Elden Ring gets its first big patch since launch

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• Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Reverse-Bladed Sword Is Overpowered: Why Is It a Must-Have Dex Weapon?

  While Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring released on August 28 didn't introduce a massive amount of new content, almost every addition, whether the new classes or new gear, has the potential to shift the game's meta.

  We previously introduced seven new items and how to acquire them. Here, we highlight Reverse-Bladed Sword as a prime example, focusing on its strengths and optimal usage.

  

  Reverse-Bladed Sword basic info

  If you played Elden Ring prior to Tarnished Edition, Reverse-Bladed Sword might look familiar, as it bears a resemblance to the existing Backhand Blades.

  However, Reverse-Bladed Sword is a Dexterity-based weapon that deals primarily Slash and Pierce damage. More importantly, equipping it grants you a skill called Blind Spot.

  The known method for obtaining Reverse-Bladed Sword is to travel to Roundtable Hold and trade with Twin Maiden Husks.

  While many items sold by this vendor require Bell Bearings to unlock, Reverse-Bladed Sword can be unlockd simply for 1,000 Elden Ring runes.

  What does Blind Spot do?

  It is worth noting that this skill is not entirely new; it was actually added to Elden Ring alongside Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

  As an Ash of War skill, Blind Spot is exclusive to backhand-style weapons, meaning you can use it with the standard Backhand Blades as well.

  In combat, using Blind Spot causes you to quickly dash sideways before suddenly thrusting into the enemy's blind spot, allowing you to take them down with a stealthier, more unexpected attack.

  What are the advantages of Reverse-Bladed Sword?

  If you already own Backhand Blades, you might feel Reverse-Bladed Sword is redundant, given that they share similar attack ranges and basic movesets.

  However, a closer look reveals that Reverse-Bladed Sword offers a superior feel in terms of its moveset. The running light attack carries significant forward momentum, making it ideal for chasing down enemies.

  Meanwhile, the running heavy attack is perfect for chaining into Sword Dance skill, useful for catching opponents mid-roll or punishing panic-rolls.

  Furthermore, because many of Reverse-Bladed Sword's moves feature strong forward momentum, its overall pressure-applying capability is formidable. If an enemy fails to roll away, you can often maintain a continuous offensive, keeping them perpetually staggered.

  Regarding damage output, while standard Backhand Blades might edge out Reverse-Bladed Sword in most infusion scenarios, they lack the same level of versatility.

  Reverse-Bladed Sword performs exceptionally well with Cold Infusion. This setup trades a bit of base physical damage for Intelligence scaling (adding magic damage) while retaining decent Strength or Dexterity scaling.

  Even though standard Backhand Blades offer higher Intelligence scaling, Reverse-Bladed Sword consistently yields higher total damage output when using a Cold Infusion, regardless of your stat distribution.

  These details are fantastic; they provide compelling reasons to unlock and use this weapon, which might otherwise look like a mere clone of Backhand Blades, rather than choosing it simply for the sake of novelty.

  How to optimize Reverse-Bladed Sword?

  To maximize damage with a Reverse-Bladed Sword build, start by equipping Lacerating Crossed-Tree Talisman. This talisman boosts the power of running heavy attacks, which is crucial if you plan to use the running heavy attack followed by Sword Dance to punish rolls.

  Shard of Alexander is also essential, as it increases skill damage by 15%. Since this build relies on Sword Dance for burst damage, and helps rapidly build up the frostbite status effect, this talisman is a must-have.

  You can choose the final two talisman slots based on personal preference. However, Bull-Goat's Talisman is highly recommended for the poise boost it provides, while Millicent's Prosthesis can further increase your damage output.

  Regarding stats, focus on Dexterity and Intelligence, as Cold Infusion benefits significantly from Intelligence scaling.

  If you have the opportunity to acquire Circle of Light, it provides a small boost to Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. While the stat boost is modest, another advantage of this helmet is its lightweight nature; furthermore, every point of Intelligence added translates to a two-point increase in damage.

  Which class is best suited for Reverse-Bladed Sword?

  Based on the weapon's fundamental characteristics, it is best suited for Elden Ring classes that prioritize Dexterity. Naturally, Warrior class is likely the first to come to mind.

  This class starts with a high base Dexterity stat. This means that once you acquire Reverse-Bladed Sword, you won't need to consume excessive runes early on just to meet the weapon's stat requirements, allowing you to allocate more points to Vigor and Endurance instead.

