DLC for "Elden Ring": FromSoftware eases the difficulty level with a patch
The "Elden Ring" DLC "Shadow of the Erdtree" is too challenging even for some long-time FromSoft fans. A patch now adjusts the difficulty level.
A first patch adjusts the difficulty level of "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree".
(Image: FromSoftware)
FromSoftware is making the "Elden Ring" DLC "Shadow of the Erdtree" a little easier: In a first patch 1.12.2 for the expansion, the Japanese development studio is strengthening the so-called scadu-tree fragments, which have a significant impact on the strength and resilience of characters in the DLC regions.
These Scade Tree Fragments are scattered across the DLC game world and largely replace the normal level system for the DLC, which only offers minor advantages at the higher levels. How difficult the DLC boss battles are therefore depends more on the number of Scade Tree Fragments collected than on the player level achieved.
This is where FromSoft is now adjusting the balance: For the first 25 of 50 fragments collected, both the attack power granted and the damage reduction increase. In addition, the final level of the Scadubaum blessing has also been increased. In practice, this means that characters become stronger more quickly. And those who make the effort to find and collect all the fragments will have a slightly easier time in the boss battles than before. However, FromSoftware does not provide exact figures - so it is unclear how much the studio has actually intervened in the previous balancing. Because the Scadubaum fragments only work in the DLC game world, the difficulty level in the main game remains unchanged.
Discussions about the difficulty level
The difficulty level in "Shadow of the Erdtree" has been the subject of discussion in the community since its release. Even experienced "Elden Ring" players sometimes find it too steep. The attack patterns of various bosses, for example, which leave little time for your own attacks, are criticized.
As a studio, FromSoftware is already known for the tough challenges in its video games. The studio went the extra mile for "Shadow of the Erdtree": "We really pushed the limits of what we think the player can endure," lead developer Hidetaka Miyazaki told The Verge. Traditionally, FromSoftware does not offer the option of changing the difficulty level in the settings. If you want to get stronger, you have to practice, level up and explore the environment.
(dahe)