Nightreign Tier List – Complete (March 2026) Guide

If you’re diving into Elden Ring Nightreign and wondering which Nightfarer will give you the best chance at conquering those brutal Nightlord bosses, you’ve come to the right place. After analyzing data from Mobalytics.gg, PC Gamer, Scuf Gaming, and platinum player insights from the Steam community, I’ve created the most comprehensive Nightreign tier list available.

In this ultimate guide, I’ll break down every Nightfarer from S+ to C tier, explain their strengths and weaknesses, and help you choose the perfect character for your playstyle. Whether you’re playing solo, with randoms, or in a coordinated trio, this tier list will give you the competitive edge you need.

Character	Overall Tier	Best For	Difficulty
Wylder	S+	All Playstyles	Easy
Ironeye	S	Team Support	Easy
Duchess	S	Coordinated Teams	Medium
Executor	A	Solo Play	Hard
Recluse	A	Advanced Players	Very Hard
Raider	A	Aggressive Play	Medium
Guardian	B	Defensive Support	Easy
Revenant	B	Squad Support	Hard

Nightreign Tier List: Complete Rankings (2026)

S+ Tier: The Absolute Best

Wylder – The Perfect All-Rounder

Why S+ Tier? Wylder stands alone at the top because he combines high damage, incredible mobility, one of the best ultimates in the game, top-tier relic skills, and a 100% uptime buff that makes him essentially “noob and BS proofed.” As one platinum player put it, “It’s hard to get better than this.”

Key Strengths:

• High Damage Output: Wylder packs a serious punch with his strength-based attacks
• Exceptional Mobility: His Claw Shot ability lets you close distances with leaping bosses instantly
• Best Ultimate in Game: Deals massive stagger damage while making you completely invulnerable
• Versatile Weapon Mastery: Can effectively wield any armament you find
• Sixth Sense Passive: Makes him forgiving for newer players

Best Playstyles:

• Solo Play: S-tier on Mobalytics’ solo list
• Team Play: Provides consistent damage and utility
• Beginner Friendly: Easy to pick up but has high skill ceiling

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Relatively low FP pool means you’ll rely more on basic attacks
• Doesn’t excel spectacularly in any one area (but that’s also his strength)

S Tier: Elite Choices

Ironeye – The Underrated Archer

Why S Tier? In a game where the most challenging bosses are endlessly mobile and often fly out of reach, archery is incredibly strong. And there’s no better archer than Ironeye. Every major source agrees he belongs in the top tier.

Key Strengths:

• Consistent Ranged Damage: Never struggles to hit mobile or flying bosses
• Marking Ability: Tags enemies for bonus team damage while providing escape utility
• Single Shot Skill: Excellent stagger and damage, often killing smaller enemies in AoE
• Ultimate Storm Arrow: One of the best ultimates – damages, revives allies, and intercepts Nightlords
• Best Team Support: Marking helps entire team deal more damage

Best Playstyles:

• Random Groups: S-tier on Mobalytics’ randoms list
• Coordinated Teams: Duchess can repeat his Single Shot for devastating effect
• Beginner Friendly: Easy to understand and effective immediately

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Can be vulnerable if enemies close the distance
• Requires good positioning to maximize effectiveness

Duchess – The Ultimate Support

Why S Tier? Duchess has what many consider the best skill in the game. Her Restage ability can repeat instances of damage and stagger, potentially melting bosses when used correctly. She’s the definition of a force multiplier.

Key Strengths:

• Restage Ability: Repeats damage and stagger from allies, potentially doubling team output
• Magnificent Poise: Double dodge capability for incredible mobility
• Finale Ultimate: Makes entire team invisible for clutch revives and healing
• Versatile Stats: Can effectively use various weapon types
• Low Profile: Harder for enemies to target when played well

Best Playstyles:

• Coordinated Trios: S-tier on Mobalytics’ pre-made list
• Support Role: Enables damage dealers to reach their full potential
• Experienced Players: Requires good timing and coordination

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Low health pool makes positioning crucial
• Effectiveness heavily depends on team coordination
• Needs to be unlocked before playing

A Tier: Strong Contenders

Executor – The Parry Master

Why A Tier? On paper, Executor should be S-tier. His Cursed Sword ability allows him to no-sell most attacks with a forgiving parry window, and his Beast Form ultimate is incredible for crowd control. However, Nightreign’s chaotic nature holds him back.

