Elden Ring DLC players can win this speedrunner's $10,000 Shadow of the Erdtree bounty, but only if they're fast enough

What you need to know

The popular Elden Ring speedrunner Distortion2 is holding a special competition for players who can speedrun the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC while following some strict rules.
Specifically, players have to compete to see who can speedrun the expansion with the fastest time while staying at Level 1 and only using DLC weapons to kill all 10 of its major bosses. Some additional conditions are covered in the text below.
This challenge has a $10,000 prize pool (with donations adding to it), and the 1st place winner will take home the lion’s share: $4,000.
The competition is active until August 11 at 9:59 p.m. PT / August 12 at 12:59 a.m. ET, so make sure you submit a run before then if you’re serious about competing. The Discord server Distortion2 made for it is linked below, and should be joined if you’re interested.

As a seasoned Elden Ring speedrunner with countless hours under my belt, I can’t help but be thrilled at the latest challenge issued by the community’s top speedrunner, Distortion2. The Rune Level 1 DLC% competition presents an enticing opportunity for players to not only put their skills to the test but also earn a substantial reward in the process.

Launched in 2022, Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s expansive open-world action RPG, has seen a bustling community of speedrunners. These gamers strive to complete titles as swiftly as possible with added constraints, making their feats more challenging than usual. The latest Shadow of the Erdtree DLC release has reinvigorated this vibrant community. One renowned speedrunner recently proposed a challenge, providing skilled players a chance to claim a substantial five-figure reward.

The “Rune Level 1 DLC Challenge” set by gaming legend Distortion2 offers a cash reward of $10,000 for the top 10 players who can defeat every major boss in Shadow of the Erdtree with the fastest times under specific conditions. To qualify, you must complete the DLC without leveling up beyond Level 1 and restrict your use of weapons and spells to those with limited upgrades obtained only from Scadutree Fragments. You’ll need a save file provided by Distortion2 for this challenge, which can be found on the challenge’s Discord server. This save file is located just before the start of Shadow of the Erdtree and comes with the base game talismans and Flask of Wondrous Physick tears that you are allowed to use.

According to the fundamental guidelines, increasing your Shadow Realm Blessing level for dealing more damage and taking less damage is limited to one enhancement per defeated boss – be it a Remembrance or otherwise. In theory, you could amass all 20 upgrades by slaying numerous side bosses throughout your journey, but this would significantly prolong the process. For optimal speed, experienced runners are likely to focus on defeating Remembrance bosses instead of acquiring Scadutree Fragment buffs.

As a fan of this game, I can tell you that the beauty of the DLC lies in its flexibility. Unlike following a predetermined path, you have the freedom to tackle the 10 main bosses in any sequence that suits you best. Some bosses are more approachable than others; a few are guarded by miniboss fights, while one necessitates an NPC questline completion before engaging. Consequently, I believe many players will prioritize defeating the more accessible bosses initially and then progress to the more challenging ones later on.

In your playstyle, you have the flexibility to utilize any additional weapon or sorcery offered by the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, though reaching the prerequisite stats for some at level 1 might pose a challenge, even with the assistance of enhancing charms and Healing Tears. It’s anticipated that beginners may gravitate toward early and manageable options such as the Backhand Blades, Beast Claw, or Milady, but this is merely speculation from someone who, despite being proficient in Soulsborne games, acknowledges their own limitations in mastering this competition.

In the absence of the standard weapons and magic from the base game, it’s intriguing to ponder what innovative strategies will emerge in the near future. The prohibition rules out popular speedrunning tools like the Uchigatana, Star Fist, and Serpent-Hunter, which have reigned supreme since Elden Ring’s release. I’m eagerly anticipating the discovery of unique and original character builds that will arise from this limitation.

The contest remains open for entries until August 11 at 9:59 p.m. Pacific Time or August 12 at 12:59 a.m. Eastern Time. If you plan on participating, make sure to submit your entry before the deadline. The first-place finisher will receive a $4,000 reward – the largest share of the prize money. Second through fifth place winners will divide $5,000 among them, while sixth through tenth place finishers will each receive $200. Donations made to Distortion2 during the competition contribute to a bonus prize pool, which currently amounts to $2,595.

For those who are committed to competing in this challenge or simply wish to monitor the progress of top performers, remember to sign up for the Discord server, Distortion2, using the provided link above. This platform offers a comprehensive set of rules, instructional materials on utilizing speedrunning tools for time confirmation, and a channel showcasing the leaderboard with the most impressive completion times.

The long-awaited Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for one of the top-tier Xbox games and PC games has been released. This enhancement takes these exceptional titles to new heights, now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and Windows PC at a price point of $39.99.

2024-07-26 01:09

Elden Ring DLC players can win this speedrunner’s $10,000 Shadow of the Erdtree bounty, but only if they’re fast enough

What you need to know

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