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The Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test is upon us, and as players across the globe dive into this new chapter, one of the most frequent questions emerging from the community revolves around the equipment featured in the test. What’s new? What’s familiar? Is it just base Elden Ring gear, or is there something different? Well, fear not, as we’re here to explore the major differences in Nightreign's gear, weapons, and how to take advantage of the unique movesets and abilities introduced for this test.

The Basics: What’s in the Test?

The Nightreign Network Test currently provides a large selection of weapons from the base game of Elden Ring, but it doesn’t include anything from the upcoming DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. In this early test phase, we’re working with equipment as it was in Elden Ring's initial patch 1.0. That means, unfortunately, the updates and animation changes made to various weapon types in later patches, like faster axes or revamped weapon combos, won’t be present here.

The most notable thing here, however, is that every hero in Nightreign has a unique moveset tied to their starting weapon. And while some weapons perform similarly to their Elden Ring counterparts, others come with exciting new twists that add to the depth of combat. So, let’s dive deeper into the major changes and unique features that are currently live in the Nightreign Network Test.

Unique Hero Movesets: Three Standout Characters

Each character in Nightreign is called a "Hero," and each Hero has their own special moveset tied to a specific weapon type. As of now, there are four Heroes available, each with a distinct style of play. Let’s look at the three most notable movesets.

1. Wilder (Greatswords)

Wilder’s unique moveset is for Greatswords. The primary difference here is the speed at which Wilder attacks with this weapon type. Wilder’s greatsword combo chain is faster than the standard combo chains of other characters, allowing for quicker, more aggressive gameplay. The most significant change in this moveset is the roll attack, which has been upgraded to a forward thrust. This is a huge quality-of-life improvement over the normal roll attacks for greatswords, which usually feel more cumbersome in base Elden Ring. This thrust-based roll attack adds a new level of mobility and makes the weapon feel much more fluid in combat.

2. Guardian (Halberds)

The Guardian is equipped with a Halberd and, like Wilder, gets a unique moveset. The main difference with the Halberd is how the light attack chain functions—Guardian has an infinite combo with light attacks. Instead of the usual pauses between hits, Guardian can continuously stab and poke with no gaps until stamina runs out or the player stops pressing the attack button. This change makes Guardian feel like a true tank in the group, letting you dish out sustained damage without worrying about breaking your attack flow. Additionally, it’s been reported that Guardian has a unique guard counter, a handy defensive tool for parrying incoming attacks, which aligns perfectly with the character’s role as a defensive powerhouse.

3. Duchess (Daggers)

Duchess wields daggers, but what’s particularly unique about her moveset is the momentum built into her attacks. The light attack combo for Duchess has eight total strikes rather than the usual six, giving her a more extended attack chain. But it’s not just the combo that makes her stand out—it’s the way she can chain attacks together with dodges. After each attack, Duchess can dodge and immediately follow up with another attack, keeping the chain going. This creates a fluid, almost dance-like combat style where you can stay mobile and aggressive, perfect for players who enjoy agile, nimble characters. However, this also introduces a higher skill ceiling since the timing and rhythm of attacking and dodging require careful management. This makes her one of the more difficult, but rewarding, characters to master.

4. Recluse (Staff)

The Recluse is a unique character in that they start with a staff and have no special moveset attached to their weapon. However, they do get access to "Magic Cocktail," which allows them to create up to 14 specific spells by absorbing essences from spells used against enemies. This provides a great deal of flexibility for magic users in Nightreign, as you can adapt your spellcasting strategy based on the essences you’ve absorbed. While the Recluse lacks a special moveset, the ability to manipulate and craft magic in creative ways provides a different kind of depth to their gameplay.

Major Weapon Changes in Nightreign

While most weapons in Nightreign are similar to their base Elden Ring counterparts, there are some notable changes and additions. Here are a few examples of weapons that stand out due to their passive effects or changes in how they interact with combat:

1. Sword of Night and Flame

The Sword of Night and Flame returns in Nightreign, but with a twist. This weapon’s Ash of War now allows it to infuse either magic or fire into the blade, depending on the element you choose. Additionally, if the Sword of Night and Flame is equipped in the off-hand, it will apply the magic buff to your main-hand weapon. This effect is likely a bug from the base Elden Ring code and may be fixed by the time the full game releases, but it’s an interesting bonus for now.

2. Blasphemous Blade

In Nightreign, the Blasphemous Blade has been given a passive ability that restores health whenever you kill an enemy, which mirrors its healing effect from base Elden Ring but is now a passive effect. This change makes it even more useful in prolonged battles, allowing you to regain health without needing to rely on consumables. The Devour Scepter also shares this passive, making both of these weapons quite valuable for sustaining health in combat.

3. Dark Moon Greatsword

The Dark Moon Greatsword is another weapon that benefits from a new passive in Nightreign. Not only does it grant you the ability to parry spells through its carry retaliation effect, but it also applies magic damage negation reduction to enemies with every hit. This makes it an excellent choice for dealing with enemies that rely on magical damage, as you can negate their buffs while simultaneously increasing your own damage output.

4. Hand of Melania

One of the most powerful passives in Nightreign comes with the Hand of Melania, a weapon that grants the Bloodborne-esque "rally mechanic." After taking damage, you can recover health by dealing damage to enemies. In testing, this has proven to be incredibly effective, allowing for full healing in some situations. This passive is a game-changer for those looking to stay in the fight longer, especially against bosses or tougher enemies.

The Role of Ashes of War and Weapon Passives

In addition to their unique movesets, Nightreign introduces some exciting changes to how Ashes of War and weapon passives work. Weapons in this test have random Ashes of War applied to them upon being dropped, which means you can get a variety of different effects depending on the weapon. These passives can range from stat-boosting effects like increased attack while dual-wielding to specific bonuses like increased damage negation when two-handing a weapon.

One interesting change is that these weapon passives are not just applied to the weapon you have equipped. Even if a weapon with a passive is sitting in your inventory, as long as it’s in your equipment, the passive will be activated. This provides players with more opportunities to take advantage of the weapon's inherent benefits without having to actively use it.

Rarity, Scaling, and Weapon Spawning

Weapons in Nightreign come with varying levels of rarity and scaling, which impacts how they perform as you level up. In the test, weapons have a visible stat scaling that lets you know how they’ll perform as you increase your hero’s stats. These scalings are tied to specific stats, such as Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith, so making sure to match your hero’s build to the right weapon will be crucial for maximizing damage output.

When it comes to weapon spawning, each weapon will have random stats and, if it’s not a unique weapon (like a somber smithing stone weapon), it will also come with a random Ash of War from the available pool. This adds an extra layer of unpredictability and excitement as you gather new weapons throughout your journey.

Conclusion: The Future of Nightreign

While the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test is just a glimpse into what’s to come, it’s clear that Nightreign offers a wealth of exciting new gameplay mechanics and strategic possibilities. The introduction of unique weapon movesets for each hero, combined with the diverse set of weapon passives and Ashes of War, opens up a range of options for combat. Whether you’re looking to play as a tank, a speedy dagger-wielder, or a magic user, there’s a hero for you in this test.

As the game progresses and we get more information about the full release, we can expect even more variety in terms of weapons, movesets, and magical abilities. For now, though, the Nightreign Network Test is shaping up to be a unique and thrilling experience, with plenty to discover for both newcomers and veterans of the Elden Ring series.

So, whether you're just starting your journey or already deep into the test, keep experimenting with the gear, weapons, and abilities to uncover the true potential of your hero. For more guides and all the latest news about Elden Ring Nightreign, check out Here. And also can buy Elden Ring Runes here!