If there's one environment that FromSoftware fans almost universally groan at, it's the poison swamp. The controversial biome has made an appearance in almost every Soulsborne title to date, including the Dark Souls' Blighttown, Dark Souls 3 's Farron Keep and Demon's Souls ' dreaded Valley of Defilement.
The poison swamp, then, is the bane of many a Souls player's existence, but it turns out the toxic environment is one that director Hidetaka Miyazaki is eager to have back in Elden Ring , as he revealed in an interview with Game Informer .
Miyazaki, who also directed Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice , admitted that: "While making [Elden Ring] I rediscovered my love for making poison swamps."
"I know how people feel about them, but you know, suddenly I realize I'm in the middle of making one and I just can't help myself," he told the publication. "It just happens."
If Elden Ring will be your first time exploring FromSoftware's particular brand of action RPG, then it's worth knowing in advance the kind of fresh hell the developer's infamous poison swamps have in store for you.
Yes, Soulsborne poison swamps certainly do poison you - slowly draining your health over time - but they're so much worse than that. They'll usually also greatly hamper your ability to move.
Nowhere is this more exacerbated than in Demon's Souls and its PS5 remake, where attempting to dodge roll in the swamp will instead play a unique and excruciatingly long animation of your character struggling to maintain their footing.
A toxic mechanic
At least Elden Ring's take on the poisonous swamp seems to deviate slightly from the Soulsborne norm.
"In terms of Elden Ring’s story and setting there is something that is especially horrible that exists and persists in this world," Miyazaki teased. "I'll go ahead and say the name so it's something that you can look forward to, it's called the Scarlet Rot, this is something that is separate a little bit from poison or toxicity but I hope you look forward to it."
It's currently unclear as to whether this Scarlet Rot will be a status effect that will addle the player or not. But if it has anything to do with the poisonous swamps, it's a safe bet that it's something we'll have to keep on top of while exploring these zones.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice had a similarly named affliction called Dragonrot. In that game, though, it was a persistent effect that spread across certain NPCs when you chose to resurrect yourself upon death. This incentivized taking a death on the chin every now and then, instead of negatively affecting the various denizens of the world.
We doubt this Scarlet Rot will be quite as universally complex as that, but we're tentatively interested in seeing how this new affliction could affect our traipses through Elden Ring's more toxic locales.
Saucony reveals Peregrine 12 trail running shoes, built for powering through mud
Saucony has launched its first new trail running shoe of 2022: the Peregrine 12, which is super lightweight and available in variants for both hard, rocky surfaces and slick, muddy tracks. The Peregrine 12 is 30g lighter than its predecessor, weighing 275g for the men's model and 235g for the women's, and its sockliner contains the same PWRRUN cushioning the Endorphin and Ride road shoes.
The Peregrine's upper has received a redesign for 2022, and is now more streamlined and breathable. Pliable overlays protect from rocks, roots and debris. It also has an updated PWRTRAC outsole for extra traction, making it easier to push off with each step.
The shoe is also equipped with a D-ring so you can attach gaiters for running on loose soil, sand, or even snow.
Get a grip
For wet and slippery conditions, the Peregrine 12 ST has longer multi-directional lugs for extra grip, with extra spacing in between so muck slides out between each step rather than clogging the sole. The upper is reinforced with 3D-printed overlays, plus a mesh shield over the tongue to prevent grit and stones working their way inside.
The shoe will be available from Saucony's online store and third-party retailers from February 1.
Opinion: mud, mud, glorious mud
Sales of treadmills and exercise bikes might have boomed as gyms shut their doors during the pandemic, but many people chose to stray into the great outdoors for their regular workouts. In its latest fitness report , Garmin reported a huge increase in the number of trail cycling workouts logged using its app, and a survey by the American Trail Running Association found that most off-road runners had spent the same amount of time or more on the trails in 2020 than 2019.
It's easy to see why: trail and fell running are great fun, and allow you to explore beautiful locations well away from traffic and noise. They also present a very different challenge to road running. You're using more muscles, balance is important, and you need to be more aware of where you're putting each foot.
However, you do need to prepare, and that means getting the right footwear; as many a runner has discovered when embarking on their first off-road 10k, a pair of specialized shoes are essential. Your trusty road shoes will offer no purchase at all on slimy tracks, and before you know it, you'll be sliding down a bank into a ditch.
For tackling technical courses with plenty of rocks and tree roots, it's also a good idea to get some training on technique. Downhills in particular are much more fun when you're able to build up some speed rather than nervously picking your way between obstacles.
If you're curious, look for a qualified coach near you who can take you through the basics, or help build your skills if you've already had your first taste of mud (metaphorically or literally). If you're not sure where to begin, your nearest trail running club should be able to offer some recommendations.
Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard live stream: how to watch boxing online from anywhere, full fight, ring walks
The Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard live stream is about begin. Native New Yorker Smith will put his WBO light heavyweight belt on the line for the first time as he kicks off his maiden title defence against the replacement combatant Steve Geffrard. ESPN has the most accessible coverage across cable and streaming through ESPN+ . Read on as we explain how to watch a Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard live stream today wherever you are anywhere in the world.
Smith claimed the WBO light heavyweight crown last April after defeating Maxim Vlasov via majority decision - a win that took his career record to 27-3 with 21 KOs.
The 32-year-old had been scheduled to face Umar Salamov as his first defence back in October, only for that date to be nixed after the Long Islander tested positive for Covid. Their rescheduled meeting was due to take place tonight, but Salamov was forced to pull out after failing to obtain a visa from his native Russia in time.
Callum Johnson was drafted in as Salamov's replacement, but the British former 175-pound title challenger was also forced to drop out earlier this week after contracting coronavirus.
That means opportunity knocks for short-notice stand-in Steve Geffrard. The 31 year-old is unbeaten since 2013 with a 18-2 record that includes 12 knockouts, but his main credential coming into this fight appears to be his experience as a spar partner for unbeaten unified 175-pound beltholder Artur Beterbiev.
You can watch all of the action from New York unfold, no matter where you are, by following our guide below to watch a Smith Jr vs Geffrard live stream online from anywhere.
How to watch Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard from outside your country
There are some great ways of watching Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard all over the world but you won't be able to if you're away from home and blocked from your usual service. To get round that, you need to use a VPN to dial into a country that's showing the fight.
VPNs change your IP address making it appear that you're in a completely different location. Here's how to get started.
Use a VPN to live stream Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard anywhere
How to watch Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard online in the US
How to watch Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard: live stream boxing in the UK
How to watch Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard: live stream boxing in Canada
Can you watch Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard in Australia?
Sadly there's no confirmed broadcaster for Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard in Australia at the time of writing. The only alternative is to use one of the best VPN service providers to tap into coverage from another nation, as described above.
The software is generally ideal for this as it allows you to change your IP address and appear to be in a completely different location - and all through a safe, encrypted connection. But do bear in mind that many paid streaming services do require a credit card based in the country the service is from.
Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard time and date
The Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard fight takes place on Saturday, January 15 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino, in Verona, New York.
Ring walks for the main event are roughly expected to be as follows.
Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard ring walk times
Joe Smith Jr vs Steve Geffrard: full card for Saturday's event