Elden Ring Nightreign's First DLC Drops December 4 with Two New Characters

Just six months after transforming Elden Ring's punishing solo experience into a frantic co-op survival game, FromSoftware is ready to expand the Nightreign experience with its first paid DLC. The Forsaken Hollows arrives on December 4, 2025, bringing two entirely new playable characters, fresh hunting grounds, and bosses that will test even the most coordinated three-player squads.

Producer Yasuhiro Kitao showcased the expansion during a special Famitsu livestream on December 2, demonstrating actual PS5 gameplay that revealed just how different these new characters play compared to the base roster. At ¥1,760 (roughly $12), The Forsaken Hollows represents a significant content drop for players who've been grinding through Nightreign's brutal three-day cycles since launch.

Two Technical Powerhouses Join the Hunt

The DLC introduces the Undertaker and Scholar as playable Nightwalkers, each bringing combat styles that feel genuinely distinct from the existing roster. FromSoftware designed both characters with "technical and powerful" kits that reward skilled play.

The Undertaker (葬儀屋) specializes in aerial combat, striking enemies while airborne with a deadly scythe. Their signature skill "Trans" (トランス) wraps them in prismatic energy, while the combat art "Ominous Strike" (不吉の一撃) delivers devastating overhead attacks. This character appeals to aggressive players who want to stay mobile and dominate vertical space during encounters.

Meanwhile, the Scholar (学者) takes a more cerebral approach to combat. Armed with an ancient tome, this character can apply damage-sharing effects to groups of enemies through the "Empathy Arts" (共感術) ability. The "Inquiry" (探究) skill reveals enemy weaknesses and tactical information. For players who prefer strategic setups over raw aggression, the Scholar offers a support-damage hybrid that thrives in coordinated teams.

Exploring The Forsaken Hollows

The expansion's namesake area, The Forsaken Hollows (大空洞), plunges players into an underground realm dominated by a massive glowing crystal formation. This cavernous environment introduces new traversal challenges and enemy placements that encourage careful exploration between Nightreign's signature intensity spikes.

Beyond the hollows themselves, the DLC adds toxic marshland areas that bring back the classic FromSoftware poison swamp experience that fans simultaneously dread and expect. New terrain changes across existing maps keep veteran players on their toes, while two additional boss encounters provide fresh ultimate challenges for each three-day cycle.

Early Purchase Incentive

Players who purchase The Forsaken Hollows before December 3, 2025 receive a digital artbook and mini soundtrack as early adoption bonuses. These extras come through the app version and provide insight into the expansion's development and musical direction.

A Different Beast from the Original

For those unfamiliar with the base game, Elden Ring Nightreign launched on May 30, 2025 as a standalone cooperative survival experience. While it repurposes enemies, weapons, and world elements from the original Elden Ring, the game features completely different design philosophy centered around surviving three in-game days with up to two other players.

The game received positive reception for successfully translating FromSoftware's demanding combat into a multiplayer roguelike structure. Standard Edition runs ¥5,720, with Deluxe and Collector's Editions available at ¥7,480 and ¥32,120 respectively.

For the latest information and media, visit the official Elden Ring Nightreign website.

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