Elden Ring's diverse fashion aesthetics are one of FromSoftware fans' favorite features. Whether players wish to roleplay as their favorite bosses, enemies, or non-player characters, there are typically many choices for players to select from or mix-and-match individual set-pieces with others to find a preferred outfit.
Some armor pieces afford players with better status ailment resistances or defense toward a particular affinity, but most players would probably agree that FromSoftware's armor selections are more emphatic about their aesthetic look than their effect on stats. Elden Ring's garment functionality allows players to alter certain attire, which typically removes a cloak, cape, or other shawl material from an item. But when clothes are visually altered, players may also take note of how the item's description is altered as well.
Redditor u/Epickartoffelz shares image comparisons between the unaltered and altered versions of Blaidd’s Armor. The distinction between both is considerable since the altered version omits Blaidd's immense pelt cape. But it is also distinct in how it is represented in the armor's description blurb. With the cape, the description reads Elden Ring's poke at Frozen, stating that "the cold bothered him anyway." Without the cape, the description reads that "as Ranni's shadow," Blaidd would "defy destiny itself if it would have him turn upon his Lady."
The Black Knife Armor’s translucent cloak is depicted in the armor’s description as a “concealing veil” that “muffles the sound of footsteps.” The altered Black Knife’s Armor is described without the blurb of a veil as it no longer features it, and the general description of its scaled armor is repeated with a slightly different phrasing. Interestingly, while both garments claim to be made with “scale armor that makes no sound,” only Elden Ring's veiled Black Knife Armor renders the wearer’s footsteps inaudible.
This confirms that an altered piece of armor may in fact alter gameplay as well as aesthetics, but it is not always the case. Indeed, many pieces of armor have nothing of new significance to offer when altered. The Commoner’s Simple Garb is described as a “Garb with a thick embroidered cape attached,” for instance, while the altered version of the Commoner’s Garb is simply described as “Modest garb made of cloth.” Further, altered armor may have nothing new to say at all, such as Elden Ring's All-Knowing Armor, which does not have a unique altered description.
Likewise, Jerren’s Eccentric’s Hood does not change its description. The Eccentric Hood originally features a raggedy sack hood atop an obscured face with a long grey beard pouring out from the bottom. Elden Ring's altered Eccentric Hood, however, removes the sack hood completely to reveal an iron helm that resembles a face. Not all armor may be altered either, but these preferences and style options are still available for some.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Source: Reddit