More information is starting to surface regarding Elden Ring: Nightreign as the ambitious title grows closer to launch, with fans now having an excellent idea of what to expect from the latest FromSoftware project. While largely acting as a spin-off to Elden Ring through a lot of its major assets, locations, and enemies, there is still plenty of fresh content that Nightreign has in store, with its choice of playable characters being a great example of this.
Away from the usual character customization of FromSoftware titles, Elden Ring: Nightreign will feature a small range of classes that players can choose from to match its faster pace of gameplay and unique multiplayer premise, with these classes needing to cover all the bases of usual FromSoftware player builds. FromSoftware has been slowly revealing the remaining characters for Nightreign in the run-up to the game’s May 30 release date, and the recently announced Raider class brings a distinctively Viking-inspired brand of gameplay to the title.
Related
Elden Ring Nightreign Could Throw a New Twist on a Classic Community Saying
Elden Ring Nightreign is primed to redefine many aspects of the FromSoftware formula, one of which has inspired an almost ubiquitous turn of phrase.
Elden Ring: Nightreign’s Raider Character Brings a Distinct Flair to the Game
The classes for Elden Ring: Nighreign are officially referred to as Nightfarers, with a player’s choice of character having a direct and deeply important impact on their combat presence and synergy with teammates. While the early gameplay tests for Nightreign featured four unique classes, the game is set to feature eight playable Nightfarers at launch, with this number being likely to rise through post-launch additions to the upcoming game. Six of the eight launch classes for Elden Ring: Nightreign that have been revealed so far are:
- Wylder
- Guardian
- Duchess
- Recluse
- Ironeye
- Raider
With each Nightfarer being built towards different play styles, these classes offer things like unique stat progression and passive abilities, though every class is able to use any weapon that they can get their hands on. The recently revealed Raider class is shaping up to be the go-to Nightfarer for strength players, offering a large and tanky battlefield presence that is complemented by slow but heavy-hitting damage catered towards two-handed weaponry.
In terms of aesthetics, the design of the raider seems to be deeply rooted in classic Viking imagery, with the larger-than-life bearded figure being clad in fur and armor adorned with horns. The Raider is officially billed as a “powerful sea-farer” and is seen in his reveal trailer enjoying a feast as well as summoning pillars of stone to aid teammates in battle through shout abilities, with the Raider’s naval origins being another direct nod to Viking iconography.
Elden Ring: Nightreign’s Raider Could Just Be the Start of Viking Inspiration
FromSoftware has never shied away from clear real-world inspiration behind its settings and characters, with Elden Ring itself leaning into Celtic mythology as well as its obvious links to the Medieval era. Even in terms of character design, the starter classes for Elden Ring take direct archetypes from real-world warriors, with the Samurai class being the most glaring example, and Nightreign is offering a logical extension of this.
The many ways that FromSoftware titles are inspired by real history, combat, and mythos play an integral part in how deep and layered their game worlds feel, and traditional themes surrounding Vikings feel like a relatively untapped well of potential content for the studio. The launch Nightfarers of Elden Ring: Nightreign are shaping up to be a dynamic set of playable characters with clear use cases, and the Raider’s Viking design and focus on damage-dealing could be the perfect combination in terms of making the character one of the most defining and popular classes the game has to offer.
Elden Ring Nightreign
- Released
-
May 30, 2025
- Multiplayer
-
Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
-
1-3
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unknown
- PC Release Date
-
May 30, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
-
May 30, 2025
Comments
Array