Elden Ring DLC: Nerfs Broken Perfume Bottles, Buffs Worst Weapon, and Adjusts Bosses

FromSoftware has released a substantial balance patch, Version 1.12.3, for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, addressing various gameplay issues. This patch, released a little over a week after the 1.12.2 Calibration Update, brings significant changes to weapon balances and gameplay mechanics, enhancing the overall experience for players.

Key Updates and Weapon Adjustments

The most notable updates in the 1.12.3 patch include nerfs to several overpowered weapons and Ashes of War. Among the weapons adjusted are the Lightning Perfume Bottle and Frenzyflame Perfume Bottle, which had been allowing players to nearly one-shot many bosses. These weapons' damage outputs have been reduced to balance gameplay. Additionally, the Rolling Sparks Ash of War and the Swift Slash skill, exclusive to the Backhand Blades, have been nerfed. The Swift Slash skill was particularly problematic in PvP due to its excessive damage and lengthy animation, making it almost impossible to counter.

Thrusting Shields, a new weapon type introduced in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, received a critical fix. Previously, these shields consumed less stamina than intended when blocking while thrusting, enabling players to continuously attack bosses while easily defending against most moves. This issue has been resolved, requiring players to time their offenses more carefully.

A notable buff has been applied to the Carian Sorcery Sword, previously considered one of the worst new weapons in the DLC. This unique Thrusting Sword, capable of casting sorcery spells, now has improved Intelligence scaling. Its base damage has been slightly reduced to maintain balance, but the overall enhancement makes it a more viable option for players.

Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items

In addition to weapon adjustments, the patch also brings various changes to Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items. Players will notice more balanced rune acquisition and item utilization, offering a smoother progression experience. The adjustments ensure that no single rune or item dominates gameplay, promoting a more strategic approach to combat and exploration.

Boss Adjustments

The patch also includes tweaks to two specific bosses: Commander Gaius and the Golden Hippopotamus. These changes are designed to make these encounters less frustrating. Both bosses will now appear farther from the fog wall on repeat attempts, providing players more time to react to their aggressive attacks. Additionally, the Golden Hippopotamus' bite attack has been nerfed, reducing its active frames to prevent it from connecting with players more easily than intended.

Additional Bug Fixes and Recommendations

The rest of the patch includes various bug fixes and minor changes, which can be explored in detail in the full patch notes. Notably, FromSoftware has provided recommendations for players experiencing performance issues. PS5 players are advised to use the Rebuild Database option in Safe Mode, while PC players should ensure Ray Tracing is turned off if they typically play with it disabled.

Analysis: Impact and Community Feedback

The rapid response from FromSoftware to address the issues with overpowered weapons and skills is commendable. Players were quick to point out the imbalance caused by items like Perfume Bottles and the Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the swift fixes ensure a more balanced gameplay environment for both PvE and PvP.

The enhancements to Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items further contribute to a balanced experience, encouraging players to engage more strategically with the game's mechanics. The tweaks to boss encounters also address community concerns, making the overall gameplay experience less frustrating and more enjoyable.

While the update significantly improves the balance and enjoyment of Elden Ring, it is worth noting the absence of a fix for the bug affecting Steam Deck users. This issue, which renders the game unplayable if left idle for more than five minutes, remains a point of frustration for many players. The community eagerly awaits a resolution to this problem in future updates.

Conclusion

The 1.12.3 balance patch for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree demonstrates FromSoftware's commitment to refining and enhancing the game. The adjustments to overpowered weapons, improvements to Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items, and tweaks to boss encounters create a more balanced and engaging gameplay experience. Despite some unresolved issues, such as the Steam Deck bug, the patch is a positive step forward, ensuring Elden Ring remains a compelling and challenging adventure for players.