Dark Souls 3 has been getting patches on a regular basis, since the game was released in April. But for hardcore fans, the release of a patch is only the beginning; then, the community has to find out what the patches do.
The game’s developer, From Software, usually releases patch notes, but they’re often vague and don’t point out what’s actually changed.
Take this excerpt from the next patch, which drops on Friday:
- Adjusted the attack power and skills of fist and claw weapons
OK, yes, it’s clear that fist and claw weapons have been adjusted...but how? Have they been nerfed, reducing their attack power? Did From Software instead realize they were underpowered, forcing them to buff the weapons?
We’re unlikely to know the answer until the patch arrives, and even then, if you’re someone who wants to know the specific values From Software shifted around, there’s no way to surface that without people data mining.
In the Dark Souls community, Textralia on reddit is one of the most reliable data miners, putting together comprehensive posts for the most hardcore.
“Since detailed patch notes are a myth at FROM software,” said Textralia in a recent analysis post, “I’ve taken the liberty of doing a little datamining for the 1.06 regulation update as promised.”
Grumble, grumble.
From Software isn’t alone in this regard, though. Nintendo has been famously shy about changes made to the Smash Bros. games, leading people to wildly (and annoyingly) experiment when patches are dropped. Here’s how Nintendo described a patch for the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros.:
- Adjustments will be made to balance the game.
- Other adjustments will be made to make for a more pleasant gaming experience.
It was BS then, and it’s BS now. Lots of things about Dark Souls benefit from mystery, but how the game functions? Balance changes? C’mon.