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Playing Elden Ring Offline Without Anti-Cheat: A Tarnished’s Guide to Modding Freedom

So, you crave the freedom to mod Elden Ring to your heart’s content, or perhaps you simply prefer a solitary journey through the Lands Between? Whatever your reason, playing Elden Ring offline without Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) is entirely achievable. Here’s the straight dope: To play Elden Ring offline without EAC, you need to disable EAC by renaming the start_protected_game.exe file, creating a copy of the elden_ring.exe file, and renaming that copy to start_protected_game.exe. This fools the game into launching without EAC. Then, launch Steam in offline mode before starting the game.

Disabling Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC): The Nitty-Gritty

EAC is the gatekeeper that prevents you from messing with Elden Ring’s files while playing online. It’s there to prevent cheating in multiplayer. But if you’re going solo and want to unleash the power of mods, it needs to go. Here’s how to surgically remove EAC’s influence (without actually deleting it, of course):

Locate Your Elden Ring Installation: Fire up Steam. Right-click on Elden Ring in your library, select “Properties,” then go to the “Local Files” tab and click “Browse.” This will open the directory where Elden Ring is installed.
Navigate to the “game” Folder: Inside the Elden Ring installation folder, you’ll find a folder called “game.” Double-click to enter it. This is where the crucial files reside.
Rename start_protected_game.exe: Find the file named start_protected_game.exe. This is the file that launches the game with EAC enabled. Rename it to something else, like start_protected_game_original.exe. Make sure you remember the original name, in case you want to revert the changes later.
Duplicate elden_ring.exe: Now, find the file named elden_ring.exe. This is the main executable file for the game itself. Right-click on it and select “Copy,” then right-click again in the same folder and select “Paste.” This will create a copy of the file, usually named something like elden_ring - Copy.exe.
Rename the Copy to start_protected_game.exe: Right-click on the newly created copy and rename it to start_protected_game.exe. You are essentially telling Steam to launch the regular game executable instead of the EAC protected one.
Set Steam to Offline Mode: Finally, with the EAC workaround in place, set Steam to offline mode. Click “Steam” in the top left corner of the Steam window and select “Go Offline.” This prevents the game from attempting to connect to the Elden Ring servers.
Launch Elden Ring Through Steam: Start Elden Ring as you normally would through Steam. If everything went correctly, the game should launch without EAC. You can now unleash your modding potential!

Why Bother Playing Offline? The Benefits of Solitude and Customization

Why go through all this trouble? There are several compelling reasons to play Elden Ring offline:

Modding Freedom: This is the big one. Disabling EAC opens the door to a world of mods, from quality-of-life improvements to complete overhauls. You can tweak the game to your liking without fear of bans.
Uninterrupted Gameplay: No more surprise invasions from other players while you’re trying to conquer a challenging boss. Offline mode provides a purely solo experience.
Stability: Some players find that disabling EAC improves performance, especially on lower-end systems.
Personal Experience: Playing offline allows you to create your own unique Elden Ring experience without outside interference.

The Potential Downsides: What You’ll Miss

Of course, playing offline comes with a few trade-offs:

No Co-op or PvP: You won’t be able to summon friends for help or engage in duels with other players.
No Messages: Those helpful (or hilarious) messages left by other players will be absent from your world.
No Patches/Updates: You won’t receive automatic game updates or patches unless you temporarily go back online.

A Word of Warning: Ban Risks and Save File Corruption

While playing offline with mods should be safe, there’s always a slight risk involved. It’s crucial to understand the following:

Going Online with Modded Saves: Never, ever go online with a save file that has been modified. Even if you remove the mods, the game can still detect alterations to your character or world state, leading to a ban.
Clean Save Files: If you want to switch between online and offline play, always use separate save files. Keep a “clean” save file for online play and a separate save file for your modded offline adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a compilation of frequently asked questions about playing Elden Ring offline without anti-cheat, to address any lingering concerns or provide further clarification:

1. Can I get banned for playing Elden Ring offline?

No, you cannot get banned for playing Elden Ring offline. Bans are only issued for using mods or cheats while connected to the game’s online servers.

2. What happens if I accidentally launch Elden Ring online with mods?

If you accidentally launch Elden Ring online with mods, you risk receiving a ban. The severity of the ban can vary, but it’s best to avoid this scenario entirely. Remove all mods and verify the game files through Steam before going online.

3. How long do Elden Ring bans last?

Elden Ring bans can be temporary (e.g., 180 days) or permanent, depending on the severity of the offense and the number of previous violations.

4. What kind of mods can get me banned in Elden Ring?

Any mod that alters the game’s mechanics, character stats, item values, or world state can potentially lead to a ban if used online. Cosmetic mods are less likely to cause issues, but it’s still best to avoid using any mods online.

5. Can I play Elden Ring offline on consoles?

Consoles typically don’t have native modding support, and disabling anti-cheat measures is generally not possible. Therefore, playing Elden Ring offline with mods is primarily a PC-specific endeavor.

6. How do I remove mods from Elden Ring?

To remove mods from Elden Ring, simply delete or uninstall the mod files from your game directory. It’s also a good idea to verify the integrity of your game files through Steam to ensure that no modded files remain.

7. Will disabling EAC improve Elden Ring’s performance?

For some players, disabling EAC can lead to a slight improvement in performance, especially on lower-end systems. However, the performance gains may not be significant for everyone.

8. How do I revert back to playing Elden Ring online?

To revert back to playing Elden Ring online, simply rename start_protected_game_original.exe back to start_protected_game.exe. Then, ensure Steam is in online mode and launch the game.

9. Can I still earn achievements in Elden Ring offline?

Yes, you can still earn achievements in Elden Ring while playing offline. Achievements are tracked locally and will sync with your Steam account when you go back online.

10. Does Easy Anti-Cheat detect all mods?

EAC attempts to detect known modding tools and altered game files. However, some mods may be able to bypass EAC’s detection mechanisms, at least temporarily. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid using any mods online.

11. What is the “Seamless Co-op” mod for Elden Ring?

The “Seamless Co-op” mod is a popular mod that allows players to experience the entire Elden Ring campaign in cooperative multiplayer without the limitations of the game’s standard co-op system. It is best enjoyed offline with EAC disabled to prevent bans.

12. Is there an “easy mode” for Elden Ring?

Elden Ring doesn’t have a traditional “easy mode,” but certain builds, summons, and strategies can make the game significantly easier. Mods can also be used to further adjust the difficulty.

13. What is the 180-day penalty in Elden Ring?

The 180-day penalty is a temporary ban that is sometimes issued to players who disconnect from online matches frequently. This penalty restricts them to offline play or playing online with other penalized players.

14. Can I use a VPN to bypass an Elden Ring IP ban?

Yes, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can potentially bypass an Elden Ring IP ban by masking your actual IP address and routing your internet traffic through a different server.

15. Where can I learn more about gaming and education?

For more information on the intersection of gaming and education, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. You’ll find lots of research on the subject at the Games Learning Society.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently enjoy Elden Ring offline with the freedom to mod your game to your liking. Just remember to play responsibly and keep your online and offline experiences separate to avoid any unwanted penalties. Now go forth, Tarnished, and forge your own legend in the Lands Between!

How to play Elden Ring offline without anti cheat?