The question of Elden Ring 2 is one of the most searched topics in gaming today. Fans want to know whether FromSoftware is working on a sequel, and if not, what other major Elden Ring content is coming. The answer is more interesting than many expect.
Elden Ring 2 has not been officially announced. FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki confirmed that the studio is not currently developing a direct sequel. However, he left the door open by noting that the Elden Ring IP will be extended in some form in the future.
What Elden Ring 2 means depends on who you ask. For some, it is a sequel question. For others, it refers to Mod Engine 2, the tool used to install mods, how to two-hand weapons, or Smithing Stone 2 for weapon upgrades. This guide covers all of it.
Elden Ring 2: Is a Sequel Coming?
What FromSoftware Has Said
Miyazaki's exact words were that FromSoftware is "not really considering developments such as an Elden Ring 2." However, he specifically mentioned that the IP itself has room to grow. That language suggests future projects in the Elden Ring universe without committing to a numbered sequel.
Here is what is confirmed as of now:
- No direct sequel has been announced
- The Elden Ring Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 releases August 28, 2026
- Tarnished Edition adds two new classes: Heavy Knight and Knight of Ides
- New Torrent customization options and additional weapons and skins are included
- All new Tarnished Edition content is also available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
What Tarnished Edition Adds to the Game
The Tarnished Edition is the closest thing to new official Elden Ring content available right now. It bundles the base game with Shadow of the Erdtree and introduces content that changes how you start your journey.
Key Tarnished Edition additions:
| Content | Description |
|---|---|
| Heavy Knight Class | Strength-focused starting class, new armor set |
| Knight of Ides Class | Faith/Dex hybrid class with unique weapon access |
| Torrent Customization | Multiple appearance options for your spectral steed |
| New Weapons | Exclusive weapons tied to the new classes |
| New Skins | Cosmetic options not available in the base version |
This content is available for existing players on all platforms as a separate purchase, not just Switch 2 buyers.
Mod Engine 2 Elden Ring: The Essential Modding Tool
What Is Mod Engine 2?
Mod Engine 2 Elden Ring is the standard tool used to load mods without overwriting game files. It acts as a layer between the game and your installed mods, keeping your base installation clean.
Why you need Mod Engine 2:
- Allows multiple mods to run simultaneously without file conflicts
- Protects your base game installation from permanent changes
- Enables easy mod management through a simple config file
- Works with most major Elden Ring overhaul mods, including The Convergence
How to Set Up Elden Ring Mod Engine 2
Setting up Elden Ring Mod Engine 2 correctly prevents the most common installation errors. Follow these steps in order:
- Download Mod Engine 2 from Nexus Mods and extract it to a separate folder outside your Elden Ring installation
- Download the mod you want to install and place its files in the mod folder created by Mod Engine 2
- Edit the config file (config_eldenring.toml) to point to your mod folder
- Launch the game using Mod Engine 2's launcher file, NOT through Steam directly
- Verify the mod is working by checking in-game content changes
Critical setup tip: Make sure "Run as administrator" is unchecked in the compatibility settings for eldenring.exe. Mod Engine 2 has known compatibility issues when the game runs with admin privileges.
How to 2-Hand in Elden Ring: Full Guide
The Two-Handing Mechanic Explained
Learning How to 2 Hand in Elden Ring is one of the first things new players should do. Two-handing a weapon boosts your attack power without requiring additional stats investment, making it ideal for early builds.
Benefits of two-handing:
- Increased attack power proportional to your Strength stat
- Access to a different moveset for many weapon types
- Enhanced poise damage on heavier hits
- Some weapons have specific two-handed attacks that deal far more damage
How to Two-Hand on Each Platform
Two-handing works slightly differently depending on your platform:
- PS4/PS5: Hold Triangle, then press R1 (right weapon) or L1 (left weapon/shield)
- Xbox One/Series: Hold Y, then press RB (right weapon) or LB (left weapon/shield)
- PC (Keyboard): Hold E, then press the attack key for the weapon you want to two-hand
Hold the trigger before pressing the attack button. Pressing them at the same time does not work. The timing window is generous but requires the trigger to be held first.
