Elden Ring has officially arrived on Nintendo Switch 2.
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition launched on August 28, 2026, bringing the original game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and new Tarnished Pack content together in one package.
But the new content isn’t limited to Nintendo Switch 2. Existing Elden Ring players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC can also access the new additions through the separately sold Tarnished Pack.
With the release now here, players have plenty of questions. What exactly is included? Do existing players need to buy Tarnished Edition? Do you need to start a new character to use the new classes’ equipment? And is the $4.99 Tarnished Pack actually worth buying?
Here is what has officially been confirmed.
1. What Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition?
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Elden Ring.
It was released on August 28, 2026, bringing FromSoftware’s open-world action RPG to Nintendo Switch 2.
Rather than being a completely new Elden Ring game, Tarnished Edition packages the existing game and its major expansion together with newly released content.
Is Elden Ring Tarnished Edition a New Game?
No.
Tarnished Edition is not a sequel or a separate new Elden Ring adventure.
It includes Elden Ring itself along with Shadow of the Erdtree and the additional Tarnished Pack content.
Is Tarnished Edition Only on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes.
Tarnished Edition itself is the Nintendo Switch 2 version.
However, the new gameplay content included with it is also available separately for existing Elden Ring players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC through the Tarnished Pack.
2. What Is Included in Elden Ring Tarnished Edition?
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition includes:
- Elden Ring base game
- Shadow of the Erdtree expansion
- Tarnished Pack content
- Two new starting classes
- Four new armor sets
- New weapons
- Three Torrent appearance customization options
This means Switch 2 players aren’t getting only the original Elden Ring. Tarnished Edition also includes the major Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and the newly released content.
Does Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Include Shadow of the Erdtree?
Yes.
Shadow of the Erdtree is included with Tarnished Edition.
The expansion adds the Realm of Shadow, its own story, enemies, bosses, weapons, equipment, and other content beyond the original Elden Ring campaign.
Does Tarnished Edition Include the Tarnished Pack?
Yes.
The new Tarnished Pack content is included with Elden Ring Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2.
Switch 2 Tarnished Edition owners therefore do not need to purchase the Tarnished Pack separately.
3. Tarnished Edition vs. Tarnished Pack: What’s the Difference?
The names are similar, but Tarnished Edition and Tarnished Pack are not the same product.
Tarnished Edition is the Nintendo Switch 2 package containing Elden Ring, Shadow of the Erdtree, and the new additional content.
Tarnished Pack is the smaller DLC package containing the new content for players who already own Elden Ring on other supported platforms.
Do Existing Elden Ring Players Need to Buy Tarnished Edition?
No.
If you already play Elden Ring on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, you do not need to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Tarnished Edition just to access the new content.
The Tarnished Pack is sold separately for existing versions of the game.
What Platforms Is the Tarnished Pack Available On?
The Tarnished Pack is available for:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC via Steam
Nintendo Switch 2 players receive the Tarnished Pack content as part of Tarnished Edition.
4. How Much Does the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack Cost?
The standard U.S. price of the Tarnished Pack is $4.99.
Pricing can vary depending on region and local currency.
This makes it a much smaller purchase than Tarnished Edition itself because the Tarnished Pack does not include the base Elden Ring game or Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.
It is additional content intended primarily for players who already own the game.
Do Tarnished Edition Owners Need to Buy the Tarnished Pack?
No.
The Tarnished Pack content is already included with Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2.
Buying it separately is unnecessary for Tarnished Edition owners.
What If You Already Own Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree?
If you already own Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, you only need the Tarnished Pack if you want its newly added content.
You do not need to repurchase the base game or Shadow of the Erdtree.
5. What Are the New Heavy Knight and Idus Knight Classes?
The Tarnished Pack adds two new starting classes:
- Heavy Knight
- Idus Knight
Both can be selected when creating a new character.
The Heavy Knight begins with heavily armored equipment, while the Idus Knight provides another new starting setup for players beginning a fresh journey through the Lands Between.
These are starting classes rather than entirely separate playable characters. As with Elden Ring’s existing classes, they determine how a new character begins rather than permanently locking that character into one playstyle.
Do You Need to Start a New Character to Use Heavy Knight or Idus Knight?
Yes, if you specifically want to begin the game as one of those starting classes.
Starting classes are selected during character creation, so an existing character cannot simply change its original starting class to Heavy Knight or Idus Knight.
However, that doesn’t mean existing characters are locked out of their equipment.
Can Existing Characters Use the New Class Equipment?
Yes.
Bandai Namco confirms that equipment belonging to the new starting classes can also be obtained within the Lands Between.
That means you do not have to abandon an existing character simply because you want to use equipment associated with Heavy Knight or Idus Knight.
6. What New Content Does the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack Add?
The Tarnished Pack adds more than just the two new starting classes.
Its new content includes:
- Heavy Knight and Idus Knight starting classes
- Four new armor sets
- New weapons
- Three Spectral Steed Attire options for Torrent
- New NPC invasion events
The Torrent customization is particularly notable because it introduces new appearance options for Elden Ring’s Spectral Steed.
How Many New Armor Sets Are Included?
Four new armor sets are part of the new content.
Two of those sets are associated with the new Heavy Knight and Idus Knight starting classes.
Does the Tarnished Pack Add New Weapons?
Yes.
New weapons have been added as part of the Tarnished Pack content.
They are not restricted only to players who begin the game as one of the two new classes.
How Many New Torrent Appearances Are There?
There are three new Spectral Steed Attire options that change Torrent’s appearance.
The Tarnished Pack therefore gives players additional ways to customize Torrent beyond his original appearance.
7. Is the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack Worth $5?
For $4.99, the Tarnished Pack includes two new starting classes, new weapons, four armor sets, three Torrent appearance options, and additional NPC invasion events.
Whether that is worth buying depends largely on what you want from Elden Ring.
For players planning another playthrough, the new Heavy Knight and Idus Knight starting options may provide an interesting reason to begin a fresh character.
Existing characters can also use the newly added equipment, so the pack isn’t useful only to players starting over.
On the other hand, players expecting another expansion on the scale of Shadow of the Erdtree should set their expectations accordingly. The Tarnished Pack is a much smaller content addition rather than another major expansion.
Is the Tarnished Pack Worth It for Existing Players?
It may be worth considering if you want more equipment, additional customization, or another reason to return to the Lands Between.
At $4.99, it is relatively inexpensive compared with a full expansion, but the value will depend on how interested you are in the new classes, equipment, and Torrent customization.
Should You Buy the Tarnished Pack If You Want More Story Content?
Probably not for that reason alone.
The Tarnished Pack is primarily focused on new gameplay and customization options rather than being presented as another major story expansion like Shadow of the Erdtree.
Players specifically looking for a large new region, major new campaign, or expansion-sized experience should not confuse the Tarnished Pack with Shadow of the Erdtree.
What Elden Ring Players Need to Know
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, combining the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree, and the new Tarnished Pack content.
For existing Elden Ring players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, the important part is the Tarnished Pack. At $4.99, it provides the new Heavy Knight and Idus Knight starting classes, additional equipment, Torrent customization, and other smaller additions without requiring players to buy Tarnished Edition.
Existing players don’t necessarily have to start over either. While choosing Heavy Knight or Idus Knight as a starting class requires a new character, their equipment and other Tarnished Pack additions can still be used with existing characters.
For players returning to the Lands Between, the Tarnished Pack offers a relatively small new batch of content. For Nintendo Switch 2 players entering Elden Ring for the first time, Tarnished Edition packages the main game, its major expansion, and the latest additions together in one release.
