The term refers to discussions on the social media platform Reddit about the diminishing returns players experience when increasing specific character stats in the Elden Ring video game. As a player invests more points into a particular attribute, such as Strength or Vigor, the benefit gained from each additional point decreases after reaching certain threshold values. These threshold values are commonly called soft caps. For example, while initially adding points to Vigor greatly increases health, the health gained per point decreases substantially after reaching 40 Vigor. This phenomenon is a common mechanic in role-playing games designed to encourage diverse stat allocation.
Understanding attribute scaling and soft caps is crucial for optimizing character builds in Elden Ring. Players seeking to maximize damage output, survivability, or other performance metrics benefit from being aware of when investing further in a particular stat becomes inefficient. This knowledge is beneficial in making informed decisions about where to allocate limited stat points. This mechanics design influences build diversity, preventing players from simply maxing out one or two attributes and instead encouraging a more balanced approach to character development.
