How to land critical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign | Esports News

Critical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign are powerful attacks that deal massive damage, often turning the tide in tough battles. Unlike random luck-based mechanics, these strikes require skill, timing, and strategy. Whether you’re facing a towering boss or a group of enemies, mastering critical hits can make your journey through the Lands Between significantly easier.
What are critical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign ?
A critical hit is a special attack triggered under specific conditions, dealing significantly higher damage than a standard strike. These are not random but instead rely on player actions like breaking an enemy’s stance, parrying, or backstabbing. Key features of critical hits: – Deal 2x or more damage compared to normal attacks. – Often accompanied by a cinematic animation. – Can be performed on both regular enemies and bosses.
How to perform critical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign
There are three primary ways to land critical hits in Nightreign:
1. Breaking enemy stance (poise break)
Every enemy has an invisible poise meter. Depleting this meter staggers them, leaving them open for a critical hit. How it works: – Use heavy or charged attacks to drain poise faster. – Once staggered, enemies often kneel or expose a weak spot (for bosses). – Quickly move in and press the light attack button (R1/RB) to execute the critical hit.
Best weapons for stance breaking:

Elden Ring Nightreign Executor (Image via YouTube/Bandai Namco Entertainment)
Weapon Type | Effectiveness |
---|---|
Greatswords | High |
Hammers | High |
Colossal Weapons | Very High |
2. Parrying for critical hits
Parrying is a high-risk, high-reward technique that instantly staggers an enemy when timed correctly. Steps to parry successfully in Elden Ring Nightreign: – Equip a shield or weapon with a parry skill (e.g., Buckler, Parrying Dagger). – Press the parry button just as the enemy’s attack is about to land. – If successful, the enemy will stagger—move in for the critical hit. Recommended parry tools in Elden Ring Nightreign: – Buckler (fastest parry frames) – Golden Parry (increased range) – Carian Retaliation (works against spells)
3. Backstabbing unaware enemies
Backstabs are a stealth-based critical hit method, ideal for sneaky builds.
How to perform a backstab Elden Ring Nightreign:
– Crouch or move silently behind an enemy. – Position yourself close enough without alerting them. – Press the light attack button to trigger the animation.
Best scenarios for backstabs in Elden Ring Nightreign:
– Against humanoid enemies. – When enemies are distracted or unaware.
Tips to maximize odds of critical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign
To make the most of critical hits, consider these strategies: – Use the Miséricorde dagger – It has the highest critical multiplier in the game. – Exploit boss weak points – Many bosses reveal a glowing spot when staggered. Attack it quickly before they recover. – Equip critical-boosting gear – Some relics, like Night of the Baron, refill your Art gauge after a critical hit. – Practice parry timing – Different enemies have varying attack speeds, so experiment with shields and daggers.Also read: How to play Elden Ring NightReign co-op? Exploring best mods, settings, setup guide, and moreCritical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign are a game-changer, rewarding smart combat choices. Whether you prefer breaking stances with heavy weapons, parrying with perfect timing, or sneaking in backstabs, mastering these techniques will give you a major advantage. Keep practicing, experiment with different weapons, and soon, you’ll be landing devastating critical hits with ease.