Nightreign’s Underdogs Just Got Stronger
If Elden Ring Nightreign has been sitting untouched in your library, this might be the excuse you need to jump back in. FromSoftware has rolled out patch 1.03.2, and instead of swinging the nerf bat, it has decided to power up some of the game’s less popular Nightfarers.
The core idea behind this update is simple. Rather than weakening strong builds, FromSoftware is lifting up the underperformers, especially in co op play. That means if you like experimenting with different characters or you bounced off a certain style because it felt too weak, this patch gives you a reason to try again.
The biggest winner in this update is the Executor, a Nightfarer that already appealed to players who enjoy precise timing and parries. But Guardians, Raiders, and Revenants are all getting noticeable boosts too, making the whole roster feel more rounded and viable.
Executor: A Parry Lover’s Dream
The Executor was already a favorite for players who love the tension of well timed counters, especially fans of games like Sekiro. Patch 1.03.2 leans hard into that identity and makes parry focused gameplay much more rewarding and forgiving.
The key changes revolve around the Executor’s Cursed Sword skill. This is the ability that lets you parry attacks and strike back with a brutal counter. After the patch, this skill is now significantly stronger in multiple ways:
- Higher critical damage when you land a successful parry
- Better guard boost, so you can absorb more pressure while blocking
- Increased stagger damage on successful deflects, making it easier to break enemy posture
- No more instant guard break if you deflect on low stamina
That last point is a big deal. Before, if you mistimed your stamina management, even a good deflect could get you punished with a guard break. Now the implication is that as long as your timing is on point, you can keep deflecting even when your stamina bar is basically empty. In practice you will still need to play smart, but it opens up clutch moments where a perfect parry really can save your life.
The patch also fixes how buffs apply to the Cursed Sword’s weapon art. Skill Power and Attack Power boosts will now correctly enhance the move, so any build that stacks buffs should feel a lot more impactful when you commit to your weapon art.
On top of that, the Executor’s ultimate ability has been powered up. It now hits harder and includes a short window of temporary immortality during the transformation animation. That gives you a much more reliable panic button. If things start to fall apart, popping your ultimate can both save you and punish enemies at the same time.
Put together, these changes push Executor further into the role of a high skill, high reward duelist. If you enjoy tension, precise timing, and that Sekiro style thrill of turning a deadly attack into your own victory, the patch makes Executor an even better fit.
Guardian, Raider, and Revenant Get Needed Love
Executor might be stealing the spotlight, but the other Nightfarers are not being left behind. Patch 1.03.2 gives each of them a clear identity boost, especially for higher level or co op play.
Guardian
Guardians are meant to stand on the front line, and the patch leans into that by simply making their guarding better. While the notes keep exact numbers vague in classic FromSoftware fashion, you can expect:
- More reliable blocking in intense fights
- Stronger overall defensive presence
If you like playing the tank for your group or enjoy soaking up hits while your allies go on the offensive, Guardian is now more comfortable and dependable in that role.
Raider
Raiders have been sped up and sharpened as aggressive melee fighters. The update gives them:
- Faster attacks for a smoother, more responsive combo flow
- A new effect on the Fighter’s Resolve passive, which boosts their damage for a short time after they take a hit
- A wider area of effect on their ultimate ability
This turns Raider into more of a high tempo bruiser. You hit fast, you get rewarded for staying in the thick of combat, and your ultimate can now control a larger area, making you more threatening in group encounters. Taking damage is no longer just a mistake, it also becomes an opportunity to hit back even harder.
Revenant
Revenant is all about summoned spirits, and that fantasy comes alive more strongly in the late game now. In Deep of Night mode, her spirits will now properly scale with the level of that mode. That means:
- Summons stay relevant as enemies get tougher
- High level play feels less like your core mechanic is falling behind
If you enjoy leaning on AI allies and a more indirect play style, this makes Revenant much more appealing as you push deeper into Nightreign’s more challenging content.
Buffs Over Nerfs And Why It Matters
One of the most refreshing things about patch 1.03.2 is the overall philosophy behind it. FromSoftware is clearly favoring buffs over nerfs. In a co op focused game, that approach makes a lot of sense.
When developers nerf popular builds too aggressively, it can make players feel punished for finding something fun. By contrast, buffing weaker options:
- Encourages experimentation with different Nightfarers
- Makes more builds feel viable without invalidating what people already enjoy
- Keeps co op play exciting, since more roles and play styles can contribute meaningfully
In true FromSoftware style, the patch notes do not share exact numbers, so players will need to test and feel out how strong these changes really are. But even without precise stats, the direction is clear. Nightreign’s underdogs now have more teeth, especially if you are willing to learn their strengths.
If you drifted away from Nightreign or shelved a character that felt too weak, this is a great time to dive back in. Whether you want to master Executor’s new parry power, tank hits as a Guardian, rush down foes as a Raider, or command scaling spirits as a Revenant, patch 1.03.2 makes each style more satisfying to play.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/nightreigns-latest-patch-finally-buffs-my-boy-the-executor-alongside-guardian-revenant-and-raider/
