Fighting creatures at maximum level won’t be enough to cut it in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. The forthcoming DLC will feature a separate progression system that’s set to change how players approach challenges and boss fights, with elements borrowed from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Speaking to Famitsu (and translated by Reddit user theangryfurlong), game director Hidetaka Miyazaki shared that it’ll add a Sekiro-like “attack power” stat effective only within the expansion area, on top of the normal rune-based levelling system. In the 2019 action-adventure title, the power mechanic grants player bonuses to attack power, as well as health and posture after defeating bosses and mini-bosses, respectively.
It also increases naturally as one progresses through the game, so any Tarnished with a maxed-out character won’t be able to decimate new DLC bosses easily — a few of whom will be on par with Malenia in difficulty. According to Miyazaki, this new system was designed to recreate the same degree of freedom in the base game, allowing players to explore and level up before tackling the more difficult battles.
The added feature is a good workaround to curb the perks of over-levelling, since blasting through everything defeats the point of having new weapon types and enemies in the first place. Shadow of the Erdtree will come to Elden Ring on 21 June, with eight new weapon categories in tow, including throwing knives and a type represented like large swords like an odachi.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
