There are two unlockable characters Elden Ring Nightreign players don't have access to at the start of the game. While the summoning-oriented Revenant is tied to an item you can purchase with Murk (and isn't available until you get the Duchess), the agile and dextrous Duchess unlocks after you complete a major story objective at the end of a Nightreign run.
Elden Ring Nightreign: Deluxe Edition & Preorder Rewards
There are three different editions Elden Ring Nightreign players can purchase, as well as a preorder bonus for buying the game before launch.
Indeed, to unlock the Duchess, Nightreign players simply need to follow the main story, though there are a few steps you must complete after you acquire her associated quest item. This guide offers a brief overview of the complex Duchess class, and explains the method to unlock the Duchess character in Nightreign.
Elden Ring Nightreign Duchess Character Overview
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Duchess Passive: Magnificent Poise
- Attack and dodge optimally, dodging repeatedly when necessary.
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Duchess Skill: Restage
- Stage reprisal of recent occurrences to damage nearby foes
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Duchess Ultimate Art: Finale
- Obscure self and surrounding allies to hide from foes
The Duchess is a fast-moving character who shines with a well-organized team. Though she can hold her own, especially with her Sekiro-like dash that can be chained twice instead of a normal dodge roll, the Duchess' character skill and ultimate art both benefit from strong team awareness.
The Restage ability essentially repeats the last couple of seconds of combat damage done to your target enemy. When timed well, like after one of your teammates connects with a critical hit or Wylder's Ultimate, Restage is one of the most powerful abilities in the game.
The Duchess' Ultimate ability, Finale, shrouds her and her teammates in invisibility for a few seconds. This can throw your enemy unawares as they are unable to track your team, and can be useful for repositioning in boss fights or for getting past enemy groups without gathering attention. Once again though, you must coordinate with your team for this to be effective.
Elden Ring Nightreign FAQ (Crossplay, Preload, Install Size, and All Platforms)
This Elden Ring Nightreign FAQ will give you the answers to all the questions you have ahead of picking up the game.
How To Unlock The Duchess In Nightreign
Bring The Old Pocketwatch To The Priestess In Roundtable Hold
To unlock the Duchess, Nightreign players must complete the first Tricephalos expedition. After you beat this first three-headed Nightlord, you will receive an Old Pocketwatch amongst your other Expedition Rewards. Though this can be used as a Relic, it's also significant to a character in Roundtable Hold: the Priestess.
You can also receive the Old Pocketwatch if you group with a player who has defeated Gladius, Beast of Night. You do not need to kill the boss yourself to receive it in your Expedition Rewards. This appears to be an unintentional interaction – this guide will be updated if this mechanic is removed.
The Priestess, who resembles the Firekeeper from Dark Souls 3, stands near the eponymous Roundtable, where you can launch Expeditions from. Bring her the Old Pocketwatch and watch the cutscene that plays out.
After the Priestess sheds her white garb, she will join the fight against the night and become the Duchess. After a brief pop-up overview of the class, you will unlock the Duchess character permanently.
Elden Ring Nightreign
- Released
- May 30, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
- 1-3
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
