All Returning Dark Souls Bosses In Elden Ring Nightreign

The Elden Ring Nightreign expansion has delivered a potent injection of nostalgia and terror for long-time players of FromSoftware titles. Beyond the vast, corrupted landscapes of the Lands Between, the DLC introduces a chilling cross-franchise concept: the appearance of iconic bosses from the Dark Souls series within specialized Expeditions.While some players might have hoped for a wider net of inclusions, the six bosses brought over—two from each mainline Dark Souls entry—represent some of the most memorable, terrifying, and deeply revered encounters in Souls history. These enemies have been masterfully adapted, retaining their original spirit while challenging players with Elden Ring's enhanced speed and mechanics.This essential guide details how to find every Dark Souls boss in the Nightreign DLC, along with a description of how each horrifying foe has been translated into the brutal world of the Nightfarers.

Elden Ring Nightreign: All Returning Dark Souls Bosses

🌑 Dark Souls I: The Unforgettable Horrors

The original Lordran legacy contributes two instantly recognizable foes, both famous for their unique mechanics and unforgettable arena designs.

1. Centipede Demon (Originally from Dark Souls 1)

The Centipede Demon is infamous for its frustrating lava-filled arena in the original game. In Nightreign, the arena navigation is gone, but the unique combat mechanic remains.

• Adaptation: The Centipede Demon is still susceptible to being broken down. Players can sever its limbs and tail to weaken the boss. Be cautious, though—the severed parts will remain active on the field, attacking players as separate, smaller enemies.
• How to Find: Target the Sentient Pest or Darkdrift Knight Expeditions. The Centipede Demon can appear as a boss in either Night 1 or Night 2 of these specific missions.

2. Gaping Dragon (Originally from Dark Souls 1)

The Gaping Dragon is a grotesque masterpieceof horror, a creature so appalling it’s permanently etched into thememory of Souls fans. Its terrifying appearance—a dragon ripped open toreveal a massive, tooth-lined maw that runs down its entire body—hasbeen remastered in gruesome modern detail for Elden Ring.

• Adaptation: Expect a spectacular display of its horrific body slams and massive sweeping attacks, now rendered with Elden Ring's visual fidelity.
• How to Find: Focus your efforts on the Gaping Jaw Expedition. The Gaping Dragon may emerge as the primary boss of Night 2.

Bonus Boss: Knight Artorias (Originally from Dark Souls 1: Artorias of the Abyss)

The fan-favorite hero-turned-boss, Artorias the Abysswalker, is a welcome,challenging inclusion. His elegant yet ferocious combat style has beenpreserved.

• Adaptation:Artorias retains his aggressive overhead slams and dark, frenziedattacks. His signature move, the multiple empowered slam, is now a major threat requiring high Stamina to Surge Sprint away from.
• Second Phase: His second phase triggers at 50% health, empowering his attacks and increasing the frequency of his devastating slam combos.
• How to Find: Artorias is found in the Abyssal Descent Expedition.

🔩 Dark Souls II: Iron and Spider Silk

The often-debated middle child of the trilogy provides two distinctivebosses known for their heavy damage and strange elemental variations.

3. Smelter Demon (Originally from Dark Souls 2)

The Smelter Demon is a beacon of challenge from the Iron Keep. Its fiery,imposing presence is retained, along with a clever mechanical twist.

• Adaptation: The Smelter Demon is notably faster and more aggressive than its DS2 counterpart. Its most significant change is the ability to shift between its original fiery appearance and its infamous Aged (blue) form when charging up a close-range blast. This transition unlocks new, more powerful attack patterns.
• How to Find: Target the Fissure in the Fog Expedition. The Smelter Demon can spawn as a main boss on either Night 1 or Night 2.

4. The Duke's Dear Freja (Originally from Dark Souls 2)

A colossal spider found deep within Brightstone Cove Tseldora, Freja is a boss notorious for her sheer size and dangerous ranged capabilities.

• Adaptation: Freja’s familiar moveset—poking with spindly legs, shooting bindingwebs, and firing a powerful, long-range laser—is maintained. Thechallenge lies in managing her aggressive, sweeping attacks which canquickly punish low-HP characters.
• How to Find: Target the Sentient Pest Expedition. Freja may appear as the main boss on Night 1 or Night 2 of this mission.

⚔️ Dark Souls III: Elegance and Legend

The conclusion of the trilogy provides two of the most iconic bosses in the entire franchise, known for their difficulty and dramatic, cinematicflair.

5. Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Originally from Dark Souls 3)

Elegant, fluid, and lethally fast, the Dancer is known for her graceful,twisting movements that hide devastating dual-blade attacks.

• Adaptation: Her infamous multi-spin attack is brought to life with Elden Ring's speed. If caught in the rapid sequence of spinning slams, players willlikely require a revive from a teammate. Players must maintain enoughStamina for a Surge Sprint (the Nightreign version of the dash) to escape when she winds up.
• How to Find: Target the Fissure in the Fog Expedition. The Dancer can appear as the main boss on either Night 1 or Night 2.

6. The Nameless King (Originally from Dark Souls 3)

Arguably the most beloved and difficult boss in Dark Souls 3, the spurned son of Gwyn maintains his fearsome two-phase encounter.

• Phase 1 (King of the Storm): Players must first battle the Nameless King as he rides the King of the Storm dragon, which hurls lightning bolts and executes sweeping rangedattacks. Players must be patient and capitalize on the brief moments the King lands on the ground.
• Phase 2 (The King Unhorsed): After defeating the dragon, the King lands with a lightning spear,engaging players in a surprisingly fast, grounded melee fight. Meleeplayers can now go all-out to finish the battle.
• How to Find: Target the Darkdrift Knight Expedition. The Nameless King is a high-level threat, typically appearing as the main boss of Night 2.

Bonus Duo: Demon Prince (Originally from Dark Souls 3: The Ringed City)

This classic duo fight from The Ringed City DLC is adapted into a two-night engagement.

• Night 1: Players face the initial dual threat of the Demon from Below and the Demon in Pain.
• Night 2: After the initial demons are slain, the Demon Prince rises from their ashes, requiring players to survive into the next night to face the true final form.
• How to Find: Target the Balancers Expedition. The Demon duo appears as the Night 1 boss, leading to the Demon Prince as the Night 2 boss.

By tracking these specific Expeditions, Nightfarers can experience anunforgettable journey through the nightmare-fueled memories of the Lands Between's long-lost cousins.

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