Master Elden Ring Nightreign's First Expedition and Defeat Gladius

Elden Ring Nightreign, FromSoftware's latest multiplayer action RPG, throws players into a high-stakes battle environment where speed and strategy are paramount. The game begins with a tough tutorial fight against Margit, but the real challenge lies in the Tricephalos expedition, ending with the triple-headed dog boss, Gladius. This expedition tests your ability to adapt to the game's accelerated day and night cycle, demanding swift action and precise coordination.

Speed is critical because many of the game’s features unlock only after defeating the first boss. These include new expeditions, meta-progression items in the Small Jar Bazaar, and the secret Nightfarer class. Players often struggle initially because Nightreign’s pace outstrips traditional Soulsborne titles, but understanding key strategies can level the playing field.

Prioritize Level 12 Through Efficient Rune Farming

While the level cap for a Nightfarer on an expedition is 15, reaching level 12 is a more practical goal. Achieving this requires quick clearing of enemy camps and bosses without wasting precious runes on early merchants. Save rune spending for the merchant available before the Nightlord fight on night three to maximize your character’s power before the final showdown.

Exploit Gladius’ Holy Weakness with Elemental Weapons

Each Nightlord aspect has elemental vulnerabilities visible before expeditions. Gladius is weak to holy damage, making holy-infused weapons essential. These weapons stagger Gladius more effectively, creating critical hit opportunities. You can acquire elemental weapons by defeating enemy camps marked with elemental icons, but be mindful of the subtle differences between lightning and sacred affinity icons to ensure you pick the right weapon.

• Lightning affinity icon: pale yellow blade with crackling bolts.
• Sacred (holy) affinity icon: golden blade with a circle.

Stock Up on Diverse Weapons for Passive Bonuses

Nightreign removes equipment load limits, so filling your inventory with a variety of weapons is advantageous. Even weapons you don't plan to wield grant passive bonuses that enhance your character's stats. For example, melee Nightfarers can benefit from bows to revive allies at range, while ranged Nightfarers might carry daggers for close combat. These passive boosts can significantly increase your survivability and damage output against Gladius.

Invest in Fire and Physical Damage Negation

Gladius deals heavy fire damage, making damage negation essential, especially for tank characters who can't rely solely on dodging. During the first two days, prioritize passive abilities that reduce fire and physical damage. Nightlord bosses drop powerful passive buffs, so selecting these defensive powers can soften Gladius' devastating attacks and improve your chances of survival.

Maximize Healing by Collecting Flasks at Churches

Healing resources are limited at the start, with only three flasks available, increasing to five after defeating bosses on nights one and two. To extend your healing capacity, seek out churches scattered across the map during the early days. Each church grants an additional flask, boosting your total to eight or more. This extra healing can be the difference between victory and defeat in the grueling fight against Gladius.

Master Gladius’ Attack Patterns and Team Coordination

Gladius favors melee combat and fiery attacks, but his massive chainsword swing is particularly deadly. Watch his positioning closely; when he distances himself, prepare to dodge this sweeping attack. After reaching half health, Gladius splits into three fireball forms that transform into separate dogs targeting individual players. Staying grouped as a team during this phase allows ranged Nightfarers to unleash powerful area attacks, maximizing damage and minimizing risk.

Defeating Gladius unlocks a wealth of new expeditions and content, marking the end of the tutorial phase. Players ready to tackle Nightreign’s challenges will find that mastering these strategies—speed, elemental exploitation, resource management, and teamwork—paves the way for success in the Lands Between.