An Elden Ring enthusiast recently stumbled upon a side-splitting visual bug that contorts the Tarnished's face into a comically warped expression. This isn't some one-off, random occurrence either; the player found they could consistently reproduce the glitch by performing a specific combat animation, adding a whole new layer of 'goofy' to the high-stakes world of the Lands Between. Considering Elden Ring's status as one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles of the decade—having clinched Game of the Year back in 2022 and continuing to sell tens of millions of copies—it's fascinating to see these little, humorous imperfections still surface years later. While daily adventures in Hidetaka Miyazaki's masterpiece often lead players to deep appreciation of its lore and design, sometimes they lead straight to these bizarre, laugh-out-loud moments that are equal parts janky and hilarious.

The Glitch in Action: A Face Only a Tarnished Could Make

The glitch was showcased by a Reddit user under the handle XenoVerity, who shared a video clip demonstrating the issue. The sequence is quite specific:

1. The player executes a particular attacking move.

2. The Tarnished leaps into the air and slams down in a fiery explosion.

3. Upon getting back up, the character's face momentarily twists into a hilariously distorted mess before snapping back to normal.

The player tested it repeatedly, and like clockwork, the same silly facial animation followed the attack every single time. The community's reaction was priceless. Comments flooded in with jokes, comparing the Tarnished's scrunched-up visage to someone who had just bitten into a supremely sour lemon 😝. Another user perfectly captured the moment, quipping, "That's the concentration face for that move."

Why This Glitch is More Funny Than Game-Breaking

In a game known for its punishing difficulty, a glitch affecting the protagonist could be a major pain. However, this particular issue is remarkably harmless:

• Ultra-Short Duration: The distorted face lasts for barely a second.

• Camera Angle: Due to Elden Ring's third-person perspective, the Tarnished's back is usually facing the player during this attack animation. This means the glitch is often out of the player's direct line of sight, making it an easy-to-miss quirk rather than an immersion-breaking flaw.

• Community Vibe: Instead of frustration, the glitch sparked pure amusement. It's a testament to the game's community that they can find humor in these minor graphical hiccups.

Glitch Aspect	Details	Impact
Trigger	Executing a specific jumping slam attack	Consistent and reproducible
Effect	Tarnished's face becomes comically warped	Lasts less than a second
Visibility	Often hidden as character's back is to camera	Low impact on gameplay
Community Reaction	Widespread amusement and jokes	Positive, adds a layer of humor

Elden Ring's Legacy: Glitches, Expansions, and the Future

Fast forward to 2026, and Elden Ring's legacy is stronger than ever. FromSoftware certainly didn't rest on its laurels after the base game's release. The studio launched the monumental Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, which was met with overwhelmingly positive reception. While there's no official word on further story DLC, the stellar response to Shadow of the Erdtree makes it clear that the fanbase would be all in for more content if FromSoftware ever decides to expand the saga further.

Discoveries like this face glitch are a charming part of a game's long-term life. They show that even in a meticulously crafted world, there's room for unexpected, silly moments that become inside jokes for the community. It's these shared experiences—whether conquering a brutal boss or laughing at a temporarily derpy protagonist—that keep players returning to the Lands Between long after the initial journey is complete. In the grand scheme of things, a momentary funny face is just a small part of the game's rich, and sometimes wonderfully weird, tapestry 🎮.