Mastering the Shadows: A Journey into Elden Ring's Ultimate Challenge

Unveiling the Pinnacle of Difficulty in Nightreign

The celebrated challenge runner, known as Ongbal in the Soulsborne community, recently showcased a solo completion of Elden Ring Nightreign's Depth Five, the highest difficulty setting. This achievement follows his previous impressive feats, including flawless victories against formidable bosses such as Malenia and Radahn, and conquering every boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice without taking damage. However, despite his success, Ongbal expresses reservations about the overall enjoyment of this particular challenge.

The Genesis of Depth Five: A Test of Endurance

Depth Five was integrated into Nightreign through the recent Deep of Night expansion. Progression to this level necessitates gradually advancing through preceding depths. While the initial depths escalate enemy difficulty and introduce random Nightlords, they also provide a balance with potent new weapon and relic effects, significantly enhancing the game's customization options and build diversity.

Wylder's Ascendancy: A Player's Preferred Path

Ongbal undertook this solo endeavor as Wylder, a character often referred to as "John Darksouls." Initially, Ongbal favored Executor, a samurai character adept at Sekiro-style parrying. However, his focus swiftly shifted to Wylder, whose enhanced mobility and complex skill set have cemented his status as a favorite among dedicated Souls players.

A Straightforward Yet Brutal Encounter

The most striking aspect of Ongbal's Depth Five expedition was its lack of dramatic turns. There were no extraordinary item discoveries, sudden environmental shifts, unexpected enemy incursions, or nail-biting finishes. Instead, the run was characterized by exceptionally resilient enemies capable of defeating the player in a single strike, demanding impeccable execution and patience.

Strategic Gear and Unwavering Skill

Ongbal's loadout included the augmented Wylder grapple and a blood loss upgrade from relics. He maintained and continuously improved his starter greatsword throughout the entire run, pairing it with an offhand Flamberge to enhance bleed-inducing jump attacks. Beyond this specific gear, his success hinged on an extraordinarily high level of gameplay execution. For the Nightlord encounter, he confronted a non-Everdark Fulghur, which, disappointingly, did not present the same randomized, glitch-induced challenge as some players experienced.

The Unfulfilled Potential of Dynamic Gameplay

The straightforward nature of Ongbal's run was a point of mild frustration for some, as the true allure of Deep of Night lies in its innovative weapon effects. Examples include bows that trigger powerful abilities like casting Swarm of Flies or inflicting Scarlet Rot when aimed precisely, rather than locked on. These dynamic elements add a layer of unpredictability and strategic depth that was somewhat absent in Ongbal's otherwise masterful, yet uneventful, ascent to Depth Five.