Introduction to Elden Ring Endings
Welcome to the ultimate best elden ring endings guide this month. As FromSoftware's masterpiece continues to captivate millions of players worldwide, mastering the intricate lore and uncovering every possible conclusion remains a top priority for both veterans and newcomers. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion breathing new life into the community, understanding how your choices shape the fate of the Lands Between is more important than ever. Whether you are aiming for the coveted Platinum trophy or simply want to roleplay a specific deity of the Lands Between, this comprehensive walkthrough breaks down every path available to you right now.
Elden Ring is renowned for its branching narrative paths, hidden questlines, and morally grey choices. Unlike traditional RPGs, the game does not explicitly tell you which path leads to which ending. Instead, you must piece together fragmented lore, earn the trust of deeply troubled NPCs, and make life-altering decisions deep into your playthrough. In this guide, we will rank and analyze the best elden ring endings, detail the exact quest requirements, and help you make the most informed decision for your Tarnished hero.
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Understanding the Elden Ring Ending System
Before diving into the specific paths, it is crucial to understand how the Elden Ring endgame functions. Throughout your journey, you will collect various Mending Mending Runes or special items. Defeating the final bosses triggers a choice at the foot of the Erdtree. Depending on what items are in your inventory and which hidden milestones you have completed, you will be presented with different options to interact with Marika's shattered body.
It is worth noting that you can back up your save file right before the final decision if you want to experience multiple endings in a single playthrough. However, for a truly organic experience, many players prefer to tackle different endings across New Game Plus cycles. Let us dive into the details of the most popular and best elden ring endings you can pursue this month.
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Tier 1: The Best Elden Ring Endings to Chase
Some conclusions to the game offer deeply satisfying narrative resolutions and unlock some of the most memorable cinematic moments in modern gaming history. Here are the top-tier choices you should prioritize.
Age of the Stars (Ranni's Ending)
Widely regarded by the community as the best elden ring ending, the Age of the Stars questline is an absolute masterpiece of game design. Initiated by meeting Ranni the Witch at her rise in Liurnia of the Lakes, this path takes you on a sweeping journey across subterranean cities, cosmic horrors, and tragic romances.
To achieve this ending, you must complete Ranni’s sprawling questline, which involves defeating Starscourge Radahn, retrieving the Fingerslayer Blade, navigating the Lake of Rot, and slaying Astel, Naturalborn of the Void. At the very end of the game, instead of interacting with the fractured Marika, you summon Ranni using a blue summon sign on the floor. She ushers in an age of the cold, the dark, and the distant, freeing the Lands Between from the tyrannical grip of the Greater Will.
Age of Order (Goldmask's Ending)
If you prefer a more lawful and analytical approach to fixing the flawed Golden Order, the Age of Order is for you. Championed by the enigmatic Goldmask and his loyal follower Brother Corhyn, this path requires high Intelligence and Faith, making it a favorite for advanced builds.
This questline involves uncovering the tragic truth about Radagon and Marika at the Erdtree Sanctuary using the Law of Regression incantation. By presenting Goldmask with the Mending Rune of Perfect Order at the end of the game, you mend the Elden Ring in a way that removes the fickle, petty nature of the outer gods, establishing a stable and absolute era of divine order.
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Tier 2: Alternative and Chaotic Endings
Not every Tarnished wants to save the world. Some wish to reshape it entirely, while others prefer to watch it all burn down to ashes.
Lord of Frenzied Flame
For players looking for a darker, more apocalyptic roleplay, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending is an unforgettable experience. Often considered the "bad ending," it features a terrifying cinematic and locks you out of all other paths unless you use a very specific, hidden consumable item called Miquella's Needle in Dragonlord Placidusax's arena.
To trigger this, you must descend deep into the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds beneath Leyndell, past the Mohgwyn-like sewer horrors, and reach the Three Fingers behind a hidden wall. Embracing the Frenzied Flame burns your body and brands your eyes with yellow chaos. Choosing this path at the end of the game incinerates the entire world, staying true to the creed: "May chaos take the world!"
