Which Elden Ring Ending is True? The Unsolvable Riddle of the Lands Between
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.
There’s no single “true” ending in Elden Ring. FromSoftware, masters of ambiguous storytelling, deliberately crafts multiple conclusions, each offering a unique, and often flawed, vision for the future of the Lands Between. The game presents no definitive “good” or “canon” ending, instead leaving players to interpret the implications of their choices and decide which resonates most with their own understanding of the world’s lore and moral complexities. It’s not about finding the answer, but about exploring the consequences of different approaches to a broken world.
Understanding the Endings: A Kaleidoscope of Possibilities
Each ending available in Elden Ring is intrinsically tied to a specific questline, and your decisions throughout the game directly impact the options available to you upon defeating the final boss. Understanding the core tenets of each faction and the figures associated with them is essential to grasping the nuances of their respective endings. Let’s examine the major endings and their implications:
The Age of Fracture (Default Ending)
This is often considered the “standard” ending. The player, having defeated the Elden Beast, simply reforges the Elden Ring and becomes the Elden Lord. While seemingly straightforward, it essentially maintains the status quo. The Golden Order remains in power, and the problems that plagued the Lands Between before your arrival are likely to persist. It’s a continuation of the existing, flawed system.
The Age of Order (Golden Order Ending)
Achieved by completing Brother Corhyn and Goldmask’s questline, this ending represents a refinement of the Golden Order. You use the Mending Rune of Perfect Order to repair the Elden Ring. This ending, in theory, aims to eliminate the inherent flaws and corruption within the Golden Order, striving for a more just and stable society. However, the rigid nature of the Order, even “perfected,” leaves room for questions about individual freedom and the potential for future conflicts. The Games Learning Society may be interested in this one given its focus on creating game-based learning experiences. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
The Age of Duskborn (Fia’s Ending)
In this ending, obtained by completing Fia’s questline, you introduce the Rune of the Death-Prince into the Elden Ring. This brings “true death” back to the Lands Between, ending the curse of immortality that has plagued its inhabitants. This is a potentially impactful change, as the removal of immortality allows for the natural cycle of life and death to resume. Many theorize this to be the “canon” ending as hints from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC suggests this.
The Age of Stars (Ranni’s Ending)
This ending, widely considered the “best” by many players, requires completing Ranni the Witch’s questline. Here, you usher in an era where the influence of the Greater Will is diminished, replaced by the distant, cold influence of the Moon. Ranni becomes the new god of the world, embarking on a journey to guide the Lands Between in a different direction, away from the control of the Outer Gods. It’s an ending of liberation, but also of uncertainty, as the nature of Ranni’s reign remains ambiguous.
The Blessing of Despair (Dung Eater’s Ending)
Achieved by using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse, this ending is decidedly bleak. The Dung Eater’s curse taints the Erdtree and the Lands Between, ensuring that all future generations will be born into a world of suffering and despair. It’s a deliberately horrific ending, showcasing the potential for pure, unadulterated evil.
Lord of Frenzied Flame (The Three Fingers Ending)
Perhaps the most destructive ending, this requires embracing the Frenzied Flame from the Three Fingers. You become the Lord of Chaos, consumed by madness and intent on burning everything to the ground, ultimately returning all existence to a single, undifferentiated state. This ending is often viewed as the “worst” due to its complete annihilation of the world.
Why There’s No “True” Ending: The Beauty of Ambiguity
FromSoftware’s deliberate choice to avoid a definitive ending is central to Elden Ring’s narrative power. By presenting multiple options, each with its own set of potential benefits and drawbacks, the game forces players to actively engage with the lore and make their own moral judgments. It’s a reflection of the complex ethical dilemmas that permeate the real world, where there are rarely easy answers or clear-cut solutions.
