Elden Ring, the latest release from FromSoftware since the original Dark Souls, has altered the mechanism of grab attacks, introducing a 0.2-second opportunity for a previously difficult boss fight.
In the latest addition to the FromSoftware universe, Elden Ring Nightreign, the grab mechanics in boss encounters have undergone a significant transformation compared to previous games. These changes introduce more reactive and tactical elements, making boss fights more engaging and strategic.
One of the key alterations is the use of mechanical grabs by bosses like Maris, Fathom of Night (Augur Boss), which can be countered or repelled through specific attacks. These grabs build up effects such as sleep, and players must perform fully charged counterattacks—often multiple times—to prevent debilitating effects. This requires strategic timing rather than pure evasion.
Defensive mechanics tied to grabs also play a crucial role. Players can repel ranged attack projectiles or boss orb attacks with quick slashes timed just right. For instance, a quick slash (R1 press) can interrupt certain grab-related or projectile-based attacks with precise timing, allowing players to neutralize them rather than being forced into a grab animation.
The new mechanics emphasize mechanical complexity, reaction, and patience over brute force or evasive dodge-only strategies. This is a distinct shift from previous FromSoftware grabs, which were often designed for tight timing windows with few counterplay options.
The use of ranged attacks and debuff resistances (like stacking sleep resistance) is critical to managing boss mechanics. This suggests that the grab-related attacks are part of broader multi-step fight designs, blending direct physical grabs with emergent status effects and projectile attacks, adding layers to the encounter design.
Nightreign grabs have evolved to be less about unavoidable animations and more about reactive counterplay. Players can now earn an Ultimate Arts buff by narrowly missing capture, and enemies can be hit and staggered to drop a player who is captured. The escape threshold for inescapable grabs from bosses like the Centipede Demon and Gaping Dragon has been doubled from 25HP to 50HP.
In multiplayer slobberknocker, there are large on-screen tells before a creature takes a massive swing at you, providing a wider window for dodging. Moreover, if you are captured by an enemy, your fellow Nightfarers can disrupt the damage. However, unlike in prior games, enemies no longer have temporary immunity if a player is captured.
For a comprehensive guide to all Elden Ring Nightreign bosses, you can refer to the guide available on our website. For further insights into the game, consider signing up for our Newsletter to receive weekly digests, tales from various communities, and more. Zullie the Witch, an expert Nightreign deepdiver, has also posted a breakdown of the alterations to grab mechanics for those seeking a more detailed analysis.
- The grab mechanics in Elden Ring's Nightreign, such as those used by Maris, Fathom of Night (Augur Boss), deal with tactical elements, leaning more towards strategy and reaction rather than brute force or evasive dodge-only strategies.
- Players must be patient and display mechanical complexity in countering boss grabs, as they need to perform fully charged counterattacks multiple times to avoid debilitating effects like sleep.
- Quick slashes (R1 press) can repel ranged attack projectiles or boss orb attacks with precise timing, neutralizing them and providing a defensive mechanism.
- The new grab mechanics in Nightreign also include elements of action, as players can earn an Ultimate Arts buff by narrowly missing capture, and enemies can be hit and staggered during grabs, dropping a captured player.
