Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC features some truly frightening NPCs. A recent datamine, however, has revealed the surprisingly detailed character models hidden beneath their intimidating armor, ranging from simple to remarkably intricate. This peek behind the curtain highlights FromSoftware's dedication to world-building, even in aspects unseen by players.
Like its predecessors in the Soulsborne series, Elden Ring's lore is a major draw, often requiring deep dives by players and dataminers to fully unravel. Previous datamines have uncovered secrets, such as the model within the Divine Beast Dancing Lion boss. This latest effort by YouTuber and dataminer Zullie the Witch goes further, stripping away the armor of several Shadow of the Erdtree NPCs.
The video showcases the unexpected depth of detail in these models. The unarmored appearances have captivated fans, with some, like Moore's model, meeting players' expectations perfectly. Others, such as Redmane Freyja, exhibit scars consistent with her in-game lore—a detail appreciated given its invisibility during normal gameplay. Interestingly, Tanith from Volcano Manor bears a resemblance to the Dancer of Ranah, a fitting detail considering her past.
However, some surprises exist. Hornsent, for example, lacks the horns suggested by their name and appearance. The dataminer suggests this omission likely stemmed from the need for a completely separate character model. This has prompted fan discussion regarding the DLC's new hairstyle options and the potential inclusion of horn customization.
