Relics are your key to long-term power progression, offering everything from raw stat boosts to game-changing effects. But with hundreds of possible combinations, choosing the right ones can mean the difference between crushing a Nightlord or getting crushed yourself. Elden Ring Nightreign best relics – Here’s how to optimize your setup:
Relic Basics
- Three-Slot System: Equip one relic of each color (Red/Blue/Green) at a time.
- Tiered Effects: Bonuses range from universally strong (e.g., “+15% max HP”) to hyper-specific (e.g., “+10% damage while at full stamina”).
- Class-Specific Relics: These unique gems offer powerful buffs tailored to your Nightfarer, like:
- Guardian: “Blocking restores stamina”
- Wylder: “Grappling hook pulls in loot from range”
- Duchess: “Restage triggers twice on critical hits”
Relic Rites: Customize Your Slots
- Use Goblets/Chalices (found in expeditions) to change the color of your relic slots.
- Example: Swap a Green slot to Red to stack three offense-focused relics.
- Rites cost Murk, so plan carefully—especially early on.
Top Relic Picks (Non-Class-Specific)
| Category | Best Picks | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | “Backstabs restore Flask charges” | Sustain for longer fights. |
| Defense | “Dodging grants 2s of damage immunity” | Survival cheat code for hectic phases. |
| Utility | “Elemental weakness scans on hit” | No more guessing boss resistances. |
| Greed | *”+20% Murk gain, but -10% HP”* | High-risk, high-reward for relic gamblers. |
Relics in Nightreign: RNG, Rare Class Bonuses, and Endgame Power
Like everything else in Nightreign, relics are randomized, rolling up to three affixes that can range from game-breakingly strong to completely useless. The only fixed relics are the ones earned from defeating a Nightlord for the first time, such as:
- Night of the Beast (Gladius)
- Night of the Baron (Adel)
Class-Specific Relics: The Ultimate Prize
The rarest and most powerful relics come with class-exclusive affixes, marked with the character’s name (e.g., [Wylder]). These can dramatically alter playstyles and are the backbone of endgame builds.
Unlock them by:
- Random drops during expeditions.
- Purchasing from the Small Jar Bazaar after defeating four Nightlords.
- Completing Remembrances (using Memory Fragments) for each character.
Class Relic Affixes (Highlights)
| Class | Powerful Affixes |
|---|---|
| Wylder | – Art activation spreads fire in an area – +1 additional skill use – Greatsword follow-up attacks on skill use |
| Guardian | – Reflect damage when ability activates – Charged halberd attacks create whirlwinds |
| Ironeye | – Extends weak point duration – Charged arts apply poison |
| Raider | – Totem Stela aura grants poise – Damage taken during skills boosts attack/stamina |
| Recluse | – Collecting affinity residue auto-casts Terra Magica – Blood loss on Art use = attack boost |
| Executor | – Roaring heals during Art – Cursed Sword: high attack, but drains HP per hit |
| Duchess | – Dagger chains trigger AoE reprisals – Stealth after backstab crits – Kills during Art boost attack |
| Revenant | – Ultimate Art triggers ghostflame explosions – “Family” synergy buffs |
(Many more exist beyond these—experiment to find your favorites!)
Other Strong Universal Affixes
While class relics are king, some generic affixes are worth hunting:
- “Rune acquisition +20%” (great for farming)
- “Stonesword Key at run start” (guaranteed Evergaol access)
- “Merchant prices -15%” (Murk efficiency)
Pro Tip: After beating the final boss, you can buy an S-tier relic with these bonuses combined.
How to Farm Them
- Grind expeditions for random drops.
- Spend Murk at Small Jar Bazaar for targeted rolls.
- Complete Remembrances for guaranteed class relics.
Bottom Line: Prioritize class-specific relics first, then supplement with universal power boosts. The right combo can trivialize even the toughest Nightlords
Top Relic Affixes to Target Early
While Nightreign drowns you in overly specific relic buffs (looking at you, “Improved Roar & Breath attacks”), these universally strong picks will give you consistent value—no RNG required.
S-Tier Relics (Always Useful)
| Affix | Why It’s Great | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| “Items confer effects to all allies” | Turns Gold Pickled Fowl Foot, Boiled Crab, etc. into team-wide buffs. Game-changing for coordinated squads. | Everyone |
| “Starting armament deals [X] damage” | Guarantees a weapon matching the Nightlord’s weakness from spawn. Pair with Smithing Stones for easy upgrades. | Boss-focused builds |
| “[X] damage +” | Stack this with your starting affinity weapon for brutal DPS. | All DPS builds |
| “Increased rune acquisition (self + allies)” | More runes = faster leveling = easier Nightlord fights. Stackable! | Farming runs |
A-Tier Relics (Class-Specific Value)
| Affix | Why It’s Great | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| “HP restore on [X] weapon attacks” | Great for slow-hitting Strength builds (Wylder/Raider) that struggle with sustain. | Greatsword/Colossal users |
| “FP restore on successive attacks” | Fuels spammy Dex builds and spellcasters. | Recluse, Duchess, Ironeye |
| “HP restored when using consumables” | Turns Cured Meats/Medicinal Boluses into full heals. Stacks with the team-share relic! | Survival-focused runs |
B-Tier Relics (Situational But Viable)
| Affix | When to Take It |
|---|---|
| “Stat +[X]” | Only if it directly boosts your class’s core stat (e.g., Strength for Wylder). Check the Visual Codex (Roundtable Hold) for stat info. |
| “Improved [X] resistance” | Worth it only if you know the Nightlord’s affinity (e.g., Holy resist vs. Gladius). |
| “Rune discount for shops” | Saves Murk for relic gambling or cosmetics. Early-game pick. |
The Relic Problem: Overly Specific Buffs
Most relics suffer from hyper-niche effects like:
- “Improved Roar & Breath attacks” (useless without the right seal)
- “Bonus damage while airborne” (lol)
Solution: Stick to universal affixes early, then gamble for class-specific relics once your build is online.
When Relics Betray You: Salvage for Style
Let’s face it—most relics you find will be hot garbage (“Bonus damage while crouching in moonlight,” really?). But don’t despair! You can turn those misfires into Murk and pivot to Nightreign’s true endgame: fashion souls.
How to Dump Bad Relics
- Head to the Relic Rite table in Roundtable Hold.
- Cycle all the way right to the “Salvage” tab.
- Sell unwanted relics to the Small Jar for Murk.
Warning: Double-check before selling—don’t scrap a god-tier [Wylder] relic by accident!
Why Bother?
- Murk unlocks drip: Buy cosmetic armor sets to flex on your squad.
- Early-game strategy: If RNG screws you, convert junk relics into Murk instead of hoarding useless buffs.
Pro Tip: After beating four Nightlords, use Murk to buy guaranteed good relics at the Small Jar Bazaar—no more gambling!
Priorities When Broke
Spend Murk on outfits first if you’re stuck in a losing streak. At least you’ll die in style.
Salvage relics with ultra-niche effects (e.g., *”+10% damage while at 1HP”*).
Keep even mediocre class-specific relics—they’re rare!
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