Key Strengths:

• Cursed Sword Skill: Essentially makes you invincible with proper timing
• High Arcane Scaling: Excellent for status effect builds (bleed, poison)
• Beast Form Ultimate: Great for clearing mobs and stun-locking some bosses
• Best Duelist: Unmatched in one-on-one situations
• Status Build Potential: Bleed damage is as strong as ever in FromSoftware games

Best Playstyles:

• Solo Play: S-tier on Mobalytics’ solo list
• Aggressive Playstyle: Rewards skillful, up-close combat
• Experienced Players: High skill ceiling with parry timing

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Slow movement speed with Cursed Sword active
• Struggles when swarmed by multiple enemies
• Damage is lackluster without status effects
• Gets left behind when ranged teammates draw aggro

Recluse – The Complex Spellcaster

Why A Tier? Recluse has the highest skill floor and potentially highest ceiling of any character. Her Magic Cocktail ability can create devastating spell combinations, but she’s incredibly squishy and requires precise execution.

Key Strengths:

• Magic Cocktail: Extracts elemental affinities for powerful spell combinations
• Ultimate Marking: Marks enemies so allies recover HP and FP when hitting them
• Versatile Spellcasting: Can use both staves and sacred seals effectively
• High Damage Potential: Can deal massive damage with proper combos
• Team Utility: Supports allies with HP/FP recovery

Best Playstyles:

• Coordinated Teams: Becomes S-tier when playing with comms
• Advanced Players: Rewards masterful affinity management
• Support/Damage Hybrid: Can fill multiple roles

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Extremely low HP pool
• Low stamina, dexterity, and strength stats
• Reliant on teammates for optimal affinity combinations
• Very unforgiving for new players

Raider – The Brawler

Why A Tier? Raider is a straightforward brawler with high damage potential and excellent stance-breaking capabilities. While his ultimate is lackluster, his Retaliate skill and strength scaling make him a solid choice.

Key Strengths:

• High Strength Scaling: Excels with heavy weapons and stance-breaking
• Retaliate Skill: Transforms from defensive block to massive uppercut stagger
• Totem Stella: Provides poise and strength buffs to nearby allies
• Good Solo Potential: S-tier on Mobalytics’ solo list
• Simple to Understand: Easy for beginners to grasp

Best Playstyles:

• Solo Play: Excellent survivability and damage
• Aggressive Melee: Rewards getting up close and personal
• Beginner Friendly: Straightforward kit

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Ultimate ability is underwhelming
• Struggles against fast or ranged opponents
• Needs to take damage to unlock full potential
• Outclassed by Guardian in pure tanking

B Tier: Viable but Limited

Guardian – The Defensive Tank

Why B Tier? Guardian is the most tanky character with the highest base health and enhanced blocking, but he offers little beyond defense. In a game where killing quickly is often the best defense, Guardian struggles to keep up.

Key Strengths:

• Highest Health Pool: Can survive hits that would down other characters
• Enhanced Blocking: Unique defensive stance
• Good Crowd Control: Skill provides excellent CC
• One of the Better Rezzers: Can safely revive downed teammates
• Bird Aesthetic: Let’s be honest, he looks awesome

Best Playstyles:

• Defensive Support: Protects more vulnerable teammates
• Beginner Friendly: Forgiving for new players
• Coordinated Teams: Becomes A-tier with voice comms

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Low damage output
• Slow movement speed
• Every character can use shields, making his specialty less unique
• One-on-one scenarios where he excels are rare

Revenant – The Necromancer

Why B Tier? Revenant has an interesting concept with her summoning abilities, but her low health and limited defensive capabilities make her incredibly fragile. Her effectiveness varies wildly depending on the situation.

Key Strengths:

• Family Summons: Can summon minions to tank and draw aggro
• Immortal March Ultimate: Revives allies and makes them temporarily immortal
• Large FP Pool: Can sustain spellcasting longer
• Dual Spellcasting: Versatile magical options
• Good Squad Support: Excels in coordinated team environments

Best Playstyles:

• Coordinated Squads: Needs team protection to shine
• Support Role: Enables damage dealers while staying safe
• Experienced Players: Knows when to engage and disengage

Weaknesses to Watch:

• Extremely low health
• Very limited defensive capabilities
• Needs killing blows to summon minions effectively
• Useless in boss fights with no enemies to convert
• Minions have poor scaling and die quickly

Context-Based Tier Lists

Different situations call for different approaches. Here are specialized tier lists for various scenarios:

Beginner Tier List

If Nightreign is your first soulslike game, you’ll want characters that are forgiving and easy to understand.

Tier	Characters	Reason
S	Wylder, Guardian, Raider, Ironeye	Easy to pick up, forgiving mechanics
A	Revenant, Duchess	Manageable with some experience
B	Executor, Recluse	High skill floor, complex mechanics

Playing With Randoms Tier List

When you can’t coordinate with your team, certain characters shine brighter.

