The highly anticipated Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition has finally been revealed, and FromSoftware fans have every reason to be excited. As a refined version of the base game, it brings a suite of improvements, fresh content, and deeper character-building options that breathe new life into the Lands Between. Here’s a closer look at the most important additions, especially the new classes and gameplay enhancements that could redefine your next playthrough.

New Starting Classes: Expanding the Tarnished Legacy

The Tarnished Edition introduces three new starting classes that diversify the early-game experience and open up alternative builds for veterans and newcomers alike.

1. Spiritbound Monk
This hybrid class blends melee martial arts with spirit summons. Unlike traditional summoners, the Spiritbound Monk can temporarily embody spirits to perform powerful spectral strikes. It's ideal for players who want mobility, flair, and versatility without committing fully to magic or brute force.

2. Ashen Blade
Focused on aggressive burst damage and counterplay, the Ashen Blade relies on Ashes of War to maximize damage output. Starting with unique, weapon-bound ashes, this class rewards skillful timing and punishes hesitation. It's a perfect pick for PvP enthusiasts and boss rushers.

3. Hollow Seer
A faith-intelligence caster hybrid that taps into the darker side of the Erdtree's lore. The Hollow Seer introduces new incantations that cause status effects like madness and decay. This class suits players who enjoy lore-rich spellcasting and status manipulation.

Enhanced Mechanics and Quality of Life Updates

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition doesn't stop at just classes—it delivers several backend and UI improvements that refine the overall experience.

Updated Crafting System
Crafting now includes item presets and auto-gathering for low-tier materials. This makes preparation for tough encounters faster and less tedious, especially in late-game areas like the Consecrated Snowfield or Mohgwyn Palace.

New Weapon Infusions
Weapon customization has seen a significant overhaul. Infusions now scale with multiple stats by default, allowing more build diversity. The system also introduces “Dual Nature” infusions, enabling weapons to apply two status effects simultaneously—for example, bleed and frost.

Improved Summon AI
Spirit Ashes have been fine-tuned. NPC summons now react more intelligently to boss patterns and environmental hazards, making them more reliable allies in drawn-out fights like against Malenia or Radagon.

Open World Tweaks and Hidden Content

Several regions in the Tarnished Edition have undergone subtle layout changes, offering fresh incentives to revisit old haunts.

• Stormveil Castle now has an alternate entrance route unlocked through specific quest completion.

• Caelid features a new underground section connected to the Sellia Crystal Tunnel.

• A secret mini-dungeon, “The Sunken Reliquary,” has been added beneath the Haligtree, offering rare loot and lore-heavy content tied to the Nox civilization.

The Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition feels like a thoughtful evolution rather than a complete overhaul. The new classes enrich the RPG layer without alienating players who’ve invested hundreds of hours. Meanwhile, gameplay refinements smooth out some long-standing frustrations while preserving the series' signature challenge and discovery.

Whether you're returning for a fresh NG+ run or diving in for the first time, this version offers plenty of reasons to get lost once again in the Lands Between. Just don’t forget to rest at those grace points—new horrors await, and they’re smarter than ever.