One New Elden Ring DLC Item Is Going To Completely Transform Combat (2024)

As Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC looks to make new additions to the game's combat system, one new item in particular might drastically change how the game can be played. In the lead-up to the DLC's release, several new Shadow of the Erdtree previews have shown off the first few hours and areas that players will experience in Shadow of the Erdtree, revealing new weapon types, player progression systems, bosses, and hints at the DLC's narrative and lore.

Like other DLC expansions for FromSoftware games, Shadow of the Erdtree seems to be making some major shake-ups to the base game's core combat, with new weapons and abilities that greatly expand player options and may even give rise to new potential playstyles or builds. For the most part, this means new weapons, with several new weapon types being introduced in the DLC alongside unique additions to already-existing weapons categories, with the most notable additions revealed so far being weapons that can be thrown with certain attacks. Outside of weapons, however, one new addition could significantly change the game.

Shadow Of The Erdtree Will Add Perfect Blocking To Elden Ring

Combat Mechanic Straight From Sekiro

As has been revealed in some previews of the DLC, including a video from YouTuber VaatiVidya (link timestamped, full video below), Shadow of the Erdtree could be adding a perfect block mechanic to the game, mirroring the deflect mechanics of games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or Lies of P. While the exact specifics of this mechanic aren't yet known, previews have revealed that it will be made available through a specific Crystal Tear for the Flask of Wondrous Physick in the DLC - which will also mean that players will have to find the item and potentially fight a boss to gain access to it.

However, it's currently unknown exactly how the Crystal Tear works, or even what the specific wording of its description is. Potentially, it could allow for perfectly timed blocks to negate the stamina depletion that normally occurs when blocking attacks, or reduce/negate any chip damage taken from blocking elemental damage, or blocking with a weapon instead of a shield. Either or both effects would be hugely beneficial to defensive playstyles, which most players forgo in favor of dodging, and would especially make the game's already-existing Guard Counter mechanic much more usable against a variety of enemies.

In particular, the new Crystal Tear could help with many of the game's faster enemies that players might have trouble dodging attacks from. Malenia, for example, can already feel to some players like she belongs more in Sekiro than Elden Ring, with her rapid attacks (especially Waterfowl Dance) feeling more like they're meant to be deflected rather than dodged. If similar bosses are present in Shadow of the Erdtree, the new Crystal Tear could become one of the premier options for dealing with them.

Perfect Blocking Might Not Be As Good As It Sounds

Certain Limitations Might Make Perfect Blocking A Niche Option In Elden Ring's DLC

However, there are a few things that could get in the way of the DLC's perfect block mechanics, even aside from not knowing exactly how they work yet. Most concerning is the fact that the mechanic is a Crystal Tear effect at all, as this would most likely mean that the effect is only a temporary buff instead of a permanent new addition. Depending on how long the buff lasts, then, this limitation could restrict the use of Shadow of the Erdtree's perfect guard to boss fights or tough encounters only, instead of being something that players can use constantly.

And while that limitation might make sense for Elden Ring, it does also mean that dodging is likely to remain king in the DLC, especially if it introduces other, more offensively-oriented Crystal Tears that the perfect block buff will have to compete with. Wondrous Physick does, after all, only have two slots for potential buffs, and most players might prefer other options that don't represent as much of a change in playstyle.

Perfect blocking has been a popularly requested mechanic for Elden Ring, to the point that a popular mod, Elden Ring Reforged, fully incorporates it into the game. It looks as though Shadow of the Erdtree will finally incorporate it, and while it might lead to new playstyles and help with faster enemies, the fact that it's a Crystal Tear, and therefore most likely a temporary buff, means that it might fall to the wayside. Whatever the case, players will have to wait until the release of Elden Ring's DLC to find out.

Source: VaatiVidya/YouTube

Elden Ring

Elden Ring is a popular game released by From Software, creators of games such as Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne. Players assume the role of a Tarnished, a being once exiled to the Lands Between and has returned to repair the Elden Ring after the events of "The Shattering." "The Shattering" occurred when the offspring of Queen Marika battled to claim the shards of the Elden Ring, known as Great Runes. Their war has brought lawlessness, destruction, and chaos to the land, and the player will challenge them with the assistance of a Maiden known as Melina as they travel towards the great Erd Tree to face their destiny and to become the one true Elden Lord. Players can tackle the game how they choose and can adventure across realms as they build their character how they want - be it a powerful magic caster or a brutal swordsman - they will have complete control over their build.

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox One , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software

Genre(s)

RPG , Action

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op , Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Metascore

96

Platforms That Support Crossplay

PS4 &PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S