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Boss fights, right? They’ve always been the heart and soul of FromSoftware’s “Soulsborne” games. Now, with Elden Ring Nightreign – this funky, new co-op roguelike twist on the acclaimed 2022 title – you’re practically tripping over them. Almost feels like the whole game centers around running wild, bashing minibosses to level up, snagging random loot, then face-planting into big-time bosses from Elden Ring or past Dark Souls gems. Eventually, you face one of Nightreign’s own Nightlords. Eight unique clashes await, trying your patience and persistence, each a test of your skill and cunning.
Having tackled all the Nightlord duels across various character classes in Elden Ring Nightreign, I thought, “Hey, why not rank them?” So I did. Below, I jump into what tickled my fancy about each Nightlord’s mechanics, atmosphere, and — yes — what drove me up the wall. Let’s stir this rankings pot, shall we?
Now, before diving nose-deep into spoilers about every boss battle, including the grand finale, you’ve been warned! If spoilers aren’t your jam, you might wanna bail now.
- Augur / Maris, Fathom of Night
Jumping right in, we start with the battle against Augur / Maris, Fathom of Night. It might be last on my list, but don’t get me wrong — it’s not all bad. It’s just, well, kind of like that boring homework you didn’t exactly hate. If you’re wielding melee weapons, this monster’s a real ball of meh.
Those dive-bomb air attacks? Sure, they’re neat to dodge. And blasting away those pesky jellyfish and teardrop explosives with some magic or ranged weapons? Gives a nice bang of satisfaction. But Maris takes forever to come down and mingle, especially if your class relies on close combat. Without an Ironeye or a Recluse at your side, the fight drags on longer than a rainy Sunday.
And then there’s the whole sleeping stunt — Maris knocks out cold mid-fight, leaving you scrambling to smack it awake. When sleep strikes, you’re pretty much dreaming yourself. So much running to catch up, you’d think I’m training for a marathon in gloom.
- Tricephalos / Gladius, Beast of Night
Moving on up the list, we come to this beastly beast. Gladius, our very own Cerberus-inspired fuzzy-wuzzy, is your first Nightlord duel, and it’s a bitey intro, I’ll give it that. It’s the easiest of the grand eight, but don’t slack — it’ll gnash you up if you’re snoozing on duty.
Gladius throws some clearly telegraphed moves at you — a blend of headbutting love and sword swipes tossed in for good measure. Did I mention fire breath? Oh, and once Gladius decides it’s time to triple, you and your buddies better spread out like butter on toast.
It’s not a spectacular show, but what it does, it does right. Why the low rank? Honestly, just that its antics don’t jazz things up compared to its flashier siblings on this list.
- Sentient Pest / Gnoster, Wisdom of Night
Now for something a bit wilder: the face-off with Gnoster, where two killer bugs are having a tag-team tantrum. One’s a sky-high moth, and the other, a crunchy scorpion. Melee heroes, give the scorpion a pat; ranged folks, knock the moth out of the park.
Oh, but there’s a twist: Get buzzed by the moth and you’re growing a parasite. Yikes. Teammates gotta knock that sucker off you. It’s a slapstick comedy of poisons and thwacks.
Phase two kicks it up a notch, with the moth hitching a ride on the scorpion. Their chaos and your squad’s solidarity join hands for the showdown. It’s like tea and crumpets, but deadly.
- Darkdrift Knight / Fulghor, Champion of Nightglow
Ah, Fulghor. This centaur’s got beef with you and knows how to dish it out. Sure, dodging wind waves, quakes, and holy spears is half the battle, but be ready to jump or snap back, or both. Hit his Holy noggin with a bit of Lightning to zap him out of charging mode.
And then, there’s… that glowy, grabby hand in Phase 2. It waggles around like it’s in a disco — sorta unpredictable. But, despite this jitterbug pesky limb, Fulghor offers a cracking challenge.
- Gaping Jaw / Adel, Baron of Night
Here’s where things get spectacular — Adel’s humongous chomps and slams are a feast for the eyes. Sure, its moves don’t change much in Phase 2, but the electric purple drama offsets that sameness.
And the tactics! Get gobbled? Your team’s rescuing you with spells or hard hits. Poison Adel? Welcome to phase one vomit city, where free hits rain like confetti. Smart mechanics that tip the battle in your favor, always fun.
- Fissure in the Fog / Caligo, Miasma of Night
FromSoftware and dragon battles? Bit of a coin toss, but this? Caligo is on the cool side of that toss. Claw swipes, icy breath, and sneak-in-the-fog strategies. Jump to phase 2 and… wow, it’s ice crystal hail storms and majestic spine-chilling orchestras. You’re in an epic flow state, doggedly chasing a sky dragon’s rhythm.
- Night Aspect / Heolstor the Nightlord
Final boss time, and Heolstor isn’t slacking. This fellow? Aggressive with sword and smaller blades, mixing speed with precision. Think of dancing with a sweeping storm — every move is a symphony of sharp, exotic maneuvers.
And Phase 2 Heolstor? Cuts the sky open, dives back with the chosen element. Everything’s exploding — shockwaves, sparks, your nerves. It’s intense, but gloriously so — like a painter gone mad.
- Equilibrious Beast / Libra, Creature of Night
Finally, bang out your chaotic favorite: Libra. This weirdo has all the funkiness. Packs a Madness punch, leaves crystalline healing sprigs, tempts you with deadly riddles. Dodge his magical projectiles or get up close and bash his noggin when he leaps into melee madness.
Even better? Watch madness melt against madness, joust him with spells, negate all defenses. He’s basically the Dionysus of boss fights — cheeky gremlin god twist with a side of trickster chaos.
Ultimately, Elden Ring Nightreign shakes things up with an experimental assault, blending roguelike spice into Soulsborne stew. There’re hiccups here and there — not tons of maps or critters — but still a stand-out star on your Xbox or PC, especially if you seek fresh action and chaos for thirty-three bucks (with Newegg code XVSAVE, that is).
