How to land critical hits in Elden Ring Nightreign

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:

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.