Having had the opportunity to play a portion of Elden Ring’s expansion Shadow Of The Erdtree, I was particularly impressed by the standalone levelling system introduced. While I initially touched upon this aspect briefly in my preview, I believe it deserves a deeper dive to truly uncover its intricacies.
The Three Main Components
The standalone levelling system in Shadow Of The Erdtree revolves around three main elements: Crosses, Scadutree Fragments, and Revered Ash Blessings. Crosses serve as guiding lights scattered throughout The Land Of Shadow, leading players to new areas within the DLC. They are not to be confused with Graces but play a crucial role in directing players in the right direction.
Scadutree Fragments are the primary resource in this new levelling system, akin to flask shards or Golden Seeds in the base game. Upon finding these fragments at Crosses, players have the option to cash them in when resting at Graces. This results in a temporary stat boost, specific to the DLC areas only. Leaving the Land Of Shadow will cause players to lose this buff.
Revered Ash Blessings function similarly to Scadutree Fragments but provide buffs to summonable allies instead. These blessings can be obtained through various means, such as defeating tough minibosses or discovering rare loot in hard-to-reach places.
The Strategic Decision
The introduction of Scadutree Fragments raises an interesting question regarding player progression. While the buffs they offer may be essential for most players to strengthen their characters, the optional nature of redeeming Ash Blessings and Fragments opens up opportunities for those seeking a greater challenge.
Players who prefer a more challenging experience may choose to forgo these buffs, making the gameplay potentially more difficult. This strategic decision adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, catering to a wide range of player preferences. It will be interesting to see how this choice affects the overall difficulty as the expansion launches on June 21st.
The standalone levelling system in Shadow Of The Erdtree presents a unique twist on character progression in Elden Ring. With its emphasis on exploration, decision-making, and strategic choices, players are in for a compelling experience as they navigate the Land Of Shadow. As I continue to explore this new system further, I look forward to uncovering more hidden secrets and surprises that FromSoftware has in store for us.
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