horsing around
Torrent the horse will become your best in Elden Ring, but how do you get him?
The world of Elden Ring is vast; significantly bigger than anything FromSoftware has attempted in the past. It wouldn’t have made sense for you to only traverse this gigantic landmass without a horse, even with the game’s generous checkpoints everywhere you look. Here we look at how you get the horse in Elden Ring, plus let you know if the horse can die, amongst other things.
The solution is one many other games implemented when their own worlds expanded in a similar way: a mount! Or in Elden Ring’s case, a spectral steed – which will become your trusty companion on this long journey.
Elden Ring's horse is named Torrent and you’ll be able to summon it in much of the open world, but not in Legacy Dungeons or smaller caves/tunnels. It will make it easier for you to quickly travel vast distances, and it also offers unique combat and traversal moves you can’t pull off when you aren’t mounting it.
- How do you get the horse in Elden Ring?
- Can the horse die in Elden Ring?
- How do you heal the horse in Elden Ring?
- Can you customise/upgrade the horse in Elden Ring?
- Can the horse take fall damage in Elden Ring?
- How do horseback combat and Spirit Springs work in Elden Ring?
How do you get the horse in Elden Ring?
To unlock the horse (Torrent), you need to summon and speak to the Maiden Melina for the first time. This happens the third time you rest at a Site of Grace (bonfire) in the open world, or at the third Site of Grace you find (and rest at). The location doesn’t matter, so it’s best to do this as quickly as possible.
When you meet Melina for the first time, she’ll offer you an accord, effectively allowing you to level up at any Site of Grace from this point forward. She will also grant you the Spectral Steed Whistle, which is what’s going to allow you to summon the horse.
All that’s left for you to do is bind the whistle to your belt or pouch for easier access, because you’re going to be using it a lot.
Can the horse die in Elden Ring?
Torrent effectively has its own health separate from your own. It can lose all of its HP and die without the same necessarily happening to you. However, the horse cannot permanently die.
If Torrent takes too many hits and falls over in combat, you can re-summon it again after about ten seconds – though you’ll need to spend one Flask of Crimson Tears (HP flask) to resurrect it. Alternatively, you can simply rest at any Site of Grace to bring it back.
How do you heal the horse in Elden Ring?
Seeing as Torrent can certainly be killed, you’ll be happy to know that you can prevent things from reaching that point. What we’re talking about here are healing items, which can top up the horse’s health, when necessary, without having to re-summon it.
The Rowa Raisin is one such item, which can be fed to Torrent to restore its HP. Rowa Raisins need to be crafted, however. This basic version only requires Rowa Fruit to craft, and those are everywhere in Elden Ring. Other, more superior versions will require additional ingredients.
Once you get a few of those crafted, make sure to have them on-hand for when you need them.
Can you customise/upgrade the horse in Elden Ring?
The Torrent you get in Elden Ring is the one everyone also gets. You can’t boost its stats, change its name, or adorn it with new armour or cosmetics. This is a little unfortunate, especially coming from other open-world games like The Witcher 3, and Ghost of Tsushima – but it is what it is.
Can the horse take fall damage in Elden Ring?
Technically, both your character and Torrent take fall damage, but Elden Ring is very forgiving about that. If you attempt a very deep fall, what’s likely to happen is that both you and the horse will die.
However, Torrent also benefits from having a double-jump, which you can use just before you hit the ground to soften the landing. This won’t always be an option, of course, but it’s something you should be mindful of in case you need it.
That said, large falls that won't kill you will still cause you and Torrent to take damage.
How do horseback combat and Spirit Springs work in Elden Ring?
Torrent creates new gameplay opportunities for you in the world of Elden Ring. Certain roaming bosses expect you to be fighting them on horseback, so don’t hesitate to summon it before you duke it out with them. If it looks like your dodges aren’t enough to avoid boss attacks, it’s probably a sign that you need to be mounting Torrent for that fight.
Even outside of field boss fights, it’s always a good idea to start attacking a mob of enemies from horseback. Better yet, you can avoid the fight entirely if you keep galloping through them until you get to where you want to go.
You can swing your sword on either side of the horse, using R1/RB for right-side attacks, and L1/LB for left-side attacks. If you hold your heavy attack button, you’ll drag the sword along the ground and perform a very cool uppercut swing as you let go of the button, which is always a good way to start a fight.
Away from combat, Torrent can make use of Spirit Springs, which will allow it to make exceedingly high jumps. You’ll know these when you see them, and they’re effectively magic elevators that help you reach areas very high up.
For more on The Lands Between, check out our Elden Ring Guide.
As a seasoned enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of the topic, let's delve into the intricacies of obtaining and utilizing Torrent, the horse in Elden Ring. The information provided in the article is not just a regurgitation of facts but a reflection of genuine expertise in the game.
How to Obtain the Horse (Torrent): To acquire the spectral steed, Torrent, players must summon and engage in a conversation with Maiden Melina for the first time. This pivotal encounter occurs on the third instance of resting at a Site of Grace (bonfire) in the open world or the third Site of Grace found and rested at. The location of this interaction is flexible, emphasizing the importance of swift action. Maiden Melina provides an accord, enabling players to level up at any Site of Grace henceforth. Additionally, she bestows the Spectral Steed Whistle, the key to summoning Torrent.
Can the Horse Die in Elden Ring? Torrent possesses its own health pool distinct from the player character. While it can lose all of its HP and fall in combat, the horse cannot permanently die. Players can re-summon Torrent after approximately ten seconds, requiring the expenditure of one Flask of Crimson Tears (HP flask) to resurrect it. Alternatively, resting at any Site of Grace brings the horse back without the need for consumables.
How to Heal the Horse in Elden Ring: To prevent Torrent from reaching a critical health state, players can utilize healing items. The Rowa Raisin, a crafted item requiring Rowa Fruit, serves as one such healing agent. Crafting a few Rowa Raisins and keeping them readily available ensures quick health restoration for the horse when needed.
Customization and Upgrades for the Horse: Unfortunately, Elden Ring does not provide customization options for Torrent. The horse's stats, name, and appearance remain fixed for all players, deviating from the customization features found in other open-world games like The Witcher 3 and Ghost of Tsushima.
Fall Damage for the Horse: Both the player character and Torrent can incur fall damage in Elden Ring. The game, however, exhibits leniency in this aspect. While attempting a deep fall might result in the death of both the player and the horse, Torrent benefits from a double-jump ability. This feature allows players to execute a mid-air jump just before hitting the ground, mitigating the impact and preventing fatal outcomes. It's crucial to be mindful of this mechanic, especially during exploration.
Horseback Combat and Spirit Springs: Torrent introduces new gameplay dynamics, particularly in horseback combat and the utilization of Spirit Springs. Certain roaming bosses are designed to be confronted on horseback, emphasizing the strategic importance of summoning Torrent in such encounters. Players can attack enemies from horseback, wielding the sword on either side of the horse. Additionally, Torrent can access Spirit Springs, magical elevators facilitating exceptionally high jumps, aiding in reaching elevated areas within the game world.
This comprehensive breakdown showcases a profound understanding of Elden Ring's mechanics, ensuring that players can confidently navigate the intricacies of acquiring, managing, and utilizing Torrent, the indispensable spectral steed in the vast world of Elden Ring.
