The network test for Elden Ring was an illuminating experience for much of the FromSoftware community. Even those that did not get the chance to experience it were able to glean a lot of information from the footage it produced. Players now have a better understanding of what Elden Ring's mechanics are, and how they will factor into navigating the Lands Between. Riding out into the world to best enemies and find empowering treasure seems to be an important part of Elden Ring's core gameplay, especially considering how much of a fight the first Legacy Dungeon puts up.
Alongside navigation and combat mechanics, Souls fans also got a look at Elden Ring's character creation. Five classes were available in the network test, and players could design their own character to slot into any one of them. These classes came with different starting stats, but also some of the most distinct abilities and equipment a FromSoftware character generator has seen. Every class will immediately play in a unique way before the player finds more tools to customize them. There are a few notable classes from this set, including the powerful Prophet and the stylish Bloody Wolf, but one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is the versatile Enchanted Knight.
Playing The Enchanted Knight Offers a Flexible Experience
In a Dark Souls game, classes are typically just suggestions and starting points, giving players the freedom to build in any direction later. They do often come with unique starting advantages, but there's nothing that another class can't come upon eventually. Due to how weapon skills work in Elden Ring, the five classes in the network test feel particularly distinct, each starting with their own equipment, special skills, and sometimes magic. The Enchanted Knight gets great picks from all three of these, and is the only class able to cast Sorceries until a special shopkeeper opens up midway through Stormveil Castle. Because of this, an Enchanted Knight does not fight like the other classes.
The Enchanted Knight is a talented mage to be sure, but it's also a formally trained knight. It starts with a spear and shield, as well as a staff for spell casting. These are not for decoration; the Enchanted Knight actually has the second highest Strength stat in the network test, hinting at its true purpose. It’s capable of wearing heavy equipment and wading into battle with as much ferocity as the other melee-focused classes. The knight also has the only shield in the network test that blocks 100% of all physical damage. Furthermore, the Carian Glintstone Shield is one of only a couple shields in the test to include its own unique weapon skill. It's called Sorcerer Hunter, and can be used to parry projectile spells back at their casters. The Enchanted Knight is equipped for offense and defense in a way no other class is.
The Enchanted Knight Brings a New Character Archetype to Elden Ring
This is a lot of tools to give one class right away. Even if the player never finds Sorceress Sellen to purchase more Sorceries, they are still able to run an effective Strength and Intelligence-based build just with the Ashes of War they find in their journey. Normally, Dark Souls titles demand for players to specialize in something, and their play style is dictated by that choice. Typically, that means that if a character wants to cast many spells, they need to build a dedicates spell loadout and disengage from melee to cast. Versatility is possible, but usually it's usually better to play and upgrade around one plan of attack, and players who intend to play a magical build should start at character creation.
This brings one of Elden Ring's most subtle changes to the Souls formula into the spotlight. For the first time in a modern FromSoftware game, a spellsword build using physical attacks, magical attacks, and strong defenses is viable. The Enchanted Knight’s starting spells are both fast, cheap, and effective, and they can fall back on heavy equipment in an instant. Ranged and up-close fighting are finally becoming equals, with Elden Ring’s long-range options having more mobility and casting being shorter than in past games.
Even though the Enchanted Knight as seen in the network test will probably not be available at the start of Elden Ring, there will likely still be a sorcerer starting class. It will be interesting to see if it is built in the same versatile way as the Enchanted Knight, or if that kind of power is reserved for players who find it themselves.
Elden Ring releases on February 25, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
