Elden Ring has released its next patch with Update 1.03. This is supposed to fix some annoying problems and introduces some new elements that should make your life easier. Additionally, there were some buffs and nerfs. MeinMMO summarizes the most important changes for you.
This is included in Update 1.03: The new patch is the largest so far since the release on February 25. It includes technical optimizations, new features, and elements like map icons, and also addresses balancing.
Players are especially excited about new icons that now display found quest and merchant NPCs on your map. In addition, one of the best weapons has been nerfed.
What exactly is included in the update, we summarize here for you. You can also find the detailed patch notes on the official Bandai Namco website.
However, a crucial fix is still missing with the latest update.
Elden Ring Update 1.03 Patch Notes
These are the most important changes from the patch notes: The update is divided into three categories.
- Newly added elements
- Bug fixes and technical optimizations
- Balancing changes
We will go through the most important things in each area.
New map icons, NPC and expanded quests
These are the most important new features: One of the most exciting new features is likely the new map icons. These will now show you where found quest and merchant NPCs are located.
This is especially helpful as some quests can be easily lost in the vast world thanks to the typically cryptic storytelling of developer FromSoftware, making it easy to lose track of quests.
Additionally, there are some further quest steps for the following NPCs:
- Diallos
- Nepheli Loux
- Kenneth Haight
- Gatekeeper Gostoc
It is still unclear how extensive the additional quest steps will be. In addition, you can now summon NPCs more often to help you in boss fights.
For those who enjoy riding through the Lands Between at night, you can now enjoy the night soundtracks in some additional areas.
With Jar-Bairn, a new NPC is also coming into play:
Elden Ring nerfs the sword of night and flame, but also brings buffs
These are the most important balance changes: Balancing has been a topic of discussion in the community since the release. As many have already expected and hoped, the latest update also addresses balancing. One of the currently most powerful weapons, the sword of night and flame, is affected.
The damage caused by the previously overpowered weapon ability has been reduced. The powerful Frostbite Stomp has also been nerfed and the casting time increased.
This war ash was previously one of the strongest in the game and could simultaneously cause frost and bleed if you combined it with the right weapon.
Further balancing changes:
- Smithing stones will be found more frequently with NPCs and have a higher drop chance from certain enemies.
- The effectiveness of shields has been increased.
- Some offensive crafting items have been improved.
- Some spells now consume less FP and deal more damage.
- The previously very powerful Mimic Tear has also been nerfed and deals less damage but receives an expanded moveset.
There will reportedly be more balance changes to enemies and weapons that are not described in detail in the patch notes.
In any case, the update will impact our tier list with all 309 weapons in ranking. Whether the powerful moonveil katana will also be affected is not clear from the list. However, players report that the talent is said to deal significantly less posture damage (via reddit).
Numerous bug fixes and improved performance
These are the most important technical improvements: Elden Ring faced some issues at launch. The biggest one is the unstable performance.
According to the patch notes, this is supposed to improve with Update 1.03. How exactly and to what extent can only be determined after more thorough testing.
- Some of the most important fixes relate to previously malfunctioning scaling values on weapons. For example, arcane energy should now properly scale with the previously broken weapons (such as Bloody Streams and Eleonora’s Polearm).
- The “Heavy” scaling that you can unlock through ashes of war on your weapons and that is based on the strength attribute now finally works.
- Otherwise, the patch brings numerous fixes for smaller and larger issues. For example, the bug where the player character could freeze while mounting the horse will be fixed.
Many of the changes relate to specific events, such as rewards that did not activate correctly and were therefore not received by some. There are also several issues with enemy behavior that should now be resolved.
The PC performance, which has troubled players since release, is expected to show little improvement even after the patch (via reddit)
Players are especially excited about map icons and cheaper smithing stones
This is what players are saying about the changes: In the Elden Ring subreddit, the initial reactions are mostly positive.
Especially the map icons for NPCs are well received. Because it often could be difficult to track down NPCs to follow their quests. lou_fox comments: “I used a lot of my markers for those 2 [NPCs], I’m glad I don’t have to track them anymore.”
The reduced prices for smithing stones are also welcome since they have indeed become significantly cheaper, as reddit user Babagannouge writes: “I just checked the normal smithing stone prices at the twin maiden husks, and they were heavily reduced. Smithing stone [8] dropped from 12000 to 3600 runes.”
Furthermore, players are excited about the expanded quests: “Holy sh**, they finished the quests. I didn’t expect that, especially not in less than a month after release.”
As for how the balance changes are perceived, it’s still too early to say. Many had expected them though, and initial tests by players show that the frost stomp now only deals a third of its original damage.
We will keep an eye on how the changes will impact and how the balancing adjustments will influence the current meta.
What do you think of the update? Are you satisfied with the patch notes, or are there important things missing?
The update does not seem to change anything about the HUD of Elden Ring. Despite the controversy: players argue about the minimalistic interface of Elden Ring: “It is clunky and poorly optimized”
