From Software’s Elden Ring received an update for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms on Wednesday night, and brings some nice additions to the game alongside some balance changes and bug fixes.
The most notable addition in the 1.03 update includes “a function to record an icon and the name of an NPC on the map when you encounter that NPC,” which could mean that players no longer need to take handwritten notes to remember where certain shopkeepers are located. Other additions include a new NPC called Jar-Bairn, new quest phases for some NPCs such as Diallos and Kenneth Haight, and added some summonable NPCs in multiple situations.
The update also made some balance changes that could help or hinder players depending on their builds. Some of the positive changes are increasing the drop rate of Smithing Stones for some enemies and adding the item to early game shops, increasing the shield’s effectiveness, and increased the healing effect on some items for the player’s mount, Torrent.
Sorceries, or magic spells, also received the majority of positive changes with increased damage, reduced FP usage, or both. Some Ash of War abilities were nerfed in the patch such as Bloody Slash, Barricade Shield, and Hoarfrost Stomp. That last ability was extremely useful for players due to the high damage and low FP cost, and was a staple for speedrunners to easily defeat bosses and finish the game in under a half hour.
The update also brought a list of bug fixes with preventing invincible summoned NPCs within boss fights, making sure the player receives boss rewards, and more. Check out the full 1.03 patch notes from the official Bandai Namco Entertainment website.
Elden Ring recently surpassed 12 million units sold worldwide, and is now available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
