how do you render displacements in cycles? i was hoping someone could help me figure out why my rendered image doesnt render what the viewport sees. the first image is of the viewport and the second is the actual rendered image. any idea whats wrong?




full screenshot:
i did change a few settings on the material but they really just changed the shape of the crystal spikey things. thats why it looks different in the 3rd image
It might be the Suzanne head, blocking the light. It is hidden in viewport, but appears in render, casting a shadow. Just disable it in renders and you're good to go :).

Click the filter button, and show all visibility options.  The camera icon disables objects in render. Click the camera icon to disable in render: