Elden Ring’s Tarnished Edition Brings Dark Souls 2 Character Back

Elden Ring’s latest update introduced a significant addition wrapped inside the “Tarnished Edition,” an enhanced version of the game launching on Nintendo Switch 2 and available as a $5 upgrade for existing players on other platforms. While the patch itself rolls out free to everyone, the paid edition bundles cosmetic horse armor and four new armor sets, one of which carries a particularly intriguing connection to FromSoftware’s back catalog.

Two of these armor sets correspond to new starting classes—the Heavy Knight and the Idus Knight—while the other pair await discovery in the game world. One belongs to Knight Leontiel, a freshly added NPC invader who appears in the Starscourge Radahn arena after his defeat. This placement proved no accident; the developers crafted an intentional callback to a character that hasn’t appeared in the series for over a decade.

Finding and Defeating Knight Leontiel

Encountering Leontiel requires a specific route through the arena. After defeating Radahn, players must travel north from the Site of Grace and push toward the catacombs. At a certain point, the game automatically dismounts the player from their horse, triggering Leontiel’s invasion. She presents a manageable challenge for veterans of the base game or Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and defeating her yields her complete armor set: greatsword, helm, chest piece, legs, and greaves.

The Dark Souls 2 Connection

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The visual design immediately evokes Dark Souls 2’s Lucatiel of Mirrah, a character players encountered in 2014. Both figures wear toreador-style outfits with distinctive hats that incorporate mask-like elements, and both favor greatswords as their primary weapons. Lucatiel remains one of Dark Souls 2’s most memorable NPCs, particularly because of a request she makes before succumbing to Hollowing. She asks the player to remember her name, expressing fear that she might lose that basic part of her identity. The parallel grows more poignant given that Leontiel’s name differs from her predecessor—whether this reflects some canonical misremembering or simply a design choice, the thematic resonance lingers.

Visual and Thematic Design

The armor’s aesthetic ties directly to its function. The toreador design isn’t merely cosmetic flavor—it informs how the weapon itself performs. This integration of visual identity into mechanical expression represents the kind of attention to detail that FromSoftware builds into its armor sets, where appearance and function reinforce the fantasy.

The Name Change and Legacy

The name change from Lucatiel to Leontiel sits ambiguous, neither a full resurrection nor a complete disconnection. It mirrors thematically how legacy carries forward through time and across different contexts, sometimes altered but fundamentally recognizable. Whether this reflects in-universe forgetting or a deliberate design choice, it adds layers to what could have been a straightforward throwback.

Dark Souls 2’s Place in the Franchise

The inclusion of Leontiel represents more than fan service. Dark Souls 2 remains the divisive entry in FromSoftware’s catalog, often overshadowed by the critical acclaim lavished on Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, and Elden Ring itself. By bringing a Dark Souls 2 character forward, even under a slightly altered name, the developers acknowledge that entry’s place in the broader narrative tapestry.

Combat Capabilities and L2 Special

Leontiel’s greatsword carries an L2 special ability that sets it apart from standard greatsword movesets. Rather than a shield-based defense, the weapon lets players flourish the attached cape in a bullfighter-inspired technique during attacks. Players testing the set have demonstrated its viability against endgame bosses like Malenia, Blade of Miquella, showcasing both flashy presentation and practical combat application. The flourish move provides both stylistic flair and functional crowd control in tight encounters.

Summoning and Multiplayer Options

Before players defeat Radahn themselves, Leontiel’s summon sign appears among the other available cooperators. Those struggling with the boss or pursuing a different experience can call on her assistance before engaging her as an invader afterward. This dual role—cooperative ally followed by dueling opponent—creates a narrative moment that carries more weight than a straightforward invasion.

Access Requirements and Late-Game Restrictions

Obtaining Leontiel’s full set necessitates ownership of the Tarnished Edition upgrade, or default inclusion on Nintendo Switch 2. This gatekeeping applies only to her appearance; the free patch reaches all players. However, a more restrictive limitation affects the fourth armor set mentioned in the update—the Broken Golden Mask. Players who’ve progressed far enough to trigger Leyndell’s transformation into Farum Azula will find this set locked away, as the area change prevents access to her location.

This design choice creates a meaningful consequence for progression decisions, where advancing the story beyond certain points closes off optional content. It rewards thorough exploration before pushing toward endgame states, maintaining the series’ tradition of hidden rewards and exploration incentives.

Practical Acquisition and Gameplay Integration

The path to acquiring Leontiel’s set requires players to circle back to the Radahn arena after they’ve already beaten him—unusual positioning that encourages revisits to supposedly cleared areas. The automatic dismounting signals the invasion, making it impossible to miss for attentive players. Her manageable difficulty means even undergeared players who specifically returned for her set won’t face an insurmountable wall.

The Greatsword’s moveset fits naturally into Elden Ring’s combat philosophy without feeling like a port or direct transplant from Dark Souls 2. The L2 flourish attack works within Elden Ring’s stance and special attack systems, maintaining mechanical coherence while offering visual distinction.

The Broader Tarnished Edition Update

Leontiel’s armor set slots into a larger update alongside new cosmetics and starting classes. The $5 price point positions the Tarnished Edition as an optional cosmetic upgrade rather than essential content, allowing players to enjoy the free patch’s mechanical changes without feeling compelled to purchase. Nintendo Switch 2 owners receive the full suite by default, aligning with the platform launch strategy.

The update’s structure reflects a common live service pattern—free content for all players, paid cosmetics for interested parties—but executed through the lens of a single-player focused experience. Elden Ring maintains its core nature while offering monetization options that don’t gate core gameplay.