Elden Ring Nightreign is getting its first major DLC expansion on December 4, 2025. The Forsaken Hollows adds two new Nightfarer characters, brutal new bosses including the Dreglord, and a completely new underground zone called The Great Hollow. FromSoftware dropped a gameplay reveal trailer on November 11 showing the Scholar character fighting with nothing but books and observation powers, proving this co-op roguelike spin-off keeps finding ways to surprise players.
What Is Elden Ring Nightreign
Before diving into the DLC, here’s the quick version for anyone who missed Nightreign’s launch in May 2025. This is a standalone co-op spin-off set in a parallel world to the main Elden Ring game. Instead of the massive open-world exploration, Nightreign condenses everything into intense 35 to 45 minute sessions where three players team up to survive increasingly dangerous nights.
You pick from eight premade characters called Nightfarers, drop into a randomized map based on Limgrave called Limveld, and have three in-game days to get stronger before facing a Nightlord boss. The map shrinks after each day cycle similar to battle royales, forcing players into tighter encounters. Each day lasts about 10 to 15 minutes of real time. Die during the day and you can respawn by having teammates kill enemies, but losing at night ends the entire run.
The roguelike structure means you lose most progress when runs fail, but you earn Relics that provide permanent upgrades between attempts. The game sold over 5 million copies since launch, proving players wanted a faster-paced FromSoftware experience focused entirely on co-op boss rushes. Now The Forsaken Hollows expansion adds fresh content to keep those 5 million players engaged.
Meet the Scholar and Undertaker
The Forsaken Hollows introduces two new playable Nightfarers bringing the total roster to ten characters. The Scholar is an academic who fights by analyzing enemies rather than hitting them with traditional weapons. His Arcane stat is incredibly high, letting him gain advantages through battlefield observation. The gameplay footage shows him reading books mid-combat, applying countdown timers to enemies that seemingly weaken them, and tossing jars that might provide buffs or debuffs.
Most interesting is how he summons light swords and daggers similar to the Duchess character from the base game. One moment in the trailer shows him literally reading his opponents, gesturing at enemies while studying them through some kind of arcane lens. When those timers hit zero, bad things happen to whatever he was analyzing. The whole kit feels like playing a FromSoftware version of a tactical analyst who weaponizes information.
The Undertaker takes the opposite approach. She’s an abbess mandated to slay the Nightlord, specializing in Faith and Strength stats. Her weapon is a mace, and her entire design screams ruthless efficiency. Where the Scholar observes and adapts, the Undertaker just sends enemies to the afterlife through brute force blessed by holy power. FromSoftware hasn’t revealed her full ability kit yet, but expect something similar to traditional Strength-Faith hybrid builds from the main Elden Ring game with unique twists for the co-op format.
New Bosses and The Dreglord
The DLC adds multiple new boss encounters including two fresh Nightlord-tier threats. The star of the show is the Dreglord, described as a wounded spirit that follows from the souls and blood of the fallen. Bandai Namco’s official announcement emphasizes this is one of the new final bosses, plural, suggesting The Forsaken Hollows significantly expands the endgame rotation.
Another confirmed boss is Heolstor the Nightlord, who wields a dimension-slicing blade and appears to be tied to Night Aspect mechanics. Community speculation suggests Heolstor might be connected to Carian family lore based on his use of what looks like a Moonlight Greatsword variant. The trailer shows him teleporting across the battlefield and creating spatial tears that players must dodge while the Scholar desperately reads his book trying to understand attack patterns.
The DLC also brings back field bosses and mini-encounters scattered throughout the new zones. These aren’t just recycled enemies from the base game either. FromSoftware specifically mentioned new threats tormenting Limveld, implying fresh enemy designs that fit the underground hollow aesthetic.
The Great Hollow Shifting Earth
Shifting Earth events are special conditions where the entire map undergoes massive geographical changes during runs. The Forsaken Hollows introduces The Great Hollow, a massive underground cavity in the depths of Limveld. The description paints a picture of exotic ruins and temples, sacred towers marking the remains of an ancient civilization, and crystals that emit cursed life-draining miasma.
That miasma detail is important. It suggests The Great Hollow isn’t just a new area to explore but actively hostile terrain that damages players over time. You’ll need to balance exploring deeper for better loot against the constant drain on your health. The sacred towers hint at vertical gameplay where teams might climb ancient structures while fighting off enemies and managing the cursed crystal effects.
The ruins and temples suggest lore connections to civilizations that existed before the Shattering. Nightreign takes place in a parallel world where history diverged from the main Elden Ring timeline, so these ancient people might represent something that never appeared in the base game. Players digging into FromSoftware’s environmental storytelling will have plenty to analyze.
All Eight Base Game Nightfarers
For anyone jumping into Nightreign with the DLC, here’s the complete roster of characters available at launch before adding the Scholar and Undertaker:
| Character | Class Role | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Duchess | Melee DPS | Fast strikes with multiple weapons, high mobility |
| Wanderer | Balanced Fighter | All-around stats, adaptable to any situation |
| Recluse | Mage | Powerful spells for damage and team support |
| Ironeye | Ranged DPS | Archery specialist who creates weak points on enemies |
| Raider | Tank | Massive strength, high health, wields heaviest weapons |
| Revenant | Support | Spirit summons and resurrection abilities for teammates |
| Crimson Wing | Healer | Healing magic and protective abilities for the squad |
| Samurai | Technical Fighter | Precision strikes, parrying, katana-based combat |
Pricing and How to Get It
The Forsaken Hollows DLC costs $15 USD or 700 Indian Rupees when purchased separately. However, if you already own the Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition of Elden Ring Nightreign, you automatically get the DLC at no additional cost. Those editions included the Season Pass as part of their higher price point.
