Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree adds even more than just a new region, weapons, and gear to use. One of the lesser-known additions is a new status effect known as Eternal Sleep. While it is a new status effect, it has a lot of similarities to the original Sleep status effect depending on the enemy it is being used on.

Status effects are useful bonuses that are applied to enemies or the player whenever they are hit by a weapon or item that deals a status effect. These effects must first build-up, and will fully go into effect once the bar has been filled.

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Eternal Sleep Explained In Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Eternal Sleep functions exactly as its name implies, putting an enemy asleep forever. The effect is different based on the enemy affected, with basic enemies being put in an eternal sleep. Basic enemies will continue to stay asleep no matter how many times the player attacks them, making them simple kills to clean up.

There are a few ways to apply Eternal Sleep, with the most basic being to use the Velvet Sword of St. Trina. Using this weapon or a weapon coated with Eternal Sleep grease can take out basic enemies in only a few attacks, making fights shorter and longer Legacy Dungeons much more bearable. There is no cure for a basic enemy affected by eternal sleep, with the player resting at a Site of Grace being their only other option aside from death. It is highly recommended players utilize Eternal Sleep in their build however possible, as it makes basic enemies much easier to take care of, especially with the stronger enemies found in the DLC. Players can inflict Eternal Sleep using:

Does Eternal Sleep Work Against Bosses?

A Stonedigger Troll Asleep

Eternal Sleep doesn't put bosses into an eternal sleep, but can still put them into a regular Sleep. Despite dealing Eternal Sleep buildup, bosses will only sleep for a few seconds before waking up, and can also be woken up by dealing a critical hit. While this bonus isn't as powerful as it is against basic enemies, having a boss fall asleep is still great in giving the player time to heal up and prepare for another round of fighting.

Not all bosses fall asleep in the same way, as some have higher or lower resistances to sleep, which also applies to Eternal Sleep. Stronger elite enemies found around the world will also not fall into an eternal sleep, but this effect is still useful against any enemy. This effect can also be used in PVP but it will also act like the usual Sleep effect instead of putting the player asleep forever. Resistance to Eternal Sleep is the same as the resistance to the regular Sleep effect.

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Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Base Game
Elden Ring
Released
June 21, 2024
Developer(s)
FromSoftware
Publisher(s)
Bandai Namco Entertainment , FromSoftware