FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have officially unveiled the first major expansion for their groundbreaking multiplayer co-op survival action game, Elden Ring Nightreign. Titled The Forsaken Hollows, this DLC expansion promises to transform the already brutal landscape of Limveld with new playable characters, devastating bosses, and a cataclysmic new environment that will challenge even the most seasoned Nightfarers. Set to launch on December 4, 2025, this expansion represents the most significant content update since the game’s release earlier this year.
What We Know About The Forsaken Hollows DLC?
The Forsaken Hollows expansion was revealed during Sony’s State of Play Japan event on November 11, 2025, generating tremendous excitement among the Elden Ring community. This DLC isn’t just a minor content drop—it’s a substantial expansion that introduces fundamental changes to how players experience Limveld. According to Bandai Namco’s official announcement, the expansion will add two new Nightfarers, multiple new bosses including some legendary faces from FromSoftware’s history, and an entirely new Shifting Earth event that dramatically alters the game’s map.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this expansion is how it bridges different FromSoftware universes. While Elden Ring Nightreign already established itself as a unique standalone experience, The Forsaken Hollows appears to be drawing direct connections to both the original Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series, creating a rich tapestry of lore that longtime fans will appreciate.
Two New Nightfarers Join the Roster: Scholar and Undertaker
The Forsaken Hollows introduces two distinct new playable characters that bring fresh gameplay mechanics to Elden Ring Nightreign’s already diverse roster. These new Nightfarers increase the total number of playable characters to 10, offering players even more strategic options when tackling the unforgiving world of Limveld.
The Scholar: Master of Arcane Observation
The Scholar represents a fascinating addition to the Nightfarer lineup, described as “an academic with high arcane stats who gains incredible advantages through battlefield observation.” Unlike the more straightforward combatants in the base game, the Scholar appears to be a tactical character who excels at analyzing enemy patterns and exploiting weaknesses. Gameplay footage shows the Scholar equipped with a tome, capable of lifting enemies into place—suggesting a control-oriented playstyle that focuses on positioning and battlefield manipulation.
This character seems particularly well-suited for players who enjoy a more methodical approach to combat, using intelligence and observation rather than brute force. The Scholar’s high arcane stat also suggests potential for unique magical abilities that could provide valuable support in co-op scenarios or devastating offensive capabilities when mastered.
The Undertaker: Faith and Strength United
In stark contrast to the Scholar, the Undertaker brings raw power and divine fury to the battlefield. Described as “an abbess who excels in strength and faith, and sends enemies to the afterlife with ruthless efficiency,” this character appears to be designed for players who prefer aggressive, frontline combat. The Undertaker wields a mace and possesses an ultimate ability that launches her into the air for devastating aerial attacks.
What makes the Undertaker particularly interesting is the combination of strength and faith—two stats that traditionally create different playstyles in FromSoftware games. This hybrid approach could result in a versatile character capable of both dealing heavy physical damage and accessing powerful faith-based abilities, making her a formidable presence in any party composition.
Legendary Bosses Return: Artorias and Friends
Perhaps the most buzzworthy aspect of The Forsaken Hollows is the return of legendary bosses from previous FromSoftware titles. The expansion’s trailer sent shockwaves through the community when it revealed that Knight Artorias the Abysswalker—arguably one of the most beloved bosses from the original Dark Souls—would be making an appearance in Elden Ring Nightreign.
Artorias the Abysswalker: A Legend Reborn
Artorias isn’t just any boss—he’s a character deeply embedded in Dark Souls lore, known for his tragic backstory and aggressive, chaotic fighting style. His inclusion in The Forsaken Hollows suggests that FromSoftware is deliberately creating connections between their different game universes, potentially setting up a broader multiverse narrative that could have significant implications for future content.
For those unfamiliar with Dark Souls history, Artorias was a knight of Gwyn who attempted to stop the spread of the Abyss but was corrupted and defeated in the process. His boss fight is legendary among Souls fans for teaching players the importance of dodging over blocking, with lightning-fast attacks that require precise timing and positioning. Seeing him return in Elden Ring Nightreign, potentially with new mechanics adapted for the game’s co-op survival format, is an exciting prospect that has fans already theorycrafting strategies.
Additional Boss Threats
Beyond Artorias, The Forsaken Hollows introduces several other formidable bosses:
- The Divine Beast Dancing Lion: This boss, originally from Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, makes a return appearance, suggesting that the expansion may explore content related to that expansion’s lore.
