Which is the Best Ending in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive into Elden Ring’s Endings: Age of Fracture, Age of Duskborn, and Age of Stars

Which is the Best Ending in Elden Ring?

Ah, Elden Ring. A game that’s etched itself into the minds of millions, and a question that’s likely crossed every Tarnished’s mind at least once: Which is the best ending in Elden Ring? It’s a question I pondered endlessly myself, staring at the three distinct paths presented at the culmination of my arduous journey through the Lands Between. The sheer weight of those choices, coupled with the cryptic lore and the profound impact each ending has on the world, makes picking a “best” feel deeply personal, almost like choosing your favorite child. For me, the immediate answer isn’t a simple pronouncement, but rather a nuanced exploration of what “best” even means in the context of this melancholic, beautiful, and often brutal world. It depends entirely on what you, as the player, believe the Lands Between truly needs. Do you crave order, a return to a semblance of what was? Do you seek solace and peace for those who have suffered? Or do you yearn for something entirely new, a radical departure from the established order?

The “best” ending in Elden Ring is subjective, heavily influenced by player interpretation and thematic resonance. However, for many, the Age of Stars ending stands out as a particularly compelling and thematically rich conclusion, offering a hopeful, albeit alien, future for the Lands Between. It represents a profound shift, a move away from the cyclical nature of conflict and towards an era guided by wisdom and understanding. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To truly understand which ending resonates most, we need to meticulously dissect each one, exploring the prerequisites, the narrative implications, and the sheer emotional impact they leave on the player. It’s not just about seeing a different cutscene; it’s about shaping the destiny of an entire world, and that, my fellow Tarnished, is no small feat.

Unraveling the Threads: Understanding Elden Ring’s Endings

Elden Ring, developed by FromSoftware, is renowned for its intricate storytelling, where player agency plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative’s conclusion. The game presents players with three primary endings, each accessible through a series of specific in-game actions and questlines. These aren’t simply cosmetic differences; they represent fundamentally different futures for the Lands Between, offering a stark contrast in the world’s fate. The journey to reach these endings is as much a part of their significance as the endings themselves, demanding dedication, exploration, and a deep understanding of the game’s lore.

My own experience with these endings was a process of discovery, experimentation, and ultimately, contemplation. After my first playthrough, I found myself drawn to the simplest path, the Age of Fracture. It felt like a natural conclusion to the core quest of becoming Elden Lord. But as I delved deeper into the lore, uncovering hidden dialogues, cryptic item descriptions, and secret areas, the other endings began to beckon. The pursuit of the Age of Stars, in particular, felt like a true test of my dedication to understanding the game’s underlying philosophies. It required venturing into the most obscure corners of the map and piecing together a story that was far more complex than initially apparent.

Let’s break down each of these potential conclusions to the Tarnished’s epic quest.

The Age of Fracture: The Default Path to Elden Lordship

The Age of Fracture is the most straightforward and arguably the most “expected” ending in Elden Ring. It represents the restoration of the Golden Order, albeit with the Tarnished as its new wielder of immense power. This ending signifies a return to a form of established order, a continuation of the cycle of rulership that has defined the Lands Between for ages.

How to Achieve the Age of Fracture:

• The primary requirement for this ending is to defeat the final boss, the Elden Beast.
• After defeating the Elden Beast, simply interact with the Fractured Marika and choose to mend the Elden Ring.

Narrative Implications:

• This ending sees the Tarnished ascend to the throne as the Elden Lord, ushering in a new era.
• The world is ostensibly stabilized, and the fractured nature of the land is healed.
• However, it’s a return to a familiar order, one that has seen its share of corruption and strife. The underlying issues that led to the Shattering may not be entirely resolved, simply managed under new leadership.

From my perspective, the Age of Fracture feels like a necessary, if somewhat uninspired, conclusion for a first playthrough. It fulfills the primary objective and provides a sense of accomplishment. However, it also leaves a lingering question: Is simply restoring the old order truly enough? The Golden Order, after all, led to the Shattering. This ending, while technically “good” in that it brings stability, doesn’t necessarily bring about true change or address the deeper systemic problems within the Lands Between. It’s a pragmatic choice, a solid foundation, but perhaps not the most transformative one.

