Elden Ring Nightreign: Raider Class Hands-On - IGN First

One of the greatest joys in Elden Ring is exploring its diverse playstyles, particularly the thrill of maxing out Strength and wielding colossal weapons to smash enemies with devastating jumping attacks and charged heavy strikes. If this resonates with you, then you'll find the Raider class in Nightreign (check out the video below) to be a perfect match.

Unlike the Guardian, another robust class with high health and a penchant for large weapons, which leans more towards defense with its shield and a party-wide damage mitigation ultimate, the Raider is tailored for sheer offensive power.

The cornerstone of the Raider's arsenal is the Retaliate ability. At first glance, it might seem underwhelming—just a couple of stomps that deliver moderate physical and poise damage. However, the true strength lies in the Raider's passive ability, which prevents knockback during Retaliate. This means you can effectively absorb enemy attacks, turning the otherwise weak second stomp into a powerful punch capable of staggering even the mightiest foes if you withstand a significant blow.

The Raider's ultimate, Totem Stela, is a game-changer. By slamming the ground, the Raider summons a large totem that not only inflicts substantial damage to nearby enemies but also serves as a climbable structure. This totem provides a safe haven or strategic vantage point for both you and your allies. Additionally, it boosts the damage output for everyone in your team, making it a crucial ability to coordinate for maximum impact during battles.

Among all the classes in Nightreign, the Raider stands out as the most enjoyable for me. It starts with the Raider’s Greataxe, a reliable weapon that inflicts fire damage and features the "Endure" skill, offering another way to absorb and counter enemy attacks when Retaliate is on cooldown. As you progress, seeking out larger strength-scaling weapons will enhance the Raider's effectiveness, perfectly aligning with its aggressive playstyle.

The Raider excels in one-on-one combat, which is fitting given its Remembrances, set to be discussed later this month, involve gladiatorial arena battles. This adds a refreshing twist to the gameplay experience.

That concludes our hands-on impressions of Nightreign's classes. Stay tuned throughout the month for in-depth explorations of Nightreign's mechanics, developer interviews, and more as IGN First continues.