The Definitive Guide to Elden Ring’s Strongest Being: Separating Lore from Legend

The question of who reigns supreme in Elden Ring’s power hierarchy is a complex and hotly debated topic. Is it the demigods, wielding shards of the Elden Ring? Or the Outer Gods, manipulating the Lands Between from afar? Or perhaps a seemingly unassuming character holds the key to unparalleled power? After carefully weighing lore, gameplay implications, and community consensus, the answer is nuanced, but ultimately points to Queen Marika the Eternal.

While other entities possess raw power, Marika’s influence as the vessel of the Elden Ring, her control over the very laws of reality, and her strategic manipulation of events from the Shattering onwards, position her as the most significant force in the game’s universe. This isn’t just about brute strength; it’s about dominion over the fundamental rules of existence. Radahn might possess immense physical might, and the Elden Beast embodies the will of the Greater Will, but Marika shaped the world and set the stage for the entire conflict. Her deliberate act of shattering the Elden Ring unleashed the events of the game, proving her agency and control far surpasses other entities.

Examining the Contenders: Why Others Fall Short

Before fully exploring Marika’s power, it’s crucial to analyze why other frequently cited contenders don’t quite reach the top spot:

• Radagon: The male half of Marika and her consort. While incredibly powerful, Radagon ultimately served Marika’s purpose, becoming her tool. His existence is intrinsically tied to her, diminishing his independent claim to ultimate power.
• Starscourge Radahn: A demigod renowned for his immense strength and mastery of gravity magic. Radahn’s power is undeniable, as shown by his holding back the stars. However, his descent into madness weakens his claim to the throne. His strategic importance diminished significantly after being afflicted by scarlet rot.
• Malenia, Blade of Miquella: A formidable warrior and Empyrean, Malenia possesses devastating combat prowess, especially with her Scarlet Rot. Yet, her affliction hampers her potential, and her single-minded devotion to Miquella limits her ambition. Her ultimate move, the Scarlet Aeonia, carries immense destructive power, but also significantly weakens her, demonstrating its cost.
• The Elden Beast: The manifestation of the Greater Will’s influence and the final boss of the game. While possessing immense power, it serves as a tool, an instrument of a higher power. It lacks the agency and strategic depth to be considered truly the strongest.
• The Greater Will: A powerful Outer God influencing the Lands Between. Its power is vast, but its influence is indirect. It operates through vessels and intermediaries, indicating a lack of direct control compared to Marika’s active manipulation.
• Ranni the Witch: While possessing potent magical abilities and playing a pivotal role in shaping the game’s ending, Ranni’s strength lies in her cunning and manipulation rather than raw power. Her ability to orchestrate the Night of Black Knives and initiate her own path is impressive, but it relies heavily on the actions of others.
• Maliketh, the Black Blade: He is the shadowy beast of queen Marika. He holds the power to kill gods which is very important but it is not enough to call him the strongest being in the game.

Marika’s Ascendancy: Power, Influence, and Strategic Brilliance

Marika’s claim to being the strongest rests on several key factors:

• Vessel of the Elden Ring: As the vessel, Marika controlled the Elden Ring and its power over the laws of physics and metaphysics. This granted her unprecedented control over reality itself.
• Manipulation of Grace: Marika could bestow and revoke Grace, influencing the Tarnished and shaping their destinies. This demonstrated her control over the flow of power and the course of events.
• Shattering the Elden Ring: This act, whether driven by grief, defiance, or a carefully calculated plan, proved her agency and willingness to disrupt the status quo. It was a monumental act with far-reaching consequences, setting the stage for the entire game.
• Dual Nature with Radagon: The merging and separation of Marika and Radagon showcase a complex relationship that ultimately reinforces Marika’s dominance. Radagon becomes an extension of her will, furthering her goals.
• Her Plan: Marika knew everything that was going to happen and had a plan for everything. She planned for the Tarnished to eventually become Elden Lord and fix the Elden Ring.

