Elden Ring: Nightreign expands the journey into the Lands Between, incorporating additional areas to explore, more lore to discover, and a brand new chilling feature: the return of several Dark Souls series veterans. Although these bosses do not have any ties to Elden Ring's storyline, their existence in the game is astonishing to long time fans of FromSoft’s earlier titles. Nightreign brings back six major bosses from Dark Souls, all redesigned for today’s era of brutal combat.

1. Centipede Demon

First Appearance: Dark Souls (2011)

Nightreign Role: Expedition Night Boss

The lava-soaked Centipede Demon returns from the depths of Dark Souls' Demon Ruins, now as a Night Boss encountered during Expeditions. While its grotesque, multi-limbed design remains intact, the Nightreign version introduces a twist: severed limbs break off and become slow-moving enemies. Though the cramped, lava-filled arena is gone, replaced by a more open field, this transformation keeps the fight intense and multi-layered.

2. Gaping Dragon

First Appearance: Dark Souls (2011)

Nightreign Role: Expedition Boss on Day 1 (Fulghor Path)

This monstrous fusion of dragon and decay slithers back into Nightreign during Fulghor’s expedition. Just like in the original, the Gaping Dragon infects the battlefield with rot, but its hitbox remains massive, allowing for strategic punishment.

What’s New: The battle is slightly less chaotic than its original form, making it a manageable (but still menacing) encounter early in the campaign.

3. Duke's Dear Freja

First Appearance: Dark Souls II (2014)

Nightreign Role: Expedition Boss on Day 1 (Adel Path)

This twin-headed spider queen from Dark Souls II has skittered her way into Nightreign with all eight legs of terror. As in the original, both heads must be targeted for true damage, while spiderling minions swarm the arena.

What’s Different: AoE magic is more effective in Nightreign, allowing players to better manage ads and focus on Freja’s heads during critical windows.

4. Smelter Demon

First Appearance: Dark Souls II (2014)

Nightreign Role: Expedition Night Boss

The Smelter Demon’s blazing iron form returns in Nightreign, still clad in molten armor and wielding intense fire-based attacks. While the design is largely unchanged, its predictable moveset makes it one of the more accessible returning bosses.

5. Dancer of the Boreal Valley

First Appearance: Dark Souls III (2016)

Nightreign Role: Night Boss Encounter

The ethereal, haunting grace of the Dancer lives on in Nightreign, but the fight has been adjusted for the wider, more open environments. She still wields dual swords, flame and magic, unleashing unpredictable spins and slashes.

6. The Nameless King

First Appearance: Dark Souls III (2016)

Nightreign Role: Final Day 2 Boss (Fulghor Path)

The Nameless King, one of the most legendary bosses in FromSoftware’s history, soars back into action in Nightreign. As before, this is a two-phase gauntlet: the first against his storm drake, and the second a relentless aerial melee using wind-based sorcery.

Why Are Dark Souls Bosses in Nightreign?

In an interview, Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki clarified that these returning bosses are purely a design homage, not a signal of shared lore between Dark Souls and Elden Ring. They were added to broaden enemy variety and reward longtime FromSoft fans with updated versions of unforgettable foes.

The inclusion of these six Dark Souls bosses in Elden Ring: Nightreign is more than simply catering to fans, it blends two of FromSoftware’s worlds in an unexpectedly creative way. Their integration isn't connected to lore within the Lands Between, but each fight adapts to Nightreign’s atmosphere and mechanics. From the Centipede Demon's raw chaos to the Nameless King, these battles provide new tests for old and new players to enjoy.