Elden Ring: Nightreign DLC "The Forsaken Hollows" – Release Date, New Content 2025

FromSoftware’s highly anticipated multiplayer survival action game, Elden Ring: Nightreign, is set to expand with its first major DLC, The Forsaken Hollows, promising to deliver new realms, challenging foes, and innovative gameplay for fans worldwide. Scheduled to launch on December 4, 2025, the expansion will be available across PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, continuing the game’s legacy of dark fantasy exploration and strategic co-op combat.

Launch Details & Pre-Order Bonuses

Mark your calendars for December 4, 2025, as The Forsaken Hollows makes its global debut across all major platforms. Pre-orders are now live, offering exclusive perks for early adopters. The Deluxe Edition of the DLC includes additional content such as two playable characters not available in the standard version, a unique late-game boss encounter, a digital art book showcasing concept designs of the new realm, and a mini soundtrack featuring original compositions from Yuka Kitamura. All pre-order customers will also unlock the exclusive “Shadow Dance” emote, a playful yet thematic interaction that can be used with teammates during online co-op sessions.

For new players looking to dive into the full experience, a bundled edition combining the Nightreign base game and The Forsaken Hollows DLC is available at a discounted price of $54.99, offering significant value compared to purchasing separately. Existing players can grab the standalone DLC for an expected price of $15–$20, with regional pricing adjustments to align with local markets.

New Content: Maps, Classes, and Bosses

The Great Hollow – A Dynamic Underground Realm

At the heart of the DLC lies The Great Hollow, a vast subterranean chasm nestled within the Limveld region. This new map is defined by its crystalline veins, crumbling ancient temples, and mutated biomes that shift with the game’s “Shifting Earth” mechanic. Periodically, sections of the terrain will collapse or reconfigure, forcing players to adapt their exploration routes on the fly and adding a layer of unpredictability to every expedition. From glowing crystal caves to decaying tombs filled with forgotten relics, The Great Hollow blends verticality and mystery, encouraging both solo exploration and coordinated team strategies.

Nightfarers – Two New Playable Classes

The Forsaken Hollows introduces two distinct playable classes under the “Nightfarers” banner, each with unique playstyles to complement co-op teams. The Undertaker is a melee-focused hybrid of strength and faith, wielding a massive scythe and channeling holy magic. Its signature ability, “Embrace of the Fallen,” drags enemies into a shadowy domain where they suffer 持续 damage, while the ultimate skill “Soul Cremation” revives fallen teammates, turning the tide of tough battles.

The Scholar, on the other hand, is a support-oriented class specializing in arcane magic and starbound energy. Its “Knowledge Steal” ability allows it to replicate enemy attack patterns temporarily, while the ultimate “Cosmic Collapse” creates a black hole that engulfs large groups of foes, dealing devastating area damage. Both classes are designed to work in synergy—The Scholar’s crowd control pairs perfectly with The Undertaker’s frontline presence, offering flexible team compositions for players.

Legendary Boss Encounters

FromSoftware raises the stakes with two headline boss fights that blend nostalgia and innovation. Artorias the Abyssal Knight, a beloved figure from the Dark Souls series, makes his Nightreign debut, bringing a combat style that merges sweeping greatsword strikes with dark moon magic. The battle introduces a “Abyssal Corruption” phase, where the arena is gradually overtaken by a toxic mist, pressuring players to defeat Artorias before succumbing to poison.

The Dreglord, a grotesque giant formed from fused decaying Nightborn soldiers, wields a plague-ridden chain hammer and summons hordes of skeletal minions. What sets this boss apart is its split mechanic—each time it is defeated, it breaks into smaller, faster variants that continue to attack, requiring players to stay vigilant through multiple phases of combat.

Gameplay Improvements & Quality of Life Updates

The Forsaken Hollows isn’t just about new content—it also overhauls key mechanics to enhance the player experience. A revamped smart matching system now considers player level, equipment loadout, and co-op history to pair teams with complementary skills, reducing friction in online play. The long-awaited disconnect recovery feature allows players to continue their session offline if their internet drops, with seamless reconnection once stability is restored, ensuring progress isn’t lost to technical issues.

Cross-progress inheritance ensures that all unlocked skins, emotes, and cosmetics from the base game carry over to the DLC, letting players customize their new Nightfarer classes with existing favorites. Additionally, the game’s UI has been refined to provide clearer ability cooldown indicators and map markers, making it easier to coordinate with teammates during intense battles.

Lore & Worldbuilding

Set after the “Long Night” event of the base game, The Forsaken Hollows delves into the mysterious energy fluctuations beneath Limveld, uncovering the truth behind the decline of the Nightborn civilization. While the DLC shares thematic elements with the original Elden Ring, it exists in a standalone parallel universe, allowing FromSoftware to explore new storylines without disrupting the main game’s canon. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, cryptic NPC dialogues, and hidden lore items, inviting players to piece together the secrets of The Great Hollow and its connection to the Nightborn’s downfall.

Purchase Guide & Preparation Tips

When deciding on a version, new players should opt for the bundled base game + DLC package ($54.99) for the best value, while existing fans can pick up the standalone DLC for $15–$20. For those seeking the full experience, the Deluxe Edition is worth the investment for its exclusive characters, boss fight, and digital extras.

To prepare for launch, ensure your platform has enough storage space (the DLC requires approximately 25GB) and consider upgrading to a wired internet connection or using a gaming VPN to avoid connectivity issues during co-op play. Teaming up with friends in advance is recommended, as coordinating The Undertaker’s revival skills with The Scholar’s crowd control will be key to overcoming the DLC’s toughest challenges. Finally, revisit the base game to brush up on combat mechanics and familiarize yourself with Nightreign’s co-op systems, ensuring a smooth transition into The Great Hollow.