While we all sit on the edges of our seats anticipating the release of Elden Ring’s upcoming Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, there’s one new feature stirring up quite a bit of excitement within the community, with it potentially poised to drastically change the game’s combat landscape. This is not just another chapter for those who love FromSoftware’s detailed worlds – it’s a whole different ballgame.
In line with something of a tradition with FromSoftware DLCs, Shadow of the Erdtree offers fresh weapons, additional player progression, powerful bosses, and new story layers. Among all the new content in Elden Ring, there’s one feature that grabs good attention: the introduction of a perfect block mechanic. It’s similar to the deflect systems you might have seen in games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Lies of P, and it can greatly turn the tides on the battlefields.
New Defensive Feature: The Perfect Block
As shared in a recent video preview by YouTuber VaatiVidya, the DLC will feature one special Crystal Tear for the Flask of Wondrous Physick. This Tear is your source to better learn how to nail the perfect block. Although the specific way in which this Crystal Tear works is vague enough, the potential implications are mouth-watering. Imagine blocking an onslaught without the usual stamina drain or removing the chip from the element barrages. This potential shift would be a game-changer for the defense-minded, possibly pushing techniques more heavily upon shields and away from the traditional combat ballet of timing and dodging.
For many, this new mechanic is a major improvement, which can feel clunky when pitted against faster, more relentless enemies. Take Malenia, whose fast slashes and dreaded Waterfowl Dance have haunted players. She sounds more like an enemy freshly hinted straight from Sekiro, all deflect and parry. By using Crystal Tear, these hyper-fast bullet barrages might prove to be a manageable, fair challenge for players instead of ones requiring literal frame-perfect dodges.
After the Bellwether: Realistic Downsides
But of course, there is a caution tale to be told as well. Something that went around the community is that perfect blocking is gated or tied directly to a Crystal Tear. As such, it’s probably a temporary buff and nowhere near a permanent gameplay feature. That could put perfect blocking in a more niche category, potentially turning a once-powerful tool in your kit, into a hail mary throw reserved for the most difficult of fights.
However, because the Flask of Wondrous Physick has been reduced to only two buff slots, players have a difficult decision on their hands. Others, however…well, they just might want to go with the perfect blocking or other different offensive buffs depending on strategic value. Since Elden Ring’s buff system is fairly competitive, the perfect block may not be dislodging the long-time king of dodging any time soon.
Transformative, But At What Cost?
Perfect blocking isn’t a new desire among the Elden Ring community. It’s been so sought after that a popular mod, “Elden Ring Reforged,” integrates it fully into the game. Its official introduction in Shadow of the Erdtree is a nod to community feedback, showing FromSoftware’s responsiveness to player input.
As transformative as it could be, the temporary nature of the Crystal Tear might limit its appeal. Will it become an essential part of the Elden Ring, or will it be just another interesting but underused feature? Only time—and gameplay—will tell. Until then, we can only speculate and prepare for the strategies it might unlock, all while dreaming about the new challenges that await in the mysterious realms of the Erdtree.
