Aside from the rare misalignment with in-game worlds, I seldom ponder the height of video game characters. Standing modestly at 5'7, I typically assume that most protagonists tower over me. Unexpected height revelations occasionally catch me off guard; for instance, I once believed Thief’s Garrett to be a tall six-footer, only to discover he might actually be even shorter than I!
A similar reaction occurred while watching Zullie the Witch’s recent video discussing character heights in FromSoftware titles, revealing that every protagonist up until Elden Ring Nightreign is about 1.7 meters, or 5 feet 7 inches tall. This realization reshapes my view on their stature, challenging my assumption that they were all six feet tall, which accentuates how colossal the bosses appear in comparison.
Importantly, Zullie’s video focuses on a new height modifier affecting gameplay mechanics in Nightreign. Elden Ring’s playable characters showcase visibly diverse heights while maintaining a consistent player model. The smallest avatar measures 4'9, while the Guardian stands tall at 6'6, risking frequent encounters with door frames.
Mechanically, height differences do not significantly impact movement actions like running or jumping but slightly influence combat. Smaller characters boast a marginally higher chance of evading certain attacks (like arrows), whereas taller characters enjoy extended reach, allowing them to strike enemies from farther away.
Even if the mechanics aren’t groundbreaking, discovering that character height could play a role is intriguing. Zullie notes that this size modifier could evolve into a character creation feature in future FromSoftware games. I now yearn for a FromSoft RPG enabling you to develop minuscule characters capable of attacking bosses from the inside! Although, existing bosses might facilitate this already if the games supported such mechanics.
Ultimately, it’s refreshing to know I can face all other FromSoftware protagonists eye-to-eye without discomfort. This realization also presents numerous cosplay possibilities—not that they concern me much. Still, it’s reassuring to have alternatives beyond just “comic-accurate Wolverine.”