  Additionally, Warrior starts with dual Scimitars, and the rhythm of their dual-wielding attacks matches that of Reverse-Bladed Sword. This ensures a smoother transition, allowing you to quickly adapt to the new weapon's combat style.

  

  Alternatively, you might consider Samurai or Vagabond classes. Samurai boasts solid starting Dexterity and Vigor, while Vagabond, with its reliable base Strength and Vigor, can be built into a Strength/Dexterity hybrid setup for Reverse-Bladed Sword.

  All in all, Elden Ring Reverse-Bladed Sword is a new weapon that perfectly blends speed, agility, and damage output. By pairing it with the right class and complementary items, you can further elevate your combat experience.

  That covers everything for now. If this new sword has piqued your interest, go ahead and unlock it!

• Elden Ring Tarnished Pack New Weapon Breakdown | Acquisition Methods, Damage and Best Uses

  Elden Ring has arrived on Switch 2 with Tarnished Pack, along with a balance update released after an entire year. However, the most noteworthy addition is undoubtedly the new weapons and armor introduced with Tarnished Pack.

  Tarnished Pack adds a total of seven new weapons. 5 are infusible weapons upgraded with Smithing Stones, while the other 2 are upgraded with Somber Smithing Stones. Here is how to obtain each weapon and what they are primarily used for.

  

  Here are All New Weapons:

  1. Hefty Scimitar
  2. Reverse-Bladed Sword
  3. Idus Sword
  4. Reed Great Katana
  5. Ritual Thrusting Shield
  6. Leontiel's Greatsword
  7. Golden Order Flail

  Hefty Scimitar

  

  Hefty Scimitar is included in the starting equipment when choosing Heavy Knight starting class. Alternatively, it can be obtained from Nomadic Merchant in Limgrave.

  Hefty Scimitar is the only infusible Curved Greatsword in the base game that can be obtained without farming for a drop. Other weapons in this category either require enemy drops or, like Freyja's Greatsword, require progressing deep into DLC Shadow of the Erdtree before they can be obtained.

  Hefty Scimitar category as a whole does not see much use because it is generally outperformed by standard Greatswords.

  Compared with Curved Greatswords, it deals slightly more damage and has a longer attack range while dealing Slashing damage, but its attack speed is somewhat slower.

  Standard Greatswords, on the other hand, attack faster, offer more Ash of War options, and include thrusting attacks.

  Hefty Scimitar has one of the shortest ranges among weapons in its category, and outside of Heavy affinity, its damage is the lowest in the category across all other affinities. However, with Heavy affinity, its damage can surpass Dismounter.

  Reverse-Bladed Sword

  

  This weapon can be obtained from Twin Maiden Husks in Roundtable Hold.

  Reverse-Bladed Sword is the only obtainable weapon of its type in the base game. It has exactly the same moveset and range as Backhand Blades from DLC.

  The main difference is that Reverse-Bladed Sword has higher base damage but weaker scaling, while Backhand Blades have lower base damage but better scaling.

  It is worth noting that Reverse-Bladed Sword performs better than Backhand Blades with Cold affinity. This is because Backhand Blades lean more heavily toward Intelligence scaling with Cold, while Reverse-Bladed Sword gains better scaling from Strength and Dexterity.

  Idus Sword

  

  Idus Sword is included as starting equipment when choosing Idus Knight starting class. Alternatively, it can be picked up in the starting area of Liurnia, past the first merchant.

  Idus Sword is the second infusible Light Greatsword in the game. Its role is very similar to that of Reverse-Bladed Sword, essentially serving as an early-game base-game version of Milady from DLC. The two weapons have nearly identical movesets, models, and ranges.

  It is worth noting that Idus Sword cannot surpass Milady's damage with any affinity, and it is also heavier. Its only advantage is that it has slightly lower attribute requirements, which is not enough to make up for the damage difference.

  Reed Great Katana

  

  This Great Katana can be picked up in Dragonbarrow area of Caelid, north of Fort Faroth.

  Like the weapons mentioned above, Reed Great Katana is essentially an early-game base-game version of Great Katanas from DLC. It has higher base damage, slightly weaker scaling, a somewhat shorter range, and slightly greater weight. However, its damage can surpass standard Great Katanas when using elemental affinities.

  Great Katanas do not scale particularly well with elemental affinities, while Reed Great Katana takes advantage of its exceptionally high base damage to gain an edge in this area.