The Age of Duskborn: Embracing Death and the Absent Parent

The Age of Duskborn offers a more somber and introspective conclusion, driven by the influence of Fia, the Deathbed Companion. This ending suggests a world where death is no longer feared or shunned, but rather accepted as a natural part of life. It’s an ending that seeks to bring peace and solace to the tormented souls that wander the Lands Between, particularly those affected by the Golden Order’s rejection of the natural cycle of life and death.

How to Achieve the Age of Duskborn:

1. Progress Fia’s Questline: You must engage with Fia, the Deathbed Companion, found in the Roundtable Hold. Accept her embrace and acquire the “Weathered Dagger.”
2. Return the Dagger: Find and kill D, Hunter of the Dead, and return his dagger to Fia. This will trigger a significant turning point in her quest.
3. Obtain the Cursemark of Death: Following Fia’s quest, you will eventually obtain the Cursemark of Death. This is a crucial item, often obtained after confronting and defeating Rogier and later, Fia herself.
4. Defeat the Final Boss: Proceed through the game and defeat the final boss, the Elden Beast.
5. Use the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince: After the final boss fight, you will have the option to use the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. This is the key item that triggers the Age of Duskborn ending.

Narrative Implications:

• This ending signifies a world where the sanctity of death is restored, and the influence of the Greater Will and its rejection of true death is diminished.
• It’s an ending that seeks to bring peace to the tormented spirits and usher in an era of acceptance for the natural cycle of existence.
• The Lands Between, under this new order, would potentially be a place where the lingering anxieties of undeath and the consequences of unnatural prolongation of life are no longer a dominant concern.

My personal journey towards the Age of Duskborn was one filled with a sense of melancholy and a growing empathy for the suffering characters in Elden Ring. Fia’s questline is particularly poignant, highlighting the tragic consequences of the Golden Order’s doctrines. This ending, to me, represents a form of compassion. It’s not about conquering or ruling, but about healing the fundamental wounds of the world. It acknowledges the pain and suffering caused by the current order and seeks to provide a gentle, accepting resolution. While it might not be as overtly “powerful” as becoming Elden Lord, it carries a profound emotional weight, offering a sense of quiet redemption for the Lands Between.

The Age of Stars: A Cosmic Awakening and the Pursuit of True Knowledge

The Age of Stars is arguably the most complex and, for many players, the most rewarding ending to achieve. It’s tied to the questline of Ranni the Witch and her loyal companions, such as Blaidd, Iji, and Seluvis. This ending represents a radical departure from the Golden Order and the influence of the Greater Will, ushering in an era guided by cosmic wisdom and the pursuit of knowledge, free from the shackles of established dogma.

How to Achieve the Age of Stars:

1. Initiate Ranni’s Questline: Speak with Ranni at her Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes early in the game. You’ll need to progress through her initial dialogue and agree to serve her.
2. Assist Blaidd: Follow Blaidd’s quest. This will involve venturing into the Nokron, Eternal City, to retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade.
3. Obtain the Fingerslayer Blade: Give the Fingerslayer Blade to Ranni.
4. Defeat Starscourage Radahn: This is a significant prerequisite. You must defeat Starscourage Radahn in Caelid, which is essential for opening the path to Nokron.
5. Explore Nokron and Nokstella: After receiving the Dark Moon Ring from Ranni and navigating through Nokron, you will eventually reach Nokstella, Eternal City, and the Lake of Rot.
6. Obtain the Discarded Palace Key: Find the Discarded Palace Key in Nokstella.
7. Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void: Navigate the treacherous Lake of Rot and defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, to access the Moonlight Altar.
8. Reach Cathedral of Manus Celes: On the Moonlight Altar, find the Cathedral of Manus Celes. Inside, you will find Ranni, dormant.
9. Use the Dark Moon Ring: Place the Dark Moon Ring on Ranni.
10. Defeat the Final Boss: Proceed to defeat the Elden Beast.
11. Choose to Summon Ranni: After defeating the Elden Beast, you will have the option to summon Ranni. This action triggers the Age of Stars ending.

