So, you’re still hunting for the Elden Ring Nightreign DLC release date? Honestly, I get it. The confusion has been real, especially with how FromSoftware and Kadokawa handled the messaging late last year. If you’ve been scouring Steam forums or Reddit only to find people arguing about "Fiscal Year 2025" versus actual calendar dates, let's just clear the air right now.
The first major piece of the puzzle, the The Forsaken Hollows DLC, actually dropped on December 4, 2025.
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If you missed that news, you’re likely seeing the "Mostly Negative" reviews on Steam that piled up in November when everyone thought the game was being abandoned. But that was just the start. The real question most of you are asking now is: what’s coming next in 2026?
The Confusion Behind the Elden Ring Nightreign DLC Release Date
Back in late 2025, FromSoftware's parent company, Kadokawa, dropped a financial report that sent the community into a tailspin. They mentioned the DLC was planned for release in FY2025. In Japan, the fiscal year doesn't end until March 31. This led to a massive wave of "March 2026" rumors that basically overshadowed the actual December launch of The Forsaken Hollows.
Kinda frustrating, right?
Basically, the "December 2025" date was the retail launch for the first expansion, but the developers have confirmed they aren't done. According to their roadmap, more content—potentially a second major drop or a massive "Tarnished Edition" update—is slated to arrive before the end of March 2026.
What Really Happened with The Forsaken Hollows
When The Forsaken Hollows finally landed, it wasn't exactly a Shadow of the Erdtree scale expansion. It was smaller, focused, and cheaper—priced at about 1,760 JPY (roughly $12-$15 USD). It added:
- Two new playable Nightfarer classes: The Undertaker and The Scholar.
- New "Shifting Earth" events that actually change the map layout mid-run.
- Two terrifying new bosses: The Balancer and The Dreglord.
Some players felt it was a bit light, but honestly, for a co-op survival spin-off, it changed the meta significantly. You’ve probably noticed the recent Version 1.03.2 update that just went live on January 15, 2026. That patch was a direct response to the DLC feedback, massively buffing the Executor and Guardian classes because, let’s be real, they were getting shredded in the new areas.
Why 2026 is the Real "Golden Year" for FromSoft Fans
If you’re waiting for something "bigger," you need to look at the 2026 horizon. Kadokawa’s latest investor briefings have been surprisingly chatty. We know for a fact that Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year.
But for those of us on PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X, the focus is on the final pieces of the Nightreign roadmap. There is a "Q4 Fiscal" window (January through March 2026) where we expect another content drop. Rumors suggest a "Deep of Night" expansion that might finally introduce the Perfumer class that dataminers have been obsessing over for months.
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I’ve seen some "leaks" claiming we're getting new NPCs like Melany or Borgrik. Take those with a massive grain of salt. Reddit is currently a wild west of fake names. Stick to the confirmed stuff: FromSoftware is aiming for "further sales growth," which means more content is a mathematical certainty, not just a hope.
Actionable Steps for Nightreign Players
Don't just sit around waiting for a trailer. The game is evolving right now.
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- Check your version: Make sure you're on v1.03.2. The Raider's new attack range with the "Totem Stela" Ultimate Art is a game-changer for solo runs.
- Verify your DLC: If you bought the Deluxe Upgrade back in May 2025, you already own The Forsaken Hollows. It was renamed from "Deluxe Upgrade" to "DLC" in November. Don't buy it twice!
- Master the Scholar: If you’re struggling with the new bosses, the Scholar’s "Analyse" skill was just adjusted to work better against large enemies. It’s the easiest way to farm runes in the current patch.
- Watch the March 31 deadline: This is the end of the fiscal year. Expect a major "State of Play" or a random FromSoft tweet with a new trailer before that date.
The Elden Ring Nightreign DLC release date isn't just one single day anymore—it’s a rolling seasonal update schedule that's keeping this weird, beautiful spin-off alive. Keep your eyes on the official FromSoftware press site; they tend to drop news on Wednesdays at 12 AM JST.