The world of Elden Ring has always been one of rich lore, intense challenges, and moments of awe. But if you’re a fan of the franchise, you’re probably already aware that Elden Ring‘s spin-off, Elden Ring Night Rain, has taken this experience a step further with multiplayer elements and gameplay that pushes your skills to new heights. Now, with the release of the Forsaken Hollows expansion, the game has added more depth, fresh challenges, and even a few surprises for seasoned players. Let’s explore what this DLC has to offer, what changes you can expect, and how to make the most of this new content.

The Forsaken Hollows: What’s New?

Released on December 4, the Forsaken Hollows expansion brings exciting new features that blend seamlessly with the core mechanics of Elden Ring Night Rain. While not a mandatory addition, Forsaken Hollows adds two new playable characters, new bosses, and a unique event called The Abyssal Hole. This expansion brings with it a deeper, more vertical world, new challenges, and an even more dynamic approach to combat.

The core gameplay remains similar to what players already know from Night Rain, but with an added emphasis on cooperative play and strategy. You can now tackle new areas with your teammates, but this new content isn’t without its challenges. Even the most experienced players will feel the heat as they encounter new enemies, difficult bosses, and strange weather conditions that make every fight unpredictable.

Getting Started: How to Unlock Forsaken Hollows

If you’ve been wondering how to access Forsaken Hollows, the process isn’t immediately apparent. After you start a new session, you won’t automatically see any prompts about the new content. In my case, I didn’t notice anything until I completed a mission and received a message. If this happens to you, simply exit the game, re-enter, and continue playing until a new character, the Steel Servant, speaks to you.

Once you’ve spoken with the Steel Servant, you’ll need to head over to the Tarrot Bazaar, located on the side of the map, to unlock a boss fight that’ll set the tone for the expansion. This boss, known as the Lord of the Spoils, is a formidable challenge, though the good news is that you don’t need to win to progress further. Whether you win or lose, the game will push you forward without any setbacks.

Two New Playable Characters

Forsaken Hollows introduces two new characters: the Gravekeeper and the Scholar. Each brings a unique playstyle and set of abilities that can change how you approach combat.

• Gravekeeper: This is a highly offensive character, perfect for players who like to dish out damage and move quickly. Equipped with high mobility, the Gravekeeper excels in close combat, especially when paired with a strong hammer or weapon that boosts both strength and faith. The character’s ultimate ability allows them to sprint at full speed without consuming stamina, making them extremely agile in fights.
• Scholar: Unlike the Gravekeeper, the Scholar is more about strategy and support. Their main ability, Analyze, lets you scan the battlefield, gaining information on enemies to provide both buffs for your team and debuffs for the opposition. While the Scholar may seem like a slower character at first, their power comes from how they manipulate the environment to give their allies a strategic advantage. The Scholar can even bolster consumables, turning ordinary items into game-changing assets.

Before diving in, it’s worth taking some time in the training zone to test out both characters. While the Scholar’s ability to create buffs and debuffs is powerful, their playstyle requires a more tactical approach. Conversely, the Gravekeeper is an aggressive powerhouse that thrives on swift and powerful strikes.

Dynamic World: New Challenges and Weather Effects

One of the most striking changes in Forsaken Hollows is the introduction of new environmental hazards and weather effects that can significantly impact gameplay. For example, the expansion introduces swamps that slow your movement and poison you over time, adding an extra layer of danger as you navigate through the map. Additionally, you’ll encounter forges scattered throughout, allowing you to modify your weapons and add new abilities, though these upgrades aren’t drastically different from what you’ve experienced in the base game.

Weather effects also play a larger role, with blizzards that obscure your vision and fire storms that damage you over time. These weather conditions, combined with challenging new enemies and bosses, make Forsaken Hollows feel like a fresh challenge, even for veteran Elden Ring players.

The Abyssal Hole: A New Event

The Abyssal Hole event is one of the standout features of Forsaken Hollows. Unlike previous events that occurred on specific days, the Abyssal Hole spans both the first and second days, introducing a complex set of challenges that will keep you on your toes. Think of it as a deep, cavernous area full of ruins and dangerous enemies. This area is filled with crystal curses, and your goal is to find and destroy specific crystals scattered around the map. Doing so will prevent the curse from draining your health.

Additionally, the environment in the Abyssal Hole is more vertical, with dangerous platforms and precarious drops that will have you on high alert. If you’ve played Elden Ring‘s Shadows of the Earth 3 DLC, you’ll notice similar design elements here, with large, expansive areas exchanged for narrow, vertical spaces that test your platforming and combat skills.

New Bosses and Enemies

As expected, Elden Ring Night Rain introduces a slew of new bosses and enemies to face off against. Among the new threats are giant fire demons and the Lord of Blood, who wields tridents that drain your health continuously. The Forsaken Hollows expansion even brings back some familiar faces, like Artorias, much to the joy (and frustration) of Dark Souls fans.

The final bosses are no slouches either. One of the most challenging new bosses is the Seven Valkyries, a group of aggressive enemies that will force you to rely on your teammates to defeat them. They come in waves, with one special Valkyrie acting as the main boss, while the rest keep you distracted. The strategy here is simple—communicate with your team and tackle these enemies one at a time, ensuring you’re ready for the final phase where things get even more intense.

The Forsaken Hollows DLC for Elden Ring Night Rain is a welcome addition that builds upon the solid foundation of the game. With new characters, a more vertically challenging world, and dynamic weather and events, there’s no shortage of fresh content to keep players engaged. Whether you’re after tough new bosses or just looking for a more tactical multiplayer experience, Forsaken Hollows will keep you on the edge of your seat.

And hey, if you need to level up quickly, remember that there are always options to grab cheap Elden Ring runes from reputable sources like U4GM, which can help you breeze through some of the tougher moments. Just remember, it’s all about the journey.

How to Grind Efficiently: ELDEN RING Guides: Ten Weapons That Are Cheap and Powerful