Elden Ring Nightreign: Which Character is Right for You?

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the excitement brewing as FromSoftware’s Elden Ring Nightreign gets closer! With every FromSoftware action-RPG since Demon’s Souls being a significant milestone, Elden Ring has managed to surpass them all, a feat that’s truly remarkable. This game has not only earned the largest Soulslike DLC yet but also a unique spin-off from FromSoftware – a rare occurrence indeed!

In Elden Ring Nightreign, the exploration emphasis is shifted towards shorter cooperative adventures in randomly generated environments. It takes the familiar mechanics and assets of Elden Ring and spins them into an entirely new gaming experience.

In contrast to the typical character creation system in Elden Ring by FromSoftware, Nightreign introduces a group of eight unique characters known as Nightfarers. More Nightfarers are expected to arrive via DLCs later. Trailers detailing each Nightfarer’s abilities have been released leading up to launch, and the last two unnamed Nightfarers were recently leaked. With enough information now available, we can assign roles to the different characters in Nightreign. Players eager for the game should pay attention to each Nightfarer’s abilities and choose the one that resonates with them.

Wylder – The Everyman

New players and Souls veterans alike will quickly take to the Wylder, even if it’s not the class they always play.

In the game “Elden Ring Nightreign,” Wylder stands out as the main or central character, making him the first one you’ll control when starting the game. However, this doesn’t imply that he’s dull in any way; instead, he serves as a convenient starting point for both newcomers and experienced players due to his balanced stat distribution. Wylder offers unique advantages such as a grappling hook that enhances mobility and powerful pile bunker explosions. Yet, what truly sets him apart is his passive ability to withstand one unavoidable fatal blow per “life,” making him an excellent choice for casual play in the game “Nightreign.

Guardian – The Tank

Shield enthusiasts and jolly cooperators will find common ground under the wings of the Guardian.

In the reveal trailer for Nightreign, the Guardian character caught everyone’s attention, standing out even among other impressive characters. This half-bird, half-human character marks a departure from previous player characters in FromSoftware’s action games, as he specializes in using shields instead of relying on one of Elden Ring’s weapon types. His gameplay style is quite unique, emphasizing defense and counterattacks.

The Guardian also boasts abilities such as a dual-functioning stun-and-erase status effect cloud skill, and a potent dive tank Ultimate Art that offers an area of effect (AoE) defensive boost. A skilled Guardian can expect exceptional survivability, but a truly great Guardian can extend this durability to their entire team.

Duchess – The Assassin

Speedsters, crit stackers, and team players alike should find the Duchess to their liking.

Amongst the four Nightfarers featured in the network test of Elden Ring Nightreign, it’s possible that the Duchess was the most powerful, not for reasons commonly found in Soulslike games. The Duchess stands out due to her significantly altered dagger moveset and exceptional improvements to her evasive maneuvers, which allow her to effortlessly handle the intricacies of new, old, and cross-over enemies within Nightreign. Her Ultimate Art makes nearby allies invisible, even during boss battles, but it’s her Restage ability that truly shines. With precise timing and coordination, this skill can amplify enemies’ health and stamina damage they just sustained by a factor of two, resulting in quicker staggering and shorter combat encounters.

Recluse – The Sorcerer

Complexity lovers and casters everywhere will naturally gravitate towards the Recluse.

In contrast to the Wylder, Guardian, and Duchess who excel when you grasp Elden Ring’s basics, the character known as Recluse seems to offer an entirely distinct experience. Serving as Nightreign’s primary spellcasting class, the Recluse is proficient in utilizing a vast array of spells encountered during gameplay, and this is merely the beginning. Similar to the Duchess, the Recluse’s Ultimate Art, Soulblood Song, provides temporary respite for allies amidst battle, but it’s her regular skill that truly steals the show. The Magic Cocktail’s possible outcomes are too extensive to detail here, but dedicated Recluse players who learn its spell combinations and monitor elemental damage will prove to be a formidable adversary.

Ironeye – The Sniper

Ranged fighters and believers in the buddy system should be pleasantly surprised by the Ironeye’s improved archery.

In the network test, four characters were not functional, leaving their performance in a Nightreign session uncertain, but their intended roles are discernible. Among them, Ironeye’s role stands out as FromSoftware seems to have been influenced by Monster Hunter’s Bow class when redesigning its own bow moveset, even going so far as to modify its movement capabilities and critical hit animation. Despite being primarily a ranged character, Ironeye is also an effective support class; it passively increases the discovery rate of items and can easily revive fallen players from a safe distance by firing at them.

Raider – The Heavy-Hitter

For anyone seeking the Strength build experience, look no further than the Raider.

In the game Elden Ring Nightreign, most of the Nightfarers have intricate designs catering to various preferences. However, the Raider stands out as comparatively straightforward. This character sports a robust, heavily-armored persona and enjoys wielding massive weapons, making him appealing for players who favor Strength. As of now, it appears that the Raider could be an ideal pick for those eager to get into the action. Although there might be more to him once he becomes playable, his Totem Stela Ultimate is primarily designed for strategic team moves, such as providing the Ironeye with a movable platform. For now, it seems that the Raider offers a straightforward approach for players who want to dive right into combat.

Executor – The Specialist

Confident technicians can pick the Executor for an even higher risk/reward dynamic than normal.

By April 2025, there haven’t been any concrete announcements about the final two characters known as Nightfarers. However, the character known as the Executor has made significant appearances in previous promotional materials. The Executor was depicted using what seems to be one of the Great Katanas from the game Shadow of the Erdtree, and exhibited distinctive parry movements that appear to mirror the deflect mechanic from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It’s suggested that the Executor might have the ability to transform weapon buffs into a special attack, although this hasn’t been confirmed yet. For now, it seems reasonable to expect that this character class will likely be quite powerful but fragile, so anyone drawn in by its striking appearance should be prepared for intense gameplay.

Revenant – The Enigma

Those seeking a novel experience, who also don’t mind indirect combat and support, should try the Revenant.

Nightreign underscores its creative drive, and there will surely be players who appreciate this innovative addition.

2025-05-03 17:41