In the expansive realm of Elden Ring, players are often faced with choices that can dramatically alter their journey and outcomes. As one of the most celebrated games of our time, each twist and turn in the story leads to multiple endings, inviting players to explore every facet of its rich narrative. However, for those who seek to experience all endings without enduring multiple playthroughs, a strategy known as save-scumming emerges as a valuable technique. This guide will detail the optimal methods to achieve all these endings through careful save management, allowing players to make the most of their adventure.
Understanding Elden Ring’s Endings
Before diving into the intricacies of saving and loading in Elden Ring, it's essential to grasp the various endings available in the game. Each ending reflects different narratives and outcomes, providing players with unique resolutions to the intricate web of characters and choices they encounter. Here’s a summary of the available endings:
- Elden Lord, Age of Fracture
- Elden Lord, Age of the Duskborn
- Elden Lord, Age of Despair
- Elden Lord, Age of Order
- Age of the Stars
- Lord of the Frenzied Flame
To fully appreciate the nuances of these endings, players must ensure they navigate the storyline effectively, making choices that lead them to each potential conclusion without locking themselves out of any options.
Preparation for Save Scumming
Prior to unlocking each ending, it's imperative that players progress through the game and reach a critical point where they can select still more paths without committing to a conclusion. This preparation phase ensures that you maximize your achievements and trophies while minimizing redundancy. The key steps involve:
Advance Every Ending
Focus on progressing each storyline as far as possible without fully completing them. Most paths allow players to advance right up to the final moments without sealing off any options. However, the Lord of the Frenzied Flame ending has a specific soft lock that requires careful navigation. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the final step required for each ending before moving forward into the final segment of the game.
The Save Scumming Process
The pivotal moment for save-scumming occurs just after defeating the final boss. Upon this victory, players will find themselves near the Site of Grace and Marika, which sets the stage for the final choice. To successfully implement the save-scumming method, follow these steps:
Finding the Right Save Point
After the game’s climactic battle, look for the nearby Site of Grace. This location is crucial as it provides the opportunity to save your game before moving on to the final scene. Here, players can conveniently reload their saves before making a choice about which ending to pursue.
Choosing Endings
Once you are ready at the Site of Grace, approach Marika and you will see all the Mending Runes you have collected. Each one corresponds to an ending. For the purpose of achieving all endings efficiently, you will want to select one, create a backup save, and then reload to explore the other conclusions. Here’s the order to consider:
- Choose one Elden Lord ending first.
- Select the Age of Stars ending, which requires summoning Ranni the Witch using the blue summon sign present on the ground.
- Finally, opt for the Lord of the Frenzied Flame as the last choice to prevent being locked out of previous endings due to branding.
Executing the Lord of the Frenzied Flame Ending
For the final ending—a path that bears consequences—players should return to the Frenzied Flame Proscription Site of Grace after accessing Marika. It’s critical at this stage to remove all armor before venturing through the designated door, where branding will be enacted. This step is crucial because it could potentially hinder access to the previous endings if not timed correctly.
Once you’re branded, quickly fast travel back to the final area and approach Marika again. With some luck, you should be able to revert to your last save and potentially navigate back to the other endings without major repercussions.
Final Thoughts and Strategies
By utilizing the save-scumming technique effectively, players can unlock all endings in Elden Ring within a single playthrough, saving both time and effort. While the allure of exploring each conclusion through a complete journey can be strong, employing these strategies allows for a more streamlined experience while belonging to the immersive world of Elden Ring.
If you're looking for more detailed tips about gameplay, weapon recommendations, or defeating challenging bosses in Elden Ring’s latest expansion, “The Shadow of the Erdtree,” check out our comprehensive guides. Navigating this realm can be daunting, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can conquer every challenge it presents.
So, gear up and prepare for your journey through the Lands Between, with the ability to witness each narrative thread that Elden Ring has to offer, all thanks to this strategic save-scumming approach!