  Therefore, if you plan to build around Faith or Intelligence and want to use a Great Katana, Reed Great Katana is the better choice. Although it has a slightly shorter range and weighs a little more, its lower requirements and higher damage make for a worthwhile trade-off.

  Ritual Thrusting Shield

  

  Ritual Thrusting Shield can be found at Caelid Colosseum, the location with the enormous Warrior Jar where you can be invaded by three random players.

  Ritual Thrusting Shield is a strict downgrade from Dueling Shield in DLC. Its damage is lower with every affinity, while its guard damage negation and Guard Boost are also worse.

  For Thrusting Shields, Guard Boost is the most important attribute because their core gameplay is not about dealing damage. Instead, they allow players to block and attack simultaneously, making use of Guard Counters or two-handed shield pokes. The strength of their defensive capabilities directly determines how effective the weapon is.

  Silver Grooved Shield

  

  Silver Grooved Shield comes as part of Idus Knight's starting equipment. It can also be obtained from the merchant at Bellum Church in northern Liurnia of the Lakes using Elden Ring runes.

  Silver Grooved Shield is a Medium Shield with 100% physical damage negation. Although its guard damage negation and Guard Boost are lower than those of most Medium Shields, it is the lightest shield in the game that provides 100% physical damage negation, making it worth considering when Endurance is limited.

  Leontiel's Greatsword

  

  Leontiel's Greatsword can be obtained by defeating the newly added NPC invader Leontiel. The invasion takes place at Radahn's boss arena.

  This Greatsword is a spiritual successor to Mirror Greatsword from Dark Souls II and Hollowslayer Greatsword from Dark Souls III. It not only inherits similar movesets, but also introduces a completely new dodge and counterattack mechanic through its Ash of War.

  Leontiel's Greatsword has an Ash of War called Muleta. It is a stance-based skill that allows the player to choose between a Light Attack input and a Heavy Attack input after entering the stance, triggering two different attack follow-ups.

  Both attacks begin with a pirouette. The light attack follow-up causes the character to dodge to the left before delivering an extremely fast slash.

  The heavy attack follow-up causes the character to dodge to the right and then perform a slower but extremely powerful thrusting poke. After using the heavy attack follow-up, an additional attack input can trigger a follow-up attack, making the sequence particularly powerful.

  Golden Order Flail

  

  To obtain Golden Order Flail, you must first learn Law of Regression and then use it in front of Radagon's statue in Leyndell, Royal Capital, and triggers an invasion event. Defeat the invader to obtain the weapon.

  Its Ash of War, Causality's Wrath, is a buff-type skill. The first cast applies a 90s buff to the character, and casting the skill again while the buff is active releases an AoE attack.

  While the buff is active, damage taken by the player charges the skill, and every attack received adds to the charge. The skill has three levels based on the number of hits taken, with the maximum level capable of knocking smaller enemies into the air.

  You can use a shield with around 90% or higher physical damage negation, without reaching 100%, to charge Golden Order Flail. However, Guard Counter build is not particularly consistent and requires a certain level of skill to master.

  That covers the acquisition methods and damage performance of all the new weapons in Elden Ring Tarnished Pack. To be honest, they are not particularly overpowered, as there are many weapons in both the base game and DLC that perform better than them.

• Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Release Date and Content: How to Play the Two Brand New Heavy Knight and Idus Knight Classes?

  Whether you have played it, you surely witnessed the massive success of the 2022 blockbuster Elden Ring. Its 2024 DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, was equally acclaimed, winning numerous awards.

  To mark an exclusive partnership with Switch 2 launched in 2025, it was announced last year that a Tarnished Edition, tailor-made for the platform, would be released.

  After several delays, the official release date for Elden Ring Tarnished Edition has finally been set for August 28, 2026. If you are an Elden Ring fan who has picked up a Switch 2, this is a release you won't want to miss!

  Below, we outline the key details of this new edition and offer tips on quickly adapting to the new content and core gameplay mechanics.

  

  What does Elden Ring Tarnished Edition include?

  Designed specifically for Switch 2, this edition includes the base Elden Ring game and Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, alongside the following brand-new content:

  • Two new classes: Heavy Knight and Idus Knight
  • New armor sets
  • New customization options for Torrent's appearance

  Players who pre-order the game will receive two bonus gestures upon starting: The Ring and Ring of Miquella.

