Elden Ring update nerfs one of the game’s most frustrating abilities
Bloodhound Stop
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The latestElden Ringupdate has rolled out, nerfing an ability that’s been frustrating players since the action RPG launched.
Elden Ringpatch 1.06 includes a major tweak to Bloodhound Step – an Ash of War that lets you dodge at high speed, while making you temporarily invisible. It’s a powerful ability that’s dominated Elden Ring’s PvP metagame for months, and frustrated many players who’d rather see the back of it.
According to thepatch notes, the ability’s travel distance and invisibility time have been significantly decreased. You’re now discouraged to rely on it, as its effectiveness will reduce after continual use, although you can partially increase its travel distance by equipping fewer items. If Bloodhound Step was your go-to in PvP fights, it sounds like you might need to find a new strategy.
Speedy summons
Big changes have also been made to Elden Ring’s summoning system. Summoning Signs can now be sent to Summoning Pools across multiple areas, including those outside of the one you’re currently in. With an expanded summon reach, you should find that co-op companions are no longer just taken from your local in-game area.
That means you won’t need to spend time hanging around a single location, idly twiddling your thumbs as you wait for a player in need to call for aid. You can now be summoned to help anyone, anywhere. There’s one caveat, though. According to the patch notes, you won’t be able to send a Sign to any Summoning Pools in Mohgwyn Palace.
Balance changes have also been made to the Corpse Piler skill, decreasing its damage and bleed build-up. The skill Quick Step has also received a tweak. You’ll be able to activate it more frequently in quick succession to “circle around the enemy when locked-on”, although its effectiveness will reduce when used continuously.
Finally, White Mask Varré’s NPC questline has been altered. You now have the option to complete the quest by defeating a specific NPC rather than participating in a multiplayer invasion. That’s particularly good news for anyone who doesn’t subscribe toPS PlusorXbox Game Pass Ultimate, so lacks multiplayer access.
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The release of Elden Ring updates has slowed in the past few weeks. Patch 1.05 emerged back in June, butwasn’t hugely exciting. Find the full patch notes for this latest update below.
Elden Ring patch notes 1.06
Balance changes
Bug fixes
Other
Callum is TechRadar Gaming’s News Writer. You’ll find him whipping up stories about all the latest happenings in the gaming world, as well as penning the odd feature and review. Before coming to TechRadar, he wrote freelance for various sites, including Clash, The Telegraph, and Gamesindustry.biz, and worked as a Staff Writer at Wargamer. Strategy games and RPGs are his bread and butter, but he’ll eat anything that spins a captivating narrative. He also loves tabletop games, and will happily chew your ear off about TTRPGs and board games.
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