One of the most controversial topics surrounding Elden Ring is the burning of the Erdtree. This massive tree holds great significance in the world of Elden Ring, and players are left to wonder what they should do before they make the ultimate decision to burn it or not.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the Erdtree. Specifically, do you have to burn the Erdtree to complete the game?
What is the Erdtree?
The Erdtree is a giant tree located in the world of Elden Ring, and holds immense significance in the game’s story and lore. It is believed to have the power to control the balance of life and death, and is a central figure in the game’s mythology.
Elden Ring players are introduced to the giant glowing tree located in the center of the Lands Between at the start of the game. This massive golden tree dominates the surrounding hills and valleys and can be seen from many different locations within the game’s world.
This tree is a physical manifestation of the Elden Ring, and is imbued with its power. As a result, its appearance is impacted by any changes that occur to the Elden Ring.
Do you have to burn the Erdtree?
The moment players set their sights on the Erdtree and receive instructions from Melina, they will quickly realize the significance of this massive tree. It serves as a constant reminder of the player’s ultimate goal, which is to reach the base of the tree and overcome any challenges that stand in their way. The objective is to enter the tree and have a significant impact on the Lands Between.
After battling through various obstacles and arriving at the Erdtree, players will find that they are blocked from entering the tree by thorns. Melina will inform them that they must burn the Erdtree using the Great Forge in the Mountaintops of the Giants. This requires a challenging journey through snow-covered peaks, but once the tree is burned, players will be teleported to the Crumbling Farum Azula and begin the endgame.
Unfortunately, burning the Erdtree is an integral part of accessing the endgame content. Players may have grown attached to the tree throughout their journey, as it has been a constant presence in the Lands Between.
However, players will not have to personally burn the tree. Melina, the Kindling Maiden, will sacrifice herself at the Mountaintops of the Giants and burn the tree with the Flame of Ruin, removing the layer of thorns blocking access to Crumbing Farum Azula. Players have the option to save Melina by taking her place and burning the tree with the help of the Three Fingers.
What happens after burning the Erdtree?
After burning the Erdtree in Elden Ring, players are transported to the Crumbling Farum Azula, which triggers the endgame. The game’s visuals change dramatically, particularly in areas like Leyndell, which is now known as the Ashen Capital, with updated maps and changes such as blocked entrances and inaccessible areas.
Players can continue to explore the Lands Between even after burning the Erdtree and completing the game, as there are still several unique bosses to fight, items to collect, and side quests to complete. However, some items and NPCs may become inaccessible after the game is completed, so players should be mindful of that while playing.
Note: Some items will become unavailable so we recommend picking up all items before burning the Erdtree so you don’t miss out on anything important. Also, some NPCs at the Roundtable Hold will die so make sure all of your quests are up-to-date and completed.
Things to do before burning the Erdtree
Before burning the Erdtree in Elden Ring, there are several things that you can do to fully experience the game world and complete various objectives:
- Tour the Royal Capital Leyndell – Before burning the tree, it’s recommended to explore Leyndell; the game’s largest city, including its Royal Districts and sewer system.
- Play for different endings – To unlock different endings in the game, certain questlines and items need to be completed. For example, the “Age of Order” ending requires the “Mending Rune of Perfect Order.”
- Discover the Lands Between – With a vast and beautiful world to explore, it’s worth taking the time to discover all of the in-game locations before burning the tree, as some may become inaccessible after doing so.
- Finish all quests – Some of the Roundtable Hold NPCs may vanish after igniting the tree, so it’s important to talk to them and complete any missions they have to offer, such as the Dung Eater or Ranni questlines.
- Acquire unique weapons – Some unique weapons in the game, such as the Bolt of Gransax, may become inaccessible after burning the tree, so it’s a good idea to acquire them before doing so.
Tip: Remember that you can create up to 10 new characters to explore the game fully if you fail to do so before burning the tree.
How to not burn the Erdtree
You can skip the game by using a glitch, but we warn that doing so may leave you under-leveled to face enemies and bosses in the endgame area.
To activate this glitch, go to The Four Belfries on the northwest side of Raya Lucaria Academy and retrieve the Imbued Sword Key from the chest at the top. Use the key to activate the portal in The First Belfry.
Be careful to activate the correct portal among the four or find another Imbued Sword Key. Teleport to Farum Azula in Frantumi, then back to Roundtable Hold or a Site of Grace. During the loading screen, close the game by pressing Alt+F4 or turning off your device.
Reopen Elden Ring, and you will be teleported to Crumbing Farum Azula. Activate the nearest Site of Grace before teleporting back to Limgrave.
