Elden Ring Nightreign - Raider Class Hands-On Impressions

Elden Ring: Nightreign introduces a fresh roster of playable classes, each with their own unique playstyle, and one that stands out in the hands-on impressions is the Raider class. This class is designed for players who thrive in offense, focusing on crushing enemies with immense strength and devastating attacks.

Raider Class Overview:

The Raider is an offensive powerhouse, making it perfect for players who enjoy loading up on Strength and using massive weapons to break enemy posture. Compared to the Guardian class, which is more defense-oriented with its shield and damage mitigation abilities, the Raider leans heavily into raw aggression, favoring damage-dealing over protection. This makes it ideal for those who want to deal massive damage while withstanding hits from enemies.

Key Abilities:

Retaliate:

The Raider's most essential skill is Retaliate, which, at first glance, might seem underwhelming. It's simply two stomps that deal a bit of physical and poise damage. However, the real power of this skill comes from its passive trait: the Raider cannot be knocked down while using Retaliate. This makes it an incredibly powerful tool, allowing the Raider to tank damage from even the most aggressive enemies while still dishing out retaliation. The second stomp in the ability is replaced by a devastating punch that can stagger even the largest foes, provided the Raider absorbs a significant amount of incoming damage during the attack.

Totem Stela (Ultimate):

The Raider's ultimate ability, Totem Stela, brings massive crowd control and high damage output. The ability causes the Raider to slam the ground, summoning a towering totem that erupts in a powerful explosion, dealing significant damage to all enemies in the vicinity. But it's not just about damage; the totem is also climbable, providing both the Raider and their teammates a safe perch or strategic vantage point to launch attacks from. As a bonus, the totem grants a damage buff to the entire party, making it a highly valuable asset in multiplayer co-op scenarios. It's an ability that can turn the tide of battle, especially when used strategically to boost damage during key moments.

Weapons and Equipment:

The Raider begins with the Raider's Greavtaxe, a solid starting weapon that deals fire damage and has the Endure skill attached. This skill helps the Raider power through attacks, especially when Retaliate is on cooldown. While effective early on, players will eventually need to upgrade to more powerful strength-scaling weapons to keep up with the escalating challenges of Nightreign. The Raiders' playstyle is all about using massive weapons to break through enemy defenses, so seeking out large, high-damage weapons becomes essential as the game progresses.

Playstyle and Fun Factor:

For players who love to focus on raw, upfront combat, the Raider class is an absolute blast to play. It's the perfect fit for those who want to engage in one-on-one battles and feel the thrill of wielding heavy weaponry that can crush opponents. The ability to tank damage with Retaliate while dishing out punishing blows makes the Raider well-suited to aggressive, face-to-face combat.

Moreover, the Raiders' Remembrances are designed to complement this combat style. These quests involve fighting in gladiatorial arenas, providing a change of pace from traditional Elden Ring gameplay. This format allows players to hone their combat skills in intense, one-on-one boss fights that truly test the Raider's strength and resilience.

Strategy Tips:

Timing Retaliate: The key to mastering the Raider class is learning when to use Retaliate. Since it allows you to tank damage and become nearly invincible during its use, you'll need to time it carefully, especially against powerful bosses or enemies with overwhelming attacks.

Utilizing Totem Stela: The Totem Stela's ultimate ability is a game-changer in team-based encounters. Be sure to coordinate with your teammates to ensure that the damage buff is maximized and that everyone gets the advantage of using the totem's height for better positioning.

Weapon Choices: Although the Raider's Greavtaxe is a solid starting weapon, it's important to upgrade as soon as possible to strength-scaling weapons. Look for weapons that allow you to continue the Raider's offensive playstyle by dishing out high damage while maintaining a strong defensive presence.

Conclusion:

The Raider class in Elden Ring: Nightreign is all about raw, unrelenting strength, and it thrives on the ability to tank damage while dealing immense amounts of it. Pairing the class with powerful runes and strategic Elden Ring items will make you a force to be reckoned with. As you venture through Nightreign, be sure to experiment with different combinations of Elden Ring runes and items to suit your playstyle and take full advantage of the Raider's offensive potential.