Mortal Shell 2 has two endings, and the good news is you do not need a second playthrough to see both. The main story concludes at Marrow Keep after you defeat the final boss and send the collected Ova through the absorption machine. The secret ending belongs to Baghead, a cryptic character found on Desolate Peak, and getting it first is the smart play since it keeps your save intact for the main conclusion afterward.
How many endings does Mortal Shell 2 have?
There are exactly 2 endings: the Main Story Ending and the Secret Baghead Ending. They are not mutually exclusive. You can experience both in a single playthrough by doing the Baghead ending before triggering the final Marrow Keep sequence. After the Baghead credits roll, your save reloads near the closest Beacon with all progress preserved.
Mortal Shell 2 All Endings Guide: Main Story and Secret Baghead
How to get the main ending
The main ending is tied directly to story progression. The Harbinger's core objective throughout the game is gathering the Mother's Ova scattered across the world. You need to collect 168 Ova to unlock The Unfound Path, the game's final dungeon. There are 196 Ova in total, so you have some room to miss a few without blocking the ending.
The Unfound Path splits into three branches, each containing a mandatory boss:
- Orrem, the Rejected Golem
- The Monolith
- Malborn Offspring
Defeating all three opens the central area, where the true final boss waits: the Uninvited Serpent. Beating it does not immediately end the game. You return to the open world and can finish side quests, track down missed weapons, or unlock any remaining Shells before committing to the ending.
When you are ready, head to Marrow Keep, interact with the absorption machine, and choose to send the Ova. This triggers the ending cutscene and pushes the save into New Game+.
What happens in the main ending?
The Harbinger completes their mission, returning the stolen Ova to fulfill the purpose they were given. The conclusion is deliberately abstract. The Harbinger is told their own journey is not finished and that there is no place for them among the children. They must decide for themselves what comes next. It is a deliberately open ending rather than a clean resolution.
How to get the secret Baghead ending
Baghead is found on Desolate Peak, accessible through Gloomshade Grove. He sits on a throne on a small floating island near the Illusionist's Stash dungeon. Reach him using the jump teleporter in the area.
The interaction with Baghead unfolds in stages:
- Talk to Baghead. He will offer the Harbinger a place among his followers.
- Approach the empty spot near the island's edge and sit with the other followers.
- Return to Baghead. He will ask whether the Harbinger considers themselves different from everyone around them. Answer "Yes".
Baghead then asks you to find and bring him something special.
Mortal Shell 2 All Endings Guide: Main Story and Secret Baghead
What to bring Baghead
Here is where most players get tripped up. There are wooden crates near Baghead, and one of them holds a bottle of Special Moonshine. The natural instinct is to grab it and hand it over.
Pick it up and return to Baghead. When he asks if you really think that is what he wanted, choose "No". Then go back to the crate and return the Special Moonshine to it.
Now talk to Baghead again with nothing in hand. When he asks whether the Harbinger came back with nothing, answer "Yes". Confirm your choice when he gives you a chance to reconsider, then speak to him one final time.
The riddle's answer is literal: Baghead wanted nothing. Not an item, not a gesture. Nothing.
What happens in the secret ending?
The Harbinger accepts Baghead's philosophy, gives up the struggle, and takes Baghead's place on the throne. The credits roll. After they finish, load your save and you will respawn near the nearest Beacon with all story progress intact. The Baghead ending functions as a self-aware joke ending, a deliberate detour rather than a true alternate story branch.
How to get both endings in one playthrough
The order matters here. Do the Baghead ending first, since it preserves your save and lets you continue. Triggering the Marrow Keep ending last closes out the playthrough.
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find Baghead and complete his questline | Desolate Peak |
| 2 | Get the secret ending, then reload your save | Nearest Beacon |
| 3 | Collect 168 Ova and open The Unfound Path | Open world |
| 4 | Defeat Orrem, The Monolith, Malborn Offspring | The Unfound Path |
| 5 | Defeat the Uninvited Serpent | The Unfound Path |
| 6 | Finish side quests and collectibles | Open world |
| 7 | Interact with the absorption machine | Marrow Keep |
Following this order means you see both endings without grinding through a full second run.
What carries over and what to do before the point of no return
Before sending the Ova, make sure you have:
- Completed all NPC questlines, especially any with missable rewards
- Unlocked every Shell you want (check the full Shell unlock guide if you are still missing any)
- Cleared all optional bosses and dungeons
- Grabbed all map fragments (the map fragment guide covers every location)
- Experienced the Baghead secret ending
Sending the Ova moves the save to New Game+, so anything left undone carries over as unfinished business into the next cycle.
For everything else the game throws at you, the full Mortal Shell II strategy guide collection covers bosses, builds, progression systems, and more.
