Elden Ring Nightreign Beginners' Guide

Elden Ring: Nightreign, dropped on May 30, 2025, is a standalone co-op action RPG with a roguelike spin, set in a separate Elden Ring universe called Limveld. It’s all about teaming up with two other players (or going solo) for quick, intense runs lasting 30–45 minutes, fighting through random enemies and bosses over a three-day-and-night cycle. This guide lays out the basics for new players, covering classes and how to get started without getting wrecked.

1. What’s Nightreign?

Nightreign mixes Elden Ring’s combat with co-op survival. You and two friends explore a shrinking map, grab loot, fight enemies, and face bosses each night, with the Nightlord as the final challenge on day three.

Every run starts at level 1, with randomized enemy spawns, loot, and events like meteor strikes keeping things fresh. You earn runes from enemies to level up at Sites of Grace, which auto-boosts your class’s key stats. Die during the day? Your team can revive you by hitting your body, but if the timer runs out, you lose a level.

Wipe on a boss, and you restart from day one. It’s built for three-player co-op, but solo mode scales enemies down. Use passwords to play with friends, and gestures or pings help you communicate without voice chat.

2. Nightfarer Classes

You pick from eight classes, called Nightfarers, each with unique weapons, skills, and playstyles. Four were shown in the network test, and they’re great for starters. Here’s the rundown:

Wylder

The all-around choice, perfect for beginners. Wields a greatsword and small shield, with a passive that lets you cheat death once per run. Claw Shot skill pulls in small enemies or zips you to big ones, and the ultimate is a heavy explosive strike.

Guardian

The tank, built to take hits. Uses a halberd and large shield, resists knockback, and has a Whirlwind spin to shove enemies back. Its ultimate, Wings of Salvation, either smashes foes or buffs team defense.

Duchess

A fast rogue with daggers and rapiers, dealing big damage with smooth combos. Restage skill boosts team damage, but low health makes her fragile. Ultimate is a quick, high-damage strike.

Recluse

A mage with strong spells and a Claw Shot for mobility. Onslaught Stake ultimate breaks boss stances, but low health and limited FP make it tough for newbies.

Tip: Go Wylder for an easy start or Guardian if you want to protect your team. Skip Recluse unless you’re ready to manage magic carefully.

3. Gameplay and Survival Tips

Each Nightreign run follows a three-day cycle, with daytime for exploring and nights for boss fights. The Limveld map shrinks at night with the Night’s Tide, a deadly purple wall, so you’ve got to keep moving. Here’s how to survive and thrive:

Daytime Exploration

You’ve got 10–15 minutes per day to roam. Hit churches first for HP flask upgrades—they’re lightly guarded and crucial since flasks don’t refill during bosses. Loot camps, forts, and tunnels for runes, weapons, and Smithing Stones to upgrade gear. Use the magical raptor to glide or Spiritstreams (purple fissures) to climb cliffs for hidden loot.

Teamwork

Stick with your squad for easier revives. Drop pins to guide your team and use gestures or pings to communicate. Combine skills, like Guardian’s defense buff with Duchess’s damage boost, for big boss damage.

Combat Basics

Fights feel like Elden Ring—dodge, attack, repeat. Clear enemy camps during the day for runes, using parkour (wall-jumps, no fall damage) to reposition or escape. You can carry six weapons; starting ones are plain, but looted weapons have effects like bleed or frostbite that melt bosses.

Gear and Relics

Relics give passive boosts, like more damage, and each class has unique slots to customize. Visit merchants by day two to upgrade weapons with Smithing Stones or buy consumables, like Gold Pickled Fowl Feet for extra runes. Use consumables freely—they reset each run.

Boss Fights

Nightly bosses include mini-bosses like Gladius (three-headed wolf) on days one and two, leading to the Nightlord on day three. Dodge big attacks, save ultimates for stance breaks, and use terrain for cover. Guardians should tank, while Duchess or Recluse pile on damage. Revive teammates fast to avoid wipes.