Take to the skies in Elden Ring using Torrent and the Pegasus Glitch
Written by. Nick Mosier based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2022-03-24 09:13 JST)
A glitch has been discovered in Elden Ring that allows players to run on horseback in mid-air. Beyond just its visual impact, the glitch could mean big things for speedrunning as well.
Elden Ring is the latest action RPG from FromSoftware. The game features a large open field to explore and Torrent, the Spirit Steed who can be summoned outside of dungeons and specific areas to help you get around. Torrent is an invaluable ally for exploring, fighting, and even running out of danger.
A glitch has been discovered in the game that allows Torrent to gallop across the sky, and players have dubbed it the Pegasus Glitch. While it’s not clear where it originated from, a video was uploaded to YouTube on March 17 showing the phenomenon. After that, a video showing how to recreate the glitch was uploaded on March 23, along with videos of players using it to defeat bosses and such gaining sudden popularity.
I (the original author of this article) was able to perform the Pegasus Glitch myself on the Steam version of Elden Ring. As for the steps, first, while riding Torrent, dismount and quit the game. When performed correctly, you will load into the game standing despite Torrent still being there. Normally, Torrent would only be visible when mounted. In other words, the game is already in an unusual state at this point. Quitting out of the game also needs to be done extremely quickly, so it’s unlikely to occur during normal play.
Next, stand as close to the end of a ledge as you can, quit the game again, and reload. This time, Torrent will spawn next to the player, but if you’re close enough to the edge, Torrent will fall off the map. It seems to work better when the cliff is a straight drop instead of at a slope or with rough terrain. Until I got the hang of it, Torrent would spawn behind me pushing me off the ledge instead. Clever horse.
Furthermore, even if you do successfully drop Torrent off a cliff, it may not create the conditions needed to gallop across the sky. It’s thought that this is controlled by the type of area at the bottom of the cliff. In Elden Ring, there is what’s called the Death Plane, an area that no matter how far you fall from, you die if you touch it. It seems like Torrent needs to fall into the Death Plane to successfully pull off the glitch.
When reloading the game after Torrent falls, whistle for it twice and the Spirit Steed will now be a Pegasus. To put it plainly, Torrent becomes unable to lower in altitude, so if you gallop over a ledge, Torrent will keep running as if there’s ground there. And if you gallop over a hill, you also won’t descend and will continue running through the air. On the other hand, if you run up a hill or over an obstacle, you will ascend but then be locked into the new altitude you have reached.
You also need solid ground to land on when dismounting Torrent and will just float in the air until suitable ground is found. Plus, if you jump while running through the air there won’t be ground to land on causing you to be stuck. After a set amount of time in this state, the player will die. And once Torrent is a Pegasus, if you dismount and mount again, it will still be a Pegasus.
Using this glitch, it’s possible to force your way into areas you can’t normally go and opens up a ton of different shortcuts. It’s even possible to get into boss areas to defeat them. In other words, in speedrunning categories where glitches can be used, this technique has the potential to cause big changes in the routes players are using. Elden Ring speedrunner Distortion2 who holds multiple records is already exploring the possibilities of using the Pegasus Glitch.
The Pegasus Glitch is clearly outside of what the developers intended and can have large implications on the game, so it’s very possible that it will be patched out. On the other hand, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice still has the Airswim glitch that was never removed and is still used by speedrunners leaving us wondering what the fate of this Pegasus Glitch will be.
I also want to take a second to introduce one more use for the Pegasus Glitch. You can use it to take a selfie with Torrent while not being mounted. Normally, Torrent would disappear when dismounted, but now your dreams of standing side-by-side for a picture can come true. Nevertheless, since the glitch wasn’t intended by the developers, it may have adverse effects on the game, so use the Pegasus Glitch at your own risk.
