Elden Ring DLC: How To Master Five Little-Known Mechanics That Can Boost Your Game

Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s magnum opus, is a game of vast exploration, intricate lore, and challenging mechanics that rewards players for their curiosity and perseverance. While the game's world is meticulously crafted with a deep narrative and a sense of mystery, it doesn’t offer a step-by-step tutorial on how to master every combat mechanic or feature. The  Elden Ring Runes beauty of Elden Ring lies in its freedom, but this can also leave players oblivious to certain mechanics that, once discovered, can significantly improve gameplay, whether in solo campaigns or competitive PvP encounters.

As the game expands with downloadable content (DLC) that continues to expand the experience, players may find themselves stumbling upon hidden mechanics that were previously overlooked. Understanding these lesser-known systems can make a huge difference in how efficiently you navigate the world of the Lands Between, especially when facing tougher foes, bosses, or other players in PvP. In this article, we will explore five obscure mechanics that can drastically improve your combat prowess: Buff Stacking, Counter Attacking, Feinting, Hyper Armor, and I-Frames.

1. Buff Stacking: Maximize Your Strength
Buffs are an essential part of Elden Ring, but many players are unaware of how certain buffs can interact with each other. Buff stacking refers to the ability to combine multiple buffs to enhance your combat effectiveness. While the game doesn’t explicitly explain which buffs can stack, understanding the system can help you tailor your character's build for maximum efficiency.

There are five distinct types of buffs in Elden Ring: aura, body, weapon, regeneration, and unique buffs. Here’s the important part—each of these categories has its own rules about stacking:

Aura buffs (such as the "Flame, Grant Me Strength") generally only allow one at a time. This means you cannot stack multiple aura buffs to enhance their effects, but you can benefit from different types of buffs simultaneously.
Body buffs (like “Golden Vow”) can also only be active one at a time. However, the regeneration buffs (such as “Blessed” or “Radiant”) often work in conjunction with other categories without causing issues.
Weapon buffs (such as “Magic Weapon” or “Darkmoon Blade”) can stack with most other buffs, allowing for impressive damage output if combined correctly.
Regeneration buffs (such as “Flame, Cleanse Me”) are unique in that they do not generally interfere with other buffs, so you can have both regeneration and damage-enhancing buffs active at once.
Unique buffs (such as “The Prince of Death’s Cyst”) can stack on top of most other buffs without restrictions, making them powerful in the right build.
The key takeaway here is that only certain buffs can stack in conjunction with each other, so experimenting with different combinations can drastically increase your efficiency in combat. By choosing the right buffs, such as a weapon buff for damage and an aura buff for defense or power, you can effectively reduce the challenge of the game and keep your character in peak form during difficult encounters.

2. Counter Attacking: Amplify Your Damage Output
Counter-attacking is another powerful, but often misunderstood, mechanic in Elden Ring. While players are generally aware that guarding and parrying can trigger counter-attacks, the game doesn’t go into much detail about how you can intentionally trigger them to increase damage output. In fact, certain weapons, talismans, and positioning can make counter-attacking a devastating strategy.

To execute a successful counter-attack, there are a few key conditions:

Weapon Type: Only weapons that deal piercing damage are capable of triggering a counter-attack. This means spears, rapiers, and certain thrusting swords are ideal for this playstyle.

Attack Animation: To land a counter-attack, you must strike while your opponent is in the middle of their attack animation. This requires precise timing but can result in a much more powerful hit compared to regular attacks.

Talismans: The Spear Talisman, for instance, can increase the damage of your counter-attacks by up to 45%. This is particularly useful when you combine it with a piercing weapon for sustained, high-damage bursts.

By mastering the art of counter-attacking, you can interrupt enemy strikes, deal massive damage, and outmaneuver opponents more effectively. It’s a useful tactic, especially when facing large bosses or human players in PvP.

3. Feinting: Deceive and Destroy
Feinting is an underused technique in Elden Ring, but it can provide a significant advantage, especially in PvP scenarios. Feints allow you to mimic an attack animation, only to cancel it at the last moment and perform a different action. This can confuse your opponent and open them up for a devastating strike.

Feinting is executed by initiating an attack and then quickly canceling it, usually by rolling or switching to a different attack. The key to feinting effectively lies in timing; you want to make your opponent believe you’re about to strike, only to deceive them with an unexpected change in tactics. For instance, you might fake a heavy weapon swing, baiting an opponent into blocking or dodging, only to follow up with a quick light attack or a ranged weapon strike.

In PvP, feinting can completely throw off the rhythm of your opponent, especially if they are expecting a predictable attack pattern. In boss fights, it can create openings by forcing enemies to react too soon, allowing you to exploit their vulnerabilities. Mastering this technique will require practice and patience, but it can be incredibly effective once you have a feel for it.

4. Hyper Armor: Withstand More Damage
Hyper Armor is a mechanic that allows players to continue their attacks despite being hit by an enemy. This makes certain attacks or weapon types particularly effective in high-stress combat scenarios. Understanding Hyper Armor and how to apply it can give you an edge when facing overwhelming odds.

Hyper Armor works by providing you with additional poise during specific actions, like performing charged attacks or using certain weapon skills. For example, heavier weapons tend to provide more Hyper Armor, allowing players to complete their attacks even if they’re hit by an enemy. However, smaller weapons may only have Hyper Armor during specific animations, like a charged R2 or a power attack.

The key to exploiting Hyper Armor is to find weapons or attacks that provide this feature and use them strategically. If you know an enemy is about to strike, you can start a charged attack and absorb their hit while still delivering your own, which can disrupt their offense and deal significant damage. Larger weapons, such as Greatswords or Colossal weapons, are ideal for this playstyle because they come with more inherent Hyper Armor, allowing players to tank hits while keeping the pressure on.

5. I-Frames: Master the Art of Dodging
I-Frames, or invincibility frames, are a core mechanic in Elden Ring that allows players to avoid damage while performing a dodge roll. This mechanic is crucial for surviving intense boss battles or PvP duels, where the timing of your dodges can mean the difference between life and death.

I-Frames are most commonly associated with dodging, but they also apply to other actions that momentarily render your character invulnerable. For example, mounting and dismounting from Torrent grants you a brief period of invincibility, allowing you to avoid damage while repositioning. Additionally, certain Ashes of War skills also grant I-Frames during their execution. Skills like Quickstep, Bloodhound’s Step, and Raptor of the Mists provide enhanced I-Frames, allowing you to move through attacks with precision.

Another consideration is the weight of your armor. Fast rolls provide more I-Frames, making them essential for quick and efficient dodging. Medium rolls offer a balance between defense and I-Frame duration, while heavy rolls have fewer I-Frames and are less effective for avoiding attacks.

By strategically using I-Frames, you can avoid powerful enemy strikes and position yourself for counterattacks, making you far more agile and effective in combat.

Conclusion: Unlocking the Depths of Elden Ring
Elden Ring is a game built on subtlety, depth, and discovery. While many of its mechanics are hidden beneath layers of ambiguity, understanding the nuances of these systems can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Buff stacking, counter-attacking, feinting, Hyper Armor, and I-Frames are just a few examples of the game’s hidden depth, and mastering these can give you an edge against even the toughest challenges.

By experimenting with different combinations of these mechanics, you can discover new strategies and refine your combat style, making your journey through the Lands Between even more rewarding. Whether you’re exploring the vast world solo or taking on other players in PvP, these obscure mechanics can elevate your game and help you navigate the intricate and cheap Elden Ring Items ever-challenging world of Elden Ring.