FromSoftware has released Elden Ring patch 1.17, one of the game’s most extensive updates in years, ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch of Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition. The update chiefly strengthens a range of weapons, shields and parry mechanics, while making a smaller number of balance reductions and bug fixes; it may be among the final major patches for the four-year-old game.

Buffs include higher attack power for several perfume bottles, stronger and less stamina-intensive thrown attacks for selected weapons, and improved guard boost for numerous shields. Parries have been made more effective, while Gravitational Missile no longer explodes on terrain impact and Great Katana users take more damage when struck during attacks; the patch is available now on PC, PlayStation and Xbox, with Tarnished Edition and the Tarnished Pack DLC due on 28 August.