Elden Ring’s latest update adds new NPC & nerfs Hoarfrost Stomp

Written by. Ryuki Ishii based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2022-03-17 12:55 JST)

FromSoftware released a new Ver.1.03 update for Elden Ring. It includes the addition of a new NPC, new quest phases, bug fixes, and numerous balance changes.

Additional Elements Added:

– Added a function to record an icon and the name of an NPC on the map when you encounter that NPC.
– Added NPC Jar-Bairn.
– Added new quest phases for the following NPCs: Diallos/ Nepheli Loux/ Kenneth Haight/ Gatekeeper Gostoc.
– Added some summonable NPCs in multiple situations.
– Increased the number of patterns of objects player can imitate when using Mimic’s Veil.
– Added night background music for some open field area.

Elden Ring doesn’t have quest markers or a quest log, so to keep track of each NPC’s location, you have to memorize or take notes. For this reason, a new feature to make it easier to locate NPCs has been requested by many players. The newly added function to record an icon and the name of an NPC will certainly help those in need. The addition of a new NPC and new quest phases are also a welcome addition for those who enjoy taking on side quests.

Balance Changes:

– Increased the drop rate of Smithing Stone for some enemies.
– Added Smithing Stone to some early game shop line up.
– Increased shield’s effectiveness.
– Increased the damage for all offensive cracked pot items.
– Increased the damage for the following items: Spark Aromatic/Poison Spraymist.
– Increased the effect duration for the following items: Uplifting Aromatic/ Ironjar Aromatic.
– Increased HP healing for Torrent when using the following items: Rowa Raisin/ Sweet Raisin/ Frozen Raisin
– Reduced FP consumption and increased the damage of the following sorceries: Glintstone Cometshard/ Comet/ Night Comet
– Increased the damage of the following sorceries: Gravity Well/ Collapsing Stars/ Crystal Barrage
– Decreased FP consumption of the following sorceries: Star Shower/ Rock Blaster/ Gavel of Haima/ Founding Rain of Stars/ Stars of Ruin/Greatblade Phalanx/Magic Downpour/ Loretta’s Greatbow/ Loretta’s Mastery/ Carian Greatsword/ Carian Piercer/ Shard Spiral
– Raised projectile speed and range of Great Glintstone Shard
– Decreased Ash of War, Hoarfrost Stomp’s damage and increase cast time.
– Increased Ash of War, Bloody Slash’s self-inflict damage while slightly lowering the damage and increasing the cast time.
– Decreased weapon skill, Sword of Night and Flame’s damage.
– Increased FP consumption and lower duration of Ash of War, Barricade Shield.
– Changed FP consumption timing of Ash of War, Prelate’s Charge.
– Decreased the damage of spirit summoned when using the item Mimic Tear Ash and changed the spirit’s behavior pattern.
– Other enemy and weapon balance changes

As you can see, several Ash of War skills have been nerfed, including the Hoarfrost Stomp, a skill considered powerful by many players. In contrast, sorceries such as Glintstone Cometshard, Comet, Night Comet, Gravity Well, Collapsing Stars, and Crystal Barrage received buffs.

This update includes numerous bug fixes as well. For example, you can no longer use the bugs that utilize Erdtree Greatshield, Determination, Royal Knight’s Resolve, and Fire’s Deadly Sin. The full patch notes can be found here.