Shadow of the Erdtree is finally upon Elden Ring fans after its extended development cycle, and it looks like the largest FromSoftware DLC yet. This expansion is adding even more to the already-massive open world of Elden Ring, and fans have been looking forward to it for almost every reason imaginable. From new weapons and enemies to answers regarding the game’s lingering lore questions, Shadow of the Erdtree is offering something to every corner of its fanbase. As long as players can beat Starscourge Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood , all of this extra value will be at their fingertips.

FromSoftware titles have built a reputation for their stellar DLC offerings, and Shadow of the Erdtree should be more of the same, even if that just amounts to being more Elden Ring. As this game represents the current zenith of FromSoftware's Soulsborne formula merged with open world design, simply providing more of itself will be plenty. With that said, some fans have more specific requests for the DLC. Ideas like an altered tailoring system, covenants, expansions to some existing storylines, and other features feel like long shots in the face of what's been shown so far, but one involving the player’s mount Torrent sadly seems to have missed its shot already.

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What Shadow of the Erdtree Has Done With Torrent

Right from the outset of exploring Limgrave , players meet Melina and are gifted with the spirit horse Torrent to sprint and double-jump across the Lands Between. While the spectral steed isn't available in dungeons, Torrent makes crossing Elden Ring’s open world a breeze, and can help further if a Spiritspring is available. Shadow of the Erdtree gives these vertical shortcuts a bit more nuance, as some will need to be unlocked through brief environmental puzzles, but otherwise there doesn't look to be much change to how players use Torrent.

Torrent’s New Mechanic In Shadow of the Erdtree

That is, for the most part. An advertised part of Elden Ring’s DLC has been its alternate leveling system, described as similar to Sekiro’s in how it powers up players’ attack and defense within the DLC’s region. Previews have revealed that the items required to do so are hidden everywhere, and there are other versions specifically made to empower Elden Ring's Spirit Ashes, including, to players’ surprise, Torrent. Unfortunately, Torrent only receives more health within Shadow of the Erdtree’s boundaries, and any further customization or abilities for the player’s mount remains a distant dream.

An Elden Ring Successor Has Lots of Room To Improve Torrent

Shadow of the Erdtree doing the bare minimum to keep Torrent relevant is disheartening news, especially since players have been coming up with new ways to use or cosmetically alter the steed since before Elden Ring launched. In general, mounted gameplay in Elden Ring has been a letdown, and it seems like the task of improving it has been left to the next FromSoftware game that includes a mount. Whether that means an Elden Ring sequel will have to iterate on mounts or a different IP gives them a shot, there's too much potential here to leave Soulsborne mounts as is.

How A New FromSoftware Title Could Improve Elden Ring’s Mounts

Plenty of improvements to Torrent have already been proposed and even implemented in mods, especially swapping its model out for cosmetically-different mounts. Some degree of visual customization would be appreciated, but what FromSoftware's mounts could really use is more gameplay customization and mechanical presence. Equipment governing multiple stats is a start, and letting Torrent or its equivalent use their own versions of Elden Ring's Ash of War special attacks could give mounted combat much greater value. Something good can be made out of Torrent's gameplay, but it will fall to Elden Ring’s successor to see its iteration through.