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Elden Ring Patch 1.12: Shadow of the Erdtree & All QoL Changes

Last Updated: October 20, 2025

Gameplay screenshot showing the Elden Ring logo with Shadow of the Erdtree expansion title, accompanied by a character riding Torrent through the Lands Between.

The long-awaited update accompanying Elden Ring's monumental Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has officially launched, introducing a massive wave of new features and crucial quality-of-life enhancements for players on all platforms. The free Patch 1.12, released in tandem with the paid DLC, is one of the most significant updates the game has received, overhauling core systems, adding new content for all players, and laying the groundwork for the journey into the Land of Shadow. Tarnished everywhere can now dive back into the Lands Between to discover a vastly improved and expanded experience.

The release of Patch 1.12 and Shadow of the Erdtree marks a pivotal moment for the celebrated action RPG, injecting immense new vitality into its sprawling world. The update delivers on FromSoftware's promise of continued support, offering both groundbreaking new challenges within the DLC and a more streamlined, user-friendly base game.

Entering the Land of Shadow: DLC and New Content

The headline feature of this update period is, without question, the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Patch 1.12 adds the necessary support for players to access this massive new world, which features its own map, dungeons, terrifying bosses, and a wealth of new weapons, armor, and spells. While the expansion itself is a separate purchase, the patch ensures seamless integration for those who take the plunge into Miquella's mysterious domain.

Beyond DLC support, the patch also gifts all players five brand-new hairstyles. These new cosmetic options are available in the character creator and at the Clouded Mirror Stand in the Roundtable Hold, allowing every Tarnished to freshen up their look for their ongoing adventures.

A Sweeping Overhaul of Quality of Life

While the expansion offers a new world to explore, the free QoL changes in Patch 1.12 have arguably had the most universal impact on the player base. These thoughtful improvements address long-standing community feedback and refine the core gameplay experience.

One of the most celebrated changes is the ability to summon the spectral steed, Torrent, during the final boss battle against the Elden Beast. This fundamental shift in strategy makes the challenging encounter more dynamic and manageable, allowing players to close the distance on the massive foe with greater speed.

Inventory management has also received a crucial upgrade. Newly acquired items are now marked with an exclamation point ("!") in the inventory screen, making it vastly easier to track recent loot. Furthermore, a new "Recent Items" tab has been added to the menu, providing a dedicated space to view and manage your latest acquisitions without searching through your entire collection.

Multiplayer and exploration mechanics have been refined with significant updates to Summoning Pools. Active Summoning Pools will now carry over into a New Game+ playthrough, saving players the trouble of reactivating them all. Additionally, players can now enable or disable individual Summoning Pools directly from the map menu, offering granular control over cooperative play.

FromSoftware's Continued Commitment and Evolution

The release of such a substantial free patch alongside a major paid expansion underscores FromSoftware's deep commitment to the Elden Ring community. Rather than simply launching the DLC, the studio took the opportunity to implement widespread improvements that benefit every single player, demonstrating a dedication to refining and perfecting the game long after its initial release.

Subsequent minor patches have continued this trend, offering targeted balance adjustments for PvP and even fine-tuning the difficulty of bosses within the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion based on player data and feedback. This ongoing support cycle proves the studio is actively listening and dedicated to maintaining a fair and engaging experience for its global audience.

The Reinvigorated Journey Through the Lands Between

The cumulative effect of Patch 1.12 and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has been to profoundly reinvigorate the Elden Ring experience. For veteran players, the new land offers dozens of hours of fresh, challenging content, while the QoL changes make subsequent playthroughs smoother than ever. For new or returning players, these enhancements make the daunting journey more approachable and rewarding.

FromSoftware's continued investment has cemented Elden Ring's legacy not as a static masterpiece, but as a living, evolving world. The thoughtful updates ensure that both the familiar Lands Between and the new Land of Shadow will be filled with Tarnished, new and old, seeking to become Elden Lord for years to come.