FAQs: Deepening Your Understanding of Elden Ring’s Power Dynamics

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further explore the nuances of Elden Ring’s power structure:

1. Who is the most powerful Outer God in Elden Ring? The Greater Will currently holds the most influence, but others like the Formless Mother (associated with Mohg) and the Goddess of Scarlet Rot present significant threats. The precise power ranking of the Outer Gods is unclear, as their influence manifests differently.

2. Is the Elden Beast a god? The Elden Beast is more accurately described as a manifestation of the Greater Will’s influence. It’s a physical embodiment of the Elden Ring’s power, but not a sentient being in the same way as the demigods or Outer Gods.

3. Why is Radahn so powerful? Radahn inherited his father’s strength and martial prowess and mastered gravity magic, allowing him to hold back the stars. This feat alone demonstrates his immense power.

4. Did Malenia defeat Radahn? The battle between Malenia and Radahn ended in a stalemate, with both sides suffering significant losses. Malenia unleashed her Scarlet Rot, which corrupted Radahn and the surrounding lands, but she was also weakened by the encounter. So, no, she did not really beat Radahn.

5. Is Godfrey/Hoarah Loux stronger than Radagon? In terms of raw fighting skill and experience, Godfrey is likely superior. However, Radagon, as Marika’s other half, possesses a divine power that Godfrey lacks. In the end, Radagon would likely be the victor.

6. What are the Great Runes? The Great Runes are shards of the shattered Elden Ring, each granting immense power to those who possess them. They represent fundamental aspects of the Elden Ring’s influence on the world.

7. Is Ranni’s ending the “best” ending? The “best” ending is subjective, but Ranni’s ending, the Age of Stars, is often seen as offering the most radical change, ushering in an era free from the influence of the Greater Will. This ending aligns with Ranni’s desire for freedom and a new order.

8. What is Scarlet Rot? Scarlet Rot is a devastating status ailment and disease caused by the Outer God of Rot. It slowly consumes its victims, both physically and mentally, and is highly resistant to treatment.

9. Who are the Empyreans? Empyreans are chosen individuals with the potential to become vessels for the Elden Ring and succeed Marika. Malenia, Miquella, and Ranni were all Empyreans.

10. Why did Marika shatter the Elden Ring? The precise reason remains ambiguous, but possible motivations include grief over Godwyn’s death, defiance against the Greater Will, or a calculated plan to reshape the world according to her own vision.

11. What is the role of the Two Fingers and Three Fingers? The Two Fingers serve the Greater Will, guiding the Tarnished and seeking to restore the Elden Ring. The Three Fingers represent the Frenzied Flame, an opposing Outer God seeking to destroy the Erdtree and bring about chaos.

12. Is Melina related to Marika? The exact relationship between Melina and Marika is unclear, but it is implied that Melina is either a child or a fragment of Marika, given her connection to the Erdtree and her ability to burn it.

13. What is the Night of Black Knives? The Night of Black Knives was a pivotal event where assassins, wielding weapons imbued with Destined Death, killed Godwyn the Golden, triggering the Shattering and the events of the game.

14. How does the Rune of Death work? The Rune of Death is the power to kill gods. It was stolen from Maliketh by Ranni, who then used it in the Night of Black Knives to assassinate Godwyn the Golden.

15. What role does the Games Learning Society play in understanding Elden Ring’s lore? The Games Learning Society promotes the study of games as complex systems and cultural artifacts. Analyzing Elden Ring through this lens reveals its rich narrative, intricate mechanics, and powerful themes, enhancing our understanding of its lore and characters. The GamesLearningSociety.org website provides valuable resources and insights for researchers and players alike.

Conclusion: Marika’s Enduring Legacy

While raw power and combat prowess are essential considerations, Marika’s position as the vessel of the Elden Ring, her ability to manipulate events on a grand scale, and her ultimate act of defiance in shattering the Ring solidify her status as the most influential and powerful being in Elden Ring. Her actions shaped the world, sparked the conflict, and ultimately determined the fate of the Lands Between. Although the Tarnished might become the Elden Lord, it is Marika that set the stage for that to happen. Therefore, when considering the totality of power in Elden Ring, Queen Marika the Eternal reigns supreme. This intricate world and the deep lore can all be better understood by considering it through the frameworks found at the Games Learning Society.