Elden Ring: Nightreign expands upon the Lands Between with powerful new enemies, unique Relics, and class refinements that reward creative builds. Early game progression is especially important, as your chosen class and weapon define the first 10-20 hours of gameplay. Whether you're a veteran Tarnished or a newcomer to the Nightreign DLC, optimizing your early-game weapon and Elden Ring Runes build per class is essential to survive the challenges ahead. Here’s a breakdown of the best weapon and build for each class in the early game of Elden Ring: Nightreign.
1. Knight Class
Best Early Weapon: Nightreign Bastard Sword
Build Focus: Strength/Endurance Tank
The Knight starts with high Vigor and Strength, making them ideal frontline brawlers. The Nightreign Bastard Sword, found early in the Twilight Caverns, is a massive greatsword with excellent stagger potential. Its charged R2 attacks can break the posture of most enemies within two swings.
Build Tips:
Pump points into Strength and Endurance to wield heavier gear and block more efficiently.
Equip the Iron Soldier’s Crest Talisman (boosts poise) and Golden Beast Crest Shield for a balanced tanky setup.
Use Ashes of War like Flaming Strike or Lion’s Claw to further increase your burst damage during boss encounters.
2. Sorcerer Class
Best Early Weapon: Moonlit Wand
Build Focus: Intelligence/FP Management
The Sorcerer shines in ranged combat but can feel squishy without proper FP management. The Moonlit Wand, obtained from the Altar of Forgotten Stars, boosts Glintstone sorcery and offers a modest melee option with magic scaling.
Build Tips:
Focus on Intelligence, Mind, and some Vigor for survivability.
Prioritize spells like Glintstone Shards and Stars of Ruin for consistent ranged pressure.
Combine with the Frostroot Crown for +3 INT at the cost of max HP, ideal for high-risk, high-reward play.
Use Spirit Ashes to create space against aggressive foes while you channel spells.
3. Warrior Class
Best Early Weapon: Twin Crescent Axes
Build Focus: Dexterity/Strength Hybrid
Warriors are all about dual-wielding, and the Twin Crescent Axes, dropped from a miniboss near Drenched Hollow, bring fast combo potential and innate Bleed buildup. These excel against enemies with large health pools early on.
Build Tips:
Split points between Dexterity and Strength for maximum damage scaling.
Use the Twinblade Talisman to boost combo enders.
Apply Blood Grease or Poison to add even more status effects.
Master dodge-timing to compensate for the lack of a reliable shield.
4. Cleric Class
Best Early Weapon: Sanctified Mace
Build Focus: Faith/Healing Support
The Cleric functions as a healer and buffer, but don’t underestimate their melee capabilities. The Sanctified Mace, available from a merchant at Windveil Monastery, scales with Faith and deals holy damage—perfect for undead and spirit enemies.
Build Tips:
Prioritize Faith, Mind, and a moderate amount of Strength.
Use Blessing of the Grove for healing and Smite for high holy burst.
Pair with the Divine Seal Relic to enhance healing output.
Ideal for co-op, but viable solo with smart spell rotation and spacing.
5. Rogue Class
Best Early Weapon: Black Fang Daggers
Build Focus: Dexterity/Stealth Crits
Rogues thrive on hit-and-run tactics. The Black Fang Daggers, looted from an assassination quest in Vulture's Nest, are lightweight, high-damage crit weapons that benefit from stealth and ambushes.
Build Tips:
Max out Dexterity early for quick strikes and increased crit damage.
Use the Concealing Veil Talisman to reduce detection range.
Equip Poison Mist and Sleepbone Arrows for status application at range.
Rogues play best from the shadows—avoid long direct fights and use terrain wisely.
6. Berserker Class
Best Early Weapon: Crimson Cleaver
Build Focus: Strength/Arcane Bleed
The Berserker starts strong and becomes a force of destruction with the Crimson Cleaver, which causes heavy Bleed buildup and has a devastating spin attack. Found in the Cracked Barricade region, it rewards aggressive, relentless play.
Build Tips:
Focus on Strength and Arcane for maximum Bleed output.
Equip the Lord of Blood’s Exultation Talisman to boost damage on Bleed procs.
Combine with Seppuku Ash of War if available early for rapid status buildup.
Great for boss melting and PvP invasions with hit-trade potential.
7. Druid Class
Best Early Weapon: Verdant Staff
Build Focus: Faith/Poison/Nature Magic
The Druid, introduced in Nightreign, taps into nature-based magic and poisons. The Verdant Staff, obtainable through a side quest chain at Everspring Refuge, enhances poison spells and has a unique Thorn Bloom charged attack.
Build Tips:
Level Faith and Mind; consider some Dexterity for casting speed.
Use spells like Toxic Vines and Blooming Burst to crowd-control enemies.
Ideal Talisman: Rotwood Band (boosts poison duration and damage).
The Druid excels in AoE and DoT damage, making them a strong choice for dungeon-clearing.
8. Sentinel Class
Best Early Weapon: Runebound Spear
Build Focus: Dexterity/Faith Hybrid (Lightning)
The Sentinel walks the line between faith and finesse, and the Runebound Spear, located near the Watcher’s Ascent, offers both precise melee and lightning-based ranged options through its skill Storm Arc.
Build Tips:
Balance Dexterity and Faith to maximize hybrid scaling.
Use Lightning Spear and Electrify Armament to enhance both offense and support.
Equip the Stormcaller Talisman to improve lightning spell effects.
Sentinels are extremely flexible and thrive in both PvP and PvE due to their hybrid toolkit.
Final Thoughts
Early game success in Elden Ring: Nightreign depends heavily on the synergy between class stats and available weapons. Each class has a unique playstyle that rewards different builds—whether it's the raw aggression of the Berserker, the careful stealth of the Rogue, or the cheap Elden Ring Runes calculated spellcasting of the Sorcerer. Prioritize your class’s strengths, seek out these early weapons, and tailor your leveling accordingly. With these optimized weapons and builds, you’ll conquer Nightreign’s earliest—and deadliest—challenges with ease.
