. This involves assisting her in her fight against her sisters and choosing to aid her rather than betraying her.
Defeat Malenia, Blade of Miquella, in Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree.
Use the Unalloyed Gold Needle on the scarlet rot flower in Malenia’s arena to obtain Miquella’s Needle.
Defeat Dragonlord Placidusax in Crumbling Farum Azula.
Use Miquella’s Needle in Dragonlord Placidusax’s arena to suppress the Frenzied Flame.

Important Note: Using Miquella’s Needle before defeating the final boss allows you to choose a different ending. If you wait and trigger the Frenzied Flame ending and then use the needle, you only gain the option of choosing from the default endings, excluding the Lord of Frenzied Flame.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending and Elden Ring’s endings in general:

1. What endings are required for 100% completion of Elden Ring?

To unlock all ending-related achievements in Elden Ring, you need to achieve three specific endings: one of the Elden Lord endings, the Age of Stars ending, and the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.

2. Is the default ending the canon ending?

Many believe that the default ending, where you simply mend the Elden Ring without alterations, is the closest to a “canon” ending, as it requires no specific questline and is available to every player. However, FromSoftware is known for leaving endings ambiguous.

3. How many times do I need to beat Elden Ring for all ending achievements?

You only need to complete the game a minimum of three times to unlock all the ending-related achievements. Any of the Elden Lord endings grants the same achievement.

4. Is the Age of Stars ending considered a “good” ending?

The Age of Stars ending, associated with Ranni the Witch, is often considered the most morally “good” ending, as it frees the Lands Between from the influence of the Greater Will and establishes a new order guided by the stars.

5. Is the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending a “bad” ending?

Yes, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is widely considered the “bad” ending, as it involves embracing chaos and destroying the Lands Between.

6. How long does it take to 100% Elden Ring?

Achieving 100% completion in Elden Ring, including all achievements, can take approximately 133 hours, depending on your skill level and playstyle.

7. Should I summon Ranni or touch Marika at the end?

Whether you summon Ranni or touch Marika depends on the ending you desire. Summoning Ranni triggers the Age of Stars ending, while touching Marika initiates one of the Elden Lord endings (depending on any runes you have).

8. What is the significance of the Age of Stars ending?

The Age of Stars ending, driven by Ranni’s ambition, replaces the Golden Order with a new order guided by the moon and the stars. This ending signifies a significant shift in power dynamics in the Lands Between.

9. Why did Queen Marika shatter the Elden Ring?

Marika shattered the Elden Ring as an act of defiance against the Greater Will and to prevent assassins from claiming the Great Runes.

10. What is the Dung Eater’s ending, and is it “bad”?

The Dung Eater’s ending involves using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse on Fractured Marika. This ending is undoubtedly “bad,” as it curses the world and its inhabitants.

11. Can I complete Elden Ring without Melina?

No, you cannot complete Elden Ring without Melina. She is essential for progressing beyond Morgott, the Omen King, as she provides the item needed to use the Grand Lift of Rold.

12. Who is Marika, and is she a “good” or “bad” character?

Queen Marika the Eternal is a complex figure in Elden Ring. While she was once a benevolent ruler, her actions led to the Shattering. She is often considered the main antagonist due to her role in the conflict. She is of the Numen race, a race of long lived people, seldom born who came from another world.

13. What is the significance of Melina’s sacrifice?

Melina sacrifices herself to ignite the Erdtree, allowing the Tarnished to continue their journey and ultimately challenge the Elden Beast.

14. What do the Three Fingers represent?

The Three Fingers represent chaos and the Frenzied Flame, an opposing force to the Two Fingers and the Golden Order.

15. How can I learn more about the lore of Elden Ring?

Exploring the game world, reading item descriptions, and engaging with the community are great ways to learn more about Elden Ring’s lore. Furthermore, academics are deeply engaged with gaming and it’s impact on society. Check out the Games Learning Society, a professional and academic society dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of digital games and learning. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Mastering the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending in Elden Ring is a true test of dedication and requires a willingness to embrace chaos. By understanding the complexities of the questline and making informed decisions, you can unlock this challenging and impactful conclusion to your Tarnished’s journey.

What is the hardest Elden Ring ending to achieve?