Age of the Duskborn (Fia's Ending)
Fia, the Deathbed Companion, offers a path centered around the concept of "Those Who Live in Death." By embracing her and engaging with her questline involving D, Hunter of the Dead, you help her give birth to the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.
Choosing this ending integrates the concept of living death naturally into the order of the world, rather than purging it entirely. It is a poignant, melancholic conclusion that highlights the tragic nuances of Marika's rule and offers redemption for the despised undead of the realm.
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Standard Endings and How to Avoid Them
The default conclusion to the game is the Age of Fracture. This is achieved by simply repairing the Elden Ring with no special items in your inventory. While it serves as a baseline, it leaves the flawed status quo entirely unchanged.
Similarly, the Blessing of Despair (often called the Dung Eater ending) results in the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse. This path infects every single soul in the Lands Between with a horrific curse for generations to come, ensuring eternal suffering. Most players avoid this unless they are achievement hunting or roleplaying an absolute villain.
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Pro Tips for Managing Ending Questlines This Month
Navigating multiple complex NPC questlines without breaking them can be tricky. Follow these essential tips to ensure you secure your desired conclusion:
- Always exhaust NPC dialogue until they repeat themselves before moving to a new region.
- Be careful with progressing the main story too fast; defeating certain main bosses (like Maliketh) can permanently lock out specific side quests in Leyndell.
- Keep track of key items like the Cursemark of Death, Valkyrie's Prosthesis, and Secret Haligtree Medallion halves.
- Check online wikis or community hubs if you notice an NPC has mysteriously vanished from their usual location.
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Conclusion
Choosing the right path in FromSoftware's epic is a deeply personal decision that defines your entire journey through the Lands Between. Whether you choose to plunge the world into cosmic darkness with Ranni, purge the corruption with Goldmask, or burn everything to ash under the Frenzied Flame, understanding the requirements ensures you will not miss out. Use this best elden ring endings guide this month to plan your ultimate playthrough and claim your rightful place as Elden Lord!
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FAQ
Q: Can I get multiple endings in a single playthrough of Elden Ring?
A:Yes, you can achieve multiple endings in a single playthrough by manipulating your save files. Right before interacting with the final area or statue after defeating the final boss, you can upload your save data to the cloud or copy your save folder locally on PC. After getting one ending, download your old save back to experience a different choice. However, note that accepting the Frenzied Flame locks you into that specific path unless you reverse it using Miquella's Needle.
Q: Which Elden Ring ending is considered canon?
A:FromSoftware famously avoids confirming a single "canon" ending for their games, leaving it entirely up to the player's interpretation and roleplay. However, the Age of the Stars (Ranni's ending) is by far the most popular and fleshed-out path, leading many fans to treat it as the definitive narrative conclusion.
Q: How do I remove the Frenzied Flame if I accidentally locked myself into it?
A:To remove the Frenzied Flame and unlock the ability to choose other endings, you must complete Millicent's lengthy questline to acquire Miquella's Needle. Then, you must defeat the secret boss Dragonlord Placidusax in Crumbling Farum Azula and use the needle within his boss arena. This item neutralizes the flame and restores your freedom of choice.
Q: Do the Elden Ring endings change based on the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC?
A:The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion adds massive amounts of lore regarding Miquella and Marika, but it does not add a brand-new cinematic ending to the base game's final boss choice. Instead, the DLC expands on the backstory and motivations of key deities, enriching your understanding of the existing choices.
Q: Is Ranni's ending the longest questline in the game?
A:Yes, Ranni the Witch features one of the most extensive questlines in Elden Ring. It spans multiple massive regions, including Liurnia of the Lakes, Nokron Eternal City, Ainsel River, and the Lake of Rot, culminating in a unique boss fight and a distinct alternate final area.
Q: What happens to the world after the Age of Fracture ending?
A:The Age of Fracture is the baseline default ending. Your Tarnished repairs the Elden Ring and takes the throne as Elden Lord, but the fundamental flaws and cycles of the previous order remain intact, setting the stage for a continuation of the status quo under the Greater Will.