Tier	Characters	Reason
S	Ironeye, Raider, Executor, Wylder	Self-sufficient, don’t need coordination
A	Duchess, Guardian, Revenant	Still effective without communication
B	Recluse	Heavily dependent on team coordination

Solo Play Tier List

For those brave souls tackling Nightreign alone.

Tier	Characters	Reason
S	Wylder, Ironeye, Executor	Best self-sufficiency and survivability
A	Raider	Good balance of offense and defense
B	Recluse, Duchess, Guardian	Manageable but not optimal
C	Revenant	Struggles significantly without team support

Pre-Made Trio Tier List

When playing with coordinated friends, the meta shifts dramatically.

Tier	Characters	Reason
S	Recluse, Duchess, Ironeye	Maximum synergy potential
A	Guardian, Revenant, Raider	Good team utility
C	Executor, Wylder	Less team-focused abilities

Character Deep Dives

Wylder: The S+ Tier Phenomenon

Wylder’s dominance comes from his incredible versatility. He’s the only character who appears in the top tier across every single context-based tier list. His Sixth Sense passive makes him forgiving for newer players, while his high skill ceiling ensures he remains relevant for veterans.

Pro Tips:

• Use Claw Shot not just for closing distance, but for repositioning during boss fights
• Save your ultimate for both offense (stagger) and defense (invulnerability frames)
• Focus on strength-scaling weapons to maximize his natural advantages
• His 100% uptime buff means you should always be aggressive

Build Recommendations:

• Primary: Strength-based heavy weapons
• Secondary: Quality build for weapon flexibility
• Relics: Focus on damage and mobility enhancements
• Playstyle: Aggressive but measured – know when to engage and disengage

Ironeye: The Consistent Damage Dealer

Ironeye’s strength lies in his consistency. While other characters may have higher peaks, Ironeye never has a bad matchup. His ranged capabilities ensure he’s always contributing damage, and his Marking ability makes him valuable even when not dealing damage directly.

Pro Tips:

• Use Marking as both an offensive tool (damage boost) and defensive tool (dodge)
• Position yourself at medium range – close enough for Marking to be effective, far enough to avoid danger
• Coordinate with Duchess players for devastating Single Shot repeats
• Your ultimate is one of the best revival tools – don’t waste it on damage alone

Build Recommendations:

• Primary: Bows and ranged weapons
• Secondary: Dex-based melee for close encounters
• Relics: Focus on mark duration and ranged damage
• Playstyle: Keep moving, maintain medium range, support team

Duchess: The Ultimate Force Multiplier

Duchess is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward character. When played well in a coordinated team, she can make the difference between a quick victory and a grueling defeat. Her Restage ability is arguably the most powerful skill in the game when used correctly.

Pro Tips:

• Always be aware of what your teammates are doing so you can repeat their big damage moments
• Use your double dodge to get into position for Restage, then immediately dodge out
• Your ultimate is best used for clutch revives – don’t waste it on minor healing
• Communicate with your team about when you’re going to use Restage

Build Recommendations:

• Primary: Balanced weapons that work with various team compositions
• Secondary: Status effect weapons for Restage synergy
• Relics: Focus on Restage cooldown and duration
• Playstyle: Stay near team, watch for big damage opportunities, be ready to support

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overextending with Squishy Characters

Characters like Recluse and Revenant can deal incredible damage, but they die incredibly quickly. One of the biggest mistakes new players make is treating them like front-line fighters.

How to Fix:

• Always have an escape route planned
• Let tankier teammates draw aggro first
• Use cover and positioning to your advantage
• Don’t be afraid to disengage and reposition

Ignoring Team Composition

While every character can technically work in any situation, some combinations are far more effective than others. Playing a support character with two other supports, or three aggressive melee characters, can lead to frustrating experiences.

How to Fix:

• Aim for balanced team compositions (tank, damage, support)
• Communicate with your team about character choices
• Be flexible and willing to switch characters for team benefit
• Learn at least one character from each category

Misusing Ultimate Abilities

Every character’s ultimate is powerful, but many players waste them on minor situations or use them at the wrong time. Understanding when to hold and when to use your ultimate can make or break a run.

