2026 is going to be a pivotal year for Elden Ring and FromSoftware fans, with major developments on the horizon for the beloved open-world soulslike, including the highly anticipated Tarnished Edition, lingering updates for Elden Ring Nightreign, and cross-over teases with FromSoftware’s upcoming The Duskbloods. While official news has been sparse, a mix of verified leaks, developer rumors, and community insights paints a detailed picture of what’s to come for Elden Ring DLC and expansions 2026, especially Tarnished Edition release and content.
Elden Ring Nightreign Updates 2026
Elden Ring Nightreign was 2025’s big release for the franchise, and while its main DLC cycle has wrapped up, 2026 still holds a few potential surprises for the mode—even as long-term support nears its end. FromSoftware has a history of wrapping up its game modes with small, meaningful free updates, and Nightreign is no exception, with leakers and industry analysts pointing to one or two final updates before the studio shifts focus to new projects.
The most anticipated possible update is the addition of Shadow of the Erdtree weapons, a set of powerful gear tied to Nightreign’s late-game lore, which would drop as a free content patch for all platforms. Fans also hope for new Everdark enemies to add fresh challenge to Nightreign’s endgame. These additions are unconfirmed, but they align with FromSoftware’s pattern of giving fans a curtain closer for major game modes—something many players feel Nightreign’s DLC lacked.
Balance patches are also a near-certainty for early 2026, likely landing before February. These will tweak weapon and spell damage, fix lingering PvP/PvE bugs, and polish quality of life features (like co-op matchmaking) that fans have requested. What’s not in the cards, however, is a second substantial DLC for Nightreign. Industry insiders and FromSoftware’s own development timeline make it clear: the studio is moving on, and Nightreign’s story in the Lands Between is all but complete. For fans, this means savoring any final updates—they’re the last chance to experience new Nightreign content for the foreseeable future.
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Release Date and New Content 2026
The Tarnished Edition is the biggest 2026 release for Elden Ring itself: a reimagined version of the base game and all its DLC, built first for the Nintendo Switch 2 and set to bring free/paid updates to all other platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, PC). What was supposed to launch in late 2025 has been delayed to a vague 2026 window, and the reason is simple: severe performance issues on the Switch 2, especially in handheld mode. This delay has left the Elden Ring community frustrated and eager for answers—and while official news is missing, leaks and hands-on previews fill in the gaps.
Tarnished Edition Release Date Speculation
When exactly will the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition launch? February 2026 is the most likely time: Nintendo typically hosts a major Nintendo Direct in February, and the Tarnished Edition is widely expected to drop as a shadow release during this event, or just before it. FromSoftware and Nintendo want to release the Tarnished Edition before The Duskbloods.
While some fans fear the game will be pushed to holiday 2026, FromSoftware’s development history and the Tarnished Edition’s near-complete state make this improbable. The Switch 2 needs big exclusive games to drive sales, and the Tarnished Edition is a flagship title—Nintendo won’t keep it on the shelf for long. The PC/console updates for the Tarnished Edition won’t drop until the Switch 2 version is live. This means no new content for non-Nintendo players until FromSoftware and Nintendo sign off on the port—a source of frustration for fans who don’t own a Switch 2, but a business decision that makes sense for Nintendo.
The Tarnished Edition’s biggest hurdle has always been optimizing Elden Ring’s massive open world for the Switch 2. Early previews in 2025 showed the game running poorly in both docked and handheld modes, with frame drops, texture pop-in, and slow load times that made gameplay unenjoyable. FromSoftware handed the port to an unnamed third-party studio, and while docked mode has since improved (it runs smoothly with minor frame drops in recent previews), handheld mode remains the real challenge, per industry insiders who’ve played the latest build. Thankfully, progress is being made. A November 2025 hands-on showcase in Italy revealed the Tarnished Edition running far better on the Switch 2, with stable framerates in Limgrave and Caelid—two of the game’s most visually dense areas. Even Lance McDonald, a well-known FromSoftware modder and analyst, noted the game’s performance had vastly improved from its October 2025 build. The issue now is not if the port will work, but when it will be polished enough for release—and whether FromSoftware will commit to a specific date.
Tarnished Edition Exclusive Content
The Tarnished Edition isn’t just a port—it brings brand-new content to Elden Ring on all platforms, small but meaningful additions that give fans a reason to replay the Lands Between. Unlike major DLC, the new content is focused on customization and early-game variety, with no new story or open-world areas. Here’s every confirmed new feature, from leaks and community datamines:
Two New Starting Classes: The most highly anticipated addition is a Light Greatsword class (also known as Knight of Ides) and a Curved Greatsword/Heavy Armor class. The Knight of Ides comes with a unique light greatsword (not Milady, a popular existing weapon) and a skill set built for fast, aggressive melee combat—perfect for players who want a new playstyle from the moment they step into Limgrave.
Torrent Cosmetics: Fans have begged for horse customization since Elden Ring’s 2022 launch, and the Tarnished Edition delivers: new skins and armor for Torrent, the player’s spectral steed. Exact details are sparse, but leaks confirm at least two unique skins (one dark, one gold) and armor sets that change Torrent’s appearance—purely cosmetic, but a fun addition for open-world exploration.
New Weapons, Armor, and Ashes of War: A small set of new gear is coming, including DLC-style weapons and Ashes of War that add fresh combat options. Most of this gear will be available in the base game, so players don’t need to finish the DLC to unlock it.
Base Game/Console Updates: All non-Switch 2 platforms will get a patch tied to the Tarnished Edition launch. The patch will include the new starting classes, gear, and Torrent cosmetics—whether it’s free or paid is unconfirmed, but leakers suggest most content will be free, with a small paid bundle for the exclusive armor/Torrent skins.
Other 2026 Leaks and Updates for Elden Ring and FromSoftware
No New Elden Ring DLC in 2026: The Tarnished Edition is the only “new content” for Elden Ring in 2026. There are no leaks or rumors of a second major DLC, and FromSoftware’s focus on The Duskbloods and FMC makes it clear: the studio is done expanding the Lands Between for now.
No Elden Ring Sequel in 2026: Despite fan hopes, a sequel to Elden Ring is not in the cards for 2026. FromSoftware’s development timeline is too packed, and the studio typically takes 3–5 years to make a soulslike sequel. A sequel could come in 2027 or 2028, but 2026 is all about polishing the existing Elden Ring experience and building new games on its engine.
While The Duskbloods is not an Elden Ring game, it’s impossible to talk about the Tarnished Edition without mentioning FromSoftware’s upcoming Switch 2 exclusive—and vice versa. Announced in April 2025, The Duskbloods is built on Elden Ring’s game engine, and its success is tied directly to the Tarnished Edition’s performance on the Switch 2. If Elden Ring runs poorly, fans will doubt The Duskbloods—and that’s why Nintendo and FromSoftware are taking their time with the Tarnished Edition port. Leaks confirm The Duskbloods was in early development before Elden Ring launched in 2022, making it a years-long project for FromSoftware. It’s an ambitious PvE/PvP game with innovative multiplayer mechanics—something FromSoftware has never attempted at this scale—and that innovation is why news has been so sparse: the studio is perfecting its new gameplay systems. Industry insiders predict The Duskbloods will launch in May 2026, just a few months after the Tarnished Edition.