Struggling to take down the Nightlords in Elden Ring: Nightreign? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with essential tips, strategies, and boss breakdowns to help you dominate FromSoftware’s latest epic.
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Why Nightreign is a Hit
Elden Ring: Nightreign is taking Steam and other platforms by storm. It’s FromSoftware at their best – atmospheric world design, unforgiving difficulty, and innovative cooperative gameplay. The bosses? They’re nothing short of monstrous, culminating in epic encounters with the Nightlords after surviving two days of fire in Limveld.
Every Nightlord fight is a unique gauntlet of skill, patience, and coordination. Whether you’re chasing the Platinum trophy or just trying to survive your next run, this guide breaks down each boss’s weaknesses, attack phases, and the best ways to counter them.
Gladius, Beast Of Night (Tricephalos)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: Piercing
Element: Sacred
Status: Sleep, Rot, Bleed
Strategy: Stay close to Gladius to dodge his wide sword slashes – even players behind him can be hit. Sacred weapons are very effective here.
At 75% HP, Gladius becomes a fireball and splits into three wolves. Each player should take one. Focus especially on the sword wolf, who’s the most aggressive. After 45 seconds, Gladius returns, now empowered with fire attacks and increased frenzy.
Adel, Baron Of Night (Gaping Jaw)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: None
Element: None
Status: Poison, Rot, Frostbite, Sleep
Strategy: Adel is a land dragon with multi-target grabs and self-heals. Use poison weapons – once poisoned, Adel vomits and becomes vulnerable.
At 50% HP, his attacks gain lightning damage and he becomes more resistant to poison. Focus on dodging AoEs and maximizing damage during his recovery animations.
Gnoster, Wisdom Of Night (Sentient Pest)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: All (Moth), Hit & Piercing (Scorpion)
Element: Fire (both)
Status: Rot, Bleed, Frostbite (both); Sleep (Scorpion only)
Strategy: A dual boss with a shared HP bar. In Phase 1, dodge the moth’s magic and watch for the scorpion’s burrowing spikes and charges.
At 50% HP, they merge. Moth spawns light pillars, and Scorpion charges constantly. Attack during Scorpion’s stomp phase.
Beware: The Butterfly Grab causes poison and a cocoon. If grabbed twice, a parasite spawns, killing the player. Teammates must attack the cocoon to remove it after the first grab.
Maris, Fathom Of Night (Augur)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: Cut
Element: Lightning
Status: None
Strategy: Maris floats and spawns tentacles and jellyfish. Destroying them hurts her. Use lightning weapons or ultimates to stop her hypnosis, which puts players to sleep.
At 50% HP, she gets faster and adds the dreaded “atomic tear.” It inflicts sleep and heavy AoE damage. Destroy it from range or dodge carefully – she may spawn a second one.
Libra, Creature Of Night (Equilibrious Beast)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: Cut
Element: Fire, Sacred
Status: Poison, Rot, Madness
Strategy: Libra opens with a choice – pick one of six random demonic pacts (from a pool of 12). These are risky trades:
Possible Pacts:
- Great Strength: +Strength, – All Other Stats
- Great Dexterity: +Dexterity, – All Other Stats
- Expand Intelligence: +Intelligence, – All Other Stats
- Deep Faith: +Faith, – All Other Stats
- Connect with the Occult: +Arcana, – All Other Stats
- Disease Resistance: +150 Resistance, -10% Stamina
- Keep Death at Bay: Auto-heal at 20% HP once; – 20% Max HP
- Wish for a Flask: +1 Flask Charge, – 10% Max HP
- Powerful Weapon: -2 Levels; gain a powerful random weapon
- Gain Many Levels: +3 Levels; lose 1 every time you use a flask
- Future Greatness: -30% HP/FP/Stamina for 120s; + 20% after
- Power of a Demon: Gain a Madness-inducing Eye attack
Generally, it’s safer to refuse and attack directly.
Libra attacks fast with a madness-inducing staff, summons explosive magic columns, and can buff himself with a magical shield – destroy it or the surrounding seals quickly to prevent this.
Tip: Inflict Madness to slow Libra and open long counterattack windows.
Fulghor, Champion Of Nightglow (Darkdrift Knight)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: None
Element: Lightning
Status: Poison, Rot, Bleed, Frostbite, Sleep
Strategy: Fulghor is a lightning-fast centaur. In Phase 1, expect dashes, explosions, and shockwaves.
In Phase 2, he gains a second arm, increases range, and begins spreading poison.
Recommended Loadout:
- Lightning weapons to stagger
- Scarlet Rot weapons for consistent damage over time
Caligo, Miasma Of Night (Fissure In The Fog)
Weaknesses:
Damage Type: Hit
Element: Fire, Sacred
Status: None
Strategy: The massive frost dragon uses tail swipes, ice spells, and fog mechanics to inflict frostbite.
Fog Phase Mechanics:
- Wind sound? Run behind a pillar – blocks his ice ray.
- Cracking ice sound? Sprint to the edge of the arena – he’ll drop a mountain of ice.
At 50% HP, Caligo gains wings and goes airborne. Players must take turns hitting him to build stagger.
The Shape Of Night/Heolstor The Nightlord (Night Aspect)
Weaknesses:
The Shape of Night: Cutting, Piercing / Fire, Sacred / Rotting
Heolstor the Nightlord: Hit, Piercing / Lightning, Sacred / Rotting
Strategy: Heolstor is a four-phase boss.
Phase 1-2: The Shape of Night
A knight wielding a large sword. Starts slow, then adds area attacks and rapid dashes. Dodge sideways or backward to avoid damage.
Phase 3-4: Heolstor, True Form
Becomes incredibly aggressive. Launches magic projectiles and explosions that demand precise dodging.
At 60% HP, Heolstor takes flight and slams down, cracking the ground. These cracks randomly explode for the rest of the fight.
Explosions deal elemental damage based on sword color and cause random status ailments. Heolstor also extends combos, ending in a ground slam and explosive finish
Final Thoughts
Every Nightlord offers something different, from strategic phase shifts to chaotic combo barrages. Equip status weapons wisely, build your party around weaknesses, and time your ultimates.
