Elden Ring gets surprise new content drop, full patch notes released

The Lands Between are calling as the 2022 Game of the Year is finally getting a new port, and with it, FromSoftware has dropped a fresh bundle of content.

Elden Ring is one of the greatest games of all time and will undoubtedly be considered as such in generations to come as it enters an era of mod support and fan creativity.

But many gamers have never had the chance to experience the game, depending on their platform.

So, after four years of development, FromSoftware is going all-in on the Nintendo Switch content - and with a generous reputation, that means PC and console players are treated to new features too.

Just as the famed fantasy developers give media a first insight into their upcoming Switch-built Soulsborne game, The Duskbloods (which we revealed to be more RPG genius that even beats Elden Ring: Nightreign), Elden Ring is getting the same treatment.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is officially dropping on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, adding bonus content to the base game.

But don't think you're missing out if you're a devoted fan, as the Tarnished bundle will be available as a purchasable DLC worth as much as a cup of coffee.

Elden Ring Patch 1.17 drops Tarnished DLC and gameplay adjustments

Celebrating the Switch 2 port, Elden Ring patch 1.17 has dropped the new Tarnished DLC for PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam users, alongside a wealth of gameplay balance changes.

Starting with the DLC, the £3.99 bundle includes Idus Knight and Heavy Knight as new starting classes (something usually obtained by in-game purchases from Merchants), a rack of new starter weapons, and a few new NPC invasion events in Leyndell and Caelid.

Most importantly, the Tarnished pack also includes three Spectral Steed Attire options, with Tree Sentinel, Silver of Caria, and Funeral Night all being included as Torrent appearance options.

The pack will be released alongside free gameplay balances that require a fresh update to Elden Ring that will launch on August 28; players with mods active are advised to save their game before restarting with the fresh update.

Read More: We dare you to try and beat Elden Ring with this brand new challenge mode

The free balancing changes include:

• Increased rarity of items earned from defeating powerful enemies in the Realm of Shadow
• Buffs to weapons such as the Smithscript Dagger, Axe, Greathammer, and Spear, Rellana's Twin Blades, Spear of the Impaler, Carian Sorcery Sword, Golden Fist, Rakshasa's Great Katana, most shields and greatshields, and most perfume bottles.
• Improvements to the Parry, Thop's Barrier, and Storm Wall skills
• Benefits to Founding Rain of Stars, Carian Retaliation, Meteorite, Meteorite of Astel, and Gravitational Missile Sorceries.
• More power for Incantations like Feather of the Divine Bird, O, Flame!, and Rain of Fire.

Some small bugs were also fixed in the Elden Ring 1.17 patch, which will need to be downloaded to activate online play.

All of these updates will be included in the new Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition, which is out now.