The newest trailers for Elden Ring Nightreign: The Forsaken Hollows have arrived, and they offer a surprisingly detailed look at the two new Nightfarer classes joining the game. FromSoftware and Bandai Namco released the footage just ahead of the DLC’s December 4, 2025 launch, giving players a clearer sense of how these characters fit into the co-op roguelike’s shifting, often unpredictable world. It all comes together in a way that feels like the developers are trying to give the community more of what it has been asking for, though perhaps still on their own terms.
Key Takeaways
- New Classes: Two new Nightfarers, the Scholar and the Undertaker, join the roster with distinct playstyles.
- Release Date: The Forsaken Hollows DLC launches on December 4, 2025, for consoles and PC.
- Entry Requirements: Players must defeat the boss Tricephalos in the base game to access the new characters.
- Price: The expansion costs $15 USD and is included in the Deluxe and Collector’s Editions.
FromSoftware’s latest trailers spotlight the core of this expansion. The Scholar and the Undertaker are presented not just as new playable options but almost as responses to gaps players have felt since Nightreign launched back in May. The first expansion brings new challenges, locations, and bosses, yet it’s these characters that seem to anchor the experience. Maybe that’s why the trailers put so much emphasis on their distinct styles and the flavor they bring to a run.
New Nightfarers Join the Fight
In Nightreign, players choose between preset Nightfarers rather than creating a character from the ground up, so any new addition tends to feel immediately significant.
The Scholar
The Scholar is introduced as an academic who has taken a particular interest in the mysteries of the Lands Between. He leans heavily on the Arcane stat, which naturally makes him effective at stacking status effects like bleed. The trailer shows him analyzing encounters almost as much as participating in them, which hints at a playstyle built around exploiting weaknesses rather than brute force. He carries a thrusting sword, too, and its quick, precise strikes blend neatly with his status-centric approach. It’s the sort of kit that might appeal to players who enjoy thinking one step ahead, even if sometimes that plan doesn’t quite pan out mid-battle.
The Undertaker
The Undertaker, meanwhile, feels like almost the opposite kind of fighter. She channels Strength and Faith, and the footage highlights her massive heavy weapon that can stagger even the bulkier enemies. One moment that stood out shows her leaping into the air before delivering a heavy smash attack, something that looks as risky as it is satisfying. According to in-game lore, she serves as an abbess tasked with hunting Nightlords. That background gives her a slightly solemn but purposeful presence, and her Faith-scaling abilities seem to tie directly into that idea of cleansing or purging darkness. It’s a striking contrast to the Scholar’s more measured approach.
How to Access the New Content
Bandai Namco outlined the steps players need to take to get into The Forsaken Hollows, and it’s not quite as simple as installing the DLC and jumping in. In a way, that requirement might feel fitting for a game that thrives on progression and repetition.
To access the Nightfarers: Players must first defeat Tricephalos, the initial main boss of Elden Ring Nightreign. Once that’s done, they’ll need to speak with the Iron Menial at the Roundtable Hold.
To access the New Expedition: The “Balancers” expedition requires beating Tricephalos along with one additional boss.
These requirements might feel like a hurdle, but they also ensure players have a basic grasp of the game’s rhythm before diving into the new material.
New Threats and Locations
The Forsaken Hollows expansion isn’t only about new characters. It brings a set of fresh environmental threats, beginning with a “Shifting Earth” event called The Great Hollow. This feature creates a huge cavity carved into the map during runs, filled with ancient ruins and crystals that drain health. It’s the kind of hazard that forces players to adjust on the fly, even if they’re mid-strategy.
New bosses also play a central role here. The Balancers become the main encounter in the new expedition, while the Dreglord emerges as a final boss at the end of an in-game night. Fans also spotted what appears to be a cameo resembling Artorias from Dark Souls. That little detail has sparked a fair amount of speculation. Maybe it’s pure fan service, or maybe it hints at deeper lore threads tying Nightreign into a more unusual corner of FromSoftware’s storytelling.
Context for the Release
Elden Ring Nightreign launched earlier this year as a standalone spinoff, adapting the combat of the original 2022 game into a survival-focused co-op structure. While players praised its core gameplay loop, many felt the game needed more variety in its character roster and environments. The Forsaken Hollows seems positioned to address that feedback directly. It expands the world in ways both mechanical and atmospheric, and perhaps most importantly, it gives players new reasons to return to the core experience.
The trailers certainly suggest that this expansion is trying to deepen the game rather than simply broaden it, and with the launch just around the corner, players won’t have long to find out how these additions change their next run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When does The Forsaken Hollows DLC release?
The DLC releases on December 4, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Q. How much does the DLC cost?
The standalone price is $15 USD. Players who purchased the Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition of Elden Ring Nightreign will receive the DLC at no extra cost.
Q. Do I need the original Elden Ring to play this?
No. Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone game. However, you do need to own the base game of Nightreign to play The Forsaken Hollows DLC.
Q. Is the DLC single-player or multiplayer?
Like the base game, the DLC supports both single-player and co-op multiplayer for up to three players.
Q. What are the new bosses in the DLC?
The expansion features two main new bosses, including the Balancers and the Dreglord, alongside new field bosses found in The Great Hollow area.