Narrative Implications:

• This ending signifies a complete rejection of the Golden Order and the influence of the Greater Will.
• The Lands Between enters an age guided by the Carian Royal Family’s interpretations of the stars and the cosmos, suggesting an era of intellectual exploration and perhaps a more nuanced understanding of existence.
• It implies a departure from the cycle of earthly conflict and a turning towards a more ethereal, perhaps even alien, form of governance and existence.

The Age of Stars ending is, in my opinion, the most compelling and thematically resonant conclusion to Elden Ring. Ranni’s ambition is not for dominion, but for liberation. She seeks to break free from the oppressive cosmic order that has dictated the fate of the Lands Between for so long. This ending speaks to a desire for genuine progress, for a future where knowledge and understanding, rather than blind faith or brute force, guide the world. The imagery of the stars, the moon, and the ethereal nature of Ranni’s influence all contribute to a sense of wonder and a hopeful, albeit different, future. It’s an ending that rewards the player’s curiosity and their willingness to question the established norms of the game’s universe. It’s a leap of faith into the unknown, and for many, that unknown is more appealing than the familiar, cyclical struggles of the past.

Comparing the Endings: A Thematic and Gameplay Perspective

When we talk about which is the “best” ending in Elden Ring, it’s crucial to move beyond just the mechanics of how to achieve them and delve into the thematic weight and player experience each offers. Each ending provides a distinct philosophical takeaway, a different vision for the future of the Lands Between, and requires a different emotional investment from the player.

Thematic Resonance: What Does Each Ending Say?

Age of Fracture: This ending is about order and continuity. It suggests that even after immense chaos, the desire for stability and rulership is paramount. The Tarnished becomes the new Elden Lord, fulfilling the prophecy and restoring a semblance of peace. However, it also implies that the inherent flaws of the Golden Order might persist, merely under new management. It’s a return to what was, for better or worse. From a narrative standpoint, it’s the most straightforward resolution, the expected outcome for a hero who has overcome all obstacles.

Age of Duskborn: This ending is about acceptance, peace, and acknowledging the natural cycle of life and death. It’s a more compassionate conclusion, seeking to heal the wounds inflicted by the Golden Order’s suppression of death. The Age of Duskborn offers solace to the tormented souls and suggests a world where death is no longer a terrifying unknown or a tool of oppression. It’s an ending that resonates with players who find meaning in empathy and the desire for true peace, even if it’s a somber peace.

Age of Stars: This is the ending that embodies radical change and the pursuit of knowledge. It represents a complete break from the established cosmic order and the Greater Will. The Age of Stars suggests a future guided by wisdom, understanding, and perhaps a more profound, less earthly, form of existence. It’s an ending for those who believe that the current order is fundamentally flawed and that a complete paradigm shift is necessary for true progress. The journey to achieve this ending is often the longest and most intricate, reflecting the profound nature of the change it represents.

Player Experience and Choice: Which Feels Most “Earned”?

The “best” ending can also be tied to the player’s journey and the effort invested in achieving it. The Age of Fracture is the most accessible, requiring no major deviations from the main quest. The Age of Duskborn demands a significant side questline that involves moral complexities and a deeper dive into the game’s lore. The Age of Stars, however, is the most involved, requiring players to seek out hidden areas, complete lengthy quest chains, and make specific choices that might not be immediately obvious. This intricate path often makes the Age of Stars feel the most “earned” for players who enjoy deep exploration and uncovering the game’s secrets.

I remember the sheer satisfaction of finally completing Ranni’s questline. It felt like I had truly unlocked a hidden layer of Elden Ring’s narrative. The challenges involved—from navigating Nokron to battling Astel—were significant, and the reward was not just a different cutscene, but a profound sense of having fundamentally altered the game’s world based on my understanding of its deeper lore. This sense of accomplishment, of uncovering the “true” path, contributes significantly to why many consider the Age of Stars the best.

