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Tricephalos is the name of the first Nightlord Expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign; the boss waiting in its arena is Gladius, Beast of the Night. Holy damage is the expedition’s listed weakness. The most important team decision comes when Gladius splits into three dogs: spread out to divide their pressure while the team is healthy, then regroup if someone needs protection or a revive.
Prepare during the first two days
A Tricephalos run gives your team two exploration days, each ending in a mandatory night boss encounter, before the third-day Nightlord showdown. The safe area shrinks during the first two days, so balance clearing camps and gathering power against travel time. Bandai Namco’s official starter guide explains the expedition structure and the need to build strength before the final fight.
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Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN Collector's Edition PS5 | $350.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Prioritize Holy damage, but use what the run gives you
Bandai Namco’s beginner tips say to check the Nightlord’s displayed weakness before choosing an expedition; Tricephalos lists Holy. If you find a useful Holy weapon or spell, it is a strong option to carry into the fight. PC Gamer’s May 29, 2025 guide says Holy attacks can stagger Gladius and suggests upgrading a suitable Holy starter weapon with a relic, or using Holy Grease if you find it. These are possibilities, not guaranteed equipment or drops.
Coordinate as a team
Clear nearby camps together when that is practical, and consider keeping a ranged weapon available so you can help revive a downed teammate. The route and equipment available vary from run to run, so no single preparation path is assured. If your equipment allows it without sacrificing more useful protection, fire resistance is also worth considering: GameSpot’s May 29, 2025 guide describes Gladius as specializing in fire damage.
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- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
How to handle Gladius’s attacks
Watch for the attack cues rather than relying on exact timings. GameSpot’s May 29, 2025 guide describes a chain attack aimed at one player, followed by a sweep that can catch other players moving across its path. The practical response is for the targeted player to focus on avoiding the chain while teammates stay alert to the sweep instead of crossing into it.
These descriptions come from a launch-era guide. Current balance can change how an attack feels, so treat them as recognition cues, not frame-perfect instructions or promises about damage and stagger thresholds.
What to do when Gladius splits into three dogs
The split is the encounter’s key teamwork test. Three enemies can pressure one player quickly if everyone stays clustered or focuses on the same target. When the team is in good condition, divide attention and create space so the dogs’ pressure is spread across the group. Keep track of which player each dog is pursuing and communicate before changing targets.
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- Additional DLC content will be added after the launch of the game. Release date and further details will be announced in the future.
- ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to bring a new gaming experience
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If a teammate is low on health or down, prioritize their safety over maintaining that spread. Regroup where you can support or revive them, then separate again when the team is stable. GameSpot and PC Gamer both emphasize tracking targets and coordinating during this phase; the right formation depends on your team’s condition, not a fixed rule to always spread out or always stay together.
What beating Tricephalos unlocks
Clearing the initially available Tricephalos Expedition opens further missions and may lead to story scenes or other progression, according to Bandai Namco’s official starter guide.
For the Forsaken Hollows DLC, Bandai Namco’s December 2, 2025 unlock guide says defeating Tricephalos unlocks Scholar after you speak with the Iron Menial. Defeating Tricephalos is also one condition for accessing the Balancers boss; that route additionally requires defeating another main-game boss and making both Scholar and Undertaker playable.
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