  To ensure fairness, players who already own Elden Ring or Shadow of the Erdtree on other platforms can unlock Tarnished Pack separately to unlock the new content added in this edition.

  New class mechanics

  While the original version of Elden Ring featured 10 starting classes, the total has now been expanded to 12. Additionally, two of the newly added armor sets are specifically designed for these Tarnished Edition classes.

  

  Heavy Knight

  Based on official data and gameplay demonstrations shown at various events, Heavy Knight is a warrior clad in heavy steel armor, capable of wielding a massive curved blade to sweep through enemy ranks.

  Given their heavy armor, Heavy Knight's initial playstyle focuses on high Strength and high equip load capacity. Their starting Endurance stat of 17 is among the highest of any Elden Ring class.

  Conversely, their weaker attributes are Intelligence, Faith, and Arcane. Their exclusive armor set resembles heavy plate armor, implying exceptional physical defense, though it comes with significant weight, which explains Heavy Knight's high stamina.

  Overall, Heavy Knight is a rugged, resilient class that allows for a straightforward, no-nonsense combat style and early access to heavy gear.

  While you may have played similar classes in other games, Heavy Knight is entirely new to Elden Ring Tarnished Edition. If you encounter any leveling difficulties, it's best to buy Elden Ring Runes to keep things moving smoothly.

  Idus Knight

  In terms of lore, Idus Knight hails from Land of Idus, a region relatively unfamiliar even to veteran Elden Ring players. Knights from this area are renowned for using lightweight gear and wielding it with exceptional agility.

  Consequently, if you choose this class in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, your standout starting stat is Dexterity (15), while Intelligence, Vitality, and Arcane are your weaker attributes.

  This makes Idus Knight well-suited for light or medium armor. Although their starting HP is relatively low, this can be improved by allocating points as you level up. Additionally, a decent starting Faith stat allows you to cast certain spells or buffs.

  In terms of both gameplay and enjoyment, Idus Knight holds a slight edge over Heavy Knight. However, if you are new to Elden Ring, you might also consider choosing one of the ten classic classes.

  Tarnished Edition core gameplay

  This edition is essentially a comprehensive package based on the base game and existing DLC; barring any major future patches, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged.

  After creating your character, your adventure begins in The Lands Between. As you progress, you will explore various Legacy Dungeons, defeat bosses, claim Great Runes, and ultimately reforge Elden Ring.

  While this represents a recommended linear progression, you are free to deviate from the set order, or even skip certain story bosses, to complete the game faster, provided you have the skill to handle it.

  As for Shadow of the Erdtree, although nominally just a DLC, it offers a massive gaming experience. The adventure is set in Land of Shadow, featuring various boss battles built around a unique vertical level design.

  Additionally, this DLC includes a standalone progression system that allows you to boost your character's attack and defense by collecting Scadutree Fragments.

  What about the other new items?

  Beyond the sets designed for the two new classes, Elden Ring Tarnished Edition introduces armor sets inspired by Lucatiel of Mirrah from Dark Souls 2; the fan-favorite Dark Souls 3 Hollowslayer Greatsword also makes an appearance.

  As for the new Torrent skin, Torrent being the spectral steed your character rides, customizing its appearance doesn't necessarily grant stat boosts, but it serves as a fun, aesthetic touch.

  

  Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition worth getting?

  Fundamentally, this edition isn't an expansion that adds a brand-new main storyline; its primary purpose is to support Switch 2 platform. So, if you aren't particularly interested in that platform, sticking with the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree is perfectly fine.

  However, the quality of Elden Ring series is undeniable. Even though the new classes and items don't constitute a massive overhaul, unlocking and experiencing them via this separate pack is certainly worthwhile.

  We hope this overview helps you better understand Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and offers some inspiration for your future gaming plans!

• Elden Ring Best Weapons For PvE | Top Overpowered Weapons In Base Game And Shadow Of The Erdtree DLC

  As the largest Souls-like game currently available, Elden Ring boasts an enormous arsenal of weapons. However, many of them can be considered mere "toys"—their weapon arts may be flashy, but their damage can be lower than a standard attack from another weapon.

  With the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, some incredibly overpowered weapons have emerged, capable of making the game feel like easy mode. So, which weapons can truly revolutionize your PvE experience?

  

  Commonly Used Top Weapons

  • Dark Moon Great Sword
  • Blasphemous Blade
  • Moonveil Katana
  • Executioner's Sword

  These Elden Ring items have been proven by numerous players to be extremely powerful. They deal high damage or can easily knock enemies off balance and down. If they suit your character's attributes, you can use them to complete the game.