Replayability and Significance

Elden Ring’s multiple endings are a cornerstone of its replayability. Players are encouraged to explore different paths, make different choices, and witness the various consequences. Each ending offers a fresh perspective on the game’s world and its overarching themes. The “best” ending for you might change with each playthrough as your understanding of the game deepens.

For me, after experiencing all three, the Age of Stars leaves the most lasting impression. It’s the ending that encourages the most thought about the nature of power, destiny, and what it truly means to usher in a new era. It’s not just about who sits on the throne, but about the fundamental principles that guide the world.

The Nuances of “Best”: Subjectivity and Player Interpretation

It’s crucial to reiterate that there isn’t a single, universally “correct” answer to “Which is the best ending in Elden Ring?” The beauty of Elden Ring’s design lies in its ability to provoke thought and allow for personal interpretation. What one player deems “best” another might find unsettling or less appealing. My own journey through the Lands Between has certainly shaped my perspective, and I suspect yours has too.

Personal Journeys Shape Perspectives

During my initial playthrough, driven by a desire to simply “win” and become Elden Lord, the Age of Fracture felt like the natural culmination. It was the expected heroic arc. However, as I spent more time engaging with the lore, reading item descriptions, and speaking with NPCs, characters like Fia and Ranni began to speak to me on a deeper level. Fia’s plight, her desire to grant a peaceful death to those tormented by the Golden Order, resonated with a sense of empathy. Ranni’s ambition, her rejection of the imposed destiny by the Greater Will, ignited a spark of rebellion and a yearning for something truly new.

The pursuit of the Age of Duskborn involved understanding the tragedy of the living death and the desire for true rest. It was a path of compassion, of acknowledging the suffering and offering a gentle, albeit somber, resolution. On the other hand, Ranni’s questline for the Age of Stars felt like an intellectual and existential awakening. It was about breaking free from limitations, embracing the unknown, and charting a new course guided by a different kind of wisdom. This path demanded the most dedication, the most exploration, and perhaps the most willingness to question everything the Golden Order represented.

Thematic Weight: Which Vision Prevails?

Each ending presents a distinct philosophical statement:

• Age of Fracture: The eternal struggle for power and order, a cyclical nature of rulership.
• Age of Duskborn: The acceptance of natural cycles, the embrace of death as a peaceful transition, and a rejection of oppressive doctrines.
• Age of Stars: Liberation from imposed destiny, the pursuit of knowledge and cosmic understanding, and the creation of a new, potentially alien, future.

For me, the Age of Stars embodies the most profound thematic development. It represents a complete break from the stagnation and corruption that plagued the Lands Between under the Golden Order. It’s an ending that suggests true progress, a move away from mere survival and towards a future of genuine exploration and understanding. While the Age of Duskborn offers a beautiful, albeit melancholic, peace, the Age of Stars presents a more active, forward-looking vision.

The “Earned” Ending Debate

Many players feel that the Age of Stars is the “best” because it is the most difficult to achieve, requiring the longest and most complex questline. This difficulty imbues the ending with a sense of earned accomplishment. It’s not just about completing the game; it’s about uncovering its deepest secrets and making choices that reflect a comprehensive understanding of its lore.

I can attest to this feeling. Piecing together Ranni’s fragmented story, navigating perilous dungeons, and making seemingly small but crucial decisions felt like a true test of my commitment to the world of Elden Ring. When that final cutscene played, depicting the Age of Stars, it was not just the conclusion of a game, but the culmination of a grand, intricate puzzle that I had meticulously solved. This sense of deep engagement makes it a highly satisfying conclusion for many.

Ultimately, the “best” ending is the one that resonates most with your personal experience and interpretation of Elden Ring’s vast, intricate narrative. It’s the one that feels most true to your Tarnished and their journey through the Lands Between.

