Tarnished Edition
Exclusive Content & What's New
Last updated: August 11, 2026
Tarnished Edition is more than a port — it's the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and a bundle of new content built for the Switch 2. Here's exactly what's been officially confirmed, and what carries over unchanged.
Confirmed: What's in the Box
| Content | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base game — Elden Ring | ✅ Included | The full Lands Between experience |
| Shadow of the Erdtree expansion | ✅ Included | The 2024 DLC, bundled in its entirety |
| Two new starting classes | ✅ Confirmed | Heavy Knight & Idus Knight (see below) |
| Four new armor sets | ✅ Confirmed | One pays tribute to Dark Souls II's Lucatiel of Mirrah |
| Three Torrent skins | ✅ Confirmed | Cosmetic looks for your spectral steed |
| Physical edition = Game-Key Card | ✅ Confirmed | Cartridge is a license key; full game downloads (~64GB) |
The Two New Starting Classes
These are the headline additions — and they're also sold separately as the Tarnished Pack on other platforms the same day. Both were designed with first-time players in mind.
Heavy Knight & Idus Knight
- Heavy Knight — A Strength-focused tank in bulky steel armor with an oversized scimitar. High defense and poise; the most forgiving pick for someone learning the game.
- Idus Knight — A Dexterity-focused skirmisher "of the land of Idus," in lightweight gear. Faster and more mobile, rewarding players who learn to read enemy patterns.
Full stat breakdowns and picks are on our classes guide.
Four New Armor Sets & Torrent Cosmetics
Beyond the classes, Tarnished Edition adds four new armor sets and three cosmetic skins for Torrent. FromSoftware has confirmed the set count and shown teaser imagery, but has not yet named all four. What we can say with confidence:
- One set is a direct tribute to Lucatiel of Mirrah from Dark Souls II — a nod to the shared FromSoftware universe.
- The other three follow different styles shown in official teasers (armored knights and agile duelists among them).
- Two of the four sets are tied to the new classes; the other two are found during the adventure.
- The Torrent skins are cosmetic only — one shown with a dark, tattered "Night's Cavalry" look.
Switch 2 Hardware Features
The Switch 2 itself brings capabilities the original Switch lacked. How much Tarnished Edition uses them is up to the port, but the hardware is there:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Storage & load times | 256GB UFS internal storage — much faster than the HDD-based PS4 / Xbox One, so area loads should be quick |
| Display | 7.9" 1080p LCD with HDR10 and VRR up to 120Hz, handheld or docked |
| Memory | 12GB LPDDR5X for smooth texture streaming |
| Up to 4K docked | The dock can output 4K via DLSS upscaling |
What Hasn't Changed
- The core loop — Explore, fight, die, learn, progress. Still fair, still demanding.
- The world — The Lands Between is the same map, shortcuts, and hidden paths.
- The story & endings — Same narrative. FromSoftware hasn't announced new endings for this edition.
- The difficulty — Not lowered. New content may even add challenge, not remove it.
- Multiplayer structure — Co-op, invasions, and summoning work as before.
Should You Play the Original First?
No need. Tarnished Edition is a complete package: base game, Shadow of the Erdtree, and the new content. Playing the 2022 original first only means playing a version without the quality-of-life improvements and the extra content. If you've never touched Elden Ring, this is the definitive way to start — especially portable on Switch 2.
Tarnished Edition vs Buying Separately
For a newcomer the value is straightforward. On Switch 2, Tarnished Edition is one $79.99 purchase that includes the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree. On PlayStation, Xbox, or PC those are sold separately — and the expansion alone typically runs around $40. So the Switch 2 bundle is the cleaner deal: one price, everything included, and portable.
| Switch 2 (Tarnished Edition) | Other platforms | |
|---|---|---|
| Base game | ✅ Included | Buy separately |
| Shadow of the Erdtree | ✅ Included | Buy separately (~$40) |
| New classes / armor / Torrent skins | ✅ Included | Tarnished Pack (€4.99) |
| Play portable | ✅ Yes | No (unless a handheld PC) |
For Returning Players
Already finished Elden Ring elsewhere? The new content is the draw. On your current platform, the Tarnished Pack (€4.99) adds the two classes, four armor sets, and Torrent skins to your existing save — no rebuy needed. If you specifically want portable play, the Switch 2 edition is the only way to get it. Either way you keep your progress and just gain the new toys.