Elden Ringis one of the highest-rated video games ever made, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. FromSoftware has released multiple updates forElden Ringsince launch, addressing fan feedback, fixing bugs, and even adding new content. Most recently, FromSoftware releasedElden Ringupdate 1.04, which makes a number of important changes to the game.
Elden Ringupdate 1.04 has extensive patch notes, but some changes are bigger and more important than others. The update has also caused some new issues that will need to be fixed at some point, so fans should keep that in mind as well.
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Here are the biggest changes fans should know about inElden Ringupdate 1.04.
Malenia is Now a Lot Harder to Beat
If one were to make a list of thehardestElden Ringbosses, Malenia would likely be at the top. Malenia is devilishly fast and able to unleash devastating attacks that can kill unprepared players in a single blow. To make matters worse, Malenia has two phases for players to deal with, and she heals herself whenever she lands a successful hit. Malenia is not someone thatElden Ringplayers want to mess with, and after update 1.04, she’s even more of a handful.
Elden Ringupdate 1.04 has made the Malenia boss fight more difficult by nerfing a popular cheese strategy that players used to defeat the boss. Prior to the update,Elden Ringplayers had been using theSwarm of Fliesto make the battle a little easier, but now it’s not nearly as effective since its blood loss buildup has been reduced. But while this particular change made the Malenia boss fight harder on purpose, another issue that’s come about after the update has made the battle harder unintentionally.
After downloading the latestElden Ringupdate, players may notice thatMalenia is healing even when her hits aren’t connecting. This seemingly has something to do with online connectivity issues, and so it is a problem that’s primarily impacting those playing in co-op. It’s likely FromSoftware will fix this problem sooner rather than later, though no timetable has been announced at the time of this writing.
Patches Has a New Quest Phase
PreviousElden Ringupdates have added new NPCs and quest phases for existing NPCs, and update 1.04 is no exception. FromSoftware has used update 1.04 to expand onPatches' questline inElden Ring, giving it a proper conclusion whereas before he would simply disappear from the Lands Between.
Patches is a recurring character in FromSoftware games. InElden Ring, he is a tricky merchant who likes to grief players by sending them to areas with high-powered enemies or by booting them off cliffs. AsElden Ringplayers progress through the game, Patches comes along for the ride, appearing in various spots along the way. Players are even able to complete aVolcano Manor questfor Patches, and they can snag a special item if they speak to him at the Shaded Castle.
Prior to update 1.04, Patches would disappear after the interaction at the Shaded Castle, but after downloading the new update,Elden Ringplayers will find that he’s returned to his starting area Murkwater Cave. After a brief altercation,Patches returns to his role as a merchant, withElden Ringplayers able to pay him a visit whenever they’d like.
2 Major Elden Ring Glitches Have Been Fixed
TheElden Ringupdate 1.04 patch notes point out a wide variety of bugs that have been squashed in the latest update, but two are particularly notable.Elden Ringplayers had been tormented by bugged bleed dogsthat were capable of one-shotting even the highest level players, but after downloading the update, these dogs should be dishing out their normal damage.
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The other major bug that was fixed inElden Ringupdate 1.04 has to do with unintentional illusory walls.Elden Ringplayers discovered some illusory wallsin the game that would only open after hitting them upwards of 50 times, when they should only take a single hit. As it turns out, FromSoftware did not intend for these illusory walls to be in the game, and as such, they have been removed.
Cerulean Hidden Tear Isn’t As Useful
Elden Ringspells,Ashes of War, and other actions are governed by FP, and so it’s ideal for players to have a large FP bar, depending on their build. Players can also replenish their FP by drinking from their Flask of Cerulean Tears, but others may prefer to have as many Flask of Crimson Tears charges instead so that they can heal more often.
One wayElden Ringfans have made the most out of their FP bar is by utilizing the Cerulean Hidden Tear. Obtained at Mt. Gelmir,Elden Ringplayers can mix the Cerulean Hidden Tear in their Wondrous Physickto temporarily remove all FP consumption. Unfortunately,Elden Ringupdate 1.04 has shortened the duration of this effect, making the Cerulean Hidden Tear significantly less useful.
Anyone worried that this was an intentionalCerulean Hidden Tear nerfon the part of FromSoftware can rest easy. The developer has confirmed that this was an unintentional change, and there are already plans to fix it in a future patch. An exact release date for this patch has not been announced at the time of this writing, but it’s said to be coming in the “near future” and will be a “minor patch,” as opposed to the relatively large 1.04.
Colossal Weapons Got a Big Buff
Elden Ringupdate 1.04 had unintentional nerfs, but it also had purposeful buffs. FromSoftware made a wide-range of balance changes across the board, but some of the most notable center around colossal weapons. NowElden Ringstrength build playerswill be able to get a lot more out of any colossal weapons they’re using, as their attack speed has been increased and recovery time lowered. Those wielding colossal weapons with two hands will also enjoy a damage increase, not to mention they will be able to block incoming attacks better as well.
New Tutorial Message
Elden Ringis a notoriously difficult game, but it’s also one of the most accessible FromSoftware games to date.Elden Ringcertainly doesn’t hold players' hands, but it does make more of an effort to explain how everything works when compared to previous FromSoftware titles. This is apparent with the optional tutorial dungeon that players can complete at the start of the game, but it seems many players were skipping over it.
To access theElden Ringtutorial dungeon, players have to fall off a small cliff and enter the Cave of Knowledge. It’s understandable that they may be hesitant to do this and instead just proceed into the Lands Between open world. To address this, FromSoftware has added a new tutorial message inElden Ringto help players find the tutorial dungeon easier when they first start up the game.
Additional Elements Added
Balance adjustments
*Players will need to perform any of the following actions for the changes to be reflected. This is required only once. New characters created after this update will not require this action.
・Other enemy and weapon balance changes
Upward adjustments
Upward and downward adjustments
Downward adjustments
・Thundercloud Form - Decreased damage when activated with a short button press. Decreased FP cost. Increased cast speed and decreased recovery time.
Bug Fixes
The version number of this update shown at the lower right corner of the Title Screen will be as follows:
App Ver. 1.04 - Regulation Ver. 1.04.1
Online play requires the player to apply this update.
Please note: This patch mistakenly included an update to the duration of the Cerulean Hidden Tear, shortening it. This unintentional change will be reverted with a minor patch in the near future. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Elden Ringis out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