Achieving the Endings: A Step-by-Step Guide

For those eager to explore these different conclusions, here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved in achieving each ending. Remember, Elden Ring is known for its emergent storytelling, and while these are the primary pathways, subtle interactions and discoveries can enrich your understanding.

1. The Age of Fracture: The Path of the Elden Lord

This is the default and most straightforward ending, requiring you to simply complete the main questline and defeat the final boss.

Prerequisites:

• Defeat the final boss: The Elden Beast.

Steps:

1. Progress through the main story, defeating the shardbearers and eventually reaching the Erdtree.
2. Defeat Radagon of the Golden Order.
3. Immediately after, you will face the Elden Beast. Defeat it.
4. Interact with the fractured remains of Marika (or the Elden Ring itself, depending on interpretation) on the ground.
5. A prompt will appear, allowing you to mend the Elden Ring. Select this option.

Outcome: The Tarnished becomes the Elden Lord, ushering in a new era of the Golden Order, albeit one shaped by the player. This ending is accessible on nearly every playthrough without needing to complete extensive side quests.

2. The Age of Duskborn: Embracing the Dead’s Solace

This ending is unlocked through Fia’s questline and the acquisition of the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.

Prerequisites:

• Progress Fia’s questline to the point where she gives you the Weathered Dagger.
• Obtain the Cursemark of Death.
• Defeat the final boss.

Steps:

1. Find Fia in the Roundtable Hold and accept her embrace. She will give you the Weathered Dagger.
2. Later in the game, after obtaining the dagger, you will find D, Hunter of the Dead, deceased. Take his dagger.
3. Return the dagger to Fia. She will give you the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince. (Note: This part of her questline can be complex and involves specific triggers, often after defeating certain bosses or reaching certain areas.)
4. Continue with the main questline until you reach the final boss.
5. After defeating the Elden Beast, interact with the fractured Marika. You will be presented with a choice to use a Mending Rune.
6. Select the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince.

Detailed Notes on Obtaining the Cursemark of Death: The Cursemark of Death is obtained through a series of events related to Ranni’s questline and the death of Ranni’s demigod siblings. Specifically, after progressing Ranni’s quest to a certain point (often involving giving her the Fingerslayer Blade), you will eventually find evidence of Godwyn’s death and Ranni’s involvement in the “Death of a God.” This event is crucial for unlocking the Cursemark of Death, which Fia then utilizes.

Outcome: The Tarnished becomes the Elden Lord, but the Elden Ring is mended with the Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, ushering in an era where death is accepted and those who died unnaturally may find peace. This ending emphasizes balance and the natural order.

3. The Age of Stars: The Path of Cosmic Enlightenment

This is the most involved ending, requiring the completion of Ranni the Witch’s extensive questline.

Prerequisites:

• Complete Ranni’s questline in its entirety.
• Defeat the final boss.

Steps:

1. Initiate Ranni’s Quest: Speak with Ranni at Ranni’s Rise in Liurnia of the Lakes. Agree to serve her.
2. Aid Blaidd: Follow Blaidd to the Forlorn Hound Evergaol and defeat the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil.
3. Seek the Fingerslayer Blade: Blaidd will direct you to Nokron, Eternal City. You’ll need to defeat Starscourage Radahn to access this area.
4. Retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade: Navigate through Nokron and obtain the Fingerslayer Blade from the Night’s Sacred Ground.
5. Give the Blade to Ranni: Return to Ranni and give her the Fingerslayer Blade.
6. Travel to Nokstella: Ranni will task you with obtaining the Miniature Ranni from Nokstella, Eternal City.
7. Obtain the Discarded Palace Key: Find the Discarded Palace Key in Nokstella.
8. Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void: Travel through the Lake of Rot and defeat Astel to access the Moonlight Altar.
9. Find Ranni at the Cathedral of Manus Celes: On the Moonlight Altar, locate the Cathedral of Manus Celes. You will find Ranni there, dormant.
10. Use the Dark Moon Ring: Present Ranni with the Dark Moon Ring.
11. Defeat the Final Boss: Proceed to defeat Radagon of the Golden Order and the Elden Beast.
12. Summon Ranni: After the Elden Beast is defeated, a blue summon sign will appear on the ground. Interact with it to summon Ranni, initiating the Age of Stars ending.

