Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 -
An interesting footnote to history: Dark Souls Remastered on Nintendo Switch launched at version 1.03 but received a unique 1.04 update in September 2018 that diverged from Sony/Microsoft.
Switch 1.04 did not include the backstab window reduction (due to the console’s lower network processing overhead). Instead, it focused on:
Thus, Switch players still play a slightly different "1.04" than their PlayStation counterparts—a rare case of patch divergence.
This patch subtly reshaped the PvP meta.
| Spell | Pre-1.04 Behavior | Post-1.04 Behavior | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Dark Bead | 8 projectiles, full damage at max range | 7 projectiles, damage falloff after mid-range | | Wrath of the Gods | Uninterruptible casting | Can be staggered during the first 10 frames | | Great Combustion | 110 poise damage | 76 poise damage (cannot stun Havel monsters) | | Tranquil Walk of Peace | 20 second duration | 12 second duration |
These changes discouraged "spell-spam" builds and rewarded precision timing.
Just spent a few hours with the 1.04 update and wanted to share some quick impressions and tips for anyone jumping back in:
Tips after the patch:
Your experience may vary by platform — what did everyone else notice? Any changes I missed or boss fights that felt different post-1.04?
While there wasn't a major "1.04" update specifically for Dark Souls: Remastered
(which launched at version 1.01 with most modern fixes already integrated), the community often discusses Patch 1.04 in the context of the original Dark Souls —a legendary update that fundamentally reshaped Lordran.
Here is a blog post draft reflecting on that pivotal moment in the series' history. Looking Back: How Patch 1.04 Saved Lordran If you’re a newer fan who jumped in with Dark Souls: Remastered
, you might not realize that the "tough but fair" world we know today was once a much harsher—and sometimes broken—place. Before the original version 1.04 update, the game was a wilder frontier. dark souls remastered 1.04
Whether you're playing the Remaster today or revisiting the original, here’s why Patch 1.04 remains the most important update in the franchise’s history. The Great Balancing Act
Before 1.04, the meta was dominated by a few near-invincible options. This patch brought the hammer down on several infamous builds: The Ring of Fog Fix : Originally, players using the Ring of Fog
could not be locked onto at all, making them absolute nightmares in PvP. 1.04 adjusted this so they could be targeted, restoring some sanity to invasions. Sorcery and Pyromancy Nerfs Pyromancy Flame saw its base damage reduced, and the legendary Iron Flesh
spell—which previously made you an immovable tank—was significantly weakened. Shield Stability
: Many medium shields had their stability reduced to make Greatshields a more viable, distinct choice for heavy builds. Quality of Life: A Kinder Lordran
For many, the most noticeable change was the economy. In the "pre-patch" days, souls were incredibly scarce. Soul Rewards
: Patch 1.04 roughly doubled the souls dropped by enemies, making the grind for levels much less punishing. Easier Covenants : The Faith requirement for joining the Warrior of Sunlight
was slashed from 50 to 25, allowing more players to "Praise the Sun" early on. Merchant Inventory : This patch finally allowed us to buy the Master Key from Domhnall of Zena and added basic Titanite Shards
to blacksmith inventories, streamlining the weapon upgrade path. Why It Matters for Remastered Players When QLOC developed Dark Souls: Remastered
, they used the "final" balanced version of the original game as their foundation. That means every time you buy a Bottomless Box from the Undead Merchant or successfully lock onto a Forest Hunter, you’re benefiting from the groundwork laid by version 1.04. It was the moment Dark Souls
transitioned from a cult curiosity with balance issues into the polished masterpiece we still play today. Remaster's specific technical changes like the added bonfire at Vamos or the 60FPS performance?
