Dark Souls Bosses We Need in Elden Ring Nightreign: FromSoftware's Missed Opportunities
Discover underrated and iconic bosses like Darklurker, Yhorm, and Ornstein & Smough reimagined for Elden Ring's Nightreign, elevating boss battles with innovative mechanics and epic teamwork.
FromSoftware really surprised everyone with their boss selections for Elden Ring Nightreign! Instead of bringing back fan favorites from the Dark Souls trilogy, they went with some unexpected choices like Smelter Demon and Duke's Dear Freja. While these remastered fights are certainly interesting additions to the game, there are so many iconic bosses that deserved the Nightreign treatment but didn't make the cut.
The Underrated Gems That Deserve a Comeback
The Darklurker from Dark Souls 2 stands out as one of the most criminally underrated bosses in the series. Hidden away as an optional fight in the Dark Chasms of Old, this four-armed angelic figure shrouded by the Abyss wields devastating spells and even splits into two during the battle! In 2025, with Nightreign's co-operative setting, this boss would be perfect - imagine two players distracting each Darklurker while the third deals damage. The mechanics would translate beautifully to the team-based gameplay.
Yhorm the Giant from Dark Souls 3 could also make an incredible addition without his Storm Ruler gimmick. Nightreign is surprisingly lacking in colossal humanoid bosses, and a rebalanced Yhorm designed for trio battles would create an absolutely spectacular fight. Can you imagine the visual of three tiny players darting between the legs of this towering lord? It would be breathtaking!
The Iconic Duos We Deserve
Is anyone else shocked that Ornstein and Smough didn't make the cut? Of all the bosses from the first Dark Souls, we got the Centipede Demon and Gaping Dragon instead. Don't get me wrong, they're fine first-day fights, but when FromSoftware pulled The Nameless King and Dancer from Dark Souls 3, the original game feels underrepresented.
Ornstein and Smough could have been reimagined with both entering their second phase simultaneously, creating an incredible challenge worthy of Nightreign's second-night bosses. Wouldn't that be a fight to remember?
Mechanics That Would Shine in Nightreign
The Looking Glass Knight from Dark Souls 2 has one of the most striking designs in the series, wielding a giant silver mirror shield from which they summon invading players. While the original fight was relatively simple, imagine a version in Nightreign where the mirror summons a team from the Roundtable Hold to assist! This could introduce a unique invasion-like system that rewards players with exclusive Relics.
Sir Alonne, the beloved samurai from Dark Souls 2's DLC, would benefit enormously from Nightreign's smoother, faster-paced combat. His original fight was held back by Dark Souls 2's clunkier movement, but in Elden Ring's engine, he could truly shine as the lightning-fast duelist he was meant to be. And imagine the satisfaction of your team witnessing his unique seppuku animation if you manage a flawless victory!
The Ultimate Challenges
Slave Knight Gael would show Elden Ring players what true difficulty looked like back in 2017. The Nameless King is surprisingly easy in Nightreign despite being one of Dark Souls 3's toughest bosses, so why not raise the stakes? Gael's frenzied movements across the arena and devastating area attacks would make for an incredible team challenge.
The Abyss Watchers would be perfectly at home in Nightreign's format. Some of the game's most challenging encounters are those that split your group's attention, like Nightlord Gladius. The Abyss Watchers, with their multiple combatants and second phase transformation, would create a similar dynamic that forces players to constantly shift focus.
The Dream Team: Artorias and Sif
While Artorias alone might not pose much of a challenge against three players in 2025, FromSoftware missed a golden opportunity to reunite the Knight and his loyal wolf companion. Fighting both Artorias and Sif simultaneously would be an emotional and challenging experience that would easily rank among Nightreign's most memorable encounters.
Imagine dodging Artorias's acrobatic slams while simultaneously avoiding Sif's sweeping sword attacks! This dynamic duo would force players to split their attention and create one of the most engaging fights in the game. Plus, who wouldn't want to see these two reunited in glorious 2025 graphics?
People Also Ask
Are any Dark Souls 1 bosses in Elden Ring Nightreign?
Yes! Elden Ring Nightreign features the Centipede Demon and Gaping Dragon from Dark Souls 1, though many fans were surprised that more iconic bosses like Ornstein and Smough weren't included.
How difficult are the returning Dark Souls bosses in Nightreign?
Most returning bosses have been rebalanced for Nightreign's three-player format. Some previously challenging bosses like The Nameless King are surprisingly easier, while others have been buffed to maintain their difficulty.
Will FromSoftware add more Dark Souls bosses in future Nightreign updates?
While FromSoftware hasn't officially announced plans for additional boss content, their track record of substantial DLC releases suggests we might see more returning bosses in future updates. The community is particularly hoping for Artorias, Ornstein and Smough, or Slave Knight Gael.
FAQ: Dark Souls Bosses in Elden Ring Nightreign
Q: Which Dark Souls trilogy boss would be the most challenging in Nightreign's trio format?
A: Slave Knight Gael would likely pose the greatest challenge due to his aggressive moveset, massive health pool, and area-of-effect attacks that would be difficult even for three players to manage.
Q: Are there any Dark Souls 2 bosses currently in Nightreign?
A: Yes! Duke's Dear Freja from Dark Souls 2 appears in Nightreign, though many fans feel other bosses like Sir Alonne or the Looking Glass Knight would have been better choices.
Q: How do the returning Dark Souls bosses fit into Nightreign's lore?
A: FromSoftware has cleverly integrated these returning bosses as ancient entities that have persisted through multiple cycles of the world, connecting them to the broader mythology that spans across their games.
Q: Could we see boss rush modes featuring more Dark Souls bosses in the future?
A: A boss rush mode would be the perfect opportunity to bring back more classic encounters without needing to integrate them fully into the main game. Wouldn't that be an amazing addition to Nightreign's endgame content?
Haven't you always wondered what it would be like to face these legendary bosses with friends at your side? Which Dark Souls boss would you most want to see return in Elden Ring Nightreign?