The Elden Ring: Nightreign DLC expands the game with new Expeditions, Night-cycle bosses, and two full Nightlords that dramatically change how runs unfold. In addition to the two main Nightlords, Nightreign introduces multiple Night Bosses tied to new Expeditions. To access these boss Expeditions, you must defeat the base-game Nightlord Tricephalos, unlock the Scholar and Undertaker Nightfarers, and defeat at least one additional main-game boss.
1. Overview of New Expeditions & Boss Structure
Nightreign adds two new Expeditions set in The Forsaken Hollows DLC:
- Balancers Expedition – Leads to the Nightlord Weapon Bequeathed Harmonia
- Dreglord Expedition – Leads to the Nightlord Traitorous Straghess
Each Expedition features multiple Night-cycle boss encounters, most of which are duo fights that test positioning, aggro control, and status-effect usage. Across both Expeditions, you will face at least eight new Night Boss encounters before reaching the final Nightlords.
2. Night Bosses — Balancers Expedition (Day 1 & 2)
2.1 How to Defeat Demon in Pain & Demon from Below
Demon in Pain and Below Boss
These two demons appear together as a Night 1 duo encounter on the Balancers Expedition. They switch between aggressive melee and ranged/area assaults, making the fight chaotic without a focused strategy.
Strategy to Defeat Demon in Pain & Below
- Focus one at a time: Split damage can prolong the fight. Pick one demon and commit.
- Fire resistance: Equip armor or relics that boost fire damage negation — useful against flame attacks.
- Ultimate usage: Save a strong Nightfarer Ultimate (e.g., Scholar’s Communion or Undertaker’s Judgment) to punish telegraphed heavy attacks.
- Spacing: Keep distance to bait, predictable lunges, and avoid overlapping AoE zones.
Recommended Items & Effects
- Fire-resisting relics (highest fire negation available)
- Stamina regenerating accessories
- Nightfarer with ranged or crowd-control Ultimate (Scholar ideal)
2.2 How to Defeat Curseblade & Divine Beast Warrior
Curse Blade and Divine Beast Warrior Boss
Also appearing on Day 1 of Balancers, this duo mixes fast close-range strikes (Curseblade) with a heavier, more resilient melee entity (Divine Beast Warrior). Offense and defense must be balanced tightly here.
Strategy to Defeat Curseblade & Divine Beast Warrior
- Curseblade: Fast dashes, spinning blades, unpredictable combos — bait dodges then punish.
- Divine Beast Warrior: Slower but heavy hits; stagger with powerful weapon skills.
- Team roles: Assign one player to guard the Beast Warrior’s back and another to harass the Curseblade.
- Status effects: If your team has Sleep build-up (via Scholar Potions or Sleep weapons), apply it early — both enemies are humanoid and susceptible.
Recommended Items
- Sleep Pots / Soporific Grease (inflicts Sleep status)
- Heavy weapon skills (e.g., Greatsword Ashes of War)
- Scholar Ultimate to link damage across both
2.3 How to Defeat Demon Prince
Demon Prince Boss
The Demon Prince appears at the end of Night 2 on Balancers Expedition. This flaming boss is a returning foe from Dark Souls III and brings a mix of long-range fire assaults and deadly melee sweeps.
Strategy to Defeat Demon Prince
- Fire defense: Stack fire damage negation, including gear and relics.
- Laser attacks: Use your Nightfarer’s Ultimate to interrupt or capitalize during laser telegraphs.
- Stay mobile: Dodge fireballs and retreat into cover when the boss lifts off for an aerial attack.
- Positioning: Close to mid-range provides safer angles for punishment after swings.
Recommended Items
- Fire resistance relics and gear
- Boiled Crab, if available in your Nightreign run (boosts resistance)
2.4 How to Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood
Mohg Lord of Blood Boss
Also in Balancers’ Expedition on Night 2, Mohg, Lord of Blood, is a legendary boss from the base Elden Ring, reintroduced with Blood Loss mechanics that punish careless aggression.
Strategy to Defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood
- Blood Loss management: Use Stanching Boluses to remove buildup.
- Red pillars: Destroy them quickly to prevent blood explosions and create safe zones.
- Phase awareness: Stay wide and dodge bloodflame throws; his aerial slam has a long wind-up, so avoid cornering.
Recommended Items
- Stanching Boluses and high blood loss resistance gear
- Wide space movement rings/accessories
3. Night Bosses — Dreglord Expedition (Day 1 & 2)
3.1 How to Defeat Death Knights
Death Knights
The Death Knights are a Night 1 encounter in the Dreglord Expedition consisting of waves of armored knights with heavy melee pressure.
Strategy to Defeat Death Knights
- Wave control: Pick off weaker knights while baiting the stronger ones away.
