Introduction
Facing the final boss of Elden Ring: Nightreign solo can be brutal—especially when it's Heolstor the Nightlord, also known as the Shape of Knight. This enemy brings everything from wide-range AoEs to precision strikes, making it a serious challenge for even experienced players.
This guide is tailored for solo players, specifically those running a Raider class build. It covers every phase of the fight, optimal gear, effective holy damage setups, and how to maximize your poise and stance-breaking potential. You’ll get a breakdown of skills, relics, weapons, and timing strategies that work best to handle this endgame monster.
Whether you're trying to master the final boss in Elden Ring: Nightreign or just looking for the best build to carry you through the climax of the game, you're in the right place.
Recommended Class and Build Setup for Solo Play
For solo players, the Raider class is one of the most reliable picks against Heolstor the Nightlord. It combines high stamina, solid poise, and powerful stance-breaking skills. At the start of your run, focus on relics and upgrades that boost your holy damage, stamina regeneration, and physical damage resistance. These attributes will give you the edge needed to withstand the boss’s multi-phase assault.
Early on, it's important to explore mine shafts, mausoleums, and ruins to level up efficiently. Speedrunning these areas on Day One can get you to Level 7 or higher, which gives you enough base stats to equip heavy gear and a holy-infused weapon. Don’t ignore church locations either—they're a solid source of upgrade materials and defensive buffs.
Best Weapon Choices and Holy Damage Tips
To break Heolstor's defenses, you'll need a weapon that deals holy damage. Look for colossal weapons like ultra greatswords or greataxes with innate holy attributes or the option to apply holy scaling. One standout option is a Great Axe with rot and holy infusion, which allows for both damage over time and reduced incoming damage from the boss.
If your starting weapon doesn’t have holy capabilities, use a starting relic that converts it to holy, then upgrade it fully using Smithing Stones 1 and 2 until it's at least a purple-tier armament. You can also stock up on Holy Grease for temporary boosts. Regardless of your weapon choice, hitting the boss early and often with holy attacks is key to staggering and weakening him quickly in each phase.
Phase One: Reading the Boss’s Moves and Staying Alive
The first phase of the fight against Heolstor the Nightlord is manageable if you’ve set up your build correctly. He starts with basic melee swings and slow-paced attacks, giving you plenty of chances to learn his timing. If you’re using a Raider with high poise and damage negation, you can afford to take a few hits—but ideally, you should avoid damage altogether to preserve your flask count for later phases.
Use your holy weapon early to exploit his elemental weakness. Each strike you land not only chips away at his HP but also reduces the damage he deals for a short period. Utilize your stance-breaking skill (Raider’s class ability) to knock him off balance and follow up with critical hits whenever possible. Landing just one of these will tilt the phase heavily in your favor.
Phase Two: Faster, Deadlier, and Harder to Dodge
In phase two, Heolstor’s speed increases significantly. Expect three-hit combos, double swipes, and mid-range stab attacks that resemble the Dark Moon Greatsword’s style. You’ll need sharp timing to roll toward the boss during his triple combos rather than away. Dodging backward is a mistake—Heolstor closes the distance fast.
This is the point where holy weapon damage becomes crucial. If you land enough hits while he’s mid-animation, you can still stagger him and interrupt his rhythm. Use your triangle + L2 player skill to activate a defensive buff that absorbs damage. This is particularly useful when you misread a combo and need time to reset. Saving your ultimate skill for these moments lets you survive his heavier AoE or midair dive attacks.
Phase Three: AoE Hazards and Frenzy Damage
Once Heolstor reaches around 50% HP, he enters his final and most dangerous phase. He opens up the sky with a massive AoE attack that deals frenzy damage across a wide radius. The only reliable counter to this move is jumping at the right time. If you’re caught grounded during the effect, you’ll likely lose a huge chunk of health or even die instantly—especially on a squishy character.
His combos also evolve into more unpredictable patterns, such as stabbing followed by an earth-shattering ground slam. You’ll notice the terrain around you cracking—this is your cue to roll twice in rapid succession, typically to the left or right. Dodging forward or backward is highly risky in this phase. If you’re in trouble, use your ultimate attack to become invulnerable for a brief moment, then reposition.
Staggering Heolstor and Landing the Final Blow
Throughout all three phases, your goal remains the same: break Heolstor’s stance and land critical hits. When used with Raider’s skill, your holy armament gains a higher chance of staggering him. Once staggered, press in for a critical strike and then quickly reset your position. Timing is everything—missing one dodge during his AoE string can cost you the entire attempt.
Avoid bringing low-HP allies like Revenants into this fight if you’re playing in co-op. Their inability to tank damage or avoid wide-range attacks will only complicate the battle. Instead, pair with Guardians, Wilder, or Ironite classes that offer high HP, damage absorption, and crowd control skills. If solo, stick to two Wending Grace items purchased from the early-game merchant or dropped from hidden bosses—they’ll help you sustain through the worst of the damage spikes.
Conclusion: Beat Heolstor with Patience, Power, and Poise
Soloing Heolstor the Nightlord in Elden Ring: Nightreign takes preparation, a well-optimized build, and sharp combat instincts. Prioritize holy damage, choose the Raider class for durability and offense, and master your dodge timing in all three phases. Whether it’s his ground-smashing combos or frenzy-inducing AoEs, there's always a reliable counter—if you’re prepared.
Stick to the strategies detailed here, and you’ll have a solid chance at taking down one of the toughest bosses in the expansion—alone.
FAQ: Elden Ring Nightreign – Heolstor the Nightlord Solo
Q: What class is best to solo Heolstor the Nightlord?
A: Raider is the most effective due to its poise, stamina, and stance-breaking power.
Q: What weapon type works best in this fight?
A: Colossal weapons with holy damage, like greatswords or greataxes.
Q: How do I avoid the AoE sky attack in phase three?
A: Jump the moment the attack begins to avoid frenzy damage.
Q: Can I use co-op teammates in this boss fight?
A: Yes, but avoid low-HP characters like Revenants; they are liabilities.
Q: What's the best item to bring in solo runs?
A: Wending Grace—purchase early or obtain from hidden boss powers.
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