FromSoftware is releasing a significant update for Elden Ring, version 1.17, which brings a host of balance changes and new content additions across all platforms. This update coincides with the launch of the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2, which bundles the base game with its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and additional items.
The Tarnished Edition DLC, available for separate purchase on other platforms, includes two new starting classes: Idus Knight and Heavy Knight. Players can also acquire their starting equipment from merchants or by discovering it in the world. The pack introduces new weapons available through merchants and exploration, as well as three new Spectral Steed Attire options for Torrent, the player's spectral steed. These cosmetic additions, named Tree Sentinel, Silver of Caria, and Funereal Night, can be found in Stormveil Castle, Liurnia of the Lakes, and Altus Plateau, respectively, and can be equipped via the Site of Grace menu.
Beyond the cosmetic and equipment additions, the update implements new NPC invasion events in Caelid and Leyndell, Royal Capital. These events will not occur after Leyndell transforms into the Ashen Capital.
Gameplay and Balance Adjustments
The patch introduces widespread balance changes, affecting both PvE and PvP gameplay. Notably, certain powerful enemies in the Realm of Shadow will now drop higher-tier items. Several weapons have received buffs, including Rellana's Twin Blades and the Spear of the Impaler, which see increased critical hit power and reduced stamina consumption for throwing attacks, respectively. The Carian Sorcery Sword now has its Intelligence scaling adjusted to boost all damage types, and the Golem Fist's heavy attack has an increased range. Various shields have seen improvements in guard boost and weight reduction, making them more effective. The Rakshasa's Great Katana has been adjusted to include a greater delay before performing a right-hand attack when the weapon is held in the left hand.
Parry mechanics have been enhanced across the board with "improved parry performance," likely referring to a larger parry window or faster activation. This improvement applies to Daggers, Curved Swords, and Small Shields, though the time before subsequent actions can be performed after activation has been reduced. The Storm Wall skill will no longer consume FP, and Thops's Barrier has also seen improved parry performance.
Several sorceries and incantations have been rebalanced. Sorceries like Founding Rain of Stars, Carian Retaliation, Meteorite, Meteorite of Astel, and Gravitational Missile have been modified so that gravity projectiles do not explode immediately upon hitting surfaces. Incantations such as Feather of the Divine Bird, O, Flame!, and Rain of Fire have also received updates.
PvP-Specific Changes
In player-versus-player combat, the Rakshasa's Great Katana now increases damage taken from other players while attacking. Additionally, some incantations, specifically Rugalea's Roar, have had their power reduced against other players. Rotten Breath and Ekzykes's Decay now have reduced hit reaction times for player characters struck by these effects.
Bug Fixes
The patch also addresses several bugs. Critical hits with Great Katana weapon types will no longer deal lower-than-expected power against large enemies, and jumping attacks with these weapons can no longer be parried. A PC-specific fix resolves an issue that prevented mouse camera control during NPC dialogue when using keyboard and mouse inputs, and corrects a bug in the keyboard/mouse settings that prevented the reset option from restoring default values.