Erdtree's Difficulty Dilemma: Bandai Namco Responds with a Calibration Update

The highly anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC for Elden Ring has been the subject of much discussion, particularly around its challenging difficulty level. In a move to address player concerns, Bandai Namco has announced a "calibration update" that aims to make the DLC's upgrade material more rewarding, granting players greater power and potentially easing the game's difficulty.

Unlocking the True Potential of Scadutree Fragments

The key to understanding this update lies in the Scadutree Fragments, the DLC-specific upgrade materials that players must collect to enhance their attack and defense capabilities. These fragments are scattered throughout the map, requiring extensive exploration to obtain, but the increased power they grant makes them a high-priority resource for players.

Boosting the Early Game Blessings

The calibration update will focus on increasing the power granted by the first 10 levels of Scadutree Blessings, while the power granted by the second 10 levels will taper off slightly. This means that players in the early stages of the DLC should see a more significant boost in their attack and damage negation, potentially making the initial bosses, including the dreaded Rellana, a bit easier to overcome.

Strengthening the Final Blessing

The update also includes a slight increase in the power granted by the final level of Scadutree Blessings. This change is likely aimed at assisting players who have been struggling against the brutal final boss of the DLC, whose identity is being kept under wraps to avoid spoilers.

Addressing Ray Tracing Concerns

In addition to the changes to the Scadutree Fragments, the update also addresses a bug related to ray tracing settings. The patch notes suggest that if players are experiencing frame rate issues, they should check to see if ray tracing has been accidentally enabled, as loading a previous save from a previous version of the game might have triggered this issue.

Navigating the Difficulty Discourse

The difficulty of Erdtree has been a dominant topic of discussion surrounding the DLC. Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki himself has stated that the difficulty level is intentional, and lowering it could potentially "break the game." However, some players, streamers, and reviewers have argued that even for a Soulsborne game, the difficulty is a bit too much.

Mods and the "Journalist Mode"

In response to the perceived difficulty, there have even been mods developed that artificially lower the challenge, including one that halves all incoming damage, which has been dubbed the "journalist mode." This moniker has sparked further debate and controversy within the gaming community.

Balancing Act: Appeasing Players and Preserving the Vision

Bandai Namco's decision to implement this calibration update is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, they are responding to the concerns of players who have found the DLC's difficulty to be overwhelming. On the other hand, they must also consider the artistic vision and design choices of the game's creators, who have intentionally crafted a challenging experience.

The Ongoing Debate and the Future of Erdtree

It remains to be seen whether this update will effectively address the difficulty discourse surrounding Erdtree. Some players may welcome the increased power, while others may argue that it undermines the core challenge that Elden Ring is known for. Ultimately, the success of this update will be determined by how it is received by the game's passionate community, and how it impacts the overall experience of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.