Elden Ring Nightreign Guide
Survival Guide
What is Elden Ring Nightreign?
Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone roguelike spin-off from FromSoftware that reimagines the Souls formula with cooperative multiplayer and time-limited expeditions. Released on May 30, 2025, it's set in Limveld - a twisted, procedurally-generated version of Limgrave where darkness has consumed the land.
Unlike the main Elden Ring, Nightreign focuses on 3-player co-op (solo available) with a battle royale-style shrinking map and 3-day expedition cycles. Each run is unique, offering permanent progression even through failure.
The 3-Day Expedition Cycle
Day 1: Exploration & Preparation
Scouting Phase
Explore Limveld's randomized layout, defeat enemies, gather Runes, and visit Churches to increase Flask charges. The Night's Tide begins to close in.
Day 2: Power Spike & Pressure
Escalation Phase
Stronger enemies appear, elite events unlock better rewards, and the Night's Tide accelerates. Reach the Spirit Shelter for final preparations.
Day 3: The Final Battle
Nightlord Encounter
Face one of eight powerful Nightlord avatars in an epic final boss battle. Victory grants unique Relics and progression.
The Eight Nightfarers
Choose from eight unique heroes, each with distinct abilities, ultimate arts, and playstyles designed for team synergy.
Beginner-Friendly Nightfarers
-
Wylder
Longsword Specialist
The Balanced Fighter
Agile melee combatant with explosive crossbow bolts and grappling mobility. Features passive health regeneration. -
Guardian
Shield & Halberd
The Protector
High durability tank with stunning abilities and team protection. Bird-humanoid knight excelling at crowd control.
Advanced Nightfarers
-
Ironeye
Archer Assassin
The Marksman
Ranged specialist excelling at long-distance combat and team revivals. Requires positioning awareness. -
Recluse
Dark Sorceress
The Blood Mage
Isolated witch specializing in soulfire and blood hexes. Devastating magical damage at the cost of self-harm. -
Raider
Berserker Pirate
The Savage
Fast-attacking berserker with high damage output and relentless bleed effects but fragile defense.
Unlockable Nightfarers
-
Duchess
Shadow Dancer
The Deceptive
Dual-identity character wielding daggers and shadow magic. Stealth-focused with high skill requirements. -
Revenant
Spirit Summoner
The Necromancer
Possessed doll who summons her dead family to fight. Excellent team support but weak solo. -
Executor
Silent Samurai
The Honor-Bound
Former Crucible Knight with a vow of silence. Wields a cursed katana seeking redemption.
The Eight Nightlords
Each expedition culminates in battling one of eight powerful Nightlord avatars with unique mechanics and rewards:
- Tricephalos: Three-headed beast (beginner expedition)
- Gladius: Sword-wielding warrior with relentless blade combos
- Heolstor: The supreme Nightlord leader with reality-warping abilities
- Voidmaw: Cosmic horror that devours light and casts shadow zones
- Pyremother: Flame-wreathed sorceress commanding infernal magic
- Bonecrusher: Massive skeletal giant wielding colossal weapons
- Miraleth: Twin-bodied phantom switching between ice and lightning
- Dreadcrown: Corrupted royal wreathed in poison and decay
Key Locations in Limveld
- Castles: Dangerous citadels with powerful foes and excellent rewards
- Churches: Essential for increasing Flask charges
- Townships: Safe areas often housing merchants
- Tunnels: Underground areas rich in Smithing Stones
- Spectral Hawk Trees: Fast travel points for crossing distances
- Field Bosses: Wandering powerful enemies with excellent drops
Core Gameplay Mechanics
The Night's Tide
The blue circle on your map shows the safe zone. It gradually shrinks, forcing players toward boss encounters. Being caught outside causes rapid HP loss from cursed rain.
Churches & Flask Charges
Visit Church altars to permanently increase Flask of Crimson Tears charges for the current expedition. Each team member can benefit from the same altar.
Revival System
When a Nightfarer's HP reaches zero, they enter a near-death state. Teammates must repeatedly attack the dying character to revive them before time runs out.
Runes & Leveling
All enemies drop Runes for leveling up at Sites of Grace. Team members share Rune rewards equally. Focus on efficient farming while managing time pressure.
Merchants & Equipment
Ghostly merchants appear at random locations with rotating stock. They often sell weapons effective against the current expedition's boss.
Permanent Progression
Completing expeditions grants Relics (permanent character upgrades) and Murk currency. Even failed runs provide some progression.
Advanced Strategies
Team Composition
- Beginner Team: Wylder + Guardian + Ironeye
- Balanced Team: Guardian + Recluse + Raider
- Magic Focus: Recluse + Duchess + Guardian
- Melee Focus: Wylder + Raider + Executor
Time Management
- Days 1-2: 20-30 minutes each before boss fights
- Prioritize Churches early for maximum Flask charges
- Balance exploration with preparation time
- Use Spectral Hawk Trees for rapid traversal
Resource Priorities
- Flask Charges: Visit every Church possible
- Smithing Stones: Focus on upgrading primary weapons
- Runes: Level Vigor first, then primary damage stat
- Equipment: Look for boss-specific advantages
Combat Tips
- Ultimate Arts can break special statues for rare rewards
- Ranged weapons excel at reviving teammates safely
- Coordinate team positioning to avoid Night's Tide
- Each Nightfarer has unique revival advantages
May You Find Grace in the Eternal Night
Armed with this knowledge, you're ready to face the terrors of Limveld and challenge the Nightlords. Remember: in Nightreign, death is not the end—it's another step toward mastery. Good hunting, Nightfarer.