Pro Tips: Two-Handing Builds
- Always two-hand for strength thresholds: Two-handing multiplies your effective Strength by 1.5. A weapon requiring 40 Strength can be wielded with only 27 Strength when two-handed. This saves stat points early in the game.
- Switch to one-hand for shields: Two-handing removes your ability to block. Against tough bosses with heavy combo strings, having a shield in your off-hand is sometimes worth the damage trade-off.
- Use power stance by equipping the same weapon type in both hands: When you equip matching weapon types in both hands and two-hand, you enter power stance, unlocking a dual-wield moveset with massive damage potential.
- Check weapon arts before two-handing: Some weapon arts change completely when you two-hand versus one-hand. Rivers of Blood, for example, still uses the same Corpse Piler skill in both modes.
Elden Ring Smithing Stone 2: Where to Find Them
What Smithing Stone 2 Does
Elden Ring Smithing Stone 2 is the upgrade material used to reinforce standard weapons from +4 to +6. You need a smith (Hewg at Roundtable Hold or Smithing Master Iji in Liurnia) to upgrade beyond +3.
Smithing Stone levels and what they upgrade:
| Stone Tier | Upgrades Weapon To |
|---|---|
| Smithing Stone (1) | +1, +2, +3 |
| Smithing Stone (2) | +4, +5, +6 |
| Smithing Stone (3) | +7, +8, +9 |
| Smithing Stone (4) | +10, +11, +12 |
Best Places to Farm Smithing Stone 2
The most efficient places to find Elden Ring Smithing Stone 2 early in the game:
- Limgrave Tunnels: The starting area tunnel dungeon has multiple nodes
- Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel: Found in Liurnia, reliable Stone 2 deposits
- Gael Tunnel: Located on the Caelid/Limgrave border, great for early farming
- Merchants: Kale in the Church of Elleh eventually sells limited quantities
Additionally, purchasing the Smithing-Stone Miner's Bell Bearing (1) from Roundtable Hold allows you to buy Smithing Stones 1 and 2 infinitely from the Twin Maiden Husks. Find this Bell Bearing in the Limgrave Tunnels or Raya Lucaria Crystal Tunnel.
Common Mistakes with Smithing Stones
- Upgrading the wrong weapon: Many new players upgrade their starting weapon heavily before finding something better. Fix: Explore and test new weapons before spending limited Smithing Stones. Focus upgrades on weapons you plan to use long-term.
- Forgetting the Bell Bearing system: Players often farm Smithing Stones the hard way throughout the entire game. Fix: Hunt for Miner's Bell Bearings early. They convert the upgrade system from limited drops to infinite purchases.
- Confusing Smithing Stones with Somber Smithing Stones: Standard Smithing Stones upgrade regular weapons. Somber Smithing Stones upgrade special weapons with unique skills like Rivers of Blood or Moonveil. Fix: Check your weapon description to see which stone type it requires before farming the wrong material.
How ExitLag Keeps Your Elden Ring Sessions Stable
Elden Ring's online features, including invasions, co-op summoning, and PvP arenas, depend entirely on a stable connection. Connection drops during invasions mean lost runes. Disconnects during co-op boss fights mean starting over.
ExitLag is a game connection optimizer built for exactly these situations. It routes your Elden Ring traffic through optimized servers across 190+ countries, selecting the fastest and most stable path to FromSoftware's servers in real time.
The Multipath Technology built into ExitLag sends your packets through multiple routes simultaneously. If one path experiences packet loss, the others maintain your connection without interruption. For PvP players especially, this means fewer dropped invasions and more consistent rollback during fights.
Download ExitLag for PC and keep your journey through the Lands Between uninterrupted.
All game images used in this blog post belong to FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment. They are used for informational and educational purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with the rights holders.
