U4GM - 7 Elden Ring Items That Reference Past Souls Games (Lore Connections Guide)
FromSoftware has a reputation for weaving interconnected lore across its games, and Elden Ring is no exception. As a longtime fan of the Soulsborne series, I was thrilled to discover how many Elden Ring Items serve as direct or symbolic nods to past titles like Dark Souls, Demon's Souls, and Bloodborne. These references go beyond mere fan service—they add rich layers of meaning for players who’ve followed the journey from Lordran to the Lands Between.
In this guide, I’ll explore seven fascinating Elden Ring Items that reference previous Souls games and share a bit of my personal experience discovering them. If you're someone who enjoys lore or simply wants to build around nostalgic gear, you can even buy Elden Ring items for sale to complete your themed loadout faster.
1. Moonlight Greatsword (Dark Moon Greatsword)The Moonlight Greatsword is a FromSoftware staple, appearing in nearly every one of their fantasy games. In Elden Ring, it returns as the Dark Moon Greatsword, obtained through Ranni’s questline. Its glimmering blade and sorcery scaling are a clear tribute to its Dark Souls counterpart. When I first completed the quest and received the sword, it was like greeting an old friend from my Dark Souls 1 days.
2. Iron Set (Knight Set)The Knight Set in Elden Ring closely resembles the iconic armor of Oscar of Astora from Dark Souls. The rounded helm and classic knight aesthetics are hard to miss. As someone who wore this set religiously in Dark Souls, equipping it again in Elden Ring made me feel like I was honoring my roots as a chosen undead.
3. Clawmark SealThis item references the concept of bestial faith from earlier Souls games, particularly the Beast Claw in Bloodborne. The Clawmark Seal amplifies bestial incantations and directly ties into the lore of Gurranq, which reminds me of Bloodborne’s Beast transformation mechanics. Using this seal brought back memories of wild arcane builds in Yharnam.
4. Fia’s Set (Deathbed Dress)Fia’s robe is reminiscent of the Maiden in Black from Demon's Souls—both in appearance and role. Her connection to death and the way she cradles the Tarnished mirrors the comfort and mystery provided by the Maiden. The first time I noticed the similarity, I stopped to revisit some of the older games and felt even more connected to Elden Ring's world.
5. Fire Monk IncantationsThe visual effects and destructive power of these incantations reminded me immediately of the pyromancy system from Dark Souls. Specifically, the Flame, Cleanse Me spell evoked memories of Power Within and other iconic spells. If you're building a pyromancer-type character in Elden Ring, these incantations feel like spiritual successors.
6. Eclipse ShotelThis weapon bears a strong resemblance to the Shotel from Dark Souls, known for bypassing shields. The Eclipse Shotel takes it further with a death effect tied to the Sun and eclipse imagery—a callback to both Dark Souls 3’s ominous eclipsed sun and the theme of inevitable decay. When I found it during my second playthrough, it felt like discovering a lost relic of Lothric.
7. Erdtree GreatshieldThe Erdtree Greatshield’s ability to absorb and return magic is very similar to the Magic Shield and Greatshield tactics in Dark Souls 2 and 3. Its design and function feel like a blend of the Havel’s and Pursuer’s shields. I’ve used this in several PvP duels, and its utility and visual weight reminded me of old builds that leaned into magic counters.
For those who’ve followed FromSoftware over the years, finding these lore-rich Elden Ring Items is like a reward in itself. The nostalgic echoes across games add emotional depth and thematic continuity that enhances the Elden Ring experience.
And if you’re looking to build around one of these legacy items, you can always buy Elden Ring items for sale from reliable sources to skip the farming and focus on the fun. I’ve done that myself to quickly assemble a cosplay build based on my favorite Dark Souls 3 character, and the process was smooth and surprisingly satisfying.
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