If you have journeyed through the base game of FromSoftware’s magnum opus, stepping into the realm of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion brings a fresh wave of challenge, lore, and discovery. Among the most burning questions within the gaming community is whether the DLC introduces brand new elden ring endings guide guide content that alters the fate of the Lands Between. As Tarnished warriors dive deep into the Land of Shadow, uncovering the dark past of Miquella the Kind, the desire to know how the story concludes has never been higher.
In this comprehensive Elden Ring endings guide, we will break down everything you need to know about the base game conclusions, analyze the impact of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion on the overarching narrative, and provide you with the ultimate roadmap to achieving every possible cinematic finale. Whether you are aiming to become the Elden Lord, plunge the world into the Age of the Stars, or embrace the fiery chaos of the Frenzied Flame, this walkthrough covers every crucial step, NPC questline, and missable item.
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Understanding Elden Ring Endings: The Baseline
Before diving into the specifics of the expansion and any potential new story conclusions, it is vital to understand how the core game handles its conclusions. Elden Ring features multiple distinct endings, each tied to specific NPC questlines and moral choices. Unlike linear RPGs, FromSoftware allows players to save their progress right before the final boss, enabling you to back up your save file and experience multiple cinematic finales in a single playthrough—provided you have completed the necessary prerequisites.
The base game offers standard variations of the throne, secret paths dictated by Empyreans, and world-altering disasters. To successfully navigate this, you must track key figures like Ranni the Witch, Fia the Deathbed Companion, and the Dung Eater. Each of these characters acts as a conduit for a radically different vision of the future. Ignoring their quests limits your options strictly to the default Mending Rune paths, making a meticulous Elden Ring progression guide essential for completionists.
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Does Shadow of the Erdtree Add New Endings?
One of the most heavily discussed topics surrounding the DLC is whether FromSoftware added a new Elden Ring ending to the main game upon defeating the final boss of the expansion. To answer this clearly and set expectations: Shadow of the Erdtree does not introduce a brand-new cinematic conclusion to the base game's sitting on the Elden Throne. The core choices—such as becoming the Elden Lord or triggering the Age of the Stars—remain the primary ways the base game wraps up.
However, the expansion profoundly enriches the lore, giving vital context to Miquella's ascension and the true nature of Marika's golden rule. Completing the DLC adds unique dialogue, provides closure to lingering plot threads, and fundamentally changes how you view the final choices of the base game. Think of the expansion not as a replacement for the original endings, but as the ultimate narrative key that unlocks the deeper truths behind the Greater Will and the Empyreans.
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Core Endings Breakdown and How to Get Them
To achieve a 100% completion rate, you must familiarize yourself with the primary paths available to the Tarnished. Each path requires specific items known as Mending Runes or triggering a specific sequence of events during the endgame phase.
The Age of Fracture (Default Ending)
This is the standard conclusion to the game and requires no specialized side quests. Upon defeating the final boss of the main game, you simply interact with the fractured Marika and choose to repair the Elden Ring normally.- No prerequisites required.
- Results in the standard continuation of the Golden Order under your rule.
Age of the Stars (Ranni’s Ending)
Widely considered the most popular and expansive conclusion in the game, Ranni's path removes the Golden Order from the Lands Between entirely, ushering in an Age of the Stars accompanied by the dark moon.- Begin by meeting Ranni at Ranni's Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes.
- Travel through Nokron, Eternal City to retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade.
- Navigate the Lake of Rot and defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void.
- Place the Dark Moon Ring on Ranni's finger at the conclusion of her questline.
- Summon Ranni at the very end of the game by interacting with the blue summon sign on the floor after the final battle.
Lord of Frenzied Flame
If you prefer a fiery, apocalyptic resolution where all distinctions are melted away into one, the Frenzied Flame path is your destination. Be warned: locking yourself into this path blocks out all other endings unless you use a very specific, hidden cleansing item.- Locate the subterranean shunning grounds beneath Leyndell, Royal Capital.
- Navigate the brutal platforming puzzle down to the Three Fingers.
