FromSoftware’s Elden Ring Nightreign is just over the horizon, and those looking forward to it are gearing up for its release. Although every FromSoftware action-RPG since Demon’s Souls has been a major event, Elden Ring managed to eclipse every title that came before it, and that feat has earned it not only the largest Soulslike DLC yet, but also a rare FromSoftware spin-off. Elden Ring Nightreign shifts Elden Ring’s exploration focus toward shorter cooperative stints through randomized environments, building an altogether different experience out of old mechanics and assets.
Among the changes Nightreign makes to Elden Ring’s core formula is the exchange of FromSoftware's usual create-a-character system for a cast of eight distinct Nightfarers, with more coming in eventual DLC. Trailers explaining what these player characters can do are gradually rolling out in preparation for launch, and Nightreign's last two unnamed Nightfarers just leaked. At this point, there's just enough information to assign roles to Nightreign’s various protagonists, and players looking forward to the game should pay attention to what these Nightfarers can do, and which one sounds right for them.
Why Elden Ring: Nightreign's Ironeye Could Be Its Most Controversial Character
Elden Ring: Nightreign's Ironeye is shaping up to be an extremely viable option for players -- some might say too viable.
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.
Games with multiple player characters tend to have one marked as the “center” of the cast, and Wylder is that for Elden Ring Nightreign. That does not mean he’s anywhere close to boring, but it does mean that he’s the default upon loading in, and has a hardy stat layout that beginners and veterans alike will find easy to work with. Wylder’s biggest attractions are his mobility-increasing grappling hook and powerful pile bunker explosions, but his passive ability to ignore one fatal blow per “life” is what clinches Wylder’s status as Nightreign's perfect pick-up-and-play character.
Guardian - The Tank
- Shield enthusiasts and jolly cooperators will find common ground under the wings of the Guardian.
Nightreign’s reveal trailer was already a head-turner, but the Guardian stood out even then. This bird-man is the first inhuman player character to grace FromSoftware's action games in recent memory, and his playstyle is almost as novel. Whereas most Nightfarers favor one of Elden Ring’s weapon types, the Guardian synergizes with shields, and is encouraged to weather blows and counterattack. His abilities also include a dual-purpose stun-and-erase status effect clouds ability, and a powerful dive tank Ultimate Art with an AoE defense buff. A good Guardian will enjoy unparalleled survivability, but a great Guardian will share it with their whole squad.
Duchess - The Assassin
- Speedsters, crit stackers, and team players alike should find the Duchess to their liking.
Out of the four Nightfarers available in Elden Ring Nightreign’s network test, the Duchess may have been the strongest, and not for a Soulslike’s typical reasons. With a heavily modified dagger moveset and unique enhancements to her dodges, the Duchess can navigate the complexities of Nightreign's new, old, and crossover enemies with ease. Her Ultimate Art renders nearby allies invisible, even during boss fights, but her Restage ability is the real star of the show. With proper timing and coordination, it can double the health and stamina damage enemies just took, leading to quicker staggers and shorter fights.
Recluse - The Sorcerer
- Complexity lovers and casters everywhere will naturally gravitate towards the Recluse.
While the Wylder, Guardian, and Duchess all reward a good understanding of Elden Ring’s fundamentals, the Recluse feels like she’s playing a whole other game. Positioned as Nightreign's main spellcasting class, the Recluse is best suited to wielding most of the spells a party comes across, and that's just the start. Like the Duchess, the Recluse’s Ultimate Art, Soulblood Song, is a good way to give allies momentary relief mid-combat, but her regular skill is the real main event. Magic Cocktail’s potential results are too vast to cover here, but Recluse mains who memorize its spell recipes and keep track of the elemental damage in play will become a force to be reckoned with.
Ironeye - The Sniper
- Ranged fighters and believers in the buddy system should be pleasantly surprised by the Ironeye’s improved archery.
The remaining four characters were not playable in the network test, so how they function in a Nightreign session isn't clear yet, but their intended roles are apparent enough. Ironeye’s role most of all, as it appears that FromSoftware took lessons from Monster Hunter’s Bow class in completely overhauling its own bow moveset, right down to its movement capabilities and critical hit animation. Although Ironeye is built for ranged dominance, this Nightfarer is also an excellent support class, as it passively increases item discovery rates and can easily revive downed players by shooting them from a safe distance.
Raider - The Heavy-Hitter
- For anyone seeking the Strength build experience, look no further than the Raider.
Most of Elden Ring Nightreign’s Nightfarers have layers of complexity to them that mold them for specific tastes, but, so far, the Raider seems characterized by relative simplicity. Sporting a powerful, super-armored character skill and a preference for giant weapons, this Viking analog is where any Strength-favoring Souls players will likely end up. There may be more to him once he’s actually playable, and his Totem Stela Ultimate is almost entirely built for team maneuvers, like giving the Ironeye a portable perch, but right now it seems like the Raider is the best choice for those who want to go in swinging.
Executor - The Specialist
- Confident technicians can pick the Executor for an even higher risk/reward dynamic than normal.
As of April 2025, no official statements provide any details about the last two Nightfarers, but at least the Executor has made telling appearances in prior marketing. They were shown wielding what may be one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s Great Katanas, and demonstrated unique parry animations that directly recall Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s deflect mechanic. It was also implied that the Executor could convert weapon buffs into a special attack, but this is unconfirmed. For now, it's likely that this class will probably be a powerful glass cannon, so those won over by its sheer style better be ready to perform.
Revenant - The Enigma
- Those seeking a novel experience, who also don't mind indirect combat and support, should try the Revenant.
Finally, the Revenant has only appeared in leaks, but they still carry some impressive implications. Right away, the one headshot available of this Nightfarer shows them holding a harp, which has no equivalent weapon type in Elden Ring. They possess some equivalent to Elden Ring’s Spirit Ashes that may involve summoning skeletons like the Tibia Mariner minibosses, and can allegedly use “enchantments” as well. Mysterious as they are, the Revenant sounds like a more conventional magic support class that possesses a predominantly indirect method of attack. Elden Ring Nightreign introducing a character like this speaks volumes of its creative ambition, and there should be a player niche that appreciates the effort.
Elden Ring Nightreign
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
- Released
- May 30, 2025
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
