In a move that’s sure to reignite the flame under The Lands Between, FromSoftware has revealed two brand-new character classes for Elden Ring through its upcoming Tarnished Edition. Making their debut on the Nintendo Switch 2 via the enhanced Tarnished Edition, these additions aren't just exclusive fan service for the handheld crowd—they’re a tease of the deeper tactical play waiting for all players when the Tarnished Pack DLC rolls out across PC and consoles later in 2025.
Two new knights, but with hidden potential to shake up builds
The recently held FROMSOFTWARE GAMES EVENT Spring 2025 in Tokyo pulled back the curtain on more than just Elden Ring’s multiplayer-focused Nightreign mode. Amid the fanfare, a quiet bombshell dropped in the form of two new starting classes: the Knight of Ides and the Heavy Armored Knight. Details are sparse, but the community’s imagination is already running wild.
Famitsu’s coverage, translated by RPG Site, gave us names and visuals, but little else. Still, the implications are huge. The Heavy Armored Knight evokes immediate comparisons to Dark Souls legends like Havel—think slow, unstoppable tanks who trade agility for absolute defense. Meanwhile, the Knight of Ides remains an enigma. The name alone suggests a flair for the dramatic—could this be a dexterous knight with bloodthirsty scaling, or one that dances on the edge of magic and stamina? Only time will tell, but the potential for new meta builds is undeniable.
More than just classes: new armors, weapons, and combat tricks
These knights don’t come empty-handed. Two of the four brand-new armor sets making their way into Elden Ring are tied to these classes, giving players a fresh aesthetic and likely new stat distributions to experiment with. The other two armor sets won’t be handed to you—they’ll be scattered across The Lands Between, waiting to be unearthed by explorers brave enough to start anew.
And that’s not all. FromSoftware is sneaking in additional weapons and skills, promising new ways to slice, bash, and outmaneuver the game's already brutal foes. While we don’t yet know the exact nature of these combat additions, the Souls community thrives on theory-crafting. Will we see weapon arts that echo the elegance of Bloodborne, or something more grounded like Dark Souls’ polearm parrying? Whatever they are, they’re sure to add layers to an already deep combat system.
Three new looks for Torrent—because even spirit steeds deserve style
For those who’ve bonded with their trusty steed Torrent through every boss fight and cliffside plunge, there’s a small but welcome treat: three new appearances for the spirit horse. From the regal to the demonic, these new skins give players a chance to personalize their mount in ways that feel both subtle and significant. It’s a small cosmetic upgrade with big emotional resonance—after all, Torrent has been with us through thick and thin.
Not just for Switch 2—everyone gets a shot at the new content
While the Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition will be the first to showcase this new content, players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox won’t be left in the dust. The Tarnished Pack DLC—which includes the new classes, armors, weapons, and Torrent appearances—will be available as a paid add-on across all platforms. FromSoftware hasn’t nailed down pricing or release windows yet, but the word is it’ll be reasonably affordable.
It’s an interesting strategy: launch the full package on a new platform, then backport the extras as DLC. But for a game that’s sold over 30 million copies and still commands a passionate player base, it’s a smart way to keep Elden Ring relevant and rewarding across the board.
2025 might be Elden Ring’s most explosive year yet
With Nightreign promising chaotic co-op carnage and the Tarnished Edition delivering fresh solo content, FromSoftware is turning 2025 into a festival of Elden Ring devotion. These new classes might not come with their own raid bosses or storylines, but that’s not really the point. In a game defined by player choice, risk, and reward, new tools mean new stories. Whether you’re a shield-wielding fortress or a nimble spellblade, the Knight of Ides and Heavy Armored Knight give you one more reason to dive back in.
And for a title that’s only just begun to scratch the surface of its post-launch life, that’s more than enough.