Elden Ring creators FromSoftware have released the game’s first major update, version 1.12.3, following the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, which reduces the power of overly powerful weapons.
Details on publisher Bandai Namco’s website websiteThe patch introduces several changes and fixes bugs, including reducing the power of several weapons deemed too sturdy.
These include the Smithscript Dagger, Smithscript Cirque, Smithscript Axe, Smithscript Greathammer, Smithscript Spear, Smithscript Shield, and Golem Fist — as well as something used in the “OP” build, discovered hours before the patch went live. FromSoftware has “fixed a bug” that caused shield stabs to “use less stamina than intended.”
The range of Smithscript Dagger and Smithscript Cirque’s cast attacks has also been increased, slightly compensating for the overall damage reduction. The full patch notes are available below.
FromSoftware has made no mention of a bug affecting Steam Deck users that causes the game to become unplayable if it is unused for more than five minutes, potentially resulting in data corruption.
Shadow of the Erdtree, which is set to release on June 21, 2024, features bosses that saw FromSoftware “really push the boundaries” of what players can endure, director Hidetaka Miyazaki said ahead of launch. In fact, getting into the expansion presents a challenge, as players must defeat an optional boss.
Those looking to explore every nook and cranny of the expansion can check out IGN’s extensive guide, which covers Shadow of the Erdtree’s novel weapons, various storylines, and how to defeat the annoying novel bosses.
In our 10/10 review, IGN stated, “Like the base game before it, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree raises the bar for single-player expansions,” we said. “It takes everything that made the base game such a groundbreaking RPG, condenses it into a relatively tight 20-25 hour campaign, and provides some fantastic new challenges for heavily committed fans.”
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Update 1.12.3 Patch Notes
PvP-only balance adjustments
- Reduced the damage and damage animation of the vacuum shear effect of the “Rapid Slash” skill.
General Balance Adjustments
- Increased the Intelligence scaling of the Carian Warlock Sword and slightly decreased its base damage.
- Increased the range of thrown attacks from the following weapons:
- Smithscript Dagger / Smithscript Circus
- Changed the boss positions in the Golden Hippo and Commander Gaius re-fight to be in the same position as in the first fight.
Fixed bugs
- Fixed a bug that caused the Rolling Sparks skill to deal more damage than expected.
- Fixed a bug that caused the skills “Rolling Sparks” and “Wall of Sparks” to deal no damage when the player was affected by certain special effects.
- Fixed a bug where some of the right-hand weapon’s special effects were also applied to the following weapon skills when thrown with the left hand:
- The Mad Flame of the Weak Lord
- Discus throwing
- Fixed a bug where successfully defending while attacking with a Shield Thrust weapon would consume less stamina than intended.
- Fixed a bug that prevented players from canceling the attack recovery of Two-Handed Heavy Attacks by throwing for some Backhand Blade weapons.
- Fixed a bug that caused the Lightning Perfume Bottle and Frenzyflame Perfume Bottle weapons to deal double damage under certain circumstances.
- Fixed a bug where Bloodfiend’s Arm Arcane scaling was higher than intended when setting affinity. Also reduced the status growth of the Heavy Attack.
- Fixed a bug where the Faith scaling for the Finger of Gaze weapon was not being applied correctly.
- Fixed a bug where the damage animation of some of the Fire Knight Greatsword’s attacks against players would be different than expected.
- Fixed a bug where the affinity of some of the Fire Knight Greatsword’s attacks was different than expected.
- Fixed a bug that caused some affinities for the following weapons to be higher than intended:
- Smithscript Dagger
- Smithscript Circus
- Smithscript axe
- Smithscript Big Hammer
- Smithscript Spear
- Golem’s Fist
- Smithscript Shield
- Fixed a bug that caused enemies to heal when the Tiche Black Knife’s max health reduction effect wore off.
- Fixed a bug that caused summoned NPCs to behave differently than expected in certain circumstances.
- Fixed a bug where the Golden Hippo boss’s unblockable bite attack was hitting players more easily than intended.
- Fixed a bug causing text to display differently than expected.
- Several other performance improvements and bug fixes.
Possible fixes for unstable performance
- For the PS5 version of the game, the choppy frame rate can be improved by using the “Rebuild Database” option in your device’s Safe Mode.
- On some PC versions, Ray Tracing may be inadvertently enabled and cause unstable performance. Check the Ray Tracing setting in “System” > “Graphics Settings” > “Ray Tracing Quality” on the title screen or in the game menu.
- In the PC version, the “Inappropriate activity detected” message may appear without the need for cheating.
To resolve this issue, verify the integrity of the game files before restarting the game.
- On PC, unstable frame rates may be caused by third-party applications that control mouse behavior. Disabling these third-party applications may improve performance.
Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance reporter for IGN. He’ll be talking Witcher all day long.
