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Blog > Elden Ring Nightreign: The Raider Abilities, Ultimate, Weapons Guide

Elden Ring Nightreign: The Raider Abilities, Ultimate, Weapons Guide

May 10, 2025, 10:58:32 PST | Categories : Elden Ring |

Elden Ring Nightreign: The Raider Abilities, Ultimate, Weapons Guide

 

Following the reveal of Ironeye, Raider was the next Nightreign character to be officially showcased between the closed playtest and the full Elden Ring: Nightreign release. With a description that reads "A powerful seafarer who favors enormous weapons," the Raider is immediately recognizable as a dream come true for Strength-focused players.

 

Wielding massive weapons, dealing devastating stagger damage, and outfitted with unique utility and crowd control potential, the Raider is poised to be one of the most brutal frontline options in the Nightreign lineup.

 

Raider Overview

 

·Class Role: Strength/Damage Dealer (Melee)

·Playstyle: Tanky brawler with utility and crowd control potential

·Specialty: Colossal weapons, stagger damage, and area control

 

Raider Abilities and Passives

 

Passive: Fighter's Resolve

 

"Taking damage boosts Retaliate potency, and cannot be knocked down while using it."

 

This passive perfectly complements aggressive melee play. As you take hits, your Retaliate skill gets stronger, rewarding calculated risk. Most importantly, it grants super armor during Retaliate's charge-up, meaning even heavy hits won't knock you down while prepping your counterattack.

 

Skill: Retaliate

 

"Assume attack stance and pummel vigorously. A defensive posture that reduces incoming damage. An enhanced skill which causes even larger enemies to recoil."

 

Retaliate is the Raider's bread-and-butter ability- a charged uppercut that deals massive stagger damage, with enhanced knockback effects against larger enemies. While it may look like a pure offensive tool, it doubles as a defensive stance, reducing incoming damage while active. The synergy with Fighter's Resolve makes this skill a standout for trading hits and interrupting enemy attacks.

 

Ultimate: Totem Stela

 

"Drive the ravekeeper's wedge into the earth to summon a giant tombstone."

 

This is where Raider brings unexpected utility to the team. Totem Stela spawns a towering stone pillar, offering:

 

·Elevated terrain for ranged allies to land headshots

·Plunge attack opportunities for melee fighters

·A buff zone (likely boosting physical attack power, though unconfirmed)

 

While the exact effects of the buff are speculative, it's clear that this ultimate can shift battlefield positioning dramatically, particularly in group boss fights or chaotic PvP skirmishes.

 

Starting Equipment

 

Greataxe or Colossal Weapon

 

At launch, the Raider appears to begin with a massive greataxe, possibly unique Elden Ring Items to the class. Whether this is classified as a standard Great Axe or falls into the Colossal Weapon category remains to be seen, but judging by Nightreign's other class kits (Wylder, Duchess, Guardian), it's highly likely that:

 

·Raider's weapon will have a unique moveset

·It will scale primarily with Strength

·It may feature built-in stagger bonuses or synergy with Retaliate

 

Expect the Raider to perform best with high-strength builds, optimizing for raw damage, hyper armor, and knockback control.

 

Playstyle Tips for Raider

 

·Tank smartly: Use Retaliate to absorb and counter hard hits. Timing is crucial- mistiming could leave you open, but the reward is immense stagger and damage.

·Zone with Totem Stela: Use your ultimate to control the battlefield. In PvE, it's great for repositioning your team; in PvP, it disrupts line of sight and creates elevation advantages.

·Stick with allies: Raider is devastating up close but has limited mobility- working with a healer or ranged teammate helps maximize uptime in the brawl.

·Stack stagger stats: Prioritize or buy Elden Ring Items and talismans to boost poise damage, stamina regen, or tanking capabilities.

 

Conclusion

 

The Raider is shaping up to be the definitive Strength powerhouse in Elden Ring: Nightreign. Between his knockback-resistant attacks, colossal weaponry, and unique battlefield-altering ultimate, Raider offers more than just brute force- he brings a surprising layer of strategy and team support.

 

Whether you're diving into PvE content or facing off in multiplayer arenas, Raider rewards those who embrace bold aggression, well-timed counters, and smart positioning.

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