- Strip off all your armor and accept the embrace of the Three Fingers to burn your body with the mark of chaos.
- Defeat the final boss to trigger the unique cinematic where Melina vows to hunt you down.
Step-by-Step Checklist for Completionists
Achieving multiple endings requires careful planning to avoid locking yourself out of vital NPC interactions. Follow these best practices to ensure a smooth playthrough.
- Check Quest Triggers: Always exhaust all dialogue options when speaking to NPCs at Roundtable Hold and out in the open world.
- Manage Boss Progress: Defeating certain main bosses, such as Maliketh, can permanently alter the state of Leyndell, making certain items and quests impossible to complete. Finish side quests before burning the Erdtree if possible.
- Backup Your Saves: PC players can manually copy their save data from the appdata folder, while console players can utilize cloud storage backups right before interacting with the final area's grace point.
- Explore the DLC Thoroughly: While Shadow of the Erdtree does not change the credits roll, missing out on memory ashes and boss remembrances in the realm of shadow leaves your character underpowered for the ultimate endgame challenges.
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Tips for Navigating the DLC Lore Alongside Base Game Choices
As you explore the expansive regions introduced in the expansion, keeping the motivations of Miquella and St. Trina in mind will reshape your perspective. The narrative parallels between the base game's demigods and the tragedies found in the shadow realm emphasize the cyclical nature of suffering in the Lands Between.
Furthermore, utilizing the new weapon types, incantations, and spirit ashes found in the expansion can drastically alter your combat efficacy during the final boss gauntlets. Make sure to collect Scadutree Fragments diligently, as enemy scaling in the late game is punishingly difficult without these crucial stat boosters.
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Conclusion
Mastering the complexities of Elden Ring and its monumental expansion requires patience, exploration, and a keen eye for detail. While the community continues to theorize about hidden patches and secret triggers, following a reliable Elden Ring endings guide ensures you experience every narrative payoff the developers intended. Whether you choose to usher in an age of cosmic wonder or burn the world to ash, your journey as a Tarnished leaves an indelible mark on history.
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Q: Does the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC add a brand new ending to Elden Ring?
A: No, the expansion does not add a completely new cinematic ending to the base game's final choice. However, it provides massive lore context, alternative dialogue, and deeper insight into Miquella's motivations, which enriches the overall narrative experience.
Q: How many total endings are available in Elden Ring?
A: There are six distinct endings in the base game: the Age of Fracture (default), Age of the Order, Age of Duskborn, Blessing of Despair, Age of the Stars (Ranni's ending), and the Lord of Frenzied Flame.
Q: Can I get multiple endings in a single playthrough?
A: Yes, you can achieve multiple endings on one character by creating a backup of your save file right before the final boss arena, allowing you to reload and choose a different path after viewing the first credits roll.
Q: How do I lock myself out of Ranni's ending?
A: You generally do not lock yourself out of Ranni's ending unless you fail to progress her questline before defeating certain endgame bosses, or if you accidentally inherit the Frenzied Flame, which overrides other options unless cleansed by Miquella's Needle.
Q: What is the easiest ending to get in Elden Ring?
A: The Age of Fracture (default ending) is the easiest to achieve because it requires zero side quest progression. You simply need to defeat the final bosses of the main game and interact with Marika's fractured body.
Q: How do I reverse the Frenzied Flame ending once I have inherited it?
A: To remove the Frenzied Flame, you must complete Millicent's questline, defeat Malenia to obtain Miquella's Needle, and use the needle in Dragonlord Placidusax's hidden boss arena in Farum Azula.
Q: Do I need to finish the DLC before beating the final boss of the base game?
A: No, you do not need to finish the DLC to beat the base game, nor do you need to beat the base game's final boss to access the DLC, though you must defeat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood, to enter the realm of shadow.
Q: Are any Elden Ring endings missable?
A: Yes, almost every ending aside from the default Age of Fracture and the Frenzied Flame can be missed if you kill key NPCs, progress the story too far without initiating their quests, or lock yourself out of specific areas like Leyndell, Royal Capital.
