Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and DLC: impact on the player experience

Brief summary

• Elden Ring’s Tarnished Edition is now available on Switch 2, with the Tarnished Pack DLC arriving on 9 September 2026 for other platforms.
• The DLC costs $5 / £4 and adds two new starting classes: the Idus Knight and the Heavy Knight, plus new weapons and Torrent skins.
• Patch 1.17.1 has been rolled out to fix a duplication exploit and introduces a fair item-trading mechanic.

Analysis by GAME-scanner

The launch of the Tarnished Edition on Switch 2 is an important step for the Elden Ring franchise. The addition of the Tarnished Pack DLC, available for $5 / £4, gives players not only new classes, but also a chance to refresh their playstyle. The Idus Knight and Heavy Knight classes offer unique gameplay experiences that could change the way players explore the world and fight enemies. The new armor sets and weapons, along with the Torrent skins, significantly boost the game’s visual appeal.

Of crucial importance is FromSoftware’s recent patch 1.17.1, which not only addresses the duplication exploit but also adds the ability to trade items. This ensures that players can benefit from the new content in a fair way, without exploits disrupting the game. The patch guarantees that items are removed from the original player’s inventory when trading, helping maintain a balanced gameplay experience.

What does this mean for players?

For players, the Tarnished Pack offers a chance to enrich their Elden Ring adventure with new gameplay elements. The new classes can significantly change the game’s dynamics, allowing players to develop fresh strategies. The ability to trade items without unfair advantages is a positive development for the community and could encourage more social interaction within the game. Players will likely be more inclined to cooperate and share their experiences, which should improve the overall gameplay experience.