Summary
Elden Ring Nightreignis FromSoftware’s debut into true multiplayer Soulslikes, and the game manages to get a lot of things right in terms of creating a compelling co-op experience that many players can enjoy at once. But for players looking for an extra challenge or for those who prefer the lone wolf approach, the option to play solo is there as a way to show off the player’s skills andmap knowledgein the best way possible.
In a game with multiplayer in mind, it is clear that solo play was never intended to be the main way to play the game. Bosses with multiple targets to juggle, large groups of enemies that can overwhelm individuals in no time, and a revival system that helps those who make mistakes, solo players get the short end of the stick in almost every way possible. But, clearing the Nightlords is more than possible alone, and there are a few tricks and tips that players should think about when entering the world by themselves for the first time.
8Use The Map To The Fullest
All The Information In The Palm Of Your Hand
When jumping into a run as a group, players have to worry far less about specific routing, as players can instruct others where to go or even break off and complete their own individual tasks for maximum efficiency. But when taking on the fight alone, the player needs to have a good idea about how to navigate the map, which areas to focus on first, and how to progress through each day to ensure no slowing down.
It’s always a good idea to check the map while gliding in for the first time, in order to see if there are any close points of interest to focus on first. The rainfall also becomes much more of a threat to be managed, and the margin for error is far lower, so players need to keep an eye on the map at all times to see where the next safe spot is in order toavoid going downand failing the run as a result.
7Use Consumables
No Shame In Throwing A Few Firebombs
The loot inNightreigntakes several different forms, ranging from stat upgrades to weapons to talismans. But some of the most overlooked yet most important items to collect are the various consumables that can give players a substantial boost to their early power, whilst also giving them something to take into the final fight on night three.
Throwable items like firebombs can be great for taking out large groups from afar, and grease items can be applied frivolously throughout a run to help players deal some extra chunks of damage to tankier enemies. It is worth knowing the kinds of items that are available and keeping an eye out for any merchants that may sell a consumable that could change the course of a run in a big way. And with so many on the map, players can toss as many daggers and urns as they like without fear of running out when the time is right.
6Speed Is Key
Don’t Hang Around For Too Long
Arguably,the biggest learning curvein the game is the shift away from slow, methodical exploration to high-tempo action that demands speed at all times. Slowing down on the map can harm the players in more ways than just dying to the rain, as if they don’t level up fast enough by the end of the day, even the first night boss can be too much to overcome.
It’s all about learning how to move around the areas in the most efficient way possible, like using spirit springs to leap over larger gaps or skipping certain areas of a camp to move onto more important things. There are even a few ways of squeezing some extra time out of the map, such as leaving the final circle sooner before the damage fades or hanging around in the storm for a bit and hopping between graces in order to grab a few extra runes while the clock isn’t ticking.
5Choose The Right Relics
More Important Than They May Appear
Relics are a new mechanic introduced inNightreignthat act as an upgrade system outside of the normal gameplay loop. Many of the buffs they provide are small passive boosts that affect a small part of the player’s stats, but others can dramatically change how an entire run functions. For instance, having a starting weapon that deals bleed damage can mean that certain bosses are accessible earlier, speeding up the leveling process and letting players effectively skip some of the farming steps.
Also, later on, players will gain access to Nightfarer-specific relics that come from remembrances. These unlock powerful changes to the core skills and serve as insanely useful tools to carry players in a big way. It is always worth experimenting with different combinations, especially when using different vessels, as certain characters can be given a whole new lease of life just with a simple swap.
4Learn The Lords
Elemental Weaknesses And Movesets Galore
The whole goal of a run is tolevel up quicklyand be geared enough to take on the fearsome Nightlord at the end of night three. That goal never changes, but the actual bosses do with each subsequent expedition, which means that players can never just jump into a new run and expect to understand everything that awaits them at the end.
The most important part about tackling a new Nightlord is understanding their elemental weakness. This is seen on the expedition selection screen, giving players effectively a cheat sheet to help them deal way more damage to the hardest boss they will encounter in the run. Also, it might be worth trying a few runs in multiplayer, just to get a better understanding of how the bosses work and to learn their movesets. But for those looking for the ultimate challenge, always respect the elements.
3Have A Plan
Figure Routes That Work And Areas To Avoid
It’s one thing to check the map and understand where to go roughly, but without an actual plan or route in mind, it can be hard to consistently win runs. The map itself never changes, but the smaller locations do, meaning that regardless of what expedition it is or whether there is an event fissure, players can reliably navigate the map in roughly the same way every time. Also, as there are no other pings coming down on the map, solo players need to rely on themselves alone to navigate the world; hence, having a good understanding of the map and the spawns becomes invaluable.
With this knowledge in mind, it is important to think about which areas can be tackled at which points in time. The central castle, for instance, might be best left until the second day, while the churches and smaller forts are much easier targets early on. There’s no best route for every situation, so players should experiment and figure out what works for them and their character, switching it up depending on certain spawns and figuring out a general loop to aim for every time.
2Understand The Nightfarers
Each Character Has Its Tech
The Nightfarers are an integral part ofNightreignthat exist as anchors for players to hold onto through all the uncertainty of the world. No matter what happens, the abilities will remain the same, aside from a few buffs and cooldown changes, which means that maximizing every aspect of the character’s kit should be a top priority for players looking to go in alone and test their skills.
Reallyuse the Rountable Hold’s Sparring Groundsand play around with each character and their abilities. There are more than a few different hidden techniques and additions that can transform certain characters into powerhouses for solo adventures. Certain choices are obviously going to be better or worse alone, so building each Nightfarer accordingly to the lack of players is just as important as choosing one to face the night.
1Come Back Later
Never Too Late To Gear Up
Everyone is human, and mistakes do happen. It is much better to mess up and try again than to actually die and have to restart the whole run. Without the safety net of revival, solo players need to get comfortable with the idea of running away when things go south, as sometimes a boss will prove to be a bigger challenge than expected and going to reset and come back with a full set of flasks can be a great way of taking down the tougher challenges.
Also, sometimes a route might have players running all the way around the outskirts of the map, whilst leaving a few important areas like a church behind. It is much more efficient to return later on when the route allows it, than to run all the way across the map just to collect a single item. Do things on the way, and anything that is left afterwards can be cleaned up once the important early levels are sorted and the player is ready to grab the final tools before the real boss begins.