Outcome: Instead of mending the Elden Ring, the Tarnished, having allied with Ranni, ushers in an Age of Stars. This ending signifies a break from the Greater Will and the Golden Order, moving towards an era guided by Ranni’s vision of cosmic enlightenment and the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elden Ring Endings

How Do I Ensure I Don’t Miss an Ending?

Elden Ring’s endings are largely determined by your choices in the final encounter and your completion of specific, often lengthy, questlines. To ensure you don’t miss an ending, especially the more complex ones like the Age of Stars or Age of Duskborn, it’s highly recommended to:

• Consult Guides: For specific questlines like Ranni’s or Fia’s, following a detailed guide is almost essential. These quests involve many steps, hidden locations, and dialogue choices that can easily be missed if you’re playing blind.
• Do Not Attack NPCs: Avoid attacking key NPCs like Ranni, Fia, or Melina unless their questline explicitly requires it (e.g., fighting Fia’s corrupted form). Attacking them can lock you out of their quests entirely.
• Explore Thoroughly: Many items and dialogue prompts that are crucial for quest progression are hidden or require extensive exploration. Take your time, talk to everyone, and examine your surroundings carefully.
• Save Before the Final Boss: While Elden Ring doesn’t have traditional save points in the same way some other games do, you can use cloud saves or USB backups before engaging in the final boss fight. This allows you to reload your save and make different choices at the very end if you wish to see multiple endings without replaying the entire game.
• Focus on One Questline at a Time for Specific Endings: If you’re aiming for a particular ending (e.g., Age of Stars), prioritize Ranni’s questline. Trying to juggle multiple complex questlines simultaneously can lead to confusion and missed triggers.

It’s worth noting that the Age of Fracture ending is always available as long as you defeat the final bosses. The other two endings require specific actions or items to be obtained before the final boss fight. If you’ve already defeated the Elden Beast without triggering a specific ending, you’ll likely need to reload a save or play again.

Can I Get All Endings in a Single Playthrough?

Technically, yes, but it requires careful management of your save data. Elden Ring only allows you to trigger one ending per playthrough. However, the game often saves your progress right before the final boss encounter. By backing up your save data (either to the cloud or a USB drive) before the final boss fight, you can then reload that save after witnessing one ending and make different choices to trigger another.

For example, after defeating the Elden Beast, you can:

1. Witness the Age of Fracture ending.
2. Reload your save.
3. If you have the necessary item (e.g., Mending Rune of the Death-Prince or have completed Ranni’s quest), choose that option.
4. Repeat this process for each ending you wish to see.

This method allows you to experience all the conclusions without having to replay the entire game multiple times. However, it requires proactive save management. If you simply finish the game and proceed to New Game Plus without backing up, you will miss the opportunity to see the other endings in that specific playthrough.

Why is the Age of Stars often considered the “best” by players?

The Age of Stars ending is frequently lauded as the “best” by a significant portion of the Elden Ring player base for several compelling reasons:

