Side Quests & Activities
Beyond the main narrative of becoming Elden Lord, Elden Ring is brimming with optional side quests and activities that offer rich lore, unique rewards, and a deeper understanding of the Lands Between. Engaging with these side quests can lead to powerful new weapons, spells, Spirit Ashes, and even unlock entirely new questlines that can alter the game's outcome.
From helping a lonely sorcerer find her way to aiding a demigod in their quest for vengeance, the world of Elden Ring is populated by characters with their own stories and motivations. This guide will highlight some of the most notable side quests and activities, encouraging players to deviate from the beaten path and uncover the game's hidden depths.
Notable Side Quests:
- Ranni the Witch's Questline: Arguably the most extensive and impactful side quest. It begins with meeting Ranni in Liurnia of the Lakes and involves a long journey across the Lands Between, uncovering ancient secrets and leading to a major alternate ending. Key NPCs involved include Blaidd, Iji the Blacksmith, and Seluvis.
- Sorcerer Sellen's Questline: Found in Waypoint Ruins (Limgrave) and later in Liurnia, Sellen's quest involves her search for knowledge and her connection to other sorcerers. It can lead to powerful sorceries and a choice that affects her fate.
- Nepheli Loux's Questline: Nepheli is a warrior found in Stormveil Castle. Her quest involves her search for her identity and her father, Gideon Ofnir. It can lead to a unique weapon and a significant choice regarding her future.
- Iron Fist Alexander's Questline: This friendly warrior jar can be found in various locations across the Lands Between. Helping him through his journey can lead to a powerful talisman and a unique weapon.
- Diallos's Questline: A noble found in the Roundtable Hold, Diallos seeks to avenge his brother. His quest takes him from the Academy of Raya Lucaria to the Mt. Gelmir region.
- Hyetta's Questline: A blind maiden who seeks the guidance of the Two Fingers. Her quest involves finding her and delivering specific items, leading to a significant revelation about the world.
- Millicent's Questline: Found in the Weeping Peninsula, Millicent is afflicted by Scarlet Rot and seeks a cure. Her quest involves a journey through various challenging areas and can lead to a powerful talisman.
Activities and Optional Content:
- Catacombs and Dungeons: Elden Ring is filled with numerous optional catacombs, caves, and ruins. These often contain challenging mini-bosses, Spirit Ashes, Smithing Stones, and valuable crafting materials.
- Evergaols: Small, circular arenas that trap you with a powerful boss. These often offer unique rewards like Crucible Knight sets or Shards of Alexander.
- World Bosses: Many powerful enemies roam the open world, such as dragons, giants, and unique monsters. Defeating them often yields significant amounts of Runes and sometimes unique items.
- Spirit Ash Farming: Locating and defeating specific enemies or bosses in dungeons to acquire powerful Spirit Ashes for combat assistance.
- Weapon and Spell Discovery: Actively exploring every nook and cranny of the world to find new weapons, spells, Ashes of War, and armor sets.
- Crafting: Gathering materials to craft a wide variety of consumables, from healing items to offensive tools and status effect cures.
Tips for Side Quests:
- Talk to NPCs Repeatedly: NPCs often have new dialogue options as you progress the main story or discover new areas.
- Pay Attention to Dialogue: Clues about quest progression and objectives are often hidden within NPC conversations.
- Explore Thoroughly: Many quest steps require you to find specific items or locations that are not explicitly marked on the map.
- Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Some quests have multiple outcomes based on your choices.
- Consult Guides (if needed): Some quests are quite obscure. If you're stuck, a guide can help you find the next step without spoiling the entire experience.
Engaging with Elden Ring's side quests and activities is not just about acquiring loot; it's about immersing yourself in the rich lore and complex world the developers have created. These optional journeys often provide the most memorable experiences and the greatest rewards.
Compare side quests & activities inSekiro: Shadows Die Twice