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A Surprise Update for a Game That Refuses to Fade
More than four years after its original release, Elden Ring continues to find new ways to pull players back into the Lands Between. FromSoftware has now released one of the game’s most substantial balance updates in years, bringing a long list of weapon buffs, spell adjustments, shield improvements, parry changes, PvP balancing, bug fixes, and new content tied to the upcoming Tarnished Pack.
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Why This Update Matters
The timing is particularly interesting. The update arrives just as Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition prepares to launch on Nintendo Switch 2, while the Tarnished Pack is also being released for other platforms. That makes Patch 1.17 more than a routine balance pass. It feels like FromSoftware is giving the four-year-old RPG another major push at exactly the moment new players are preparing to enter its world.
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A Major Balance Pass After Years of Updates
According to the supplied patch notes, the previous update of comparable length came in October 2024, several months after the release of Shadow of the Erdtree. That makes Version 1.17 one of the most extensive Elden Ring updates in a long time and raises an obvious question: could this be one of the game’s final major balance updates?
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The Biggest Story Is the Buffs
The overwhelming theme of Patch 1.17 is improvement rather than punishment. FromSoftware has strengthened numerous weapons, shields, spells, skills, and consumable-based builds, potentially opening the door for players to experiment with equipment that previously struggled to compete.
Perfume Bottles Get More Dangerous
Five Perfume Bottles receive increased attack power: the Firespark, Lightning, Chilling, Frenzyflame, and Deadly Poison variants. This is particularly interesting because it gives several elemental and status-oriented playstyles more offensive potential without fundamentally redesigning how they work.
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Smithscript Weapons Become More Practical
The Smithscript Axe and Smithscript Spear, along with the Spear of the Impaler, receive two important improvements. Their weapon-throwing attacks now consume less stamina while also dealing increased damage.
That combination matters because it addresses both sides of the problem. Players can throw these weapons more frequently while getting greater value from each attack.
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Smithscript Weapons Could Encourage More Aggressive Builds
Reduced stamina consumption can have a larger effect than a simple damage increase. In Elden Ring, stamina is not just an offensive resource. It also determines how quickly players can attack, block, dodge, and reposition.
By lowering the stamina cost of throwing attacks, FromSoftware is effectively giving these weapons more room inside a player’s combat rotation.
Critical Hits Receive Attention
The Smithscript Dagger and
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Carian Sorcery Sword Gets a Meaningful Scaling Change
The Carian Sorcery Sword receives a particularly notable adjustment. Its Intelligence scaling has been changed so that Intelligence now increases the attack power of all damage types.
This could make the weapon considerably more attractive to Intelligence-focused characters looking for a hybrid approach between spellcasting and close-range combat.
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Golem Fist Gets More Reach
The Golem
A longer reach gives players more opportunities to connect attacks without standing directly against an opponent.
Greatshields Become More Efficient
A large group of shields receives increased guard boost, while many of them also become lighter. Lordsworn’s Shield, Briar Greatshield, Spiked Palisade Shield, Icon Shield, Golden Beast Crest Shield, Manor Towershield, and several others are included in the changes.
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Defensive Builds Get a Quiet Upgrade
The shield changes may be among the most important adjustments for players who prefer defensive combat.
Higher guard boost can reduce the stamina pressure created by blocking, while reduced weight can make certain shields easier to fit into builds without forcing players to sacrifice mobility or equipment flexibility.
More Shields Receive Guard Boost
The Wooden Greatshield, Cuckoo Greatshield, Redmane Greatshield, Golden Greatshield, Crucible Hornshield, Dragonclaw Shield, Eclipse Crest Greatshield, Jellyfish Shield, and One-Eyed Shield also receive increased guard boost. The Haligtree Crest Greatshield gets a weight reduction.
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Parrying Gets Another Chance to Shine
Perhaps the most interesting gameplay change involves one of Elden Ring’s most demanding mechanics: parrying.
FromSoftware has improved parry performance and reduced the amount of time players need to wait before performing various actions after activating parries with Daggers, Curved Swords, and Small Shields.
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Why Better Parries Could Change Combat
Parrying is already one of the most rewarding mechanics in Elden Ring when mastered. Improving its responsiveness could make it more appealing to experienced players while potentially reducing some of the frustration associated with learning the timing.
It also creates an interesting counterbalance to the game’s enormous number of aggressive builds.
Storm Wall Gets a Useful Improvement
Storm Wall receives improved parry performance and, importantly, no longer consumes FP when used. That makes repeated use less expensive and could encourage players to incorporate it more frequently into defensive strategies.
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Thops’s Barrier Also Improves
Thops’s Barrier receives improved parry performance as well. Combined with the wider parry adjustments, this suggests FromSoftware is deliberately giving defensive and counter-focused mechanics another moment in the spotlight.
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Sorcery Gets Some Attention Too
Several spells have also been improved. Founding Rain of Stars and Carian Retaliation receive increased power, while Meteorite and Meteorite of Astel receive reduced casting times.
