The Dreglord is the final challenge of the Forsaken Hollows DLC, and he is built to overwhelm you with Scarlet Rot, pressure, and a long two-phase battle. Since this Nightlord has no direct elemental weakness, the fight is about preparation and clean execution rather than relying on a damage type shortcut.
This guide walks you through how to unlock the encounter, what to expect in both phases, and how to survive his most dangerous attacks.
How to Unlock the Dreglord Expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign?
The Dreglord will only be met at the chapel behind the Small Jar Merchant for a short time when the DLC starts. This first battle is meant for you to lose, and it opens up the Scholar and the Undertaker as new Nightfarers.
The actual boss journey is only opened when you have defeated the Balancers. After their run is over, on the third day of his expedition, the Dreglord will appear, and the real fight will start.
Dreglord’s Weaknesses Explained
The Dreglord, a Nightlord, is the only one without an inherent weakness. He can bear Rot, Poison and any decay-related condition with a very high degree of resistance.
Nevertheless, he still responds positively to Bleed and takes Fire and Holy weapons damage. If you want to fast stagger and chunk damage, these are your safest options. In this battle, it is best to stay away from Lightning weapons since he has a natural resistance to them.
How to Beat the Dreglord in Elden Ring Nightreign?
1. Resistance to Scarlet Rot Has to Be Built Up
You will be affected by Scarlet Rot almost every time the enemies in this battle attack. You should get some items like Preserving Boluses that can either slow or cleanse the buildup of the rot, and any relics or talismans that can increase your resistance to the status effects.
There is one possible option where you can go for relics that enhance the attack when Rot is present—only make sure that you are very good in your movement before going for this one.
2. Use Glowstones and Flasks Wisely
To oxygenate the Dregs in the process of the ensuing battle, the Dreglord must be defeated twice. For the battle’s second part, it is advisable to keep at least three Flask charges. Once you are sure about the boss’s movement windows, Glowstones will act as instant healing, so bring along as many as you can.
3. Nightfarers with Bleed Capability are Necessary
The fight will be over in less time if a melee Nightfarer with Bleed-building ability is included in the team. You can also depend on fire-based damage coming from Wylder or the Scholar’s tools to apply pressure on the boss in between the openings.
How to Beat the Dreglord – Phase 1: Traitorous Straghess?
Phase 1 focuses on slow wind-up swings, corpse-ball slams, and periodic Rot explosions. His animations often delay longer than expected, so do not dodge too early. Instead, watch for the final twitch or shoulder drop before committing to a roll.
1. Reading His Main Attacks
Sweeping Strikes – Big horizontal arcs with late timing. Strafe around him or time your dodge to the final motion.
Corpse Slams – He gathers a rotting mass above himself, then drops it twice. Back away and re-engage only after the second impact.
Rot Burst – If he begins drawing Rot from the ground, prepare for a large-radius blast. Move to the edge, wait, and re-enter when the cloud fades.
2. Handling the Mob Spawns
At roughly one-third health, small zombies begin appearing. They inflict Rot and grab you if you get careless. You do not need to wipe out the entire wave—just clear enough space that you aren’t boxed in.
Later, a larger zombie may appear. Use your Ultimate at this moment to remove it quickly.
3. Conserve resources
Phase 1 is controlled chaos. Move often, keep the boss in view, and avoid burning through all your Flasks. Your goal is simply to arrive at Phase 2 with enough healing and stamina to endure the long fight ahead.
How to Beat the Dreglord – Phase 2: Pure Impulse Straghess?
After you empty his first bar, the arena darkens and the Dreglord rises again with a full second health bar. His attacks become more aggressive, and he gains several new mechanics involving pillars and rapid-area Rot bursts.
1. Rotten Scream
The floor below you explodes at the beginning of Phase 2. Stay in motion and pass through the minor Rot eruptions before they blow up.
2. Empowered Combos
He combines his swings with hitting the ground while jumping. These cause the formation of Rot pools wherever the corpse ball drops. Don’t ever stay near those places.
3. Rot Throw
He can throw Rot projectiles very quickly between attacks. If you want to avoid the tracking, then dodge sideways and not backward.
4. Pillar Leaps
Two pillars grow up at the back; he hops from one to the other and then citywide explodes with a delay. Look for the heap created on the ground—that’s a signal for the hit’s location. Get out of that area and then dodge.
5. Good Openings
In fact, Phase 2 provides safer damage windows since he takes longer to recover after pillar dives. You might as well use Glowstones here, as the downtime allows you to heal without penalty. Keep applying Bleed whenever you can.
6. Solo vs. Trios
In Trios, teammates can pull aggro while others lay down Fire damage. In Solo, you earn more Wending Graces but must play far more cautiously. The flow is slower, but the method is the same: avoid Rot zones, punish pillar dives, and let Bleed do the heavy lifting.
Defeating the Dreglord rewards the Night of Dregs relic, which alters your combat style by increasing attack power as status gauges rise. It also causes your attacks to inflict Rot when you take damage and restores your HP when Rot is active in the area.
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