Greetings, fellow Tarnished! Welcome to our April roundup of all things Elden Ring, FromSoftware, and soul-crushing difficulty.
While you’ve been busy getting stomped by the same boss for the fifteenth time (we know, we’ve been there too), we’ve been scouring the Lands Between and beyond to bring you the freshest news, hottest mods, and most useful tips.
This month has been particularly exciting with the announcement of the Tarnished Edition, a revolutionary mod update that might just be worth reinstalling for, FromSoftware’s shocking Switch 2 exclusive that has us questioning our console loyalty, and a deep dive into one of the most underrated Ashes of War. We’ve also checked out Mandragora, a game that might just scratch that masochistic itch while you wait for more Elden Ring content.
So grab your flask, settle in by the nearest Site of Grace, and let’s dive into what April had to offer. Just don’t blame us when you find yourself buying a Switch 2 or reinstalling Elden Ring for the fifth time…
The Duskbloods: FromSoftware’s Switch 2 Exclusive Explained
Well, well, well… Miyazaki’s gone and done it again, Tarnished. FromSoftware dropped a bombshell with their Switch 2 exclusive that’s got us all questioning our console loyalty. The Duskbloods isn’t Bloodborne 2, but it might just be the vampiric steampunk fever dream we never knew we needed.
This gothic horror romp lets you dual-wield SMGs, transform into bestial forms, and jetpack across Victorian cityscapes. And get this—it’s actually a PvPvE multiplayer title supporting 8 players. Yep, Miyazaki’s finally embracing the chaos of multiplayer beyond those annoying red phantom invasions we all pretend to enjoy.
The Switch 2 exclusivity is raising eyebrows faster than a Melina plot twist. With no PS5/Xbox release planned, we’re all faced with that age-old gamer dilemma: buy another console or cry about it on Reddit?
Miyazaki’s recent interview revealed the game centers around “Bloodsworn” characters competing for “First Blood” during the “Twilight of Humanity.” You’ll choose from a dozen customizable characters, each with unique abilities and lore-heavy “blood history” customization.
Are you ready to betray your PlayStation for a taste of Miyazaki’s fresh blood? Or will you stubbornly wait for the inevitable PC port that may never come?
The Convergence Mod’s Revolutionary Update for Elden Ring
Think you’ve mastered the Lands Between? Think again, Tarnished. Convergence Mod 2.2 dropped, and it’s about to make your hard-earned muscle memory completely useless.
Three major zones have been utterly transformed—Miquella’s Haligtree is now a trap-filled parkour nightmare, Mohgwyn Palace forces you to kill Mohg to break Miquella’s Great Rune, and Farum Azula somehow got even more vertically terrifying (because we all needed more ways to fall to our deaths).
Boss fights? Rennala’s second phase will make you question your life choices with spell combinations from hell. Meanwhile, Godrick and Margit’s controversial health buffs have the community more divided than the Shattering itself.
Ready to die in creative new ways? Just don’t blame us when Mohg’s reworked bloodflame turns you into a crispy Tarnished for the fifteenth time.
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition – What’s New in the Lands Between?
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition – What’s New in the Lands Between?
Ready to dust off your trusty Tarnished gear and dive back into the Lands Between? We’ve got the scoop on Elden Ring’s latest offering, and it might just be the excuse you’ve been waiting for to get stomped by Tree Sentinel for the hundredth time.
The Tarnished Edition started as a Switch 2 announcement, but don’t fret, fellow maidenless wanderers—this DLC goodness is coming to all platforms. Remember how we collectively lost our minds over Lucatiel in Dark Souls II? Well, her iconic armor set is making a comeback, tricorn hat and all, complete with that Mirror Greatsword that carried so many of us through tough boss fights. And for those who still get misty-eyed thinking about Anri and Horace’s questline (no, you’re crying), their armor sets are joining the party too.
Apparently, we’re getting a total of four new armor sets, which… let’s be honest, feels a bit stingy when we already have 107 sets to fashion-souls with. But hey, who among us hasn’t changed outfits mid-dungeon just to look fabulous while getting obliterated by a random dog enemy?
Perhaps most exciting is the Torrent customization. You can finally give your spectral steed the glow-up it deserves with cosmetic options including red-bannered saddles.
The real question is: how many times will you die trying to get these new armor sets?
A Discworld Inspired Guide to Ashes of War: Braggart’s Roar
Ever wondered what happens when you combine the subtle art of screaming your head off with the elegant practice of stabbing things? We’ve been testing Braggart’s Roar, the Ash of War that turns your weapon into a portable karaoke machine of doom.
You can pry this Ash from Blackguard Big Boggart’s cold, dead hands (either by making them cold and dead yourself or letting the Dung Eater handle the dirty work—we won’t judge). It works on most melee weapons, though daggers and whips are apparently too dignified for shouting matches.
What does it do? For a mere 16 FP, you’ll bellow like you’ve just stepped on a Lego, sending enemies tumbling while boosting your attack power by 10%, defense by 10%, and stamina recovery by 20% for a full minute. It’s essentially winning an argument and getting a free energy drink at the same time.
The conical shockwave works wonders on groups of enemies, turning Godrick Soldiers into bowling pins and making dogs reconsider their life choices. Combine it with the Roar Medallion and Axe Talisman, and you’ll be screaming with the power of a thousand patch notes.
Is it worth using? At 8.5/10 Librarian Ooks, you bet your Tarnished behind it is. Besides, when has screaming loudly before violence ever failed anyone?
Mandragora – A Love Letter to Soulslike Fans
Ready to trade those Tarnished rags for a new flavor of punishment? We’ve been knee-deep in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, and let us tell you—this game hugs your inner masochist with spiky gauntlets in all the right ways.
You play as an Inquisitor hunting witches in Faelduum, a land where humanity hides behind walls while “Entropy” spews monsters everywhere. The story’s deliciously cryptic, leaving you to piece together lore from environmental clues and NPCs who speak exclusively in riddles.
The hand-painted visuals? Absolutely stunning. You’ll find yourself stopping mid-boss run just to admire some creepy glowing mushroom. Combat is that familiar Soulslike dance of pain—methodical, punishing, and infuriatingly fair. Every greedy swing gets punished faster than you can say “respawn.”
Six distinct classes let you customize your suffering, from the tanky Rootbound Knight to the glass-cannon Hex Scholar. The world design borrows Metroidvania’s greatest hits, with shortcuts that feel like personal victories and locked doors that feel like personal insults.
Is it hard? Larry the teleporting scarecrow boss would like a word. But that sweet, sweet dopamine hit when you finally win… worth every controller-shaped dent in your wall.
That wraps up our April digest, Tarnished! What caught your eye this month? Are you excited about the Tarnished Edition’s nostalgic armor sets, or are you already planning your build for Convergence 2.2? Let us know in the comments below.
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