Elden Ring is a rare example of an open-world game teeming with things to do in every corner of its sprawling and haunted world. For the most part, it's terrifying monsters that want to murder you in every conceivable way. But you will find the occasional friendly NPC that will add to your ever-increasing list of things to do in the game.

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It can be tough to sort out what to do and what to skip if you're planning on skipping anything at all instead of just putting 90+ hours into this game. Regardless, let's break down some of the most interesting side quests you can embark upon based on interesting characters, stories, and great rewards you can receive.

Updated July 1, 2022 by Nickolas 'Saz' Davis: Elden Ring has been out for a while now, but players are still finding things to love about it. From hilarious boss encounters to riveting side quests, Elden Ring has it all. Here are a few more side quests for fans to get into!

11 Roderika

screenshot of Elden Ring Roderika side quest

Starting the list off with an easy side quest that gives a highly-sought item within Elden Ring. Beating Roderika's quest is simple because you only need to deliver her an item at Stormhill Shack and then go speak to her when she moves to Roundtable Hold.

The item itself isn't even guarded by any difficult enemies and isn't too far out-of-the-way like some other items on this list. For reward, Roderika gives you a Golden Seed, an item that increases the maximum number of flasks you can use. Anyone's who's ever played a souls-like knows how important it is to increase your maximum heals.

10 Boc The Seamster

screenshot of Elden Ring Boc The Seamster in Costal Cave

Boc has warmed the hearts of many players who have come across him in the time since Elden Ring's come out. His side quest is great for Boc's character almost more so than for what you get out of helping him.

If you defeat the boss in the Costal Cave and get Boc's sewing gear back to him, he'll become your personal seamster. Meaning you can have him alter your equipment and you won't have to pay the 500 runes you'd have to if you did it yourself.

9 Patches

Patches squatting by a fire in Elden Ring.

The Patches side quest is tricky, and involves sparing a character that many more emotional players may feel like slaying on principle, but the rewards are well worth it. Completing this side quest will reward you with one of the best armor sets in the game. You'll also be able to unlock Patches as a merchant, and he has several useful items that can be hard to find otherwise. It's a lot of wandering around to complete this quest, but not wasted time by any means.

8 Millicent

Millicent with her prosthesis in Elden Ring

This is one Elden Ring's best side quests for anyone playing with the intent of getting every ending. Millicent's side quest will get you an Unalloyed Gold Needle, which keeps you from being locked into one particular ending of the game upon doing Malenia's boss fight. Even if that's not of interest to you, you still get Millicent's Prosthesis and the Rotten Winged Sword Insignia, which are both extremely useful items, so it's worth it. Be warned, this is one of the more frustrating side quests in Elden Ring.

7 Sorceress Sellen And Witch Hunter Jerren

screenshot of Elden Ring Sorcerer Sellen

This side quest will award you different items depending on whether you choose to side with Sellen or Jerren during the quest's climactic choice. This is a very complicated side quest as it involves finding multiple illusory walls to complete - definitely best done with a guide if you don't want to spend hours hacking away in random corners.

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While you're free to choose whichever path you'd prefer, for story reasons, item reasons, or otherwise, the only way to get the armor sets for both characters is to side with Sellen and kill Jerren.

6 Thops

screenshot of Elden Ring Thops side quest

Thops' side quest is a bittersweet story (mostly bitter, because Elden Ring) that'll get you access to some good spells if you're willing to venture into the weird corners you have to find to get this quest's key item.

Thops is a sorcerer who just wants to get back to his work researching the magical arts. This is why it is equal parts tragic and wonderful when you recover his key and get him access once again to the previously sealed academy, only to find him dead later at his desk, killed by who knows what. You should love the Thops's Barrier spell, though.

5 Corhyn And Goldmask

screenshot of Elden Ring Corhyn

This side quest interestingly weaves into the main story, as you have to beat the Fire Giant boss (a mandatory boss) to progress to the end of this. The quest itself really isn't too exciting. It involves a lot of running around to different places to talk to Corhyn and a t-posing Goldmask over and over again.

The payoff is that you get the Mending Rune Of Perfect Order. An item that allows you to unlock one of the game's secret endings. There aren't many of these endings, so being able to unlock any of them during your run is special. Well worth an otherwise dull side quest.

4 Fia

screenshot of Elden Ring Fia armor set and duskborn ending

Of course, we had to include the side quest from the character that you should absolutely not Google if you don't want to find some questionable fan art. This is another of the side quests that unlock a secret ending. The steps for this quest aren't too complicated but the boss you have to fight is as difficult as you'd think a hulking dream dragon covered in red lightning would be (still only marginally difficult by Elden Ring standards).

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The exact nature of the secret ending is vague, but it has something to do with Fia bearing a child with a demigod that's actually a rune.

3 Ranni The Snow Witch

screenshot of Elden Ring Ranni The Snow Witch ending

Ranni's is the next side quest that you can complete to unlock a secret ending. For the Snow Witch, it's not a rune you're after, it's a summoning sign (And there's also a pretty cool greatsword you get if you complete this one).

Ranni's side quest is the longest and one of the most challenging in the game. It's fitting that you'd have to go through so much to unlock what is almost certainly the game's darkest ending. Be warned, the big boss that comes with this side quest (Astel, Naturalborn of the Void) is one of the hardest and scariest in the game.

2 Blaidd

screenshot of Elden Ring Blaidd fight

This side quest goes hand-in-hand with Ranni's side quest. Although this one, unlike several of the previous ones, does not allow you to unlock a secret ending. It's still very much worth doing, though, for the amazing-looking armor and greatsword you get for defeating Blaidd at the end of this quest.

You'll have to do Blaidd's quest before completing the Snow Witch's questline because once you complete her's, Blaidd will become enraged and try to kill you. He's pretty tough, but you get to take on his impeccable style with his armor set if you beat him.

1 Dung Eater

screenshot of Elden Ring Dung Eater armor set ending

Yes. His name really is the Dung Eater. And once you complete his side quest, you'll start taking him much more seriously than most do just off hearing his name alone. This is the last character on this list with a side quest that gives you a rune to unlock a secret ending.

This side quest involves finding and delivering five Seedbed Curses to Dung Eater, who will curse and threaten you the entire time. After giving him all five you'll get a rune that unlocks a gritty ending, and you can obtain Dung Eater's disgusting-looking armor set.

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