The marketing for Elden Ring: Nightreign is ramping up, and a flood of new details is emerging daily. IGN has partnered exclusively with FromSoftware to unveil content over the next few weeks. With hands-on impressions, exclusive interviews, and new gameplay, this rollout promises a comprehensive preview of what’s coming in the expansion.
IGN’s Month-Long Reveal Partnership With FromSoftware (Elden Ring: Nightreign News)
IGN has confirmed that Nightreign is its May cover story. Staff spent two full days at FromSoftware’s Tokyo office, returning with exclusive reveals, gameplay clips, and detailed interviews. FromSoftware has historically worked with Game Informer for such features, but this time IGN fills that role. The plan includes staggered releases of new content, including boss showcases and gameplay analysis.
One of the first highlights is a new boss: Libra, Creature of the Night. Known as the Scalebearing Merchant before the fight begins, this night lord offers a choice—powerful buffs with significant drawbacks. For example, selecting great strength maxes a stat but causes constant madness buildup. Rejecting all deals triggers the fight, with Libra casting spells, creating sigils, and later entering an enraged state. The boss’s mechanics play into a scale-themed philosophy: madness is inflicted, but attacking generates golden orbs that cure it.
FromSoftware’s Exclusive Tokyo Event Highlights
FromSoftware also hosted a private event in Tokyo, giving select attendees early access to the final version of Nightreign. The event was not streamed or filmed, but multiple attendees shared impressions.
One major reveal was the return of Gaping Dragon and Gargoyles, classic bosses from Dark Souls, now adapted for the new expansion. A new Artorious skin for the character Wilder was also shown, alongside early confirmation of the Revenant class, although it was not playable at the event.
A standout boss introduced during the demo was the Silent Demon, serving as the game’s tutorial boss. Featuring multi-phase combat with dagger barrages, leaping slams, and sweeping strikes, it sets a high difficulty bar from the beginning.
Executer Mechanics, Solo Mode Changes, and Combat Enhancements
Executer’s parry system appears to be tied to the character’s ultimate art. In this mode, a timed stance enables parries followed by counter-attacks. Solo mode adjustments include lower enemy HP and the availability of revival items. Boss encounters that typically include multiple enemies remain challenging even for solo players.
Other reports noted that the tutorial no longer drops players into the roundtable hold. Instead, a guided fight against Silent Demon kicks off the experience, helping new players get adjusted before the full world opens.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition DLC Preview
Half the Tokyo event was dedicated to the upcoming Tarnished Edition DLC. Though not officially confirmed as paid content, the scope suggests it will be. It adds four new armor sets, additional weapons, and customization for Torrent.
Three skins for Torrent are expected, including a new Knights Cavalry-themed version. Armor sets shown include a heavy knight wielding a curved sword with spinning slash, and another modeled after Lucatiel from Dark Souls II. Her armor set is confirmed to retain its name, further fueling crossover speculation. The Mirror Greatsword, also returning, now mimics its DS2 version and features an Ash of War that alters its move set mid-fight.
Players also noted that one armor set remains unannounced, with speculation leaning toward a nod to Dark Souls I. Between new starting classes, refined solo mechanics, and the revival of iconic bosses, the DLC appears packed with nostalgia and new depth.
