Nightreign will punish those who always use the same build in Elden Ring

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Nightreign, the upcoming content with PvE and roguelike elements from FromSoftware, will require more than just sticking to a favorite build. In an interview with the PlayStation Blog, the game director, Junya Ishizaki, made it clear that sticking to the same strategy will not be enough to defeat the bosses in the new mode.

"The same strategy won't always work against the bosses", says Ishizaki.
"Your initial approach may be effective for a while, but the bosses evolve, and your tactics will no longer be viable, forcing you to rethink the combat."

This represents a direct break from the traditional style of many FromSoftware fans, who often use the same build from the beginning to the end of the campaign - something seen from Demon's Souls to Dark Souls III. The developer seems to be seeking a more dynamic relationship between player and challenge now, focusing on constant adaptation.

The Nightreign mode will be based on sessions with random characteristics, both in the available equipment and in the weaknesses of enemies. Unlike the previous version shown in the network test, it will now be possible to identify specific weaknesses of bosses before starting a new run. This opens up space for strategic searches for equipment with effects like poison, bleeding, or ice, optimizing the chances of success.

"We intentionally designed the game so that you need to adapt your strategies to the changes that occur in each match", adds the director.

The new proposal raises concerns among players who prefer to maintain fixed builds, such as the classic Strength builds or mages who go through the game with long-range spells. The tendency to stick to the same weapon - like the iconic Moonlight Greatsword - may now be penalized by bosses that adapt or nullify certain types of damage over time.

The FromSoftware community, known for completing entire games with absurd level restrictions, weapons, or even modified controls, will certainly try to impose their traditions on this new system. But this time, the classic imbalance between dominant builds and vulnerable bosses will be more unstable. Loot RNG and resistance changes will be part of the core experience.

Still without a confirmed release date, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is still scheduled for 2025, with the Nightreign mode promising to test the limits even of the most veteran - and stubborn - players.