Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Guide: What's New and Which Version to Buy

TL;DR

1. Tarnished Edition is a Switch 2 bundle, out August 28, 2026. It packs the base game plus Shadow of the Erdtree plus a set of brand-new extras — the way to play Elden Ring on Nintendo hardware.
2. Already own the game on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC? You do not rebuy. The same new content arrives as the paid Tarnished Pack DLC, released the same day on all platforms alongside the free Patch 1.17.
3. The new content is classes, gear, and cosmetics — not new areas or bosses. Two starting classes, armor sets, Torrent appearance customization, and new weapons. No official source announces new legacy areas, so treat any "hidden new map" video as unverified.

Which version fits you

Curated picks

1. ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition — official page (Bandai Namco EU)

The canonical product page: what the edition contains and which platform it targets. Start here if you are deciding whether this is a new game, a port, or a bundle — it is a bundle with extras. Open the official page.

2. Patch Notes 1.17 — Bandai Namco (official)

The primary source for what changed on August 28, 2026: Tarnished Pack support plus gameplay balance adjustments across PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Read this before trusting any patch-summary video. Read the patch notes.

3. How to get the new classes, weapons, and Torrent skins — Bandai Namco EU (official guide)

Bandai's own explainer for existing players: the Switch 2 extras can be bought separately, with the steps to unlock the new starting classes and customize Torrent. The shortest path from "I own the game" to "I have the new stuff". Read the official how-to.

4. All new item locations in the Tarnished Pack DLC — Eurogamer

A practical walkthrough of every new item and armor piece added on all platforms, with locations. Open this after installing the pack, not before — most entries only make sense once the DLC content is in your game. Open the item guide.

5. Version 1.17 patch notes breakdown — Game8

A structured recap of the 1.17 update with balance-adjustment detail the official notes list tersely. Useful if you want the numbers behind the patch without parsing the raw notes yourself. Read the breakdown.

Playnesta Verdict

New to Elden Ring with a Switch 2: buy Tarnished Edition once and you are done — game, expansion, and extras. Playing elsewhere already: grab the Tarnished Pack only if new starting classes and Torrent customization appeal to you; the free 1.17 patch keeps everyone current. And if a thumbnail promises a secret new continent: no official source backs it, so keep your runes.

Confirmed facts

FAQ

Do I need to rebuy Elden Ring for the new content?

No — unless you are moving to Switch 2. On PlayStation, Xbox, and PC the new classes and cosmetics come through the Tarnished Pack DLC, not a repurchase.

Does the Tarnished Pack add a new map or bosses?

No official source says so. The announced additions are classes, armor, weapons, and Torrent customization on top of the existing game plus Erdtree.

Is Shadow of the Erdtree required for the new content?

The Tarnished Pack is separate from the expansion: Switch 2 buyers get both in the bundle, while other platforms buy the pack on its own. Check the store listing for your platform before paying.