As dense as their initial runs through Elden Ring could have been, players are still eager for further adventures in its DLC. Shadow of the Erdtree was teased in early 2023, and while rumors about its first trailer and release date are still circling, official information hasn't dropped yet. Elden Ring stands as one of FromSoftware's crowning achievements, outselling the rest of its Soulslike titles while managing to translate their detailed environments and challenging gameplay into an open world. Now that Elden Ring has established a strong foundation, fans are eager to see what else FromSoftware can do with it.
Perhaps the greatest request for Shadow of the Erdtree is to introduce fresh blood to Elden Ring's boss pool. Over 200 boss fights dot the Lands Between, but far too many of them are recycled either as regular enemies, or other bosses with minor differences. They are spread out enough that it's not a game-ruining issue, and the realities of development meant this was a necessary evil, but fans would still appreciate more unique boss concepts in Elden Ring. Fortunately, one of FromSoftware's older games includes a particular boss that can fill multiple encounters while remaining a compelling foe.
Dark Souls 2’s Best Boss Is Elevated By Its Implementation
Any player who has spent more than a couple of hours with Dark Souls 2 likely remembers meeting the Pursuer. While it is one of the game's many “armored knight” bosses, it distinguishes itself as an enigmatic being with a supernatural edge. Its glowing cyclopean eye, floating movement, rare projectile attack, and even its unusual travel by bird or teleportation make this boss distinct. Its main fight may disappoint as one of Dark Souls 2’s easier bosses to cheese, but what really defined the Pursuer's reputation was how it lived up to its name.
The Pursuer’s Concept Helps It Avoid Becoming Stale
Base Dark Souls 2 had multiple Pursuer battles, with the first appearing before its official debut fight. However, it was Scholar of the First Sin where the Pursuer truly came into its own, with some spawning unannounced outside the player's vision, and even in a different boss's empty arena. This culminates in a New Game Plus-exclusive battle against two Pursuers at once in Drangleic Castle's throne room. It effectively made players feel like the boss was chasing them, even more so than Dark Souls 2’s multiple recurring Invaders. With the many similarities Elden Ring already shares with Dark Souls 2, properly implementing a Pursuer-type boss should be a priority in Shadow of the Erdtree.
Elden Ring Could Benefit From Recycling DS2's Pursuer
“Properly” is the operative word there, as Elden Ring has a Pursuer equivalent already. However, Elemer of the Briar and his Bell Bearing Hunter Phantoms don't scratch the same itch. Despite their lore of hunting merchant NPCs for their Bell Bearings, the foreknowledge needed to spawn them makes players feel like they are chasing the bosses. A true Pursuer should be introduced in Elden Ring’s DLC, and there are a number of ways it could be done.
Shadow of the Erdtree Should Have Ample Room For Pursuer Fights
The pursuit expected of a Pursuer-type boss could be simulated by having invisible NPCs move towards the player within every region of Shadow of the Erdtree’s open world. Once the Tarnished is nearby, the real boss can replace them. The resulting battles could take place almost anywhere, presenting a great marketing opportunity if clips of this boss’ ambushes went viral. Preferably, this would be done with a new character tailored to the DLC, but it would work with Black Knives, Crucible Knights, or even the red phantoms of Elden Ring's nightmarish Dung Eater chasing the player down. Some of Elden Ring’s best community entertainment involves regular exploration being interrupted by a surprise enemy, and a Pursuer boss in Shadow of the Erdtree will keep those moments flowing.
