Many players in the vast world of Elden Ring have faced a frustrating issue: after defeating the final boss and achieving an ending, they find themselves unable to enter the Erdtree. This isn’t a bug, but rather an intended part of the game’s design. Here at SupremeDuelist.blog, we dive deep into the mechanics and explain why this happens and what it means for your journey in the Lands Between.
This article explores the reasons why you can’t enter the Erdtree after the ending, what the post-game world looks like, and what you can do instead. We’ll clarify the game’s narrative and the specific limitations that might leave you wondering what to do next. Understanding this is crucial for any Tarnished seeking to fully explore all that Elden Ring has to offer.
Why Can’t I Enter the Erdtree After Beating the Final Boss?
The Erdtree, a central element of Elden Ring’s story, becomes inaccessible after completing the main storyline. This is intentional game design, not a glitch. Upon beating the final boss, you’re presented with different ending choices. Each ending alters the game world to some extent, making the option of entering the Erdtree irrelevant to your completed storyline. The tree itself is, in most endings, either transformed or inaccessible.
The core idea behind this mechanic is that your actions, particularly your chosen ending, have a profound and lasting effect on the Lands Between. These effects are typically expressed through changes in the game world and limitations in what you can do following the final boss fight.
Understanding the Post-Game State of Elden Ring
After defeating the Elden Beast and choosing an ending, you’re not given the opportunity to wander back inside the Erdtree. Instead, you’re placed back into the open world with the understanding that your actions have shaped the future of the game. Here’s what you should expect:
- New Game Plus (NG+): You are given the option to start a new playthrough (NG+) which resets the world, allowing you to experience the story again with your existing character progression and equipment. This is the primary method of further exploring the game.
- Exploration of the Lands Between: The open world remains explorable, but the Erdtree itself is no longer accessible in the state you left it. Depending on your chosen ending, the world might appear slightly different.
- Legacy Dungeons: These dungeons remain available for exploration and resource farming. You can challenge any optional bosses you missed during your first playthrough.
- No Further Main Story Progression: You won’t be able to continue the main narrative progression on the same save file after choosing your ending. Further storytelling is only available through additional playthroughs via NG+.
Elden Ring Erdtree Inaccessible
What Happens to the Erdtree in Different Endings?
The Erdtree’s state in the game world varies depending on your chosen ending. Each of these endings impacts the state of the world. Here’s a look at some major endings and their impact on the Erdtree:
- Elden Lord Ending: In the “default” ending, the Elden Ring is repaired, and the Erdtree is brought into a state of restored grace. However, this does not grant you any ability to enter the tree.
- Age of Duskborn Ending: This ending sees the influence of the Duskborn upon the Lands Between, creating a changed and perhaps darker landscape, making the traditional idea of entering the Erdtree impossible.
- Frenzied Flame Ending: The most drastic change is seen in the Frenzied Flame ending, where the Erdtree is engulfed in the fire of the Frenzied Flame, effectively burning it and making it inaccessible.
- Other Endings: Depending on your other choices, the Erdtree might change aesthetically but it will remain closed off from your character.
This diversity in the post-game world emphasizes that the consequences of your choices are permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Erdtree and Endings
It’s normal to have questions after facing this ending mechanic. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to clarify this process:
Can I explore inside the Erdtree after choosing an ending?
No, once you have chosen an ending, you cannot re-enter the Erdtree on that playthrough. You can explore the world and all its other locations, but the Erdtree is sealed.
Does any ending let me go back inside the Erdtree?
No, none of the ending options allow you to re-enter the Erdtree. The final battle marks a point of no return where the Erdtree is fundamentally altered based on your actions and the final choice you make.
If the Erdtree is closed, what do I do after beating the game?
You have two main options: You can either explore any areas of the map or dungeons that you have missed, or you can start a New Game Plus playthrough.
What is New Game Plus in Elden Ring?
New Game Plus allows you to start a new game with your existing character, retaining most of your levels, gear, and items. The enemies are more difficult, allowing you to enjoy a different experience.
Are there any other endings to discover?
Yes, there are multiple endings to unlock in Elden Ring, each requiring you to complete different steps and unlock specific NPC storylines. Exploring these other endings is often a goal of players during subsequent playthroughs.
How does NG+ affect the availability of the Erdtree?
Starting a new NG+ run resets the game world and puts you back at the start, before the Erdtree becomes inaccessible. This means you can explore the areas of the game as if it were a new playthrough, but will once again lose access after completing the game.
Expert Insights: The Narrative Intent Behind the Inaccessible Erdtree
We spoke with Dr. Anya Sharma, a game narrative specialist, about why the Erdtree becomes inaccessible in Elden Ring.
“The inability to re-enter the Erdtree is a crucial narrative choice by FromSoftware,” said Dr. Sharma. “It signifies the permanency of the player’s choices and their profound impact on the Lands Between. It’s a design choice intended to create weight and meaning for every action taken.”
She emphasizes that this design choice underscores the game’s commitment to meaningful consequences, making the player’s journey in the Lands Between feel all the more significant.
“This design choice pushes players to consider their options more carefully and makes each playthrough feel different,” Dr Sharma added. “It highlights the unique experience each player creates through their decisions. The Erdtree is not just a location; it’s a representation of the game’s underlying narrative.”
This design element is aimed at reinforcing the theme of choice and consequences in Elden Ring. The game doesn’t offer a convenient reset; rather, it makes you accept the consequences of your actions, encouraging repeat play to fully experience all possible outcomes.
Alternative Activities After the Final Boss
While you cannot enter the Erdtree after the game is completed, here are some additional activities you can focus on:
- Completing Side Quests: Many side quests might have been left unfinished or unexplored in your first playthrough.
- Discovering Secret Locations: The Lands Between is full of hidden areas and optional dungeons that you might have missed.
- Collecting Legendary Weapons and Spells: Collecting all of the legendary items is a popular objective for many players.
- Participating in Online Play: Engage in multiplayer duels or co-op for a different gaming experience.
- Starting a New Build: Experiment with different builds and playstyles to approach the game from another angle.
Elden Ring New Game Plus Screen
Why does the game prevent entering the Erdtree?
The design choice to block access to the Erdtree after finishing the game is meant to emphasize the finality of your choices and their impact on the game world.
What are legacy dungeons and why do people explore them?
Legacy Dungeons are larger, multi-faceted areas of the game world offering unique challenges and valuable loot. Players explore them for items, boss fights and exploration.
How does this design choice help the game’s story?
By making the Erdtree inaccessible after the ending, the game stresses the lasting effects of your actions on the world, making it feel more real and impactful.
Why is exploring other endings a popular objective?
Exploring multiple endings allows players to experience the game’s lore from different perspectives and discover the various outcomes of their choices.
Conclusion: Embracing the End and the Beginning
The fact that you can’t enter the Erdtree after beating the game is a deliberate narrative choice, reinforcing the weight of your actions and shaping the future of the Lands Between. It’s not a bug, but an intended part of the Elden Ring experience that sets the stage for New Game Plus and further exploration of the game’s rich world. Here at SupremeDuelist.blog, we encourage you to embrace this aspect of the game by exploring the other content that is available, exploring different builds, or starting a new playthrough.
Understanding the limitations of the post-game state allows you to better appreciate the game’s design, encouraging you to either dive deeper into the existing world or start a new journey with different goals in mind. This is part of what makes Elden Ring a truly unique gaming experience. If you’re seeking more insights into the Elden Ring meta, stay tuned for more updates from SupremeDuelist.blog.
Leave a Reply