- Crowd control: Scholar’s Communion Ultimate is extremely effective for multi-target damage.
- Interrupt combos: Heavy attacks and Ashes of War with high poise break can interrupt chained strikes.
- Spacing: Avoid being surrounded — fight with at least two players on opposite flanks.
Recommended Items
- Lion’s Claw (Ash of War) – High poise damage for interruptions
- Flaming Strike (Ash of War) – Reliable stagger and damage
- Greatshield Soldier Ashes – Blocks healing attempts
- Blessing of the Erdtree – Long-duration HP regeneration
3.2 How to Defeat Great Red Bear
Great Red Bear Boss
A classic returning foe that resembles the Runebear, this hulking beast prowls the Night 1 arena and punishes aggression with sweeps, roars, and ground fissures.
Strategy to Defeat Great Red Bear
- Roll into attacks: Bait swipes and roll toward to end up behind.
- Jump attacks: Time these after major combos for stance damage.
- Roar avoidance: Back off when ears prick — the roar has shockwave follow-ups.
Recommended Items
- Poisonbone Dart – Fast poison buildup
- Poison Grease – Accelerates stance breaks over time
- Cragblade (Ash of War) – Boosts poise damage
- Greenburst Crystal Tear – Faster stamina recovery
3.3 How to Defeat Divine Beast Dancing Lion
Divine Beast Dancing Lion Boss
On Night 2 of the Dreglord Expedition, this agile, elemental lion boss tests your movement and combo avoidance skills. Divine Beast Dancing Lion is also a returning boss from the Elden Ring DLC.
Strategy to Defeat Divine Beast Dancing Lion
- Use Spirit Ashes: Distraction opens up punishment windows.
- Wall play: Use arena edges to mitigate sweep pressure.
- Jump & heavy attacks: Build stagger and create critical opportunities.
- Dodge timing: Identify lunge combos and avoid final breath blasts.
Recommended Items
- Raptor’s Black Feathers – Boosts jump attack damage
- Royal Knight’s Resolve – Massive burst during stagger windows
- Storm Stomp – Creates openings after lunges
- Opaline Bubbletear – One-hit damage negation
3.4 How to Defeat Knight Artorias
Knight Artorias Boss
A returning icon from Dark Souls, Knight Artorias is a precision-based Night 2 boss that demands tight defensive play and punishment of openings.
Strategy to Defeat Knight Artorias
- Pattern reading: Crouch telegraphs thrusts — dodge sideways.
- Blocking vs dodging: Times when blocking is safer due to repeated swings.
- Phase 2: Projectile attacks add complexity; don’t bunch up to avoid chain hits.
- Ranged support: Nightfarers like Ironeye can maintain distance for safe chip damage.
Recommended Items
- Barricade Shield – Safe blocking against chained combos
- Golden Vow – Damage and defense buff
- Black Flame Blade – High damage during short openings
- Mimic Tear Ashes – Forces split aggro
4. DLC Nightlords — Final Expedition Bosses
4.1 How to Defeat Weapon Bequeathed Harmonia (Balancers Nightlord)
Weapon Bequeathed Harmonia Boss
The Balancers’ Nightlord is a multi-entity fight requiring team coordination. It’s weak to Sleep status, which creates lengthy openings if applied correctly.
Strategy to Defeat Balancers Nightlord
- Distribute damage: Use Scholar’s Communion Ultimate to link targets so damage is shared.
- Sleep status: Sleep items and weapons are extremely effective — sleeping Balancers are helpless and easy to burst.
- Focus priority: Target the pink-winged special Balancer first to reduce threat levels quickly.
- Spread positioning: Reduce the risk of mob pressure by splitting the units across space.
Recommended Items
- Sleep Pot – Primary control tool
- Soporific Grease – Enables repeated Sleep procs
- Sleepbone Arrow – Triggers Sleep at range
- Golden Vow – Burst damage window amplification
4.2 How to Defeat Traitorous Straghess (Dreglord Nightlord)
Dreglord Boss
The final Nightlord of the Dreglord Expedition with multiple phases, environmental hazards, and summoned minions. There is no specific elemental weakness — strategy relies on positioning and crowd control.
Strategy to Defeat Dreglord Nightlord
- Crowd Control: Quickly eliminate summoned zombies to reduce battlefield chaos.
- Phase transitions: The boss shifts forms and attacks unpredictably — adapt spacing accordingly.
- Ultimate timing: Coordinate Nightfarer Ultimates for burst windows, especially when he is vulnerable after major attacks.
- Avoid hazards: Pillar AoEs and jump attacks demand constant repositioning.
Recommended Items
- Wrath of Gold – AoE mob clearing
- Sacred Blade – Holy damage bonus
- Blessing of the Erdtree – Sustain through extended phases
- Opaline Hardtear – Damage negation during the resurrection phase
