Summary
After stating there would be no further content forElden Ring, FromSoftware shocked fans at this year’s Game Awards with the surprise announcement ofElden Ring Nightreign. This standalone co-op game pits three playersagainst an array of enemiesthroughout a three-day cycle within an ever-shrinking map. However, it won’t only beElden Ringbosses that players are facing off against.
Watching the trailer, longtime FromSoftware fans will noticea few familiar faces. These include the Centipede Demon fromDark Souls, The Duke’s Dear Freja fromDark Souls 2,and, incredibly, The Nameless King fromDark Souls 3.These exciting appearances all but confirm thatElden Ring Nightreignis unlike anything FromSoftware has done before.TheDark Soulsseries has featured many incredible boss encounters that FromSoftware could add to the new game, bringing fun and familiar challenges to the new setting.
10Ruin Sentinels
Three Vs Three
While theRuin Sentinelsaren’t the most memorable of boss fights inDark Souls 2, with some updated technology bringing them to modern standards, this fight has the potential to be a fun encounter for teams of three. The Ruin Sentinels are three sleek and skinny warriors with fast attacks and a surprisingly long range.
InDark Souls 2, taking on these enemies can feel overwhelming for solo players. Dropping onto a small platform, the player takes immediate damage by entering the arena and lands right next to the first Sentinel. However, teams of three taking onElden Ring Nightreign’s many challenges would have an entirely different experience. The three-player squad would even the odds in the encounter, making it a more enjoyable experience and a fun challenge for a larger team.
9Demon Prince
An Epic Encounter
TheDemon Princeis one of the best Demon boss battles in theDark Soulsseries. The fight is found after navigating through the Dreg Heap and dropping into the arena, duringDark Souls 3’sTheRinged CityDLC. The encounter starts against two lesser demons, named the Demon in Pain & Demon from Below. However, this is only a taste of the battle. Once defeated, these enemies erupt into the much larger Demon Prince, which can fly across the arenaspewing fire and death.
This battle would make a stunning spectacle inElden Ring Nightreign. With modern graphics and some new mechanics, this classic encounter could be revitalized into a truly daunting battle against one ofDark Souls 3’s most underrated bosses.
8Four Kings
Deformed By The Abyss
TheFour Kingsare one of the major boss fights in the firstDark Soulsgame. They can be found deep within the Abyss, accessible through New Londo after players have lowered the water flooding the ghostly city. Their attacks have a long reach, and they also have AOEs that deal significant damage.
The Four Kings do not appear all at once, so players can defeat one before the next spawns if they work quickly. These bosses could be a fun encounter inElden Ring Nightreign, with faster attacks and quicker spawn times. Teams of three may find they are quickly overwhelmed by numerous bosses and will need to work well together to overcome the attacks.
7Dancer Of Boreal Valley
As Deadly As She Is Majestic
TheDancer of the Boreal Valleyis one of the most memorable encounters inDark Souls 3. Players can take on this challenging boss quite early in the game. However, this is not recommended. The Dancer is a deadly enemy that moves slowly around the arena, stalking the player, only to attack with speed and precision.
If added toElden Ring Nightreign, teams of three would have no easier time, as her spinning attacks and AOEs ensure that death can come from any direction. The Dancer of the Boreal Valley would fit perfectly with the new game and be a welcome addition forDark Souls 3veterans eager to take on the challenge once again.
6Sister Friede
A Spectacular Three-Phase Battle
This epic encounter is found at the end of theDark Souls 3DLC,Ashes of Ariandel.Sister Friedeis one of the toughest bosses in the game and a challenge fornew and experienced players alike. Her attacks are not only fast and hard-hitting, but they can come from anywhere after she turns invisible. There are three full phases to the fight, which can make the battle an arduous process.
Her agile movements would fit perfectly withElden Ring’s faster-paced fights, making her no less dangerous. Her ability to turn invisible would also make it a challenge for teams of three to track her movement. As one of the most popular and beloved battles inDark Soulshistory, Sister Friede would make a welcome addition toElden Ring Nightreign.
5Pontiff Sulyvahn
A Fan Favorite
One of the big skill challenges inDark Souls 3comes when players enter into a large church and face off againstPontiff Sulyvahn. This fast-attacking boss fight wields two weapons that deal both fire and magic damage. He can also spawn another version of himself that mirrors his attacks.
Pontiff Sulyvahn is an epic encounter and one of the best bosses inDark Souls 3. This character would make an excellent addition toNightreign’s roster of bosses, with stronger attacks and additional spawns of himself. This would pose a considerable challenge for players looking to take on the trials ofElden Ring Nightreign.
4Looking Glass Knight
An Atmospheric Battle
WhileDark Souls 2is generally considered the lesser of the iconic series, it is not without its memorable moments.Looking Glass Knightis one of the better boss encounters in the game and could be a fun and challenging encounter for a three-player squad.
The Looking Glass Knight’s shield deflects all magic attacks, somethingmany rely oninElden Ring. He can also summon additional warriors to aid him in the battle, which would quickly even the odds while fighting a team of three. While the Looking Glass Knight’s attacks are easily avoided, an updated version of this atmospheric encounter would make for a memorable moment inElden Ring Nightreign.
3Abyss Watchers
A Big Battle Royale
TheAbyss Watchersare one of the first major bosses players encounter inDark Souls 3.They are the first Lords of Cinder that players can defeat, and they guard the way to the Catacombs of Catharsis.
These enemies would make for an excellent boss battle inElden Ring Nightreign. In the first phase of the fight, players fight multiple Watchers, who spawn throughout the phase, with some even attacking other Abyss Watchers. While the second phase only features a single, more powerful Abyss Watcher, multiple of these tougher enemies wouldpose a significant threat to playersinNightreign. This would turn the encounter into an all-out battle royale against the legions of the Abyss Watchers, and would be an ideal encounter for the co-op game.
2Manus, Father Of The Abyss
A Terrifying Return
Manusis one of the toughest boss encounters in the firstDark Soulsgame. Found at the very end of theArtorias of the AbyssDLC, this monstrous being is afast-moving, heavy-hitting bosswith devastating AOE attacks. Manus feels like a boss from a modern game. Its movement and attacks can feel overwhelming against the clunkier mechanics of the firstDark Soulsentry.
However, The Father of the Abyss is also one of the most memorable encounters in the entire series, with powerful lore and an incredible design. This demonic creature could pose a serious challenge with updated graphics and processing power, making it even faster and more ferocious than before.
1Slave Knight Gael
FromSoftware’s Perfect Boss Fight
Slave Knight Gaelis one of the greatest boss fights in FromSoftware’s long history and would be a welcome addition toElden Ring Nightreign. Found at the end ofTheRinged CityDLC, Slave Knight Gael was the perfect end to theDark Soulstrilogy and offers a battle that is as epic as it is challenging.
Everything about the fight is great, from Gael’s design to his attack patterns and backdrop. The fight, while difficult to win, is always fair. In its best moments, it feels like a dance between two legendary warriors at the height of their powers. Slave Knight Gael could be a seriously fun encounter inElden Ring Nightreignand a fight long-time fans will be hoping to experience once again.