How to Fix:

• Save ultimates for boss fights and emergency situations
• Coordinate with teammates for ultimate combos
• Don’t use ultimates just because they’re available
• Practice timing to maximize effectiveness

2026 Advanced Strategies

Synergy Combinations

Certain character combinations create powerful synergies that can dramatically increase your team’s effectiveness:

Ironeye + Duchess:

• Duchess can repeat Ironeye’s Single Shot for massive burst damage
• Marking + Restage creates incredible damage potential
• Both provide excellent team utility

Recluse + Any Damage Dealer:

• Recluse’s ultimate marks targets for HP/FP recovery
• Damage dealers benefit greatly from the sustain
• Creates a sustainable damage loop

Guardian + Raider:

• Guardian provides defensive support while Raider deals damage
• Both can effectively use heavy weapons
• Creates a balanced frontline presence

Relic Optimization

Each character has specific relics that enhance their natural strengths. Understanding which relics to prioritize can significantly improve your performance:

Wylder:

• Focus on mobility and damage relics
• Sixth Sense duration enhancements
• Strength scaling improvements

Ironeye:

• Marking duration and effectiveness relics
• Ranged damage multipliers
• Team support enhancements

Duchess:

• Restage cooldown reduction
• Dodge distance and invulnerability
• Team utility improvements

Platform-Specific Considerations in 2026

PC vs Console Differences

While the core game remains the same across platforms, there are some differences to consider:

PC Advantages:

• More precise aiming for Ironeye players
• Faster input response for parry-happy Executor players
• Better communication options for coordinated teams

Console Advantages:

• More consistent performance across different hardware
• Built-in voice chat for easier team communication
• Controller preference for certain playstyles

Cross-Platform Play

If you’re playing with friends on different platforms, keep these considerations in mind:

• Communication is key – use external voice chat if necessary
• Be aware of potential input latency differences
• Adjust your playstyle based on your teammates’ platform advantages

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best character in Nightreign?

Based on comprehensive analysis from multiple sources, Wylder is currently considered the best overall character in Nightreign. He combines high damage, excellent mobility, one of the best ultimates, and is effective in every situation from solo play to coordinated trios.

Who is the best character for beginners?

For beginners, Wylder, Guardian, Raider, and Ironeye are all excellent choices. These characters have straightforward mechanics, are forgiving of mistakes, and don’t require complex coordination to be effective.

Is Nightreign good for solo play?

Yes, Nightreign can be played solo, and some characters actually excel in solo situations. Wylder, Ironeye, and Executor are considered the best solo characters, offering good self-sufficiency and survivability.

What makes Duchess so highly rated?

Duchess is highly rated because of her Restage ability, which can repeat instances of damage and stagger from allies. In coordinated teams, this can essentially double the team’s damage output against bosses, making her an incredible force multiplier.

Why is Guardian considered low-tier?

Guardian is considered lower-tier because, while he’s the most tanky character, every character can use shields effectively in Nightreign. This makes his unique defensive specialty less meaningful, and his low damage output holds him back compared to more versatile characters.

How important is team composition?

Team composition is very important in Nightreign. Balanced teams with a mix of tank, damage, and support characters generally perform much better than unbalanced compositions. Communication and coordination can dramatically improve your success rate.

What’s the difference between solo and team tier lists?

Solo tier lists prioritize self-sufficiency and survivability, while team tier lists focus on synergy and utility. Characters like Recluse and Duchess rank much higher in coordinated teams, while self-sufficient characters like Wylder and Ironeye excel in solo play.

How often do tier lists change?

Tier lists can change with balance patches and as the community discovers new strategies. The most recent major patch was 1.02.1 in August 2025, which primarily affected the Storm Ruler skill. Always check for recent updates before making final character decisions.

Related Content

For more Elden Ring Nightreign content, check out these related articles:

• Elden Ring Nightreign Patch 1.02.1 Guide – Latest balance changes and meta analysis
• Elden Ring Weapon Tier List – Best weapons for every build
• Elden Ring Class Tier List – Optimal class choices
• Best FromSoftware Souls Games Ranked – Where Nightreign fits in the Soulsborne hierarchy

Final Thoughts

The Nightreign tier list landscape is fascinating because it shows how different contexts can dramatically change character viability. While Wylder stands alone at the top as the most consistently excellent choice, every character has situations where they can shine.

Remember that tier lists are guidelines, not absolute rules. The best character is ultimately the one that matches your playstyle and that you enjoy playing the most. If you’re having success with a “lower-tier” character, don’t feel pressured to switch just because the meta says so.

What’s your experience with the Nightreign tier list? Do you agree with these rankings, or do you think certain characters are over/underrated? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to bookmark this guide for the latest updates as the meta continues to evolve!

This guide was last updated in March 2026 and will be regularly updated to reflect the latest balance changes and meta developments in Elden Ring Nightreign.