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Faster Casting Could Matter More Than Raw Damage
Reducing casting time can fundamentally change the viability of a spell. A powerful spell that leaves the caster vulnerable can be difficult to use against aggressive enemies.
A faster casting animation gives players a larger window to use the spell without being interrupted or punished.
Faith Builds Get Buffs as Well
The update also strengthens several incantations. Feather of the Divine Bird receives increased power, O, Flame! gets an expanded attack range, and Rain of Fire receives increased power.
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Gravitational Missile Gets a Specific Nerf
Not everything was buffed.
Gravitational Missile has been changed so that its gravity projectile no longer explodes immediately when it hits terrain such as the ground or a wall. That represents a targeted adjustment to how the spell behaves in combat.
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Rakshasa’s Great Katana Gets Punished
Rakshasa’s Great Katana receives an adjustment affecting its interaction with the player’s other weapon. The time before an attack can be performed with a right-hand weapon immediately after using the Great Katana in the left hand has been increased.
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The PvP Nerf Is More Direct
In PvP,
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Rugalea’s Roar Also Loses Power
Rugalea’s Roar receives reduced effectiveness against other players. Meanwhile, Rotten Breath and Ekzykes’s Decay have had the amount of time they prevent other player characters from moving through hit reactions reduced.
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FromSoftware Is Still Watching PvP
These changes demonstrate that FromSoftware has not abandoned Elden Ring’s competitive ecosystem. Even years after launch, the developer is still adjusting interactions that can have an outsized impact on player-versus-player encounters.
Great Katana Bugs Finally Get Fixed
The Great Katana weapon family also receives bug fixes. Critical hits against large enemies had been dealing less power than expected, while jumping attacks with Great Katana weapons could be parried.
Both problems have now been addressed.
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PC Players Get Some Long-Overdue Fixes
PC players also receive two specific fixes. One resolves a problem that could prevent mouse-based camera control during NPC dialogue when using keyboard and mouse controls.
Another fixes the reset option in Keyboard/Mouse Settings, which previously failed to restore various settings to their defaults.
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The Tarnished Pack Adds More Than Cosmetic Extras
Patch 1.17 is not simply about balance. It also prepares the game for the Tarnished Pack DLC.
The DLC adds two new starting classes, Idus Knight and Heavy Knight, along with new weapons, three types of Spectral Steed Attire, and new NPC invasion events.
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Two New Starting Classes
Idus Knight and Heavy Knight can be selected during character creation. Their equipment can also be obtained later through merchants or by discovering it in the world, meaning the new starting options do not necessarily lock their equipment behind the beginning of a new character.
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Torrent Finally Gets More Style Options
Three Spectral Steed Attire options have been added for Torrent.
The Tree Sentinel attire can be found in Stormveil Castle, the Silver of Caria attire can be found in Liurnia of the Lakes, and the Funereal Night attire can be found in Altus Plateau.
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Torrent Customization Comes to the Site of Grace
Once players obtain any Spectral Steed Attire, an option to change Torrent’s appearance becomes available through the Site of Grace menu.
It is a small feature, but it gives players another way to personalize their journey through the Lands Between.
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New Invasion Events
The Tarnished Pack also introduces an NPC invasion event in Caelid and another in Leyndell, Royal Capital. The Leyndell event cannot occur once the area has transformed into Leyndell, Ashen Capital.
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Switch 2 Players Get the Complete Package
The Tarnished Pack content is included by default in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2. Players on other platforms can obtain the additional content separately.
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Release Timing
The supplied patch notes state that the Tarnished Pack is scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026. PlayStation and Xbox players are listed for release at midnight local time, while the Steam schedule is listed as 7:00 JST, 00:00 CEST, and 15:00 PDT on August 28.
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Version 1.17 Is Required for Online Play
After installation, the title screen should display App Ver. 1.17 and Regulation Ver. 1.17. The update is required for online play, making installation more than an optional download for players who want to continue using Elden Ring’s online features.
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What Undercode Say:
A Four-Year-Old Game Still Has Momentum
Elden Ring reaching another major update years after launch is remarkable. Most games gradually move into maintenance mode, but FromSoftware continues to make meaningful changes to weapons, spells, shields, parries, PvP mechanics, and bugs.
The Buff Philosophy Is Important
Patch 1.17 appears to favor experimentation. Instead of simply nerfing the strongest options, FromSoftware has strengthened a large number of alternatives.
More Viable Weapons Means More Build Diversity
When weaker weapons become stronger, players have more reasons to leave familiar meta choices behind.
That can make another playthrough feel different even when the world itself has not changed.
Defensive Builds Are Getting More Interesting
The shield improvements deserve more attention than they might initially receive.
Higher guard boost combined with reduced weight can make traditional blocking strategies more attractive in a game where rolling and aggressive movement often dominate.
Parrying Could Become a Bigger Part of the Meta
Improved parry performance may encourage experienced players to revisit mechanics they previously considered too inconsistent or demanding.
The reduced recovery time after certain parries could be particularly important in high-level combat.
The Update Rewards Mastery
Elden Ring has always rewarded players who understand its mechanics rather than simply increasing character statistics.
