Elden Ring Shadow Of The Erdtree patch makes Blessings stronger and the game easier

After completing my review of Soulslike Lies Of P, the developers released a patch that nerfed bosses and made the game easier overall. It seems like Sod’s Law struck that day… and it’s back with a smirk. Shadow Of The Erdtree has just been patched, enhancing its Shadow Realm Blessings right from the start, ultimately making things easier for everyone. Such is the life of a reviewer, huh.

In the latest “Calibration Update – Version 1.12.2” by FromSoftware, the power of the Shadow Realm Blessings found exclusively in Erdtree’s areas has been boosted. Both Scadutree Fragments and Revered Ash Blessings now have increased attack and damage negation for the “first half of the maximum amount of Blessing enhancements”. Subsequent blessings will gradually increase your stats after obtaining the first half.

Moreover, the attack and damage negation from the “final level” of these blessings has been slightly augmented. While there are no specific stats provided, the overall idea is clear: Blessings are now stronger.

To receive the update, simply log in to the multiplayer servers once you start the game. You’ll know you’re on the right build if you see “1.12.2” at the bottom right of the title menu. FromSoft mentions that future patches will include “balance adjustments as well as bug fixes.”

If you’ve been facing performance issues, the patch notes suggest checking the System > Graphics Settings > Raytracing Quality settings to ensure it’s not toggled to turn on automatically. If it is, try switching it off to see if that improves things.

Erdtree initially received a mixed reception on Steam, despite positive critical reviews. This was mainly due to performance issues and the DLC’s challenging boss battles. A mod was even released to balance Erdtree’s enemies to align them more with the base game.

Personally, I support FromSoft’s decision to lower the difficulty level. I agree with Nic’s view in the “mixed reception” article that the criticism is valid, but I don’t believe the game should be criticized solely for being challenging. Erdtree’s bosses may be tough with high damage output and intricate design, but the game provides tools to make it more manageable, more so than any other Souls game. This includes Blessings, summonable allies, online co-op, and a variety of builds and elixir combinations.

If you’re struggling, I recommend seeking out Blessings (with the help of a guide that lists them all) and adjusting your setup. You can do it! After all, you conquered Elden Ring to reach this point, right?