Here’s an in-depth exploration of ten bosses we hope to see in Elden Ring: Nightreign, assuming the DLC expands the lore-rich and visually stunning world of the original game.
1. The Eternal Usurper
An ancient figure tied to the shrouded history of the Lands Between, this boss could be a former ruler who rebelled against the Greater Will. Their design might feature fragmented golden runes embedded in their corrupted form, wielding both divine light and the dark miasma of their rebellion. Mechanically, their fight could balance fast-paced melee attacks with powerful ranged AoE divine magic.
2. Shade of the Gloam-Eyed Queen
The Gloam-Eyed Queen, mentioned in Elden Ring, remains a tantalizing mystery. In Nightreign, her shadow or manifestation could serve as a boss. This fight could include dark flame mechanics, shadowy illusions, and echoes of her past ties to a destined death. Perhaps defeating her shade would offer insight into her disappearance and her connection to Maliketh.
3. Gravetender Wyrm
Exploring the vast underworld of the DLC might introduce us to the Gravetender Wyrm, an enormous decayed dragon that guards an ancient, forgotten city. Its decaying body would leave trails of rot across the arena, and its attacks might focus on a combination of decaying breath, tail swipes, and earth-ripping moves that reshape the battlefield.
4. The Nightreign Sovereign
This being could be central to the DLC's lore—a shadowy figure who rules over a realm plunged into eternal night. Armed with a crescent-shaped blade and the ability to summon constellations as weapons, this boss could push players to balance dodging environmental hazards with direct confrontation.
5. Chimeric Abomination
A nightmarish amalgamation of creatures fused together by forbidden sorcery. This boss would change forms mid-fight, from a serpent-like phase to a quadrupedal beast. Each form could introduce unique attack patterns and mechanics, keeping players on their toes. The Chimeric Abomination could also hint at ancient experiments tied to the Primeval Current.
6. Apostle of the Black Flame
The Apostles of the Black Flame serve as remnants of a forgotten order. This boss could utilize the Black Flame in innovative ways, creating hazards that linger on the battlefield, damaging the player over time. Their towering presence and otherworldly chanting would evoke a sense of dread as you navigate the narrow margins between the flame's heat and their blade.
7. Watcher of the Veil
Guarding the threshold to the Nightreign itself, the Watcher could be a towering, spectral knight draped in ethereal veils. Their moveset might focus on rapid teleportation, punishing players for overextending, and wielding a crescent-shaped glaive that crescendos in destructive light-based magic as the fight progresses.
8. The Harrowed Seer
This boss might represent the madness lurking in the eternal night—a cursed oracle whose visions have driven them to a frenzied state. Their arena could feature swirling dreamscapes, and their attacks might include psychic projections and deceptive clones, making the fight both visually arresting and mechanically challenging.
9. Nightshade Leviathan
A water-based boss, the Nightshade Leviathan could terrorize players in a vast, open arena where the sea of stars meets the abyss. Its attacks might include waves of water infused with starlight, massive tentacle slams, and a final phase where it rises to reveal a skeletal frame, unleashing its full cosmic power.
10. The First Forbidden One
Exploring Elden Ring: Nightreign’s lore might lead to a confrontation with the First Forbidden One—an ancient figure banished from the Lands Between for defying the Erdtree’s tenets. They could use forbidden magics that echo elements of the Frenzied Flame, Destined Death, and Primeval Current, offering a climactic challenge that ties together the DLC's story threads.
Potential Themes and DLC Integration
- Night and Stars: The title "Nightreign" hints at themes of darkness, starlight, and moonlit desolation, aligning with bosses that draw power from celestial or nocturnal elements.
- Lore Connections: Many bosses could expand on existing mysteries, such as the Gloam-Eyed Queen, the role of the Black Flame, and forgotten dragons.
- Environmental Impact: Boss arenas might feature dynamic changes, like collapsing platforms, rising tides, or shifting celestial patterns.
What bosses would you want to see in Nightreign? Let’s brainstorm some more ideas!