Better parries, more efficient stamina use, faster spellcasting, and stronger critical attacks all reward players who understand timing and positioning.
The Great Katana Changes Show the Balance Philosophy
The Great Katana adjustments are a good example of targeted balancing.
Rather than simply destroying the
PvP Needs Different Rules
A weapon that feels perfectly reasonable against AI-controlled enemies can become oppressive against another human player.
The separate PvP adjustments show that FromSoftware understands the need to distinguish those environments.
Status Effects Remain Under Observation
The changes to Rotten Breath and
Reducing how long another player remains unable to move can preserve the attacks’ usefulness without allowing them to dominate encounters.
The Tarnished Pack Is More Strategic Than It Looks
The new content is not simply a collection of cosmetic additions.
New starting classes, weapons, Torrent customization, and invasion events give returning players new reasons to explore familiar areas.
Torrent Customization Could Become a Fan Favorite
Torrent has been a constant companion throughout Elden Ring, so cosmetic customization is a natural way to make the player’s journey feel more personal.
The fact that the new appearances are connected to locations in the world also fits the game’s exploration-focused design.
New Starting Classes Could Change Early Game Routes
A new starting class can influence the entire opening section of a playthrough.
Different starting equipment changes what players can use immediately, which can encourage alternative progression paths.
The Timing Is Clearly Significant
Launching this update alongside Tarnished Edition gives FromSoftware an opportunity to make Elden Ring feel fresh for both returning players and newcomers.
That is particularly valuable for a game preparing to appear on another platform.
Switch 2 Could Introduce Elden Ring to a Different Audience
A Nintendo audience brings a different demographic and play style into the ecosystem.
The Tarnished Edition gives those players an entry point while simultaneously giving existing players additional content.
The Update Could Also Be a Celebration
After years of expansions, patches, balance changes, and community experimentation, Version 1.17 feels like a celebration of Elden Ring’s continued relevance.
It is not simply about fixing old problems.
FromSoftware Is Looking Toward Its Future
The studio is also working on other projects, including The Duskbloods. That naturally creates uncertainty around how much additional Elden Ring development remains.
The more FromSoftware moves toward new projects, the more significant every major Elden Ring update becomes.
The End of the Update Cycle May Be Approaching
There is no confirmation in the supplied material that Patch 1.17 is the final major update.
However, its size and timing make the possibility worth considering.
Elden Ring Does Not Need Constant New Content
The game already contains an enormous amount of content.
A strong balance update can sometimes be more valuable than another large expansion because it changes how players experience content they already own.
Old Weapons Can Feel New Again
A player returning after a long break may discover that equipment they ignored years ago now performs differently.
That is one of the best qualities of a balance-heavy update.
The Patch Could Extend the
By increasing the number of viable builds, FromSoftware can effectively create more replay value without adding an entirely new region.
Players may return simply to test weapons and combinations they previously dismissed.
Build Experimentation Is the Real Winner
The biggest beneficiary of Patch 1.17 may not be any single weapon.
It may be experimentation itself.
Players Have More Reasons to Leave Their Comfort Zone
When damage, stamina efficiency, guard boost, casting speed, critical attacks, and parry responsiveness are all adjusted, the optimal strategy becomes less predictable.
That is healthy for a game built around experimentation.
The Update Also Fixes Friction
Some changes are designed simply to make the experience less annoying.
PC camera control during NPC dialogue and broken settings-reset behavior are examples of small problems that can disproportionately frustrate players.
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The Online Requirement Matters
Because Version 1.17 is required for online play, multiplayer-focused players have little choice but to install the update.
That means its balance changes could quickly affect the wider community.
A New Meta Could Form
The combination of weapon buffs, improved parries, stronger spells, shield improvements, and PvP-specific adjustments creates the conditions for another round of build experimentation.
The Community Will Decide What Matters Most
Patch notes can tell us what FromSoftware changed.
Players will determine what those changes actually mean.
Some seemingly minor adjustments could become major discoveries once thousands of players begin testing them.
Elden
The game has always benefited from players sharing builds, strategies, discoveries, challenge runs, and PvP techniques.
A patch like this gives that community another reason to experiment together.
Four Years Later, the Game Still Has Something to Say
That may ultimately be the most impressive part of Version 1.17.
Elden Ring is no longer a new release, yet FromSoftware is still willing to revisit core systems and reshape the experience.
Patch 1.17 Feels Like a New Chapter
Whether this becomes one of the
The Lands Between still matters.
Deep Analysis
Checking the Installed Steam App
Advanced PC users can use SteamCMD to inspect information associated with Elden Ring’s Steam application. The game’s Steam App ID is 1245620.
steamcmd +app_info_print 1245620 +quit
Verifying the Game Installation
Steam’s command-line interface can also be used to automate installation or maintenance tasks. For example, a scripted environment can point SteamCMD toward the relevant application:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 1245620 validate +quit
For a normal consumer installation, however,
Checking the Game Directory on Windows
PowerShell can be used to inspect the location of a local Elden Ring installation if you already know the Steam library path:
[bash]
Get-ChildItem “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps
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