Elden Ring's Gameplay Dynamics Set to Transform With Upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

In the year and a half since its release, Elden Ring has solidified its position in the gaming world, selling over twenty million copies worldwide. Players have explored the vast Lands Between, battled countless foes, and shared their experiences online. The game's community has accumulated a wealth of shared knowledge, and the PvP mode has been bolstered by the popular Colosseum update. Although Elden Ring already offers an immersive gaming experience, the forthcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC holds the promise of further enriching this expansive game.

High Anticipation Surrounds the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC

The impending Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has sparked significant excitement among Elden Ring's fanbase. This major extension is expected to breathe new life into the already rich open-world RPG, adding several hours of gameplay. Although specific details about the DLC remain elusive, a mysterious poster featuring figures resembling Miquella, Torrent, and a seemingly withered Erdtree has fueled conjecture among fans. Judging by previous Souls titles, the Elden Ring DLC is likely to introduce a plethora of new weaponry, potentially revolutionizing the game's meta builds.

Stagnation in Elden Ring’s Weaponry

Discussing Elden Ring’s meta is a complex task involving both PvE and PvP aspects, as well as personal player preference. The game boasts a staggering 308 weapons, with very few considered unviable. The wide array of armor pieces, accessories, spells, Ashes of War, Spirit Ashes, and buffs means that build variety is abundant. However, despite this wealth of options, certain weapons have emerged as favorites among players since the game's early days. Weapons like the Moonveil and Rivers of Blood katanas, despite being rebalanced in patches, are still prevalent in many builds, suggesting a degree of stagnation in weapon use.

Prevalent Weapons in Elden Ring's Gameplay

Several weapons have consistently been regarded as Elden Ring’s best, and a large number of these have remained unchanged since the game’s early stages. Notably, the Moonveil and Rivers of Blood katanas have maintained their viability, with the latter remaining a staple of Bleed builds. The Blasphemous Blade has proven its worth in Elden Ring’s toughest battles, while the simple Greatsword has only increased in effectiveness as all slow, strength-oriented weapons received buffs. Even Intelligence-focused weapons have maintained steady popularity. Consequently, despite the changes in Elden Ring’s meta, much of it has remained static.

The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC’s Potential Impact on Elden Ring’s Builds

The forthcoming DLC is expected to reinvigorate the game's dynamics, providing a much-needed shakeup to the current weapon meta. FromSoftware's DLCs have been known to introduce powerful new weapons, and it'll be intriguing to see how this tradition plays out in Elden Ring, given the strength of the existing arsenal. The level of damage output from optimized Elden Ring builds is unprecedented in most FromSoftware titles, implying that the developer will need to significantly boost both the difficulty and equipment strength in the new DLC. Ultimately, the introduction of new, top-tier weapons will invigorate Elden Ring's gameplay, reducing the prevalence of familiar weapons and hopefully introducing more variety into players' builds.