Listen up, fellow Tarnished! It's 2026, and I'm here to tell you that the seismic shockwave from the Shadow of the Erdtree launch didn't just bring a new realm to conquer—it fundamentally rewired the very soul of the base Elden Ring experience. FromSoftware, in a move as unexpected as finding a friendly Lobster in Liurnia, dropped the 1.12 update, and it felt like the game had just woken up from a long, beautiful slumber to reveal its true, radiant self. I booted up my game, and it was like slipping into a perfectly tailored suit of Lionel's armor; everything just fit better, smoother, more intuitive.

From Cluttered Chaos to Divine Order: The Inventory Revolution

Let's talk about the inventory, previously a labyrinth more confusing than the Lake of Rot. The new system? It's a revelation! Newly obtained items now flash with a glorious "!" mark, shining like a lost Grace site in a pitch-black cave. No more frantic scrolling after a boss fight wondering, "Did I get that talisman or not?" The "Recent Items" tab is a godsend, a personal chronicler of my loot-fueled adventures. Managing my arsenal went from feeling like herding Basilisks to conducting a symphony of destruction. This single change made the game feel less like an archaeological dig through my backpack and more like a true warrior preparing for battle.

The Summoning Pool System: A Legacy Forged in Co-op

Remember the tedium of hunting down every single Summoning Pool statue on each New Game Plus run? It felt like trying to collect every single butterfly in the Lands Between—a beautiful but ultimately maddening task. The 1.12 update has banished that grind to the past! Now, my activated Summoning Pools carry over into NG+. It’s as if my cooperative spirit has left an eternal, golden echo across the realms. Furthermore, the new Map Functions Menu lets me toggle them on or off individually. Planning a solo challenge run? Disable them all and embrace the silence. Want to bathe an area in co-op signs? Enable them with a click. This control is more satisfying than finally nailing the parry on Malenia's Waterfowl Dance.

Five New Hairstyles & The Power of Personalization

In a world of grotesque monsters and divine beings, sometimes a Tarnished just wants to look good while dying. The five new hairstyles are a wonderful touch. Using Rennala's Rebirth to try them all felt less like a magical reconstruction and more like a day at the finest salon in Leyndell. My character went from a standard warrior to a legend with a mane that flowed like the mist over the Mountaintops of the Giants. It’s a small thing, but in a game about building your own legend, every tool for self-expression is a treasure.

Spectral Steed Salvation & Quality-of-Life Galore

The update addressed one of the community's longest-standing wishes: you can now summon Torrent during the Elden Beast fight. Let me tell you, chasing that cosmic whale on foot was like trying to catch a Stormhawk on a pogo stick—profoundly undignified. Now, the battle feels epic and fluid, as it was always meant to. Other tweaks are just as sweet:

• Colosseum consumables are replenished after matches. No more painstaking crafting between duels!

• New PC settings for mouse and keyboard users add a layer of precision that makes spell-sniping feel like threading a needle with a Comet Azur.

• Arabic language support opens the gates to even more aspiring Elden Lords.

The Foundation for Shadow of the Erdtree

While these base game upgrades are phenomenal, they serve as the glittering antechamber to the colossal palace that is the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This update laid the technical groundwork, and having played it, I can say it was worth every second of server downtime. The DLC itself is a beast—a "sequel-sized" expansion that introduces:

• A haunting new narrative centered on Miquella.

• Eight entirely new weapon categories (the possibilities are endless!).

• Dozens of new enemies and around 40 potential bosses.

• A sprawling new realm that feels both fresh and deliciously familiar to Souls veterans.

The Verdict from a True Believer

Looking back from 2026, the 1.12 update was a masterstroke. It wasn't just a patch; it was a love letter to the players who had roamed the Lands Between for years. It polished an already brilliant gem to a mirror sheen, making the journey to (and through) the Shadow Realm seamless. FromSoftware proved that supporting a game goes beyond DLC—it's about nurturing the entire ecosystem. So, whether you're a veteran returning for the expansion or a new Tarnished just beginning your pilgrimage, you're stepping into the definitive version of a masterpiece. The Golden Order has never been this refined. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a new hairstyle to show off to Radahn's spectral remains. The Age of Quality-of-Life is upon us! 🙌