  However, one more weapon deserves special mention: Sacred Relic Sword. This sword is obtained by defeating the main game's final boss and exchanging it for the sword. Its weapon art has a large range, extremely long distance, and deals very high damage.

  Besides allowing you to farm Elden Ring Runes in Mohgwyn Dynasty, it becomes exceptionally useful after entering the DLC, and you can try using its Weapon Art to attack Ghostflame Dragon from a distance.

  Moghwyn's Sacred Spear

  Moghwyn's Sacred Spear is a classic, easy-to-play weapon. It's well-designed and incredibly powerful. Its main damage comes from its Weapon Art, which inflicts three instances of blood loss and has a chance to instantly unbalance enemies.

  Furthermore, its Weapon Art deals AoE damage, allowing you to kill enemies even through walls. Even after all the updates and patches, it remains a top-tier weapon. It's a weapon obtainable only through complex side quests, a perfect example of a powerful weapon.

  Rivers Of Blood And Eleonora's Poleblade

  Both of these weapons inflict accumulated blood loss on opponents, and as you know, blood loss is the most powerful status ailment in Elden Ring.

  Eleonora's Poleblade is better against humanoid enemies with low poise, allowing you to apply a Stagger Lock. Rivers of Blood is better against large enemies; simply spamming Weapon Art from a distance can easily defeat most bosses, provided you have enough FP.

  Bloodfiend's Arm

  Bloodfiend's Arm was incredibly overpowered when the DLC was first released, and although it has been nerfed, it's still a monster. Its unique charged heavy attack splashes twice, allowing for double stacking of status effects like poison and frost. Even without considering status effects, its charged heavy attack excels at breaking stances.

  Backhand Blades

  Backhand Blades are one of the strongest DLC weapons. Lightweight and highly versatile, they are agile and fluid to use, and suitable for almost any build. Whether it's dexterity blood loss, flame art infusion, or cold affinity triggering frost, it's a viable side weapon choice.

  Fire Knight's Great Sword

  Also from DLC, Fire Knight's Great Sword features unique light attacks and a charged, heavy attack. Its Flame Art infusion provides the highest damage boost, making it one of the strongest Pyro and Faith weapons. Any enemy prone to Bleed or Stagger is easily defeated.

  Nagakiba

  Nagakiba is considered the true king of katanas. It boasts an extremely long attack range and can be paired with many builds. Simply enchant it with Lightning or Bloodflame Blade, then use its Weapon Art to return Spinning Strikes, and you can easily complete the entire game.

  Antspur Rapier

  Antspur Rapier excels at rapidly applying status effects and can apply Scarlet Rot. Combined with the blood loss effect, these two negative effects quickly reduce enemy health. Its power stance move set, especially the second rapid three-hit combo, can trigger status effects extremely quickly.

  Great Stars

  Great Stars is one of the best weapons in its class. Besides its built-in blood loss effect, it restores 1% health with each hit. It synergizes perfectly with various Ash of War builds, such as Wild Strikes, Stormaller, and Savage Lion's Claw, and becomes even more devastating after being enchanted with Bloodflame Blade.

  Star Fist

  Star Fist's charged heavy attack is incredibly powerful, easily knocking down enemies. Its light attack move set excels at successful hits and quickly triggers Blood Loss. It combines rapid bleed attacks with powerful heavy bombs, excelling in both aspects. Its only drawback is the relatively short attack range of the gauntlets.

  Pota

  Pota, as a gauntlet weapon, is a severely underrated secret weapon. Its power is almost equivalent to Star Fist, but its attack range is closer to a throwing sword, breaking the balance of short range common to gauntlet weapons. It is extremely powerful in both PvP and PvE.

  Bloody Helice

  Bloody Helice is the longest thrusting sword and a quintessential Arcane build. Its weapon art is both vicious and elegant, allowing for a quick return to safety after an attack. While perhaps less effective in cities, it's highly effective against bosses. Its combat art, along with the DLC weapon Obsidian Scythe, inflicts a total of 55 stance damage, making it very effective against breaking stances.

  These are some of the most powerful weapons currently available in PvE, but the order is not ranked. Which weapon you choose depends on your preferred playstyle and your character's attributes.

• Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition On Switch 2 Delayed | Here's Why Players Support The Decision

  As a wildly popular game that sparked countless discussions among players, Elden Ring offers a rich and open-world adventure. Players can experience a robust adventure mechanic, challenging gameplay, and a remarkably engaging setting and visual presentation.

  This is why so many players dedicate their time and effort to exploring the game, earning it a large and dedicated fanbase.

  The earlier announcement of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition's upcoming release on Switch 2 caused a frenzy among players, meaning they could play anytime, anywhere.

  

  However, disappointingly, the official release date for Switch 2 has recently been delayed. If you're curious why, read on.

  Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition

  At Nintendo Direct presentation on April 2nd, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition was announced for Switch 2. During the presentation, a trailer showcased classic game scenes and visuals that players had experienced, including but not limited to battles with Radahn and exploration of Shadow of the Erdtree.

  These trailers evince that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition offers players new content and features on top of the original game and Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.

  These new features include, but are not limited to, exclusive Armor Sets, new weapons, Torrent customization options, and new classes. All of this has captured players' attention and fueled their anticipation for its release on Switch 2 platform.

  However, the core gameplay remains unchanged. Players still take on the role of Tarnished, exploring the game world. Where to explore and how to explore is entirely up to you.

  Classic areas appear in Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, including Limgrave, Caelid, and Liurnia, etc. Furthermore, many more new features await players' discovery.

  Gamescom, held from August 20th to 24th, also showcased trailers for Tarnished Edition, with the most exciting aspect being the opportunity for players to experience the new classes firsthand.

  Heavy Knight, clad in a black, heavy-plated armor set and wielding a curved greatsword, showcases the game's ongoing improvements and efforts to bring new content and exciting features.

  Disappointing Results

  While the news of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition's release on Switch 2 delighted loyal fans, it doesn't mean players are indifferent to the game's quality.

  Players anticipated a gaming experience on Switch 2 comparable to PC and other platforms, but player demonstrations clearly show that the current game's performance falls short of their expectations.

  Videos of players playing Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 can be found on various platforms, revealing that smooth gameplay is somewhat strained.

  It doesn't offer the smooth combat performance players expected. Frame rate drops and stuttering occur in almost every action except when the player's character is stationary.

  Furthermore, when there are many elements in the scene, they appear more like flat textures than three-dimensional objects.

  These points to one fact: the game's performance is unstable.

  For a large-scale open-world adventure game, these are almost fatal problems. During the adventure, you need to constantly pay attention to your surroundings, be wary of potential enemies and bosses, and game lag can make it impossible to detect enemy attacks during adventures and battles.

  An even more absurd situation is that you see a boss attack, but because of game lag, you can't use your chosen skill in time. In such cases, your character can only take hits and damage.

  Both situations can lead to character death, and the consequence of death is the loss of all Elden Ring Runes. Although you have the opportunity to return to the death location to retrieve these runes, you would certainly prefer to avoid this situation if possible.

  Besides performance issues, Switch 2's reliance on buttons to control character movement is uncomfortable for many players accustomed to the keyboard and mouse combination on PCs.

  The cumbersome button layout makes unfamiliar players feel overwhelmed in combat, not only failing to provide enjoyment but also turning exploration into a burden.

  If the release is still in this state, it's easy to imagine how many negative reviews Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will receive from players.

  Looking Forward To The Release

  To address the technical issues raised by players, on October 23rd, the official announcement was made that the release of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition would be delayed.

  This is a correct decision for both players and the game developers.

  While the delayed release will disappoint players, it's acceptable to play a more satisfactory game a little later than to keep failing in a half-finished game and even lose all resources and runes.

  For a game, it's better to carefully polish it and strive for excellence in every aspect than to rush out a buggy game and disappoint the audience. A well-made game will always have its audience.

  With the immense popularity of Elden Ring IP, players will probably have high expectations for this game that blends the original game and Shadow of the Erdtree.

  In short, the release of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 has been fraught with difficulties. Although it's still uncertain when it will be released in 2026, we all look forward to its return with a brand new look, living up to the expectations of players.

• Elden Ring Ninja Build Crafting | Best Armor, Weapons, And Ashes Of War For Stealthy Combat

  Although the release of Elden Ring Nightreign has diverted some attention from the base game, Souls-like ARPG Elden Ring, which became a global sensation in 2022, remains a popular goal for players to explore.

  As a game with rich mechanics and up to 10 playable classes, the exploration of Elden Ring builds is nearly endless. While build crafting is mostly based on class, you can also create a build with a specific style through specific gear or skills.