• Thematic Depth and Ambition: This ending represents the most profound departure from the established order. It’s not just about a new ruler, but a fundamental shift in the nature of existence in the Lands Between. Ranni’s vision suggests a move away from the corrupting influence of the Greater Will and towards an era of enlightenment, knowledge, and perhaps a more nuanced understanding of the cosmos. Many players find this forward-looking, transformative narrative more satisfying than simply restoring or tweaking the existing order.
• Challenging and Rewarding Questline: Achieving the Age of Stars requires completing Ranni’s incredibly intricate and lengthy questline. This involves exploring hidden areas like Nokron and Nokstella, defeating challenging bosses like Astel, and piecing together a complex narrative. The difficulty and depth of this questline make the ending feel exceptionally “earned” and provide a strong sense of accomplishment for the player.
• Sense of Agency and Rebellion: Ranni’s story is one of rebellion against a predetermined fate. By siding with her, players feel they are actively choosing to break free from the oppressive cosmic forces that have dictated the Lands Between’s history. This sense of player agency in shaping a truly different future is a powerful draw.
• Hopeful (Though Alien) Future: While the Age of Stars is undoubtedly alien and mysterious, it offers a glimmer of hope. It suggests a future where the cycles of war, suffering, and the dogma of the Golden Order are left behind. For players weary of the constant struggle and despair inherent in the Lands Between, this vision of a new beginning, however strange, can be incredibly appealing.
• Lore Significance: Ranni is a character deeply intertwined with the ancient lore of the Lands Between, connected to the Nox, the Eternal Cities, and the Moon. Her path to power and her vision for the future offer the most comprehensive exploration of some of the game’s most obscure and fascinating lore.

It’s important to remember that “best” is subjective. Some players might prefer the solemn peace of the Age of Duskborn, while others might find the familiar stability of the Age of Fracture to be the most logical conclusion. However, the combination of thematic ambition, narrative complexity, and the player’s active role in achieving it makes the Age of Stars a standout for many Elden Ring enthusiasts.

Does my choice of Elden Lord affect the ending?

The specific individual you choose to become Elden Lord does not change the core narrative of the Age of Fracture ending itself. The primary distinction for the Age of Fracture ending is whether you simply mend the Elden Ring or if you use one of the specific Mending Runes to alter it. The various “Elden Lords” you can become (e.g., by siding with the Fia’s questline and using her rune, or Ranni’s questline and using her summoning option) are what actually branch the narrative into the different endings. For instance, if you complete Fia’s quest and have her Mending Rune of the Death-Prince, using that rune after defeating the Elden Beast leads to the Age of Duskborn, not a different “version” of the Age of Fracture based on who you are.

In essence, the choice isn’t about *who* is the Elden Lord in the traditional sense (as the Tarnished always assumes that mantle after the final boss), but about *how* the Elden Ring is mended. The Mending Runes and Ranni’s summoning are the direct triggers for the different endings. If you do not acquire these specific items or complete the necessary questlines, you will default to the standard Age of Fracture ending.

The Lingering Questions and Player Legacy

The beauty of Elden Ring’s endings, particularly the Age of Stars and Age of Duskborn, lies in their ambiguity and the lingering questions they leave us with. They aren’t neat, tidy conclusions where all problems are solved. Instead, they offer new beginnings, each with its own set of potential challenges and triumphs.

The Age of Stars, for example, introduces an element of the unknown. What does it truly mean for the Lands Between to be guided by the stars and Ranni’s cosmic wisdom? Will this lead to enlightenment, or to a different form of detachment or even oppression? The imagery is ethereal and grand, but also undeniably alien. This leaves players to ponder the long-term consequences, fostering a sense of continued engagement with the world even after the credits roll.

Similarly, the Age of Duskborn, while offering a sense of peace, carries a somber undertone. It acknowledges the acceptance of death, but it also implies a world that has moved past the fervent pursuit of life and the Golden Order’s doctrines. What becomes of ambition and the drive for progress in a world so focused on the acceptance of mortality? Is it a true utopia, or a serene but stagnant end?

Even the Age of Fracture, the most straightforward ending, isn’t without its questions. If the Golden Order was so flawed that it led to the Shattering, is simply restoring it under new leadership truly a solution? Or is the cycle destined to repeat itself? These questions are what elevate Elden Ring’s narrative beyond a simple good-versus-evil story, prompting us to consider the complexities of power, faith, and the very nature of existence.

Ultimately, the “best” ending is the one that sparks the most thought and leaves the most indelible mark on your personal interpretation of the Lands Between. It’s the one that makes you ponder the fate of this broken, beautiful world long after you’ve put down your controller. My personal leaning towards the Age of Stars stems from its bold reimagining of what the Lands Between could become, a future where knowledge and a break from oppressive cosmic forces offer a profound sense of hope and potential.