Elden Ring has three distinct endings, but players have to defeat a specific set of bosses to finish the game. While each end features different variations with unique requirements, some conclusions require more bosses to defeat than others. While these requirements may dissuade some players from pursuing different endings, it’s important to remember that players will likely beat this amount of bosses anyway. Additionally, most optional bosses incorporated to the standard dozen needed for primary endings feature Summons and other cooperative assistance to make the process easier. However, players should think carefully about the fates they bestow on the Lands Between and how prepared they are to face these powerful enemies.

[Warning - Spoilers for Elden Ring follow.]

Elden Ring takes place in the Lands Between after an event called the Shattering has dismantled the region’s governing systems. Plunged into chaos and reawakened by forces beyond their control, the player character (a disgraced Tarnished) rises from the dead and sets out to become the next Elden Lord. This role comes with many freedoms to shape the Lands Between how the player sees fit. Different bosses are required for different outcomes, leading to some players’ adventures ending very differently than others.

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There are three unique endings to Elden Ring, with each requiring different bosses and choices to unlock. However, each end also has variations that aren’t reflected in the game’s achievements. Acquiring unique runes to repair the Elden Ring, meeting different characters at different times, and completing side quests contribute to obtaining some of Elden Ring’s many endings.

Bosses Needed For Elden Ring’s Elden Lord Ending (& Variations)

Elden RIng Godfrey Elden Lord History Erdtree Golden Order
  • Margit, the Fell Omen
  • Godrick the Grafted
  • Red Wolf of Radagon
  • Another Demigod Boss (For Duskborn Ending)
  • Lichdragon Fortissax (For Duskborn Ending)
  • Dung-Eater (For Despair Ending)
  • Renalla, Queen of the Full Moon
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord
  • Morgott, the Omen King
  • Fire Giant
  • Godskin Duo
  • Beast Clergyman (For Perfect Order Ending)
  • Maliketh, The Black Blade
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord (again)
  • Hoarah Loux, Warrior
  • Radagon of the Golden Order
  • Elden Beast

The Elden Lord ending in Elden Ring is the basic ending that most players will likely experience in their first playthrough. Twelve bosses are required to follow the main narrative, and the player character must follow Melina’s instructions while bypassing other quests that may influence the ending. The Tarnished becomes the Lands Between’s newest Elden Lord and repairs the Elden Ring in this ending. However, players can choose how to fix the Elden Ring by using various runes within their inventory. Additional runes require players to complete different side quests, but the standard ending requires none. Choosing no Rune results in the Age of Fracture ending, choosing the Mending Rune of the Death Prince unlocks the Age of the Duskborn ending, using the Mending Rune of Perfect Order unlocks the Age of Order ending, and activating the Mending Rune of Fell Curse brings about the Blessing of Despair ending.

Some players may notice some bosses (like the Magma Wyrm) are absent from the list. However, Elden Ring's open world design often creates alternative pathways that go unnoticed by many players. Additionally, some bosses on this list aren’t essential to the final mission but block players’ ways forwards. For example, Margit, the Fell Omen, blocks the way forward but doesn’t connect to the goal of becoming the Elden Lord. Additionally, while players don’t have to defeat the Red Wolf of Radagon specifically, it’s the easiest Demi-Human opponent necessary to advance the playthrough. Thankfully, the main ending requires the least amount of bosses to defeat (should players pursue the Age of Fracture ending), resulting in this combination of bosses likely becoming the most common.

Bosses Needed For Elden Ring’s Frenzied Flame Ending

A shot from the Lord of the Frenzied Flames in Elden Ring, showing a human figure with a head made of fire and their arms outspread, surrounded by yellow flames.
  • Margit, the Fell Omen
  • Godrick the Grafted
  • Red Wolf of Radagon
  • Renalla, Queen of the Full Moon
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord
  • Morgott, the Omen King
  • Fire Giant
  • Godskin Duo
  • Maliketh, The Black Blade
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord (again)
  • Hoarah Loux, Warrior
  • Radagon of the Golden Order
  • Elden Beast

The Lord of the Frenzied Flame ending in Elden Ring can be interpreted as the game’s definitive “bad” ending, with players becoming a vessel for a mysterious Outer God to burn the Erdtree. As a result, the Lands Between is engulfed in flames, and an age of suffering overtakes the known world. After this ending, Melina appears in a cutscene, swearing to kill the Tarnished and save the Lands Between. However, the Frenzied Flame ending is the only way to save Melina and the Tarnished from burning up with the Erdtree, sacrificing the world for the player’s connections.

Related: How Elden Ring's Margit & Morgott Are Linked (& Why They Share Moves)

As far as Elden Ring endings go, the Frenzied Flame ending is one of the simplest alternatives to acquire. The arrangement of this ending requires the timing of players discovering different locations, with the Tarnished being required to meet with the Three Fingers in Leyndell before they journey to the Forge of the Giants. Exploration in Elden Ring helps players discover side quests, new characters, shortcuts, and stumble across alternate endings.

Bosses Needed For Elden Ring’s Age Of Stars Ending

Elden Ring Ranni and Her Spirit From Melina
  • Margit, the Fell Omen
  • Godrick the Grafted
  • Red Wolf of Radagon
  • Renalla, Queen of the Full Moon
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord
  • Morgott, the Omen King
  • Baleful Shadow (Blaidd)
  • Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
  • Fire Giant
  • Godskin Duo
  • Maliketh, The Black Blade
  • Godfrey, First Elden Lord (again)
  • Hoarah Loux, Warrior
  • Radagon of the Golden Order
  • Elden Beast

While it’s difficult to decide which Elden Ring ending is good or bad, the Age of Stars provides new hope for the Lands Between. The ending involves Ranni the Witch, daughter of Radagon and Rennala, and her personal quest throughout the world. She first appears as Renna and gives the player a Spirit Calling Bell, enabling certain Summons for Tarnished with the Ashes of defeated enemies. By pursuing the Age of Stars ending in Elden Ring, players will free the Lands Between from the Erdtree (and the Greater Will), giving each inhabitant the ability to govern themselves. While this ending abandons the predestined comfort of fate and destiny present throughout the game, it also opens many new possibilities for the world.

To obtain the Age of Stars ending, players must defeat several additional bosses and characters throughout Elden Ring’s open-world and complete Ranni’s personal quest. Quests in Elden Ring can be slightly tricky, as there are no markers or indicators to direct players towards the next objective. Tarnished who find themselves lost or worried they may have missed something should consult one of the many online Elden Ring guides or try to exhaust dialogue with all available NPCs.

Elden Ring’s multiple endings can make it difficult for players to understand how their actions impact their save file, but observant players may have an easier time determining their path through dialogue and item descriptions. The more Elden Ring players explore and defeat bosses throughout the title, the more knowledge they’ll have to make their decision concerning the world’s fate. Most players are likely concerned with completing the game and not choosing a specific ending, but no matter their goals, they’ll probably be facing the same bosses as many other Tarnished throughout the world.

Next: This Elden Ring NPC Has The Saddest Ending

Elden Ring is available now for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC systems.