- Bayle the Dread: Another powerful enemy from Elden Ring’s main game, bringing dragon-like terror to the new environment.
- The Dreglord: A new final boss specifically created for this expansion, described as an “abomination” that emerges “from the souls and blood of the fallen.”
- Two New Nightlords: The expansion adds at least two new Nightlord bosses, including “a battalion of angelic knights holding golden spears” and another mysterious abomination being kept as a surprise for launch.
The Great Hollow: A Transformed Limveld
The Forsaken Hollows introduces a fifth Shifting Earth event called The Great Hollow, which fundamentally transforms the Limveld map. Unlike previous environmental changes, The Great Hollow creates “a great cavity in the depths of Limveld” that dramatically alters the landscape and introduces new gameplay challenges.
According to official descriptions, The Great Hollow is “strewn with exotic ruins and temples; sacred towers denoting the remains of an ancient people; and crystals that exude a cursed, life-draining miasma.” This suggests not only a visual transformation but also new environmental hazards that will test players’ survival skills beyond the standard combat encounters.
The Shifting Earth mechanic has been one of Elden Ring Nightreign’s most innovative features, creating dynamic map changes that keep each playthrough fresh. The addition of The Great Hollow as a fifth variation significantly expands this system, potentially introducing new strategic considerations for resource gathering, boss encounters, and cooperative play.
Release Date, Pricing, and Availability
The Forsaken Hollows DLC is scheduled for release on December 4, 2025, across all platforms where Elden Ring Nightreign is available:
- PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- PC via Steam
The expansion will be priced at $15 for standalone purchase, though many players will already have access to it through their previous purchases. Anyone who bought the Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition of Elden Ring Nightreign will automatically receive The Forsaken Hollows at no additional cost. The Deluxe Upgrade Pack, which has been available since the game’s launch in May 2025, has been renamed to The Forsaken Hollows DLC and will grant access to the expansion.
What This Means for Elden Ring Nightreign’s Future
The announcement of The Forsaken Hollows is significant not just for its content, but for what it signals about Elden Ring Nightreign’s long-term prospects. The game has already surpassed 5 million sales as of July 2025, and Kadokawa Corporation (FromSoftware’s parent company) has indicated that they expect this DLC to further boost sales and maintain the game’s commercial momentum.
This expansion represents the fulfillment of a promise made when Elden Ring Nightreign launched, as the Deluxe Edition specifically included “exactly one DLC expansion.” Whether additional content will follow depends largely on the commercial performance of The Forsaken Hollows, but the early reception suggests that FromSoftware has strong support for continuing to expand the Nightreign universe.
Community Reaction and Expectations
The community response to The Forsaken Hollows announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular excitement surrounding the return of Artorias and the introduction of new character classes. Many players have expressed enthusiasm for the way this expansion appears to bridge different FromSoftware universes, creating a richer, more interconnected world.
However, some veteran players have raised questions about the expansion’s scope, with a few commentators suggesting it might be “a bit smaller of a package than some had hoped for.” This concern stems from the fact that, while substantial, the expansion appears to focus primarily on two new characters and a handful of new bosses rather than a complete overhaul of the game’s systems.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Elden Ring Nightreign
As we approach the December 4 release date, the Elden Ring Nightreign community is buzzing with speculation about what The Forsaken Hollows will ultimately deliver. Will the connections to Dark Souls and Shadow of the Erdtree lore deepen into something more meaningful? Could this expansion be setting up a broader narrative that spans multiple FromSoftware games?
What’s clear is that FromSoftware is committed to supporting Elden Ring Nightreign with meaningful content that respects both the game’s unique identity and the studio’s rich legacy. The Forsaken Hollows represents an ambitious step forward for the multiplayer survival genre, blending the challenging combat FromSoftware is known for with innovative co-op mechanics and a world that continues to evolve and surprise.
For players who have yet to experience Elden Ring Nightreign, this expansion presents an excellent opportunity to dive into one of 2025’s most unique gaming experiences. And for veterans who have been exploring Limveld since launch, The Forsaken Hollows promises to reinvigorate their journey with new challenges, new characters, and the return of one of gaming’s most legendary bosses.
The Forsaken Hollows isn’t just another DLC—it’s a testament to FromSoftware’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating experiences that resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike. As December 4 approaches, one thing is certain: the world of Elden Ring Nightreign is about to get a whole lot more interesting.