FromSoftware Can’t Cut Corners with One Sorcery Type After Elden Ring

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FromSoftware Can't Cut Corners with One Sorcery Type After Elden Ring

Key Takeaways

  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree excels in combat design and gameplay variety, despite underwhelming stealth mechanics in Sorcery.
  • Hidden Body in Dark Souls 3 set a high standard for effective stealth gameplay, a feature lacking in the new release.
  • To improve future games, FromSoftware should refine invisibility magic like Hidden Body to enhance the synergy between Sorcery and stealth.

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent in the dark and gritty worlds of FromSoftware games, I can confidently say that Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree has been an absolute rollercoaster ride. The combat design is top-notch, offering a level of depth and strategy that’s unmatched in many other games. However, the stealth mechanics in Sorcery have left me yearning for the good old days of Hidden Body from Dark Souls 3.

The game “Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree,” FromSoftware’s most significant launch, has sustained its success by demonstrating the studio’s knack for creating new spins on combat and diverse gameplay elements. Before the DLC, players were already captivated by the game’s strategic variety, thanks to multiple stat builds and equipment configurations. However, stealth mechanics, especially in Sorcery, could use enhancement to better align with a past title’s experience in future releases.

Even though the new additions such as horseback riding, jumping, and stealth were introduced, it’s disappointing to find that stealth doesn’t live up to expectations. Although the Unseen Form spell in Elden Ring is designed for this playstyle, its limited impact has caused players to opt for various Talisman choices instead. Compared to Hidden Body’s functionality in previous games, this Sorcery seems only half as effective and requires the same resources. This feels like a step backward when considering the standard set by Dark Souls 3; it would be ideal for the next game to avoid repeating this mistake.

Dark Souls 3’s Hidden Body Set the Tone for What Stealth in Soulsborne Can Be

Invisibility’s Viability in Dark Souls 3

Setting a high standard for stealth in Soulsborne, the Hidden Body spell in Dark Souls 3 can provide a substantial advantage in PvP and PvE alike. Against other players, the spell’s sound-masking combined with visual concealment makes it immediately easier to engage and evade as an invader. In addition to the similar effects of the Slumbering Dragoncrest Ring and Obscuring Ring, this strategy can be so potent that it allows a stealthy player to thrive even in the revealing context of a duel.

Other Stealth Options in Elden Ring Overshadow Unseen Form

Players frequently opt for stealth tactics in the game Elden Ring, choosing gear like dim armor, the Trick-Mirror Talisman, and certain items to better camouflage themselves and approach enemies undetected. However, the Unseen Form’s lack of substantial sound reduction makes it less effective, particularly when contrasted with the Talisman and Elden Ring’s Black Knife Armor, which are more successful at silencing sounds. Alternative stealth spells like Darkness are even less efficient because of their noticeable movements and audio cues, leaving this strategy somewhat underdeveloped.

FromSoftware’s Follow-up to Elden Ring Needs to Hone in on the Potential of Its Invisbility Magic

Integrating Spellcasting and Stealth Mechanics

Making a smoother dynamic between stealth and Sorcery in the next game a priority could be a breath of fresh in terms of build variety. The skill and item both highlight the potential for effective stealth gameplay in Elden Ring, however, these options still feel gimmicky due to how much setup they can require. A more potent spell like Hidden Body would offer a more reliable experience for sneaky players. If these types of Sorcery become more viable, then so can a full stealth caster build which subverts one of the crutches of magic use in the genre.

The current utility for Unseen Form outside reducing aggro in PvE is limited, primarily serving to prevent players from being locked on to in PvP scenarios. It has found some decent usage in this way, but it’s only one part of several spells and items that need to be used in unison. This effect can be frustrating for those who rely on lock-on, and it highlights the need for a more refined approach to stealth. If FromSoft is able to build on the likes of DS3‘s Hidden Body, the synergy between Sorcery and sneaking could go far beyond cheap tactics in Soulsborne PvP.

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2024-08-25 21:43