There’s one important note for anyone who purchased the Deluxe Upgrade Pack before November 12, 2025. Bandai Namco renamed that pack to The Forsaken Hollows DLC on that date. If you bought the upgrade pack thinking it was just cosmetics or minor bonuses, congratulations, you actually own the full expansion already. Check your game library to confirm.
The DLC launches simultaneously across all platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. There’s no timed exclusivity or staggered release. Everyone gets access on December 4, 2025 at the same time regardless of platform.
Why This Matters for Nightreign’s Future
The Forsaken Hollows represents FromSoftware’s commitment to Nightreign as a long-term live service project. Releasing substantial paid DLC just seven months after launch shows confidence in the player base and the game’s core loop. The addition of two new characters, multiple bosses, and an entire new Shifting Earth environment suggests this isn’t a one-and-done expansion either.
Nightreign’s director stated during the initial announcement that this game was an opportunity to do something different while using what FromSoftware cultivated with previous titles. The Forsaken Hollows proves the team is still experimenting and expanding that vision. The Scholar’s observation-based kit represents a completely new gameplay approach that doesn’t exist in the base roster.
With the Game Awards 2025 happening on December 11, just one week after The Forsaken Hollows launches, speculation is already building about what FromSoftware might announce next. Could there be a second DLC pack? A Nintendo Switch 2 port? Maybe even hints about the mysterious Duskbloods project that keeps appearing in leaks? Whatever comes next, The Forsaken Hollows keeps Nightreign relevant through the holiday season and into 2026.
FAQs
When does The Forsaken Hollows DLC release?
The Forsaken Hollows DLC launches December 4, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. All platforms get it simultaneously with no timed exclusivity.
How much does The Forsaken Hollows cost?
The DLC costs $15 USD or 700 Indian Rupees when purchased separately. If you own the Deluxe Edition, Collector’s Edition, or bought the Deluxe Upgrade Pack before November 12, 2025, you get it free.
What new characters are in The Forsaken Hollows?
The DLC adds two new Nightfarers: the Scholar, an Arcane specialist who analyzes enemies to gain advantages, and the Undertaker, a Faith and Strength hybrid who wields a mace to send enemies to the afterlife.
What is The Great Hollow in Elden Ring Nightreign?
The Great Hollow is a new Shifting Earth event featuring a massive underground cavity filled with ancient ruins, sacred towers, and cursed crystals that drain life. It represents a major geographical change to the Limveld map during runs.
Do I need to own Elden Ring to play Nightreign?
No, Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone game. You don’t need to own or have played the original Elden Ring. It’s a separate purchase with its own save files and progression system.
Can I play Elden Ring Nightreign solo?
Yes, solo play is supported, but the game is designed and balanced for three-player co-op. Playing solo is significantly harder and you’ll miss out on the team synergy that makes Nightreign special.
How long does a full Nightreign run take?
Complete runs from start to defeating a Nightlord boss take approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Each in-game day lasts 10 to 15 minutes of real time, and runs consist of three days.
Is The Forsaken Hollows the only DLC planned?
FromSoftware hasn’t confirmed future DLC plans beyond The Forsaken Hollows. However, the existence of a Season Pass structure suggests more content could be coming, possibly announced at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025.
What are Nightlords in Elden Ring Nightreign?
Nightlords are major boss encounters that serve as the final challenge on the third day of each run. There are eight different Nightlords in the base game, with The Forsaken Hollows adding at least two more including the Dreglord and Heolstor.
Conclusion
The Forsaken Hollows expansion proves Elden Ring Nightreign isn’t just a quick cash grab spin-off. FromSoftware is treating this co-op roguelike with the same care and creativity they bring to mainline Soulsborne titles. Adding two genuinely unique characters like the Scholar and Undertaker instead of just reskinning existing classes shows real commitment to expanding what’s possible within the game’s 45-minute session structure. The Great Hollow’s cursed crystal zones and underground ruins create environmental challenges that go beyond just fighting tougher enemies. It’s proper expansion content that changes how you approach runs rather than just adding more of the same. For $15, you get meaningful new gameplay options, terrifying bosses that will kill you repeatedly until you learn their patterns, and an entirely new biome that forces different strategies. The timing is perfect too. Nightreign’s 5 million players have had seven months to master the base game’s eight Nightfarers and learn every boss pattern. The Forsaken Hollows arrives exactly when the community needs fresh content to stay engaged. Whether you’re a veteran commander who can speedrun Nightlord kills or a newer player still learning the basics, December 4 brings everyone back to Limveld to face the Dreglord and explore those cursed hollows. Just remember to bring friends. FromSoftware designed this expansion for co-op, and trying to solo the Scholar against Heolstor while cursed crystals drain your health sounds like a special kind of punishment even Miyazaki would approve of.