FromSoftware has officially dropped Patch 1.01.1 for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree – Nightreign, and for solo Tarnished everywhere, it’s the answer to a hundred rage quits. After weeks of brutal difficulty and roguelike design punishing players going it alone, the devs are finally tossing solo players a much-needed lifeline.
Solo Play Gets a Much-Needed Boost
For lone wolves navigating the Lands Between without a squad, this patch brings a trinity of game-saving upgrades:
- Automatic Revival: Every night boss battle now grants solo players one free pass via automatic resurrection. If you die, you pop back up—no more losing 30 minutes of progress just because you mistimed a dodge. It’s not a cheat code, but it’s a mercy mechanic that changes everything.
- Wending Grace Now in Stock: Previously as rare as a good Malenia summon, Wending Grace items (used for mid-run revives) are now available at nearly every merchant. You can carry up to two—meaning you get two “get out of death free” cards before you’re toast.
- Fatter Rune Payouts: Rune drops have been buffed in solo mode, meaning faster leveling and better gear progression without needing to grind like a soulsborne squirrel hoarding acorns.
Together, these changes dramatically ease the pain for solo players. FromSoft hasn’t made the game easy, but they’ve made it fair—finally acknowledging that solo Nightreign was tuned for masochists.
🗣️ Why Now? And What’s Next?
The patch follows weeks of community backlash about the difficulty spike in solo mode. With roguelike elements, no traditional checkpoints, and trio-focused scaling, solo players were getting steamrolled. The devs initially stood firm, but this patch shows they’ve been listening.
And they’re not done.
- Coming Soon: Duo Expeditions — Not quite solo, not quite trio. FromSoft has confirmed a new co-op mode for pairs of players. If you’ve only got one reliable gaming buddy, this is your jam. No date yet, but expect it in the next major patch.
- DLC Incoming — FromSoftware also teased enhanced boss variants and brand-new story content later this year. Think new Nightlords, expanded dungeons, and likely even more cryptic lore to decipher.
📈 Sales Flex: Nightreign is Crushing It
Despite the difficulty drama, Elden Ring: Nightreign is still a monster hit. It sold 3.5 million copies in just five days, proving that even a sweaty, roguelike twist on the GOTY juggernaut couldn’t scare off fans.
Even crazier? 7.5% of players have already beaten all the Nightlords, which, if true, means some of y’all are built different. Or you found a cheese build. Either way, respect.
Final Thoughts
With Patch 1.01.1, Nightreign is starting to feel like the brutal-but-beatable Souls experience fans wanted. It’s still tough, but now solo players aren’t being punished for daring to play alone.
Are you diving back in solo now that you won’t lose your sanity—or waiting for Duo mode to drop? Sound off below!
