When you begin playing Elden Ring Nightreign, not all characters are immediately available: you need to unlock the Duchess and the Revenant by completing specific quests within the game. Each character in Nightreign has their own unique skills and playstyle. The Duchess focuses on dexterity, using stealth and agility to avoid enemies while landing powerful strikes at just the right moment. On the other hand, the Revenant excels at summoning, capable of calling forth phantoms to assist her in battle.
These characters are quite specialized and can be challenging to master, which may explain why they’re not accessible to beginners. However, once you get the hang of them, they can create powerful synergies within your team and become quite formidable. Here’s how you can unlock the Duchess and the Revenant in Elden Ring Nightreign.
How to Unlock the Duchess in Nightreign
Finding the Old Pocket Watch
Fortunately, unlocking the Duchess is a straightforward task that you can complete early in Nightreign. You first need to finish the tutorial and gain access to Roundtable Hold. Next, embark on your initial mission titled “Tricephalos.” You’ll need to survive for one full day, and once night falls, head to the designated location on your map to defeat the initial boss and obtain the Old Pocket Watch.
I acquired the Old Pocket Watch after defeating the Bell Bearing Hunter, but your experience might vary. It generally seems to be a reward for defeating the initial boss.
Afterwards, return to Roundtable Hold and, amidst the celebrations, talk to the Priestess in a white hood near the altar. You will have the option to show her the pocket watch, so go ahead and do that. She will recognize the watch and inform you that it’s hers. You can choose to “give it to her” or “keep it.” Opt to give the Priestess the pocket watch, and just like that, she will cast aside her robe to reveal herself as the Duchess, now unlocked for you to play.
You’ll see a pop-up image of the Duchess indicating that you’ve unlocked her, complete with a brief overview of her abilities. You can also find her hanging around the altar and chat with her if you wish. To switch to the Duchess (or any other unlocked character), simply interact with the bell located at Roundtable Hold.
How to Unlock the Revenant in Nightreign
Finding the Besmirched Frame
You can unlock the Revenant only after obtaining the Duchess, or at the very least, after you have the Old Pocket Watch. First, you need to buy the Besmirched Frame from the Small Jar Bazaar, which is situated on the west side of Roundtable Hold. It’s available alongside the other relics in the shop menu and can be used as one. The Besmirched Frame costs 1,500 Murk, which you can earn through regular gameplay.
Next, make your way to the eastern wing of Roundtable Hold and you’ll spot a ghostly figure staring at a painting. Interact with her while holding the Besmirched Frame in your inventory, and you will be transported to a fort’s ruins where you’ll battle her.
How to Defeat the Revenant in Nightreign
Beating the Revenant
The Revenant specializes in summoning, so your main goal is to manage the phantoms she calls forth. She isn’t the hardest boss in Nightreign, but the number of allies she summons can be overwhelming, making it easy to get surrounded and defeated before you can inflict serious damage on her.
That said, the Revenant herself moves slowly and isn’t particularly strong. Maintain pressure on her, especially if you’re using a melee character. Right at the start of the fight, she will summon three phantoms. Lead them to one side of the battlefield while avoiding the Revenant’s magic. When they’re grouped together, dash towards the Revenant and start attacking. I found using Wylder’s grappling hook to be quite effective for moving around quickly.
If you prefer a different approach, consider playing as a ranged class like the Ironeye or the Recluse. You can apply a similar strategy but attack the Revenant from a distance instead of charging in.
Once you’ve emerged victorious in your battle against her, you can switch to play as the Revenant as well. Just use the bell at Roundtable Hold as you would to access any other character in Elden Ring Nightreign.