Dark Souls: Remastered Regulation 1.04 focuses on balancing gameplay by tweaking magic, improving item drop rates, and adjusting weapon scaling. Key updates include reduced durations for "Pursuit" spells and Tranquil Walk of Peace, increased drop rates for covenant items, and expanded merchant inventories. For a detailed list of changes, visit Fextralife Patch Notes An interesting footnote to history: Dark Souls Remastered
The Dark Souls Remastered 1.04 Regulation (often paired with App Version 1.03) was a significant post-launch update released on July 11, 2018, primarily focused on critical bug fixes and stability improvements across all platforms.
While it did not introduce major gameplay rebalances, it addressed several "game-breaking" issues that had persisted since the remaster's launch in May 2018. Key Bug Fixes in Version 1.04
This update was vital for the PC community and console players alike, resolving technical glitches that interfered with core progression and multiplayer:
Four Kings Boss Glitch: Fixed a notorious bug where the Four Kings would not display properly or become invisible in The Abyss, making the late-game fight significantly more difficult than intended.
Boss Clear Data Errors: Resolved an issue where a player's save data could become erroneous if the application was closed under specific conditions immediately after defeating Gwyn, Lord of Cinder.
Online Multiplayer Stability: Fixed a bug where session matching would stop if a player failed to join a session containing blocked players. It also addressed a visual glitch where players could become invisible during online multiplayer.
Ending Trigger Fix: Fixed a rare exploit/bug where the game's ending would trigger in the Kiln of the First Flame without the boss being defeated, specifically when performing certain moves before the boss fog.
Security and Cheating: Improved anti-cheat security measures for online play to protect the community from malicious tampering. Update Logistics Release Date: July 11, 2018.
Offline Play Availability: Unlike previous updates, players remained able to play the game in offline mode during the server maintenance window (3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. CST).
Platform Coverage: The patch was rolled out simultaneously for PC (Steam), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Context: Remaster vs. Original Patch Numbers
It is important to distinguish this from the original 2011 release's 1.04 Patch, which was much more transformative for gameplay balance. The original 1.04 (and 1.05) introduced massive changes including: Halving the Sunbro Faith requirement to 25. Significant nerfs to Tranquil Walk of Peace and Iron Flesh. Drastic buffs to item discovery and Humanity drop rates.
Vendor inventory expansions (e.g., blacksmiths selling more shards). Thus, Switch players still play a slightly different "1
In contrast, the Remastered 1.04 was a maintenance-focused update designed to ensure the modern port functioned as intended for the long term.
When discussing Dark Souls Remastered version 1.04 , it is important to distinguish between the Regulation version and the version, as these often differ by platform. Patch Overview: Regulation 1.04 In the context of the Remastered edition, "1.04" typically refers to Regulation Version 1.04 , which was released alongside App Version 1.03 July 11, 2018
. Unlike the major balancing overhauls seen in the original 2011 version's 1.04 update (which nerfed the Pyromancy Flame and adjusted Tranquil Walk of Peace Remastered
1.04 regulation update was primarily focused on technical stability and online performance. Key Updates & Fixes
The following changes were part of the 1.03/1.04 update cycle for Dark Souls Remastered Offline Mode Accessibility:
Fixed an issue where players could not play in offline mode during certain patch processes. Online Restoration (PC):
For the PC version, Regulation 1.04 (paired with App Ver. 1.03.1) was crucial for restoring online services after they were temporarily deactivated due to security vulnerabilities. Bug Fixes:
Resolved specific animation and UI glitches that persisted after the initial remaster launch. Multiplayer Stability:
Improved matchmaking and server connections across all platforms. Legacy Context: Original 1.04 vs. Remastered Newer players often confuse this with the original Dark Souls (2011) Patch 1.04
, which was a massive gameplay shift. That legacy patch famously: Master Key to Domhnall of Zena’s shop inventory. Lowered the Sunlight Warrior Faith requirement from 50 to 25. Increased drop rates for rare items like Twinkling Titanite For the current Dark Souls Remastered
experience, Regulation 1.04 serves as the standard stable version for modern online play. glitch tutorials compatible with this version?