How to Achieve No Fall Damage in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

The Lands Between in Elden Ring are vast and vertical, making falls a frequent (and often fatal) occurrence. While complete immunity to falling to your death isn’t possible, negating fall damage is achievable, significantly improving your exploration and survivability. The key lies in the Longtail Cat Talisman. Equipping this talisman effectively cancels out non-lethal fall damage, allowing you to survive drops that would otherwise severely injure (or kill) you. However, it’s crucial to remember that this talisman only negates damage; it doesn’t prevent death from falling too far.

Mastering Fall Damage Mitigation

The Longtail Cat Talisman: Your Anti-Gravity Ally

The Longtail Cat Talisman is the cornerstone of fall damage negation in Elden Ring. This talisman, depicting a cat brooch, renders the wearer immune to the damage associated with falls. Note the crucial distinction: It eliminates the health penalty but not the potential for instant death from extreme heights.

Where to Find the Longtail Cat Talisman

Acquiring this valuable talisman requires venturing into the Raya Lucarian Academy. Specifically, you’ll find it in a chest located in an area accessible after progressing through the Academy’s rooftops. Be prepared for some tricky platforming and enemy encounters along the way. Look for it on a corpse hanging off a ledge.

How to Use the Talisman Effectively

Simply equip the Longtail Cat Talisman in one of your talisman slots. Once equipped, you’ll automatically negate fall damage from any height that wouldn’t normally be lethal. This allows for shortcuts, daring leaps, and exploration of previously inaccessible areas.

Testing the Limits: Rainbow Stones

While the Longtail Cat Talisman prevents damage, knowing the safe fall distance is paramount. The game mechanics don’t provide a clear indicator. Here is a method of testing it:

• Rainbow Stones: These items, when dropped, will shatter if the fall would be fatal. If they remain intact, it’s a safe jump. Use this to gauge whether the Longtail Cat Talisman will save you or not.
• Experimentation (Carefully!): It’s best to start with small drops and gradually increase the height to get a feel for the talisman’s limits. Remember to save frequently!

Beyond the Talisman: Things to Consider

While the Longtail Cat Talisman is the primary method, other factors affect fall survival:

• Armor: Heavier armor doesn’t directly negate fall damage but can increase your overall defense, making you more resistant to the damage taken if you mistime a jump and only take a little fall damage.
• HP: Having higher HP is always beneficial. It gives you a larger buffer to survive falls where you slightly misjudge the distance.
• Luck: Sometimes, a little luck is all you need! (Just kidding, but save frequently).

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Fall Damage in Elden Ring

1. Can I become completely immune to all fall damage in Elden Ring?

No. While the Longtail Cat Talisman negates the health penalty associated with falls, it does not prevent falling to your death from heights exceeding the game’s lethal threshold. Think of it as fall damage immunity, not fall death immunity.

2. Does the Longtail Cat Talisman work on Torrent, my spectral steed?

No, the Longtail Cat Talisman only affects the player character. Torrent takes fall damage independently, and certain falls can kill both you and your horse. Be cautious when riding near cliffs.

3. Does equip load (light, medium, heavy) affect fall damage?

No, equip load has no direct effect on fall damage. It primarily influences your movement speed, roll distance, and I-frames during rolls. This is unrelated to fall damage calculation.

4. Are there any incantations or spells that negate fall damage?

No. There are no spells or incantations that directly negate fall damage. The Longtail Cat Talisman is the primary (and arguably only) reliable method.

5. Can I use a shield to block fall damage?

No. Shielding does not mitigate fall damage. Blocking is generally ineffective during falls.

6. Does jumping before I hit the ground help?

No. Attempting to jump right before impact does not negate or reduce fall damage. This is a common misconception from other games.

7. How do I know if a fall will be lethal?

The best method is to use Rainbow Stones. Dropping one over the edge will indicate whether the fall is survivable (stone remains intact) or lethal (stone shatters). If you want more on this, you could consult resources from the GamesLearningSociety.org, which often delve into the mechanics of game design and player learning.

8. Are there any items besides Rainbow Stones to test fall damage?

Not specifically. Rainbow Stones are the most reliable and readily available item for testing fall damage. You could technically jump to your death to check, but that might get frustrating.

9. Does the Mimic’s Veil trick negate fall damage?

No, using the Mimic’s Veil to disguise yourself does not affect fall damage. It only alters your appearance.

10. Does performing an attack animation before landing negate fall damage?

No. Attempting to attack or perform weapon skills during a fall does not reduce or eliminate fall damage.

11. Does leveling up Vigor affect fall damage?

Yes, indirectly. Vigor increases your maximum HP, which provides a larger health buffer. While it doesn’t directly reduce the damage calculation, more HP means you can survive falls that would otherwise be lethal at lower levels.

12. Is there a fall damage cancel like in Breath of the Wild?

No, there is no known fall damage cancel mechanic in Elden Ring similar to the weapon throw technique in Breath of the Wild.

13. Does falling into water negate fall damage?

Falling into shallow water may reduce fall damage slightly, but it’s inconsistent and unreliable. Deep water will not prevent fall damage; you’ll still take damage as if you hit solid ground.

14. Do status effects like Scarlet Rot or Poison affect fall damage?

No, status effects do not directly influence fall damage calculations. However, being afflicted by a status effect while falling can lead to death after the fall if the damage over time finishes you off.

15. What are some areas where the Longtail Cat Talisman is particularly useful?

The Longtail Cat Talisman shines in areas with intricate level design and verticality, such as:

• Stormveil Castle: Plenty of opportunities for shortcuts and exploring rooftops.
• Raya Lucarian Academy: Essential for navigating the rooftops and accessing hidden areas (including the talisman’s location!).
• Leyndell, Royal Capital: Several areas where you can drop down to lower levels, bypassing enemies.
• Deeproot Depths: Allows for more confident exploration of the underground environment, particularly around the waterfall areas.

By mastering the use of the Longtail Cat Talisman and understanding the mechanics of fall damage, you’ll navigate the treacherous landscapes of Elden Ring with greater confidence and uncover secrets that would otherwise remain hidden. Good luck, Tarnished!