Summary
For over two years, a relatively minor but ultimately significant issue plaguedElden Ring, but the game’s most recent patch has finally addressed it. TheShadow of the Erdtreeexpansionwas confirmed to be the only DLC in the works for FromSoftware’s latest RPG, but that hasn’t stopped the studio from making continued changes to the game. Balance adjustments were the primary changes inElden Ring’s version 1.13 patch, mostly bringingoverdue changes to Spirit Ash Summonsand tweaks to various Ashes of War, butperhaps the most relieving part of the patch concerns Torrent.
Since the game was released in February 2022,a UI interaction has resulted in countless deaths when players attempted to re-summon Torrentafter the spectral steed’s health had been reduced in battle. The Tarnished’s most loyal companion requires the use of a Flask of Crimson Tears to return to battle, and so players don’t accidentally waste this precious resource,Elden Ringprovides a prompt to verify players are willing to accept the trade. While it’s an understandable safety net, the menu has heretofore defaulted to the “Cancel” option, requiring a second button press in the heat of battle.
Elden Ring Review: Hands Across America
Elden Ring is a staggeringly large, nearly perfect culmination of everything FromSoftware has developed since the release of Demon’s Souls.
Re-Summoning Torrent Now Defaults To The “OK” Option
A Change Players Have Been Requesting Since Launch
Among the long list of changes in theElden Ring1.13 patch notes on theBandai Namcowebsite is the crucial change to how theSpectral Steed Whistleworks. If Torrent has been killed, and the player attempts to use the Spectral Steed Whistle to re-summon him to the fight,“the default selection position is now OK” on the menu that asks for confirmation. This won’t save players more than a split-second most likely, but such thin margins can be the difference between death and survival in a game that has such fine-tuned combat.
As a spectral being, Torrent can’t actually be killed in combat. TheSurging Frenzied Flameitem description suggests the Frenzied Flame is the only thing that can permanently destroy spirits: “Spirits are eternal, and yet frenzied flame melts them away regardless.”
Elden Ring’s Torrent Update Is A Game-Changer For Field Bosses
Many Large Enemies Are Easier On Torrent
Aside from needing Torrent to efficiently traverse the expansivebase game andShadow of the Erdtreemaps,the spectral steed is invaluable in many combat encounters. Fighting run-of-the-mill mobs in the open world is effectively optional in many circumstances, but the extra damage dealt on horseback and the additional speed allowed by Torrent can help make quick work of enemy groups. Perhaps more importantly, though, Torrent is a huge boon in many field boss fights, especially those who are also on horseback or have significant size.
Fighting the first Tree Sentinel right next to where players enter Limgrave, for instance, is made much easier by gaining a few levels and acquiring Torrent. Similar can be said about Flying Dragon Agheel and the many other dragon bosses found throughout the game.Torrent’s nimbleness helps players outrun AOE attacks and strike quicklywhen the window of opportunity opens.
Such fights can often be frantic, leading players to mash buttons in an attempt to re-summon Torrent quickly. This frequently resulted in accidentally selecting the “Cancel” option, or wasting precious time navigating a menu rather than focusing on the fight itself. It was a minor but impactful issue that many players have noted sinceElden Ring’s release over two years ago, and this fix is a very welcome change, even if it’s coming after a frustratingly long time.
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.
