How To Beat Gladius, Beast Of Night In Elden Ring Nightreign

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The game Elden Ring: Nightreign deviates significantly from its predecessor, despite similarities in combat and enemies. Instead, the method of advancement and weapon acquisition is remarkably distinct. Moreover, the journey back to confront the boss has become more challenging than ever before. The Nightlords of Nightreign stand alone in their unique prowess.

To start, the initial Nightlord you should conquer is associated with the Tricephalos expedition and involves a fight against the three-headed Gladius, known as the Beast of Night. Although they’re the first Nightlords you’ll encounter, don’t be fooled – the game doesn’t make them easy by any means. In fact, you may find them significantly more challenging than those that follow later in the game.

Gladius’ Strengths And Weaknesses

As a devoted admirer, I’d say that while Gladius may not boast the most intricate arsenal of moves, it certainly packs a punch! This makes it crucial to approach each battle strategically, as you’ll be better equipped for success if you’re well-prepared. Interestingly, Gladius has one significant vulnerability that you can leverage – its weakness lies in the realm of Holy. Keep your eyes peeled for locations marked with the Holy symbol on the map, as these are surefire spots to find items that can exploit this weakness.

If the location promises to yield a Holy weapon, keep in mind that it may not align with your character’s specific skill set or playstyle.

  • Strengths

    • Fire
    • Slash

  • Weaknesses

    • Holy

Regarding self-defense, the Gladius mainly inflicts Fire and Slashing wounds. Interestingly, they are inherently resistant to fire, but not to slashes or other forms of physical attacks. Therefore, enhancing your physical and elemental resistance with upgrades would be beneficial.

Recommended Characters

Gladius is a swift adversary, yet somewhat predictable in its moves and movement across the battlefield. Given that it can divide into three, it’s wise to have a character who isn’t just for support but can stand their ground as well. To achieve this, characters like Revenant and Recluse should be avoided.

Ironeye shows promise, yet lacks sufficient Endurance to withstand multiple hits in a one-on-one fight. Therefore, Wylder, Guardian, and Raider appear to be the most suitable choices given their robust Endurance and Strength, which enables them to endure Gladius’ attacks and wield weapons that can more efficiently knock them off balance.

In simpler terms, the staggering effect from substantial damage inflicted on Gladius during one phase persists throughout all subsequent phases. This means that if you deliver a large amount of stagger damage to all three forms of the boss together in one phase, it will make it easier for you to fully stagger each form in the following phases.

An Executor might work well in this scenario, but it’s crucial to master the art of deflection since their health isn’t exceptionally high. Be cautious not to misjudge dodges or deflections as it could result in a swift defeat.

Gladius’s Moveset

Gladius undergoes two stages, with the second stage being an extended version rather than a completely fresh transformation of the first. However, they share many similarities throughout. The riskiest situation arises when Gladius splits into three distinct adversaries. Normally, each player becomes the target for one, but all three might focus on a single player as well, which is the most difficult aspect of the battle.

  • Phase 1

    Attack Description Counter
    Chomp Gladius charges forward to bite at you, either from up-close or a distance. Can be chained up to three times. This is Gladius’ standard attack. It can be easily blocked, or just dodge through it.
    Blade Swing Gladius takes the sword on their back and swings it around. This can be chained into an additional swing, and has massive reach. This will hit everyone if they are anywhere in the arena, near or far from Gladius. Never take your eyes off them, and dodge as the blade comes close. Blocking can work, but be careful your guard isn’t broken in case you are hit by the follow-up swing.
    Blade Slam Gladius holds up their blade before slamming down in a straight line. Very powerful. This one is well telegraphed. As soon as you see the blade dropping, dodge. Being close to Gladius helps avoid this move.
    Grab Gladius charges at you with a grab attack. Can be caught by any of the three heads.

  • Phase 2

    Attack Description Counter
    Separation/Combination Gladius will split into three, with one retaining the sword. They will target each player individually unless specifically targeted. This separation occurs with a burst of flame. The combination has no such flame attack.
    Fire Breath Each individual Gladius and the recombined one can now breathe fire. This moves as a trail to a good distance ahead of Gladius.
    Flaming Blade All blade attacks can now be coated in flame, and a new attack has Gladius plunge the blade directly ahead of them for massive damage. This of course deals physical and fire damage.

When apart, each Gladius individually lacks strength, but only the one equipped with a blade can perform those specific maneuvers.

In another scenario, Gladius’ sword is one of the most hazardous aspects during the fight since it swings in all directions, both near and far. To ensure a fair advantage, maintaining a medium-to-close distance would be advisable as standing too far away might expose you to unnecessary risk.

Tips For Beating Gladius

In essence, Gladius isn’t overly challenging if you’re familiar with the gameplay. The key is having a self-reliant team for battle. Therefore, it’s advisable to prioritize stronger characters with larger health reserves over weaker ones. Additionally, due to their swift movement, melee encounters with Gladius are often disadvantageous. Instead, opt for hefty weapons capable of inflicting significant stagger damage, as they are more effective in halting Gladius.

Shielding can indeed work, but evading tends to be a wiser choice for dealing with subsequent strikes from a Gladius. However, it’s important to note that Guardian is the exceptional one who can defend effectively without risk. Therefore, make use of its presence if you have it at hand.

When Gladius divides into three parts, it’s best to concentrate on a single part at a time. Since they share the same health reserve, they can’t be defeated independently. Instead, try to keep them at bay and chip away at their HP as much as possible until they reform. Concentrating on just one part, particularly if it’s aiming at you, is significantly safer than switching between all three.

Upon your successful conquest, you’ll receive Traces of Night. This newfound power grants you the capability to engage in battle against the subsequent six Nightlord entities.

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2025-05-30 12:37