The ambiguity also encourages discussion and debate within the community. Players analyze the characters’ motivations, the consequences of their actions, and the potential long-term effects of each ending, leading to a rich and ever-evolving understanding of the game’s world. The “true” ending, therefore, becomes a personal interpretation, shaped by individual experiences and perspectives.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Elden Ring’s Endings
Here are some frequently asked questions about Elden Ring’s endings, providing further insights into their meaning and implications:
1. Is the Ranni ending truly the best ending?
The Age of Stars ending is popular because it offers a departure from the established order and a promise of something new. However, it’s not without its criticisms. Some argue that Ranni’s vision is too cold and detached, potentially sacrificing human connection for a distant, lunar ideal.
2. What is the most difficult ending to achieve?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is often considered the most difficult due to its obscure requirements and the potential for accidentally locking yourself out of other endings. It requires a specific series of actions and the acceptance of the Frenzied Flame’s influence.
3. Does it matter which ending you get in Elden Ring?
Yes, absolutely! Each ending significantly alters the fate of the Lands Between, influencing its future and the lives of its inhabitants. The choice you make has far-reaching consequences.
4. Is Queen Marika truly evil?
Queen Marika’s motivations are complex and often contradictory. While she took destructive actions, like shattering the Elden Ring, they were driven by a desire to challenge the Greater Will’s control. She’s not a simple villain but rather a tragic figure caught in a web of fate and divine manipulation.
5. What happens if you refuse Melina?
Refusing Melina’s accord initially will severely limit your progress in Elden Ring, preventing you from leveling up and accessing crucial features like Torrent, your spectral steed. However, you are eventually forced to accept.
6. Does the Tarnished marry Marika in any ending?
While the Tarnished becomes Elden Lord, acting as Marika’s consort in some endings, there’s no literal marriage ceremony depicted. The relationship is more of a functional one, with the Tarnished acting as the new ruler of the Lands Between in her name.
7. Is Radagon actually Marika?
Yes, Radagon and Marika are revealed to be two halves of the same being, a single entity capable of shifting between the two forms. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to their motivations and actions.
8. Why did Marika shatter the Elden Ring?
Marika shattered the Elden Ring as an act of defiance against the Greater Will and to prevent the demigods from claiming its power. She hoped to create chaos and force change in the Lands Between.
9. How is Melina related to Marika?
Melina is heavily implied to be Marika’s daughter. Dialogue and lore hints suggest a close connection between the two, further complicating the narrative and raising questions about Melina’s true purpose.
10. What are the “bad” endings in Elden Ring?
The Lord of Frenzied Flame and the Blessing of Despair are generally considered the “bad” endings due to their destructive and bleak consequences for the Lands Between.
11. What is the Goldmask ending about?
The Age of Order ending with Goldmask’s rune focuses on perfecting the Golden Order through understanding and correcting its fundamental flaws, aiming for a more stable and just system.
12. Will the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC have a new ending?
It’s highly likely that the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC will introduce new endings or significantly alter existing ones, further expanding the narrative and offering new perspectives on the fate of the Lands Between.
13. Did Ranni kill Godwyn?
Ranni orchestrated the Night of Black Knives, which resulted in the death of Godwyn the Golden, triggering a chain of events that led to the shattering of the Elden Ring.
14. Is Ranni a villain?
Ranni is a morally grey character. While her actions had devastating consequences, they were motivated by a desire to break free from the influence of the Outer Gods and forge a new path for the Lands Between. Many view her as a necessary evil.
15. What race is Marika?
Marika is of the Numen race, a group described as originating from another world, known for their long lifespans and infrequent births.
Embracing the Uncertainty: The True Essence of Elden Ring
Ultimately, the lack of a “true” ending is a deliberate choice by FromSoftware to encourage player agency and critical thinking. The game presents a complex and morally ambiguous world, and it’s up to the player to decide which ending best reflects their own values and understanding of the Lands Between. The true ending, therefore, is the one that resonates most deeply with you, the Tarnished. The discussions surrounding Elden Ring’s lore offer a wealth of opportunity for research in areas related to game-based learning, as explored by the Games Learning Society.