FromSoftware’s first experiment with, of all things, horse armor DLC runs awry, as Elden Ring players manage to spawn free duplicate items in multiplayer
FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have patched Elden Ring to close an exploit that allowed players to obtain items from the new Tarnished Pack DLC without purchasing it. The DLC, which launched on August 27th, marked FromSoftware’s first venture into cosmetic DLC monetization, featuring new starting classes, player equipment, and cosmetic armor sets for Torrent, the player’s companion horse.
The exploit enabled multiplayer users to spawn duplicate items freely, undermining the commercial intent of the paid content. FromSoftware responded quickly with a patch to eliminate the loophole. The Tarnished Pack launched alongside a special Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition, expanding the base game’s offering with premium cosmetic options.
The development is notable as it represents FromSoftware’s first meaningful experiment with paid cosmetic DLC—a common practice in modern gaming that has historically drawn player skepticism. The reference to horse armor is particularly significant given the contentious history of cosmetic horse armor in Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series, which became emblematic of perceived excessive monetization in the industry.
The swift patching demonstrates FromSoftware’s commitment to protecting paid content integrity, though the initial exploit highlights the challenges developers face in securing multiplayer systems against unintended duplication mechanics.