The ultimate objective in Elden Ring is to go through and gather the necessary resources not only makes the game a bit easier but also unlocks secrets that may otherwise be missed. revolves around collecting all of the Great Runes from Queen Marika the Eternal’s demigod offspring and stepping into the role of the Elden Lord.
As players gather shards of the Elden Ring, they are faced with multiple ways to conclude their journey. Some of these conclusions are more rewarding than others, so it’s important to be thorough to achieve the preferred ending.
The Elden Ring holds more than power it holds your future (Photo: Elden Ring/Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software)Taking time to search and gather the necessary resources not only makes the game a bit easier but also unlocks secrets that may otherwise be missed. There are six different endings in the Elden Ring. While almost all of them result in the Tarnished becoming the Elden Lord, the impact on the Lands Between differs greatly.
The consequences of the player’s decisions will determine if the land’s future is a better or worse place., and each varies in terms of player satisfaction. To experience all of them, players must make sure to go through thoroughly and complete specific questlines that are necessary for certain endings.
While almost all of them result in the Tarnished becoming the Elden Lord, the impact on the Lands Between differs greatly. The consequences of the player’s decisions will determine if the land’s future is a better or worse place.
The Default Ending of Elden Ring
The easiest ending to achieve in Elden Ring is the default one, where players simply mend the Elden Ring after defeating the required bosses. This ending doesn’t demand any additional questlines, making it perfect for those who are new to the game.
However, reaching this point is no small achievement, as players need to defeat 12 bosses, with the order of defeat being flexible. Even with some flexibility, the journey to this point is still demanding. After completing the default ending, not much changes in the Lands Between.
The Tarnished becomes the Elden Lord, but Caelid remains plagued by the Elden Ring’s scarlet rot. The Erdtree is gone, having been burned down by Melina, and this remains consistent across most endings. The land still bears its flaws, and the Outer Gods continue to interfere with mortal affairs.
This ending is often considered the “canon” one, but whether it’s the “good” ending remains a matter of debate.
The Duskborn Ending
The Duskborn ending requires players to complete Fia’s questline to acquire the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. After taking down two demigods, players must return to Fia at Roundtable Hold to get a dagger, which they then give to D, Hunter of the Dead.
Following the events that lead to D’s death, Fia will flee to Deeproot Depths, where the player will need to defeat a boss and express a desire for Fia to be hugged. Completing Ranni’s questline will grant the Cursemark of Death, which leads to a battle in Godwyn Golden’s dream.
Defeating the boss here gives players the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. Once the rune is obtained, players proceed to the endgame. Upon mending the Elden Ring, the Tarnished will again become Elden Lord, but this time, immortality is lost for everyone in the Lands Between.
Creatures, including demigods, will live and die naturally, marking an important change from the state of eternal life that once defined the world.
The Despair Ending
The Despair ending is arguably the most tragic conclusion players can experience in Elden Ring. To unlock it, players must acquire the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse from the Dung Eater at Roundtable Hold.
To do this, they need to give Dung Eater five Seedbed Curses, obtained by defeating enemies in the Subterranean Shunning-Grounds. After defeating Dung Eater, they can claim the Fell Curse rune from him. Using the Mending Rune of the Fell Curse brings about a terrible fate.
This curse infects all living things in the Lands Between, causing a new age of suffering. The exact nature of the curse isn’t fully explained, but its effects are devastating, spreading pain and death across the land.
If players opt for this ending, they will be responsible for condemning the future generations of all creatures to this grim fate.
The Perfect Order Ending
For players seeking a more uplifting resolution after the despairing fate of the previous ending, the Perfect Order ending is a far more positive conclusion. To achieve this ending, players must complete Brother Corhyn’s questline to acquire the Mending Rune of Perfect Order.
This involves finding Goldmask, delivering information about his location to Corhyn, and then meeting them both at Leyndell after unlocking the area. Players will need to solve a riddle with the Law of Regression near the Erdtree Sanctuary Site of Grace.
Upon returning to Goldmask and solving the puzzle, players will defeat the Fire Giant and Gurranq, Beast Clergyman. Afterward, they will find Goldmask’s body, and he will pass on the Mending Rune of Perfect Order.
When the Perfect Order rune is used to mend the Elden Ring, it restores balance to the Lands Between. The Outer Gods, including the Greater Will, are locked out from manipulating the land, allowing the Golden Order to be reestablished.
The Golden Order was once disrupted by the shattering of the Elden Ring, but now, with the Golden Order reinstated, the people of the land are free to shape their own futures.
The Lord of Frenzied Flame Ending
In stark contrast to other endings, the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending sees the Tarnished take on the role of the vessel for an Outer God. To achieve this ending, players must meet Three Fingers in Leyndell before heading to the Forge of the Giants.
Seek every hidden secret to shape the world’s fate (Photo: Elden Ring/Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software)After defeating the final boss and reaching the Erdtree, players must choose the option to “Become the Lord of Frenzied Flame.” This path is relatively simple to access compared to others as it doesn’t require a lengthy questline.
In this ending, Melina survives, unlike in most other alternate endings, as the Tarnished becomes a vessel for the Frenzied Flame and burns down the Erdtree without dying. However, the fire that engulfs the land causes immense suffering, and Melina eventually vows to take revenge on the Tarnished.
This ending leaves the land in perpetual flame, marking a fiery, destructive conclusion to the game.
The Age of Stars Ending
One of the endings that does not involve mending the Elden Ring or setting the land ablaze is the Age of Stars ending. To access this path, players must complete Ranni’s questline. This involves meeting Ranni at Ranni’s Rise in Liurnia at night, after speaking to War Counselor Iji, Blaidd, and Seluvis.
Players must defeat Starscourge Radahn and deliver the Fingerslayer Blade to Ranni, then collect the Cursemark of Death from the Divine Tower of Liurnia.
After defeating the Baleful Shadow and obtaining the Dark Moon Ring from the Raya Lucaria Grand Library, players proceed to the Cathedral of Manus Celes and free Ranni. Choosing the Age of Stars ending sees Ranni ascend to godhood, and the Tarnished becomes her consort, much like Marika and Godwyn.
Together, they ascend to the stars, with Ranni making the Dark Moon the new center of power in the Lands Between. This ending resolves the story in a different light, with Ranni taking over as the new ruler of the land.
