Bandai Namco, the publisher behind FromSoftware’s beloved Soulslike, Elden Ring, has set fans ablaze with a single tweet aimed at struggling players. The recently released Shadow of the Erdtree expansion has proven to be a formidable challenge, even for seasoned Tarnished who have mastered the base game.
Amidst a sea of complaints about the expansion’s brutal difficulty, Bandai Namco US took to X with a straightforward, yet savage suggestion that has left the Elden Ring community reeling. The tweet, which quickly went viral, has sparked a heated debate among players about the true nature of the game’s difficulty and the importance of making use of the DLC’s new mechanics.
Elden Ring Publisher’s Tweet Sparks Heated Debate
The now-viral suggestion from Bandai Namco US is essentially one of those “stop complaining, git gud“-like tweets:
This is a suggestion to level up your Scadutree Blessing
— Bandai Namco US (@BandaiNamcoUS) June 22, 2024
This brief, straight-to-the-point piece of advice has elicited a wide range of emotions from the Elden Ring community. Some players have taken the tweet in stride, appreciating the publisher’s blunt approach to addressing the difficulty of the game’s first and final expansion.
Others, however, have expressed frustration at what they perceive to be a dismissive attitude towards their struggles:
The whole Scadutree blessing is stupid.
— Marc Foxx (@RealMarcFoxx) June 22, 2024
The tweet was also posted to the official r/EldenRing subreddit, where—as of writing—it has already racked up over 13K upvotes. The post has become a hotbed for discussion, with players sharing their thoughts on Bandai Namco’s callout.
One user humorously remarked on the company’s approach:
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byu/lotsaslotslover from discussion
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Another user offered a more measured perspective, highlighting a common issue in modern gaming culture:
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byu/lotsaslotslover from discussion
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This sentiment is shared by many true Elden Ring fans who believe that the game’s immersive world and intricate lore are meant to be savored, not rushed through in a frantic race to be the first to conquer its challenges.
In an age where instant gratification and speedrunning have become the norm, it’s refreshing to see a game like Elden Ring that rewards patience, exploration, and a willingness to engage with its mechanics on a deeper level.
The Key to Overcoming Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree Challenges
At the heart of the debate is the Scadutree Blessing, a new mechanic introduced in Shadow of the Erdtree. By using Scadutree Fragments (found throughout the new area) to effectively level up their Shadow Realm Blessing, players can significantly increase their damage dealt and damage negation. This blessing is essential for tackling the expansion’s incredibly challenging enemies and bosses, which boast massive health pools and hit like trucks.
The Scadutree Blessing’s impact on gameplay cannot be overstated, as it can quickly make the difference between victory and defeat in almost every new encounter. And Bandai Namco’s tweet serves as a blunt reminder to Elden Ring fans that while Shadow of the Erdtree is undeniably challenging, the tools to overcome its trials are readily available to players who take the time to explore and engage with the new mechanics.
Have you been struggling with Shadow of the Erdtree‘s punishing difficulty? If not, what is your current Scadutree Blessing Level? Feel free to share your experiences and strategies for tackling the DLC’s most brutal encounters with your fellow Tarnished in the comments below!
