Elden Ring patch 1.17.1 closes Tarnished Pack item-duplication exploit

FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have released a hasty new Elden Ring patch to close a multiplayer loophole that let players obtain items from the game's Tarnished Pack DLC without paying for them. Patch 1.17.1 fixes the exploit, which allowed players to spawn copies of certain DLC items in multiplayer sessions and hand them to others who were not eligible to own them.

The Tarnished Pack launched on 27th August alongside an expanded Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2. It adds a couple of new starting classes, some new player equipment, and fresh cosmetic armour for Torrent, the player's horned steed. The pack marks two firsts for FromSoftware: it is the studio's first microtransaction pack, and its first horse armour, a category that drew widespread mockery when Bethesda sold it for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

The patch notes are terse. "This update fixes an issue in multiplayer where, under specific conditions, DLC-specific items could be obtained when not normally eligible," reads the official update. "No additional content is included. Thank you for your support, Tarnished."

The exploit drew glee on Reddit and elsewhere, since FromSoftware had previously resisted microtransactions, selling only full story-led expansions such as Shadow of the Erdtree. The studio's parent company has faced investor pressure over Elden Ring's commercial performance, with shareholders complaining that the game's success has not been milked hard enough financially.

The Rock Paper Shotgun report notes the irony of the situation: FromSoftware's lore writing dwells on the pedigree of ancient weapons and armour, making a paid pack of cosmetic trinkets feel out of step with the studio's usual approach. The outlet's editor expressed hope the pack is not the start of a trend toward nickel-and-diming in FromSoftware games.

What remains unclear is whether the duplication exploit was widespread before the patch, and whether FromSoftware will take action against players who used it. The patch description does not mention any bans or penalties, only the fix itself. The Tarnished Pack remains on sale, and the studio has not said whether the duplication bug affected its sales figures.