  With this in mind, this article will explain how to craft a ninja-style build in Elden Ring.

  

  Ninja-Style Fashion

  While clothing is just a bonus to your combat, considering we're introducing a ninja-style build - and since ninjas aren't a class - you should make your style known to your opponents through clothing, which is the most conspicuous way to communicate your style!

  Since there aren't any pre-set ninja-style sets in the game, you'll have to rely on your own aesthetic to find the right armor to pair with your build. Of course, the black hood and mask are essential, practically the defining elements of a ninja's look.

  As for other parts, such as gloves or leg armor, simply ensure they're dark and complement the other armor pieces. If you're looking for existing plans to directly customize your look, consider the following armor or sets:

  • Prisoner Set
  • Bandit Mask
  • Samurai Gauntlets
  • Ronin's Armor
  • Black Knife Set

  Of course, style is one aspect; the armor itself also provides protection against different types of damage and affects attributes like weight and balance.

  So, when designing your look, consider not only the appearance but also the armor pieces you choose that offer good combat benefits. At least for ninja builds, your combat style should prioritize agility, so armor shouldn't be too heavy.

  It's worth noting that there are no set bonuses in Elden Ring, so you can mix and match armor freely without worrying about missing out on any extra buffs.

  Weapon Choice

  You should know that Samurai is one of the starting classes. While it's not the same concept as a ninja, the gear available not only looks good in ninja style but also offers impressive combat effectiveness when used properly.

  Most of the available Samurai weapons resemble Japanese swords, and each one has a different method for obtaining. If your character originally chose Samurai class, you should have at least Uchigatana. If not, follow the instructions below to farm it.

  Uchigatana

  This long sword, the starting Samurai weapon, is hidden in Deathtouched Catacombs. Enter the northern Limgrave, find Saints Bridge, and proceed to the end of the dungeon to find it.

  Nagakiba

  Enter Bloody Finger Hunter Yura questline near Site of Grace south of Agheel Lake. Find Yura to complete the quest, or simply kill him to obtain Nagakiba.

  If you consider yourself a softie (even though Yura is only an NPC) or want the armor as a bonus, you can find him at the following locations to complete the quest:

  • Second Church of Marika in Altus Plateau
  • Near Murkwater Cave
  • On the bridge near Main Academy Gate Site of Grace

  Rivers Of Blood

  Travel to the snow-covered area in the northern part of the map, starting at Freezing Lake Site of Grace, to find Church of Repose. Bloody Finger Okina will appear; defeat her to obtain this weapon.

  Other Weapons

  If you prioritize damage over appearance, you can look beyond Samurai weapons and explore weapons that balance agility and lethality.

  Take Smithscript Dagger, for example. This weapon, added in Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is a throwing blade that performs well in both ranged and melee combat.

  More importantly, it can be thrown and instantly returns to your hand, like a souped-up version of a true ninja's kunai. Enter Ruined Forge Lava Intake and reach the end of the corridor to find it.

  Alternatively, Claws of Night are also excellent, as they also have the ability to return instantly after being thrown. They can be obtained by defeating Swordhand of Night Anna in Cathedral of Manus Metyr beneath Finger Ruins of Miyr during Ymir's questline.

  Choosing The Best Ashes Of War To Obtain Armaments

  Ashes of War is a unique mechanic in Elden Ring. Essentially, equipping this type of items will grant new skills and affinities to your gear, playing a crucial role in enhancing your build's overall strength.

  For ninja builds, good dodging and stealth are essential combat styles, allowing you to stealthily close in and kill enemies, much like an assassin. For this reason, we recommend prioritizing the following Ashes of War:

  • Bloodhound's Step: This provides excellent evasion capabilities by replacing dodging with a long-distance teleport dash.
  • Assassin's Gambit: Grants invisibility and minimizes your footsteps, allowing you to catch enemies off guard and backstab them.
  • Unseen Form: Allows you to become partially invisible, making it harder for enemies to detect you from a distance.

  Of course, there are many other Ashes of War with similar effects. If you want more to add, you can actively kill bosses, explore the open world and loot corpses or chests, or buy Elden Ring runes and redeem them at merchants.

  In short, while ensuring your appearance is as ninja-like as possible, you should always focus on agility, mystery, and decent damage output as the core of your Elden Ring ninja build. We hope our suggestions help you have a great gaming experience!